Russian Kilo submarine

ajg141 · 30-04-2006

This is a Small World Models kit of the Russian Kilo diesel attack submarine. The dive system is controlled by 2 rotary valves that allow water to fill the ballast tank to submerge and when the command to surface is given, gas from a holding tank forces the water back out. Tank testing will hopefully take place this coming week.

Andrew

**rjwood_uk** · 01-05-2006

very nice, was it pre-built or have you made it?

..if so what a brilliant spray job you have done!!!

let us know how the test dives go. get a video up if pos!

alan_b · 01-05-2006

Nice sub Andrew
How is the "big" sub coming along?
Will catch up with you on Sunday

Alan

Mankster · 01-05-2006

Hi Andrew, that looks rather nice all painted up. Are those draft markings dry transfer or stick on? Yes let us know how the ballasting comes along. Kilo's love to roll so keep centre of gravity as low as possible and centre of buoyancy high. As it only has a small lower rudder, you can help the turning radius by moving the CG futher back, if your running her in a small pond. I always find painting and ballasting the most satisfying parts of a build. How controlable is the gas ballast system? Can you release small amounts of gas at a time to control your depth; do you have to trim it so that it is at neutral buoyancy with the ballast tank full of water?

magpie · 01-05-2006

Hi guys
Here's a link to the build of this kit. The first one by Dave Merriman.
http://www.subpirates.com/viewtopic.php?t=32

And here's a video incase you haven't already seen it, of a Washington with the same WTC and ballast system by Dave Welch. It handles very well!
http://www.sneill.com/wtc/wtc.wmv
Sorry to drop in, but these might answer some questions for you guys if you haven't seen them before.
Jason

Mankster · 01-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by magpie

Hi guys
Here's a link to the build of this kit. The first one by Dave Merriman.
http://www.subpirates.com/viewtopic.php?t=32

Jason

Jason, Andrews got the larger SWM1/96 Kilo there, still the Trumpeter Kilo that Dave's converting is rather nice. What exact is your avatar of?

I've seen it in various guises in the different forums we frequent!

ajg141 · 01-05-2006

Many thanks for the kind words guys - especially about the painting. If you could see some of my previous efforts you would know why I appreciate that so much! There's obviously a lot to be said for Halford's acrylic spray. The lining, depth marks and flag are from http://www.modelflags.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/home.html. Ordered via the internet and received 48 hrs later - couldn't get better service. The kit was bought on e-bay and had been started but had the odd part was missing so some fabrication was called for. The manufacturer is Small World Models http://home.san.rr.com/swm/ and is to 1/96th scale. In my opinion this is a super moulding with very clean hull markings. Goes together well with not too much effort.
As Mankster says the ballasting and test dives will take a little care to get it right. My earlier attempt at a Kilo (not an SWM kit) certainly rolled - a great deal! I don't think this one will be as bad as the drive battery is very low in the hull and the topside weight is a great deal less. I think it will be possible to only blow part of the ballast as the valve control is proportional - time will tell! See picture.
Meanwhile the Typhoon is languishing again with the front dive plane retract system in bits as the micro switches used to limit the travel are playing up. One of these days I'll get it all to work right - and then I'll be wondering what to do with my spare time! Almost forgot - I've got one of Norbert Bruggen's UB10s to get started on next.

Andrew

magpie · 02-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mankster

Jason, . What exact is your avatar of?

I've seen it in various guises in the different forums we frequent!

Sorry I was out on the Kilo. Dave (D&E Miniatures) makes so many kits it's hard to keep up. Wrong seller. I'm a dill!

Re the avatar- It's the magpie I put on some of my boats "Magpie Yachts". That actual one is a photo cut out of a figure that drives my ski boat.
See pic

ajg141 · 17-05-2006

After several days of testing in the bath I think I'm getting there! As Mankster hinted it rolled on its side on the first immersion and even when propped upright was also sitting far too high in the water. The solution was to gradually add pieces of lead sheet below the WTC and in the bow and stern until it sat vertical and a bit lower. There was a problem in finding an adaptor to connect the airbrush propellant can to the tyre valve on the gas tank but SubTech http://www.rcmodelsubs.com/acatalog/sitemap.html came up trumps with a supply can adapter. Ordered it and received it in 48 hours!
Another challenge came on the next test when the thing proved quite happy to submerge - but wouldn't blow its tanks. Two days later and after much fiddling with the valve timing it's now working fine I'm glad to say. Submerges and pops back up quite happily. Now I'm about to fix the ballast in permanently and do some more tests to ensure 100% integrity before venturing to our pond with it. Pictures will follow.
As an interesting interlude I've also spent 2 mornings ballasting out a Sheerline Akula belonging to a friend. It works too now! Let's just hope the first sea trials of both subs aren't too eventful.

Andrew

petesubman · 18-05-2006

Hi Andy, like the new boat, how many kilo,s have you got now, i got your email, have you started ub1 yet, i got a type 2 sheerline, very nice kit, regards Pete