Rookie needs advice re first sub kit

Advert

New Replies

Report Bug

Help/FAQs

Rookie needs advice re first sub kit

This topic is empty.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

Author

Posts
3 May 2010 at 05:55 #26644
Simon Ellis
Participant
@simonellis57966
Hi all!,

I’ve recently become interested in having a go at an R/C Submarine kit and would like a bit of advice about a first Sub.

I’m considering two options

1) Robbe Sea Wolf

2) Converting a Revell 1/72 VII to a r/c surface runner.

My modeling experience is mostly plastic kits millitary and Sci-Fi. In terms of boats I have made a couple of the Glynn Guest boats from one of his books.

Any opinions on what may be the best option?

In terms of the revell VII does anyone have any links to a stage by stage conversion guide? Ive found a couple but they are mostly for a full diving version rather than just a surface runner.

cheers

Simon
Advert

3 May 2010 at 05:55 #1959
Simon Ellis
Participant
@simonellis57966
3 May 2010 at 17:22 #26652
Len Ochiltree
Participant
@lenochiltree67043
Hi Simon,

I have a Revell Gato waiting to be converted to a static diver, but I am waiting for another more experienced model submariner to do his first.

If you just want a surface runner then all you are making is a boat, and you have already done that.

Have you tried over on the Other Forum?, its Mayhem over there.

Len.
3 May 2010 at 18:30 #26653
Simon Ellis
Participant
@simonellis57966
Hi Len,

No i wasn’t aware of the other forum, i’ll register later tonight.

At the moment im just trying to figure out which would be the most difficult jump for me either the conversion job as i don’t know anything about what you need to do to make a regular injection plastic kit sea worthy, or just buying a complete r/c sub kit like the sea wolf.

Thank’s again

Simon
3 May 2010 at 18:33 #26654
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Converting a sub like that to a surface runner is not quite so straightforward as might be assumed as subs sit very low in the water and so I would suggest some sort of waterproof compartment has to be constructed for safety.

You can of course make the boat ride a bit higher, and dispense with that but I wouldnt like to risk it.

Having made a waterproof box for the sub…why not then try to make a dynamic diver??

Might need some bigger diving planes of course .

Easy

Ashley
3 May 2010 at 23:21 #26658
Simon Ellis
Participant
@simonellis57966
I’ve rgistered on Mayhem just waiting to be approved by the admins.

Forgot to say another option i was considering was getting hold of some plans, preferably with a construction guide.

In actual fact there are some plans in the shop on this site for a Type IX uboat by a guy called P.Russell using Bread and butter construction. Does anyone have any experience with these plans who can give me an idea of the difficulty level or how well the bread and butter technique works?

Cheers
4 May 2010 at 09:10 #26659
ron hawes
Participant
@ronhawes49865
ive made 2 subs in the past one was a sctratch built o class which was very good but very heavy and i converted a revel gota a few years back which was light and quite good but the plastic bits kept falling off under water!!
5 May 2010 at 11:49 #26684
Simon Ellis
Participant
@simonellis57966
I decided to orderthe marine modelling international sub special. It comes with plans to make a semi scale 60’s era attack sub.

Its apparently simple to make using balsa + plywood and has a dynamic diving system. Seems like this should be ideal for me. Simple, looks good, cheep and great learning opportunity before moving on to a more expensive kit!
5 May 2010 at 19:38 #26689
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Simon. Yours truly has had a go at the “simple sub” I think you are talking about by Hal harrison?

Search for “Oberon submarine” in the past posts.All you need to know about how not to make a sub.

I didnt use a three channel radio however, and mine dived very satisfactorily. I simply used the normal rudder and throttle, with fixed diving planes, angle set after much experimentation. This does of course mean that it only stays at depth in a straight line, but that was all I wanted. If you have a model sub at the pond, everyone wants to know if it dives, and it does .

The only thing I would have done differently (besides making it much bigger!!! say 4 foot long) was make the sail hollow and also scoop out some of the balsa from the top in an effort to lessen the buoyancy of these parts when it starts to submerge.

Well effective on the boating pond. On one Sundays jaunt out I had the sub under water and my Sunderland passing over the top….tickled my fancy that did…if only i had made some proper depth charges !

Ashley
Author

Posts