New guy with Revell 1/72 Type VII C R/C conversion question....

[indiana_mike]

Hi all, new forum member here from Indiana. Ive wanted to do an R/C conversion on Revell's 1/72 Type VII C kit for a long time. Ive been out of the modeling hobby long enough for it to be a suprise to find out the revell kit has been discontinued, lol. I finally found one and its due in tomorrow, and I am rolling around the idea of doing an R/C conversion on it. My question is...what kind of total cost (approximately) am I looking at accomplish this if I decide to go that route? Thanks for any replies.

[Guest]

It depends on the type of conversion you have in mind, and how much work you can do yourself.

The three conversion kits that spring to mind-

Norbert Bruggen- http://modelluboot.de/KITS/VII/VIIc.html

Caswell/Merriman- https://sub-driver.com/fittings-kits...tings-kit.html https://sub-driver.com/sas-1-72-reve...ub-driver.html

Big Dave- http://www.frontiernet.net/~bwelch/viic.htm

[indiana_mike]

Thank you, sub culture...i will check the links out.

[chips]

I don't think Big Dave is making WTC kits anymore. At least that's what he said over a year ago.

[Guest]

I wasn't sure, so I thought I'd mention it.

[indiana_mike]

looks like the cost is going to be prohibitive for me anyway...thanks for the links though.

[redboat219]

You could always build the WTC yourself instead of buying commercially made ones.

Here are some other links

http://www.theassociationofmodelsubmariners.com/t930-revell-172-viic-u-boat?highlight=Revell+type+vii

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1850719

http://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/dynamic-diving/520

Just ask the people here for help.

[Guest]

Good luck with that approach. The majority of newcomers to this hobby grossly underestimate the amount of knowledge required to successfully convert or build a model submarine. Websites and books provide information, knowledge is acquired by application of information and experience.

Those that are successful tend to have some previous experience in another field of model engineering or they have someone to mentor them.

Therefore I tend to advise a good kit based route for a first build, as the hard part of selecting the right components has already been done for you, leaving the builder to concentrate on the task of assembling them into a working boat.

Norberts kit will be about $100 plus postage (US customers get a 19% reduction on ticket price, as you don't pay VAT). That's pretty much the lowest price kit I know out there, so if that's is unaffordable, then you have a steep learning curve ahead for scratchbuilding.

[indiana_mike]

Anyone have a link for this "Norbert Kit"?

[indiana_mike]

Found it...if its the kit your speaking of im not wild about the idea of cutting the hull in two. might just say heck with it and spend some tax money when it comes in.

[indiana_mike]

ok this is becoming a fiasco...tried the "help chat" on caswell, they said i need to go to the sub_drivers.com forum and ask there. Ok...well i tried to register on that forum and got a window saying "registration has been disabled"....now what?

my question, if anyone knows....is caswell lists two different WTC's for the Type VII C. One for $450 the other for $520 if i remember right...being a complete newb to this (and one who is already about to say screw it) which one should i order? The one for $450 states it only needs a TX, batteries, and an ESC...the one for $520 looks as if there are less components, and requires the #2 electronics kit which is another $269.50. Im not understanding this at all...is the kit for $520 upgraded in some way im not understanding?

[wingtip]

in my opinion id build my own wtc with an rcabs setup or a pump setup and will be cheaper... what size wtc does it require? i may have a wtc with a dual shaft setup with motor and 3:1 gear reduction (belt drive too) could even throw in the esc the bladder and pump and solonoid, es2 switch for the pump and sol control, and a 2s lipo.... but it may be to big in diameter...MY ID is 3.25inch ... the endcaps have only been drilled for the shaft diameter exactly so you can drill to whatever size drive seal you plan on using and i could throw in some of merrimans pushrod seals for the real tiny stuff i forget their sizes... the wtc was from mikes subworks but just wont work for the project i built it for... had to go in a different direction...

If your interested...

[salmon]

1/72 Type VII uses a 2" diameter tube, I believe.
Mike, there is a lot to get frustrated about in this hobby especially when you start to build the sub. The Type VII is a small sub and you will be packing a lot of stuff in a small area.
Please understand, most of the vendors are small shops dedicated to trying to help this hobby, Sub-Driver is a subsection of Caswell plating it is not something anyone is getting wealthy on. As far as which one of the 2 sub drivers is right? The two Sub-Drivers look the same to me, you can call Caswell plating at (855)227-9355. Ask for Kaleigh Campbell. She's taking care of the sub stuff now. She can probably answer your questions or find the answer for you.

[indiana_mike]

I truly thank you gents for all the help, my frustration comes from finding vendors for the stuff only to find out they are no longer in business, not with the vendors themselves. Wingtip, I appreciate the offer but Salmon is correct, the 1/72 type VII C requires a 2" tube. Salmon, I will give the number a try and see what i can glean from there, thanks again to all who have helped. The frustration is turning into determination now, my stubborn side is kicking in saying "Im gonna get this done if it hairlips hell and half of china".

[salmon]

That is the attitude that will see the sub to its maiden voyage. We are here to help you, not all get there the same way, but we get there.