View Single Post
Old 29-10-2005   #5 (permalink)
Bunkerbarge
Moderator
 
Bunkerbarge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Halifax, Yorks: Nassau, Bahama's:Port Canaveral, USA: and all points in between.
Real Name: Richard
My Models: Robbe U-47, Deans Marine Cossack, Steam Coaster, Revell U-Boat, Motorcycles.
Visit Bunkerbarge's Gallery
Posts: 3,804
Images: 230
Smile

If this is your first submarine kit I would strongly recommend that you stay with the kit batteries. You can fit anything you want but reballasting a sub if you have never done it before takes a bit of getting your head around.

A ship has to sit in the water at the correct attitude and be stable, which is a function of the difference between the centre of bouyancy and the centre of gravity. That is pretty straightforward, all you need is a bath and some weights.

A sub has to have this trim and stability at whatever depth it is at, so ballasting when on the surface may not match the requirements when submerged. Get it wrong at depth and the boat may change trim and end up surfacing or, worse, diving. I am not saying it is too difficult but to prevent unecessary headaches I would suggest you fit the Robbe batteries for now and experiment at a later date when you have gained experience and confidence.

Coming along nicely though, I look forward to the sea trials! Don't forget there are only two types of water craft, Submarines and targets!!
Bunkerbarge is offline   Reply With Quote