Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

[bigdave]

Call it what you like, Zombie boat, Fronk-n-steen sub, or u-boot resurrection.
The end result is the same. Take one old dead model submarine and make it able to patrol the depths again.
The idea came to me earlier in the year before the Carmel Subrun.
There are a lot of old unloved kits out there just looking for someone to adopt them.
I wanted to show with a little work one can get a RC model submarine in (or under) the water for very little $$$$ .
So that is what I am doing. In part two of this thread I will introduce my victim.
One of, if not the first commercially available sub kit ever made.
Stay tuned! BD.

[warpatroller]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

There are a lot of old unloved kits out there just looking for someone to adopt them.
I wanted to show with a little work one can get a RC model submarine in (or under) the water for very little $$$$ .
So that is what I am doing. In part two of this thread I will introduce my victim.
One of, if not the first commercially available sub kit ever made.
Stay tuned! BD.

This, I will like to see... Especially the "very little $$$$" part.. I'll believe that part when I see it Utilizing electronics and gear that you already have laying around doesn't count for the "very little $$$" part.. If you already own a lathe, drill press, table saw etc., that doesn't count either..

You didn't say whether this would be a dynamic or static diver..

I have one of the first successful, mass produced, commercial, static diving, sub kits and have not found a way to get it in the water, running reliably (so it won't sink), for less than $1000 (the kit + WTC + electronics = total cost). That grand doesn't include glue, paint and other needed supplies which would probably push it over a grand.. The sub has to be reliable for me, as I can only run in a lake. No pools available for me except on rare occasions. If I lost a grand in a lake, OUCH! That would hurt me. Some other guys, that wouldn't be a big loss for them..

In contrast, I did get a Walmart sub in the water, down to 12 feet deep, without sinking or leaking water. And ran it in a lake 5 times without losing it. Total cost of that experience was about $35, which included a nice tube of silicon sealant (the key to it not sinking at depths of 12 feet).. Now that was cheap!

If you can come in under $500 total cost for a reliable static diver, that is longer in length than two feet, I will be impressed, bow down and call you Master!

Big Dave is a magic man, so if anyone can make this happen, he can!

Show us that a person can play in this game, with a decent scale model of a real boat, for under a grand!

[JWLaRue]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Hmmmm....perhaps this will be using the old/original Krick U-boat?

-Jeff

[salmon]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Jeff,
You bring up something I noticed reading the older issues of the SCR, subs 10+ years ago ran great! Although technologies have grown (or shrank in our case). The old subs worked. If a simple refresh gets them going, that is pretty cool! So BD, we wait for your next posting.
Peace,
Tom

[bigdave]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Well as for model selection the story has already been written so to speak.
The retrofit/conversion has already been done. (But not tested)
And the winner was (Jeff you are too good) the original Krick U-boat kit.
I will explane why and how in my next post.
If I could have a short Cliff Claven moment here.
You know it is a little known fact that the Krick kit started life back in the early 1960's sold at that time by Hegi.
I think when Hegi went out of business Krick bought the rights to their kits.
But this is just my theory.
Here are some photos of the early kit. BD.

[bigdave]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Aahh!
The cost factor.
Model submarines are not and will not ever be cheap.
We all know that. Most of us got into this part of the hobby because of the challenge of making it work.
Doing something that others can't do.
If it were easy everybody would be doing it, like RTF helicopters.

Now everybody and his brother have a model helicopter that basically flys itself.
When I started flying in the mid 70's it was tough.
It took me a lot of money in parts to finally start to hover.

And to tell the truth I still suck at it but it's fun none the less.

What I am attempting to show is sometimes you don't need a mega-buck model to have fun.
You can start with an old POS, upgrade it a bit, and still put a smile on your face.

One reason I picked a dynamic diving sub is they are safer, cheaper, and if trimmed correctly can run as well as a good static diver.
Like Don Osler's Robbe Seawolf boat.
If you saw it run you would not believe it is a dynamic diver.
In fact all of Don's subs run like that. (He makes me sick) lol.

He takes the time to trim them well.

Now as for the old Krick kit I aquired I have always liked it.
I know it's not scale but is cool to me.
I wanted to have a boat we could take to runs like Don's Seawolf and let people try it out if they would like.
I had been looking for a while for a suitable donor hull to work on.
I finally found one which was donated to me by Erich Kloss.
I told him of my idea of doing an article and asked if he wanted to sell the old hull.
He said if I wanted it that it was mine. Thanks Erich!
The boat was in very bad shape. Totally gutted of all its control and power systems.
Just a top and bottom hull.
But that is just what I wanted. I would have ripped it all out anyway.
I was also able to source the manual and plans from a gentleman up in Canada who sent me scans.
Not that I would build with the manual but I could see how it was originally outfitted.

Jim Butt had built one back in the day and he was a big help and also sent me a video of his boat used in a promotional done by a Hobby Lobby that used to sell the kit.

The boat was the wonder of its day. Ha!
That is I wonder how it actually really worked. Lol
But according to Jim it worked very well.
So now on to what I changed in my retrofit.
BD.

[warpatroller]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Since it is going to be a dynamic diver, I'm guessing the hull will sit very low down in the water, or be completely submerged, at surface trim.

It will be interesting to see what you do with this old Uboat!

[bigdave]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Here are some more photos of the Krick stock kit.
Just to get an idea of how it was built.
I will be talking more about the differences between my system and the stock one.
But for now I just have to tell you how they seal the two rear pushrods for the rudder and planes.
Basically they had plastic tubing like they use in model airplanes (Dubro) springs to mind.
The smaller tube slides inside of the larger one. To seal this tube they filled the cavity in the wooden bottom hull where the tubes exited with thick grease.
Jim said it actually worked great to keep the water out.
But for some reason I don't think the lifeguards at the YMCA where we run in the winter would like the oil slick left behind by the boat.
No matter how realistic it looked. BD.

[JWLaRue]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

BD,

Weren't the original Krick kit hulls built up vis the "bread and butter" method using wood planks? Is this kit a current production one?

-Jeff

[bigdave]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

That is a good question.
It looks like the Hegi kits were partly carved out.
But I think the Krick used the bread and butter.
Maybe Jim can chime in on that.
I can't tell with mine. I don't see and bond lines.
BTW That is one thing I have not touched on yet but the bottom hull is carved from Obeachi wood, and the top is ABS molding. (Sorry if I spelled the wood wrong)
And as for ballasting Jim said the water line should be even with the top of the wood lower section. BD.

[warpatroller]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Here is another Hegi/Krick Uboat that could be brought back from the dead on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dumas-type-RC-Submarine-/191455898786?pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&hash=item2c93a92ca2

Seller calls it a Dumas model.. Seller says, "Model will definitely need some minor work and someone who has experience with RC Models." He means a guy like Big Dave.. "Model will probably definitely submerged when running but how far is another question". By how far, I think he means all the way to the bottom!

Someone could buy this and follow along step by step with Dave! But you can forget about the very little $$$ thing, as the price is $450 for that model.. Dave you should just eliminate the very little $$$ part and pretend you never said that... It is misleading to RC sub newbies, who are just joining the forum, and it gets their hopes up.

[JWLaRue]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Just because the seller is asking for that price doesn't mean he will get that price.

-Jeff

[bigdave]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

Unfortunately the software will not let me modifi the original post.
I guess I should have included comparatively in front of the $$$$.
But as Jeff stated just because someone wants a certain price for a boat that does not mean they will get it or you have to by it.
I am sure there are a lot of kits out there that were started or running at one time but now are in need of lots of love.
And can be bought for a good price.
My thread is more about converting an old operating system too a hopefully more relyable one.
I was just trying to say the end result hopefully will be a less expensive alternative.
I was not going for a get into the hobby cheaply thread.
If it came across that way I am sorry. BD.

[warpatroller]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

No problem at all Dave. You don't need to apologize to anyone. I just thought it was funny, that you talked about very little money and then this guy is asking $450 for the same model..

Yes, that sub is way overpriced and the only person that might buy it, is someone who knows nothing about RC subs. I suggested that someone buy it in jest.. Or if you are rich, and have money to burn, go for it.. That's why this is a good place for people to learn the ropes. I'm still learning them and I've been on here for almost 9 years..

Big Dave is one of the most experienced sub builders on here, as the veteran members know. Anything he does, you watch, learn and take note..

Sub Culture, on here, offers some of the best tips, in general, to minimize your cost outlay when constructing an RC sub model. Anyone who wants to attempt a budget build, I would suggest they search the forum for his many helpful posts.

This thread is Dave's, so I give the stage back to him. The comic relief is over, now it is time to witness a Master craftsman and RC engineer at work..

[thor]

Re: Bringing back an old model submarine from the dead.

$450 for a model sub is very inexpensive. This is not a hobby for those with shallow pockets. It never has been and it never will be.

Matt