Best Type V!! or Gato Kit made...

[rick]

Thanx for all the input

Thanx for all the input so far ......I appreciate it greatly......the transport issue is a big deal for me as I dont have a truck or SUV.....so space is a problem....I understand and I dont want to get over my head from the get go choosing a model that is very complex....its just hard to settle for a beginners boat when you see all the nice stuff on here....if you know what I mean.....my email address had a problem as I had a bunch of periods after it....try it this way.... stombujotz@mindspring.com it should work now.......thanx again.....Rick

[chuck chesney]

Hi Rick,
I got a little

Hi Rick,
I got a little smile when I read your comment about a "beginners boat". It all a matter of perspective, and "beginners boats" are not to be confused with "crude boats", or toys. A very good friend of mine has flown R/C aircraft for over thirty years...all kinds, from simple two channel jobs to very complex fan jet, full retract, multi channel true scale models. When he decided to build his first sub, he chose a SubTech "Marlin", a "beginners" boat. He was challenged a great deal by the model, but was fortunate to have everything engineered, laid out and included in the kit. It built out into a beautiful model, looks great in the water and he hasn't had to go swimming for it yet (that's real important in the world of submarine models). Don't be afraid of the so called "beginners boats"...they are the real deal, and give you a place to start that has a high probabiity of success, with a minimum frustration level, for a boat that you can be very proud of.

[chips]

I'm working on a 1/96

I'm working on a 1/96 scale Gato class; using a Scale Shipyard Hull; Small World Models 2.75" WTC; SubTech motors w/belt drives, APC, & SubSafe. ESC is a Mtroniks unit. Rx is a Sombra Labs Shadow1 unit. The model is about 60% complete, have to finish the deck and conning tower. The 1/96 SSY hull I received didn't have any scribed detail. I had to scribe in the torpedo tube doors and layout all of the flood and limber holes in the side of the hull. The plans that came with the hull didn't show where the ballast tank openings are on the bottom.

[boatbuilder1]

wow look at the help

wow look at the help your getting!
this just goes to show you how friendly this hobby is.
I have done more robbie's than I can count on two hands. they are pretty complete all you need to provide is the RC gear TX,RX Batteries, speed controls.
The engel boat are a marvel of engieering, but lack any basic surface detail. you should thing about the Dumas bluefish that is a beginners kit many consider a pool toy but it is a start and there is always from for improvement
there are some medium range semi-kits from our brothers in the UK

http://business.virgin.net/metcalf.mouldings/catalogue.htm

they have several uboats
the OTW kit is quite impressive the only drawback is it's size

[rick]

Yep....you guys are a helpful

Yep....you guys are a helpful bunch here....not shy about putting in your two cents.....I appreciate it.....thanx also to those that have emailed me with their thoughts...I have plenty to think about now and to consider ....

[fgroza]

DK models from Canada is

DK models from Canada is retooling for a 1/48" type vii. This is a nice boat, about 50" long. He won't have any to sell until next year.
Matt Thor may do a Gato, rumor has it..
Frank

[boss subfixer]

Bob,
I'm working on a 1/48th

Bob,
I'm working on a 1/48th scale fleet boat (its a SSY hull). I ran into the same problem you did with the plans not having enough hull detail. One gentleman in my subron told me to look for a set of dry docking plans, I contacted the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the USS Cobia and they sent me a copy. The plan number you want is 2025-22. Lookup thier website to get the current rates. If you would like I have a complete data base of the builders plans they have that I can e-mail to you or anyone that wants a copy. It's done with microsoft excel. My ballast tank openings came out really nice, now I'm working on the rest of the hull.
Hope this helps.

[jaschwink]

Rick,

It wasn't all that long

Rick,

It wasn't all that long ago that I was where you are in deciding what to do as a new sub modeler. I ended up first with a Dumas Bluefish, a handy dynamic diver that has given me a lot of fun. I had Dumas build it, so it came ready to run with RC gear and everything installed. I have since added some details and a pitch controller. While it cost a few bucks, for me it was the easy way to get my feet wet while I contemplated my next acquisition.

I always wanted a fleet boat, and wanted something that didn't need a lot of decisions as a new sub modeler. I purchased an Engel fleet boat because it appeared to be a complete boat with a detailed hull, fittings, motors and gearbox, and a diving system (piston tanks).

I have worked for two years getting it built. While it was complete in concept, it has been anything but easy to construct. I had to virtually engineer the insides, as Engel provided only the broadest suggestions of how to put all of the components inside. Unless you have a lot of patience, stamina, and persistance, I would stay away from it unless you really want to tackle a "project."

Being where I am with it, however, I must say that it has been a fight worth waging. The plans were good, the instructions questionable, and the hull deatils very nice. The problem is that one must go from "Now install the ballast tanks" to actually figuring how you want to do that. You need to engineer a lot of the insides on your own. This is one kit (??) that although looking to be complete in concept, required a considerable amount of self design to complete.

jaschwink

[rick]

Interesting.....although I have heard that

Interesting.....although I have heard that they build out to great models, I have also heard that you had better know a little bit about building before you decide to tackle an Engle kit.......I have narrowed it down some what and have decided that for me...a dymanic diving boat is not what I want....I really like the detail on the OTW kit, however... it is a big boat... and I dont know if I want to try and tote that thing around with me....especially when my only vehicle is a car....a four door...but none the less...a car.....so that is going to be a problem.......I have gotten some great advice so far and I appreciate you taking the time to respond....thanx.....Rick

[boss subfixer]

Rick,
I too only have a

Rick,
I too only have a car so I'm taking the lead from Johan Sauer (sorry for spelling) by putting a roof rack on my toyota to haul my fleet boat. It measures in at 6 1/2 feet long. Just something else to concider.

[tabledancer]

Hi Rick,
How is it goin.Did

Hi Rick,
How is it goin.Did that 32nd boat fall through,another thing to think aboutthat I found out this past weekend is ,once you have built where do you run a big boat like that.
TD

[rick]

Hello....I am going to try

Hello....I am going to try and take a ride and look at it this weekend if I can work it out.....it is a three hour drive ....I live on a river...so I could run it here...but I would hate to lose it ...as the water is not that clean....and there is a current at times.....there are a few small lakes that are fairly close that I could also run it at....but then I have to figure out how to get it there.......so I guess I am saying I am still weighing all the input you guys have given me.....Rick

[desert boat]

Run a sub model in

Run a sub model in a RIVER ...some people really think about danger. You'll find a good calm place there somewhere. Where do you live, we'll all find you a place.

[rick]

Its not all that......the river

Its not all that......the river is fresh water fed...coming from the Everglades and dumping into the Intercoastal....so there is a tide factor also.....the water where I live is brackish...so it is close to being fresh..but not quite....there are of course slack tide periods ...so I could run the boat during these times ...but I would prefer to take it to a small lake ...just in case.......although then .....there is the alligator factor to worry about.......I live in Florida.....

[chuck chesney]

Hi Rick,
You might consider naming

[color=#0000FF]Hi Rick,
You might consider naming your boat the Death Ship. Sailing it in any kind of river, even a backwater, is a ticket to disaster. Add to that any kind of tidal action, however muted, and it gets much worse.

Any water that has mineral or chemical components, such as brackish water, or even a swimming pool, eats up radio signals big time. You may notice that in the pictures posted here showing subs in swimming pools, the radio transmitter is never more than a few feet from the boat.

The fresh water lake that you mention is THE place to run a boat, although the 'gators and large fish could be a challenge. It sounds almost like trying to run a model in Jurrasic Park.

Basic rules]