Matt Thor's Alpha 1/72 scale

[trout]

I have had the pleasure of getting a Matt Thor Alfa. I love Matt's fiberglass work. Truly well done. I heard from two people (Matt Thor and Tom Spettel) that indeed there were two versions, one the original was accurate for the day, but then as more info came out, updated his sub. This one is an older version. David, am I right in saying you had your hand in the updating? If so will you share info for those of us that may want to update theirs?

Here is a photo of the sub I got:


This sub the owner used the whole rudder to improve turning. I think I would like to make it more scale.

David, I look forward to your download of knowledge!

[goshawk823]

My original 1/72 Thor Alfa was one of the best running subs I had. It was a rocket underwater. WTC 3.5 powered with a gel cell battery in the bow. However, it turned like a garbage scow on the surface.
Tom- that’s a beautiful version of that boat.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Hey, Steve,

Yeah. "In the good old days" I contributed my time and resources to produce an 'upgrade' fittings kit for the 1/72 ALFA that was being marketed by Mat Thor. I was in a strong position to employ some of my long-standing documentation as well as findings that were uncovered during my work for the effects guys on The Hunt for Red October movie. The kits stern -- which had the coke-bottle shaped stern (Hogner stem), an error I decided to just live with. However, the vertical and horizontal stabilizers had to be replaced, as well as the bow planes, main condenser ram-scoops, and inclusion of cast resin mast antennas, marker buoy, propeller vortex attenuator, and some other detail items. Also produced were cast metal control surface yokes and horns as well as a proper left-hand propeller.























































After all the research, working drawings, pattern making, tool construction, and part production we only sold a few -- most people complaining about the high price of the product.

**** 'em!

Anyway.

E-mail me, Steve. I'll fix you up, pal.

David

[goshawk823]

That’s a fantastic looking Alfa, David. Do you still have it? That model was worth every penny of its asking price. The various masts on it are awesome.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

That’s a fantastic looking Alfa, David. Do you still have it? That model was worth every penny of its asking price. The various masts on it are awesome.

Still got it. A torpedo shooter too.

[Subculture]

I'd keep the rudders as they are for a working model.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I'd keep the rudders as they are for a working model.

Or:

[trout]

This is a gold mine of information! Thank you David. Let me pour over this for a moment or two. I see you did an extension on the lower rudder. Is it a turning pig without it?
Peace,
Tom

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

This is a gold mine of information! Thank you David. Let me pour over this for a moment or two. I see you did an extension on the lower rudder. Is it a turning pig without it?
Peace,
Tom

It's a turning pig without it. Those big ass fixed vertical stabilizers dynamically over-stabilize the boat about the yaw axis. Good bumpers to protect the rudders against ice, deadheads, Japanese fishing boats and groundings, but reduce maneuverability and increase drag and add to the boats acoustic and radar cross-section. Bad ju-ju! The reasons why we good-guys stick with full flying rudders

[trout]

I heard Wayne Frey (sp?) had a hand in getting photos of the Alfa, do you know anything about that? If so, what is the story behind that?

[Subculture]

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

[trout]

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

That is the debate in my mind. No argument from me.

[Subculture]

I remember Ramesh had a very nice Scale Ships Akula which is like a bigger Alfa in many respects. Only saw it a couple of times, and I asked why it didn't appear much, and he told me that the little detail parts that festooned the hull kept getting knocked off and lost, so it didn't see much action.

[goshawk823]

I remember Ramesh had a very nice Scale Ships Akula which is like a bigger Alfa in many respects. Only saw it a couple of times, and I asked why it didn't appear much, and he told me that the little detail parts that festooned the hull kept getting knocked off and lost, so it didn't see much action.

I have one of those models. I’ve gotten as far as trying to get the hull halves to align, as the molds were beginning to show their age for some of the finer details. There are a bunch of little sensor bits, plus a beautiful set of masts that come with the kit. The late Gareth Ha built a beautiful representation of this model as well.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I heard Wayne Frey (sp?) had a hand in getting photos of the Alpha, do you know anything about that? If so, what is the story behind that?

I failed to acknowledge the excellent work Wayne Frey did in publishing his highly informative picture-book, Russian Submarine: Guardians of the Motherland. He traveled to Russia, injected himself within the social circles of active and retired Russian submariners and gathered from them, and other sources, photos and drawings of modern Soviet era submarines seen nowhere else outside of secured libraries and Western intelligence services.

I made extensive use of this book as I prepared the masters used to up-grade the 'old' 1/72 ALFA kit -- initially produced by a Canadian... who's name, unfortunately, escapes me for the moment (a little help, so I can credit the originator of this excellent kit).

David