Revell 1/72 Gato Radio Controlled

[U812]

First new sub of the year for me. She was sent to me by a good Friend and fellow bubble head. Included was a WTC or water tight cylinder which I converted from a gas type to RCABS. Which means, Recirculating Compressed Air Ballast System.

What this does is take the air inside the sealed cylinder, pumped to a bladder in the ballast section and inflates it. This pushes all the water out to sea from that section. This creates a vacuum in the cylinder. A servo activates the pump by hitting a switch in one direction. While moving it in the opposite direction it opens a valve allowing the air in the bladder to escape back into the lexan WTC deflating the bladder.

I use this system on all my subs and it is most reliable. Plus there's not need to worry about how much gas you have to dive and surface. As long as you have batteries you can dive and surface unlimited.

Waiting for the paint and clear coat to dry a few days. Then I'll trim her in the pool and test her extensively before I take her to the lake.

It's amazing how big these boats were compared to the type 7.

Steve

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/gato/P1030027.jpg

Here's the coverted WTC.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/gato/IMG_1414.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/gato/IMG_1416.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/gato/P1030059.jpg

Beginning work on the scum line.

[U812]

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/gato/IMG_1418.jpg

Here she is next to my 1/72 Type 7. Also RC.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/gato/IMG_1424.jpg

And here's the Gato next to my 1/72 Flower Class Corvette. Also RC.


Steve

[Siara]

Super cool stuff! :o
That U-552 looks fantastic.:up:

[nikimcbee]

How hard was that flower to convert to RC? I'd love to do that.:hmmm:

[U812]

Siara,

Thanks very much. I wish I had put the time in her that you have with your build. Not to mention the after market pieces you used. Most of those items were not available yet when mine was purchased the first week they were on the market.

It was always intended to me Rc as well so keeping the deck light and other items were neccesary. She has been running for nearly five years now. Some of the weathering you see is actual.

I have to say though, being a professional modeler or being any kind of modeler, that the work you have done on yours is stunning and most accurate to say the least. First rate. You know your stuff.

Steve

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/type%207/IMG_6093.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/type%207/d.jpg

[nikimcbee]

How much does it cost to convert a sub like that?

[U812]

The Flower is easy to Rc. It was the build that took the longest time with all those parts. Here's mine and a buddies on patrol together.

Steve

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/flower%20class/res047.jpg

[nikimcbee]

The Flower is easy to Rc. It was the build that took the longest time with all those parts. Here's mine and a buddies on patrol together.

Steve

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/flower%20class/res047.jpg

Nice!:yeah: Where did you order the parts to convert it?:06:

[U812]

Just a 30 amp ESC, SP380 motor geared 3:1, one servo and a brass prop from Dumas.

You can order this stuff on line. there are many sources. A google search will find you everything. I use a 2000 mah 6 cell Nimh battery. Very common. I could use Lipo but you'll need the ballast.

Here's some pictures of the set up.

Steve

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/flower%20class/8.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/flower%20class/4.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/flower%20class/2.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/flower%20class/15.jpg

[Siara]

Super. Its so easy, i will make one myself one day. Lets make step further, and design good RC model.:hmmm:

[Sailor Steve]

U812, they not only sail but they look great as well. Usually it's one or the other.

Great job(s)!:rock:

[ReallyDedPoet]

Wow, very nice stuff there :yep::up:

[U812]

Gentlemen thank you. I have this thing where I just have to make them function. I even made the tiny 1/144 Liberty ship RC.

Siara I love your 552 site. Very nice! The work that you and your friends are doing inspires me so. Thank you.

Not too long ago I got this 1/24 scale Jagdpanther. I RCed that as well. Just such a fun thing to do. History come alive.

Visit my website to see more although i haven't uploaded everything as of yet but I'm working on it.

Steve

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/7-2.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/res016.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/tanks/Jag-outdoor_2.jpg

[U812]

BTW here's the Gato during Pool trials.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/gato/IMG_1680.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/U-812/gato/IMG_1672.jpg

I was going to post the video as well but it appears the server is down.

Steve

[Weiss Pinguin]

Very cool. :yeah:

[U812]

Thanks!

Steve

[Bartolomeus]

Great stuff!! Nice submarines!

Marko

[U812]

Thank you. I enjoyed your site and your 3D modeling.

To see more of my work please visit my web sites I also do 3D and CGI.

Steve

www.sneillfx.com (http://www.sneillfx.com)

www.foofightersmovie.com (http://www.foofightersmovie.com)

[Task Force]

Great stuff.:up: Ive always wanted a RC like that.:yep:

[joegrundman]

What sort of range do the radio signals have underwater?

[U812]

Generally we never dive further than we can see out boats from the surface.

About 2-4 foot in clear lakes. In pools I have dived to a depth of 8 foot. But I'm told that the range is a great deal more than that. I've heard 100 foot or more.

We run fail safes. If the boat has signal loss the fail safe blows ballast and up they come.

Steve

[XLjedi]

That reminds me, I've had the parts for making one of these Revell VIIC RC's just sitting around my house for at least 2 years now.

Could I persuade you to give me a few pointers on how to go about drilling and setting up that WTC? I'd be thrilled just to get the WTC and electronics operational.

[U812]

It's not that hard and his CD makes it very clear. You just need a drill press and some basic tools and its an easy build. If you get stuck email me and I can help you over the bumps.

Mine has worked well for years.

Steve

[XLjedi]

Alright then, I'll hunt down that CD and look over the stuff again. I think I got my WTC from the same guy you did; he sold me the air bladder and pump too.

What I don't have presently is a good drill press. Is there one you'd recommend?
...or any other equipment/tools you think would make my life easier?

Do you happen to use one of those electronic depth stabilizers?

[U812]

No you don't need one to run the boat. A pitch controller is nice though for holding a nice stead keel at Periscope depth but not needed if you have a steady hand. All it is, is a pitch gyro of sorts.

Drill press. Go to sears and get a reasonably price model. That's what I did. A nice craftsman. It will last for years and it your clever you can use it as a sort of mill too.

Dave Welch is my good friend and makes good cylinder kits. Also try joining SubPirates. or www.subpirates.com (http://www.subpirates.com) I created the place but no longer own it. It's run by my good friend Matt Thor who makes some of the finest kits on the market.

I'm there and there's lots of other qualified people there who will help you hand over foot. It cost 20 a year but well worth it for the information and support you get.

Steve

[nikimcbee]

bump:|\\

[Gargamel]

bump:|\\

Random Bump nite Mcbee?

good threads though....

[Castout]

Nice models!

You have built many I wanted myself especially the Flower and Gato.

[nikimcbee]

Random Bump nite Mcbee?

good threads though....

nah, I'm working on a r/c project, and I'd love to this model rc.

reference bump:know: