Albacore continued

[greenman407]

Since I am working on the 1/72 Moebius Skipjack, I thought that it might be interesting to compare its size and shape to the Albacore. For one thing, my version of the Albacore is an X Tail. I expect that the Skipjacks maneuverability will suffer If compared directly to the X tail. Also being a single propellor driven submarine I expect it to suffer from torque roll If not ballasted properly and too much throttle applied all at once. I can "Floor" my Albacore with no roll at all.
I remember when I was building my Albacore about 5 or 6 years ago. I didnt have enough ballast weight in her. When you advanced the throttle the thing would spin thru the water like a drill bit! It was so cool!!!
Also my plans with the Skipjack er...Scamp, is to use the New SAS subdriver with Gas backup.
Another cool difference is that the Scamp will have controllable sail planes. Im looking forward to exploring how much real affect they will have on operation.

[greenman407]

There she sits........awaiting the Glib comparisons and confrontation to come.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Sail/bow planes is a must on the larger models. Smaller models, with their quick period of rotation, can get away with stern plane only control of pitch and depth. The 1/72 SKIPJACK is a joy to run at periscope depth with the sail planes active. I don't know how anyone can operate an r/c submarine realistically without 'em!

M

[greenman407]

I know that my 52" Seaview could certainly benefit from them.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Well .....

.... get to it, Concrete-Boy!

M

[greenman407]

Im gettin....im gettin

[greenman407]

Since I appear to be "In The Mood", the Albacore needs some further enhancements. Since I know that the Seaview will benefit greatly from installing a 3&1/2" section with 550 motors, Im going to do the same thing with this boat. Those huge dual propellors can only go faster and more efficiant with 550 motors. I havent checked it but I bet those Speed 400 motors are getting real Hot trying to turn them, even with gear reduction. Ill use my new 3&1/2" twin motor, twin drive bulkhead in her.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Hot damn! ... can't wait to see this rocket take to the depths. Lay rubber, Mark!

M

[greenman407]

Cool! Heres a couple of pictures of the Albacore on my dresser, awaiting the next phase of modifications. In addition to upgunning the Drive motors it will also get a Big 3 cell Lipo for a power source instead of the 7.2 volt NIMH I used before.

[crazygary]

Wild propulsion setup!! She oughta go like "stink"!!
YEEEhah!!!!
Look forward to seeing her in action!!

[greenman407]

My biggest problem is finding someone to shoot video for me. I can tell you all about it but seeing is believing.

[crazygary]

I know what ya mean!!
Sometimes 2 hands just aren't quite enough!! Hah!!
Good luck with that!
But, your sub is pretty awesome!!!

[crazygary]

BTW, that x-tail configuration looks pretty complicated to operate??

[greenman407]

Not at all. I use an electronic mixer. You just move the joystick in the direction that you want to go and the mixer takes care of the rest. The neat thing about a x tail is that all four fins serve as rudders, and all four fins also serve as planes. That translates into extreme maneuverability. However, the faster you go, the less maneuverability you need.

[KevinMc]

In addition to upgunning the Drive motors it will also get a Big 3 cell Lipo for a power source instead of the 7.2 volt NIMH I used before.

Careful Mark, those LiPos are contagious - Once you get one you're gonna want to upgrade the rest of your fleet. (Pound-for-pound the difference in run-time and wet-weight is considerable, although it sounds like you're going to see more of a power boost.) Just make sure your motor(s) will hold up to the higher voltage without letting their smoke out!