Wooden Russian submarine 1721 kit. Done !

[cobraman]

Having finished two wooden boat/ship kits I feel maybe I can begin this kit that really began my interest in wooden kits . A little info on this submarine . It is named the Yefim Nikonov’s Submarine . Believed to be the first military sub built . Building began around 1718 and was finished in 1721. The first trial was in 1724. It was a disasaster as it sank and hit the bottom and broke the bilge. The builder and 4 oarsmen were able to escape . In 1725 a second was tested and also failed . A third was tested in 1727 and it too was a failure . Not sure I am ready to tackle this kit but I will give it a go . If I run into trouble I will put it aside and build another less complicated kit and get more practice . 

Edited May 29, 2018 by cobraman
Title change

[shoopdog]

Definitely never seen anything like it, nor that they were even being built and tested in that time period. Will be checking in on this.

After your first two builds I think you can master this one also.

[cobraman]

Thanks. I hope you are right.

[cobraman]

I managed to get the framework built today .

[cobraman]

Started the planking and started to build the little barrel .

[misterNNL]

On 5/10/2018 at 6:09 PM, cobraman said:

I managed to get the framework built today .

For those that don't know All current issue American paper bills are 6"long so that is a good thing to insert for scale comparison.

[cobraman]

Finished this little barrel that comes with the kit . Doesn’t look like it but it is made up of 32 pieces. This barrel was attached to a hose and floated on top of the water to supply air to the men in the sub . 

[cobraman]

Planking done but still much to do . Looks more like a wooden football than a submarine . Still needs to be varnished as well as other things .

[shoopdog]

It is looking good.

[skymnky721]

Thats wild,,  a really different medium  to work with,,the wood.   Looks fun.    Thinkin about being inside one of those things,,wow,,scary stuff.  Cant believe  they used to go out in those.

[cobraman]

Info I found says 3 were built and none were ever used. First one sank like a rock but the guys inside all survived.

[cobraman]

Still plugging away on this thing . This may very well be the toughest model kit I have ever built in my 50. + Year’s of building . Made some errors but doing my best to do a decent job . 

[vintagedragcrazy]

That thing is just plain cool and buddy your doing awsome on it!!!

vince

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice work. Coming along nicely.  Betbthey had problems getting volunteers to man it.

[cobraman]

Thanks Vince and Bob. This thing is really a struggle for me.

[Kit Basher]

I can see why it would be a struggle. Just those little tiny nails would be a challenge for me. Regardless, you're doing a great job and it looks cool. Once you get 75 feet of rope wrapped around it, it will really look like something!

[cobraman]

Oh ya the rope. Thats coming up pretty quick. Yikes !

[Psychographic]

That's very cool Ray.   I bet you could make some wild steam punk build out of that.

[cobraman]

Thanks David . Steampunk , hmmmm.  Got a bit more done but some of the tougher stuff is coming up . 

[shoopdog]

Looking good Ray !

[redneckrigger]

Fantastic work!!!!  

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice work.

[cobraman]

Thanks guys. This is a rough one.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Pretty cool, Ray. Looks like overall you're doing a very respectable job. Fascinating model.   

[cobraman]

Thanks Bill. I am starting to believe I may actually be able to finish it.