S-33 build

[Stephen Vick]

Hi y'all,

I have just made up the WTC for my 1/48 scale S-boat S-33.
I used a 2 ft 2 inch length of 3.5 inch OD polycarbonate cylinder with Small World Models end caps. 9 inches is segregated in the center with polcarb bulkheads and that section has about a dozen large holes cut into it. I installed a RCABS type ballast system, using a Samsung automatic blood pressure cuff. I removed the bladder from the cuff so that it expands to fill the entire space. The tiny pump seems to have more than enough umph to run this system. Pre testing in Dave's pool looks great, the pumped up bladder gives lots of bouyancy and the partial vacume in the WTC plus water pressure squeezes the air from the bladder quickly.
I can now move on to the torpedo tubes and sound unit install and call this a done deal. pics to follow...
Steve

[anonymous]

Steve,

It sounds like you have

Steve,

It sounds like you have done a great job. Please post pictures.

Do You mean Dave welch?

Steve

[Stephen Vick]

Hi Steve,

No I mean Dave

Hi Steve,

No I mean Dave Manley, I live a few miles from him in San Diego. I hope to post pic's this weekend from Dave's computer.(I dont have internet service at my apt. yet)
I am at sea again this week and can't send such large files from the computers aboard (bandwidth issues).
It is cool though and worth sending. I want to get alot of shots of it before it gets all dirty from use. I love a fresh new boat.
I made it my goal this year (and next) to try several different ballast set ups. I built a type XXI with a piston tank (works great) I am building the S-33 with RCABS, I have an as yet un-built typeXXIII in which I plan a sealed pump and a 1/48 scale type VII which will get my favorite of the three. In each I am trying to do it a bit different from the way others have done it, to satisfy my need for uniqueness.

Steve

[anonymous]

Steve,

That sounds great. Fantastic selection

Steve,

That sounds great. Fantastic selection of boats. And I like your closing remarks. I read you there.

I'm currently at my scratch build of the 598 with the help of Merriman. But after that I'm gearing up now for the XVII.

David sent me a great book on the boat that has everything a scratch builder could ask for.

At sea gain? What do you do at see if you don't mind me asking.

Steve

[Stephen Vick]

I am the staff Quartermaster

I am the staff Quartermaster with COMCARSTRKGRU-7 aboard USS Ronald Reagan. I am the primary assistant to the Force Navigator and Staff METOC Officer. As such I am the liason with the Nav teams on all the ships in the group.
I have been a Destroyer sailor for most of my career, this carrier is too #### big!
I like my command though, the Admiral is very down to earth and I have a great chain of command.
Steve

[anonymous]

Steve,

That's just great. I'm proud

Steve,

That's just great. I'm proud to know you.

The Ronald Reagan is a big #### ship. Your right there. Plus your surrounded by Bugs, Tomcats and a whole lot more. Being an RC jet flyer I know I wouldn't mind that.

Enjoy it!

Steve

[btrippis]

Steve, Pretty cool about the

Steve, Pretty cool about the new ballast system, Did you
purchase the blood pressure device locally? Do you think
this might work in my Type II for ballast?
Regards Brian Tripp

[Guest]

Brian,
You can buy an automatic

Brian,
You can buy an automatic inflating blood pressure machine at almost any pharmacy or discount store for around $60 to$80 US.
You can buy the parts you need, the air pump and the bladder, for around $20 to $30. The RCABS is fairly simple to build. The best deal on pumps is at Smart Products, Smart Pumps. There are several sources for bladders, and several styles and sizes. I recommend an adult size two tube bladder for subs over 60" in length, and a child size bladder for subs 60" and smaller. Here is one source, Bladders. Good luck with your project. The above info assumes that this is a wet hull model.



Edited By Art Broder on 1116984927

[Stephen Vick]

Hey Brian,

This will deffinitely work

Hey Brian,

This will deffinitely work in your type II. I bought a SamSung blood pressure cuff at Target (Mira Mesa blvd.) for about $50.I am using 2 swithched channels on a Robbe expansion module to energize the pump and relief valve (both out of the blood pressure cuff assembly).
Be at the pond on Saturday June 4 (I am out this Sat.) and I will show you how I arranged it. You should be able to do it very easily with the parts you have. The end caps are identical to the set up in my type II and this ballast set up has been an easier build than the gas type. Actually I plan to retro fit my Type II with this system, Propel will be used for torpedoes only! You should hear the new Robbe diesel sound I have in this boat! I is on the Robbe "navy" sound module. It has a start up and run down feature and sounds very realistic. I will have to retro fit U-57 with one of those too.
Anyway, be at the pond on the 4th and I will have it there, it isn't done, but it is close enough to see.
Take Care,
Steve

[PaulC]

Hi Steve,

When can we see

Hi Steve,

When can we see pics of your boat?

Thank you for your service BTW.

[Stephen Vick]

Hi,

As soon as I get

Hi,

As soon as I get back in port I will see about downloading some shots to an internet connected computer. I can't send such big files from the ship, it is unfair to the 6,000 other users aboard to tie up so much bandwidth. Also I want to send pic's of the finished assembly, I still have yet to wire the WTC for everything (I am waiting on a key component from Robbe).The RCABS is in and has been tested in water, but I dont have the final RC installation done.
V/R
Steve