Calling all Skipjack-class (SSN-585) fans!

[john53]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum but here goes, I was given the old Revell 1/230 Skipjack sub, built it years ago and it is definitely lacking especially the prop. Where can I get a after market prop to replace the kit one, looks like the one on my dads old Evinrude
outboard. Thanks---John

[Tom Dougherty]

You can get a correct J-type 7 bladed propeller from
http://smsm.ipower.com//msm/

The original Skipjack propeller was a five "fan" blade installation, but was switched to a 7 blade scimitar propeller when the acoustic problems associated with "blade rate" were discovered. Blade rate noise (due to propeller vibration as each blade enters and exits the wake of the rudder and stern plane control surfaces) was low frequency, and hence carried for great distances underwater in the deep sound channel. Propellers were redesigned to blades that entered the disturbed regions more gently as part of the solution.

[Tracy White]

Skipjack Class Resources:
Gallery Models

1/228
* USS Scamp SSN-588 (Revell) by Gregory Greene
* USS Skipjack SSN-585 (Revell) by Tracy White
* USS Skipjack SSN-585 (Aurora) by Ken Hart
* USS Skipjack SSN 585 and USS Scorpion SSN 589 by Paul Helfrich
* 1/230 USS Skipjack SSN-585 (Revell) by Chris Bloswick

1/350
* USS Skipjack SSN-585 (Yankee Modelworks) by Ken Kissner
* 1/350 USS Sculpin SSN-590 (Yankee Modelworks) by Ron Smith

1/700
* 1/700 USS Skipjack SSN-585 (JAG) By Vladimir Yakubov
* 1/700 USS Shark SSN-591 (JAG) By Vladimir Yakubov

Websites:
http://www.ussskipjack.org/
Navsource Nuclear Powered Attack Submarines Index
USS Scorpion SSN-589 - NHHC

[herrmill]

There is a new 1:72 styrene kit due to arrive on the market before Christmas. Can't say anymore than that but it will make an impressive model & should be an easy RC conversion using the kit & SubDriver� David Merriman plans to release through Caswell.

http://forum.sub-driver.com/showthread. ... -scale-WOW!

[Tom Dougherty]

There is a new 1:72 styrene kit due to arrive on the market before Christmas. Can't say anymore than that but it will make an impressive model & should be an easy RC conversion using the kit & SubDriver� David Merriman plans to release through Caswell.

The thread link is from 2008. Are you certain a new kit is coming?

[herrmill]

Yes, 100% certain. I would presume those attending the iHobby Expo next week may get to see it in person.

[kazzer]

Pictures posted here ---

http://forum.sub-driver.com/showthread. ... 1%21%21%21

[Tracy White]

Too bad you have to be a registered user to see them....

[Timmy C]

The video was good though!

[Tracy White]

Agreed; I already wanted two before seeing it; one for static and one for RC. Now, as to where I'll have ROOM for them......

[Timmy C]

Pah, it's not like it's an Ohio or anything...

[kazzer]

Too bad you have to be a registered user to see them....

Try this slideshow --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM9zIxBiWhQ

and many more on caswellsubs at youtube

[herrmill]

Here you go Tracy.



I have photos from David before the mock up went to Chicago but won't post online. Lets just say its looks quite good & I have to say thanks to both David & Moebius for believing in another large scale plastic sub kit.

[aurora-7]

Sportiest looking submarine class in service, ever.

[Walt]

Sportiest looking submarine class in service, ever.

Yup.. Very fast, and unfortunitly very loud and shallow runners..
The 598 Boomer class were all Skipjacks cut in half w/missle silos attached etc. When the 601 retired as a SSBN it was used as a SSN due in no short order because of it's speed and Torpedo capabilities. THe 601 was on of my old Boats.

[herrmill]

Moebus is running behind on their release but it expected to come out over the next few months.

Some of the ideas being floated about for a follow up sound intriguing, assuming, of course, the Skipjack does well.

[Tom Dougherty]

The 598 Boomer class were all Skipjacks cut in half w/missle silos attached etc.

Yep, you can find this "fact" all over the internet, and like many internet "facts", it has become an urban myth. The truth is less dramatic.

The original attack submarine Scorpion was laid down at Electric Boat on Nov. 1, 1957. Just 8 weeks later, Dec. 31, 1957, it was reordered as the SSBN 598 George Washington. Many long lead items intended for the original Scorpion found their way onto the Washington, so it was possible to find parts engraved with "SSN589" on the GW. Other Skipjack class SSN subs "donated" items to the higher priority Polaris program, so in some cases the first five boats (Washington class) had Skipjack class sub components with markings as such. But the idea that almost complete submarine hulls were cut in half on the ways to insert missile sections just isn't true. The Scorpion was later reordered as a Skipjack SSN to be built at EB, and tragically lost in 1968.

Here's a reference (Cold Wars Submarines- Norman Polmar & K.J. Moore) to that effect (right hand part of the page):
http://books.google.com/books?id=U86giz ... lf&f=false

The Washington class was hurried into production when in 1957, in light of the new Soviet R-7 (and the launch of Sputnik by that booster), the Polaris program was accelerated and a 1200 nm range for the initial A-1 missile was deemed acceptable (the original goal had been 1500 nm). The IOC date went from the mid-1960's to 1960, and submarines to carry the missile were needed on short notice. The Washington class design underwent modifications (sail, rudder and planes, hydraulic actuators, stabilizing gyroscope, etc.) from the Skipjack design. The missile compartment was slightly larger in diameter than the hull, and was faired in assymetrically, with the "bulge" at the top of the missile compartment, hidden and streamlined by the turtleback. The five GWs shared the noise characteristics and 700 ft test depth of the Skipjack class. On her first patrol, the SOSUS network tracked the Washington across the Atlantic.

The next class of SSBNs, designated SCB 180 (and there were several subsequent improved classes) were larger, took full advantage of HY-80 steel for a 400 meter test depth, and had rafted propulsion spaces to reduce radiated propulsion train noise. They had 4 torpedo tubes vs. the 6 of the Washington class. These were designed as SSBNs from the beginning, and were much more suited to the mission role.

[herrmill]

Won't be long now, folks!

More photos & details of the test shot can be seen on Caswell's S-D forum.

http://forum.sub-driver.com/showthread. ... -scale-WOW!

[Walt]

The 598 Boomer class were all Skipjacks cut in half w/missle silos attached etc.

Yep, you can find this "fact" all over the internet, and like many internet "facts", it has become an urban myth. The truth is less dramatic.

The original attack submarine Scorpion was laid down at Electric Boat on Nov. 1, 1957. Just 8 weeks later, Dec. 31, 1957, it was reordered as the SSBN 598 George Washington. Many long lead items intended for the original Scorpion found their way onto the Washington, so it was possible to find parts engraved with "SSN589" on the GW. Other Skipjack class SSN subs "donated" items to the higher priority Polaris program, so in some cases the first five boats (Washington class) had Skipjack class sub components with markings as such. But the idea that almost complete submarine hulls were cut in half on the ways to insert missile sections just isn't true. The Scorpion was later reordered as a Skipjack SSN to be built at EB, and tragically lost in 1968.

Here's a reference (Cold Wars Submarines- Norman Polmar & K.J. Moore) to that effect (right hand part of the page):
http://books.google.com/books?id=U86giz ... lf&f=false

The Washington class was hurried into production when in 1957, in light of the new Soviet R-7 (and the launch of Sputnik by that booster), the Polaris program was accelerated and a 1200 nm range for the initial A-1 missile was deemed acceptable (the original goal had been 1500 nm). The IOC date went from the mid-1960's to 1960, and submarines to carry the missile were needed on short notice. The Washington class design underwent modifications (sail, rudder and planes, hydraulic actuators, stabilizing gyroscope, etc.) from the Skipjack design. The missile compartment was slightly larger in diameter than the hull, and was faired in assymetrically, with the "bulge" at the top of the missile compartment, hidden and streamlined by the turtleback. The five GWs shared the noise characteristics and 700 ft test depth of the Skipjack class. On her first patrol, the SOSUS network tracked the Washington across the Atlantic.

The next class of SSBNs, designated SCB 180 (and there were several subsequent improved classes) were larger, took full advantage of HY-80 steel for a 400 meter test depth, and had rafted propulsion spaces to reduce radiated propulsion train noise. They had 4 torpedo tubes vs. the 6 of the Washington class. These were designed as SSBNs from the beginning, and were much more suited to the mission role.

Well actually it's not such an urban myth.. I should have been more precise especially as The 601 was my 2nd Boat. Every Boat in the 598 class were in fact "Planned, drew up, as Skipjacks and were Named For Fish. If my memory serves me right the 601 (Robert E Lee) was originally the Shark. What actually happened was the design was "Halved" on the drawing boards and a 16 silo missle section as well as firecontrol/Nav center and ballast compensators etc. added. Essentially the 598s were in fact Skipjacts with a missle section. The 598s retained the Skipjack offensive capability as well as their Hot Rod performance...The legend " A Skipjack cut in half with a missle section added" more than likely started with the Submariners explaining this new design way back when.
The 608/616 were purpose build launcher platforms with the improvements you mentioned especially in FireControl and Sonar and designed for the later Polaris A3s and new Torpedo systems and upgrade to Posidens in later refits..Bigger slower and much more roomier than the 598s..The 640s were much more refined boats.. I rode the 616 and she was a much bigger boat inside and out than the 601 was.. Then theres the Ohios and thats another topic for sure..

As a footnote ..The 598s were so "Hot" that while outbound for Patrol The "Ivan" "AGIs and trailing Attack Boats ( usually Romeos or Foxtrots The Novembers aka Glow Boats were usually in the shop) would just disappear in our baffles when the Skipper said "Let's Fly".. The Soviet Navy had nothing at the time that could stay with us...

[DanCinSD]

The April Fine Scale Modeler rag has an ad for the USS Skipjack on Pg 8.
Skill level 3, availiable June 2012 at a SRP of $119.99.
I'll be getting at least one.
Thank you for all involved in this and Moebius Models!