New to sub`s

[dave 1]

Hello everyone,
I`m looking for my first ship, I`ve been flying r.c. planes an Heli`s for a few yrs. now , so i do have some building exp. under my belt. But any how i`ve been looking at Robbe U - Boat 47 and some of Small world`s ship`s. I really like the world war II era vessels alot ! And i`m not in a real rush to get in the water , just want a nice ship and a fun project.

[Guest]

How deep are your pockets?

BTW,

How deep are your pockets?

BTW, all submarines are boats, not ships.

Andy

[dave 1]

The answer to your Question

The answer to your Question how deep are your pockets? Well it depends ( Flying Heli`s isn`t cheap!) what did you have in mined ? And i stand corrected sub`s are boats

[Guest]

I would recommend you go

I would recommend you go with either a D& E Skipjack, or one of the Small World Models subs.

These are both high quality kits, that come with a large amount of prefabrication, which will get you in the water quickly, and painlessly.

I see you have registered interest in the Engel Patrick Henry and Alfa class boat.

Both would make a good purchase, however you need to bear in mind that Engel boats, whilst being very complete, require quite a bit of 'building'.

Depending upon your point of view, this is good thing or a bad thing.

From a point of view of performance, I do favour a piston tank ballast system, as featured in the Engel kit. This enables excellent static trimming, and can be made proportional.

This is not possible with a gas ballast system, which is used in the SWM module/wtc supplied with the Alfa.

The gas ballast system has the advantage of simplicity, however you will need to keep forking out for cans of propel (butane mix) gas, which can add up if you really get the bug and can't keep away from the pondside.

Andy

[tmsmalley]

The D&E Skipjack, the Small

The D&E Skipjack, the Small World Models Blueback and Kilo are super boats. You really can't go wrong with any. Others include the SubTech Albacore and Big Daves WTC kits combined with one of several inexpensive plastic hulls that he builds WTCs for. Vendors are listed on the Vendor Page of this website.

The big thing is to find a particular sub you are interested in. When I got started, I really liked Russian subs so I an Alfa hull (Atomic Subs is the vendor.) I was never sorry - it is still my favorite sub after all these years just because it looks so danged cool!

The main thing is to join the SubCommittee so you get the magazine to learn all the tricks and tips from the pros!

Welcome to the hobby...

Tim

[dave 1]

Thanks Andy an Tim,
I really

Thanks Andy an Tim,
I really like the U-47 by robbe, but can you upgrade from dynamic to a Ballast type system an all the other goody`s like all the other top of the line boat`s ?



Edited By Dave 1 on 1149901821

[dave 1]

And yes i plan on

And yes i plan on getting a member ship with subcommittee.

[tmsmalley]

You betcha, quite a few

You betcha, quite a few guys have added an Engle tank to turn the U-47 into a static diving boat!

I'd recommend building it as the directions recommend, get the hang of it for awhile, then go back and add the ballast sytem!

Tim

[dave 1]

I know i have alot

I know i have alot of studying to do, but i`ll figure it all out. That`s the way it was for was for Heli`s , i stuck my head in alot books and forums. I don`t figure i have it ready for this season , but i enjoy building just as much as i do playing with them. Plus i`m going to try too get out to Indiana next month an check out different boats and building method`s and learn about some of the systems used on a sub.

Dave

[capt blood]

Thanks Andy an Tim,
I really

Thanks Andy an Tim,
I really like the U-47 by robbe, but can you upgrade from dynamic to a Ballast type system an all the other goody`s like all the other top of the line boat`s ?

AHA! You asked the exact same question I was about to ask. Glad I used the search tool...

I was just looking at the Robbe boat too and wondering the exact same thing. Glad to hear it can accomodate a nicer ballast system.

Looked at the OTW... too big. Thought seriously about modding a Revell... just seems like maybe too much conversion work and in the end maybe a tad too small for all the extra goodies. The Robbe model seems to have just that little bear quality I was looking for.

I'm in Florida and wondering if it will be difficult to order by CC shipping and so forth. Any info along those lines? Surprisingly I couldn't find an email contact on the Robbe website.

[dave 1]

I`m not sure they still

I`m not sure they still have a web site , there`s not many u.s. Dealers around anymore. They had some real nice Heli`s but it went up in smoke! I`m not sure there`s any dealers left in u.s.

[Guest]

Since you seem to favout

Since you seem to favout WWII vintage boats, then have you considered the new Engel Type VII?



It's a bigger vessel than the Robbe, as the scale is 1/32nd as opposed to 1/40th, however it is a very complete model, much higher quality (reflected in the price), and will statically dive as standard.

Although it is expensive, i think you would be very happy with this model.

Take a look here for more information-

http://www.engel-modellbau.de/catalog....c8157e2

Andy

[dave 1]

Yes avery nice boat, but

Yes avery nice boat, but little richly! I would sooner get me a nice kit and buy everything as i have the funds. I`m sure it`s a good deal for around $2300.00 for everything , but i can`t go that route. And the kit i do buy, by the time i thru with it i`ll most likely have that much into it i`m sure it will be close or very near to it! As i`m not rushing into anything as of right now , I`m going to do some shopping around .

[anonymous]

These guys in the UK

These guys in the UK http://www.westbourne-model.co.uk/index.htm are popular with the target community ordering Robbe, Graupner and other kits that are hard to come by in the US. Deduct 17.5% from the advertised price if ordering from outside Europe.

[Guest]

There is the Revell boat.

At

There is the Revell boat.

At 1/72nd scale, some think it too small, and I must say in the flesh they do look extremely dinky.

However it is the cheapest route, short of scratchbuilding, and there are a couple of nice R/C conversion kits on the market.

Food for thought.

Andy