help chosing my first build

[Guest]

Too bad my R/C attack

Too bad my R/C attack duck is out of commission. I made it originally to get even with some of those nasty sub drivers!

[safrole]

Art, I remember when that

Art, I remember when that guy posted about the dangers of "Hydrohen from batteries". I said it was the little-known Chinese Water Chicken and then you posted that picture of your RC duck. Man, that was hilarious!

[chips]

The duck discussion makes me

The duck discussion makes me wish for Warner Brothers to do a new Bugs Bunny & Daffy Duck toon. While Bugs & Daffy argue about whether it's duck season or rabbit season at the lake, old Elmer could be stalking them with an r/c sub. Of course, Bugs would find a way to foil Elmer's sub.

[tabledancer]

Do you think the tree

Do you think the tree huggers would allow a cartoon like that to be made nowadays,or for that matter it amazes me that then have`t tried to stop all of the good old cartoons from being shown . How did we survive the 50`s and 60`s?
TD

[bud]

Drew,
Stay away from OTW Designs,

Drew,
Stay away from OTW Designs, they are not for beginners. I found out the hard way.
I had to reply to your posting. I wish I would have done what you have done. Joining the Sub Committe is the only to go as you know by now.
Good Luck,
Bud

[JWLaRue]

...nothing wrong with the OTW

...nothing wrong with the OTW kits for a first build. It all depends on what skills you bring when you start into one of them!

-Jeff

[sam reichart]

Drew,
Stay away from OTW Designs,

Drew,
Stay away from OTW Designs, they are not for beginners. I found out the hard way.
I had to reply to your posting. I wish I would have done what you have done. Joining the Sub Committe is the only to go as you know by now.
Good Luck,
Bud

Drew-
depends on your skills. My first boat was a 32nd Parallel Type VII. (yes, I finished it and ran it...)

I think an OTW Seehund, or a Type XXIII can be built with by someone with some level of fabricating skills while using a commercially available ballast system.



Edited By sam reichart on 1128563429

[bud]

Yes Jeff,
OTW Designs are good,

Yes Jeff,
OTW Designs are good, but I think any first timer should have good building instructions.
I sold my OTW Trafalgar (gave away) and I am now doing a Sub Concepts Lafayette and
it is going together really well. Good inst. and drawings. I am not knocking OTW because it was a really nice kit but without inst. I was at a loss. Just had to reply.
Bud

[safrole]

Interesting you'd plug that Engel

Interesting you'd plug that Engel kit for it's good instructions. (I'm building a type IX of theirs right now, but I'm completely off the chart with modifications.) Usually people knock Engel for their lack of clear instructions, but more recent releases from them are much improved. Their new VIIC is designed with this goal in mind, and they are billing it as a "quick build" which in Engel terms just means it takes less than 1000 hours. (kidding)

If the asians quit propping up the dollar before it gets released, the boat could wind up being 3 grand. As much as I'm attracted to piston tanks and rivets, I don't think that one will fit into my budget.

[thordesign]

While I would like to

While I would like to plug my own PERMIT kit as a great beginner kit, which I think it is especially with the online instructions, in my humble opinion there is no better first boat than the SubTech Albacore. I have been in this business for a long time and the Albacore has stood the test of time and it takes LOTS of abuse and comes back for more. It is very well engineered and was designed from the outset as a first kit. Skip did a masterful job of engineering and execution on that kit. A combination that is a rare find. You will not be disappointed.[B][B]

[tmsmalley]

Matt's Alfa was my first

Matt's Alfa was my first rc sub with a D&E WTC 3.5.

I did have a lot of help (via email) from Matt and Paul Hruby in getting it set up and running. Being pretty green in the RC game, I am not sure if I could have done then it as successfully without Matt and Paul's help. Of course, this was before Matt put the great step by step Permit instructions on the web. Anyway, after 6 years, the Thor Alfa is still my favorite sub and the most fun one in my fleet to drive.

However, I agree that the Albacore is probably the best first build RC sub. A clear set of easy to follow instructions is a must for a new guy and Skip wrote some good ones.

Steve Jensen from Chicago just got one and ran it for the first time at the 2005 SubRegatta - it looked and drove great.
The local TV reporter gal did manage to put in full reverse dive and hogged it into the bottom, but after getting the transmitter back from her - the sub came right back up and operated as though nothing bad had happened!

Hats off to Skip Asay for getting a great sub on the market for budding bubbleheads!

You see them on the SubSwap from time to time, or you can order a kit from Mike's Subworks (see SC vendor pages)



Indianapolis TV chique Catt Sadler prepares to crash Steve's Albacore into the bottom - IN FULL REVERSE!





Edited By TMSmalley on 1128692134

[boatbuilder1]

hello and welcome to the

hello and welcome to the hobby
ultimately its up to you and your modeling skills. don't be afraid to do as the commercial says ' just do it'. no mater what you chose it will be a learning experiance. which is the best thing about any hobby sharpening your skills. As an example, I started with a 1960's era boomer it was messed up pretty bad, halves would not mate, and I built my own wtc. Determination is all you need. good luck and keep us posted on what you get

charlie

[jdbostrom]

I find it rather interesting

[color=#000000]I find it rather interesting that so often the experts go on and on about having to start with something real basic and then gradually work your way up. The thing is, everyone is different. I really think there are two main classes in the R/C submarine camp]

[thordesign]

Jonathan,

One of the reasons

Jonathan,

One of the reasons the 'experts' recommend the approach they do is that they have lots of experience with these boats and have seen MANY young modelers throw in the towel. The goal is too provide the best guidance possible that will lead to the highest percentage of success to the newcomer to the hobby. Statistics are what they are. The vast majority who bite off too much at the beginning give up and never come back.

My hat is off to you for your persistence. I am sure you will be a success. However, you are most certainly the exception and not the rule.

[sam reichart]

I find it rather interesting

[color=#000000]I find it rather interesting that so often the experts go on and on about having to start with something real basic and then gradually work your way up. The thing is, everyone is different. I really think there are two main classes in the R/C submarine camp]

Jonathan-
I had to write and comment about your reply. First off, congratulations on sticking with your model; I bet you'll get it done, and enjoy every moment running it.

Second, it's refreshing to see a 16 year old that spells real words, dOeSn'T TyPe LiKe ThIs, and actually uses punctuation in their writing. Not only that, one that actually likes to build something that takes time - no instant gratification, or I have to have it "now".

As far as I'm concerned, you can use that soapbox anytime you wish.