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Dive! Dive! Dive! Take her down!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in command of a submarine? To drive your boat on and below the surface of the waters? You aren't alone. There are a lot of people that feel the same way and have become part of the hobby of radio controlled (R/C) submarines. This hobby can provide a way of becoming the captain of your own submarine. If you have a similar interest, then we would like to share with you some information about R/C submarines and a great submarine-focused organization called 'The SubCommittee'.

How does the model get the radio signal when it's underwater?


Photo by Antoine Lenormand

   We aren't worried about the technical details. We do know the radio signal penetrates fresh water, as deep as most people are willing to take their boats. Heavy chlorine content in a swimming pool will limit the signal depth depending on signal strength and frequency.

Salt water is pretty well impenetrable given the typical low power and relatively high-frequency of the R/C units. Crafty sub modelers have figured out ways to run their boats in salt water by allowing the radio receiver's antenna to remain above the surface.

How do you see the sub or tell what it's doing?

In murky water, we sub drivers spend a lot of time at periscope depth and on the surface, with short, shallow dives. In clear water, especially where you can see the bottom, the models look great underwater. Unlike a "target" (surface boat in sub-speak), subs offer that important 3rd dimension to give some extra excitement. There are also electronic and mechanical devices available from several manufacturers to help your model maintain depth and trim (tilt or level of the sub.)

How much do they cost?

How much do you want to spend? A basic, complete beginner sub starts around $200 and is designed for the backyard pool. Kits for more functionally capable sub begin around US$350. For a kit sub, you'll also need radio, batteries, speed control, paint, adhesives, and any accessories that you may want. Figure on $700 - $800 by the time you have your sub in the water. Large scale sub kits can cost as much as $1,500 without radio, but remember, the real things start at about half a billion and go up from there. So model subs are a pretty good value!

How do you keep the water out?


Photo by Tim Smalley

   Model subs, just like the real ones, have a water-tight and pressure resistant compartment (pressure hull) where all the stuff that hates water (motor, radio, etc.) lives. The parts of the model that don't have to be dry are free-flooding, with holes or slots to allow the water in and out. Of course, you need to get inside the pressure hull for assembly and servicing. Plus, the mechanical connections to operate the rudders and diving planes need to get out. These openings in the pressure hull are typically sealed with o-rings and gaskets. Some models use custom-fitted hand built pressure hulls, but nowadays a lot of hobbyists use commercially available, manufactured units called WTCs or Water Tight Cylinders.

How do they go under water?

There are two basic ways that model subs dive: dynamic and static. Dynamic boats dive by the user of forward motion and angle on the diving planes. When the model stops, the boat floats back to the surface, which can be a decided advantage when there is a failure of the battery or other equipment! The disadvantage is that the speed required to submerge, is much faster than scale (realistic speed).

Static divers actually take water into compartments called ballast tanks to increase their weight or reduce their buoyancy. They are just like the above described dynamic models only much easier to control under water: The model can dive at a slower, more scale speed. Many static boats can take on enough water to allow them to sink statically, without forward motion and actually hover at a fixed depth!

OK, now the boat is sinking, how does it come back up?

Sinking is such an ugly word! We prefer to say "diving," thank you. With a dynamic diver, you reduce the throttle and/or elevate the dive planes. As the model slows, it will rise or by elevating the planes the boat surface due to the motion of the water! Static boats either pump the water out of the ballast tanks, or blow it out with some form of compressed gas.

How deep can they go?

In fresh water, the depth is limited by the strength of the pressure hull and the operator's nerves. Typically, most model subs never get below 10-15 feet. Certainly some models have gone much deeper than this.

Torpedoes?
Absolutely! But unarmed of course. Larger model subs launch torpedoes AND missiles using the same sort of compressed gas that blows the model submarine's ballast tanks.

What happens if it doesn't come back up?


Photo by Deep Sea Designs

   Many model subs have fail-safe systems incorporated into their construction. These can range from sophisticated electronic devices that actuate an emergency ballast system to mechanical weights that are dropped to allow the boat to float to the surface. Otherwise, you either go swimming or hire a diver.

How fast do they go?

Most will move along at about walking speed, with some of the smaller modern shapes getting close to 10mph.

Are they hard to build?

It depends on your level of involvement. They are not so much hard to build, as they can be time consuming. If you have basic mechanical skills, a lot of patience, and a willingness to learn, there are plenty of model subs that you can successfully build and operate. For those with modeling experience (either rail, plastic, or R/C), model subs can be an exciting new element in your hobby.

How long does it take to build one?

Some of the entry-level subs can be built in as little as a weekend. For the larger sub kits, the amount of time is somewhat up to you. Like in any hobby, there are some model submariners that are totally psyched! It is possible to spend several thousand hours building an exquisitely detailed early sub or a fully functional modern sub with many operating features. How much time you want to spend building a sub is up to you… model subs are a hobby after, you build them instead of watching television or mowing the lawn!

How long do they last?

This is one of the neat things about model subs. Unlike R/C airplanes, which can suffer major damage or the complete destruction (called "re-kitting" by our friends in the R/C airplane crowd) after a crash, if your sub sinks it is still in one piece. You just have to find it. With proper maintenance it is not unusual to have a sub last 10-15 years. Besides, model subs are never really finished! There is always some room for improvement or modification.

How do I get started?


www.SubCommittee.com

   The first thing you HAVE to do if you are interested in the radio controlled submarine hobby is to the join The SubCommittee. This is a not-for-profit worldwide organization of model submarine enthusiasts. We have a 72-page magazine, published quarterly, that will ease you entry into the hobby and answer many commonly asked questions you may have.

We also have a great website at www.SubCommittee.com. This web site's message board is THE best place to ask questions about getting started in model submarines. The SubCommittee web site also has lots of photos and information submitted by members that show R/C submarines in action and how to build them.

There is also a 'vendor section' that can help you locate kits, parts and other items useful in the hobby of R/C submarines.

Next, join a local chapter of the SubCommittee. You will find that members of the SubCommittee are always eager and willing to share their experiences in building and running R/C submarines. Participating in a local chapter is a great way to make new friends and to see R/C submarines in action.

Then join a LOCAL club of scale electric boat modelers. Even if there aren't any submarine builders in the local club, there are certainly experts in every part of model boat building from fiberglass work to painting and detailing.

And finally; go out and buy a kit and join the ever-swelling ranks of:

"The Few, The Proud, The Submerged!"

* taken from a SubCommittee brochure © 2000. Original text and layout by T.M Smalley.
Copyright © 2010 SubRon6
Midwest Regional Chapter of The SubCommittee
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