The Wizard's Next Project?

[Kazzer]

What do you think?

http://vimeo.com/1968128

[Slats]

What ever you do I think you should now stop playing with toys i.e. The plastic tiny kits etc and FINISH OFF THE TORPEDO SYSTEM - get your patents PDQ and go for it.

If you want products that will sell - and duh I know you do Mike, get that working. A lot of the older guys in this game who have stayed in the game - modelling subs for a couple of decades or more can't be bothered with Revell et al small stuff. I'd imagine whilst that small stuff sells, guys who are long term customers and spend a couple a grand every year on the hobby (myself included) won't give that small stuff a look. To me and it is my opinion small kit stuff that fits in the palm of your hand is junk. That's not to say that David isn't a genius for powering it up, but unless this hobby is headed more and more for the fish tanks of the world count me out. The small palm of your hand stuff is about as appealing to me as a good STD - both to be avoided. I am not just saying that as a 72 scale die hard either. We will however, retrofit our fleets with the torpedo system AND we will build new boats around the torpedo system. It might take a while in the current state of the economy but it will happen.

As an aside on the subject of the small stuff powered up - I am at a loss in my country to think where else such tiny models can be sailed, given most if not nearly all of backyard pools in my country use salt / chlorination and are largely incompatible with submerged operation.

Yes its true nothing pulls a drooling wannabee out of the woods like an armed submarine but as David will tell you nothing yet so far as combined scale / reliability / simplicity has ever practically eventuated in this branch of the hobby. You are on the edge of something that will change this hobby forever - whomever IMO gets the torpedo system working in a reliable simple and effective package will do to the hobby very quickly what Microsoft did to desk top computing.

So get on with.

yes others will disagree - but you did ask what I thought?


J

[Kazzer]

I totally agree with you John, but we are the cutting edge here in this game and have to try all these avenues as we think fit. We had a lot of people harping on about these small boats being converted; we had them ask for this, and that, and so on, so we try to follow those ideas, but much of it is hot air.

The Revell VII is getting its fittings kit in the next few days, and THEN it's THE TORPEDOES! BUT, David still has his 'chores' of keeping up with all the other products he's developed over the past couple of years, and he keeps coming up with modifications to those. I think most people will agree that if you've looked at a Sub-driver lately they look a lot more sophisticated than they used to. (And then there's that new D&E Blue color too!)

This torpedo project has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but there were many, many, many problems until we came across some new technology.

I'm really excited to see the first unit put together. We'll have some video soon! All you lads have to do is stash those pennies in that jam-jar. You are going to want a unit in every boat! AND better start clearing out the bow sections of those boats!

[redboat219]

How about making RCable hulls of the D & E Miniatures 1/192 scale LA and Sturgeon class.

[Slats]

How about making RCable hulls of the D & E Miniatures 1/192 scale LA and Sturgeon class.

Great more kiddy toys just what we don't need.
My vote would be a resounding NO in favour of seeing existing stuff (torpedoes etc perfected first) - AND then perhaps new kit development in a larger and more open "blue" water friendly scale.

I say this as again I just don't get from my point of you where these tiny tots subs run. Backyard pools is ok so long as you have old school chlorine / chlroination, the trend is now salt. If you have the opportunity to run in Olympic pools - wouldn't you much rather run a larger scale sub and take her deep?! I know I would and do.

One thing that I springs to mind re larger scale kits is a 1/72 scale Sturgeon - can't remember how many guys down my way that have indicated they want one - but its a lot - there would be more in the US know doubt. I know that Brian Starkes has a kit well advanced but it is yet to be determined when it will be released. That kit was going to be offered in both long and short hull versions.....on the subject of something small, how about a 1/72 scale DSRV - there was a guy doing these as a static display kit and RC kit. Personally I'd love the static display kit, could be used as a camera slave on a bigger 1/72 sub.


J

[Slats]

This torpedo project has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but there were many, many, many problems until we came across some new technology.

I'm really excited to see the first unit put together. We'll have some video soon! All you lads have to do is stash those pennies in that jam-jar. You are going to want a unit in every boat! AND better start clearing out the bow sections of those boats!

And Mike you are to be praised for taking the time to get it right, not to mention for getting David to make avaliable the technology for us to buy.

The only thing missing I think from your line up of products is D&E Sub kit -since the Skipjack is out of the loop for a while.

J

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

We're getting a fresh set of 1/96 SKIPJACK tools up and running right now -- the kit will be introduced soon in a simpliefied, cheaper package.

David,

[Outrider]

The airships are cool. Maybe we could set one up to launch a sub--one of those tiny ones that seem subject to a little bit of badmouthing. FYI, Friedrichshafen, Germany is where Graf Zeppelin did his work. It's on the Bodensee (Lake Constance that is split between Switzerland and Germany.

Torp launcher is cool. I saw an early prototype and my kids loved it, though my older son wanted a live running (and live warhead) version.

Glad to hear the D & E Skipjack will get a revision. It's a great boat.

I still think there are a few small boats awaiting the full monty treatment. I bought a 212 based on the Caswell site ads. I'd love to see a driver & fitting kit for that.

I think the small subs are a great idea. They're cheaper and more flexible to use and store than bigger boats. It's also a great way to get kids into the hobby. You've got to mow a lot of lawns to afford a 1:72 Type VII; the small Skipjack is far more accessible.

Thanks for taking the time to work on smaller boats--they're giving me and my boys a chance to join in.

[redboat219]

Ok. How about a working sonar system then? Sure you got an underwater camera but unless you're cruising in crystal clear waters it's good to about a few meters. And you'll need it to find your target for those working torpedoes:D

Maybe hack this http://www.smartcast-rf30.com/smartcast_rf10.htm

[redboat219]

We're getting a fresh set of 1/96 SKIPJACK tools up and running right now -- the kit will be introduced soon in a simpliefied, cheaper package.

David,

David,

Why not build a 1/96 Albacore using D & E's Skipjack hull?:rolleyes:
( the Skipjack class utilized an Albacore type hull right?)
Just a matter of putting on a new sail and stern planes.

A 1/96 Phase 4 Albacore would be nice.