On the ways: USS KRAKEN SS-370

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  • He Who Shall Not Be Named
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  • He Who Shall Not Be Named
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    Originally posted by Bob Gato
    Well, it looks like somebody's done this before! And , that looks like an industrial size coffee on the workbench. I am going to use that brass ferrule sand paper holder Idea -brilliant!
    Yes, Caffeine is the drug of choice in these here parts! More abrasive ideas:























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  • Bob Gato
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    Well, it looks like somebody's done this before! And , that looks like an industrial size coffee on the workbench. I am going to use that brass ferrule sand paper holder Idea -brilliant!
    Last edited by Bob Gato; 11-23-2019, 05:41 PM.

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  • QuarterMaster
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    Originally posted by Bob Gato
    Well-it will keep you off the streets at night! I see that you are getting off easy with regard to the limber holes but still have a bunch. May I suggest needle files rigged to a tattoo needle or a reciprocating electric toothbrush! Can't wait to see the transformation..
    Bob, you're just jealous 'cuz I picked a boat with less holes!!


    Originally posted by He Who Shall Not Be Named
    Some pointers when it comes time to grind out all those flood-drain and limber holes, you old sea-dog, you!

    David
    Looks good! I plan to start 'em once all the data is gathered and my ducks are in a row. Most likely in the spring. Sit out in the back on a nice Sunday afternoon, plenty of chilled Pellegrino, Met's playing on the radio, a lit 2 hr stoagie and just have at it. No rush and enjoy.

    Some of those files sparkled, are they diamond? Do you have a brand you recommend?

    Originally posted by He Who Shall Not Be Named
    David
    The Horrible
    You're not horrible Dave, just..............misunderstood!



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  • He Who Shall Not Be Named
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    David

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  • He Who Shall Not Be Named
    replied
    Some pointers when it comes time to grind out all those flood-drain and limber holes, you old sea-dog, you!













    David

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  • 598602G
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    Release the Kraken

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  • Bob Gato
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    Well-it will keep you off the streets at night! I see that you are getting off easy with regard to the limber holes but still have a bunch. May I suggest needle files rigged to a tattoo needle or a reciprocating electric toothbrush! Can't wait to see the transformation..
    Last edited by Bob Gato; 11-23-2019, 09:27 AM.

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  • He Who Shall Not Be Named
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    Originally posted by quartermaster

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    lol...……………..

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  • QuarterMaster
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    Originally posted by He Who Shall Not Be Named
    Floating Drydock.

    Duh!

    David
    The Horrible
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  • He Who Shall Not Be Named
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    Floating Drydock.

    Duh!

    David
    The Horrible

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  • QuarterMaster
    started a topic On the ways: USS KRAKEN SS-370

    On the ways: USS KRAKEN SS-370

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    FROM: COMSUBBUILDTHEMRIGHT

    TO: Distribution (Internet Release Authorized)

    SUBJ: 1:48 SCALE BALAO CLASS SUBMARINE TO JOIN THE RC FLEET.


    ALCON,

    With the safe arrival of a 1:48 Scale GATO/BALAO Class Hull to the “Individual Anemics Radio Control Electric Boat Division” shipyard (Thank you Bob Martin for providing this hull and myself a much desired build opportunity), this “presumed late 90’s, early 00’s Scale Shipyard Hull” can now be considered as “having had her keel” officially laid.

    After much (well, not really…..) consideration, the prototype has officially been chosen to be:

    USS KRAKEN SS-370

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    Keel Laid – December 14, 1943

    One of the “Manitowoc 28” based on the EB Design.

    The following is courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command Published: Thu Apr 21 07:38:56 EDT 2016

    A legendary sea monster believed to haunt the coasts of Norway.

    Kraken (SS-370) was launched 30 April 1944, by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, Wis.; sponsored by Mrs. John Z. Anderson, wife of Congressman Anderson of California; and commissioned 8 September 1944, Comdr. Thomas H. Henry in command.

    Kraken steamed by way of Chicago to Lockport, III., 27 September 1944, and was towed in floating dry dock down the Mississippi River arriving at Algiers, La., 4 October. Ten days later Kraken cleared Algiers, transited the Panama Canal and underwent intensive training in the Gulf of Panama. She sailed for Hawaii 4 November and arrived Pearl Harbor the 21st.

    Kraken departed Pearl Harbor 12 December 1944, for her first war patrol, touched at Saipan the 23d, set course for Indochina next morning. There she maintained lifeguard duty in support of 3d Fleet Carrier strikes. While on station she rescued a Lexington pilot from rough seas and evaded a strafing enemy plane by diving. Finding no targets Kraken set course for Fremantle, Australia, arriving there 14 February 1945.

    Kraken departed on her second war patrol 15 March and maintained lifeguard duty in the South China Sea supporting aircraft carrier strikes against Singapore and Saigon. She returned to Subic Bay, P.I., 26 April.

    Departing on her third war patrol on 19 May 1945, Kraken set course for the Gulf of Siam. After searching in vain for enemy targets, she shifted to the Java Sea where on 19 June she bombarded Merak and riddled a coaster and a small ship with 5-inch and 40mm. projectiles. She saw the coaster sink and she left the small ship ablaze before clearing the harbor. Three days later, while chasing an eight-ship convoy, Kraken's torpedoes sank an oiler and a coastal steamer and her guns inflicted heavy damage on one of the Japanese submarine chasers. Then Kraken proudly sailed into Fremantle, Australia, 3 July 1945, ending her most successful patrol.

    Kraken sailed on her fourth and last patrol 29 July. While seeking the enemy in the Java Sea, her patrol was cut short when she received news of Japan's capitulation. Sailing for Subic Bay, she arrived 21 August.

    Kraken cleared Subic Bay 31 August 1945, touched at Pearl Harbor, and arrived at San Francisco 22 September. On 14 October she rendezvoused with Halsey's 3d Fleet and formed a part of honor escort for Admiral Halsey, as he passed under the Golden Gate Bridge in Flagship, South Dakota. Ten days later Kraken visited Longview, Wash., for the first postwar Navy Day celebrations and returned to San Francisco 31 October where she was placed out of commission 4 May 1946.

    Kraken remained in reserve status until 18 September 1958, when she was assigned to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for activation overhaul and fitting out preparatory to transfer for loan to the Spanish Government 17 October 1958. She serves the Spanish Navy as Almirante Garcia (S-31).

    Kraken received one battle star for World War II service.



    While not the most legendary of WWII Fleet boats, (can you say TANG, BOWFIN, etc ?), I felt as one of the freshwater “Manitowoc 28”, she would be unique enough to warrant my choosing. Plus, her name clicks with my local club, and I just really dig that sea dragon Insignia of hers! It was even displayed on her Conning tower along with her war accomplishment markings (Vessels Kills, Damaged, Shore Bombardment, Pilot rescue and Minelaying ops) immediately Post War (This photo circa September) 1945. This is how I plan to represent her, mid-October 1945 October she rendezvoused with Halsey's 3d Fleet and formed a part of honor escort for Admiral Halsey, as he passed under the Golden Gate Bridge in Flagship, USS SOUTH DAKOTA BB-57.

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    Fortunately, or perhaps seemingly unfortunate to some of you, I have a bit of a backlog. This counts as 1 of three hulls starting from scratch (the other two being SSN-571 and a Springer tug). All others are refits, repairs from minor to major and fit in as time allows.

    This Offseason will mark competion of PROTEUS & Krick U25. The GROTON Springer tug must come 3rd for possible sub retrieval next spring lol. If all goes well, possibly even K432 and BLUEBACK before end of spring due to the state of refit.

    The cue as is.....

    PROTEUS: New Build (In process, Internals at 90%)
    U25: Refit (In process, Internals at 25%) Fairly easy refit
    GROTON, Twin Shaft Springer Tug, faux RC Submarine Rescue tug (Purchased items complete need to start)
    ALFA K423: Refit (Purchased items complete need to start) Fairly easy refit
    USS BLUEBACK (Purchased items complete need to start) Fairly easy refit
    USS KEY WEST (Purchased items complete need to start) Moderate refit with a used hull from Bob M.
    USS ULYSSES S GRANT (Purchased items complete need to start) Fairly easy refit
    Disney NAUTILUS: New Build (Internals at 75%)
    SSRN SEAVIEW (Purchased items complete need to start) HEAVY refit
    USS NAUTILUS: New Build (Purchased items complete need to start)
    USS KRAKEN: New build
    MYSTIC, 1:48 Natick CLASS TUG (Purchased items complete need to start) Moderate refit

    SEAVIEW is a floater, she requires some extensive fiberglass repair, shows her age. USS NAUTILUS and USS KRAKEN are very similar operationally and can almost be built in parallel, Engineering wise that is. Plus it’s that type of boat that lends itself to those boring, lazy Saturday afternoons where “Limber Hole filing” actually becomes a form of meditation. Though you can see from the photo’s, she is very minimalistic there, incorporating more of a “slot” above the tanks heading aft on her freeboard. That itself may be problematic in incorporating, but adds to the uniqueness.

    Because I’m feeling particularly nostalgic, I plan to build her "old school" honoring the methods the pioneers such Skip Assay, Mike Dory, Bud Lederer, Greg Sharpe recommended all those years ago. Yes, lot’s of thumb nuts, cork/oil gasket and quick charge access using Gatorade Caps (remember that boys!!) I'll be relying heavily on Rich Kohlbrecher with his experience on this hull, incorporating his lessons learned. Capt. Kohlbrecher, as you may know won the BOTTOM GUN Award 6x at the Groton SubRegatta’a with his Generic “Fleet Boat”, now USS TILEFISH SS-307 The rest of you feel free to comment and suggest once she's started and the post’s come up. After all it’s takes a community to build a boat! The difference is she will be 2.4Ghz. I’ve grown quite attached to the telemetry.

    Though my style focuses more on Engineering, and robust (Terminator T100 Grade) construction, I plan KRAKEN to be my ultimate "eye candy" boat. This build will also honor Dave Merriman. and Bob Martin. not only in terms of modern construction techniques but primarily in their methods of detailing and weathering. I'll be leaning on you ALL heavily for ideas and suggestions. Any Fleet boat experts know of a good source for plans?


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    I seem to be building the evolution of the US Attack Sub in 1:48 Scale lol

    The simple joy of an RC Sub build….the best part of the process!

    Hoping to have her wet late 2021/early 2022.

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