Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => The Floaty GB June 1 - Aug 31 => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on March 04, 2013, 03:44:50 AM
-
The 1920s and 1930s were a time of great innovation, especially for the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. The Navy sought to apply all the lessons learned in the Great War and many prototype subs were build, SSX 13 1/2 the U.S.S. Crappie among them.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_001.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_002.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_003.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_004.jpg)
One great innovation was adding bow planes. This began when the Chief of Submarines, a native of Brooklyn, New York, ordered that the new boat be "A submarine with a purpose!" Due to his thick accent, this was mis-interpreted as the Admiral wanting a boat that would porpoise. And porpoise the SSX 13 1/2 did until the bow planes were added.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_005.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_008.jpg)
Christened the U.S.S. Crappie, the new sub passed all trials and spent the next 7 years involved in fleet problems with the Pacific fleet. Employing advanced trigonometry, the Crappie never failed to out-wit its opponents.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_007.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_006.jpg)
When war came in 1941, the U.S.S. Crappie further distinguished itself by transporting key war materiel (strawberries) to the minesweeper U.S.S. Caine DMS-18 thus preventing a mutiny.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_009.jpg)
The U.S.S. Crappie was stricken off charge and scrapped at the end of the war in 1945.
Brian da Basher
-
After finishing up a large project, I was looking for a quick build. I took a dive into my spares and found a float left over from a seaplane. It seemed ripe to be turned into a submarine.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_prog005.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_prog001.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_prog002.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_prog003.jpg)
A cut-down conning tower topped with half of a bomb was added and crowned with a sanded down fairing for the sail. A rudder was made from the tip of an airplane tail and the bow planes were swiped from a Han class sub kit (I think). The drive shafts and fairings were more left-over parts and I found some nice brass photo-etched props to complete the build.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_prog004.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_prog006.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_prog007.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_prog008.jpg)
The model is brush-painted by hand with acrylics. I started this Friday night and finished it late last night. I had a blast with this little submarine and I hope it inspires others to join in the fun!
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/USS%20Crappie/USSCrappie_0010.jpg)
Brian da Basher
-
You are off to a fast start for all things floaty.
Very resourceful pontoon based build. :-*
Use of those propellers must have helped performance comparred to other subs of the time.
Distinguished service record too.....
-
Great looking little submarine you have created Brian. Glad to see you exploring other themes where spats would seem to be out of place :)
-
Great job....
-
Nice!!!! Love the Caine Mutiny reference ;D You did it again man. Now we'll be expecting about 10 more outta yas before the end since you're just so darn fast ;)
You've got me thinking now, we've all talked about doing a Drop Tank GB but how about a Float GB? Just thinking out loud.
-
:)