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Ultra‑manoeuvrability
Submarines. like many warships, have a high length to
beam ratio which inhibits their ability to turn in tight circles. U789
suffered form this drawback also and I decided to eliminate this it
if possible by having the propellers driving in opposite direction on the
turn Any twin model would find this facility valuable. The ideal ,solution
is to have independent motor control, but this involves two channels, two
servos and two sets of switchgear or speed controllers. This means more
expense, and more importantly in a submarine, hull space! I was and am
acutely short of both commodities and decided to make one of my rare
ventures into the electro-mechanical gadgetry, using the rudder servo to
operate micro switches in the motor circuit when the output arm was at the
end .it's travel, or when the rudder trim was used. For those of you who
dislike formal wiring diagrams as much as I do, the wiring is displayed
pictorially. When the devise was assembled, I swallowed a few
tranquillisers and headed factor lake to try it cut. |
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Trials
The trials were an instantaneous
success of dazzling brilliance! When propulsion and full rudder were
applied, U‑789 spun slowly in her own length. I tried manoeuvring astern,
a feat often justifiably feared by many competitors. No problem. I
planted some sticks in the lake and practised steering between them. I as
stunned! This was no mere model. this was a prize-winning machined! Here,
I had a boat which could sail with impunity in the wildest conditions,
which could slither snake-like through the narrowest gate, with her 5in
beam and now could pause in front of the gate and pivot at will to select
the perfect approach angle. My eyes narrowed, my jaw tightened. I would
show these Englanders the futility of opposing U789. All opposition would
be obliterated!
But alas, my dreams of shelf upon shelf of glittering trophies were
dashed. By unfortunate chance, the rules governing Club Scale Competitions
were adjusted round about this time, and U 789 was excluded from entity
being 3/4in too narrow in the beam. I accepted the setback
gracefully as being in the best interests of all concerned. especially my
good self. For after half a dozen consecutive wins, my gloating would have
become insufferable and my trousers would have been forcible in public. In
any case, I had other fish to fry Automatic depth keeping! A problem I
stall have not solved.
In a way, I hope I do not
achieve complete success, as it could make submarine operations boring,
but it's fun trying You are all invited to join in with ideas!. Could a
pendulum linked to the bow planes in conjunction with a pressure
switch from a washing machine be a starring point? But no dragging around
of floats on string mark you, or 3ft. long periscope! Write
with Your solutions to Model Boats. Winning entry gets a signed photo of
Me Kapitain Thompsen!
How about that for an incentive. "Kamerden To the drawing boards!" |
