1/32 French Arethuse

[Albacore 569]

Front to back Ariane, Argonaute, Arethuse, Amazone. The entire Arethuse class hunter killer Sous Marins.

Steve

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Beautiful, exacting work, sir. Magnificent.

David

[Helderluiss]

I wish I could say the same. Mine is far from finished:

https://hlnewprojects.blogspot.com/2011/04/submarino-de-patrulha-frances-de-543.html

[RCSubGuy]

We are getting close to being able to resume work on this boat. Hoping within the next few weeks and we can get on it in earnest.

[Albacore 569]

Hopefully this project at Nautilus works will resume on schedule now or soon once Bob completes other projects. The sail is tall in proportion to the hull but is correct by the detailed drawings. The sail height is determined by height of the periscopes. the periscope height is determined by the periscope depth needed or deemed necessary for sufficient stealth due to the clarity of the water (then) in the Mediterranean Sea she was designed primarily to operate in. The Skipjack SSN's have proportionally tall sails too. The Model may handle similarly in the water leaning over in turns, but don't expect you will be flying this model like a Skipjack either. Will see.

The sub barrows many 'American' features. It uses the same propulsion arrangement as te American fleet boats, (diesel engines generate electrical power to a electrical motor which propels the boat on the surface or submerged, just switching to batteries when submerged) a departure from earlier French submarines de clutching before the war. This is more efficient, but primarily was used as the spaces in the small hull afforded no other option, the system affording flexibility in placing the diesels and motor. The Argonaute also used the American ST attack periscope (or a french licensed copy) with its radar head for accurate ranging.

The Americans about the same time developed a tiny SSK barrier submarine SSK-1 to SSK-3 that was designed as prototypes for mass production should American strategy shifted that way It didn't and and in stead went with the Thresher/Permit concept. The SSK-1 to 3 were dogs compared to the French Arethuse's. Deeper diving, and much faster underwater ( can be considered in concept the first true as designed 'Hunter Killer' mission boats. I love their look and think these subs in a model need more recognition. But Cramped! Even a special version (shorted torpedoes had to be designed for these 4 boats. But from what I can glean they were successful very boats in design & operationally.

Steve

[Helderluiss]

I have a special interest in this topic. I started an Arethuse submarine a few years ago but other projects came up and have been sitting. I come here looking for inspiration, amazing work.

[Albacore 569]

Well Done! Enjoy relax at Sub Fest. The SubFest site is the most beautiful set up. Safe Journeys.

Steve

[RCSubGuy]

With everything going on in preparation for SUBFEST, I've been pulled in a hundred different directions, but I have had a bit of time to work on Arethuse. The hull is nearly ready to commit to surface finish. These photos show it in her final coat of primer before the last sanding session. From here, she will get some high build primer and I can begin transferring the scribed details to the hull.

I've also begun work in earnest to get the forward plane linkages sorted. I think I have a strategy that will work. I have it drafted on a napkin and it should (in theory) work well.

Nothing more on this or any other project until after SUBFEST next week.

[RCSubGuy]

Abysmal progress, I know, but progress nonetheless. Rear dive planes were drafted and printed in high strength resin. I actually really like the configuration of the stern. The rudder is directly behind the prop, which will, in theory, offer some great yaw response. The rear planes are really conveniently located where they don't interfere with the prop shaft. They're large and situated well in good proximity to the propeller. I am anticipating good pitch response from this boat as well.

Next up will be engineering the rudder actuation. There is room for a tiny horn, however I will likely go with something like a pull/pull steel cable on a wheel in order to keep it close and tidy back there.

Once the stern is finalized (and we're close on that), then it's onto the crazy forward dive planes. I've spent quite a few hours pondering how to engineer the push/push extending front dive planes. The biggest challenge is the narrow bow. When retracted, the planes actually almost touch the inside of the opposite side of the hull. For those unfamiliar, the bow planes are engineered such that there is one on the starboard side to surface, and another on the port side to submerge. Proportional control of surfacing/submerging is handled by pushing out the respective dive plane to different degrees. The advantage to this is that when a level bubble is achieved and desired, there is no drag from forward dive planes. The disadvantage is the crazy linkage needed to make it all happen.

More soon, though progress will likely be further stalled by preparations for SUBFEST, which is in 2 weeks.

[Albacore 569]

Same 'yard' then and yard now.

[Albacore 569]

[Albacore 569]

That's great! Happy to know Mike's still around kicking. I recall definitely all the above you describe. I still have old photos of his 1/32 Type IX on my work bench (same one in the meteorite construction photo's) getting a battery charge next to Duane Hillier's 1/48 Seawolf SSN-21. In his long driving trips in his SUV, someone made a sudden stop & Mike had to slam on the brakes. He stopped in time., but the Type IX went sailing in the inertia (not the good sailing) even though it was carefully secure on the bed in back. He used my shop to make a few urgent repairs and the boat was at the regatta I remember.

Duane made some painting touch ups and i think he asked me to help paint it . The outline of his hull is still marked in the concrete on my garage floor I keep as a memento of those times. Happy memories.

I remember Mike had a flotilla of subs. A Type XXIII, XXI, IX, VII, II, in 1.32. His Type 2 was a sweet little boat. Maybe someday my Meteorite can sail in the same pond. or the Arethuse French sub stalking them...lol. Has he added any more since? LOL.

[trout]

I run with Mike Dory in Southern California (although it has been several meets that I missed recently). The 4 hour drive from Vegas to hang with them, is worth it.
He is a blessing to run with. Great stories and wonderful knowledge.

[Albacore 569]

STEVE REICHMUTH!!! Damn, I'm dumber than a box of rockes.

... it's you! (just checked your profile to get the name). I should have figured it out once you started cranking out the ARETHUSE class posts -- you've had a hard-on for that boat for decades.

For the record, Steve is a master at this game -- it was his wooden patterns of the 1/96 SKIPJACK that became the backbone of the kit Ellie and I produced back in the late 80's. This guy knows his ****!

How you been, pal?

David

Its me! Hi David!!!!! "Captain it is I! Ensign Pulver! What's all this crud about no movies tonight?"...lol.

I'm doing alright, retired health stable. My dexterity isn't as sharp as it used to be but i'm into it again. But after years (yes years) trying to bust through, the ceiling finally opened up and looks like my Arethuse with a big help from Bob, hell, not accurate, Bob is building and im helping a little best I can. Taken some of my meager IRA money and sending to Bob to complete the 1/32 Arethuse to be christened 'Argonaute'.

Matt Thor made fiberglass molds of the sail wood master I did years ago, Matt was even able to pull from the mold the tow line track in the sail was well. I then added details, light recesses, openings for masts and the bridge. Masts. I primed it and sent it with the wood cnc masters a couple of years ago to Bobs resentence in Florida. That's how long its been waiting. Sent Bob a check to hold a place in the assembly line. Finally this last month my number came up and get this hard on for the Arethuse taken care of finally after many years.

That sail is huge in proportion to the rest of the Arethuse design. But its to scale if the drawings from France are accurate. The many research photos' confirm so. It makes sense too. Te tall sail is due to the need for the longest periscopes for the deepest periscope depth practical. Why? the Mediterranean where these boats were designed to operate against Soviet subs, is clearer water than much of the Atlantic is in comparison. Why many WW2 British subs where painted with blue superstructures.

But this sail as Bob remarked may make some roll tendencies in turns. Just like the Skipjack sails ! Just like the Real skipjacks and the D&E Skipjack, I learned to easing into a turn avoiding knowing its snap roll tendency's. Should be fine handling I expect.

Those Bow planes too. We are curious how effective they will be too for depth control. The Arethuse's horizontal stern planes (pitch control) are enormous by contrast. We will now have a opportunity to see how they work.

Most other would have given up and said **** this hobby. While Bob completes the Arethuse, I am building myself HMS Meteorite. Both in similar scales and sies. 1/32 scale and 1/30 respectively.

I did the master hull for Skip Asay's 1/60 Albacore too. I watch your work in Todays work and marvel. The craftmanship an innovation in ideas and tools created ot make the finished sub. Amazing. Hope to get out and play with a sub in the sunshine soon before we are all too old. Point me toward the water!

Here ot Help and learn. Helping you David get the right number of blades on those beautiful props you make! Respectfully to you and everyone here. Has anyone heard from Marshall Clark? Mike Dory?

Steve

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Yes, my Earthlink server checked my email connections. I'm good on my end. Your server rc-sub.com & Earthlink did a IP check & seems your server blocks it thinking its spam. But agree, we can post here. Been with Earthlink since 1997. Same address. Everyone wants my skipjack name. Named after my first RC sub, the D&E Skipjack. :)

STEVE REICHMUTH!!! Damn, I'm dumber than a box of rockes.

... it's you! (just checked your profile to get the name). I should have figured it out once you started cranking out the ARETHUSE class posts -- you've had a hard-on for that boat for decades.

For the record, Steve is a master at this game -- it was his wooden patterns of the 1/96 SKIPJACK that became the backbone of the kit Ellie and I produced back in the late 80's. This guy knows his ****!

How you been, pal?

David