1/144 scratch build Akula

[bwi]

Everyone seems very polite over here Bart.

Yes sir.....stiff upper lip.

Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

I love the lost wax idea! Did you make a mold for initial wax form?

No Tom, I used the initial tool for the Pod that I made some time ago, then scraped the wax to the desired dimensions (it’s really soft so it's a quick job).

The wax is normal candle wax, heated up and poured into the tool. the silicone can stand the head, no problem.

Be careful don’t heat the wax to much it has a low flash point, but long before it starts smoking, a lot.
The best is to melt it “Au bain-marie”, better known on this side of the pond as water bath or double boiler, this way there is no change to overheat the wax.

But it's still an idea so hold your horses :-)

Grtz,
Bart

[scott t]

What if you just left the wax in. it is lighter than water and you would not have to worry about the water draining out of the space inside.
It would probably melt when left in the sun though. How about a foam core which would be left in. You are just trying to lighten it right?

Scott T

[bwi]

It's very tempting to use all the swear/curse Words that come into my mind now.........but I will not.......the foam is a marvelous, brilliant idea Scott.....what was I thinking.

I will do a test if it reacts with the resin or not......if so I need to give it a coating.

Thks & grtz,
Bart

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

Looking from the outside in, it looks like more work that is necessary.
You are already making a mold to make the pod.
Having to make a lost wax pattern every time you make a pod seems wasted work.
Why not make the pod in two halves?
Making each half hollow before making the mold.
A male and female mold.
Like two cups, one inside the other.
This would eliminate making the lost wax part.

[bwi]

Your right but it's not a production sub....it's a one ping only Ralf so I don't have to do it every time.

The first tool was for transferring the wood into resin and to get experience in tooling /molding/casting.

This master will be provided with scribed hatches, nose parting line and the light on top.

First scratch built for me so I need the exercise and experience, no work is wasted.

I think you have a saying overhere “there's more than one way to skin a cat”.

Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Scribing, at last.
Started with the bottom flood-drain holes.
Nevertheless I have to open them up afterwards I scribe them first for practice purpose.
All went well, and I’m pleased with the result, pictures showing scribed lines without cleaning or touchup.





More progress the Fwd deck










Grtz,
Bart

[salmon]

Yeah, you have a lot to be proud of. Excellent work!

[bwi]

Thks Tom.
Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

She is coming to completion. Still some minor touch ups to do.

Grtz,
Bart

[thor]

Truly outstanding work!

[crueby]

Looking incredible!

One part question: Earlier in the thread you called some of the protrusions 'SOK's, what are those? Knowing military speak, it is probably something like 'Stand Off, Kettle'! Sure it isn't that, though...

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

I looked in to this question.
SOK = SOCKS in regard to Russian terminology.

Information is limited to just a line or two. Most state this...
"The Akula have the SOCKS hydrodynamic sensors, which detect changes in temperature and salinity."

On upper deck just forward of the sail.
On the bottom of the boat just froward of the sail front line.

Here is one web site that mentions SOCK.
There are others including Wikipedia but they all use the same sentence.

https://rwhiston.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/10/

[bwi]

Thank you for your kind words gents,

And sorry for the confusion spelling is not my biggest gift.

SOKS stands for Systema Obnaruzheniya Kil'vaternogo Sleda or System for Wake Detecting and Tracking.
There are several locations for the SOKS sensors.
There are ten points on the sail, three points on a fin on the casing, three pods also on the casing forward of the sail and several points and pods on the underside of the hull.
You can also find them on other Russian subs (SIERRA's VICTOR's)


Grtz,
Bart

[crueby]

Thanks for the info on the SOKs! Now I can try and pronounce the Russian words...