Skipjack submarine

While the varnish is drying on the last part of the Bruma I’ve started my next project. A 1:72 scale Revell Skipjack submarine. This I’m going to modify along with a big helping hand from Ron of R&R model engineering. The Revell plastic kit has been in my hands for a few weeks now and I’m itching to start it. 
    After searching the internet to find the best way to get this to work I came across R&R model engineering and I really like the look of the pumped tank module conversion kit he was selling. So after a few emails and phone calls the kit was ordered :bounce:
    So to start the project I’ve assembled the two half’s or I should say 4 parts of the hull together. First the 2 front parts were sellotaped together and the same went for the rear ended. These two half were then glued together. After this is all dried and set the upper and lower half’s will be separated making way for the pump module to be fitted. 






Ian

I built the revellers gator class sub a few years ago and found the kit easily built as well as highly detailed, more so the fact revell added additions for the sub to be modded for rc belive it or not with the hull being able to be built and split so the central section be used for rc gear.

There are times I wish I had taken the effort to rc the model and I suspect if I had paid the original £70 asking price I may have done just that but getting it for £30 on a going out of business sale put it into my shelf collection.

I look forward to seeing this build go forward and what you do with it!

Keep us posted!

RR

Most of the day was spent gardening today cleared out all the weeds or was they flowers   who knows.But I did managed to make a stand


  


Ian

Good soild stand.

Looking forward to seeing this get built, we haven’t had a working rc sub build on the forum yet, it’s a nice change.

Do these tank kits work on other models? I would like to do a 2nd Gato class if possible.

I can’t see why not. Ron has a few different sizes and types on his website. This was a kit designed for the skipjack and came with extras for that model but if the module fit in another submarine I can’t see there being a problem. I’m going to the Bournville five in on Sunday I will ask the question.

The pump module is now I my hands and what a piece of kit. All I need to fit is battery, 2 speed controls one for the pump and other the motor and receiver. The kit came with everything I need prop shaft, brass bearings, steering linkages and pushrods, module carrier  and hull fixtures. 
I’ve glue the the module carries and with the elastic bands this holds everything in place. 
Next I’m going to do the tricky bit and the rear end of the top section 


Ian

Looks likes cracking bit of kit hopefully it doesn’t come with a god awful price tag

For what you get and the other products out I would said a good price. Just short of £300 but to the  Revell Skipjack was £50. £350 is not bad for a submarine

Tail cut. Went easier then I thought. Rubber bands to hold the tail in place and plastic strip cemented in place. 

Excellent so far I’m really enjoying this kit bash, as for the mechanical unit, £300 seams a fair price when you think what’s involved to build one yourself!

I’ll have a good look into those at some point, I’m currently prepping a new project so money and resources are prioritised there.

Keep up the good work and looking forward to details on how all the electrics work!

Managed a couple of hours building today. Dive planes modified and fitted. Linked up to servos and working nice. Prop shaft and bearings fitted. Some nice quick release couplings were supplied so the module can easily be removed. The plastic kit prop was utilised and a brass fitting was glue inside it.



 
Ian

Short video. Seems a bit noisy been told to put tubing on the prop shaft couplings and this will help 

brilliant set up, never seen how they work before really like it   


david

Excelent bit of kit

Flood grids going in today. 

Installed some lead ballast just to see how things worked all seems ok. Need a deeper test tank


Ian

OHHHH GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN...…………… 

I built a submarine kit once, of HMS Resolution........it was, to say the least, not the best kit I have ever built, but I did my best.

sailed it once, sank it once.......all in the same voyage, and then consigned it to Christies auction house in London.

they dropped it, broke it and paid me out the valuation fee, and gave me the wreck back.

I eventually made more for it in spare parts than I ever would selling it, and no one ever told me that sailing a sub on 40 meg in salt water just wouldn't parlais!!!

vowed never again...….…….but this model looks 500% better as a kit than that one was, lol.

please don't tempt me.………..but she looks superb.

First coats of paint going down. Using an airbrush and tamiya paints. Didn’t know these submarines had all this stuff on the top. Only thought there was a periscope. Haven’t got a clue what the rest are for. 




Ian

Awesome

Got the red oxide down this morning 

that's looking great...…...when's her launch.....hope you get some video of her.

Hi Ian have you made any further progress with sub.

Managed to get down to the club last Sunday. First launch went a treat. The nerves where high on the first dive but all went well, soon got the hang of it after a few minutes. Brought her so I could get a cup of tea for the nerves. Then it was out for a second go.  All going well until she stopped with just the periscope sticking out of the water.  Had to get the rowing boat out to save. I’d been using the battery’s the day before to set her levels and forgot about the charge.  Replaced battery and all was welll.  Just needs paint work finishing and all is done

Looks really good,

well done.

Hi Ian boat looks good in operation nice and steady.
A couple of questions if you don't mind.

What is clear tube coming out of the rear of Wtc.
Does it locate in sail to suck in air.

Do you have angle keeper on rear planes.

What size battery do you use.

Thanks Graham.

Excellent, very impressive

 Well done. 

Hi Graham 
Yes the tube does go to the sail. To allow air into central water chamber. 
I’ve got an auto leveller on the rear planes
And the battery is a 7.2v 3300mah ni-mh

Hi Ian thanks for reply.

I might purchase one of these units myself.

Graham

looks really good in the video. Hope to see it a bornville next month if your going.

P.S I've started making sub leveller if any one needs one.

Cheers
Tim

Crikey that’s come round quick. Not sure I can make it. Lots on at work 

tell me about it, still got my bibler to finish off and only got 2 weeks