Supping Up the Robbe U47

[Guest]

I'm a novice R/C suber. So novice in fact that I have yet to buy my first kit. I'm looking at the Robbe U47. But I want a Ballast system. I've been told that it's a good kit for what I'm looking for. I want a sub with Ballast system. And one with room that If I want to upgrade it with torpedo's, sonar, running lights, camra...so on it's got the room. I've also been told by an experienced modler that he ran both engines on seperate batteries. The review on this site says that as a dynamic sub it does not run for long. Has anyone out there upgraded the U47 like I am planning on doing? Well anyone other that the person who has been in contact with me. I just want to make sure that it IS a good idea.
ahah

[kd6hq]

]http://www.pbase.com/lynch/type_viii_u_boat&page=1

From what I have read

[color=#000000]]http://www.pbase.com/lynch/type_viii_u_boat&page=1[/url]

From what I have read the original motors / prop combination is not a good match. This shortens the run time significantly. "Ships 'N' Things" sells an upgrade geared set with a 3]

[Guest]

Thanks for the info. I'll

Thanks for the info. I'll check out that website as soon as I get a chance. I'm a little bit weary. I want a good first kit. But I don't want to spend a fortune on it.

[JWLaRue]

Hello Ahab,

The robbe U-47 kit

Hello Ahab,

The robbe U-47 kit is a very nicely engineered kit, but I would hesitate to say that it offers the kind of expandability that you are looking for.....especially if you make the conversion to an operating ballast system with an Engel piston. When the Engel conversion is done, there is essentially no spare room left within the WTC.

You may be better served by starting with one of the many fiberglass hulls available.......

I would be remiss if I didn't also recommend that you join the SubCommittee (if you haven't already done so). Our quarterly magazine is a great place to see/read how others have built their boats!

-Jeff

[jeffg]

Got try on of the

Got try on of the kits from Skip Assay. Easy striaght forward assembly, full ballast system. I added the Propel gass system and a subsafe so I can blow ballast from underwater. Very dramatic bubble sand all. Go for the Marlin, I saw it in the water at last years regatta, it sails thru the water beatifully.

Skip is also very helpful

JG

[safrole]

I bought a Robbe U-47

[color=#000000]I bought a Robbe U-47 which is still a couple months from seeing water. I was in your place a while back and was severely tempted to get the Subtech Albacore, since I'd be able to reuse it's WTC in a U-boat or fleet boat hull at a later time. (That WW2 era sub is my favorite.) I also did not like the dynamic diving aspect of the Robbe, which is almost as toy-like as its little paddle diving control mechanism. (yuck)

But I went for the Robbe for 3 reasons. First I really wanted a U-boat and did not want to start out with anything else. Secondly I did not think there would be enough reserve bouyancy in the Albacore's WTC to float a U-boat hull high enough in the water for my tastes. And last is that I got a good deal buying the kit plus the 750ml Engel dive tank plus a pitch controller.

There's a lot of building with the Robbe, so on a budget go with the Albacore, unless like me you just have to have a U-boat.

I have also done some upgrading]

[safrole]

Well I posted a page

Well I posted a page of the work on the Robbe so far, showing the installation of the bearings and shaft seals as well as overall concept I am pursuing with regard to the dive tank. Take a look and fire away.

--Jason

http://www.3rdgendecals.com/submarine.htm