Toy conversion to 1:350 Akula

[JHapprich]

Yesterday, i made a proper ALFA sail. I ground a wooden block to shape to act as a plug. I then softened 1mm ABS sheet with a heat gun and quickly pushed it down onto that plug. The opening of the upper hull was enlarged following the outline of the sail and the part was weld-glued. A bit of filling and sanding will complete the task!

Plug:

[JHapprich]

The styrene sail:



The first attemp was not succesful :-(

[redboat219]

The Alfa has a rounder bow than the Skipjack. Since you're using the Skipjack as your base this is more of a Project 1710 Makrel or Beluga class.

Greg Sharpe once made a Beluga using a 1/96 D&E Skipjack hull with scratchbuilt sail and appendages.

[JHapprich]

Thanks for the advice, Romel.
maybe you should look for my post of turning a larger scale skipjack into a SCALE Beluga.


https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/build...-in-1-63-scale

In my opinion the most accurate RC model of Project 1710 that i know of.

Even the meticulously made small Beluga of Mr. Hardrock, which i believe to have been outstandingly skilled, is off since he used the wrong plans.

The Greg sharpe conversion is as much off a beluga as my small Revell conversion will be in comparision with an Alfa. I am not building it to scale.

That sail was made without using any plans.

I am well aware of the lines of soviet and russian subs.

You are right. The ALFA's bow is blunt and the hull less teardropped. Fortunately, this Revell kit is also wrong, so Merriman made changes to the overall hull shape when he produced the conversion kit.

How is your 1/144 KILO 636 coming along?

Regards Jörg

[redboat219]

Jörg,

As much as I’d love to have the Kilo finished and running in the pool tomorrow, real life, work, and family come first.

It’s easy for guys sitting in dedicated workshops with 3D printers, direct access to kit suppliers, fast local shipping, and all the free time in the world to forget what it’s like for someone building overseas. Dealing with import hurdles, a lack of access to tools and materials, scratch-building parts, and balancing daily obligations means progress happens in small steps. Bringing up my unfinished project to question my right to share an opinion is just forum gatekeeping.

At the end of the day, this is a hobby, not a performance review—so I’m building on my own time and on my own terms.


Romel

[JHapprich]

Ah las...

Romel,

Running my own dental practice and having two kids i do not have that much freetime as well. Furthermore, i am of the "duty first" type. Agreed its a hobby, not the real life.

My daily obligations, both officially and privately, are numerous.

I do not use a 3D-printer, instead making things often from scratch, mostly with hand tools. I often make special-purpose tools for a job.

I have to order what i cannot build as well. There are no shops nearby.

I have been seriously building subs since around 1998/2000. First working sub, before building that K-3, ran in 2001.

I am just finishing another Arkmodel Redshark conversion i started in 2016.
I have several models in the build since 2018, like the PAPA and Whiskey. Other hulls are still waiting, the Delta is waiting for Upgrades since 2019.

Over time, i've come to accept i should no longer think of building a model within a year, but count with YEARS for the entire build.

I had the last decent submarine run at a lake ( not testing in the pond etc., REAL driving a model around) in 2015. Since then, i have always found better use for spending my time. Duty first.

I am more into building rather than actually running, i suppose.

I do not care about what you are writing/posting/asking/proposing in this forum. Thats your problem.

However i dislike your impractical approach to the subject, so i am somewhat triggered when you are telling how to work MY project.

I think you're a smart guy that needs to start making his hands dirty instead of collecting data, otherwise your r/c submarine projects will disintigrate from old age.

so go for it, pal!

Jörg

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

And the gloves come off! "Welcome... To Thunderdome!"

Sometimes a bloody-nose is all it takes to reconsider one's position and status within the group picking-order.

Battle of the practical-experienced vs. the well-studied-but-not-yet-in-the-water-experienced.

(yes, thank you, I'll have butter with that popcorn).

David
RingMaster