https://forum.rc-sub.com/ General Interest R/C Model Building Topics en Fri, 04 Sep 2026 23:37:04 GMT vBulletin 60 https://forum.rc-sub.com/images/misc/rss.png https://forum.rc-sub.com/ https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197419-recovering-lost-lego-sub Sat, 29 Aug 2026 13:59:28 GMT GENERAL TOPICS redboat219 https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197419-recovering-lost-lego-sub https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197418-30-long-years Sat, 29 Aug 2026 13:49:13 GMT GENERAL TOPICS redboat219 https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197418-30-long-years https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197379-political-topic-deleted Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:46:36 GMT I should have known it was going to devolve. Apologies for letting it happen as long as it did. My original intent was to highlight the potential...
My original intent was to highlight the potential effect that the new tariffs were going to have on our hobby, not to start a political decompression. ]]> GENERAL TOPICS RCSubGuy https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197379-political-topic-deleted https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197239-1966-2026-60th-anniversary-for-fantastic-voyage Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:29:48 GMT
60 Years Ago Today: One of the ‘Greatest Sci-Fi Films of All Time’ Initially Became A Box Office Flop

Many men may have preferred being "Grant" to get Raquel....

I wanted to be "Owens", wanted the pilot seat in the Dome.

Don't we Boomers feel old.
]]> GENERAL TOPICS QuarterMaster https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197239-1966-2026-60th-anniversary-for-fantastic-voyage https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197223-if-you-wait-you-will-find-what-you-are-looking-for Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:12:27 GMT Ever vigilant...I have been on the lookout for a watertight container that is long enough to contain a 5200+ mAh 3s lipo that is slim enough to fit... Ever vigilant...I have been on the lookout for a watertight container that is long enough to contain a 5200+ mAh 3s lipo that is slim enough to fit in a reasonable size fleet boat...and here it is. This bottle is VERY thick wall PET plastic. It even has room for a battery monitor- It won't support my fat A $$ but my daughter could stand on its side without it succumbing to crush depth pressure! Just strip off the heatshrink label and pop off the child safety green cap ...

Don't be fooled by the parallax... It's 6 1/4" H 3 1/8" D and has a 2 1/4" mouth from Costco ...BG.

​]]> GENERAL TOPICS Bob Gato https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197223-if-you-wait-you-will-find-what-you-are-looking-for https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197203-weathering-colors-below-the-waterline-on-nuclear-subs Sun, 23 Aug 2026 11:19:36 GMT I hope this information may be of interest to those of you want to weather a nuclear sub at and below the waterline. The information presented...

The information presented below was generated by AI. After reviewing some of David Merriman’s weathering techniques / descriptions I did some exploring to see what colors might be seen in bio-fouling on a nuclear sub after 2-3 months at sea. I suspect this info to be accurate but if any nuclear sub veterans want to offer additional clarification or corrections, please do so.

I have never been able to find photographs of how a sub might look immediately after it is put into dry dock - most likely because the colors change within days due to drying, oxidation, etc.

Here we go:

When a modern nuclear submarine returns from a multi-months at sea the hull is often heavily colored by shades of muddy green, brownish-yellow, dull grey, and chalky white.

Because ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and fast attack submarines spend months submerged at very slow speeds to maintain acoustic stealth, they become a prime habitat for marine organisms.The colors progress through distinct biological phases over a three-month patrol timeline:

1. Microfouling Phase (Weeks 1–3)

• Dull Brown & Light Amber: This layer consists of a microscopic biofilm or "slime" made of bacteria and diatoms. It leaves a slightly slippery, brownish-bronze tint over the black anechoic rubber tiles of the submarine.

2. Soft Macrofouling Phase (Weeks 3–8)

• Vibrant Grass Green to Olive Green: As the submarine cruises slowly through the photic zone (where sunlight penetrates), various species of marine algae and seaweed take root.
• Muddy Brown & Dark Mustard: Filamentous brown algae accumulate on the flat upper decks, the sail (tower), and the control surfaces where water flows slowest.

3. Hard Macrofouling Phase (Weeks 8–12+)

• Chalky White & Pale Cream: Hard-shelled organisms like acorn barnacles and tube worms begin attaching tightly to the hull. Their calcified shells create a stark, speckled white texture against the dark hull.
• Dull Grey & Translucent Pink: Aggregations of bryozoans (moss animals), small anemones, and tunicate colonies cluster in unpainted or recessed areas, adding a patchy greyish or flesh-toned coloration.

The "Algae-Caked" Reality

The intensity of these colors depends heavily on whether the patrol took place in warm, shallow waters (which accelerate growth) or cold, deep oceans. When Royal Navy Vanguard-class or US Navy Ohio-class submarines return from record-breaking deployments, they are often described as looking completely "caked in green and brown slime" from bow to stern, requiring extensive diver cleaning or dry-dock scraping to restore their hydrodynamic and acoustic efficiency


Biofouling Overview (3 Months at Sea)

Growth Type	Dominant Colors	Typical Locations on the Submarine	Resistance to Speed
Bacterial Biofilm & Diatoms	Golden-brown, light amber, translucent slime	Everywhere across outer hull & fairings	Moderate (sloughs at high speeds, quickly reforms)
Green Algae ("Grass Skirt")	Bright grass-green, olive-green	Waterline, topside casing, sail edges, sail bridge	Low (scoured off at high speed; dies/powders when dry)
Brown / Red Filamentous Algae	Dark brown, rust-red, reddish-purple	Low-light zones, flood vents, casing skirts	Moderate
Juvenile Barnacles & Tubeworms	Chalky white, pale gray, cream	Sonar dome base, rudder recesses, propulsion shrouds	High (strongly bonded to acoustic rubber/metal)
Bryozoans & Tunicates	Off-white, pale yellow, dull orange	Flood ports, trim tanks, protected hull recesses

AGAIN this info was generated by AI so perhaps it is only a starting point.

]]> GENERAL TOPICS Timothy L https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197203-weathering-colors-below-the-waterline-on-nuclear-subs https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197159-british-oberon-class-graphics-1-48-scale Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:48:30 GMT For our Brit brethren; Is there a source for the correct font and scale graphics (draft marks), either Arabic numeral or Roman numerals? I have seen... TIA,
Bill]]> GENERAL TOPICS wlambing https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197159-british-oberon-class-graphics-1-48-scale https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197095-akula-and-the-dawn-patrol-adventures Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:12:50 GMT GENERAL TOPICS Davjacva https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197095-akula-and-the-dawn-patrol-adventures https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197066-what-s-the-correct-badger-propel-alternative-and-where-can-i-buy-it Sun, 16 Aug 2026 13:30:44 GMT The Propel supply in southern New England is gone, and it's looking like Badger doesn't sell the gas anymore. What do we use that's safe for our boats? Do we need to make up new charging rigs? Is it time to retire a couple more boats???

Take care,

Bill]]> GENERAL TOPICS wlambing https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197066-what-s-the-correct-badger-propel-alternative-and-where-can-i-buy-it https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197053-lower-hull-paint-on-lafayette-class-ssbn-john-marshall-red-or-black Sun, 16 Aug 2026 10:01:31 GMT In this photo supposedly of the Ethan Allen class SSBN John Marshall in drydock at Holy Loch, Scotland, the lower hull does not appear to have red...
1) Does anyone know for sure if this is an accurate statement?

2) Whether black or red antifouling paint, why does the photo appear to show such extreme marine bio-fouling?

3) Is that normal with all antifouling paint after a 2-3 month voyage?

4) What causes the 2nd distinct lower horizontal “line” towards the very bottom of the hull? Thank you.

]]> GENERAL TOPICS Timothy L https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197053-lower-hull-paint-on-lafayette-class-ssbn-john-marshall-red-or-black https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197023-narc%C3%ACs-monturiol-s-ictenio-ii-deconstructed Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:46:12 GMT GENERAL TOPICS redboat219 https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197023-narc%C3%ACs-monturiol-s-ictenio-ii-deconstructed https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197012-subs-on-a-plane-any-top-tips Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:24:24 GMT
I would love to hear some feedback from anyone with experience with taking RC subs on a commercial flight. Any top tips?

I'm also a little worried about bringing tools etc, I won't have much space to bring all the tools I would like. My model uses a gas backup ballast system. I know I can't bring any cans of propel or duster gas so hopefully I can find some near the event.

Jason]]> GENERAL TOPICS Schmitty1944 https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/197012-subs-on-a-plane-any-top-tips https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/196996-looking-for-ww1-sm-u-139-u-cruiser-submarine-plans Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:58:05 GMT ​​

Monota]]> GENERAL TOPICS Kawasaki Monota https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/196996-looking-for-ww1-sm-u-139-u-cruiser-submarine-plans https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/196991-model-rc-submarine-technology-real-world-applications Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:10:58 GMT Was reading some online research papers on micro AUVs looking for tech particularly ballast systems which may be applicable to our hobby. Turns out...
]]> GENERAL TOPICS redboat219 https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/196991-model-rc-submarine-technology-real-world-applications https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/196957-shark-accessory Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:48:39 GMT Shark Accessory Shark Accessory GENERAL TOPICS twier https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/general-topics/196957-shark-accessory