Japanese Sen Toku I-401 Submarine Build

[rwtdiver]

I have done a rough final sanding on the hull.





After going over actual photos of the i-401, it is not the finest bit of craftsman workmanship as far as full scale submarine building goes. The Japanese where in a big hurry to get the i-400 class subs in the water, and did not put a lot of fine finish work on these boats.

Therefore some imperfections in my workmanship will just enhance the overall look of this model.

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

Today I did the first sanding on the i-401!



I also did some fill in work on the main hull with some Bondo spot putty, and some Apoxie sculpt fill in on the superstructure! After the fillers have dried I will re-sand and fill any remaining areas that may need it!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

In order to achieve some the scale look of the 25mm anti-aircraft gun turrets on the super structure I had to use parts and pieces of other submarine deck guns!



I still have the turret shielding to fabricate and install.

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

I have started on the super structure (sail) detail items. The deck guns have will not print out on a standard 3D printer at the scale I need! I will be fabricating the smaller guns using parts and pieces from different types of guns to achieve a reasonable facsimile to the full scale!



I will be using TinkerCad to achieve what I need!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[redboat219]

Finished up the Superstructure and sail parts last night! Even with changing the scale of this boat they came out quite well!



I have a few more top deck items to finish printing!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

Special Note: "Happy Vet's Day"

Impressive.
Can't wait to see it fully assembled and painted.

[Sam Victory]

You really do have a number of submarines sir, that's super cool! All these submarines could make a fleet, couldn't they?
V

IJN I-13/ I-14 sub diagrams：

[rwtdiver]

Finished up the Superstructure and sail parts last night! Even with changing the scale of this boat they came out quite well!



I have a few more top deck items to finish printing!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

Special Note: "Happy Vet's Day"

[neitosub]

That is one handsome boat! Great work Rob!

[rwtdiver]

The upper hull and lower hull are glued up and put together!



At this point, the i-401 boat is going to be static boat only! As stated above I am currently printing out the super structure!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

The upper and lower hull sections are complete!



I am now working on the upper deck aircraft storage area and top sail! Ounce these are complete, I will start on the actual build. I do have items, such a deck guns and such to do as well!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

Rob,
To put it to rest, I do not care whether you detail your sub or not. I enjoy your enthusiasm and that you share what you are doing. Keep on doing what you do.....although we may rib you once in a while. LOL
I hope I can make it into your neck of the woods and visit.
Peace,
Tom

Thank you Tom!

I do appreciate your kind comments! I just did not want the people on the forum to think I do not appreciate there ideas and suggestions! We move on and just do what we can do.

My wife and I, and my brother in law (90 years of age) with our health issues we have to be especially careful, and we have really been hold up do to this Covid virus! We have to be more careful than most about family and friends visits until this virus really subsides!

Sorry about all this!!! LETS JUST GET BACK TO BUILDING SUBMARINES! Subject matter closed!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[trout]

Rob,
To put it to rest, I do not care whether you detail your sub or not. I enjoy your enthusiasm and that you share what you are doing. Keep on doing what you do.....although we may rib you once in a while. LOL
I hope I can make it into your neck of the woods and visit.
Peace,
Tom

[rwtdiver]

To all ounce and for all!

I just feel I need to express just one more thing about how I do this hobby, and after this the subject will be closed! To do any kind of detail work on my subs is impossible! Cancer (Radiation) has destroyed my vision totally on the right side of my head, and I have a slow (unpreventable) loss of vision going on my left eye! I just want to put this situation to rest, as to why I do not and cannot do the type of really great work that the majority of you on this forum do! I wish I could!!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

I have over 15 boats at this point! They are all 3D printed, and do move in the water! I have one (photo above) surface boat, it's called a sub chaser! This is where this hobby is for me! I enjoy the engineering and building (3D printing) of all kinds!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

As some of you are aware on this forum! I run all my submarines in a swimming pool. I have one sub (Thunder Tiger Neptune) That can actually static dire, the rest of them are dynamic divers and surface runners at best! I do enjoy designing and fabricating my own WTC power systems as per say for each of my subs. I am not a rivet counter or into much of any detail work like most of you are! Black or dark grey hull with a little red/orange on the bottom and some detail on the sail components the just out of the factory fresh and clean, that's great for me! It's just the engineering and building that I enjoy!





If it moves in the water I am totally happy with my work! As for the i-401, if I can design and just put power to her, and she moves in the water, I will be satisfied!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"