robbe U47 Static Dive Build

[magpie]

Hi guys.

I've done this on other forums, but you might like a look at my efforts here too. If not, let me know. I won't mind-really!!

I bought a robbe U47 kit and a few extra bits like a 750 engel tank -engel magnet switch-subtech leveler-modelbrass deck etc and I'm getting stuck into wacking it all together in a form that will hopefully float (and sink) one day. I'm new to subs as this is my first one. I've done lots of targets before but not subs. I find them addictive and since I started, I've fallen for them in a big way.:respect1:

I'll attach some pics of my progress up till now which is at the stage where the WTC is all done and the rear hull is glued on with the prop shafts in. I've modified the WTC seal arrangement too, by doing away with the front tube bolt and putting threaded rods at the top and bottom of the WTC and an alloy bracket that clamps the rear cover shut. I also used a preserving jar silicone seal instead of the O ring as it wouldn't seal well for me. The jar seal works well on testing in the bath and filling the ballast tank to beef up the pressure. I also mounted a servo under the sail with the wires fed through the rear cap via brass rods and soldered on in and outside and then sealed all over. It looks like it'll work alright. (Fore hydrovane servo). The brass deck plates are being attached with shock cord and will have indexing points made from bits of brass plate through ABS strips . I'v done the rear one and it looks OK. It should make opening them easy I think. I also added a (not scale) hatch to access the lower nut on the bracket as I want it to be easy and fun to use. There's a pic of my sub box on the car too. These subs are very long and I need room in the car for mum's electric wheelchair. I'm her carer as she's had a stroke and isn't mobile without it. She loves model boats too!

I hope I haven't posted too many pics.

I'll post more as I go.

Jason

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[Mankster]

Hi Jason, glad to see your on this forum as well. Here are some tips for your U47 - Pushrod bellows should be fine as they are (Engel do them that way), but are more leak free if you mount them on the inside on the bulkhead rather than out in a Positive pressure WTC (increase pressure will just collaspse the bellow rather than blowing through it). Rather than using oil tubes to waterproof your prop shafts, fit a Simmerring sealing ring to the end of the tubes in the WTC (or a Subtech type seal).

 

[Bunkerbarge]

Magpie,

Very interesting thread as I will be doing exactly the same project when I finish my steamer. (That'll be a couple of years yet though!)

I was looking at one only on Sunday from our boat club with exactly the same conversion but the biggest change was the fitting of the Accurate Armour Tower kit. That looks superb and is something you should be seriously thinking about.

Thanks for the pictures, I'll put a couple of external shots of the one I was looking at in the gallery so that you can see what a differrence the tower kit makes.

 

[magpie]

Thanks for that Mankster

Hi Jason, glad to see your on this forum as well. Here are some tips for your U47 -Thanks for that. I'll look into what I can do.

Jason

 

[magpie]

Magpie,Very interesting thread as I will be doing exactly the same project when I finish my steamer-

Thanks Matey!! (I like Popeye)

I'll have a look at that. I've spent a fair bit $1,700 AU so far on it so I do need to be a bit frugal.

Regards

Jason

 

[magpie]

Great looking Sub!!

Magpie,Very interesting thread as I will be doing exactly the same project when I finish my steamer-

I had a look.

That's a very nice U-boat!!!

I might lash out on one of those towers later on. The other detail work on it is terrific too. Very scale looking. The builder is good!

Jason:bravo:

 

[magpie]

More done

Hi all

I've done the rear dive planes and rudders etc and I'm nearly ready to attach the bow.

Jason

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[magpie]

All together now~

Hi guys & Gals

The bow went on permanently today with 3 hr epoxy. The bow planes are connected and all is working. I made a decision to lash out on a depth controller too, as I've spent so much on her, what's a bit more aye?

I want her to be a fun boat to handle and I'm told the subtech adc-1 is a good one so I'm getting it. She's now ready for the decks and tower etc.

Jason

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[Bunkerbarge]

Magpie,

You won't do much better than the Subtech stuff and it will make your sailing experience so much more enjoyable and considerably less stressfull!!

 

[magpie]

Thanks.

That's good to hear.

Jason

 

[Mankster]

Aye, I second that about the Subtech gear. Depending on when Piston tank and controller you got, Engel also do a depth controller that works when the boat is stationary (pumps water in and out to achieve the depth you set). This can be used in conjuction with the Subtech depth controller that works when the boat is moving. Once again, nice work!

 

[magpie]

Thanks for that!

Jason

 

[magpie]

Slight setback

My bow-hull joint developed a crack when I was sanding the glue and I re-did it and reinforced the top and bottom to make her strong. I used a ss rod bent into an s and sank it into the bottom joint with a groove dremmeled in. I then glassed it too. The top I did with strips of abs and lots of epoxy and an abs patch on top and more epoxy. I think it'll be strong now.

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[subman]

Hi Jason

I replaced the "Y" shaped plastic rudder support with a brass copy of same,as I smacked the bottom of our shallowish pond and the plastic just provided no real strength.

I lost a rudder and had to make a copy of the original one,otherwise it goes ok.

Subman

 

[Bunkerbarge]

If that lot doesn't hold it nothing will!

 

[magpie]

Hi JasonI replaced the "Y" shaped plastic rudder support with a brass copy of same,as I smacked the bottom of our shallowish pond and the plastic just provided no real strength.

I lost a rudder and had to make a copy of the original one,otherwise it goes ok.

Subman

Hi subman and welcome from me too!

I also replaced the weak little y bracket with brass from other forum users advice who had the same troubles. They are a flimsy little pice of work aye?!!

I like the overll design of the robbee u47, but they leave a lot of room for improvement. Keeps us thinking I guess! Maybe that was the plan. Who knows?

Enjoy

Jason

 

[magpie]

More detail work today

I put some more bits on today, including the hatches. The aft one has hinges now so I can get to the G spot with my engel magnet to turn the receiver on etc. I also did the brass plates on the sides of the tower and the ladders. My suntech depth control showed up too, so I have some more wiring to do there.

I'm having lots of fun with this build/assembly.

Jason

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[Bunkerbarge]

The brass work looks fantastic as does your soldered handrail. This is going to look superb when it gets painted.

Where did you get the turned scopes from?

 

[magpie]

They came with the robbe kit actually! Not bad aye?!!

Jason

 

[magpie]

More work

Hi guys

I did some work on the foredeck . I put an elastic fastener under the net cutter and an indexing rod to keep the front in place. I also put the saddle tank inspection plates on and flexi mounted the periscopes with thin cord type elastic going through eyes on the bottom of tubes. (see pic).

The scopes bend over if hit and when putting her in my roof top sub box on the car. It just clears to tower.

Jason

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