Gato class Sub Assembly #1

[rwirwin18]

New Guy on the Block

Seeing as I'm new to this forum( but not new at 75 years young) and having built models , Model Railroading and Plastic kits of Aircraft as well as 1/16 scale R/C tanks. I have some question for you'all. I have Revell 1/72 Gato, VIIC/41 and two VIIC u-boats. The Gato I'm going to go full bore with Caswel , but when you all talk about the different componets that you are adjusting, or changing , is it possible to have pictures of what you are doing as I do not understand a lot in this particular hobby.
Until I can understand is there any were that shows what all of these shorts terms (ap) that are used, defined or explained

Thanks
Bob in Beautiful British Columbia
Canada

[rwirwin18]

New Guy on the Block

Can you explain what the following are , thanks
SD assembley DP's
Sail on a Sub ????
ADF
These are all new terms for me, as a new guy in this hobby

Bob in Canada

[toppack]

Hello, Bob
Glad to have you 'OnBoard'.
Don't hesitate to ask questions about anything unfamiliar on the forum and Caswellplating websites.
We will attempt to give an answer.
There's a great deal of Info available about converting the Revell kits to RC. Doing an Internet search, will locate much of it.

[toppack]

SD = Sub-driver (watertight cylinder/ballast-tank assembly)
DPs = Dive-planes (vertical direction control surfaces of subs)
Sail = conning-tower (modern name for tower of a sub)
(except for Robert Fulton's Nautilus, which had an actual cloth Sail, year 1800, and some other early subs, pre WW1, that had mast for cloth sails if needed as backup for unreliable engines)
ADF = Auto-direction-finder (radio receiver with movable antenna for locating source direction of transmitted signal)

[rwirwin18]

Thanks for the info

Thanks Rick, .........that cleared up a bit, but why a directional signal for reception. ( RDC).......... I have 1/16 Scale R/C Tanks and they do not need a Directional signal for transmitting nor receiving . Is this required because of reception within the Water?


Bob

[toppack]

ADF receivers are used in Fullscale subs, not RC models.
The ADF Antenna is something that can be put on WW2 aircraft, ship and sub Models to make them look more realistic.
A good way to locate where you are in the world, at that time, by tuning into 2 or more radio-station transmitters of know location (position triangulation).
The Direction-finder Antenna is labeled #3 on this drawing of a WW2 British T-class sub (mounted on aft deck with a large triangle shaped antenna coil element, sort of a Christmas-tree shape):
(On most US and German craft the antenna coil has a smaller round shape, tho. The Revell Gato model has a round-hoop shaped ADF antenna on upper tower. In the German VII the antenna could be lowered into wall of tower/bridge to protect it)

[shamrock]

welcome new guy just placed more pics in album.maybe they can help .I am also new to sub building has been a real challenge but have over come every thing so far.the guys here on the forum have been the best help.the only thing still a problem is when I do a full ballast tank blow to surface and achieve proper water line sub leans to side right or left .will set level if i let water into tank but i loose proper water line

[toppack]

when I do a full ballast tank blow to surface and achieve proper water line sub leans to side right or left

I had that problem if the ballast tank is about half full of water, and I've been told by David that can not be fixed.
But if your's tilts when tank has no water in it, then I think it needs a little more lead weight in keel. Shouldn't take much more weight.
Leave the deck/cover off to determine water level in tank, when it tilts.
(If you are using a SD ballast-tank that is?)
The weight of the cover effects it some but you should be able to determine the condition causing tilt, with it removed.
Determining how much water is in the ballast-tank, when at worst tilt, is the first step in fixing the problem, tho.

[shamrock]

thanks will try just a little more weight .other choice was to remove foam just one of those things that make you think because I followed david's instrutions on how to ballast the boat with rubberbands and foam with full tank and completely flooded .sits just fine under water .

[toppack]

I don't think I would remove any foam, but try more Low weight (at keel), first. It may actually need more foam at or just below the surfaced waterline, to pull it up more, after getting it stable with more keel weight. If there's any space left for that.

[shamrock]

hi guys want to add snort system to my gato sub . caswell has two types which one would be best large or small pump:confused:

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

hi guys want to add snort system to my gato sub . caswell has two types which one would be best large or small pump:confused:

The small one.

David,

[shamrock]

painted small amount of rust on boat did not like at first but after 1 hour test run the water washed off just the right amount .check out new pics in my album let me know what you think .would welcome any input

[toppack]

Looks Great! You even attached antenna-cables on deck. That's being very brave! :)

I'm curious what the metal-plate is for, in the ballast chamber of the SD?
Is it a deflector for the cold gas?
See Pic:

[shamrock]

it is where SD cracked .drilled holes to stop cracking and sealed with alum: tape and silicone