Revell VllC U-boat RC conversion

[anonymous]

Well after getting all my RC jets finished and flown I decided to take a break and build a sub. This is my first. always wanted to build one and I plan a larger scratch built sub next after I learn a few things from this one.

I wanted to keep things simple and use some of the airplane RC gear I have around here in excess.

I started by building a simple WTC using balsa and water proofing it inside and out with epoxy. Made a hardwood lid for it and used wax paper between it some silicone and the box to make a seal. Once that was done I used 3/32 brass for the prop shafts and silicone fuel tubing to seal it into the WTC. I used a little motor oil to lubricate the silicone fuel tubing and things slide very nice. I used this same system for the push rods for the dive planes and rudder servos. Last I will silicone seal again over the outsides of the shafts to further reduce water getting in.

The white foam you see was used to make a bed for the WTC to be siliconed too and add some floatation. I still have to hook up the rudders using a bell crank system since the U-Boat has two. So far so good. I've run the motors and they are nice and smooth. I plan to use a 6 cell nimh pack I have here that will sit on top of the WTC. Although it will be wet the pack will be sealed. This way I don't have to open up the WTC each time I want to charge or chance the batteries.

the red tubing is retract airline used for the landing gear on my airplanes and jets. You can get this at any RC hobby shop. After trying a lot of different ways to connect the motors to the shafts this turned out to be dead easy and reliable.

This is fun and I have a nice big pool in my back yard to test in. I'll be sure to get video. Once all the gear is installed tomorrow I can move on to finishing the boat. I plan to scale it out as much as possible.

Here's some pictures that I hope will help others who'd like to take the plunge!

Steve

[turbobearcat]

Do you have the rudder

Do you have the rudder linkage done yet?

that was something on mine I used the same idea off my twin rudder boats before I discovered that it wasn't such a great idea for a sub unless I use different rods for steering and the next Uboat will reflect all changes.

Like I said over at RC Universe..

EXCELLANT JOB!

and good luck...

now I need to find a warm pool to test mine out.

Mark

[metal-x]

GREAT work
what exact model do

GREAT work
what exact model do u take ?
a link?

[raalst]

steve,

weight and weight distribution

steve,

weight and weight distribution is important in a sub
(as in a plane
Maybe you should reconsider putting the batteries on
top of the wtc. Since batteries are heavy, most of us
put them as low as possible in the sub, to act as a
balancing weight.

Be sure to test your sub in controlled circumstances (as
in " pool ") before sailing off in a murky pond or big lake !

And yes, keep us informed. you are one of the first to
actually convert this boat (and document it).
For instance, your method of sealing the pushrods is
new to me, I am very interested if they hold out.

[anonymous]

Mark,

Thanks man. I will try

Mark,

Thanks man. I will try the silicone grease for sure and I do hope these seals hold. I think they will be ok to about 2-3 ft. The top removes off the WTC so I can check for links.

I will connect the rudders and use a bell crank to move both. I'll post pictures of it when I've finished those off today or tonight.

raalst,

thanks and I will test it first of course. The battery will be pretty small for thes motors, I will play around with placement. Thanks for the suggestions.

metal-x,

Haven't decided yet but I'm leaning towards the U-82 version with the tiger stripes.

Thanks all,

Steve

[metal-x]

This one could be good

This one could be good ?

http://www.internethobbies.com/re1tyviicumo.html

they sell it at the shop here, and i can't have any answer for my akula so perhaps i will take the revel.

[anonymous]

metal-x,

that's the same boat. It's

metal-x,

that's the same boat. It's a good deal too considering what you get.

Well I got the rudders hooked up. I still have to replace the the plastic part that pivots the rudders on the bottom with brass as the plastic ones will never hold up. That's next.

All I did is place 3/23 brass tubing into the rudders and locked them off with a nylon bearing and a wheel collar. Then I took some small servo arms and glued them to the brass, hooked a wire between them and another servo are on one rudder shaft that hooks to the steering arm and they work.

Sorry the pictures aren't more clear but this short video should help. I'm just moving them by hand as I haven't hooked up the radio just yet. More soon.
Steve



video

[turbobearcat]

I just watched your video

I just watched your video on the rudder linkage and now I see you have a good idea there with one solid connection and one wite rod connection. in the past I would use just two servos to deal with two rudders or a complex version of 1 servo but using two wires for steering..which in 2-3 of my ships have this setup which has worked great over the years but the Uboat has two wires and a single servo.

How do I attach video like you did?

Mark

[anonymous]

Mark,

you have to up load

Mark,

you have to up load to a server and create a link on this site to show video.

Well I added a brass sleeve inside the fuel tubing as the silicone would bind if it sits around. I replaced the prop shafts with solid wire as the brass tubing bent to easy and made a racket at higher throttle settings.

I also so crudely built the rudder supports out of brass and will clean it all up before painting.

Seems all the radio gear works. Now to check and see if I have any leaks. So far so good.

Here's some pics of the rudder supports and a short video of the gear in action. The props are making noise as they aren't glued on yet. They are just pushed on and loose.

Steve





Video]http://sneill.com/uboat/movie2.mpg[/url]

[anonymous]

I’ve started painting the boat.

I’ve started painting the boat. This goes slower than the building of the RC set up.

Started with the airbrush and painted the light gray and dark gray and now by hand to the small details. Just started today so it will be awhile before I finish.

Originally I wanted a clean boat right off launch but it just lacked scale somehow so out came the rust and water marks. I think I got a little too heavy handed but I can always soften the look.

Haven’t tested her in the water yet. I’m going to change the lid on my WTC to clear plex so I can see if water is getting in without opening the box each time, which has several screws. Still have to get some silicone grease as well.

I’ll use rare earth magnets to hold the deck down. The fit is real good and the deck snaps into place well but it would be my luck if it came off in a dive and disappears.

I use these magnets all the time on my RC jets to hold the canopy down which is the access point to the batteries.

More as I go. Hope to get here in my pool later next week and I’ll shoot some video.

Steve

[metal-x]

only one word WHAOUUUU
i want

only one word WHAOUUUU
i want to be as good as u..
at a shop near, there is the same model
but i don't think i will do a nice models like yours..

[anonymous]

Thank you Metal-X,

I'm sure you'll

Thank you Metal-X,

I'm sure you'll do find just take your time!

Steve

[anonymous]

Well here's a little more

Well here's a little more progress. Paint is almost finished. Got to add the rigging and go see if she sinks...and then comes to the surface again!

Here's some pictures. Video soon!

Steve

[metal-x]

it would be nice in

it would be nice in water with nature behind !
will looks like a real sub

[turbobearcat]

It appears that I might

It appears that I might have found a place to test mine now, Saturday will be my test day and I'm told this pond in Northerrn Ky
is clear down to 20 feet! but I am in n0o way diving that deep with mine .
Wish me luck..I need to add the strap for the WTC and the fastners for the deck. man have I been waiting to finish this one!


Mark