SubRon6 - Fleet

The SubRon6 Fleet

U.S.S. Blueback

Tim Smalley

The Small World Models USS Blueback is a neat little model and super manueverable!

2003 T.M. Smalley

The Blueback is the easiest model sub to trim that I have ever built.

2003 T.M. Smalley

It's tight turning radius makes the Blueback a great sub to run in swimming pools.

2003 T.M. Smalley

U.S.S. Blueback rises to periscope depth.

2003 T.M. Smalley

1:96 USS Blueback from Small World Models - Tim Smalley

I bought this kit on Ebay (from Dean Naib) mostly completed and have had as much fun with it as a pool sub as I have sailing it in lakes. It's tight turning radius makes it a perfect pool sub and its small size makes it an easy model to travel with on a plane or cramped car.

I have retrofitted the boat with a new motor I got from Dave Manley (Small World Models - the Mfg of this kit) into it which has increased speed and operating time to at least 40 minutes. The problem is that I no longer have room for the APC leveling device since the motor is now out in the clear area of the WTC.

I have had a recurring leakage problem - nothing serious but after 30 minutes run time I probably dump about a quarter of a teaspoon of water out of it. I have checked the seals several times but to no avail. I have tapped a hole into the clear part of the WTC to apply some pressure to the hull with a piece of modle airplane fuel hose. I will then hold the WTC underwater and using some fuel line, and try blowing into the tube to see if any air bubbles come out of the O-ring seals or other through hull fittings.

More to come!