USS Blueback question

As-launched, the Barbel-class had hull-mounted fairwater planes which were hinged much like the WWII Gato sub's.   Later refits moved the planes to the sail.  This resulted in some physical changes to the sail configuration.  Which configuration will you do?

The Barbel was 218 feet and change.   The Skipjacks were 252 feet.  In 1:144 scale this is less than a quarter of an inch.   I wouldn't mess with it   Breadth difference is a couple feet, insignificant at scale

Even that Moebius model is a pretty penny.

If the hull is proportionally close to Skipjack, build one of those, modify the sail profile if needed, and call it a Barbel. Funny thing about modern submarines is that there aren't obvious scale clues.

EdGrune

The Barbel was 218 feet and change.   The Skipjacks were 252 feet.  In 1:144 scale this is less than a quarter of an inch.   I wouldn't mess with it   Breadth difference is a couple feet, insignificant at scale.

Ed, I think you missed a conversion. (Been there, done that, got the T-shirt in the wrong size!)

1/144 scale is 12 feet to the inch,  so a hull that is 34 feet longer would be almost 3 inches longer.  ( Just under a quarter of a foot, not inch.)

-Bill

Thanks everyone for the responses!

Yah, the Skipjack is pricy but still 1/3 the price of the R/C kit. Ideally I would like 

one around 12 Inches long.

I was thinking with the Skipjack I could just rescribe the sail hatches.

I would like to configure her as she is today, with the sail planes.

The 1/96th scale BLUEBACK was designed as a radio control model, so the kit includes the varios linkages for the control surfaces.  The 1/96th scale BLUEBACK is about 27.4" long and 3.6" beam.

The Moebius SKIPJACK is 1/72nd scale, and is 42.25" long and 5.4" beam.  

One of those Ukraine companies like Mir makes a small Skipjack at 1/350 which would be what about 8" long. But that's probably as close as you'll get to a foot long model, and they are not expensive.  Just doing math in my head, a 1/350 Skipjack would have to be shortened about a tenth of an foot. A little complicated because of the teardrop hull, but these things can be done.

mach71

Thanks everyone for the responses!

 

Yah, the Skipjack is pricy but still 1/3 the price of the R/C kit. Ideally I would like 

one around 12 Inches long.

 I was thinking with the Skipjack I could just rescribe the sail hatches.

 I would like to configure her as she is today, with the sail planes.

 

     The old Aurora Skipjack model was 13 inches long.  It is approx 1/230 scale.  That might get you the best option.   They are still around in the "used" market.  Monogram and Revell re-issued the kit awhile back.

   It has gotten a bit rare so prices are up but if it seems like a good option, maybe you can find some inexpensive model kit "Lots" or Glue-bombs of the Skipjack that could sufice for a USS Blueback, a Barbel Class Sub.

    The 13 inch Skipjack if used as the Blueback  would end up changing the scale to 1/200.  Nice.  That would give you a few other 1/200 scale subs to display with it. (Renwal SSBN's come to mind.)

   Nino

Excellent idea!

I'll start looking.

Thanks

EDIT:

I found a 1979 Monogram reissue. No scale is given, but its listed as the 13in length. 

$29 shipped. Not bad. 

Thanks again.

Mark

     Dig thru some posts on the Auroa kit from various forums.  I think you will find the Skipjack (and Blueback), require a more pointy Bow.  That would help the overall look for the "conversion" too.

  It is fortunate that the Skipjack was a longer and wider ship than Blueback as it makes for a closer match when using the old Aurora mold for a Barbel class Sub. You will have some work to do on the hull and Stern planes but just pretend it is 1/200 scale and the Blueback will be a perfect fit for the Skipjack hull.   Width will also be close too. 

   Good choice on your part thinking of the Skipjack class.

   Good work on finding that Monogram kit.

   And Good luck with the conversion.

        Nino

Thanks for everyones help.

Hopefully it will go together easily.

This arrived the other day.

There is a Group Build just starting on ships of the American flag. I decided to build the Blueback for it.

All of this is posted over there.

I made a quick research visit to the Blueback in Portland OR.

While there I picked up a copy of this book.

An interesting, if fast read.

The internet provided this.

The kit is very basic.

The kit comes with a nuclear reactor and a removable hatch to view it.

This needed to be glued in place.

The hull has a few fit issues, and the sail modification has started.

Whoa.... I've been using the 1/230 Revell Skipjack as my paint mule.  Not assembled just using the hull halves for testing.  I also sent two to tal-afar dave for his fornight addiction kid builds.  If this is anyone's must have I'd be happy to pack it up and ship - just need to strip the hull halfs - PM me.

To the OP - looks good!