Hey all. I'm typically a surface model builder and my current model is scratch built and still under construction, maybe 95% done. I'm getting the itch and since it is cooler here, I'm going to start a new project while I'm hopefully finishing up on the other model. Has anyone else started another one when the first was not done yet? I have a USS Marlin that has been sitting in my shop for years that I got from Skip. I've known Skip for 20+ years and I'm not going to bug him on this so I'm going to rely on you experts since a sub is new to me.

Looking at what others have done with all of the WTC's and sub drivers and other things for submarine's, those topics are beyond me at this point. I am building this kit as is out of the box the way it was. Nothing fancy and using pretty much the stock parts. Near the end I have some ideas on mods for the kit, but until I get that far this thread will probably be good for a novice in submarines with me being one of them.

I posted the instructions on post #20 if anyone wants to follow along on this build.

I am not one to keep a log or document my hours, but it looks like I'm going that way with this build log. Spent about 3 hours, mostly removing the excess plastic from the UPH and LPH. The upper one kept about 1/16" to hold the future gasket as per the instructions.

Two items of concern.
-Where the motor inserts into ballast tank base. Looks like it might split. I could add some silicone on the top of it to keep it sealed.
-And the UPH sort of sits on top of the mounting bracket screws of the LPH. Once the gasket is attached to the UPH it should elevate the UPH up away from the screws.
Thoughts on these two problems?

I built one it makes for a nice model. got mine from skip too. it is a lot of work, much cutting, but worth it in the end. I did not use skips innerds, I had it in my albacore and built my own tube. I like my marlin it is a nice size and you can get lots of details
Enjoy!!!!
Jcopter

Contact Mike's Subworks - his ad banner is frequently at the top of this page. I'm sure he can help.

Dan

I just recently got the albacore. Its basically the same for innards as you say. Watching you for what to do and what not to do! Good luck!

If I remember correctly that motor base & part that go to the tank are the most critical part and need to be assembled as per the instructions exactly as I had some problems with mine and skip was kind enough to help me fix it. so be exact!!!
Jcopter

I will be ordering some things from Mike's Subworks soon. I'm going to use as many parts from the kit as I can. Near the end I will be customizing the deck and hull to my liking.

In the meantime I could not go on so I made a correction on the pressure hull mounts. I filled the holes with plugs, sanded smooth and redrilled the mounting holes so now the upper PH mounts between the nuts with no interference. I'm anal about certain things being right so I had to do it. Now back to the ballast pump assembly.

Did you fit that upper seal in place Yet?
it needs to be to all the outside edges,
make sure it does not slide away any
Just remembering some of my assembly problems
And I did lots of scribing on the hull and used some evergreen
scribed plastic for my decking, Looks great
Jcopter

Just a few minutes ago I cleaned the surface on the upper PH where the upper seal goes of any bumps of plastic so the seal will sit perfectly.

Which one of these shaft seals goes on the motor shaft? The picture is not clear enough to tell the difference. I included the instruction page that I am working on. If you look at the lower set of pictures it looks like it might be the single one at the bottom of the picture, but I'm not entirely sure.

It is the single one
check miles subworks page there is a pic of the motor & seal
I think it is listed under the seals
Jcopter

Boy it has been a long time!!!
do what the inst.say the shaft should only stick out from the seal a little
just enough for the coupler put it together as per the inst. do the silicon
and let it set fully
Jcopter

Ah yes, saw the pic on Subworks, thanks!

The inst are somewhat difficult to understand. I had to read mine over &over & over till I thought I had it down and even then sometimes I was still confused.
Anyways if I can help I will However my albacore is long gone but my marlin is good to go but I have mu own WTC in it
Jcopter

Hey Ken I was just looking thru my stuff and I found a bunch of fotos of skips MArlin
that Used for documentation/Guide if you would like I can scan them for YA
let me know if you need this as there are quite a bunch
Jcopter