Screw Loose

Well this is my first time on this site and the first time I have put a thread up before so here goes ......

As of now I am impatiently waiting on the latest distraction to my better half's clean and tidy house, the Engel Typhoon !

Now this not being the first one she is getting a little but curious to why I have turned the house into one giant Shipyard, with currently 2 submarines, 2 warships and remote controlled planes dotted around the place.

My 2 previous subs were the Robbe U47, which I would recomend to anyone who is interested in subs. But just to fit extra details on it with the brass decking and sail that is available. A really good fun model, apart from when you loose concentration and bury it in the sticky mud at the bottom of the lake !! That water sorts the men from the not men any more catergory !
And my second and latest one was a Royal Navy WW2 T class long range patrol sub. A Metcalf mouldings hull, but with my own dive systems added instead of the air bag system. Home made Solenoid and high pressure air and venting system added. More hassle but far better in the water.

But not learning any lessons previous I have went in with both feet with another submarine.

Now I have already seen other posts on here with the history of the Akulas/Typhoons so not going down that road again, but it has been interesting reading other members info about them.

But one thing I would like to add was the fact that the Typhoons were amazing boats, designed to be at sea for far longer periods than NATO boats, sometimes apparently for up to 10 months where supplies allowed. And apart from the way the tanks are vented, Russian ones being relatively low pressure with Kingston valves etc, they are a different beast to NATO boats.

Apparently the biggest concern for Western allies was the fact that most of our Torpedoes were inefective against the Typhoons. That specially designed inner pressure hull was made damned well and of Titanium I believe. Thats why some western Torpedoes now have DU ( depleted Urnaium ) warheads on them. Lets hope no one needs to test that theory!!

But back to the Model, I intend to keep a track of my progress in the build hopefully start to finish on here and illustrated with good pictures. So now I just have to wait for that courier with the rather large boxes to arrive !!!!

Screw Loose

Well the boat has finally arrived. After what seemed like weeks it has finally turned up. And I really feel for the courier, those boxes are heavy and awkward.




My first impressions of the kit are very good. All the colmponents and hull etc are VERY well packed and insulated.

The kit and compnents themselves look to be very well designed and well made. The piston tanks are very impressive and well enginered. All Engels electronics are made by a fellow called Norbert Bruggen. Now those of you like me who have been into this for a while will know that he has wrote a few books, like "Model Submarine technology". Which is comprehensive to say the least.

The hull and planes etc look very well made, well scribed and finished. I have had a few kits a lot worse than this one. And they even but in the resins and filler etc. Even the differences in the gel coat finish seem to be very slight.



So here goes into the building.

Screw Loose

Now I have been on for the last 2 days or so cutting out the vent holes in the outer hull.

Now its at these times I remember why submarine building can be a pain in the backside. There are approx 100 slots to cut out. Now if your particularly anal like me and like all edges perfect and corners at right angles, this can be a nuissance.

I went to RS and bought a new set of Diamond tipped Minature files, a new 120mm long 4.5mm drill bit and new bits for the Dremmel, and went to work.

I would NEVER start this job without a dremel. I done 5 slots with just a drill and hand files. I reakon on taking 10mins per slot with hand tools, or 3 mins with a dremel. No question !

But after 2 days one side of slots are cut out and the forward planes are done.


And in close


Well back to the filing and finishing.

tag

Thanks for the post
Looks like a tedious job chopping out all those holes I never fancied a sub till I saw a large scale SeaView but unfortunatly out of my price range keep the pics comming please

__________________
Kind Regards Tony

Oh God How I hate Talented people its just not fair

Mankster

Ahh.... remember that feeling well, opening up the the contents of the Typhoon kit for the first time and laying it all out. Looks like your well on your way already, I detailed most of the tricky bits on my build thread, but if you need any specific help just ask.

Screw Loose

Thanks for the offer, I am sure it will come in handy some time.

Was going great today, opened up the Starboard vent holes, drilled them out, ground them out with the dremel, and got the needle file out, and after the second one the thing snapped. Back to RS for another one, or 2 maybe!

Has anyone out there found the dust off the hull etc ( GRP ? ) to be a damned nuisance? I am sure its making my arms itch !!!!!!!

ajg141

The dust certainly made me itch and there were white footprints throughout the garage and house much to swmbo's disgust! The needle file story brings back memories too. I do reckon filing all those holes was the most tedious part and that the rest of the build will be much more enjoyable. Do enjoy getting those front planes to work though - see Mankster's comments in his thread. I really must get started working on them again.

Andrew

Bluewavestudios

Ah....The Dremel.......I certainly wouldn't be without one of these now...fantastic tool for this very type of Job as you have found out yourself.....saves a lot of time !!

Yes I have had same problems with that sort of dust too when cutting Fibreglass Fuselages for R/C Helicopters. It does get everywhere and does make you itch. I would certainly recommend a dust mask for cutting this sort of stuff as imagine what that stuff will do to your lungs if you inhale it as well.

Apart from that, This sub is looking good, Keep us posted.

Regards........Mark.

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I'm Only Here Coz I'm Not All There !!!

Screw Loose

I cant imagine being without one now. I made a royal Navy T Class Sub a while ago and there was over 750 cut outs and holes on it. I went through 5-3mm drill bits and 2 files for the dremel.

Talk about a headache otherwise.

Screw Loose

After cutting out all these little holes I think most tasks on the boat are more enjoyable

And less chance of my better half complaining about me trailing dust throughout the entire house. No sense of humour women.

Paul