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I decided that I'd like to have something that works dynamically in my little fleet. So for me the most obvious and readily available choice was the Robbe Seawolf V2. I scoped, trawled, scanned and read many forums and articles on the web about turning this from a dynamic to a static sub. as well as many build threads on others assembling one of these. My only regret was finding the German site that did the bayonet locking rings after I had started and assembled the tech rack!! But what is done is done. One of the other reasons I decided to have a crack at this kit is to gain more experience in how assembling things such as its wtc, linkages, running gear etc. I'm no stranger to ABS or vac-formed kits so I wasn't to stressed over that side of it so it seemed like a little challenge as my funds grow to procure the Skipjack and parts from Caswells.
I read enough to be aware of things with the kits plans and instructions. Even so I decided to study the written instructions over a couple of nights, nothing different than usual now, unlike all those years ago as an eager junior modeler who just scanned them and started tearing things off spues!! I'll be honest and admit that this the first of any project that I have had pretty much one to one scale plans. Not a bad thing as my eyes aren't what they were twenty years ago...
To date I have pretty much followed the instructions with just a couple of variations. I decided from get-go that I would operate the forward planes via the tx so I installed a micro servo ito the forward pressure hull cap and used one of the extra bearing seals from caswells to run the push rod through.... otherwise the tech rack is pretty much as per the book except for some mods to accommodate the non Robbe battery. Behind the klik-on you can see the tube that guides the rod that threads over the threaded rod fixed in the front of the tech rack. I think this could be a weak link but time and field testing/running will tell.
Other changes were to cut away the forward superstructure as I fixed the forward hull pieces to the front wtc cap. The instructions called for gluing the forward lower hull piece only and then attach the top section by screws... Well that was just not going to happen. The model is crude & toy like enough with out having a stack of screw heads showing that hold it together.... The kit comes with a bunch of collets to hold the linkages together. I tried this with the bow plane assembly but didn't take to much self convincing to change them out for klik-ons
I plan on doing the same with the rear hull sections too
The other thing I 'tweaked' was the sail. Firstly I am putting it on reversed to the instructions because I like the look... I also added a Gatling gun/laser assembly from an old kit from my bits box along with some tubing for various scopes and I am not going to add the planes for the sail that came with the kit either. To keep the superstructure in place I glued on an indexing tab at the forward section and then sat one of the small screws on the piece that sits on the wtc cap rim. I then glued on the sail to the superstructure and drill an access hole in the top to manipulate the hold down screw.
I also plan to add some extra features such as outer access hatches on the sale and some detailing to the deck such as the little flying sub to the rear deck section of the pressure hull but more on that latter. The other thing that I personally didn't like is the horizontal slots in the hull for air and water vents so I am doing round vents
Above also shows the first pass at filling the variations between the hull pieces but after sanding it down I will have to give it another pass with a heavier bodied filler before continuing with the rear section.
I read enough to be aware of things with the kits plans and instructions. Even so I decided to study the written instructions over a couple of nights, nothing different than usual now, unlike all those years ago as an eager junior modeler who just scanned them and started tearing things off spues!! I'll be honest and admit that this the first of any project that I have had pretty much one to one scale plans. Not a bad thing as my eyes aren't what they were twenty years ago...
To date I have pretty much followed the instructions with just a couple of variations. I decided from get-go that I would operate the forward planes via the tx so I installed a micro servo ito the forward pressure hull cap and used one of the extra bearing seals from caswells to run the push rod through.... otherwise the tech rack is pretty much as per the book except for some mods to accommodate the non Robbe battery. Behind the klik-on you can see the tube that guides the rod that threads over the threaded rod fixed in the front of the tech rack. I think this could be a weak link but time and field testing/running will tell.
Other changes were to cut away the forward superstructure as I fixed the forward hull pieces to the front wtc cap. The instructions called for gluing the forward lower hull piece only and then attach the top section by screws... Well that was just not going to happen. The model is crude & toy like enough with out having a stack of screw heads showing that hold it together.... The kit comes with a bunch of collets to hold the linkages together. I tried this with the bow plane assembly but didn't take to much self convincing to change them out for klik-ons
I plan on doing the same with the rear hull sections too
The other thing I 'tweaked' was the sail. Firstly I am putting it on reversed to the instructions because I like the look... I also added a Gatling gun/laser assembly from an old kit from my bits box along with some tubing for various scopes and I am not going to add the planes for the sail that came with the kit either. To keep the superstructure in place I glued on an indexing tab at the forward section and then sat one of the small screws on the piece that sits on the wtc cap rim. I then glued on the sail to the superstructure and drill an access hole in the top to manipulate the hold down screw.
I also plan to add some extra features such as outer access hatches on the sale and some detailing to the deck such as the little flying sub to the rear deck section of the pressure hull but more on that latter. The other thing that I personally didn't like is the horizontal slots in the hull for air and water vents so I am doing round vents
Above also shows the first pass at filling the variations between the hull pieces but after sanding it down I will have to give it another pass with a heavier bodied filler before continuing with the rear section.
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