Engel Type IX D2

[pier 72]

After a whole day of

After a whole day of re-wiring and moving lead ballast, I've almost got it right. Both ballast tanks are working great and I just need to get the stern down a bit lower so that she can submerge properly.

[JWLaRue]

Dave,

Good the hear that it

Dave,

Good the hear that it was something as simple as reversed switches!

-Jeff

[pier 72]

Thanks mate.

Now I'm trying to

Thanks mate.

Now I'm trying to get her ready for the Task Force 72 display at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Open Day next Saturday in Canberra my nations capital. We get to use the indoor pool in between demonstrations by the academy cadets on the obstacle course hanging over the pool.

Here's a photo of my Revel Type VIIC/41, U324 underwater at last years ADFA Open Day.

and the obstacle course over the pool.


I'll make sure I post some photos after the Open Day.

Dave

P.S. make sure you read the September issue of Model Boats magazine....

[pier 72]

Well, after literally days of

Well, after literally days of moving lead ballast around the WTC U-861 is now able to dive....................and resurface.

[Wheelerdealer]

I've stumbled on your build

I've stumbled on your build pretty late but it looks like you've overcome the initial difficulties and have yourself a pretty neat looking boat. Congrats!

[pier 72]

On August 25th I had

On August 25th I had the opportunity to really put U-861 through her paces at the Australian Defence Force Academy Open Day in Canberra (my nation's capital) where, with other Task Force 72 MBC members we put on a show of our warship models.

U-861 sailed REALLY, REALLY, REALLY well and drew a lot of attention from the hundreds of people who walked through the indoor sports complex.

I was getting about 60 to 70 minutes of running time with my 6v, 9Amp battery packs, depending on how often I used the ballast tanks.

[pier 72]

Here's a peek at my

Here's a peek at my larger "Wolf Pack" with my 1:40 scale, Robbe, Type VIIC/41, U-1008 (left) and my 1:45 scale Engel, Type IX D2, U-861 (right). I am now planning working lights in U-861 using LEDs.

[pier 72]

Yesterday (Sunday, September 23rd) I

Yesterday (Sunday, September 23rd) I sailed U-861 at my club lake at the Hubertus Country Club where she turned heads and caused a few kids to panic a little over the drowning crewmen on the conning tower and deck.





And probably my favourite photo of U-861

[jeffrey j]

...

Wow Dave,
that is one nice looking model. Looks like it really holds periscope depth very well. How long did it take to build ? I built a SSY type IX in 1/32nd scale , it took 2 years. Nice work..... Jeff Jones

[pier 72]

Jeff,

I actually planned on taking

Jeff,

I actually planned on taking at least 12 months to build this baby. It took 3 months and now I'm stressing out deciding exactly what my next project will be. I'd love to do a British "T" Class or a WW1 German or British/Australian sub. I'm almost deciding to order the Engel Gato but I'll see how long I can wait on information about the new guy who's bought the Metcalf Mouldings moulds. If he can improve on their "crappy" quality I'll be ordering the "T" CLass from him. There are already a couple of Sub Committee guys on his back with some promising feedback.

Dave

[Guest]

This is an announcement that

This is an announcement that Dave Metcalf made on the mayhem forum-

As you will all be aware from my recent adverts I have been looking to sell my mouldings business so that I can concentrate my efforts on the production and manufacture of model boat kits.

I am pleased to be able to say that the sale of all the glass-fibre hulls, submarine mouldings sets and semi-kits has now been completed, the new owners are:

Andy Griggs.
Models by Design.
199 Ringwood Road,
St. Leonards,
Dorset.
BH24 2QU.
Tel: 01425 476174.
e-mail : grigandr@aol.com

Andy will be familiar to many of you who attend shows as the manufacturer of his range of GRP trawler sets. I am sure he will be only too pleased to speak to anyone about their future requirements for hulls. Being an experienced modeler and laminator his expert knowledge will be of help to future customers.

May I also thank all my many thousands of customers for their orders in the past and state again that our range of kits are all still available, please phone normal number (01920 438686) for sales and delivery.

[pier 72]

My Engel Type IX D2,

My Engel Type IX D2, U861 with the new ATC 2K waterproof camera mounted on the deck.

[tmsmalley]

Very impressive Dave - Good

Very impressive Dave - Good job!

How about posting a few videos from your Oregon Scientific camera on the new video topic on this forum?

[mylo]

Dave,

Damn, what is that

Dave,

Damn, what is that ?....a 2000 mm deck gun ?

Great job on the boat, love the underwater pics from the "gun".

Mylo

[pier 72]

Mylo,

Don't you recognise a 1550cal

Mylo,

Don't you recognise a 1550cal cannon when you see one?
If I can figure out how too shrink and post some of my movie footage from it, I will.

Dave