Hmk 1/72 hms astute

[Slats]

For those who might not have seen them, there is an excellent 3 part documentary on the BBC website regarding the Astute class construction.

This URL has clips

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00syt1w

Here is the documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ODDjsK0BOg&feature=related

J

[ManOwaR]

Note the location of where the tubes finish forward. At that point from the full set of plans we purchased, no doubt you would have noticed the bow of the boat tends to more sharply go inward than compared with say the nice round shape of a US nuke. Given that, I was wondering if this position would be too far forward for a Z cut join, as I am thinking the lower bow cut at this point would have a tendency to contract inward away from the proper line of the rest of the lower hull.

For anyone contemplating the torpedo system, I am thinking this is really the only practical location for the Z cut. What do you think?
If it does want to creep in, could you consider perhaps including a semi circular type bracing bulkhead piece that could be installed in the forward lower bow area. I am thinking if that was installed prior to the assembler making the Z cut, you would have no problems with inward flexing at the bow. You'd need to have a small gap in the base of this semi circular type bulk head to ensure free movement of water drainage.

J

That's the same place I think would make the most sense for the cut. I don't think the front bow will have issues bowing because it has that angular ridge at the center line to give it rigidity. Aft of that though, I could see bowing if support isn't used, just like on my Seawolf.For there, I will make a bulkhead with six holes to accommodate later torpedo installation. We'll see how it goes, those are things that would have to be looked at after I have a prototype layup built up.

[Slats]

Had the Astute plans out last night Joel, was wondering what you were planning to do re the forward lower Z cut?
Below is the sample profile image from the Jeacobin website. http://jecobinplans.com/estore/produ...roducts_id=391



Note the location of where the tubes finish forward. At that point from the full set of plans we purchased, no doubt you would have noticed the bow of the boat tends to more sharply go inward than compared with say the nice round shape of a US nuke. Given that, I was wondering if this position would be too far forward for a Z cut join, as I am thinking the lower bow cut at this point would have a tendency to contract inward away from the proper line of the rest of the lower hull.

For anyone contemplating the torpedo system, I am thinking this is really the only practical location for the Z cut. What do you think?
If it does want to creep in, could you consider perhaps including a semi circular type bracing bulkhead piece that could be installed in the forward lower bow area. I am thinking if that was installed prior to the assembler making the Z cut, you would have no problems with inward flexing at the bow. You'd need to have a small gap in the base of this semi circular type bulk head to ensure free movement of water drainage.

J

[Slats]

Joel
was enjoying the Seawolf at the lake yesterday and it dawned on me that I should give you (least from my view), some feedback as to the operational things I find very useful about your kits. In doing so I'd love to see these with the Astute and hope these goodies come with it.

Indexing Lips - I find the long fibreglass lips far more useful than the tab (male / female) parts.
The indexing lips operationally in removing and re-attaching the upper / lower hull halves are far more forgiving than the tab connections. The tab connections require precise horizontal placement of the upper hull on the lower, a PITA especially when you lake side and have the boat stand on slightly uneven ground, and are trying to align for and aft and aligning the geared tab for the bow plans. I removed all my tab connections on the Wolf and find it so much easier. Perfect alignment achieved through the indexing lips alone. Perhaps with the Astute supply 6 sections of the indexing lip sections.

Gear tab for bow plan operation.
Love it - ingenuous and simple. Works every time.

Water Tight Cylinder saddles
Really like the way you have demarcation lines / grooves in the Saddles, that are designed to take different diameter cylinders.


J

[Slats]

John, you know me better than that, of course I'm doing the tiles! :)

Mark, that's an important shot. It really shows the thicker transition layer of tiles that end in the middle of the second tube shutter...a detail easy to miss on most other pics. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if these shutters rotate to open like on the American boats, or do they just simply fold in on a front mounted hinge?

Joel

Joel, from Mark's photo they look like they fold on a hinge up and out of the way.

[ManOwaR]

the tubes photo Mark - why do I get the feeling you took that yourself? - Stunning, and begging to be fitted out with the Casewell / Merriman torpedo system.

Joel are you doing all the tiles?

J

John, you know me better than that, of course I'm doing the tiles! :)

Mark, that's an important shot. It really shows the thicker transition layer of tiles that end in the middle of the second tube shutter...a detail easy to miss on most other pics. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if these shutters rotate to open like on the American boats, or do they just simply fold in on a front mounted hinge?

Joel

[Slats]

I was interested in the astute by rc subs
I sent them an email asking for pictures and got this reply:

Thanks for contacting us. our Company launched launched on 7th January 2013, and we had some promo pictures and videos taken by an advertising Company however due t the Christmas holiday they have taken longer than expected to return them to us, we have been assured that they will within the next couple of days at which time we will post them on all our social media pages and our website and on this sale.

I think it is all very suspect.....
also they are laying on the charity donations/events a bit heavy

I'm mindful of steering Joel's thread off course. (sorry Joel).
That said - I've made some inquiries - the Ebay ad now has the following text:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....53#description

Q: Hello I am very interested in this item. I am also a bit puzzled. There seems to be no photos available for this kit either in your ebay ad, or on your website? I'd be very happy to make a significant bid on this if I can see the detail and quality of what I am buying. Can you please post photos. Many thanks J 12-Jan-13
A: Many thanks to everyone for showing an interest in our RC Astute Model Kit. Just to clear a few matters of concern for you all. Our Company was started on 7th January 2013. We had arranged for an advertising company to take photos and videos of our kit for advertising purposes. We were assured that is would all be taken care of before the 7th January 2013, however there has been a delay due to the Christmas holiday and Photos and Videos were only taken last. We hope to have them uploaded to our website, social media site and on this sale within a couple of days. Please note that we do not expect anyone to buy our item without seeing the quality of our model first and if for any reason we are unable to get the finished product (unlikely) we reserve the right to end the sale early. This has caused a little embarasment to our company but we hope to rectify within a couple of days

Also has the following text:
On 12-Jan-13 at 16:13:11 GMT, seller added the following information:

Our Model comes with 2 x ballast tanks which have pre cut holes in the bottom. In the top there are 3 x pre cut holes with valves. Tubes are connected to the valves which are controlled by servos. 2 x tubes are connected to holes on the deck fore and aft. the 3rd tube from each tank is connected to a cO2 bottle. To dive the controller simply opens the 2 valves and the water rushes in at the bottom of the tanks forcing the air out of the top via the deck. Once dived the valves are closed. To surface the controller operates the cO2 valve servo therefore forcing the water back out of the bottom of the tanks. All necessary tubes, servos and valves for the ballast system are included with the kit and full install instruction.



I think we need to let the guy come good with photos before passing judgement. My read on this is that although the company started 7 Jan 2013, the kit must have been in the works prior.
I pushed the guy for production photos. He kindly flicked me one of the hull in very early production process of his 1/42 scale version. I won't criticise too much other than to say it was rough, which could be unfair at this stage, and hence I won't post it.
He also stated the reason why there are no production photos and he is only willing to post the final product's photos is that:
"As for photos we have many of our build stages and how we got to this but as we are the only Company in the world to build Astute on this scale we have patented our product and are only willing to show pictures of finished product which we will have within a couple of days."

The ballast details and general operating information that he has now put up for his 1/72 scale kit, are in my experience some what over complicated for a model of the 1/72 scale version. Its a basic gas system (albeit CO2 or Argon over at his web site). The complicating factor for me is the the two tanks, forward and aft. A single tank would suffice. No doubt it works, but moreover it reads to me as a very heavy setup. The mass momentum to be overcome for turning would be considerable, irrespective of the Astute's sizable control surfaces. The equipment layout (two tanks) would occupy a significant amount of real estate too, and the additional associated buoyancy would need to be offset by more ballast weight.




Back on topic
the tubes photo Mark - why do I get the feeling you took that yourself? - Stunning, and begging to be fitted out with the Casewell / Merriman torpedo system.

Joel are you doing all the tiles?

J

[greenman407]

Forgot one.

[greenman407]

Just thought that I would post a couple more pictures of the Astute. This time the port side. Im wondering what differences we will see between the "Artful" and the next one(cant remember the name) as far as the holes behind the sail.

[gingyer]

I was interested in the astute by rc subs
I sent them an email asking for pictures and got this reply:

Thanks for contacting us. our Company launched launched on 7th January 2013, and we had some promo pictures and videos taken by an advertising Company however due t the Christmas holiday they have taken longer than expected to return them to us, we have been assured that they will within the next couple of days at which time we will post them on all our social media pages and our website and on this sale.

I think it is all very suspect.....
also they are laying on the charity donations/events a bit heavy

[Subculture]

Indeed. Well anyone can book up a schedule of events they 'plan' to attend. Then when the day looms- the cat ate my sub!

Notice how the delivery schedule is over a fortnight after the auction ends. Are they delivering it by canal barge?

[Slats]

If you want a 1/72 Astute, wait for Joel to complete his. If you want a smaller Astute Chris Netherway does some nice hulls, although he doesn't adevrtise them, so it's just on a word and mouth basis.

RC-subs need to provide some decent images, and better information on their kit, if it exists.

Thanks Andy.....

the thing that I thought looked genuine about this was the scheduled events.

http://www.rc-subs.com/html/events.html

But then I got to thinking - do I know anyone with 1/42 scale ships? -= Nope ...
Do I know anyone with a 1/42 Invincible? =Nope
How much water would one need to maneuver the Carrier with that scale sub =heaps.

We do learn from the ebay ad that the system has bow and stern ballast tanks for the 1/72 scale model. - An overly complicated and unnecessary system for a sub of this size, especially working on the fact that the system uses Argon welding gas, presumably to blow the tanks.
We do also learn from the ebay ad their are no photos currently to be had.

One of the standout items for this submarine is her pump jet which is humbly described as a mere prop.

All very sus indeed.
J

[Subculture]

If you want a 1/72 Astute, wait for Joel to complete his. If you want a smaller Astute Chris Netherway does some nice hulls, although he doesn't adevrtise them, so it's just on a word and mouth basis.

RC-subs need to provide some decent images, and better information on their kit, if it exists.

[greenman407]

OOOPPS! Maybe the jig is up?The Titanic

[Subculture]

I did a bit of investigation into this newcomer to the model submarine scene, as something didn't smell right to me.

1. They have provided zero evidence of any model, no pictures of a completed model or any master work. However they're able to place one up for auction on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1509780257...84.m1555.l2649

2. The specification is decidedly sketchy.

3. They took without permission pictures and videos from other sites, and hosted them on their facebook page. They removed these pretty sharpish when I challenged them.

4. They placed an auction on ebay for one of these kits. Again no pictures of a product, and if you clicked on the sellers feedback, you could see he'd just purchased a small 'starters' fibreglass kit. Hardly the kind of thing you buy when you're cranking out huge submarine hulls- you'd have oddles of the stuff already.

The previous position of the owner of this outfit was running a cleaning company (now defunct). So Mr Mop suddenly becomes master modelmaker- quite a career change.

Their site makes much of donating 25% of profits to charity. But what is their profit?

I wouldn't send them a brass farthing (plugged nickel for the Americans).