| In 1983 after a long absence from model building, I decided, as a real challenge, to construct a
radio controlled model of one of the newest ships of the Royal Australian Navy. The model originally
started out as HMAS DARWIN, FFG-04, but during construction was altered to HMAS ADELAIDE.
Construction began with a plank on frame hull of ply and balsa and then finished off with
fibreglass chopped strand matt and resin. The deck was cut from a single piece of 3mm Perspex. Due to
the large amount of superstructure I decided to use a sheet styrene in place of the traditional ply. I
found the styrene a breeze to work with and with a little work could be made to look very much like
the sheet panel aluminium the real ship was produced from. All other details such as the tall lattice
masts, railings, weapons and fittings were also produced from plastic.
A single Hectoperm 12 volt motor originally powered the model, but the model has undergone a number
of “refits” since that time and is now powered by a Sagem 12 volt print-head motor. She still carries
a 4-channel radio system, which operates the DMG MPSC1030 Speed Controller, the single offset rudder,
the 76mm gun/Target illuminator and the Mk13 GMLS. Navigation lights, flight-deck lights and SPS-49
Radar also operate by switches under the superstructure.
The model has run very successfully for many years even though she has a number of periods where
she has had to undergo refits or major reconstruction. One of these incidents was a collision with the
wharf at Wentworth Falls, when in darkness she was accidentally driven under the wharf by an unnamed
assailant. Most of her upper-works had to be constructed, but that is another story (See TENIX FFGUP).
The model is now 17 years old, but she will be seen sailing the waters with her sister ships for
hopefully many years to come. |
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