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I thought I would post some info regarding my projects that I will be starting on later this year. Currently I have the following submarine kits that I will be converting to RC operation. Other than trying to cram as many features/functions into each as space allows, there are no set plans in advance. Each will likely have their own unique list of “features”.
Revell 230th scale Skipjack with D&E 1.25 Sub Driver and Fitting set.
Revell 180th scale “Flasher”, GATO class (21 inches)
Revell 144th scale U206A, German U-Boat (13 inches!)
Revell 144th scale VIIC/41 German U-Boat (18 inches)
Trumpeter 144th scale 1941 GATO (26 inches)
Trumpeter 144th scale Kilo (20 inches)
Revell 125th scale U99, German U-Boat. (21 inches)
Revell 350th scale K-141 "Kursk" (17.75 inches)(looking for one)
Why have I opted for the smaller scales? Well, obviously they will be a bigger challenge due to the smaller space available. Also, my theater of operation is a 50” deep, 27ft diameter pool. The smaller subs can be more maneuverable than their larger counterparts.
A little about me.
While RC submarines are an entirely new area of expertise for me, I have been building scale models since I was 6 years old. ( I am 51 now). The interest came from the models my Dad had on the shelf. A 1/535th scale USS Missouri Battleship, a 1/481st scale “Baltimore” class heavy cruiser, a 1/306th scale “Fletcher” class Destroyer, a 1/72 scale PBY “Catalina” Flying Boat, and a 1/72 scale B29 “Superfortress”. He was in the Army Air Force in WW2, stationed on Guam as a B29 airframe mechanic and munitions loader. Prior to the war, he was trained at Fry Aircraft, and worked at Consolidated, building “Catalina’s” and B24 “Liberators”.
By age 12, I was winning scale model competitions for WW2 1/48 scale aircraft and 1/8th and 1/25th scale vehicles. Later on, I started building RC boats/ships, and converting scale models to RC. I’ve built several of the older Sterling ship kits, and converted/built numerous scale ships such as the old Revell “Russian Spy Trawler”, several Destroyers, PT boats, the Lindberg “Blue Devil” 125th scale Destroyer, and numerous smaller tugs, trawlers, etc.
From a building and RC aspect, I am not a newbie, the idea of shoving everything in a little tube that does not leak, IS!
I have a large shelving unit stockpiled with kits to “get to” someday. I have nearly completed collecting all the old kits my Dad had built so I can replicate that display he once had (he passed away this year at 89).
Some of the more notable items, besides a larger scale version of the North Sea Trawler (always a favorite), I also have a Revell 1/380th scale NS Savannah (first commercial Nuclear powered ship), various tugs, fireboats, etc., a 3/4 meter “Victoria” scale RC sailboat, a 1 meter “Il Moro” America’s Cup RC sailboat (1 meter long hull, stands 7 feet from keel bulb to mast tip, IT’s BIG). And of course, the aforementioned submarine models.
One thing is clearly evident, finding information about building some of the required individual components for an RC Submarine is very difficult. Researching to find micro versions of specific components is also going to be a challenge. I know they are out there. There also seems to be a lack of smaller diameter scale or semi scale props available that would be suitable for some of the smaller scale submarines. The U206A at only 13 inches long will truly be a challenge. I will have to be very creative with that one. I am also looking at a 1/350 scale Soviet Alfa that is only 9.5 inches long!
The Kilo Trumpeter kit will obviously be easier because of the availability of the D&E fitting set. I acquired the 1/125th scale Revell U99 to see what the difference was overall compared to the Revell 1/144th scale VIIC/41 version. I also have a new 125th scale Lindberg “Blue Devil” destroyer coming to go along with the 125th scale U99 submarine (after I saw a side by side picture, had to have it).
Some of the things I am in need of help with at this point;
Still waiting on a high resolution picture of the 1.25 D&E Sub Driver so I can see the general layout, specific details on the servo box covers and servo installation.
I need details on building a propel gas system, pictures, parts source, etc., as I am going to need to build some very small compact versions for a couple of the projects (since there are no commercially available units for the miniature scales, (I have to make my own).
A source for some small scale props (3 or 4 blade), small shaft, around 1/2” to 5/8” diameter.
Thoughts on a Hobby Lathe, since I am going to have to use some 1”, 1.25”, and 1.5” Lexan tubes in some of these, I am going to have to turn some end caps and bulkheads for WTC’s (again, none really commercially available that I have found). In some cases, I suspect my WTC will be made up of a couple different diameters to fit in the available space, so definitely will have to make my own adapters for the different tube sizes.
Info on the smallest servos you have seen, and any micro sized linear actuators/servos.
That’s all for now, as soon as the other kits show up, I will post up some pictures of each one, and probably start individual threads at some point. Granted, these will be a work in progress for some time. Main focus at first will be on the Skipjack to have that operational by next spring. But I will also be doing some basic layout work on the others to determine available space, WTC requirements, basic components needed, etc..
If you can help out with any of the info needed above, I would greatly appreciate it, or any ideas you have on sourcing some of the micro components. Post up the info or PM or E-Mail me through this forum.
I will be preparing detailed information on each, hopefully such information may help other potential newbie’s to take a dive! (per Kazzer’s request)
Oh, “Mr Mopar” stems from a love for Chrysler. Plymouth, Dodge vehicles. I have worked in Nuclear Power for 30 years (no NAVY). Currently I am a Nuclear Instructor for Engineering at a nuke plant in NW Ohio. Married, have one boy, 18, he is shipping to Marine Corp Boot Camp this December, MOS – Military Police.
Revell 230th scale Skipjack with D&E 1.25 Sub Driver and Fitting set.
Revell 180th scale “Flasher”, GATO class (21 inches)
Revell 144th scale U206A, German U-Boat (13 inches!)
Revell 144th scale VIIC/41 German U-Boat (18 inches)
Trumpeter 144th scale 1941 GATO (26 inches)
Trumpeter 144th scale Kilo (20 inches)
Revell 125th scale U99, German U-Boat. (21 inches)
Revell 350th scale K-141 "Kursk" (17.75 inches)(looking for one)
Why have I opted for the smaller scales? Well, obviously they will be a bigger challenge due to the smaller space available. Also, my theater of operation is a 50” deep, 27ft diameter pool. The smaller subs can be more maneuverable than their larger counterparts.
A little about me.
While RC submarines are an entirely new area of expertise for me, I have been building scale models since I was 6 years old. ( I am 51 now). The interest came from the models my Dad had on the shelf. A 1/535th scale USS Missouri Battleship, a 1/481st scale “Baltimore” class heavy cruiser, a 1/306th scale “Fletcher” class Destroyer, a 1/72 scale PBY “Catalina” Flying Boat, and a 1/72 scale B29 “Superfortress”. He was in the Army Air Force in WW2, stationed on Guam as a B29 airframe mechanic and munitions loader. Prior to the war, he was trained at Fry Aircraft, and worked at Consolidated, building “Catalina’s” and B24 “Liberators”.
By age 12, I was winning scale model competitions for WW2 1/48 scale aircraft and 1/8th and 1/25th scale vehicles. Later on, I started building RC boats/ships, and converting scale models to RC. I’ve built several of the older Sterling ship kits, and converted/built numerous scale ships such as the old Revell “Russian Spy Trawler”, several Destroyers, PT boats, the Lindberg “Blue Devil” 125th scale Destroyer, and numerous smaller tugs, trawlers, etc.
From a building and RC aspect, I am not a newbie, the idea of shoving everything in a little tube that does not leak, IS!
I have a large shelving unit stockpiled with kits to “get to” someday. I have nearly completed collecting all the old kits my Dad had built so I can replicate that display he once had (he passed away this year at 89).
Some of the more notable items, besides a larger scale version of the North Sea Trawler (always a favorite), I also have a Revell 1/380th scale NS Savannah (first commercial Nuclear powered ship), various tugs, fireboats, etc., a 3/4 meter “Victoria” scale RC sailboat, a 1 meter “Il Moro” America’s Cup RC sailboat (1 meter long hull, stands 7 feet from keel bulb to mast tip, IT’s BIG). And of course, the aforementioned submarine models.
One thing is clearly evident, finding information about building some of the required individual components for an RC Submarine is very difficult. Researching to find micro versions of specific components is also going to be a challenge. I know they are out there. There also seems to be a lack of smaller diameter scale or semi scale props available that would be suitable for some of the smaller scale submarines. The U206A at only 13 inches long will truly be a challenge. I will have to be very creative with that one. I am also looking at a 1/350 scale Soviet Alfa that is only 9.5 inches long!
The Kilo Trumpeter kit will obviously be easier because of the availability of the D&E fitting set. I acquired the 1/125th scale Revell U99 to see what the difference was overall compared to the Revell 1/144th scale VIIC/41 version. I also have a new 125th scale Lindberg “Blue Devil” destroyer coming to go along with the 125th scale U99 submarine (after I saw a side by side picture, had to have it).
Some of the things I am in need of help with at this point;
Still waiting on a high resolution picture of the 1.25 D&E Sub Driver so I can see the general layout, specific details on the servo box covers and servo installation.
I need details on building a propel gas system, pictures, parts source, etc., as I am going to need to build some very small compact versions for a couple of the projects (since there are no commercially available units for the miniature scales, (I have to make my own).
A source for some small scale props (3 or 4 blade), small shaft, around 1/2” to 5/8” diameter.
Thoughts on a Hobby Lathe, since I am going to have to use some 1”, 1.25”, and 1.5” Lexan tubes in some of these, I am going to have to turn some end caps and bulkheads for WTC’s (again, none really commercially available that I have found). In some cases, I suspect my WTC will be made up of a couple different diameters to fit in the available space, so definitely will have to make my own adapters for the different tube sizes.
Info on the smallest servos you have seen, and any micro sized linear actuators/servos.
That’s all for now, as soon as the other kits show up, I will post up some pictures of each one, and probably start individual threads at some point. Granted, these will be a work in progress for some time. Main focus at first will be on the Skipjack to have that operational by next spring. But I will also be doing some basic layout work on the others to determine available space, WTC requirements, basic components needed, etc..
If you can help out with any of the info needed above, I would greatly appreciate it, or any ideas you have on sourcing some of the micro components. Post up the info or PM or E-Mail me through this forum.
I will be preparing detailed information on each, hopefully such information may help other potential newbie’s to take a dive! (per Kazzer’s request)
Oh, “Mr Mopar” stems from a love for Chrysler. Plymouth, Dodge vehicles. I have worked in Nuclear Power for 30 years (no NAVY). Currently I am a Nuclear Instructor for Engineering at a nuke plant in NW Ohio. Married, have one boy, 18, he is shipping to Marine Corp Boot Camp this December, MOS – Military Police.
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