The Ship Model Forum

For those who may have been following the related thread on the main forum, we've had a small cadre of RC sub enthusiasts who have been asking for a 1/72 Foxtrot. After several false starts, I am happy to report that this new kit is a go with expected delivery in the first quarter of 2010 with Rick Palumbo of RPM Tech handling the build. You can see more of his work at: http://www.rpmtech1blog.com

This Foxtrot will be a true dead-on 1/72 scale & come with detail not normally seen in GRP kits such as oil canning, plate deformation & those gnarly welds Soviet subs were known for. Resin, aluminum, brass & photo etch details parts will be included with the kit. A 2.5" WTC with dual piston ballast system will be offered separately.

Here are the initial photos from Rick's work over the past week since starting the project to show that Project 641 is proceeding full ahead. He discovered that the working plans included in our file contained a few inaccuracies when compared to the reference photos, with the worst problems found in the stern sectionals.

More to come in a few days.









Here are a couple more photos showing corrections to the hull master.





Here's an update from this past weekend's work. The cradle the plug is sitting in is from Rick's earlier Kilo build that is now in production.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Rick sent in several test shots as he starts on the hull plating & oil canning.

Once again these are initial test shots to get an idea on how best to replicate the actual plating of the Foxtrot. Final detail photos will be forthcoming once he is satisfied with the look.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Photos of the final stern shape before plating.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Boy, does this guy work fast!

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Here are a couple shots of the tower in progress.

Note the large torpedo behind the Foxtrot in the 2nd photo. Rick's also been working on a 1/6 Neger kit that will be coming out shortly. Imagine the possibilities with a torpedo in that scale...

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

That chair really puts things into perspective!

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De quoi s'agit-il?

Rick sent me some photos over the weekend of his Neger which I'll put up on another thread to keep this one OT.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Here are some new photos showing recent progress on the Foxtrot. More detailing remains to be done including seams, rivits & oil canning.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Most impressed... The plating has really made the model huge difference...

Cant wait to see it after rivets, oilcanning and seams... Perhaps you could also explain the method for making them...

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NIKOS (NICK)
ΜΕΓΑ ΤΟ ΤΗΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΣ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ
(GREAT IS THE NATION THAT MASTERS THE SEAS)

Regarding the methods Rick is using, I'd suggest contacting him directly via his blog or website for more details.

Here is the tower with the exhaust and running lights added.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Rick's in the final stretch before making a mold this week.

Here are some examples of "oil canning" done to the hull. Frame stations seen under the skin from bouncing up against the pier, wave action, etc...

We're seeking consensus now from those interested in the kit if this this nasty enough looking like a Fox during its mid-career stage. Since this is an "open-source project", any & all input is certainly welcome.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Ricks's put this baby to bed & started with the hull mold today.

Won't be long, boys, before we have ourselves a Foxtrot kit!!!

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Hull molds are done & production's about to start for those who placed a deposit on the kit once the initial build is complete. Props have been outsourced to David Merriman to speed up production & first glimpse of David's work looks fantastic!

Gantu sent us some new photos for reference on detailing the Foxtrot. For those not on the distribution list send me a PM with your email & I'll be happy to forward the 70+ photos & drawings that I received.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Here are photos of the prop work that's underway by the master himself.

Masts, scopes & other fittings will are soon to follow.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

WOW!


That image of the bow oil-canningon the real ship ....

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p292 ... ott_78.jpg


is very impressive--you will be able to recreate that?

I want to see the progress..
JIM B

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....I buy them at three times the speed I build 'em.... will I live long enough to empty my stash...?
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

IPMS UK SIG (special interest group) www.finewaterline.com

Jim,

Rick has decided to detail the master to reflect the appearance of a mid-to-late boat & didn't want to take it "over the top" as that one photo shows. After polling everyone on the Foxtrot mailing list, we felt it best to leave the real gnarly detailing to those who purchase the kit.

David will be sending over photos of his work on the masts & scopes in the next few days after having just completed a new working torpedo system that will fit this & other 1/72 subs.

Chuck

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Here are a few photos of David's work on the masters for the Foxtrot masts.

You can read David's "cabel report" on the original build thread over at RCG: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthre ... 097&page=8

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

More photos from Mr. Meriman of the radar mast. Not bad, eh?

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Aside from the photo etch decks & vents & the fittings Dave's currently working, the Foxtrot is essentially done.

Here are a couple photos of the buoys Rick sent late last week.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

To update you folks on the 1/72 Foxtrot kit, Rick has been waiting on photo etch from one of his sub-vendors & David's fittings to complete the kit.

As some of you may already know, David is buried up to his neck in torpedo kit production for Caswell while Rick's busy with a half-scale V2 rocket project for a well-known aerospace museum. I've heard rumors of a hit being placed on the PE source, but those are strictly unsubstantiated & cannot be confirmed at press time.

Stay tuned... its coming, boys.

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"China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte