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Vac-U-Fletcher

 

1:144 Scale Model RC Fletcher Class Destroyer Hull Kit 

Manufactured by Vac-U-Boat 1259 Humphries Rd. Conyers, GA 30012 [email protected] 

This  Vac-U-Fletcher  Hull  Kit  Features: 

Tough high-impact polystyrene hull, a scale deck 

with  realistic  details  including  five  5-inch  cannons  with  brass  barrels,  stacks  with  searchlight 
platform,  two  torpedo  launchers  and  the  bridge  with  gun  director  overhead.    The  rudder  kit 
includes a rudder cast on a brass shaft with a self-aligning rudder bracket, rudder arm, stainless 
steel pushrod, and e-z connector with stainless screw. The single drive kit includes a “365” motor 
direct-driving the precision 1/8-inch stainless steel shaft supported by Oilite

®

 bushings in the brass 

stern tube with a brass coupling, injection-molded copper colored 1-inch polyethylene prop, 6-32 
threaded drive dog, prop nut, six magnets to attach the 2nd deck and a motor mount that also holds 
the included mini servo for the rudder. Once assembled, the hull is sealed up to the top of the deck 
house. Although not necessary for most water conditions, the upper deckhouse openings can be 
taped  over  with  a  strip  of  clear  packing  tape  to  completely  waterproof  the  hull.  Screws  for  the 
motor, rudder pushrod & servo are accessible from openings in the top of the deck house for any 
repair or maintenance. A more expensive twin counter-rotating drive kit is available to make the 
model’s drive the same as the real ship but isn’t necessary as both single and twin drive setups will 
drive and maneuver the ship at faster-than-scale speeds.  

If you are looking for a museum-quality scale Fletcher-Class destroyer with hundreds of parts 

and  fine  detail,  DO  NOT  BUY  THIS  MODEL!  This  is  a  vacuum-formed  plastic  kit  which 
includes only the larger details of the real ship with adjustments made so the shape is compatible 
with vacuum-forming equipment. Once assembled & painted and you have added your radio gear, 
battery, electronic speed control, ballast weights & wiring connectors, it will run and look great in 
the water. If you need additional details, they can be scratch built or 3D printed.     

 The boat can be painted with plastic-compatible hobby spray paints. Use ONLY plastic-safe 

paints  like  Hobby  Enamels,  Krylon 

Fusion

  or  Rustoleum  American  Accents  2X  Ultra  Cover 

paints are the best. Sprayed or brushed acrylics work well too.  

Please  read  the  following  information,  warnings,  tips  and  tricks  before  building  this  model. 

Use caution with glue, the plastic bags, and small parts if children are around. Read the labels of 
all adhesives, paints, and electronics purchased for this hull. Use extreme care with hobby knives 
when cutting plastic. 

Remember to turn on the transmitter first, then the boat’s receiver. Teach your child to turn off 

the  boat  before  lifting  it  out  of  the  water.  Even  a  plastic  prop  can  be  hazardous  to  their  little 
fingers.  

Enjoy your Vac-U-Fletcher. If you have any questions, you can contact me at philpace@vac-u-

boat.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

© 2018 Philip Pace dba Vac-U-Boat™

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Contents for Vac-U-Fletcher

Page 1: ...make the model s drive the same as the real ship but isn t necessary as both single and twin drive setups will drive and maneuver the ship at faster than scale speeds If you are looking for a museum q...

Page 2: ...de or connected to the boat Even if it is turned OFF assume it can glitch and run on its own Never run the boat if swimmers are in the water Don t chase wildlife Be careful with rechargeable batteries...

Page 3: ...launcher bases mini servo boat stand Rudder self aligning mount rudder arm stainless set screws stainless pushrod EZ Connector Single Drive Package with brass stern tube Oilite bushings precision sta...

Page 4: ...ller for epoxy Drill bits 3 32 1 8 5 32 and 3 16 A 2 Phillips screwdriver and a roll of painter s masking tape A step drill bit is handy for making large holes safely Following smaller drills with lar...

Page 5: ...g apart under the pressure of the sanding block Keep the block flat on the surface Don t let the block overhang either end of the hull more than 1 2 inch to avoid rounding over the tip of the bow or s...

Page 6: ...ount of filler to thicken and strengthen the epoxy Use a 3 16 inch drill to drill into the center of the rudder inset at the stern of the hull Wallow out the hole a little so the rudder base black alu...

Page 7: ...rew can walk outside The pilot house roof supports the mast and gun director The pilot house is also formed upside down These parts stack together on top of the upper deck This small bump is the gun d...

Page 8: ...right of the slot Before separating the 5 inch gun tops choose the angle of your gun barrels Put a dot on each cannon where you plan to drill Hold the drill at the same angle for each cannon Slowly dr...

Page 9: ...it frequently to keep the base of the gun square and even on all sides Sand just until the rounded bottom is gone as shown on the right photo after on left and before on right Cut a gun base from the...

Page 10: ...Put a little CA around the 1 8 inch area and insert into the hole of the gun aligning the barrel before the CA cures Repeat for the other 4 guns Don t attach them to your ship yet Back to the hull If...

Page 11: ...the launcher Apply CA to the raised areas under the launcher Press the sanded side of the rectangle to the underside of the launcher This forms a flat base for mounting it Locate the 4 Stack halves a...

Page 12: ...inside area double arrow Leave room to sand and fit to the width of your finished stack The width of a stack will vary according to how much you sanded away The slot in the wing should not be too larg...

Page 13: ...version on left or the earlier version on the right and trim the rear anti aircraft gun placement Attach a tape handle and sand the top smooth and even Use your hobby knife or box cutter to remove any...

Page 14: ...om sanding Score the inside marks at the bridge The finished parts should look like this LOOK CLOSE at the cutout detail of the Bridge to match it Set the pilot house into the bridge as shown Center s...

Page 15: ...tall the rudder arm over the rudder shaft and tighten the set screw against the flat of the rudder Leave a little up down clearance to prevent binding of the rudder shaft Wash your hands to keep greas...

Page 16: ...remove it and use a hobby knife to trim the upper half of the hole then test again until it sits down into the recess Attach your red and black wires to the motor by first tinning the motor tabs with...

Page 17: ...le epoxy will keep the drive dog and prop from getting loose Just a bit on the last few threads and tighten the drive dog as shown Screw on the prop aligning the drive dog to the notch in the prop Tig...

Page 18: ...deck Press once LIGHTLY Excess epoxy will come out Gluing both the stern tube and motor mount at the same time will ensure that they line up with each other once the epoxy sets Before the epoxy sets c...

Page 19: ...receiver when you attach the battery to the ESC No need for a separate battery for the receiver Connect the ESC to the receiver and battery Turn on the Transmitter then turn on the receiver You may ne...

Page 20: ...ht Don t overtighten the rudder arm set screw Locate the package of six rare earth magnets Set the 2nd deck next to the deck as shown Mark dots on the 2nd deck to correspond to these three positions r...

Page 21: ...he inside of the three deck house hatches with a pencil to mark the trim lines Slowly drill the corners with a 3 16 inch drill Use a hobby knife or box cutter to score the lines until the hatches are...

Page 22: ...ard Alternate On the next piece of tape start with the opposite end first Pulling on the same side of the hull for each piece of tape may cause a twist to the hull Find two scraps of wood or anything...

Page 23: ...he gun s base Apply CA to gun Center the gun and press hold 12 seconds Repeat for the other four guns Glue the two anti aircraft mounts Then attach the torpedo launchers as shown Drill through the roo...

Page 24: ...ote the top angle Orient them as shown Install it about 1 2 way between the top and bottom of the straight portion of the stack Don t forget the stern anti aircraft mount or the alternate early versio...

Page 25: ...give a good even color Never try to get full coverage with the first coat It will run every time You should be able to see through the first coat The best tip about any kind of spray paint is to let t...

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