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I'm happy to report that the folks here in the Northeast on Long Island are still active coming into the latter half of October. Even though the days are getting shorter, Nor'easter's are coming through, and the water temp's getting to the point of "NO GO" for RC Sub Rescue, we’re attempting to stretch the 2019 running season out.
I have personally been running every Sunday since the SubFunRun at Groton. SHARK is just tuned in so perfectly that I’m having a hard time decommissioning her for the winter. But with build season upon is, it’s time to “git ‘er done”!
This past Sunday we assembled at the North end of Lake Ronkonkoma. With the wind out of the north, I would usually prefer the south end, so a disabled vessel adrift would be blown in with the onshore breeze. But in this case we forwent that in hopes for the calm water at the start of the lakes long fetch. This was the day we were testing the 360FLY for submergence aboard the SHARK.
More on that after I edit the 26 minute virtual reality video and present it on YouTube.
Here we are prepping the boats to get underway. In order from foreground to background. (Credit: Gaito)
Capt. Ray Mason’s USS RAYFISH SSN-509, (heck, I’m not sure which prototype he’s basing her on, other than it’s early configuration/paint scheme) 1:72 Moebius Hull w/ SubDriver.
Capt. Irving Lloyd’s USS ALBACORE AGSS-569 1:60 SUBTCH kit, surface running only.
Capt. Ed Tordahl’ s USS SHARK SSN-591 1:48 DeBoer Hull, homebrewed WTB’s, in its cradle.
The 1:1 scale waterfowl is real.
Here is a close up of SHARK in her launch/retrieve cradle prior to fitting the 360FLY. She weighs in at 26 lbs. dry (11.8 kg) so launching usually isn’t too bad, unless it’s a bulkhead, then I use two automotive serpentine fan belts to lower and raise her. As a wet hull, retrieval is the b*!¢# until the water drains. (Credit: Gaito)
A good close up of the RAYFISH in shallow water. Note the early paint scheme. Ray loves his scum line! (Credit: Mason)
Here is the SHARK making for the dive point with the 360FLY mounted. I use her stern, upper hull mounting screw hole. Even though I added compensation foam for the camera, she still had a list to port when surfaced. You’ll see that clearly when I release the 360 Video. As always, one learns something during an initial test. I'll fix it for next time. Hoping to have PROTUES ready to use it next year. (Credit: Mason)
Here the RAYFISH and SHARK are running in formation on the surface. (Credit: Gaito)
One of the coolest shots of the year in my opinion! RAYFISH is surfaced and in formation with SHARK which is running at PD. The intent was to have RAYFISH close-in from astern to get some submerged video of RAYFISH, instead we got this “money shot”. Very realistic reminiscent of a bygone “Cold War” era photo. Made it my Windows background. (Credit: Mason)
Speaking of nice pictures, here’s RAYFISH a week earlier at the Babylon Town Hall park. Very nice waterline shot!! (Credit: Gaito)
Finally, from left to right: (Credit: Mason)
Capt. Bob Gaito giving instruction.
Capt. Frank Salerno, qualifying Helmsman/Planesman watch aboard USS RAYFISH. He is undergoing Watch standing training for his home built 1:48 Scale SSRN SEAVIEW. Coming soon to a pond near you.
Capt. Irving Lloyd: Just smiling, he does that a lot, and I mean A LOT.
Ray and I were camera shy that day, you’ll see us in the forthcoming virtual video.
I have personally been running every Sunday since the SubFunRun at Groton. SHARK is just tuned in so perfectly that I’m having a hard time decommissioning her for the winter. But with build season upon is, it’s time to “git ‘er done”!
This past Sunday we assembled at the North end of Lake Ronkonkoma. With the wind out of the north, I would usually prefer the south end, so a disabled vessel adrift would be blown in with the onshore breeze. But in this case we forwent that in hopes for the calm water at the start of the lakes long fetch. This was the day we were testing the 360FLY for submergence aboard the SHARK.
More on that after I edit the 26 minute virtual reality video and present it on YouTube.
Here we are prepping the boats to get underway. In order from foreground to background. (Credit: Gaito)
Capt. Ray Mason’s USS RAYFISH SSN-509, (heck, I’m not sure which prototype he’s basing her on, other than it’s early configuration/paint scheme) 1:72 Moebius Hull w/ SubDriver.
Capt. Irving Lloyd’s USS ALBACORE AGSS-569 1:60 SUBTCH kit, surface running only.
Capt. Ed Tordahl’ s USS SHARK SSN-591 1:48 DeBoer Hull, homebrewed WTB’s, in its cradle.
The 1:1 scale waterfowl is real.
Here is a close up of SHARK in her launch/retrieve cradle prior to fitting the 360FLY. She weighs in at 26 lbs. dry (11.8 kg) so launching usually isn’t too bad, unless it’s a bulkhead, then I use two automotive serpentine fan belts to lower and raise her. As a wet hull, retrieval is the b*!¢# until the water drains. (Credit: Gaito)
A good close up of the RAYFISH in shallow water. Note the early paint scheme. Ray loves his scum line! (Credit: Mason)
Here is the SHARK making for the dive point with the 360FLY mounted. I use her stern, upper hull mounting screw hole. Even though I added compensation foam for the camera, she still had a list to port when surfaced. You’ll see that clearly when I release the 360 Video. As always, one learns something during an initial test. I'll fix it for next time. Hoping to have PROTUES ready to use it next year. (Credit: Mason)
Here the RAYFISH and SHARK are running in formation on the surface. (Credit: Gaito)
One of the coolest shots of the year in my opinion! RAYFISH is surfaced and in formation with SHARK which is running at PD. The intent was to have RAYFISH close-in from astern to get some submerged video of RAYFISH, instead we got this “money shot”. Very realistic reminiscent of a bygone “Cold War” era photo. Made it my Windows background. (Credit: Mason)
Speaking of nice pictures, here’s RAYFISH a week earlier at the Babylon Town Hall park. Very nice waterline shot!! (Credit: Gaito)
Finally, from left to right: (Credit: Mason)
Capt. Bob Gaito giving instruction.
Capt. Frank Salerno, qualifying Helmsman/Planesman watch aboard USS RAYFISH. He is undergoing Watch standing training for his home built 1:48 Scale SSRN SEAVIEW. Coming soon to a pond near you.
Capt. Irving Lloyd: Just smiling, he does that a lot, and I mean A LOT.
Ray and I were camera shy that day, you’ll see us in the forthcoming virtual video.
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