For those who may have been following the related thread on several other forums, we've had a small cadre of RC sub enthusiasts who have been asking for a 1/72 Foxtrot. After several false starts early this year, I am now happy to report that this new kit is a go with expected delivery in the first quarter of 2010.

Besides actually seeing a kit go into development, the best part of the news is that 1) the kit is not made in China, but by a US-based firm & 2) no deposits are required from buyers to get this one off the ground.

Rick Palumbo of RPM Tech will be doing the development, production & marketing of the kit once he completes an exciting new sub project this month. If you don't know of Rick's work, visit his blog http://www.rpmtech1blog.com where you can see his Kilo, Marder & Seehund kits. I have Rick's 1/24 Seehund & can attest to his workmanship & design simplicity.

This Foxtrot will be a true dead-on 1/72 scale for our TF72 friends Down Under & come with detail not normally seen in GRP kits such as hull plate deformation (oil canning) & those gnarly welds Soviet subs were known for.

As many know, the Foxtrot was the last of the Soviet subs to be based upon the captured German Type XXI design. On a more personal note, it will look awfully nice alongside USS Requin on the lakes around Hangzhou.

More details to follow.

lovely jubbly

looking forward to it.......

Yea BABY!!!! This will make for one hellava Xmas present!

I want all to know that I was nothing more than acting as midwife trying to get this beast into the world. A HUGE amount of credit needs to go to Shadowpro over at the SP & SC forums for providing the lion's share of reference information that Rick is currently pouring over.

As of today, the scale drawings are back from the printer & I've been told he has more than enough details to build us a first-class kit.

Having seen some of Rick's excellent work with the Kilo kit, I can hardly wait for this one.

Hope Santa has a big sack!

Here are a couple photos to give you guys an idea of what detail we're considering for kit. Rick has no problem with doing the "oil canning" seen below.

You can follow these links for more information & examples on how beaten these Soviet diesel subs looked in use:

http://www.hazegray.org/features/russia/ss.htm

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Foxtrot.html

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/641.htm

http://www.ipmsusa2.org/Walkarounds/...trot/page.html

Thanks to Albion for the above links!

Now all we need is for someone to do a British R, T or U class submarine and we'll be set

Who knows... Rick enjoys building kits so if he sees enough traction with this Foxtrot you never know what could happen.

Im excited to be on the project. I will do it proud, dont worry. I just had the plans printed

I will forward all progress to chuck, and he can post here as he see's fit

Rick, we're all excited to have you working on the kit.

As you can see from Capt Christo's post, there's already plenty of suggestions coming in for a follow up project once this one is a wrap. Both RN as well as early German u-boots have been mentioned with the overriding request that we maintain 1/16, 1/32 & 1/72 as preferred scale depending on subject.

One interesting recommendation we received & posted earlier on SC would be a Golf II which could be offered as a conversion kit to the Fox. Being the Soviet's first SSB & with the retrieval of K-129 in Project Jennifer, it would make for be a good candidate.

good suggestion. One of my pet issues, is that there are a number of similar sized twin screw (yes fox has three) boats about which could use a common Dive unit. Foxtrot, the lindberg IJN boats, Gato. One which is sure to be of interest to many is a Type IX. But as a warm up why not a T boat

Anyway first things first Foxtrot

Had a chat with Rick & he's interested in building anything besides a Golf for a follow up kit once he finishes the Fox. Either a Type IX or T class would make a great kit, but perhaps we should do some polling to see what other candidates may be out there.

I'll be updating this thread with updates on Project 641 as they come in from Rick.

Hi chuck,

i think i have some good plans of this boat?

Gantu

Howdy Gantu! Still working your butt off?

I'll send you an email regarding the plans.