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

[sgtmac1]

masts

These were on the web-probably others available...

[sgtmac1]

A Z cut in reverse?

Since the nose of this sub comes unattached, today's project is to get the bow lined up with the main tube and have it permanently attached. The kit comes with an orange 3d printed alignment band that fits the tube and lines up the bow section with miniature screws. Then to add some alignment tabs to keep the hull deck lined up with the main hull and then some clips for the front of the deck piece to keep it down...

[sgtmac1]

Conning tower has gaps

Noticed that the conning tower has gaps so using some coarse sand paper on the hull, I sanded until it fit well. Problem solving, ugh...

[sgtmac1]

Making a smooth towed array housing?

This 3d printed sub comes with 3d printed side sonar arrays and towed sonar array housings that are not smooth. I was wondering how to come up with a smooth array for the towed array housing. Do I need to just fill the 3d striations in with putty and sand away the excess or is there a better way to get the flush fitting housing made of something else. Most sub kits probably have the housing molded in but not this one.

[sgtmac1]

Some drain holes down the center line

Punched some holes in the bottom. No telling what an actual bottom pic of the real one would look like...

[chips]

How wide is the towed array housing? Depending on the width, you might be able to use Evergreen or Plastruct half round styrene. The Evergreen half round is in 14" lengths, with 1/8" (.125) being the widest. The Plastruct products generally come in 12" lengths; with half round styrene up to 1/4" (.250) wide. Plastruct also has wider sizes of acrylic half round.

Based on the Trumpeter 1/144 scale SEAWOLF the bottom flood holes are square or rectangular. One grouping forward by bow planes and forward sonar arrays. A second grouping aft of the rear sonar sensor to the fins. The forward group is 4 rows of 6; the aft end is even with the aft end of the bow planes. There is a second smaller group of 4 (2x2) roughly centered on the forward sonar sensor. The aft group has three smaller groups. The forward one has 4 rows of 4; starting at the aft end of the aft sonar sensor. Then there are two odd squares. The final group is 2 rows of 3.

[sgtmac1]

Towed array housing

The kit supplied pieces are 7 3/4'' long, 11/16'' wide, and 3/16'' thick and are meant to be held on with nuts and bolts-very untidy looking for a housing that is 31'' long overall.

[sgtmac1]

conformal array clean up...

The kit parts require some cleanup as the underside of these has to be cut out and smoothed in order to fit the hull...

[JWLaRue]

I'd glue them to the hull. I think I'd also seriously consider scratch-building the various sonar array parts vs. putting in the work to make them smooth.

-Jeff

[sgtmac1]

Pulling things together

The model comes with tiny screws and nuts to hold it together which is nice if your hands are no bigger than a 5 year olds is. I've resorted to using Plastruct Bondene, medium super glue, and acrylic bonding cement to keep the hull together. As it may be necessary to access some of the hidden areas, I am using these mechanical devices(styrene blocks with tapped holes for stainless steel screws)utilizing the thick flanges. I'll set them in place and apply adhesive so that the screw will be in the natural state with the tapped hole in the block. Also trying to fabricate the towed array housing with plastic tubing cut lengthwise...

[subicman]

This model is pretty cool and has been a fun read. One thing that nobody has picked up on yet is that USS Illinois SSN-786 is a block III Virginia with the Virginia Payload Tubes in front, which means that there is only 2 VERY large VLS tubes in the bow and not the 12 individual tubes. Keep up the good work!

[Joe D]

I just received the USS Virginia kit from Bob Martin. He also sent a 3/16in prop shaft unthreaded. I am having difficulty finding a 55mm prop (I assume that’t the right diameter) with 3/16 bore with a set screw. What are you using for a prop shaft and prop?

[mike dory]

RE: Prop Shaft

Joe, You might want to check out MacMasters-Car Catalog They have Stainless Steel in MM sizes with next day shipping. Best Wishes Mike

[bob_eissler]

Joe, your post is confusing. Props don't normally have a set screw. You tap the end of the shaft to match the thread on the prop. A metric prop usually expects you to have a metric shaft and you will have to tap the end of the shaft with a metric thread to match. You can have a nut to lock against the prop or the prop can be loctited on.

[Joe D]

I understand I can use a Metric Prop and shaft. i was trying to figure out a way to use the 3/16” unthreaded shaft with a flat spot and universals that Bob sent me. i have seen some props which had a set screw instead of threads But I have been unable to find one in the size I need. I think I will give in and get an M4 threaded prop shaft and a 55mm M4 prop. I was just wondering what he used on the Illinois.