After almost a year and half, since first completing our first 66" Nautilus build-up, we have arrived at beginning serious experimentation on conversion to R/C format.

The first design issue was to decide on how to cut the upper hull for access to the interior components. Not wishing to simply copy the Engel Nautilus design, we opted for a cut that cleared the salon window arches, and yet maintained as much width as possible. Our solution employs running the cut along the upper chine line, just below the scupper deck. It starts at the front raker perch, and runs the entire length of the sub until just after the skiff berth.

We began with our traditional lay-up in fiberglass, which receives the outer cut, meaning that the upper scupper deck will be cut away and discarded. The second partial casting is to create the scupper deck minus the remainder of the upper hull. In this manner, we can adjust back past the cut line to create to even fitting parts that can easily be mated together.

Once all the fitting is complete, our fiberglasser, Larry Reeve, will come back and add a bead of laminating resin to the inner midline seam ( between the upper and lower hulls ) to seal up the main body.

The upper scupper deck plate will remain loose and will have several screws fitted to it's ends for attachment and security to the main body.

Shown at right, are a series of parts that comprise the 66" R/C Nautilus build-up. Special alterations to the dive planes ( thickening them up ) and to the side keels ( cutting the dive plane loose, facilitate the action of the dive planes.

The above two pictures are the unique dive planes seals we recently designed to both serve our need for improving the Engel Nautilus, and now for use in our 66" R/C Nautilus. Both forward and rear dive planes are precision honed with dual "o"rings to provide a thorough watertight seal when operated.

Though a stronger stand may be required to hold the finished submarine, the resin Victorian stand will be included as part of the main components.

Everything right down to all the white metal and two crewman are being added to the main components to help develop as real a sense of detail, as the static build-up originally presented.

Our future goal is to develop a watertight cylinder with all the electronics necessary for a truly modern and effective R/C version of this scale submarine.

More updates to follow!

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