As if I don't have enough projects - 1/76th Ohio'ish sub

[RCjetdude]

I have always liked the Ohio class subs so decided to try my hand at something that is a total hybrid. I never intended this to be completly scale but just close. Based on a piece of 6" schedule 40 PVC pipe it nets out at a little under 7-1/2' long. I designed and 3D printed the nose, tail cone and deck sections out of PETG. I will be making silicone molds to cast the stern control surfaces and fairwater planes out of resin while the deck to hull transitions and sail will be epoxy fiberglass. My intention is to install a modular sub system on a slide out tray of G10 with the bow and stern being removable. In the end it is a big experiment.

[Prowler901]

Scale or not, she looks pretty darn good to me. That is some very impressive work!

[RCjetdude]

Latest update. Getting ready to start molding. I have decided to make the sail, missle deck, tail cone and nose cone out of epoxy fuberglass. All of the control surfaces will be cast in resin from silicone molds. I also purchased a nifty 7 blade scimitar propeller file that I 3D printed in ABS, filled with Rage Evercoat bondo and sprayed with high fill polyurethane primer. It too will be silicone molded and cast in resin. I hope to have it ready for Subfest 2020 in Cohutta, GA September 18-20.

[Alpha]

Gosh, that Ohio is mighty purdy Incorporating the PVC is top notch efficiency in design, too.

[RCjetdude]

This is really a POC project and to help me learn better molding materials and practices. The PVC helps to minimize the up front costs until the next project which will likely be a much more accurate 1/72nd scale Ohio class sub. That would give it a 7" beam and be 93" long. A little bigger than this one. I will be 3D printing the hull for that project to make the various plugs for molding it in fiberglass.

[RCjetdude]

Progress on the Ohio... The 3rd pic shows the missile deck sitting on a length of 6" PVC pipe split along its length. It will provide for a flange on the fiberglass mold for the part. Next up will be to add some minor missile hatch detail to the deck. Nothing fancy, just adding some hatch shaped pieces of aluminum tape. Then I will be working on the silicone molds for the control surfaces. I have everything I need to rig this boat for running and am shooting to have it ready for trials by SubFest, Sept. 18-20 in Cohutta, GA. :notes:I like big boats and I cannot lie... :notes:

[TiredIronGRB]

You'll make it!

[RCjetdude]

Got down to my buddy Darrell's place and began the process of molding the bow and stern cones, missile deck and sail. All of the control surfaces have now been cast in resin. I made silicone mods from Oomoo 30 then cast the parts out of Onyx fast resin. They turned out good. Darrell is finishing up the fiberglass molds and will hopefully lay up some parts later this week. While I am waiting on the fiberglass parts I will work on the running gear. I need to print some brackets and put the water tight box together. Still plenty to do before the regatta next month.

[RCjetdude]

Molds are done now. Time to lay up some parts.

[Elbee]

Molds are done now. Time to lay up some parts.

RCJD, Are those galv-tubes the HVAC for the Sub? Now that's realism. Lookin' good, Sir. Best, LB

[RCjetdude]

Been awhile since I updated on this one but I am back on it. Fiberglass parts have been made. I had to make some changes to the missile deck to make it narrower and be higher by angling the forward and aft transitions down just a little. I then got the stern control surfaces installed as well as the fairwater planes. I need to design and 3D print some spacer rings for the hull section but so far it is looking pretty good.

[Prowler901]

That looks great! You, sir, are an excellent modeler.

[Alpha]

Is your 7B screw completely 3D printed? How did you mount it onto the drive shaft? Did you epoxy in a threaded insert? Or?

[RCjetdude]

That blade is 3D printed. Wrong rotation so I have another more accurate brass one in the works. I have not yet secured it to the drive shaft. Right now just a slip fit.

[RCjetdude]

Got me a proper propeller from the Prop Shop in the UK. Its a beauty! 4" in diameter and the right rotation.

[RRHandy]

Nice.

[RCjetdude]

More progress. The hull is basically done except for some minor details and fill work. The missile deck and hatch are secured as well as the sail. Next up will be running gear. I am giving my 3D printer plenty to do and it has been a huge asset on this project which is turning out great! More to come...

[Prowler901]

Outstanding and inspiring work. 👍

[RCjetdude]

Getting ready to gut it....those are 10' long 2x4's.


High fill primer is on...


It barely fits vertically in my basement.

[James]

Unbelievable Steve! What an absolute unit that hull is