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Alec Smyth - Solo (continued)



Sub name: Solo
Designer: Alec Smyth
Builder:  Alec Smyth
Description: 

I think I've settled on calling the sub "Solo". From the outside it looks
like its essentially all done. However, I need to fix some little things
like machining an incorrect o-ring groove out of the window seat, adding
another layer of gelcoat to the stern fairing, grinding out small welding
flaws in the hull, etc. ... so it'll all be coming apart again before I
start what could be called a final assembly that'll take a year or two as
the inside is just a bare pipe for now.

Its just a preliminary fit-up, everything needs to come back apart for
fixing details that aren't quite right, sandblasting, etc and the inside is
still a bare pipe with rings in it... so I'm guessing there's still a year
or two to go. As you'll see the viewport telescopes off the hull. Its a 2"
thick viewport protected by a lightweight free flooding outer dome, and both
mounted in an aluminum ring running on four 1.25" rods with 8 Thomson linear
bearings.


Opened bow dome, front view. (as 29 Aug 2002)
opened bow dome

Opened bow dome, side view. (as 29 Aug 2002)
opened bow dome

This is a foam model in actual size of the stern fairing, for use in building the stern fairing out of fiberglass. I haven't done the fine finish yet, but you can certainly see the shape. Also, you can see the prop tunnels but note the lack of intakes of any kind as of yet. Regardless of whether I go with a scoop on each side, or with louvers, those will require secondary molds working in combination with this one.
View of foam plug used in making thruster ducting. (as 29 Aug 2002)
thruster ducting plug

Stern view of thruster ducting. (as 29 Aug 2002)
thruster ducting


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