1:300 SeaQuest DSV - New kit from the Nautilus Drydocks

[crueby]

BigDave,
You don't own anything but big-A$$ motors. Do you?

I am waiting for him to put an LS3 engine in his Mini!

[JWLaRue]

I am waiting for him to put an LS3 engine in his Mini!

Now you did it! You had to go and plant that particular seed! LOL!

...okay, BD....how soon will it be done?

-Jeff

[bigdave]

Any updates on your project Bob? BD

[bob the builder]

I just received the first test-casting on Saturday. There are some issues with air bubbles in some of the small detail areas on the upper hull, but a bigger issue is some alignment problems between the forward, central and rear sections.

We're hoping that a thicker layup will address it.

In the meantime, I'm building up the test-casting to use for promotional purposes and we'll be off to the races for sales! Hoping to have the buildup done by the end of the week if things go well...

[cdivine]

There is a video of a random hobby guy trying to assemble this kit having no previous experience with submarines and he seems to never finish it. I think he bit off too much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RksLxTQop8M

[bob the builder]

Just as a note, that's not our kit. That is a 3D printed prototype that I let go to those guys after they begged me to let them have it. The kit is 1:300 scale, or 40.25" OAL. That one is larger at around 50" in length.

Kit components are cast resin, flush fitting, highly detailed, and look great. Compared to that prototype, the kit parts are head and shoulders better. I've already modified a rear engine part to accept a gimbaled koort nozzle for both pitch and yaw control. The next step will be working out access and fitting in a drive cylinder.

Here are some shots of the completed prototype assembly fully assembled and painted. Fit on the center sphere was still slightly off, but we went with a different resin to cure the shrinkage issues and now fit is perfectly flush.