Miss Renault

[David Hajj]

I have been searching for information and pics, decal sets or make my own of the Renault series of Hydros. I am starting a 45" 1/8th project but information and pics for this boat seem to be slim at best.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Pacific graphics does not offer a set for this hull that I know of, anyone else?

Thanks guys,

David

[Garry Finlay]

Dave, the old Miss Renault was an interesting boat. It showed promise, but never quite came through – except for the International Regatta in 83 – or 84 I believe.

It was a pretty boat, but it usually ran with the rear motor hood off and the wing kept moving around. At first it was mounted low on the transom, then moved up to the conventional position, but with out the fins.

Here is a photo of it as it ran early in it’s rather short career.

Garry

[David Hajj]

Garry,

I saw the boat run once in 83 and always liked it even though it never did well. I like a underdog. I wanted to do that version. Thanks for the pic. If you know of any other information mainly pics for building I am grateful for anything. I think it would make a good RC project.

I have been a Renault fan going way back. I even imported a Renault R5 turbo with the Matra 190 bhp water injected mid engine. I was also at Mid-Ohio when the factory IMSA car was testing and crashed killing the factory driver and ending their development of the car.

Take care,

David

[rbeyer]

David:

I always liked the Renault. I have about 10 or so pictures in a zip file that I can send you.

Check out this link for info on the only race the Renault team ever won. They backed into the win but a win is still a win.

http://www.lesliefield.com/races/1983_uim_world_championship.htm

This is a great site for the history of the hydroplanes.

Rick

[David Hajj]

Rick,

Thank you very much, great site, this helps a lot.

David

[rbeyer]

The graphics on the Renault boat are pretty simple. The key is finding the Renault font.


About Renault® Font Family

Designer Wolff Olins, 1968

Wolff Olins designed Renault font in 1968 with light and bold weights and their respective italics. The forms have a rectagular basis and line up close together, building an overall balanced and homogeneous image. The large white spaces and the high x-height make Renault font legible even in smaller point sizes. Renault was used as the corporate font of the French automobile company Renault. It has a strong, precise look and good for running text as well as display applications.


You can buy the font at the site below:

http://www.linotype.com/1399/renault-family.html


Rick

[Garry Finlay]

One thing to note also is the offset of the cockpit, motor and drive. This makes for a large and small side for the Renault logo.

Garry

[David Hajj]

Garry,

Thanks for noting the offset. I was not sure from the few pics I have of the boat and my memory is not that good from 23 years ago. Rodger Newton has plans for the hull but I have not ordered them yet. Do you have experience with his plans, good bad?

David

[AndyKunz]

I have built several boats from Roger's plans and they were all very good.

Andy

[Garry Finlay]

I love his plans. Lots of detail. I’d go with lighter materials for the bulkheads and stringers. And you can eliminate the big motor mounting structure. But if you are doing an eighth scale hull, you can pretty much do it his way – but lighter.

Garry

[David Hajj]

Andy & Garry,

Thanks for the input. Yes I want to build a 1/8th scale of the hull.
I like the low wing model myself. It is different and practical for RC since it is low and durable. Besides in my limited experience with 1/8th gas hydros (1/8th Circus Circus) the wing acts more as show than real effect and is prone to damage in a blowover.

I would like to try a large 4 to 6 pole motor for this boat instead of the Lehner 2280 series. I have had good results with smaller 4 and 6 pole motors compared to 2 pole designs. It seems the 4 and 6 pole motors have better power output to input ratios. Just have to see who else besides NEU will start offering such.

David