1/35th, 66" long Disney Nautilus

[RCjetdude]

I just scored a very rare (no longer made and just a few left in the world) 1/35th replica of the iconic Nautilus from the 1954 Disney movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The boat is 66" long and comes with a detailed wheel house, lights and photo etched deck grating. I will be rigging it for RC. I loved the movie as a kid and still do. This has been on my bucket list for a very long time so I am super stoked! It needs some minor TLC but overall is in really good condition. More photos to come once I have possession of it.

[Twowingtj]

Awesome score Steve! This is one that Bancroft ought to remake in a modernized version.

[Beeg]

Pretty cool...

[RCjetdude]

Its a big boat! This has been a dream of mine since I first saw the movie as a kid. When one recently showed up for sale on the Nautilus Drydocks I pounced! I am so stoked! It arrived with some minor shipping damage, nothing too bad. Upon initial inspection it was apparent it needed some TLC. I pulled the rakers off and the interior bulkheads out first thing. Reworked the ram based on how Bob did it on the 1/77th build, the rudder needed to be slightly shortened and the vertical fin straightened a bit. The breather vents were glued down but I have since reworked them to open and close. The biggest challenge was the fit of the top and bottom halves. There was some pretty serious warping going on. To correct it I added some brass alignment tabs to the top half and then did some serious bondo work to fill the worst of the gaps. A heat gun helped a lot too. I cleaned up the inside with a Dremel sanding drum and removed a lot of mold flashing that was on it and wherever I did some fill work I had to come back and add the rivets that got sanded off. It looks so much better now. I have the ballast tanks and one of the water tight boxes already. Most of the remaining parts have been ordered. Once I get the parts to redo the propeller pitch movement I will be able to put the rakers back on it. I plan to rework it the way Bob did the 1/77th. Going to put a brushless system in it and a modular sub system.. This thing is crazy detailed and is going to be so awesome when finished. I found out a little of this boats history. Apparently it was run over by a UPS truck and repaired by the guy responsible for making Spock's ears and the creatures in Gostbusters. He sailed it for years as his own personal boat.

[Alpha]

I love seeing when two RC worlds collide! Of all the people who I know would be an ideal steward of Bob Martin's Nautilus, it's you, Steve. I don't know if even he fully realizes how good a home his sub has found itself in.

[Twowingtj]

An amazing find! Excellent restoration and upgrades Steve!

[OV10]

Who'da ever thought that the JetDude would have "BubbleHead" blood in his veins
With all the great things you got going with modeling Steve, how the heck do ya actually have time to earn a living

[RCjetdude]

Who'da ever thought that the JetDude would have "BubbleHead" blood in his veins
With all the great things you got going with modeling Steve, how the heck do ya actually have time to earn a living

Well rounded

[RCjetdude]

Got the rakers back on it. It's looking much better.

[Prowler901]

That is absolutely amazing! I'm so jealous too. It has always been a favorite of mine. And, as Alpha said, I can't think of anyone better suited to bring her to life. I follow along eagerly.

[RCjetdude]

A video on this boat. Getting ready for primer.

[RCSubGuy]

Awesome video! And thanks for the shoutout. This boat has come to a great home and I'm anxious to see her back in the water where she belongs!

Bob Martin
the RCSubGuy

[RCjetdude]

Awesome video! And thanks for the shoutout. This boat has come to a great home and I'm anxious to see her back in the water where she belongs!

Bob Martin
the RCSubGuy

Hello Bob and welcome to HobbySquawk! I will be posting more on it as well over on the sub forum too. Thank you for all your hard work to help promote the RC Sub hobby. I would really like to grow interest in subs and draw more young people to them. They are fascinating!

[RCjetdude]

Rustoleum Venetian Bronze base coat going on. It's looking good. I spent a lot of time fixing rivets.

[Merry Boozer RC]

Steve you are still the master! This thing is absolutely amazing I can’t wait to see this thing finished. That being said i still want your last sub project sense you obviously don’t need it anymore 🤪

[RCjetdude]

Now to accent the panel lines and rivets then rust it up a bit. It's turning out really good so far.

[Merry Boozer RC]

RCjetdude gosh that’s sexy Steve man I can’t wait to see this one in real life. I think we need to see this on the show brother let’s make it happen

[James]

When you rig it up for RC, it will just drive on top of the water yes? Not submerge?

Now you have to get George to work on a replica Disney ride so we can put a go pro in a bottom window

[Merry Boozer RC]

James Disney sea still has a ride of it check out some videos on it looks 🥜

[Twowingtj]

RCjetdude Looking good! If you keep this up, you'll have to change your user name to "RCwetdude"