Subman

subman · 24-02-2006

Hi All

Has anyone purchased/built one of the North Seas Fleet subs.

If so any thoughts etc?

Subman

**Bunkerbarge** · 24-02-2006

Hi Subman,

Rather than have you think you are being ignored frstly I would like to welcome you to the forum and hope that you enjoy your time here.

I personally do not have any experience with these subs but, hopefully, someone from our vast membership will be able to give you a bit of an idea.

subman · 24-02-2006

Hi Bunkerbarge(I won't ask)?

They just seem to good to have not been widely noticed yet?

I use to own a cycle/modelshop back when rates & rent were sensible,but unfortunately the London mob took over the shopping centre and multiplied my rent "x 5" ouch!( the manager of the D#####O Pizza place two doors away from my shop said they were having to pay the same rent as their shop in Oxford St London!!
They also wanted money for the security patrols £2000.00 pa(even though I was actually outside the centre on the main road) que!

But to the comments on model shops,we still seem to be a cottage industry in the UK, which is why I like to go to Dortmund etc. and see how the big boys PLAY & PAY with their toys!

Many thanks for welcome

adzam · 24-02-2006

hi subman, welcome to the forum,

i beleive AJG141 has a north seas fleet kilo sub, he would be the best person to speak to, i`m sure there`s no problem in sending him a PM

Adz..

Mankster · 24-02-2006

Hi Subman, I don't have a Nothernfleet sub but have eyeballed their Kilo Class. For the less than half the price of a Sheerline they are very good value. Down side is a lack of detailing, scribe lines, hatches etc, though I guess you could add that yourself. They work on the same ballast principle, but the dive unit is built in and not removable. Sacle appearance wise I guess it is the same as the Sheerline Akula without the detail.
Oh and welcome!

Mankster · 24-02-2006

Adz, I thought AJG141 had a SWM Kilo? Its far more accurate and detailed.

ajg141 · 24-02-2006

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

Mankster · 24-02-2006

Hi Andrew, the Kilo I saw had a lot of foam, so I think he had the same stability problems as you. Try adding lead as low down as you can get it and counter balance by adding foam just below the water line. Yes those SWM boats are a treat, I have the Trenchant myself, though its still in its box.

ajg141 · 24-02-2006

Thanks for the info Mankster. I have foam in mine too - but I suspect it needs to be re-positioned. I also had to make an access hatch to get at the rear dive-plane/rudder linkages as 1 came adrift. I'll get back to it when the Akula & Typhoon builds are complete. Almost there though! How's your Typhoon coming on?

Andrew

Mankster · 24-02-2006

My Typhoon just needs trimming and painting. The problem is that it won't fit in the bath. So I am thinking of getting one of those small portable outdoor pools from Argos or somewhere, but that will have to wait till the summer.