The launching of the USS Puffer (SS-268) diorama COMPLETE.

"I’m calling it “The launching of the USS Puffer"

Hmmm....

The "Yellow Submarine Operating Launch Car", well it looks puffed up. 

The Manitowoc 28 were all side launched into the river.  The ManShipCo. built and launched all of their ships with the bow pointing up river.  Tradition or historical rumor was that ships launched with their bows facing up river always returned home.  The maximum angle of heel was 48 degrees. 

A good book on the sublect is: Fresh Water SUBMARINES, The Manitowoc Story by Rear Admiral William T. Nelson, USN (Ret.)

An interesting USCG side note is that the USCGC TAMARACK (WAGL248), also built at ManShipCo,  was outfitted with a submarine rescue bell and additional air compressors; she was used as a submarine rescue vessel.

Another interesting diorama idea would be the sub loaded on the floating drydock, on it's journey between Lockport, IL., and New Orleans.  Two different tow boats were used for the trip.  Due to piloting errors or cross winds, there were several times that the bow of the sub was several yards into a cornfield.

Wonder if any VIPs got clonked by those beams!

I’m super psyched to get started on this. I believe I’ll put glue to plastic tonight.
Thank you everyone for your confidence.

Alright sir, I'm here and ready to learn. This is going to be an amazing dio. Your water builds just keep getting better, better and more indepth. The sheet of clear plastic your going to use to create the splashing effect. You know what....I am not going to ask the question I had on my mind. I am just going to sit back and be amazed. I really hope you enjoy the build. I'm here until she is done.

Hello!

I sure would like to see you work on this - I always wanted to make a dio of a Vietnam river boat in a high speed pass, and your techniques could help me do just that...

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

I just pulled the Puffer out of the hat because of the launching date (early enough to justify the 1941 fitting to match the kit) and interesting launching style. I always do some research on my build subject and I found that the boat does have a tie to me. It was sold for scrap on the day I was born, Dec 3 1960. HA, now how about that?

hogfanfs

Steve,

This will be epic! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

 

X2.....Got the chips, dip, cola and Jack out for this one

Steve,

This will be epic! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Thanks GM and Jim,

I went out at lunch today and purchased a 2X36 foam board to start with as well as a thin transparent plastic sheet. I'm thinking of using the sheet as a stiffener inside the wave and building up acrylic gel over and around it. Otherwise the gel itself will sag and go limp.

You said to call you crazy. OK. Your crazy, but you do such great work.  I've got to watch this build. This wil be very, very interesting.  Good luck.

Jim  

Great idea. The flags going sideways, genius.