Jump to content

1/350 USS Tunny SSG


Recommended Posts

Following Ken/Flankerman's suggestion to my inquiry regarding what I should do with the Regulus equipment out of my 1/350 USS Hallibut (I'll do the Special Ops version), I've embarked on modeling the USS Tunny SSG:

477617973.jpg

I'm using Onshape software; it's a good excuse to learn the software. So I've a AFV Club Guppy IB on order, and I've taken to grabbing some dimensions off my Guppy II, the upper deck is nearly identical, but for details. So I've embarked on the 3D modeling I'll utilize my Shapeways shop to print it out when complete:
USSTunnyConversion2.JPG

So I've a question to the audience: anyone come across detailed shots of the inside of the Regulus hangar? I've done Google, trying a number of different ways, but haven't come across anything useful. The details I've currently placed are fictitious. At 1/350 scale, not a whole lot can be seen, but this hangar is much larger in diameter than the SEAL DDS I've been doing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't recall where I found it, but during my searches for photos of USS Tunny I found this image........

uss%20tunny%20hangar.jpg

I've since searched for 'Regulus Missile' - but cannot locate the same photo - so apologies if I'm breaking any copyright rules posting it here.

Hope it helps Woodstock74....

Ken

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Ken, just a curiosity, what Guppy IB kit did you use as it looks different to the AFV Club version? Or did you modify the limber holes? Or use a GATO hull with IB conning tower?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking at the pictures of the USS Tunny, the limber holes look more like AFV's Gato 1942 hull's:

10129980a.jpg

So got one of those on order now. I'll have a small Guppy/Gato fleet before this is all done...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Woodstock74.......

I used the AFV Club Gato-class 1943 hull - with the sail from the AFV Club 'USN Guppy 1B Class Sub'.

It probably isn't 100% accurate - and nowhere near as good or as well detailed as yours will be.

Ken

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well we'll see; depends on the printability in the chosen material. Could end up too pricey, and then that would mean a major retool (would have to print some pieces in cheaper material, more detailed section in the finer, more expensive material, reworking the entire CAD model in the process).

More work last night and this morning:

USSTunnyConversion4.JPG

My 1942 GATO will be here on Monday. When that arrives I'll begin deconstruction and at that point start confirming dimensions back to the CAD model.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Couple more. In some ways I've taken some risks without having the base model in hand, and I'm not skilled enough CAD-side to draw it such that I can easily mod it, however that's half of why I do it this way (as opposed to traditional model making). Just part of the learning process.

USSTunnyConversion5.JPG

USSTunnyConversion6.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well my Gato arrived, but it has the upper hull and sprues for AFV3509, the 1941 kit, not AFV3510, the 1942 kit, while being boxed, and with the instructions for the 1942 kit. Ugh.

Looking at the Tunny and you can pretty clearly see the double set of limber holes at the front of the hull. The 1941 Gato doesn't have those, the 1942 Gato does. So I've now ordered yet ANOTHER Gato, hopefully the correct one this time. But it just delays things another 7-10 days. Annoying.

I'm not usually overly plussed about accuracy, but regarding the hull it just is too easy to get the correct one in this case. As long as they send me the correct one...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

More accurate images means some retooling to the hangar (hatch and hinge detail). The conning tower will need tweaking as well. Though I've noted at least 3 iterations, I'll need to choose one I suppose.

USSTunnyConversion10.JPG

Edited by Woodstock74
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting!

I pretty much got burned out doing 3D modeling, because of how difficult it is to find proper scale drawings. The fun part is that you can model in every nut and bolt if desired. :)


What is the purpose of making this CAD model?

3D printing?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Finalizing details like the extra sonar domes, etc., you'll need:

USSTunnyConversion11.JPG

Next will be to clarify the conning tower and then jab a sprue from it to the hull section. Hope to send this to the printer by mid-week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nearing completion. Need to figure out what I'm going to do about periscopes, snorkels, and the like. If I pilfer them out of the AFV kit, then I can't build that up as-is. But there are diameter limitations to the printing, and not sure I can print them. Need to figure that out.

USSTunnyConversion13.JPG

Edited by Woodstock74
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks great woodstock! One idea for the periscopes might be to build around stock brass rod perhaps? Are you planning on printing with Shapeways' Extreme detail plastic?

I'm looking forward to seeing this come together.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks great woodstock! One idea for the periscopes might be to build around stock brass rod perhaps? Are you planning on printing with Shapeways' Extreme detail plastic?

I'm looking forward to seeing this come together.

Yes, Frosted Detail Plastic, the Extreme Detail didn't realistically offer any benefits that I could utilize other than increased cost. Yes, it does offer better resolution, but it's also approaching double the price per cubic cm. I might offer it as an option though. Depends on what my test print determines.

The main issue with the periscopes, now that I've thought about it, is the lack of a snorkel in the 1942 Gato kit. I mean regardless you're never going to be building the 1942 kit because my conversion steals the upper and lower hull. So I need to inventory what the 1942 kit comes with and then inventory what is needed, and create the difference. In the case of the snorkel, now that I look at it, it isn't necessarily the diameter of the tubes, but the delicate features of the induction unit at the top of the mast. I'll see what I can do this evening after work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...