Monstrosity! 1/72 Seawolf

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Oh, man ... Joel! Slick!

Guess I better get back on that pump-jet. Only got to sand things down, make some tools, and get some sets of parts to you.

You and Bassplayer are God's at this stuff!

David

[ManOwaR]

Alright we're almost done this project. I'm on one of the very last, but most crucial parts...the super-duper fin aligner and bearing housing. Be sure to check out my photo tutorial on my HMK facebook page on how I made this contraption! For those wondering if I'm going to continue to write full tutorials for rest of the project I have full intentions of doing so after the build is done. Like always, if you have any questions on how I'm doing things here I'll be more than happy to answer! :)

[Slats]

Hi Joel,
as I'll be getting my hull kit soon, is what I am seeing here a parts assembly to assist with the development of fin alignments parts and bearing housings, OR is what I am seeing what you suggest the end user does in their assembly? I.e. Do you suggest cutting the hull area off completely at the stern cone here - doing the install and then rejoining to the hull?

Thanks
John

[ManOwaR]

Hi Joel,
as I'll be getting my hull kit soon, is what I am seeing here a parts assembly to assist with the development of fin alignments parts and bearing housings, OR is what I am seeing what you suggest the end user does in their assembly? I.e. Do you suggest cutting the hull area off completely at the stern cone here - doing the install and then rejoining to the hull?

Thanks
John

This is a part that will be included with the kit to be glued into place before the aft Z cut part and pump jet are installed. It holds the bearings for the stern planes and rudders and also has alignment holes for the attaching studs in the stationary fins (ie..anhedrals and forward stern planes.) No need to cut the whole stern off. Basically, this takes all the hard work, stress and annoyance of trying to align all these fins properly away from the model assembler's building experience. Just drill a few holes, plop the part in, slide your fins into place and voila, you've just saved many hours of work. It will be very rigid as well, almost impossible to break off a bearing or plane (due to natural causes anyway lol)

[Slats]

This is a part that will be included with the kit to be glued into place before the aft Z cut part and pump jet are installed. It holds the bearings for the stern planes and rudders and also has alignment holes for the attaching studs in the stationary fins (ie..anhedrals and forward stern planes.) No need to cut the whole stern off. Basically, this takes all the hard work, stress and annoyance of trying to align all these fins properly away from the model assembler's building experience. Just drill a few holes, plop the part in, slide your fins into place and voila, you've just saved many hours of work. It will be very rigid as well, almost impossible to break off a bearing or plane (due to natural causes anyway lol)

Hi Joel,
it sounds great but i am not following you. Sorry can you explain this a little more? A photo of how this installs in the hull would probably clear it up for me as it seems like this attaches to the hull as this part looks like it contains the external hull around the fins and rudders??? - But as you said you don't cut the stern off so I am puzzled?
Thanks
J

[ManOwaR]

What you're looking at above with the assembled cone and fins is actually just a mock up stern cone that I made from my screwed up hull mold. I purposely glassed these just so I could make this alignment and bearing part...the shape of the cone is perfectly good to do this but the finish is terrible. I did the same thing when I fit my bow planes with their bearing roots. Doing these smaller parts has also enabled me to do some experimentation with new surface coats and mould releases as well. The original plan was do all this fit up into a first off prototype hull, but that went south as you know and now the hull mold will be finished last.

Anyways, this is what the almost finished part looks like. You simply just drop it inside the stern of the uncut bottom portion of the hull and fit all your fins through the hull into this part and it's alignment holes.



Ill post some more pics once the part is done so I can paint a clearer picture for you

Joel

[Slats]

Super Joel.
I get it!
Best
J

[ManOwaR]

Prototype serial # HMKSW-000 in the mold...finally!

[spankey]

Just a bump for the Seawolf... I just watched one of these boats put to sea today. Impressive sight!! Having seen The Wolf in Drydock, I can say that Joel's example is about as good as good gets!

Daniel-

[ADDINGTON]

Good ? Considering the considerable obstacles to obtaining "accurate" info about the least visible class of all US nucs, Joel's work is incredible. Spankey, are you at liberty to say which of the three you saw?
-Kerry

[spankey]

Good....Just my way of saying the boat he is building will p!ss excellence. :-)
..Can't give you accurate info on the boat, but here is a link... I think you all know which boat of the class it is not.

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2011/09/22/news/submarine-spotted-alki-two-coast-guard-ships-foll

[ManOwaR]

Well, that is certainly good news to know that my miniature is fairly faithful to the full size! I did a side by side comparison of my Wolf next to one of my Permits the other day and "miniature" might not be the best choice of words to describe this boat however. lol. Oct 9 is the official release date for this puppy...I'm throwing a party at my house for friends and family that have more or less seen what Ive gone through in celebration of its long awaited completion (actually, its my wife who's throwing it lol) Keep a look out shortly some time after for a video showing highlights and perhaps an interview discussing past, present and future work.

Joel

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Now, that would be a real treat, Joel. I hope you give us a good tour of your shop and show off some of the tools and such.

David

[Slats]

Joel.
Please do keep track of the serial numbers of the subs you send out. Personally I'd love to know mine, as I know I have bought from you something that is a treasure.

Yes a tour of the facility would be cool.

Can't wait for the video......


Best
John

[ManOwaR]

I'm sure we can accommodate on both accounts :)