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I would like to get rid of my RC helicopters and hydroplanes and DIVE into subs. I have been looking at several kits such as the Subtech "Albacore", Atomic Subs "Permit" and the D&E "Skipjack". I would appreciate some advice on a good quality beginner kit that I won't be wanting to upgrade after a few outings. Thanks Jim.
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welcome to *the* hobby http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_smile.gif
welcome to *the* hobby
for your question, it might be a good idea to use the
search function of the forum, as this question has been asked before a few times -
Welcome Jim! It's a super
Welcome Jim! It's a super hobby; you'll meet some great guys and have a lot of fun!
You have asked probably THE most common question that is asked by guys coming into RC subs. In fact, it is the first question I asked on this board a number of years ago.
There are several things to consider -
1) Your experience level. If you have done RC helicopters for awhile, it sounds like that isn't going to be a big problem. We have folks that ask your question that have never built any kind of RC model, but want to scratch-build a ten foot sub with torpedoes, missiles, video cameras, sonar and moving scopes. This is a recipe for disappointment and failure - - -and one more partially started sub kit on this site's sub swap forum or eBay.
2) What sub are you interested in? Do you like WWII boats, nukes? How about Russian subs? - - -Being that it could take a year (or more) to build, you had better get one that you really like, because you are going to be looking at it a lot!
3) The ones you mentioned are all good proven kits. There are a number of others to consider as well. The Small World Models USS Blueback and Russian Kilo are quality kits and quick builds. Sometimes its good to get a starter sub that you can get into the water quickly so you have something to mess around with while you are building that ten footer!
4) Do you have the money?
This is an expensive hobby compared to many others in the RC game. $1000 or more is not unusual. Another way to start would be to buy a plastic model, like the Trumpeter Kilo or Seawolf, or the Revell Type VII. Dave Welch (on this site's vendors page) sells what he calls "Experimenters Kits" to RC these inexpensive hulls. This might be a viable way to get your feet wet in RC subs without spending your last nickel for something you may not like or have the patience for. This hobby does take some committment - you may have to travel a ways to get to a meeting. I drive 650 miles one way, four times per season to attend SubRon6 Fun Runs in Indiana.
5) The BEST advice I can give is join the SubCommittee and hook up with some other sub guys.
There are SubCommittee chapters around that meet regularly (See the SubRon forums on this site.) Go to some meetings and fun runs. Look at the subs the guys have and listen to their experiences about building them. You'll figure out pretty quickly which boat to get. Go to the SubRegatta in Carmel Indiana July 29-30. Just about every type of sub in the world will be there and a couple of hundred guys to talk to about them!
In summary, the best person to decide what is the best kit for you is you!
Once again - welcome and enjoy.
Tim Smalley
President - The SubCommitteeComment
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Tim Smalley...BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO. The
Tim Smalley...BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO. The best, most useful answer I've ever heard to "The Question".
ChuckComment
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Tim,
Very,very good http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_biggrin.gif
Tim,
Very,very good
TD
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Thanks guys. As my Grandma
Thanks guys. As my Grandma once said, "Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in awhile."
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Noone ever seems to mention
Noone ever seems to mention the European vendors, so I will.
If you are keen on a US military sub, then the vendors already mentioned will serve you well.
I tend to prefer more unusual subjects, and one of the best kit producers for that kind of thing is a range of models by Norbert Brueggen.
Do take a look at his site. His kits build into beautiful models, that you will never grow out of, and the instructions supplied with each kit are superb.
Do also take a look at the Engel range- http://www.modelsubmarines.com. The Lafayette in particular represents a truly superb entry into the hobby for a novice, and also is a good build for the experienced modeller.
OTW supply a fantastic range of models- http://www.otwdesigns.com.
I recommend the Seehund- truly an authentic replica, and very nimble boat in the water.
Also there is the range of kits supplied by Sheerline models (no website I'm afraid). These kits are very comprehensive, although the current pound to dollar ratio does make UK built kits look expensive.
A non-scale boat that works very well is the Robbe Seawolf. It's a dynamic diver, but don't let that put you off. This model performs very well in all but the smallest of pools. It can also be easily retrofitted with a ballast system later on, should the need arise.
One other thing I'd advise- steer clear of a very large model. Although they look nice on the water, they tend to be a pain to transport and you need a big puddle to sink them in.
AndyComment
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Like once before, I'll catch
Like once before, I'll catch the devil for this but, BUY AMERICAN! One obvious reason being location unless of course you are not in North America - - by the way, where do you live?
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Thanks for all the kind
Thanks for all the kind words and advice. I live in Algonac Mi. on a 120' wide canal thats about 5' deep hence the reason of switching from helicopters to subs! Thanks again for all the input. Jim.Comment
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Hope you'll think about coming
Hope you'll think about coming down to the SubRegatta!Comment
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Hi Desert Boat,
No you will
Hi Desert Boat,
No you will not catch the devil with your BUY AMERICAN policy.
Just miss out on a lot of things like variety and interest in our hobby - as Andy points out in his earlier post.
Having got that off my chest - for a first model there is a lot to be said for a locally produced, locally stocked kit. (Possibly not one that sinks in 5' of water though (See recent thread)
DavidComment
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