1/48 scale Type VIIC U-201 build

[trout]

I have a crazy idea of designing magnetic slip clutches for each motor to shaft connection. This has been done before and is not a novel idea by any stretch. It is an added fail safe not to blow the main system fuse should the props become fouled and motors overloaded. Probably not needed but hey, I got the free time to do what ever the hell I feel like doing.

Nick

I am playing with this too! I can do flat surface to flat surface, but been playing with simple notches to give better grip and to push through small weed issues. Magnets slide off each other pretty easily. I can add more magnets or go bigger, but might create an alternate universe and distort time and space. Look forward to what you discover as well. I could also slightly angle the magnets to improve gription (grip and traction).

[reddevil]

Good for you. Use your time as you want. Cheers. Amazing build.

[Monahan Steam Models]

Finally got around to working on the stern plane linkage today. The piece of material that I was searching for locally a week ago to make the original stern plane shaft mechanism that I had wanted to make was ordered and should be here this week. That design will allow the shafts and lever arm to be removed from the hull after the hull halves have been bonded together. For now I’m using the compromised design that I came up with a week or so ago.

The rest of the linkage stays the same.



Here is the main link to the stern plane shaft. The link end at the aft end uses 1/32” brass wire and is the stepped up to 3/32” brass tube before being stepped back down to 1/16” brass rod. This is done to reduce flex in the link.



Top view of the main link connecting to the intermediate stern plane lever arm situated between the propeller shafts. From the intermediate lever arm the linkage is connected to the servo link connection arm on the forward end of the stern torpedo tube support. Also visible is the servo link arm connection for the rudder gear.



Another view of the same.



Now with the stern torpedo tube mounted in place and rudder linkage connected. Still need to connect the rudder and stern plane rods to the servos but that will only take a few minutes. Everything is designed to be removed and easily worked on just as Bob Gato quickly noticed and pointed out earlier in this build thread.

Besides finishing up on the torpedo launch linkages, the last major mechanical connections that need to be made will be from the motors to the shafts. I have a crazy idea of designing magnetic slip clutches for each motor to shaft connection. This has been done before and is not a novel idea by any stretch. It is an added fail safe not to blow the main system fuse should the props become fouled and motors overloaded. Probably not needed but hey, I got the free time to do what ever the hell I feel like doing.

Nick

[redboat219]

Weird idea about making the aft torpedo tube an outlet for a pumpjet ( inside the hull) in lieu of the props. Steering / pitch control with usual rudder/dive planes.

https://youtu.be/4_rQMDbmK_I

[Monahan Steam Models]

Pumpjet outlet.

Weird, right?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9oX-kZ_9k

[redboat219]

Pumpjet outlet.

Weird, right?

[Monahan Steam Models]

I thought this was kind of neat how it worked out and shows somewhat of a before and after of the stern tube hull modification.



Here is the Arkmodel stern tube piece that glues into the back of the hull. I’ve only lightly sanded the I.D. to make it a consistent .500” diameter from end to end.



The cutter I made to modify the hull fits nicely into it.



Here is how the original Arkmodel part lays in the hull with the stern tube assembly in place.



Another view from the outside. The original part still fits the hull like it did before the modification. This photo also provides a before and after visual of what material was removed from the hull. Time to cut and remove the wall of the original part!



Kind of cool how that worked out huh? The original Arkmodel part will still need to be modified to allow the muzzle door to swing open but I think I will end up using most of the original part to complete this area of the hull later.

Nick

[SubDude]

Very impressive Nick! Looks really clean.

[Monahan Steam Models]

Some more bits and pieces added to that mess out back behind the conning tower…


Still a lot more to do but happy with today’s progress. The rudder linkage works great. Very smooth. Looking forward to making up the rest of the linkages and parts to the launch mechanism.

Nick

[Das Boot]

Very nice.

[Monahan Steam Models]

Couple more parts for the stern launch tube assembly. Hoping to get down to the shop tomorrow to machine and weld all the metal components needed to complete the launch tube and get it operational.



Nick

[Monahan Steam Models]

Saw the video on Facebook Nick, looking good!

Thanks Ken! It’s much easier posting the short videos on Facebook. To post them here, I need to upload them to YouTube first.

[Ken_NJ]

Saw the video on Facebook Nick, looking good!

[Monahan Steam Models]

[Monahan Steam Models]

Printed the upper half of the aft torpedo mount in a lower quality just to get an idea how it fits the boat. This is what the machine pooped out. The lower mount was printed in a higher quality. They bolt together as designed and drop right in. Will make a higher print quality upper mount tomorrow. The beginnings of the forward mount that ties the stuffing boxes together can also be seen in this photo.



Nick