New on the block.

Hello all,

I am returning to modeling after many years lay off. I have had to stop working for health problems but remain active and have mainly water related hobbies. Have flow planes but most of my experience is in model boating building from scratch making my own hulls from fiberglass, which I think may come in handy. I have spent the last few days reading all I can find on the web and this is one of the few sites not out of date or even looking abandoned - where has everybody gone

I am thinking of scratch building a 1/100 typhoon as a long term project and could get the plug and first hull for about £60. This will keep me busy on familiar ground for a good while I ponder and research diving systems.

If any one is active building or sailing subs in or around Liverpool or Manchester I would welcome some contact

Regards
Bernard

Hi Bernard,

Welcome to the forum, I am also just cutting my teeth in submarines after many years in Fast electric and scale boats, it will make a change to actually enjoy sinking a model.

Kevin

Hi Kevin

Thank for the welcome. I used to sink models but sadly these were planes as our flying field was just by the river. Nerver sunk a model boat but have got one stuck on the weather map in the Albert Dock, Liverpool.


Bernard

If you are looking for information on Ballast systems there is some good information on the website, if you haven't already seen it.

http://associationofmodelsubmariners.com/

Welcome Bernard.

Did you manage the Model Boat convention at Haydock Park over the weekend.
I noticed your joining date and put two and two together (probably 5 with my maths)
The AMS stand was well stocked and manned, Two Demonstrations and general sailing.
All in All a great weekend.

For your interest, the next Local (ish) Sub meeting is at Barrow (Courtesy of the Furness model boat club)
on 6th Sept. probably 1.5 to 2 hours run up the M6 but always an excellent day.

Hi John

I live very close to where the convention is held and I missed it due to other commitments - Did I say I have perfect timing. I did make it last year and it was that that started me thinking about getting back into modeling. I did build a Darnell S type when it was still owned by Darnell, if that gives you a clue how long i have been doing this and now work is behind me I think I will be doing a lot more.

Thanks for the info regarding the next meeting it is something I would normally try to attend but in keeping with my perfect timing I am away on holiday next week - such is life.

I was thinking of jumping in with both feet and scratch building a Typhoon but after reading the excellent account of one of the members building a Skipjack I am not too sure what I would like to do first as that grabbed my imagination.

Very early days and my mind is racing with options.

Regard
Bernard

Hi Bernard, Welcome!

Do I take it that you are thinking of making grp hulls too?

If so how about choosing a sub that is seldom modelled? Plenty of gaps to choose from - WW1 British for example.

David

Hi David,

I used to make all my own hulls and found it easy to make a reasonable plug, make a female mold and make as many boats as I wanted. This was in the good old days when you could turn up at Glassplies and get a heep of stuff for cash. I almost died last time I went up there and looked at what Health and Safety regs had done to them - and the cost of the stuff was ridiculous. I think I will be limiting my grp work to simplistic male reproductions with additional detail added in polystyrene sheet.

I used to have John Lambert's complete set of early British submarine drawings but lost these in a house fire about 15 years ago. I seem to remember that even when you had a decent profile and elevation much was left to guess work as much of the line drawing details need to make a plug were missing. I would never say never and if I could find some good clear drawings, or if someone had a model that was too heavy to sail, I may give it a go.

Regards
Bernard