Here is another 3D printed model submarine. This time it is the SSN 593 USS THRESHER. It is almost 67" long with an 8" beam. Printed out of ABS+ on my Ender 5+. So far it just has the first coat of primer on it. As a kid I came across a book in my school library about the tragic loss of the Thresher in April of 1963 and was fascinated by it. I always thought it would be cool to one day have an RC model of it but never really thought it would actually happen. The files for the sub were purchased from The Nautilus Drydocks and it took 4 spools of filament to make it so I have about $150 in it so far. The 5-blade propellor I designed myself but will likely end up using a brass 7-blade skew back prop on it instead. The "Puffs" hydrophones on the ends of the horizontal stern planes were designed and added by me because pictures of the wreckage show that it went down with them after having been added at the last minute prior to its final voyage. It could have gone down with the 5-blade prop as used on the Skipjack class which preceeded it or it could have also been outfitted with the quieter 7-blade prop after having previously undergone speed trials with the more efficient 5-blade. Originally the class would have been called Thresher after the lead boat but after it was lost the class was re-named Permit for the second boat in the class. Next I will sand and finish the hull while I continue to collect the running gear. I am doing something a little different with this boat because of my desire to experiment.
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Hey Steve, been trying to get ahold of you regarding that awesome Dauntless. Did you ever maiden it? Love the Thresher btw. I was a freshman in high school at the time but the whole JFK assasination thing took center stage. -
Looks Great Steve!
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The THRESHER is now complete. Because of the way I laid this one out it only took a few hours to get it perfectly trimmed out. Not days... I installed a 8.5' x 5' x 2' pool in my basement to allow me to keep trimming boats through the Winter. I couldn't be more pleased with how the pool works and how the THRESHER turned out. I hope to get some video of it running at the lake this weekend.
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SWEET!Comment
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Yes. Makes it very convenient for trimming subs. My above ground pool liner sprung a leak so I will address that in the Spring. Currently it is empty. Once the files are done, Enoch is wanting a 1/48th 3D printed Japanese I-400 which would make it 100" long and I am currently printing a 1/72nd Russian Typhoon which will be 96" long. The basement pool will accomodate them diagonally for trimming.Originally posted by James View PostComment
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