Calling all Seawolf-class (SSN-21) fans

[Charlestonguy]

I know this is an old thread but I just started building the Trump 1/144 kit and found the hull to be an absolute mess. For such a simple kit the fit is beyond belief.

I found where some builders use braces, but in my first attempt they seem cause more problems along the sides than they fixed.

Question is would filling the cavity with plaster be better or not?

[Navy2000]

Does any know if the 3 sonar panels are spaced out equaly along the hull? I am wanting to build a radio controlled model and just trying to find some info about the sonar pannels along the hull.

Duane

[Tom Dougherty]

Yes they are. These are the Wide Aperture Arrays (WAA), with the data handled by the advanced BSY-2 system. These are "descendants" of the old PUFFs arrays that were on the shark-like fins on the decks of several Guppy submarines as well as the SSN Tullibee. The time of arrival of a passive sonar contact at the three arrays can give a bearing to the emitting source. Sound travels much faster through water (exact speed depends on salinity, temperature and pressure), and the three arrays can discriminate time of arrival and derive a bearing, the accuracy of which depends on the range.

When the Carter (SSN-23) was built with the added 100 foot section, the WAA had to be spaced evenly over the lengthened hull.

If you are doing an R/C model, be sure to check out the SubCommittee site.

[Navy2000]

Thanks Tom

I have been doing a lot of research on this. About ready to get started on the cutting and joining of the two hulls to make one for the SSN 23.

Duane

[Woodstock74]

I'm contemplating making this utilizing Bronco's Seawolf. Best as I can tell is the Jimmy Carter is approximately 100 feet longer than the standard Seawolf class. So 453' vs 353'. That's a pretty massive SSN and should be interesting. Do we know of any other differences? And where can one assume the extra length was added, aft of the sail perhaps? Doesn't seem to be much information about the boat.

[Vepr157]

Other than the "spec-ops" section aft of the sail, she's the same as the other Seawolfs. This is a drawing I made a while ago that's approximately accurate:

http://i.imgur.com/iePN1Rj.png

[merriman]

................

[Kagou]

I'm contemplating making this utilizing Bronco's Seawolf.

Hi Guys

SSN 23 in progress with 2 Bronco's Seawolf 1/350 .




only a black primer
to be continued

[navydavesof]

I'm contemplating making this utilizing Bronco's Seawolf.

Hi Guys

SSN 23 in progress with 2 Bronco's Seawolf 1/350 .




only a black primer
to be continued

Super cool project! I know it's been a while, but did you ever have more progress? I'm going to be embarking on a similar sub-lengthening project as soon as some materials arrive. One thing I am curious about is, how did you keep the parts straight when lengthening it?

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

how did you keep the parts straight when lengthening it?

By inserting an inner tube, fitting snugly inside the hull and of sufficient length (ca 4 inches longer than the actual extension) to support the outer hull so that it's straight.

Also, you might roll on several layers of plastic card onto this inner tube, to make the extension part, instead of cutting up a second kit for that. Saves some money...

[navydavesof]

how did you keep the parts straight when lengthening it?

By inserting an inner tube, fitting snugly inside the hull and of sufficient length (ca 4 inches longer than the actual extension) to support the outer hull so that it's straight.

Also, you might roll on several layers of plastic card onto this inner tube, to make the extension part, instead of cutting up a second kit for that. Saves some money...

Thanks, mate! I have 2 Typhoons on the way for this build regardless. I will be carefully cutting the bow off the one and fitting an inner rolled plastic card so the pieces mate up and have a good glue surface. The cutting of both hulls will be the difficult and precise part for sure!

In fact, I just received my first 1/350 Hobby Boss Typhoon today. It is VERY impressive. I am going to have a great time making a standard Typhoon and the Red October

Thanks most for TimmyC for posting the pictures of the Typhoon underway!

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

Another point: I found Bronco's sonar array panels (3 on either side) way too shallow, and they shouldn't have a curved surface following the hull curve. I used a coarse fie to make them flat, then added .040 plastic card and faired these in with putty. I think Hobby Boss' Virginia class captured these much better, so I used those as an example.

[Kagou]

Super cool project! I know it's been a while, but did you ever have more progress? I'm going to be embarking on a similar sub-lengthening project as soon as some materials arrive. One thing I am curious about is, how did you keep the parts straight when lengthening it?

Hi

Sorry for delay of my answer

Here are some steps of my carter's build (very simple method) maybe it can help you:







after paint:



the final result:







With SSN 21 Seawolf :



Now I'm starting a similar project : USS Parche SSN 683 with 2 Mikromir Sturgeon long hull

Cheers

pierre

[Woodstock74]

Seawolf class' pumpjet impeller turns RH (when looking from the rear), correct? Just seen a couple of builds (a 1/144 Trumpeter static and an RC build) and it would seem in both cases they have the impeller turning opposite Western sub standard.

[Vepr157]

Seawolf class' pumpjet impeller turns RH (when looking from the rear), correct? Just seen a couple of builds (a 1/144 Trumpeter static and an RC build) and it would seem in both cases they have the impeller turning opposite Western sub standard.

I would assume the rotor is RH, but of course the design is classified and the only public information I have ever seen on the Seawolf pumpjet is that it has stators fore and aft of the rotor (unlike most which have just a single stator).

Jacob

[Woodstock74]

As I had fowled the Virginia class thread with snap shots of my Seawolf work, I figured I should port it over here and give a small update.

The work on the pumpjet continues, and I've begun some test prints (though don't have any images of those as of yet):









And I've also begun test printing the revise bow and bow sonar I've been working on for a while:

[Vepr157]

The bow arrays look awesome, nice work!

Idk if you've seen these photos, but they show some details that the photo of the test array doesn't (note the additional structural member on the centerline, above the passive array):

http://www.bmgindia.com/files/Ears%20he ... 0water.pdf

Jacob

[ssn705]

Awesome work. Now everyone can do a Connecticut model.

Seriously though, that is some great work.

Dave

[Tom Dougherty]

The photo of the SSN 21 bow sonar sphere might help as well. The individual transducers have been installed in the holes that receive them.

[Woodstock74]

Small update on the bow sonar. Not sure how the cage hydrophone array will print, will sort that this weekend: