Dive system for Moebius Skipjack

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Having met He Who Shall Not Be Named at Subex24 I will submit to the hide beating LOL. I see, by the way, from these photos how the sail plane linkage is set up now.
So here is a question that will likely cause more of my hide to be shredded but what the heck, pain is pain: is the original conversion set of fittings and wtc gone forever or might someone lurking here have one that could be pried free? Otherwise the options seem to be R&R or making my own fittings etc and using a Bob Martin dive system. Again, my thanks.

I sent the masters, tools, and parts to Nautilus Drydocks a few years back. Ask Bob if and when he's going to put those fittings kits back into production. I don't have any parts here, so can't help in that regard. But I'm available here for advice and 'encouragement' should you require.

[Timothy L]

I shall ask Bob. Remarkable - I still have some hide attached! Seriously, thank you.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I shall ask Bob. Remarkable - I still have some hide attached! Seriously, thank you.

No sweat, Timothy; you've passed the acid-test. Now, it's down to business. Let's get this project of yours off the ground.

David

[Subculture]

The R&R kit takes some beating. It’s comprehensive and reasonably priced. It uses the kit supplied control surfaces, which work absolutely fine and only require a minimum of additional work by the builder to make functional over resin cast items. The supplied plastic prop works very well too, although being styrene and quite exposed it is a little fragile- I’ve seen more than one of these lose a blade or two. Prop Shop do an atomic bombproof silicone bronze item for this model if you like to run your model hard, Ron may be able to supply this with the kit if you ask, as I think the metal fittings in his kit are cast by Prop Shop.

[Timothy L]

R&R may be the only “non-scratch built” alternative out there (unless you are equipped for 3D printing) as Bob Martin informs me he does not plan to reintroduce the DM fittings kit but will be introducing a new cylinder, which will fit the Skipjack, in about 30 days or so. I suspect that scratch building fittings, brackets etc using “old school” methods is quite doable but may not have that fine look illustrated in the above photos. Lots of decisions for the newbie.

[Subculture]

Norbert Bruggen offers a conversion kit too. It's cheaper than the R&R conversion if you build it as a dynamic diver, but will be more expensive if you add the specified Engel piston tank for static diving. You could use an alternative ballast system like a water pump based unit which would be cheaper, it simply depends on how much you want to muck about with a first boat.

With the R&R kit everything is worked out for you, so unless you make a complete Horlicks of the build, you give yourself the best chance of success.

[redboat219]

Dan Kachur's scratchbuilt 1/72 Skipjack with semi-dry hull.

[redboat219]

Modular Watertight containers from waterproof junction boxes

[gantu]

You can see here https://cults3d.com/de/modell-3d/spi...ICkJdyIQRhNWiu

[Timothy L]

I want to thank all who have responded to this thread. I know that over the last two decades newbies have asked similar questions over and over and OVER! So you guys who offer support to the newbies are incredibly patient. Thank you, For me the 1st sub choice options have boiled down to:
1) Skipjack with R&R cyl modified to add working sail plane or
2) Matt Thor Permit class with forthcoming Bob Martin cylinder or
3) Engel 212A
All are attractive and have their pros and cons. Each would be a learning experience.. Time for head scratchi and make a decision. Somehow I am still absolutely fascinated with these vessels - even after reading the well written Cabal report warnings to think twice and again before “taking a dive”! Thanks again .

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I want to thank all who have responded to this thread. I know that over the last two decades newbies have asked similar questions over and over and OVER! So you guys who offer support to the newbies are incredibly patient. Thank you, For me the 1st sub choice options have boiled down to:
1) Skipjack with R&R cyl modified to add working sail plane or
2) Matt Thor Permit class with forthcoming Bob Martin cylinder or
3) Engel 212A
All are attractive and have their pros and cons. Each would be a learning experience.. Time for head scratchi and make a decision. Somehow I am still absolutely fascinated with these vessels - even after reading the well written Cabal report warnings to think twice and again before “taking a dive”! Thanks again .

The PERMIT will be much easier to assemble and outfit with linkages and running gear. And making the Z-break on a perfect cylinder, capped by cones, will present less of a challendge than the fit of the 1/72 SKIPJACK kit. Here are some pictures to sell my points:

[Timothy L]

Understood.and thank you. The photos illustrate a different upper/lower hull joining approach than appears in on-line instructions for the Permit. There’s still hide left lol - was that builders’s choice or different iteration? Haven’t located a Cabal report or Secret Projects report on the Permit Class.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Understood.and thank you. The photos illustrate a different upper/lower hull joining approach than appears in on-line instructions for the Permit. There’s still hide left lol - was that builders’s choice or different iteration? Haven’t located a Cabal report or Secret Projects report on the Permit Class.

The pictures I produced were of a 1/96 PERMIT kit I originated for a guy who will, in a few years, go commercial with kit sales. But, it illustrates the basics. Mr. Thor's kit provides a substantial raised equatorial running seating flange which makes assembly of his kit all the easier. The pictures you provided shows this to be an ideal 'starters' kit. I assume you have previous r/c vehicle assembly, maintenance, and driving experience.

David

[redboat219]

Permit assembly instructions

https://856fdfcb-a28a-4687-aa80-318bb3bfbe06.usrfiles.com/ugd/856fdf_aea830c24e0b429cbb461139592d39b1.pdf

[Timothy L]

Thank you David. Yes - I have experience with rc primarily with surface ships, sailplanes (to a lesser extent), scratch building, working with resins etc etc. Not a machinist. Primary weak point is electronics. The challenge for me is the working innards of these subs.