The Sinker

[bigdave]

Ever since seeing one at a very early Groton Subregatta I have wanted to someday build a "Sinker"
That is what I call a target boat that you can sink by R/C and then bring back up with a ballast system.
You can fire torpedoes at them or pretend to hit a mine. They are cool at shows too. Great crowd pleasers.
I had been reading a thread on RCG about the old Texaco Tanker toy.
Like most toys popular with the baby boomers it is a collectable today.
Sold back in the late 1950's for 8 gallons of gas and about $5 from your friendly Texaco service station attendant.
The boat was 27" long and actually motorized. It also had small wheels on the bottom so it would roll for the occasional floor running.
While reading the thread I was thinking if I could get a fairly nice one for a good price it would make a good Sinker.
A Sinker has to be a tanker of freighter!!
So I checked eBay for suitable candidates and found a nice one that just looked dusty and only looked like it was missing a few small parts.
I had found out you can buy the missing deck parts from a guy that makes repro parts for these old toys.
SCHWEET!!
So I procrastinated for a few days and decided to buy the tanker which had a (Buy it now) price.
I thought I did well at around $70 as some were selling for over $400. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!
Mine had no box, or all the parts, manual, and the usual things that made them really collectable.
I did not even care if it ran as I would be putting a WTC inside anyway.
I was very pleased to find out that she was in GREAT shape and even still ran!!
Except for a layer of thick dust and a few missing deck parts after I washed her in the laundry tub she looked quite spiffy!!
Really not bad detail and condition for a toy that is 50+ years old.
Now I have to figure out how to make her sink. I have a few ideas but have not chosen one yet.
So arm those torpedoes boys. We are in for a bumpy ride!! BD.

[JWLaRue]

Re: The Sinker

BD,

I think you need one of these Remco Barracuda subs to do the shooting!



...or maybe a fast attack sub like this?



-Jeff

[bigdave]

Re: The Sinker

Don't tempt me Jeff!!
I have often thought of R/C-ing the Barracuda.
It is kind of heavy though.
But with the clear deck you could see the cylinder inside and how it works.
Then I would need a Mighty Matilda and a Phantom Raider to finish out the fleet. BD.

[bigdave]

Re: The Sinker

I finished the Tanker and tested it at the last fun run.
It worked but needs a few tweaks.
The flood valve needed to be larger and it needed nore weight in the keel.
It was not quite heavy enough to fully sink and would roll over upside down when the bladders were inflated.
Both easy fix's.
I was supprised how well the boat ran though. She handled well!
Here is a photo of the cylinder installation.
Plus a few photos of the sinking thanks to Patty O! BD.