I've started researching a bit the different configurations of the Thresher / Permit class & have a couple of questions on the rudder and rear dive plane arrangements.
Most plans & scale models of the Thresher / Permit class submarines show the rudders and rear planes rotate around a fixed bearing block with a cutout in the control surface. However, launching / construction photos of the Thresher, Plunger as well as one Barb in drydock appear to have the rotation fully enclosed in the control surface. Therefore, is it possible that the bearing block was a later modification or incorporated only specific boats? Unfortunately, I've only found a few photo's of the rear control surfaces.
Here are links to the specific photos ;
SSN-593 Thresher launch photo, showing upper Rudder
SSN-594 Permit Stern section showing dive plane and rudder axes
SSN-595 Plunger construction photos, showing upper Rudder and Rear Dive Planes
SSN-596 Barb Drydock photo showing Rudder
Interestingly the photo of Barb shows the installation of an element of the BQG-2 Hydrophone array in an end plate on the rear dive planes. A similar arrangement appears to have been fitted to the Thresher at the time of her loss as it is visible in a couple of photo's taken by the Trieste during survey of the wreck in 1963-1964;
Does anyone know if hydrophone endplates were also fitted to other boats in the class?
Most plans & scale models of the Thresher / Permit class submarines show the rudders and rear planes rotate around a fixed bearing block with a cutout in the control surface. However, launching / construction photos of the Thresher, Plunger as well as one Barb in drydock appear to have the rotation fully enclosed in the control surface. Therefore, is it possible that the bearing block was a later modification or incorporated only specific boats? Unfortunately, I've only found a few photo's of the rear control surfaces.
Here are links to the specific photos ;
SSN-593 Thresher launch photo, showing upper Rudder
SSN-594 Permit Stern section showing dive plane and rudder axes
SSN-595 Plunger construction photos, showing upper Rudder and Rear Dive Planes
SSN-596 Barb Drydock photo showing Rudder
Interestingly the photo of Barb shows the installation of an element of the BQG-2 Hydrophone array in an end plate on the rear dive planes. A similar arrangement appears to have been fitted to the Thresher at the time of her loss as it is visible in a couple of photo's taken by the Trieste during survey of the wreck in 1963-1964;
Does anyone know if hydrophone endplates were also fitted to other boats in the class?
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