USS Plunger 595

[Slats]

After a long hiatus from subs -assembly starts tonight.

This is my seventh Permit class sub, and third USS Plunger SSN 595. I like the class of sub, (a lot).

My first RC scale sub was a based on a Ships N Things kit of this class.

Over the years I used Permit class sub kits to hone my skills and to test and evaluate new ballast systems I have messed about with. All my previous Permits have been passed on to fellow RC submariners with a lot of new guys buying the boats as turn key entry subs to the hobby.
All are still running today.

Although all my previous Permits were built as boats from later years (towed array fairings + mini sail), this one is I intend to do as she was just after she was commissioned with a fairly clean skinned hull. She is also what I consider to be "a keeper" part of the permanent home fleet.

The boat kit comes from HMK Creations in Canada and I understand from Joel is his last production kit. A great reason to have this to hang on to.

First job tonight is clean up the hull and various parts and get any and all left over mould residue off the parts so as to allow proper adhesion of adhesives and paints.

Ok - for the knowledge gurus of the SD Forum, what external sensors (if any) would an early Thresher / Permit class carry early 1963?

Here are three photos of her from 1963 - note the lack of mini sail, towed array fairing and pretty much clean hull


Gorgeous - ain't she








The boat will be kitted out with a 3.5" SD with SAS that David is finalising right now.

Photos coming tonight (hopefully) from the workshop.

Best

John

[trout]

John,
Thank you for building again. I am excited to learn from you.
Peace,
Tom

[Slats]

John,
Thank you for building again. I am excited to learn from you.
Peace,
Tom

Likewise Tom,
many thanks



J

[crazygary]

She's prettier than "3 speckled pups", Slats!!

Looking forward to following your build!!

[greenman407]

So John, HMK is done with all kits, or just the Permits?

[Slats]

So John, HMK is done with all kits, or just the Permits?

Mark -I am fairly sure its the lot.

I understand from Joel the Astute is not going to be a production kit, he'll make 3 only. One for him and the other two for myself and Jim as one off bespoke kits as we prepaid in full.

J

[Albion]

Bummer, I would have signed up

[HvyCGN9]

Good to see you back with another build John!! When do we see some pic's of the hull for this beastie?(the Permit)

Which boat have you picked her to be?(the Astute class not the Permit...)

It is sad when a producer of hull's cease's production (In both Targets and subs) Having a variety of people selling different ship classes is great for the hobbyist but can be tuff on the producers!(tiny economy of scale in RC scale model ship area) Its hard enuff for someone to get a start selling hulls.....

Cheers Bruce

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Good to see you back with another build John!! When do we see some pic's of the hull for this beastie?(the Permit)

Which boat have you picked her to be?(the Astute class not the Permit...)

It is sad when a producer of hull's cease's production (In both Targets and subs) Having a variety of people selling different ship classes is great for the hobbyist but can be tuff on the producers!(tiny economy of scale in RC scale model ship area) Its hard enuff for someone to get a start selling hulls.....

Cheers Bruce

Tell me about it, Bruce.

Long, long, long hours producing yet-to-be-determined-commercial-viability product; the usual production problems; and the 101 wrong moves made by the idiot in the shop. A tough game producing product for the hobby trade on such a small scale.

Joel's work is outstanding, and his dedication to getting good product out the door is second to none. A very good man -- a true Craftsman.

Not many of us left now. Soon, 3D printers will do everything .... even making our food. Hello, Star Trek.

M

[ManOwaR]

Dave,
Thanks for the very kind words. I think you hit the nail on the head pretty much in your summation of the situation. At any rate, I'm not closing the doors per say on HMK but have put a hold on any new orders for awhile. I don't want to end up being one of these guys who takes an order with the customer receiving it finally a year and half later...Just not fair to anyone. With that being said, I'm going to start tinkering again on that Astute shortly, and the plan for production will be a batch large enough to recoup costs for prototyping materials and partial time etc. The batching will done to avoid having to set up the shop for production repeatedly, because I hate doing that! So, for those wanting one or have some interest, maybe just drop me a friendly line so I can have a rough idea of what to expect.

Regards,
Joel

[Slats]

Good to see you back with another build John!! When do we see some pic's of the hull for this beastie?(the Permit)

Which boat have you picked her to be?(the Astute class not the Permit...)

It is sad when a producer of hull's cease's production (In both Targets and subs) Having a variety of people selling different ship classes is great for the hobbyist but can be tuff on the producers!(tiny economy of scale in RC scale model ship area) Its hard enuff for someone to get a start selling hulls.....

Cheers Bruce

Bruce
I'm doing the Plunger - a permit class. Permit class is nothing like an Astute.

The Astute Class is a modern day UK Nuke. That boat is in the pipeline with Joel, for himself me and Jim Russell in the future and from Joel's last post - enough numbers to make it worthwhile..

J

[Slats]

Dave,
Thanks for the very kind words. I think you hit the nail on the head pretty much in your summation of the situation. At any rate, I'm not closing the doors per say on HMK but have put a hold on any new orders for awhile. I don't want to end up being one of these guys who takes an order with the customer receiving it finally a year and half later...Just not fair to anyone. With that being said, I'm going to start tinkering again on that Astute shortly, and the plan for production will be a batch large enough to recoup costs for prototyping materials and partial time etc. The batching will done to avoid having to set up the shop for production repeatedly, because I hate doing that! So, for those wanting one or have some interest, maybe just drop me a friendly line so I can have a rough idea of what to expect.

Regards,
Joel

Be worth the wait Joel - you're the best at this period.

Cheers

John

[HvyCGN9]

I know your doing Plunger mate, I mean't which ASTUTE class will you be doing ??? (when ya get hull)

Cheers Bruce

[Slats]

I know your doing Plunger mate, I mean't which ASTUTE class will you be doing ??? (when ya get hull)

Cheers Bruce

probably Ambush mate.

I look forward to seeing you at Narracoote mate.
My accomodation is booked and I should have Plunger, Albacore and a couple of targets with me.

J

[HvyCGN9]

I look fwd to it mate! I will have both CGN's, USS Shark and my Salvage tug there. Hopefully we will be able to get Chris (oztruck) down (as a guest since he ain't a member at the mo but I'm working on that!!) with his I-25 IMO it should win the club engineering award! Which doesn't appear to get handed out very often

Cheers Bruce