Welcome to our forums. For the best in R/C submarine kits, components and accessories, be sure to visit the Nautilus Drydocks

**Das Boot** · 10-23-2021, 03:00 PM

I’m confused. THRESHER had or did not have vertical stabilizers?

**He Who Shall Not Be Named** · 10-23-2021, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by Das Boot

I’m confused. THRESHER had or did not have vertical stabilizers?

At the time of loss it did. Likely put on at that last yard availability.

David

**He Who Shall Not Be Named** · 10-23-2021, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by RCJetDude

I added some strips of fiberglass tape to help add a little strength. This is the first time I have tried this. Another option could be adding some carbon fiber cloth which would really stiffen it up if needed. My plan is to get a coat of primer on it tomorrow.

I did the same thing to the upper hull.

Careful with the Carbon fiber, it blocks RF.

David

**Das Boot** · 10-23-2021, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by He Who Shall Not Be Named

At the time of loss it did. Likely put on at that last yard availability.

David

I’ve never seen an rc version of THRESHER, including mine of years ago, and yours that had them. Hence my confusion,

**He Who Shall Not Be Named** · 10-23-2021, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by Das Boot

I’ve never seen an rc version of THRESHER, including mine of years ago, and yours that had them. Hence my confusion,

Only recently pictures of the wreak, and a shot of a vertical stabilizer sticking out of the muck, was released to the public... after all these decades. The Navy is slow-walking the FOIA mandated public release of the courts findings. Wonder why?

David

**SubDude** · 10-23-2021, 05:46 PM

They were actually PUFFS hydrophones as described in the below pictures of the wreckage. Portsmouth identified much of what was in the twisted wreckage photos which were taken by Trieste. I believe they were outfitted at the last minute during its PSA and part of the reason it spent additional time at Portsmouth. While some will say it never had a 7-blade propeller, I feel that since it was considered quieter than the 5-blade it originally employed and since this was the Navy's latest greatest quietest sub at the time they also outfitted it with such during its PSA. While we have photographic proof of the PUFFS hydrophones on the horizontal stern planes when it sank, we do not have that of the propeller but I feel quite certain they found it and perhaps even recovered it in order to protect the secret it was at the time. Somebody knows what it had on it when it went down. The PUFFS on the horizontal planes I believe were the latest improvement over the retractable PUFFS hydrophones that the THRESHER was designed with but regardless they were short lived and quickly replaced by more accurate towed arrays. I think THRESHER was to be the first boat to test the newer PUFFS out but it never got the chance. This is just my views on the matter but why I am building it the way I am.

**SubDude** · 10-23-2021, 07:11 PM

David, thank you as always for the weathering advice. Perhaps one day I will get there. I plan to attempt everything you mentioned and have been reading your threads on weathering. I really want to see this boat turn out well.

**Das Boot** · 10-23-2021, 09:50 PM

Well I’ll be. Amazing photos. Now release the SCORPION photos.

**SubDude** · 10-24-2021, 09:09 AM

Apparently she went down with her pendant number on the sail.

**He Who Shall Not Be Named** · 10-24-2021, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by RCJetDude

Apparently she went down with her pendant number on the sail.

Well! I'll be damned. I stand corrected. Excellent sleuthing, Steve! Then, likely the hull numbers are there on the bow and the 'name' back aft by the Engineering hatch.

So. With exception of not sporting the vertical stabilizers, my 1/96 THRESHER was damned close to the look of the boat at time of loss.

**SubDude** · 10-24-2021, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by He Who Shall Not Be Named

Well! I'll be damned. I stand corrected. Excellent sleuthing, Steve! Then, likely the hull numbers are there on the bow and the 'name' back aft by the Engineering hatch.

So. With exception of not sporting the vertical stabilizers, my 1/96 THRESHER was damned close to the look of the boat at time of loss.

Yes it is.

**SubDude** · 10-24-2021, 06:14 PM

Where was the name located?

**SubDude** · 10-24-2021, 08:09 PM

Actually, nevermind. I see where it is located now. However, you have posted pictures of the anti-skid on top of the hull, fairwater planes and perhaps the sail. I have seen them even recently but I'll be darned if I can find them now. I thought you posted them here earlier but if you did then where the heck did they go?

**Das Boot** · 10-24-2021, 08:38 PM

I have this one.

**He Who Shall Not Be Named** · 10-24-2021, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by RCJetDude

Actually, nevermind. I see where it is located now. However, you have posted pictures of the anti-skid on top of the hull, fairwater planes and perhaps the sail. I have seen them even recently but I'll be darned if I can find them now. I thought you posted them here earlier but if you did then where the heck did they go?