Completed the Dolphin 2 1/48 scale Israeli Submarine 'Tanin'. Paused to reflect on what I learned and what was now possible for one more go at another model. Size of model had to be restricted by three factors.
1.. Budget - use the same OTW dive module common to the completed Argonaute and the Dolphin
2. Selection of subject meaning a single shaft subject and can employ bow planes. 2. The size of my car trunk. lol. (and my old back), but I have a dolly to handle the weight. Length limits to around 5.5 feet maximum. removeable sail so height want an issue. I joke with fellow modelers locally my car trunk is the Panima Canal. Meaning American warships for decades were limited in beam to the width of the Canel till the Midway class a carrier.
3. The method for the main hull section building would use a PVC pipe again. Using a PVC pipe saved a ton of money 3 d printing, is super robust and no or little hull warpage in the sun too when out at the pond. When model is completed, you can't tell the pipe is there. Good system for building actually. But it restricts because of PVC pipe diameters t just a few options. Using a 5 foot long 5-inch diameter PVC pipe (outside diameter 5.56") worked perfectly the Dolphin 2's dimension to facilitate a scale 1/48 scale model.
I could build a Rubis class SNA in 148? I'd need a 6.5-inch diameter PVC pipe an in 1/48 scale would be 60 inches long with 3d printed parts. The Rubis class are the smallest 'combatant' nuclear subs in the world. I had sufficient drawings and photos to make something. The important American NR-1 since decommissioned and scraped was the smallest. Beautiful model subject. But my dive module would be too big for some scales of a NR-1. But building Rubis, I'd just be really building a slightly different beautiful plump stubby Skipjack.
Why not leap ahead one generation and build the new French Suffern SNA? Possible? Looks like with research it was. Again, something different. The scalloped sail and the swept back X stern fins, the pump jet looked really cool!
In 1/64 scale, half the scale of the 1/32 Argonaute, a Suffern would be 5.5 inches diameter, roughly and 62 inches long. It could easily take the existing Dive module. Like the French Argonaugte, it grew on me, so was this sleek mysterious 'different, SSN. Ok then.
Sent drawings, some I myself drew or expanded on, and photos to Bob Martin.
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