Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Submarines => Topic started by: U-33 on June 02, 2014, 11:03:48 am
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As some of you may know, I recently ordered a new kit from Chris Cloke at Sheerline...just had the phone call, the kit is boxed and ready to go, it'll be here Wednesday. Chris has been ever so kind and made me a stand for the boat, as well as drilling all the holes for the rudders and dive planes, etc.
I know he reads the sub posts on here, so I'd like to say a public ''Thank You'' to him for being so helpful, and for keeping me updated on the progress of my kit as it was being made. Thanks Chris...you're a true star, sir!!
A finer businessman would be hard to find.
Rich
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I will second that Richard
Mark.
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I've had phone calls from Chris detailing every step of the making of my kit, from the initial enquiry right up to the last one telling me the kit was boxed and ready, and giving me a tracking number to follow the kit's progress from Norfolk to Sussex.
I've had information on various parts of the build, help with the motor/prop combination, even Chris's ideas on the 'scopes and appendages.
I will say here and now that I have no connection with Sheerline Model Submarines in any way, I'm just stating the facts as I see them. I can honestly recommend Sheerline to anyone considering building a sub, you'll be hard pushed to find better.
Rich
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Chris is as finer fellow as I've had the pleasure of doing business with! He helped me trouble shoot my akula when the prop was catching and when the towed sonar bulb was broken in a house move he cast me a new one straight away at a most price!
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The Akula has just docked in her new home port and is at present being moved into the fitting out yard. The passage crew have been dismissed on a twenty four hour shore pass, and the dockyard crew are on the promise of the same once the boat is secured.
Rich
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As long as you provide pictures rich!
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Pictures?? I'm hoping for another invite for a coffee so I can have a good look ;)
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Ian, you don't need an invite mate...I'm here, kettle's on as usual. Tomorrow night?
Rich
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{-) It worked then.
I'll let you know in the morning Rich, for the last two days I've had a bad sore throat, although its seems to be getting better now, but wouldn't want to pass it on to you mate, so if alls well in te morning yes I'll pop down
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Understood mate...the last thing I need is a sore throat!
Rich
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The Akula is all squared away in dry dock ready for the fitting out crew to start their work.
Passage crew and dockyard crews have been rounded up after their shore leave and are being returned to their bases in Bolshaya Lopatka.
External work will commence on the hull and deck sections at 0900hrs (British Time) today, 05/06/2014.
Quote from Captain Ramius: ''Вы боитесь нашего флота. Ну, вы должны быть. Лично я дал бы нам один шанс из трех. Еще чаю кто?''
Rich
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''Вы боитесь нашего флота. Ну, вы должны быть. Лично я дал бы нам один шанс из трех. Еще чаю кто?''
{-)..... 'are you afraid of our fleet. Well, you should be. Personally I would give us one chance out of three. More tea?'
What can I say?...what fleet Rich? %) .....Derek
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"Вы Speek русские уроки никогда ум языковые Ричард ладить с здания" and bloody hurry up lol
Mark.
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Yes dear...hurrying up dear... ;D
Rich
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When foreign languages are used, could you add a translation please.
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Rich is that the prop it comes with? If not where did you get it? Looks much more accurate than the one on mine!
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It's a totally different prop, mate...seven blade scimitar, I thought it looked a bit more scale than the five blade one. I got this one from Deans Marine (I think...) the prop cone was made for me by my mate Andy (username 'tattooed' on here, and the added tapered plastic piece you can see (the grey coloured piece) is from an old Revell Skipjack kit, it fills the gap between the rear of the hull and the prop nicely, and looks a lot better I think (sorry Mr Sheerline!)
Rich
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The original kit prop will provide more thrust though.
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Hmm..maybe, but this does look a lot better, and it'll give me more than enough ooomph.
Rich
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Yeah, now I've replaced the stuffing tube my akula really flys! I'm in the process of tarting it up so if I can make it a bit more scale I would like to try!
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I'm not going over the top with this one...as long as it (a) works and (b) looks like an Akula from a few feet away, that'll do for me. It'll give the rivet counters a heart attack, but do I look worried? ;D
Rich
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If want a museum accurate Akula, the Scale Ships kit is the one to get. But that's a hull kit only.
http://www.scaleships.biz/eng/akula.html
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I did toy with using my sheer line wtc in the scale ships body. However after seeing one of the sheer line builds with additional detailing, rubbing off the tiles and some decals I'm going to go down that cheaper route! I'm not sure how would be best but I would like to extend the sheerline kits sail as it's quite a lot too short. Ideas for that on a postcard!
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The Sheerline Akula ia a great model submarine kit. It works well, is simple to maintain and very rugged.
As a faithful miniature of the real boat, I'd say it's semi scale at best, a lot of areas wrong. Bear in mind the boat was first moulded back in the very early nineties, when information was much more difficult to get, not many knew different and probably even fewer cared.
In a nutshell if you're after a good model submarine the Sheerline a great choice, if you're after an accurate replica of an Akula, then the Scale Ships model would be my choice.
The latter will involve more work on the builders part. Cost wise I think you could actually come in or under the cost of a Sheerline, but you would be looking at partial DIY WTC construction.
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For you Tug---Kenny
Вы Speek русские уроки никогда ум языковые Ричард ладить с здания. a lose translation would be
"You Speak Russian language never mind Richard get on with building"
Regards Mark.
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Good luck with the build, Richard!
David
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The story so far...
The hull is practically finished...fitted out with the prop shaft and prop, shaft support, deck clip, module supports, battery support, and the flood holes drilled. Front and rear dive planes are installed, linkages made up and installed, and the rudder is fitted.
Today...not too bad a day, despite fingers not cooperating with brain or build instructions. Managed to get ninety per cent of the module built up, just the valve cam operating servo to install and the cam itself to make. That'll be a job for tomorrow...I need a cup of Yorkshire's finest.
So far...so good.
Rich
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Nearly finished the module, on the home straight now...got the esc and rx installed, everything plugged in, just the wiring to tidy up and the ballast valve cam to make and we're there. Oh, and the front deck clip to install, then it's out with the paint...
Rich
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then it's out with the paint...
Rich
And with your breathing....
{-)
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Hmm...yes...could be a job for a nice day outdoors, methinks.
Rich
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Take it round a spray shop, ask them if they have any black cars to spray up. They'll hit it with a 2-pack finish, which is much hardier than any 1k finish. The you can add a bit of weathering and hit it with some satin lacquer to finish it off.
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The lower hull is going to be sprayed in red primer, deck in satin black...not too sure about weathering yet, I might just do a very light job.
We don't have spray shops around here, more's the pity...but I do know a council fitter who's a demon at spraying. He's also open to cash bribes... ;D
Rich
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I think Richard that we are all open to cash bribes at some time O0 O0
even the Tax man
Mark.
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I haven't bothered with a build log, I more or less copied Mark's build anyway, but this is a pic of how far I've got with the Akula. She's just about done now, the deck should be back by Thursday or Friday, then I just have to make the front clip that secures the deck to the hull, add the top rudder, and the 'scopes/deck hatches/bollards/ then we're ready for bath trials to get the boat trimmed. Oh, and the navigation/deck lights.
I would like to say a huge public ''Thank You'' to Mark (Grim Reaper) Alistair Cull (Al1) Ron (Ron Perrot) Andy Lawrence (subculture) for all their invaluable advice and assistance with the build, it's been a real enjoyable kit to put together.
And of course, Chris Cloke (Mr Sheerline himself) for the awesome after sales service, and his patience with me on the phone at all hours of the day and night.
Thanks everybody...see you all at Norwich.
Rich
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Finished.
And...relax.
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either you have ballasted her wrong or the photo is upside down O0 {-) %% %% :o :o
but looking good Richard
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{-) Let's hope it does't do that on it's maiden voyage.
I notice it's moved to the living room Rich, next step is out the door and down to the pond :-))
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How strange...it was the right way up when I posted it.
Try again...
Is your monitor upside down {-) {-) {-) {-)
Would you like this removed ?
Ken
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There you go...that'll be better.
Rich
Ian...sometime this week.
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I've just a message from someone wanting to buy it..