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[Peter57]

Hello,


I am thinking of getting one of these kits. However, as it would be my first submarine kit any advice or building tips would be gratefully received!


Many thanks
Peter

[Subculture]

You're very near Ron Perrott, so you could probably have a chat with him in person about the kit.

Construction is very straightforward for anyone with past experience of model boat building. Ron has posted some construction details on his website.

http://www.rcsubs.co.uk/aquabat-building-instructions

[aeronut]

I think it was Ron who had one of these at the Grantham MBC's submarine event a couple of years ago.  I paid some attention to it as I was contemplating buying one at the time. (never did!)  I don't recall seeing it in the water, though he may have sailed it after I departed.  It appeared to be a well thought out kit and would probably make a good introduction to model submarines.


G.

[Subculture]

One point worth adding. The design does date back about 30 years. It uses a flat hatch type of watertight enclosure which basically seals off the lower half of the hull, the upper half free floods. This gave plenty of buoyancy and space for the equipment of the time, but they do tend to be a bit squishy under pressure. For the majority of users who are unlikely to be diving more than two or three feet at best this is not an issue, but if you fancy routinely visiting the deep end of swimming pools etc. then you might be better with a design that employs a cylindrical watertight enclosure.

[Peter57]

Many thanks for the thoughts and comments.


Regards
Peter

[TheLongBuild]

I Like the Sub and I think it was one of my posts that helped bring it back into the market a couple of years back as the Moulds etc had been sold on.  I would love one but just can not get authorisation    for the purchase cost.


Sure  you have seen this link but here it is, also some Videos to watch.


R & R Model Engineering (rcsubs.co.uk)
 

[derekwarner]

I don't quite understand the process in the second video........it's not really vacuum forming is it?..... Derek

[TheLongBuild]

I don't quite understand the process in the second video........it's not really vacuum forming is it?..... Derek

I would say yes, I assume the first process heats up the plastic, then the mould is pushed up into the plastic and then the air is sucked out.

[derekwarner]

It's just the sequence that is ????


1. We hear the sound of the vacuum pump & see a value on the vacuum gauge
2. The lid of the machine opens & we see the yellow sheet
3. The shapes appear
4. We hear the sound of ambient air [pressure] equalising the vacuum


All of which [2. to 4.] is achieved with the open lid


I assumed that vacuum forming was achieved in a closed chamber..ie., a vacuum 


Derek

[JimG]

All of which [2. to 4.] is achieved with the open lid


I assumed that vacuum forming was achieved in a closed chamber..ie., a vacuum 


Derek

The vacuum is under the heated plastic sheet to pull it down over the former, or to be more correct it is the ambient air pressure pushing down on the sheet. The vacuum is to increase the overall pressure on top of the sheet, the moulding needs to be open to the air.
Jim

[Subculture]

I would love one but just can not get authorisation    for the purchase cost.

Sounds like you're on a tight leash.

[TheLongBuild]

 

[Subculture]

For those on a tighter budget the little deep quest type submersible is still available from Sarik. A smaller boat than the Aquabat and no dive system, although one could be retrofitted if you wished. Like the bat the dry type hull works well enough provided you don't want to go really deep.

https://www.sarikhobbies.com/product/submersible-submarine/

[TheLongBuild]

Just will have to build the Deep dive, and restore the Shark I have..

[Subculture]

Sounds like you have enough to be getting on with then. Either are capable of matching or exceeding the performance of a standard Aquabat in the right hands.