| Subman, Adz & Mankster
Actually I have both! The SWM (still in kit form) is much more sophisticated and detailed and I think will prove to be a very interesting project. There is no doubt that the North Seas models are very competitively priced and do come with their static dive components built in. All you need to do is fit the servos, battery, receiver, esc etc and ballast them. The ballasting has caused me some problems. Like rolling over on the first test and then proving difficult to keep vertical. This I put down to me - but the sail does make it a little top heavy. I have also had some difficulty with the pump and have replaced this (my Kilo was s/h). I also replaced the rudder with a brass one as the original (ABS) onewas merely glued to its pivot and in my opinion was susceptible to damage. The thin perspex covers for the WTC and tank were also replaced by aluminium ones - mainly because I cracked the originals by over tightening. Ham fistedness again! I am certain that I'll get it right in the end though.
The SWM Kilo is a different kettle of fish - all the parts are beautifully finished and it uses a completely different system to surface. The tank is first filled with airbrush propellant and when this is released by 1 of 2 eccentric cams the ballast water is dispelled forcing the sub to surface. The tank holds enough propellant for 6 surfaces apparently. The model does come at a price though!
Andrew |