Small World Models 1/96th Blueback Kit Restoration

[thor]

Will do, Sam. Jeff P is going to work up a full-blown ad for the Facebook page as soon as I can get a boat put together. This kit is so simple it will take no more than a day or two to get all of components assembled.

[sam reichart]

Fantastic news Matt. Send me a pic of the kit/boat so I can post it up on the Facebook page, too. I hope you and Bob sell a ton of them.

[thor]

I have all of the components for the first 6 kits almost ready to go out. I have a few details to finish up on the hull molds and then the kits will be ready to release to Bob Martin. Check in with him for availability.

Here are the first six propellers all finished up and ready to drop into the kit boxes.

[thor]

Thank you, Sam! This propeller is crafted specifically for the Blueback and is 1/96th scale.

[sam reichart]

Good looking prop for that boat. Hard to find good brass props anymore.

[thor]

Here are some photos of the prototype propeller for the Blueback kit. All brass and bored for a 1/8" shaft.

[donsrat]

Matt excellent work. Excellent detail always liked that boat.

[sam reichart]

Hey Sam. I've had really good luck with the Ron Perrott 70mm WTC (R&R Engineering). Ron has worked up a custom cylinder for the Blueback & Kilo kits. The craftsmanship is top notch!

I went ahead and posted up on the SubCommittee Facebook page about the model; the links to this set of posts, and to R&R’s site. Can’t wait to see the final model!

[thor]

Tom-Wow. Thanks so much!

[salmon]

An amazing sub, I have seen several Bluebacks run and they are truly fantastic. Matt, you have made this classic into a show piece. I know David Merriman did some amazing work on it, but I do not believe that got transferred to you, so you took it and made another great sub. Your hulls are amazing and the quality is not beaten by anyone. This is a hull to own.

[thor]

Thanks for the extremely kind words, Jeff! It means a lot coming from you!

[thor]

Hey Sam. I've had really good luck with the Ron Perrott 70mm WTC (R&R Engineering). Ron has worked up a custom cylinder for the Blueback & Kilo kits. The craftsmanship is top notch!

[jefftytoo]

This is the kit you want—either to add to your fleet if you’re an old salt, or ABSOLUTELY to start your fleet as a beginner. This boat was purpose-designed for beginners to radio-control submarining by Dave Manley back in the ‘90s. My own—purchased and built back then—still runs reliably and impressively today! She’s a simple design, rugged, dependable, easy to maintain and, quite unlike some beloved r/c boats, swims like a fish. She’s small and portable too: in a proper carry case, she can fly to sub events around the country. (Take it from someone who knows.) A big thank you to Matt Thor for bringing the opportunity of owning and running this superb boat to a new generation!

[sam reichart]

Hi Sam-Yes, there are 1/16" carbon fiber rods in the stern fins, 1/16" brass rods in the stern planes, & 3/32" brass rods in the rudders. This resin is pretty tough stuff. I think it will hold up very well.

The two 1/16" carbon fiber rods in the stern fins are used to align the appendages onto the hull properly. Once they are secured the carbon fiber rods in the open hull space are cut away to allow the controls and propeller shaft can be easily installed.

As I expected… engineered to last. Great stuff, Matt. The original Blueback from Dave was a super popular kit; I expect this iteration will be just as popular, if not more so.

What’s the recommendation for the ballast system?

[thor]

Hi Sam-Yes, there are 1/16" carbon fiber rods in the stern fins, 1/16" brass rods in the stern planes, & 3/32" brass rods in the rudders. This resin is pretty tough stuff. I think it will hold up very well.

The two 1/16" carbon fiber rods in the stern fins are used to align the appendages onto the hull properly. Once they are secured the carbon fiber rods in the open hull space are cut away to allow the controls and propeller shaft can be easily installed.