1/72 Virginia Class USS South Dakota

[Timothy L]

Not sure I will call this a full-blown builders thread but I thought it might be helpful to post pictures of the trials and tribulations of a newbie on his first wet hull sub.
Through the wonders of Subex25 I had the privilege of going inside the South Dakota last year. I decided right then and there I would learn how to build RC subs and would eventually build a model of this exact sub.
I built an Engel 212A to get my feet wet - but it is a dry hull with excellent step-by-step instructions. This model comes with no instructions LOL and is a wet hull. It will be a learning experience - not to mention incredibly fun!!!!
The ABS/GG hull was printed by Bob Martin and I am very pleased with it. At this point lower hull sections are welded together. The next step is to fiberglass the interior joints. I generally build a stand in the beginning of a project and throw a cover over it during building. This hull will receive an R&R dual tank WTC.
My primary reason for this post besides just the fun of sharing Is to let other beginners who may be intimidated by this hobby realize that a complete newbie can do it. To my mind it just takes patience and humility as you read and learn from others.

[RazorAntilles]

Looking forward to seeing this build come together! I've got my own batch of subs on the bench (2 LAs and a Typhoon) and I'm learning as I go, as well.

[Timothy L]

RazorAntilles - you might be interested in this. In addition to Bob Martin’s excellent book, Diving Deep, I just acquired a book by Norbert Brüggen titled Model Submarine Technology. It has additional and very useful information on the concept of buoyancy. At my neophyte stage I am finding it to be very helpful. You can get a used copy easily on Amazon for eight dollars. By the way, my schedule pulls me in many directions so posting interim progress pictures may be a bit slow lol.

[Timothy L]

Even though I’m retired - my schedule seems way, way more busy than pre-retirement - that’s another story - But it is the primary reason that projects such as this goes so slowly for me - I simply don’t get that many hours in a week that I can devote to it even though I’m passionate about it.

As I mentioned in the opening post, this isn’t a full build log, not even close. And it’s not aimed at the 99% of you who are so damn good at this it just makes my jaw drop LOL. However, the idea for me is to share, even as a lowly unskilled beginner, the little bits I’m learning that might help the other equally unskilled guy who could just possibly be lurking behind the scenes.

So in this post I want to share a few thoughts to that tiny audience.
1) For me I have found that the ever friendly, sweet natured, gently and kindly offered advice from that puppy dog David Merriman is my baseline. I have made it a habit of looking at his “Today’s Work” postings as a good routine study. If I see something that’s a little confusing, I ask. I do try to search out answers before, but sometimes that takes you down rabbit holes that have so many offshoots you just get lost in the search.
Although we all develop modeling abilities with our own personal techniques I am realizing that every, and I mean every, past technique that I taught myself, can use vast improvement can often be done in a better way If you swallow your pride, Don’t give a dang about looking stupid, and learn.

2) Accept f&#%k ups. David recently described a mishap of his own and it was a GREAT reminder. F’s, to my mind, are some of the best teaching tools If you don’t let yourself to go ape**** because you did it in the first place!

3) Whatever process, idea, technique, etc. are used in building surface ships - when it comes to submarines I think you must do everything better. Submarines are susceptible to a lot more damage and mishaps than target ships ever were. When did you ever have to worry about internal hull pressure on a surface ship - for example.

4) And finally to bring my thoughts home here’s a photo of work in process on some scribing and PE placement on the bow of the Virginia class. My 76 year-old fingers were dreading this process. I questioned a photo in David’s “Today’s Work” and I am now trying (practicing) the technique in his photo. In the photo you can see the first attempts using Bondo Glazing putty to help cleanup scribing. Additional work needs to be done of course - but this is a new technique and I am working on improving it. I have enough confidence that when it is done I think I will be very comfortable with it. Of course it will not have that absolutely professional look that master craftsman David achieves - but that’s not the point. The point is to try your best, learn, and have fun.


And here’s a photo that I’ve learned from by watching DM:
Well crap! Now I cannot find David’s photo! Another lesson learned, If it’s a useful photo save it for cripes sake!

I am in hopes that the behind the scene lurkers or the rank newbies like me will take encouragement in my comments! Thank you for reading.

[trout]

“For me I have found that the ever friendly, sweet natured, gently and kindly offered advice from that puppy dog David Merriman is my baseline.”
You are funny. I laughed at this statement. Not that David is helpful or knowledge, there is no one better, but his approach does not always hit someone in the way you describe. I have been on the wrong side of his hammer, however, if you listen and learn, you will be better at this hobby and in a shorter time.
Thank you Timothy for the laugh.

[Timothy L]

Trout - ahhh, my work is finished LOL. (Although the post just got mysteriously temporarily labeled as spam - ironically funny)

[vital.spark]

Amen Tom! I had No R/C experience I knew absolutely nothing before buying my first Sub with a fittings kit and Subdriver kit from him. I was coming to the States and I wanted to meet His Majesty to show me how to assemble the Subdriver etc. I had to prove to him That I was a true blue Patriot before he let thru his front door with question after question that had to be answered to his satisfaction! I had to dot my i's and cross my t's! It all paid off with 4 hours with him and Ellie I was able to fabricate 5 working subs!!

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[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Amen Tom! I had No R/C experience I knew absolutely nothing before buying my first Sub with a fittings kit and Subdriver kit from him. I was coming to the States and I wanted to meet His Majesty to show me how to assemble the Subdriver etc. I had to prove to him That I was a true blue Patriot before he let thru his front door with question after question that had to be answered to his satisfaction! I had to dot my i's and cross my t's! It all paid off with 4 hours with him and Ellie I was able to fabricate 5 working subs!!

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And Ellie went that one-step-farther by showing Fanny how to do her nails. Good times.

[vital.spark]

Now you want me to start tearing up? Ellie radiated and was so so special!!

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Now you want me to start tearing up? Ellie radiated and was so so special!!

Stop blubbering, you old softy. Get back to work! (and... yes, yes she was very special; much more than a good set of hands in the shop).