Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Submarines => Topic started by: g4yvm on June 16, 2011, 11:15:49 am
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Well after a fair bit of searching and a lot of help from MBM a Darnell Type vii has finally landed on my workbench. I'll add some photos later and post the build to.
Any advice along the way will be very welcome! As she lies she has stock props and the VERY nice bigger brass props...they look good! She has the water tight box and an air bag system: the box may or may not get fitted, but likely not as we intend to make piston tanks. I intend to fit microgyros electronics and enough scale to make it look good but not so much as to make it difficult to transport. I have also given consideration to fitting bespoke camera housings within the shell to avoid having to strap them on. Dunno about that though.
All in all, very excited.
D
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Here's where I am with mine, got it just before the mayhem weekend. Will get round to detail painting the guns, and spraying the black camo pattern onto the top and sides at some point. Tank is all my own design and build, is running MMB 755 motors, on 12v with 60mm props, and if things turn out well will have firing torps :-))
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/DSC04267.jpg)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/DSC04268.jpg)
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Well, what can I say? Its beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
David
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Thanks for that :-))
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Andy, out of interest, where did you get the figureines?
I have been toying with the idea of putting a bridge crew on a little lift so that when she surfaces I can send them up on watch: just not sure how they'd hide when diving but that could be addressed with brush bristles maybe. Dunno yet but its an intriguing idea.
D
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They're George Turner figures, actually 1:32nd scale but who's gonna notice?
I'm gonna fit a leveller/ depth thingy and go along with their heads just poking up out the water {-) Nah I'm gonna mount them with pins and take them off when I sail it..
Could just have them mounted on a section of the deck, when its on the lake noone will notice there's a hole in the top. Is yours the single gun deck version or the same as mine?
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1/32nd? Yes, I thought they looked a bit odd. Ha ha, Im kidding. They must be all of a mm too big!
Single gun on deck and the AA on the wintergarten.
Only just started though, havent even managed to cut the slots yet!!
Is yours piston tank?
D
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Mines gonna be dynamic dive, got enough power in the twin 755's on 12v to sink anything...
If you want a pumped tank, there is something on the horizon I know of... Gonna be a little while, I gotta get myself down to Screwfix {-)
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Here's where we are as of yesterday :-))
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/DSC04269.jpg)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/DSC04271.jpg)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/DSC04272.jpg)
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Very nice! Its going to be a nice boat this, I think.
David
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Thanks :-)
I hope it is gonna look nice {-)
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Are you going to weather it up a bit? Looks a bit squeaky clean.
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Dare I ask...why use chain on the railing uprights?
(http://s3.postimage.org/2tt5vz56s/uboatexpo2005_5.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2tt5vz56s/)
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Yep I am Andy, that's the next bit :-))
Rich, it's a bit of modellers license, I absolutely hate bending brass and after a few attempts I ended up with what looked like gold spaghetti... Seeing as we get chain by the kilometer I used that instead..... I reckon it looks ok though.
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The tower is gonna end up something like my Gato, but not quite as heavy...
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/P4010037.jpg)
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got to ask why the british crew?
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That'll be because it's HMS Graph then... %)
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Becuase that's all that's available in roughly the right scale while not paying £6.50 for each figure... Next question? {-)
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Here's where we are now..
Conning tower isn't glued on yet, and ignore the flood holes down the side. Made a big mess so I'm having them waterjet cut ;)
In the background you can see most of my homemade WTC innards. Going to run a pair of 755's on 12v (the two red batteries) with 60mm props. The green battery is the Rx pack, and not shown is another 12v pack to run the sound system... :}
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/DSC04513.jpg?t=1310678337)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/DSC04509.jpg)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/DSC04512.jpg)
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Deck looks nice, you're not kidding about those flooding slots though, jeez did you sub-contract the job out to Stevie Wonder?!!
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Yup, tried it with the Dremel and the damn thing went everywhere. Knew after about the first 3 that I was gonna send it off to Steve to be waterjet cut anyway.
Got another little trick up my sleeve too ;)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/Untitled-3.jpg?t=1310819608)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/Untitled-4.jpg?t=1310819824)
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Yep, wooden decking makes a world of differance, looks great.
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When opening up slots, I mark out, drill a hole, dremel out to within about 1mm of the slot, then use small files or needle files to finish off, that way you maintain control. If you have a lot of slots to do, and they're of the same or similar size, it's worth considering the use of a pre-made stencil.
A slow and laborious task for a U-boat with it's myriad of drainage slots. Diamond coated needle files are best for glass work I find. They don't blunt out and are a bit coarser than the high carbon steel types.
Andy
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Stuff cutting it by hand when I can make a whacking great hole and glue in something that's absolutely perfect down to .01mm on each hole ;)
Thanks Ramesh :-)
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An advantage with filing the slots into the hull however is that it remains in one piece- an acrylic sheet will never match the strength of GRP laminate.
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An advantage with filing the slots into the hull however is that it remains in one piece- an acrylic sheet will never match the strength of GRP laminate.
But it's hardly gonna be depth charged! {-)
D
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But it's hardly gonna be depth charged! {-)
D
Maybe not on your lake %%
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Well heres my sub so far. As I have always stated, the thing is designed to be a representation of a U Boat rather than perfect scale!
None of this stuff is painted yet (duh!) but so far the conning tower has the periscope fitted. The deck is 1/8th wood and the wintergarden floor panels are from perforated PCB. I like that bit!!
The flood holes are from MMB and if you look you'll see I have only used the port hand set on the bow. The only critique point here is that they end up as a flat panel! It COULD be curved and set into line with the hull but I hadnt spotted that issue before the glue went on (and the hole cut!). All the edges line up though, so I hope with painting and camouflage it will be much less noticeable!
I managed to acquire a HUGE sheet of what looks like 8mm acrylic (still in car un measured) from the skip at work so that'll become the end caps and pistons in my piston tanks (thats that choice made then) and I think control will come from Microgyros (although Michael hasnt sent me the info he promised on the levellers and controllers! Tee hee)
(http://davidperrypictures.smugmug.com/Other/Darnell-Type-vii-c-U-Boat/i-rqQs36S/0/XL/IMG6482-XL.jpg)
(http://davidperrypictures.smugmug.com/Other/Darnell-Type-vii-c-U-Boat/i-gMX8WSk/0/XL/IMG6484-XL.jpg)
(http://davidperrypictures.smugmug.com/Other/Darnell-Type-vii-c-U-Boat/i-CsL4VWb/0/XL/IMG6487-XL.jpg)
(http://davidperrypictures.smugmug.com/Other/Darnell-Type-vii-c-U-Boat/i-qT3zg7F/0/XL/IMG6490-XL.jpg)
(http://davidperrypictures.smugmug.com/Other/Darnell-Type-vii-c-U-Boat/i-WK8Ff9F/0/XL/IMG6491-XL.jpg)
I know many will look at this work and remark that could do much better...well maybe they could, but I am not a full on scale modeller. I enjoy what I do and if people look at it and say "cor, a U boat!", then I have succeeded in my personal aims.
Lots left to do but this is the progress report!
David
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An easy way to tidy up solder joints is with a minidrill ( Dremel etc ) and the stone grinders. Fine enough to avoid snatching, but tough enough to hack down the solder joints. I used to hate the work involved with solder on scale fittings. Now I just dont like it...an improvement I feel!
Also, seek out Permagrit products, these are files, grinding bits, sanding blocks etc with tungsten grit embedded into them. They are a godsend when working with fibreglass, such as those pesky slots that subs seem to be infested with.
Keep up the good work, both of you...
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Thanks for the tip on grinding the solder away!
D
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You forgot to bend them to the hole didn't you {-)
It's looking great, maybe someday ours can go on patrol together :-))
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I know many will look at this work and remark that could do much better...well maybe they could, but I am not a full on scale modeller. I enjoy what I do and if people look at it and say "cor, a U boat!", then I have succeeded in my personal aims.
I agree with this ! However , you do tend to get better the more models you build ( it's called experience ) <G>
malcolm NZ
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Ha, thanks Malc. Actually, I just find experience lets me pick bigger holes in my own crap, ha ha.
David
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There is no one more critical of their work than the builder of the model themselves. My advice.... ignore them and listen to everyone else at the lake instead....except the self proclaimed experts, see if they float!
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I agree completely. There is too much criticism about (including self criticism) and too much close examination at exhibitions etc.
Perhaps an excess of scale purism when in fact there is no such thing as a truly scale model.
Whatever happened to "stand off scale" - seemed like a good concept?
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One reason why I like to build concept boats...who's going to prove that I have something in the wrong place if the full sized boat was never built?
Rich
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Yes, I always liked the idea of stand-off scale. Personally, Id much rather see someones attempt at stand-off scale than someone turn up with a ready made, made in chine, scale job. I cant speak for boats but in model planes one can now enter the purchased plastic fantastic in scale comps! Unbelievable really. Bring back the builder of the model rule!!
Anyway, I'll keep you posted as U??? takes shape.
D
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If you have built a boat yourself,then it is the best boat in the world.Many can be critical but few can actually do it.(my boss springs to mind here)Lets face it,the more you make,the better you become.keep at buddy
Regards Donuts
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There is a problem with ready made when it comes to subs. In mass markets, like aircraft, the RTF jobs are cheap. But in niche markets, like submarines, everything is still expensive and I worry that people are being priced out of the model submarine hobby (particularly in these harsh economic times!)
So good on yer g4yvm. Keep on soldering and Dremelling!
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Well my boat is still making progress! I now have two acrylic tubes, one for the wtc and one for two piston tanks. Just trying now to get the end caps and pistons sorted out then we can start building those.
Work on the stern gear has been painfully slow but I think we are almost there now, planes and rudders fitted and aligned. Next off the props and propshafts.
Anyone got any thoughts on prop diameter for a Darnel Type v11 running on 2 540s?
Anyway, its still ongoing!
David
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I'm turning 3 blade brass 35mm props, I think you can go to 40mm and maintain a scale look, but check you have low power 540s and not ex Tamiya buggy ones, in which case it will hare across the lake like a torpedo leaving a trail of smoke behind it!
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Thanks, no my units are low revving high torque jobbies from MMB.
35mm, thanks.
D
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I tried to solder railings together and it looked horrible. Then I found these STANCHIONS http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/RBSTANCHIONS.htm (http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/RBSTANCHIONS.htm)
(http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/RBSTANCHIONS_files/image001.jpg)
I managed to find some that were about 1" long and they looked really good on my Darnell S Class.
And here's someone selling bigger ones http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/caldercraft_stanchions.html (http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/caldercraft_stanchions.html)
(http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/c66025.jpg)
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Check your "find" in the skip as it could be Makrolon & not perspex, Nemesis
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Check your "find" in the skip as it could be Makrolon & not perspex, Nemesis
It might be better if it was Makrolon, (just one of many trade names for polycarbonate), rather than perspex - as it's not as brittle :-))
Mark.
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It's all trial and error. One thing you might think of though is drilling out the gun barrels., up to you. Keep going though. :-))