Topic: Plank on frame Sub? (Read 1013 times)

Lash151 · « **on:** February 02, 2012, 07:26:13 PM »

Hi... I was just wondering... has anyone built a plank on frame submarine ?? I don't know a great deal about submarine modelling so I was just curious!
Lee

Subculture · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:54:49 PM »

There have been a couple of modellers, one in the UK, who have built models of a 19th century Spanish submarine called an 'Ictineo', and as the original was constructed from wood, the models have followed suit.

I'm not sure if the inner pressure hulls are made from wood, however I've seen wood used for endcaps on dive cylinders, and also the old Krick U25 was wood, but that was bread and butter construction not plank-on-frame.

I have to be honest and say that wood wouldn't be my number one choice for a submarine, but if that is the only alternative, make sure you seal it well with resin (epoxy resin is best for this), and if you're using it as part of a pressure hull, make sure it's good and chunky.

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:59:24 PM »

My 9' long U-117 was built plank on frame...the bulkheads were made of 3/8" ply with the planking being cut down scaffold planks. The hull was then coated in resin and sprayed.

Rich

Lash151 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:13:28 PM »

Wow... thats amazing! I was just curious really as I don't think I have the budget to get into subs at the moment. I find them fascinating though, I bought a book on model subs but since then I have tried not to think about it... lol I'm always trying to think of ways I could build one without having to find upwards of a grand to start... I tend to model on a tight budget!

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:38:13 PM »

Check out the MyHobbyStore plans service, there's several sub plans there that are dead easy to build, and with a bit of care in the building of them, will work very well. HMS Undine is one, and in the Traplet Publications plans list is HMS Unseen, both virtually identical and easy to build out of balsa, ply and plastic sheet.

The plans for U-117 are also in there, although at a sensible size...mine was built double size, it seemed a good idea at the time.

There's also a styrene U boat available from Sarik Vacform for around £50 ish, and also a 15" submersible for around £30 ish.

You can also visit the AMS website and forum at www.associationofmodelsubmariners.com or www.theassociationofmodelsubmariners.com...loads more information there.

Rich

Lash151 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:03:54 PM »

Thanks, I didn't know about the AMS site... there is a lot of information there. I shall have a serious read...
And thanks for the plans link, I shall also have a look there. I wish I didn't start looking for the next project before i have finished the present one!! Its so hard staying focused on one thing!

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:18:01 PM »

I know the feeling well...too many boats and not enough time!

Enjoy our website and our forum....

Rich

Subculture · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:49:42 AM »

The plans for Undine and Unseen are supplied by Traplet, who are a different outfit to myhobbystore, the latter distribute the plans formally supplied by MAP/Nexus etc.

A small dynamic diving submarine needn't break the bank, certainly won't cost a grand to get in the water, and will provide less challenging to a novice, lacking the complexities of a ballast system, and they're just as much fun to operate as the more sophisticated boats.

Plenty of people out there who have constructed really lovely models from scrap materials, so the only 'cost' is their time and talent, which is what you pay for when you purchase a kit- a third parties time and talent.

hollowhornbear · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2012, 01:36:36 PM »

here's video of undine modded cosmetically to look like a U boat, filmed at one of Andy's Dive-ins. all wood construction dynamic dive, Simples.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnDTc5boyZ0&feature=plcp&context=C3d3d489UDOEgsToPDskI9iPk6GMf8-IZ6tN1ukUUF

Subculture · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2012, 01:50:50 PM »

Yep we get a lot of these, seen at least six working so far, and they all work well, exploding ESC's aside.

Two have been fitted with brushless motors, not really essential, but they fair shift and the handling gets 'interesting'.

Another chap brought a pair of these boats along, and he'd adapted the design slightly by using plasticard instead of wood for construction, which bypasses the need to seal the boat after construction.

Lash151 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:03:46 PM »

That is very interesting... I tend to build from plans rather than kits anyway so that is the kind of thing I would go for... The dynamic diving looks good as well...Is that submerged using the planes only... no ballast tank?
Lee

Davy1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:39:35 PM »

They are not really true plank on frame (which is rare) but if you look in Picture Galleries 1 and 2

http://associationofmodelsubmariners.com/picture-gallery.php

you will see Nigel's lovely ""Turtle" and Brian's "Umbra" ( the duck egg blue one). (Alf's "Ictineo" must also be in there somewhere too.)

"Turtle" is real solid wood and "Umbra" was ply on frames but is a suitable job for moulding in fibreglass, which, it has to be said, is probably the most satisfactory material for model subs.

David

PS I have just seen Alf's "Ictineo" in Gallery 3 and that is "plank on frame" and very nice too!

Circlip · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:44:30 PM »

One of the originals, Type lX u-boat MHS plan, probably "X" range (unless they've lost it) MM471 LOA 44" Beam 4" balsa or Obeche B&B construction R/C or free running. Or MM485 Sardine, Tinplate on wooden frame, 48" long.

Regards Ian.

Lash151 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2012, 04:15:08 PM »

Oh no... I'm starting to get that little glow of excitement that I get when something shifts from being just mild curiosity to a serious idea.... I mustn't think about this until I have finished the boat I'm building.... (I must keep repeating this to myself)......none of you lot are helping much... you're making a submarine project sound horrible feasible!!

Lee

Subculture · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2012, 04:19:59 PM »

There is a good special offer going on at the moment. A DVD plus the submarine special magazine which includes the free plan for HMS Unseen for under a fiver- bargain!

http://shop.traplet.com/product.aspx?c=2650

Some of the other plans mentioned are more advanced builds, and will probably require some adaption and improvisation on the part of the builder, which you may, or may not find straightforward.

Some people have successfully customised the Unseen design to make rezemble other classes of boat, so you don't have to build exactly to plan unless you want to.

Lash151 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 03, 2012, 04:29:47 PM »

Thanks for that link... unfortunately I happened to be holding my credit card at the very moment you posted.... so I ...err... ordered it!! I have a bad feeling I know where all this is heading...

Lee

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2012, 07:53:37 PM »

Quote from: Circlip on February 03, 2012, 03:44:30 PM

One of the originals, Type lX u-boat MHS plan, probably "X" range (unless they've lost it) MM471 LOA 44" Beam 4" balsa or Obeche B&B construction R/C or free running.

Regards Ian.

That was the plan that U-117 was built from...twice the size, plus a bit. Not quite sure where we got the bit from though...

Rich

getemuphigh · « **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2012, 04:35:16 AM »

I have a wooden sub hull, think it was made from a Krick kit.
I have rubbed it all down to the bare wood again and it looks pretty good.
Also repainted the upper plastic deck in grey primer.
Might even get around to finish it one day, but I doubt it?!

getemuphigh · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2012, 07:34:09 AM »

Pretty sure its the old U-25 wooden kit, will post some pics up if anyone wants for ref.

Lash151 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2012, 10:01:08 AM »

Quote from: getemuphigh on February 04, 2012, 07:34:09 AM

Pretty sure its the old U-25 wooden kit, will post some pics up if anyone wants for ref.

If you have some pictures that would be very interesting.... How is it constructed?

Subculture · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:46:52 PM »

It was bread an butter construction for the lower/pressure hll, with an ABS deck/top half of hull.

I think in many respects it was a better kit than the plastic fantastic u-boat they supply now, which is a bit flimsy, but it's now out of production.

Here is a builders review of the model- http://www.subcommittee.com/SubComm/reviews_show.cfm?ReviewID=5

Lash151 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:56:09 PM »

Hi... does anyone have a copy of Marine Modelling October 2009? Apparently there is an article on building a cheap static dive system... Sea Wolf build? I have contacted Traplet about buying a copy but they haven't replied yet... someone hasn't got a PDF of the article have they???

I shall read the article above also.... thank You
Lee

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2012, 02:59:05 PM »

Somewhere I have a build article from an old magazine, plus all the diagrams, build instructions and the plan, and a load of pictures on the original Krick U-25. I had the very first one that Micro Mold in Worthing brought into the country, it was very easy to build...if you don't mind a lot of sanding.

Remind me, and keep reminding me...I'll dig it out for you and scan you a copy if you'd like?

Rich

Lash151 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2012, 05:05:09 PM »

Quote from: U-33 on February 04, 2012, 02:59:05 PM

Somewhere I have a build article from an old magazine, plus all the diagrams, build instructions and the plan, and a load of pictures on the original Krick U-25. I had the very first one that Micro Mold in Worthing brought into the country, it was very easy to build...if you don't mind a lot of sanding.

Remind me, and keep reminding me...I'll dig it out for you and scan you a copy if you'd like?
Rich

That would be brilliant!! Thats exactly what I need... No I don't mind sanding, I seem to spend my whole life sanding...lol
Lee

Lash151 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2012, 05:55:34 PM »

Rich....
I think I have PM'd you!!
Lee

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2012, 06:33:54 PM »

Lee...you sure did! And I've replied!!!

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Author Topic: Plank on frame Sub? (Read 1013 times)

Lash151

Patrick Henry

Lash151

Patrick Henry

Lash151

Patrick Henry

hollowhornbear

Lash151

Davy1

Lash151

Lash151

Patrick Henry

getemuphigh

getemuphigh

Lash151

Lash151

Patrick Henry

Lash151

Lash151

Patrick Henry