New project-USS ILLINOIS, SSN-786 in 1/72nd!

[sgtmac1]

Just received my latest sub from Bob Martin/rc-subs.cz. In 1/72nd scale she measures at about 62 inches with an approximate 6'' diameter. I'm not sure if anyone else is working on one but this is a central pvc pipe with 3d printed appendages. The propulsor is already in place, the rudder and dive planes await some linkage, and there is a full sheet of pe for the various vents and screens.
Anybody have any thoughts how the would go about setting this up for r/c?

[DMTNT]

That's pretty slick. I continue to be amazed at what can be done with 3D printing. There are many here much more experienced than I, but just looking at it, it looks like you'll need to split some of those sections longitudinally. One of the most common ways of splitting up a sub model is referred to as a "Z-cut." There are a lot of options for a WTC, but the Subdriver as available from Bob's website is a great place to start. You would also need to get a hold of some U-shaped saddles to hold the WTC in. When recently faced with a similar situation for a 1/144 Trumpeter Seawolf, I was able to design some for free online and have them 3D printed by Shapeways. They turned out great.

Dave Merriman posted a very informative series of reports documenting his buildup of a Trumpeter Seawolf. A very different kit from yours, but his methods and techniques are very sound, and can carry over in a lot of ways to a project like this. It looks like an impressive model! It'll be interesting to see it come together.

https://support.caswellplating.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/List/Index/26/trumpeter-seawolf-cabal-reports

[JWLaRue]

Sgt,

Given the configuration of the hull parts I would seriously consider adopting the construction technique that we see in some of the robbe and Engel submarine kits.

The photo below shows how the Engel Type 212a is configured:



You could make the PVC(?) tube the pressure vessel by sealing the bow end and something like a bayonet ring the the stern. The stern cone would in effect have the aft end cap. The two bow 3D printed parts could be free flooding.

-Jeff

[sgtmac1]

Spent hours trying to put tail cone with rudder/stern planes together. Frustrated with getting everything to line up and snap into place, I handed the pieces to my wife and asked her opinion. In 30 seconds or less, she hands it back assembled! She has been informed that she will continue the build. Geez...

[pirate]

Hey Sgt. hope you like the Submarineworks kit. Keep posting photos—I’m excited to see how it turns out.

[pirate]

Oh, my mistake. Thought Illinois was an Ohio class boomer. ThT looks like the Virginia class—correct?

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

SSN 786 is a Virginia class boat. Commissioned Oct 29, 2016.

[sgtmac1]

Uss illinois

Glued and screwed the first two sections together. Need to add a lever to the bow planes before the next section...

[bob_eissler]

You have a lot of sanding and filling to do. I wouldn't have anything as fragile as the bow planes attached until it was ready for priming.

[sgtmac1]

Put the PE on before priming?

[bob_eissler]

Before priming but not before sanding and filling.

[sgtmac1]

uss illinois

First coat of Rustoleum filler primer. Seems to cover well...
Wonder why some of the pics are sideways?

[sgtmac1]

Tail Assembly

I've tried a number of different ways to get the planes and rudder into the tail cone-no instructions given. Finally got it together in one solid piece and will have to reverse disassembly to get control horns on shafts. Live and learn!

[bob_eissler]

Do you have a thin web in front of the dive planes and bottom rudder that needs to be cut off?

[bob the builder]

Do you have a thin web in front of the dive planes and bottom rudder that needs to be cut off?

Yep, that sprue needs to be removed! It's there as an artifact of the printing process, allowing the planes to be printed nearly horizontally by an FFM printer. Cut those thin triangles out!

Great work so far!


Bob