Deck Reinforcement and Detail Work; 1/48 Type VIIC (U-552)

[mike27283]

Fellow RC Sub Skippers - soliciting ideas and direction on how best to reinforce the deck of my 1/48 Type VIIC so I can affix detail work without fear of it popping off....

- I've got the WTC, linkages, and running lights all working, bullet-proof and water-tight. Want to move on to detail work now...you can see in the attached photos the current deck is flexing (it is held down to the hull magnetically).
- I do not want to start working on the detail work until I am sure of the rigidity of the deck (and conning tower attachment to the deck) to ensure the detail work stays affixed, does not flex, and I can remove the deck and conning tower as a solid component.
- The three photos show the model itself, the detail kit and the deck and conning tower in its current state. The boat is modeled after U-552; any insight on the specific configuration of the boat (pictures if possible) is also welcome to guide my detail work.
- Any ideas, proven solutions (and pictures!) are welcome.

Thanks in advance for the help! Mike

[Scott T]

I just read where people building foam airplanes use bamboo skewers to stiffen the assembly.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Fellow RC Sub Skippers - soliciting ideas and direction on how best to reinforce the deck of my 1/48 Type VIIC so I can affix detail work without fear of it popping off....

- I've got the WTC, linkages, and running lights all working, bullet-proof and water-tight. Want to move on to detail work now...you can see in the attached photos the current deck is flexing (it is held down to the hull magnetically).
- I do not want to start working on the detail work until I am sure of the rigidity of the deck (and conning tower attachment to the deck) to ensure the detail work stays affixed, does not flex, and I can remove the deck and conning tower as a solid component.
- The three photos show the model itself, the detail kit and the deck and conning tower in its current state. The boat is modeled after U-552; any insight on the specific configuration of the boat (pictures if possible) is also welcome to guide my detail work.
- Any ideas, proven solutions (and pictures!) are welcome.

Thanks in advance for the help! Mike

Can't get it stiff. Welcome to old age, pal.

Run lengths of this carbon rod under the deck, longitudinally. Strong. Like. Bull!

Amazon.com : solid carbon fiber rod

[redboat219]

This one used brass tubings, carbon rod would be lighter.

[mike27283]

Scott - thanks for the suggestion. Not sure if bamboo skewers would do the trick here - but good to know.

Dave - maybe my stiffness troubles are due to the length of my deck..? Ha!

But - in all seriousness, I see how you subdivided the decking on your boat - using the carbon fiber mounts internal to the hull, in combination with the underdeck framework Redboat pictured, and subdividing the deck (magnetically mounted) would likely be the fix here. Just need to determine the ideal configuration to spit the deck... Maybe a short area for the conning tower and stbd/port guard rails, and then two separate forward and aft deck segments...?

[mike27283]

Update on my Type VIIC U-552 deck reinforcement and detail work.

I've purchased the Trumpeter DKM U-Boat Type VIIIC U-552 kit (06801) and also have the Pontos 'Advanced' Detail Up Set (48001F1) for that kit.

Here's my plan - soliciting feedback, suggestions and perhaps a sanity check...

- Cut the forward and aft deck portions from the 06801 kit separating them from the hull.
- Affix those deck pieces to carbon fiber rod to create one solid deck to act as the 'lid' to my existing Type-VIIC hull. This will allow removal of the entire deck 'lid' with the conning tower, fan wires, and all detail intact and affixed securely... I can then set the deck aside while accessing the interior of the hull. This will allow removal without having to connect/disconnect fan wires every time, worrying about crunching or breaking the affixed detail work, and provide a firm deck surface to affix detail work so it won't pop or break off.
- The conning tower will attach to the deck with magnets and the deck to the hull (also with magnets) using crossbeam fiber rods as Fleet Admiral HWSNBN depicted (Sir - yes Sir!).

The deck pieces and sail conning tower halves are of differing materials...would it be wise to cast them in resin before assembly? And if so - would Alumlite RC-3 resin be appropriate for this application?

Since I currently have no plan to use any of the remaining pieces of the 06801 kit maybe somebody on this forum could use those parts?

Looking forward to your feedback - thanks in advance!

Mike

[mike27283]

Wanted to post a few images of my project... I have more photos but need to reduce the file size to post... I'll get those up shortly. I've got the deck cut off the Trumpeter DKM U-552 and have affixed carbon fiber rod to ensure the deck is stiff. I have magnetically mounted the deck to the existing fiberglass hull and created a tight seam with Rage Bondo. Removable internal turnbuckles hold the hull shape and can be removed to flex the hull to insert the WTC. I've added the wood deck and some detail ... then realized I needed to move on to the conning tower to ensure everything (float for the SAS system, wiring) would fit properly and clear the top of the WTC. Conning tower is coming along nicely (and everything will fit) - I'm using the DKM parts with the detail pieces from the Pontos detail kit. Many thanks to Bob Martin (as I purchased the original hull from him) and especially HWSNBN for his friendship, prodding and mentorship. My skills (modeling, tool usage, molding, etc..) - although paling in comparison to his and others on this site - have vastly improved under his tutelage. More pics shortly. Mike

[mike27283]

Photos as mentioned in the previous post. These are not all in chronological order...my apologies. I just did the first coat of primer on a few sections of the conning tower...still need to do more finish work and clean up. Overall, I'm satisfied with how things are proceeding.

Mike

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

You came to the game with well-established and honed skills. I only provide the occasional, 'incentive'.

https://youtu.be/uUxa9lXmTLM

David
Task Master Supremo

[mike27283]

Most recent work on the aft deck section...

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Mike! You detail freak, you!

[mike27283]

Next time I'm at your place and mention either 'detail' or 'PE' please just kick me in the .... would be less pain than I'm going through now! Haha!

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Next time I'm at your place and mention either 'detail' or 'PE' please just kick me in the .... would be less pain than I'm going through now! Haha!

Self-inflicted. No pity, pal.... none whatsoever! Hey!... we're playing at Diamond Lake tomorrow. Starts at 10AM. Jake, me and new-guy Tom Harris.

[mike27283]

Sorry I missed Diamond Lake! Just got online today - missed the invite. Would have enjoyed seeing the Chief and meeting Tom. Had Penny’s bday party today as well… I’m off the next couple days and plan on going head down on the Type VII - making good progress. Tweaked some spots that needed attention I noticed after applying the first coat of primer…working adding detail to the deck now. Moving from aft to forward .

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Next Sunday then, Mike.