The Mini Snort Sub-driver

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Imagine this. While at the lake shore a gorgeous looking chick comes up to you and ask.
"Is that a sub in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

I think this new SD has lots of potentials. I think it would be possible to incorporate a ballast section in it. Won't fit the Skipjack but perfect for Revell's 1/200 Andrew Jackson SSBN .

We're working up a specific 1.25" SD for specific sub kits, and the majority of them will have a proper ballast sub-system aboard, the few exceptions (the little Revell SKIPJACK is one of those) are too tiny to fit a ballast tank and the associated items so they will be 'dynamic divers'.

David,

[redboat219]

We're working up a specific 1.25" SD for specific sub kits, and the majority of them will have a proper ballast sub-system aboard, the few exceptions (the little Revell SKIPJACK is one of those) are too tiny to fit a ballast tank and the associated items so they will be 'dynamic divers'.

David,

Will there be one for the Revell U-99?

[Outrider]

I'm hopeful that the little subdriver will get fitted for the U-212 and for the Type XXI. Revell also has a 1:144 Type 206 kit that may work with the driver, too.

Type 206s are interesting little fish. Non-magnetic hulls and QUIET. Ugly to look at, but, operating as intended, very effective, especially for something from the mid '60s.

Schenell Herr Merriman! Wir warten.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I'm dancing as fast as I can, ******!

David,

[Outrider]

I can tell. Looks like you came up with something that's pretty flexible. Just thought it would be smart to start pointing back to the early part of the thread (AUG '08!) where the U-212 was in the queue and the driver was "6-8 weeks away."

You know the old saying about "Good, Cheap, Quick - Which two do you want?"

Looks like you did fine on the budget and on quality (well except for the inoperative sail planes in the Skipjack fittings kit, which, I suppose, is really a design flaw), so I guess you get another free pass on timeliness.

Better watch out though... Mike could decide to "outsource" you unless you prove your worth by getting the Type VII fittings out more quickly. If you go past Memorial Day, he'll probably sell your services to some Faberge knock-off outfit and contract out with some hungry third world factory with plenty of engineers and production tools. (You know, Toyota, Opel, Lotus, something like that.) You'd be surprised who can get into the RC Game. Align, based in Taiwan and probably the biggest manufacturer of RC Helis, seems to have as their main line of business making Disney themed vacuum cleaners for the Japanese market.

So just to be safe after you finish up with the Type VII fittings, get the 212 kit out before, say, June and everything will be OK. But make sure it's driver and fittings together--your public expects no less!

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

and while I'm doing all that why not stick a broom-handle up my ass so I can sweep the place down as I work?!....

Just finished the replacement propellers on the Type-7 fittings kit. I've finished the thrust bearing foundation and am well along with the rudder linkage foundation. Tomorrow I make the masters for the magnet foundations that will be used to hold the deck down onto the hull.

Concurrent with the fittings kit work I'm working up the prototype of the latest version of the torpedo launcher -- I've test fit it into the bow and stern of the 1/72 Type-7 and am pleased to report that not only is there room in there, but plenty of room left over between the torpedo tubes and SubDriver! Wow! Same with the 1/72 GATO.

What's made all this possible was Mr. Caswell's identification of a new source of solenoid actuated valves that can be directly mounted to the breech-block of the torpedo tubes -- eliminating the need of a separate (and bulky) torpedo launcher gas distribution network. Film at 11.

David,

[Slats]

Thanks for that Torpedo update.....
does that mean that the electronics linkage shown on the tube will have to be waterproofed within a separate WTC?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Thanks for that Torpedo update.....
does that mean that the electronics linkage shown on the tube will have to be waterproofed within a separate WTC?

I would like to keep the switch in the wet, that would mean potting the board and the plugs where they make up to the solenoids. Still playing with various waterproofing schemes.

David,

[Slats]

Based on the length measurements of the whole assembly (i used the servo plug as a reference and proportioned the length) this system would fit into a 1/72 Permit with 10 degree angled tubes and snugly fit against a 3.5" SD OD.
I based the angle opening on tube OD of half an inch.

J

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Based on the length measurements of the whole assembly (i used the servo plug as a reference and proportioned the length) this system would fit into a 1/72 Permit with 10 degree angled tubes and snugly fit against a 3.5" SD OD.
I based the angle opening on tube OD of half an inch.

J

Good sleuthing, John.

Yes, .5" tube diameter (bore is about .25"). Length of the launcher is about 4.5", but what you are looking at is a functional mock-up, subject to length change as I work out the launching mechanism details. Yet to be installed is the muzzle door and interlock shaft that runs between breech-block and muzzle door.

I'm going to provide the forward tube portion with foundations that will permit vertical stacking of tubes and interconnecting of the port and starboard nest groups. The objective is to produce a single torpedo tube (launcher) that can be stacked and packaged with an adjacent stack to make up an entire torpedo tube nest that can be removed from the submarine and serviced in mass.

Torpedo loading and charging chores are done with the nest in place, removal of the nest done only for maintenance or repair.

I won't be giving up any detailed looks or drawings till Mr. Caswell secures patent protection and completes some word registration and trade-mark tasks. Stay tuned, sports fans.

David,

[Outrider]

Thanks for the photos. My son is going to be really excited by the possibility of having launchers fore and aft. He'll probably justify both based on trim/balance or something like that. Of course he won't be really satisfied 'til there are pyrotechnics involved, but I suppose that's my problem...

With all the excitement about the torpedoes, no mention of the props. They certainly look good and it's interesting to see how your prototype construction methods (individual blades with roots embedded in the hub) mirror that of full-size construction.

[Slats]

Good sleuthing, John.

Yes, .5" tube diameter (bore is about .25"). Length of the launcher is about 4.5", but what you are looking at is a functional mock-up, subject to length change as I work out the launching mechanism details. Yet to be installed is the muzzle door and interlock shaft that runs between breech-block and muzzle door.

I'm going to provide the forward tube portion with foundations that will permit vertical stacking of tubes and interconnecting of the port and starboard nest groups. The objective is to produce a single torpedo tube (launcher) that can be stacked and packaged with an adjacent stack to make up an entire torpedo tube nest that can be removed from the submarine and serviced in mass.

Torpedo loading and charging chores are done with the nest in place, removal of the nest done only for maintenance or repair.

I won't be giving up any detailed looks or drawings till Mr. Caswell secures patent protection and completes some word registration and trade-mark tasks. Stay tuned, sports fans.

David,

Well thanks anyway David for the sneak peak.
I can only imagine then that the forward compartment of the SD would be used also for connecting the firing mechanism -switch etc to the RX through a conduit in the BT (back end of the 3.5" is rather busy)?

J

[Kazzer]

and while I'm doing all that why not stick a broom-handle up my a**Censored so I can sweep the place down as I work?!....

David,

I have a better idea! My ragged toenail - on the end of my foot! :D

[Outrider]

The toenail thing may be more emotionally satisfying, but the broom would eke some extra productivity out of him.

[Walshe]

Kazzer
Any update on the mini snort and the 212 sub combo. Will it be before Xmas, I see Mr Merriman is very busy.

Walshe