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<span style='font-size]THE LAUNCHER SYSTEM[/b]</span>
<span style='font-size] By David D Merriman III[/b]</span>
1. The completed and tested two-tube gas type torpedo launcher system with bell-mouthed foundation tubes. The foundation tubes are permanently bonded within the bow of the 1/72 ALFA’s bow. The foundation tubes serve as the means of integrating and aligning the launcher system within the hull. It has been my experience that the foundation tubes afford enough friction to preclude the need of any ‘fastening’ system to hold the launcher system within the model. Installation and removal of the torpedo launching system within the model takes only seconds!
2. The majority of the parts that made up the two-tube torpedo launcher system. The major sub-assemblies included the tubes, the firing valves, impulse bottle, particulate filter, charging manifold, and foundation tubes.
3. My firing valves are extensively modified ‘tire valves’. To achieve some level of efficiency I practice the ‘economy of numbers’ approach to sub-assembly manufacture. Though I only needed two firing valves for this particular job, I made many ‘extras’ that will find use in later projects.
4. Proper soldering starts with correct selection of consumables and heat application devices. Initial component assembly is done with the higher temperature Tin/Antimony solder. After most of the heavy structures have been stuck together I switch to the lower metling temperature Lead/Tin solders. Doing this reduces the likelihood of later solder work melting and de-bonding previous solder joints.
5. Applying Lead/Tin solder to a torpedo tube, securing it permanently to the frames. Note that the work sits on a refractive brick – the type found in furnaces and fireplaces. The ‘firebrick’ does not absorb much heat from the work and is therefore best suited to hold hot work, like this job, as heat is applied.
6. Readying the tubes for soldering to the frame. The impulse bottle has already been secured within the two frames. Note the container at the upper left. This contains lacquer thinner used to clean flux/rosin residue off the soldered joints. As I use an ‘acid’ type rosin for most of the heavy joining operations it has to be completely removed or the acid residue will eat away at the metal!
7. The particulate filter. Like the impulse bottle, this item is basically formed from common three-quarter inch diameter copper tube and end capes. I made one end removable to service the nylon filter element, this necessitated provision of a positive means of holding the cap in place against the seventy-plus PSI Propel gas pressure. A rubber gasket was punched out and used to effect the seal between cap and filter body.
8. One of Ellie’s nylon stocking served as a good source of the needed nylon mesh I used as a particulate filter element. I experimented with steel wool and other materials, but found that the nylon to be the best ‘mesh’ to capture minute metal shavings, and contaminates packaged with the Propel I use for torpedo and launcher charging.
9. Most of the two-tube launcher system components laid out, ready for final assembly. This demonstrates how I endeavor to keep all metal parts shiny clean – the best solder joints are achieved when the absolute minimum of contaminates (metal oxide, grease, dust, marker pen ink, etc.) exist. All metal parts are cleaned by taking a lacquer thinner saturated piece of steel wool and scrubbing until the metal is shiny. The parts are immediately wiped down with clean cloth and soldered within an hour.
Edited By AntoineL on 1071921465
<span style='font-size] By David D Merriman III[/b]</span>
1. The completed and tested two-tube gas type torpedo launcher system with bell-mouthed foundation tubes. The foundation tubes are permanently bonded within the bow of the 1/72 ALFA’s bow. The foundation tubes serve as the means of integrating and aligning the launcher system within the hull. It has been my experience that the foundation tubes afford enough friction to preclude the need of any ‘fastening’ system to hold the launcher system within the model. Installation and removal of the torpedo launching system within the model takes only seconds!
2. The majority of the parts that made up the two-tube torpedo launcher system. The major sub-assemblies included the tubes, the firing valves, impulse bottle, particulate filter, charging manifold, and foundation tubes.
3. My firing valves are extensively modified ‘tire valves’. To achieve some level of efficiency I practice the ‘economy of numbers’ approach to sub-assembly manufacture. Though I only needed two firing valves for this particular job, I made many ‘extras’ that will find use in later projects.
4. Proper soldering starts with correct selection of consumables and heat application devices. Initial component assembly is done with the higher temperature Tin/Antimony solder. After most of the heavy structures have been stuck together I switch to the lower metling temperature Lead/Tin solders. Doing this reduces the likelihood of later solder work melting and de-bonding previous solder joints.
5. Applying Lead/Tin solder to a torpedo tube, securing it permanently to the frames. Note that the work sits on a refractive brick – the type found in furnaces and fireplaces. The ‘firebrick’ does not absorb much heat from the work and is therefore best suited to hold hot work, like this job, as heat is applied.
6. Readying the tubes for soldering to the frame. The impulse bottle has already been secured within the two frames. Note the container at the upper left. This contains lacquer thinner used to clean flux/rosin residue off the soldered joints. As I use an ‘acid’ type rosin for most of the heavy joining operations it has to be completely removed or the acid residue will eat away at the metal!
7. The particulate filter. Like the impulse bottle, this item is basically formed from common three-quarter inch diameter copper tube and end capes. I made one end removable to service the nylon filter element, this necessitated provision of a positive means of holding the cap in place against the seventy-plus PSI Propel gas pressure. A rubber gasket was punched out and used to effect the seal between cap and filter body.
8. One of Ellie’s nylon stocking served as a good source of the needed nylon mesh I used as a particulate filter element. I experimented with steel wool and other materials, but found that the nylon to be the best ‘mesh’ to capture minute metal shavings, and contaminates packaged with the Propel I use for torpedo and launcher charging.
9. Most of the two-tube launcher system components laid out, ready for final assembly. This demonstrates how I endeavor to keep all metal parts shiny clean – the best solder joints are achieved when the absolute minimum of contaminates (metal oxide, grease, dust, marker pen ink, etc.) exist. All metal parts are cleaned by taking a lacquer thinner saturated piece of steel wool and scrubbing until the metal is shiny. The parts are immediately wiped down with clean cloth and soldered within an hour.
Edited By AntoineL on 1071921465
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