3D printed 1/48 Thresher

[SubDude]

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.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

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

[Das Boot]

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]

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

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

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

[Das Boot]

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

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Some color being applied. Once the graphics are on I will give it a clear coat of matte. My guess is that before that fateful final voyage the Navy had her all gussied up and outfitted with the latest greatest bells and whistles so it wouldn't have had much of a scum line or need a bunch of weathering? Thoughts?

Last time THRESHER was in dry-dock was at the home shipyard, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. A government run facility, and 'yard of record' for the THRESHER/PERMIT class. This was her 'Post Shakedown Availability'. The deep dive was nearly the last thing needed before the class could be certified as good to go.

Likely it was during that availability that she got her vertical stabilizers and a maze of weapons related improvements and modifications. All that, and more, in preparation at the yard for that boat to enter the fleet as just another patrolling asset.

She was at the yard for some nine months. Some fraction of that stay she was up on the keel-blocks, out of the element, and her hull preserved. Likely sporting the black-red demarcation line at centerline, as you've depicted on your model, Steve.

She was lost only days after leaving the yard -- how long she was pier-side, in the wet, before the loss, I can't find. Lost in April she may have seen the entire spring-time in the water up there in Main. I don't know.

Water temperature and location drives the rate of marine growth on a hull. And she departed for a non VIP event. So, likely no hull numbers or name. Just the draft numbers. And I would paint the marker-buoy fairing plates international-orange. Who knows what they did? But they were going out for deep-dive certification, so maybe they painted those like that?

So. As to how to mark and weather your THRESHER at time of loss? Draft numbers only. Light scum-line, splotchy bleaching (tending to the brown) from waterline down. Lots of vertical streaking from sail, upper rudder and deck down. Gobs of staining on the deck non-skid around the access hatches and cleats. Yard periods are nasty affairs. Add oil-canning on the sail, stabilizers, and control surfaces

And don't forget the bird-****!

I've added some shots of my weathering efforts to horrify/encourage you.








































David

[SubDude]

Some color being applied. Once the graphics are on I will give it a clear coat of matte. My guess is that before that fateful final voyage the Navy had her all gussied up and outfitted with the latest greatest bells and whistles so it wouldn't have had much of a scum line or need a bunch of weathering? Thoughts?

[Das Boot]

I got to see this boat in person a few weeks ago. Very impressive. Can’t wait to see it run.

[SubDude]

Latest progress on the THRESHER. All the trays are installed, pushrods for stern planes made and all necessary components acquired. I need to wire it up but I want to get it painted before it gets too cold here so that will be my next order of business.

[SubDude]

One coat of primer on. I haven't even sanded it yet. This is as far as I wanted to take it before SubFest. I may be able to get it sanded and another coat of primer applied before then but we'll see. I need to get the Engel Type IX finished up so there is no rush on this boat.

[SubDude]

Steve,

Did you use a conventional paint sprayer (compressor) or HVLP to paint the hull?

That Thresher is looking really nice Steve!!

Rob
"Crazy old man at work"

Yes. Just a cheap HVLP gun I bought at Walmart.

[rwtdiver]

Good point David. I applied the first coat of primer. Turned out well. Tomorrow I will paint the inside of the hull.

Steve,

Did you use a conventional paint sprayer (compressor) or HVLP to paint the hull?

That Thresher is looking really nice Steve!!

Rob
"Crazy old man at work"

[SubDude]

Good point David. I applied the first coat of primer. Turned out well. Tomorrow I will paint the inside of the hull.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

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 cloth as I've been led to understand that it is opaque to our frequencies.

David