The Dreadnought Project

Iain · Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 150

Working on the French steam powered submarine, Narval, for a friend that's into steam punk.

Plans: http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr/02fonds-collections/banquedocuments/planbato/planbato/Plans/planbato.php?id=510

3D model for developing templates:

The Build:

No, that plank did not come unglued; I just hadn't glued the end just yet.

I originally saw this in a general history about submarines and decided that I wanted to build it. Something as Rube Golberg as a steam powered submarine immediately captured my attention. So, I went to the French naval plans page, got the two drawings they have, and went to work.
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John H. Dulaney

Iain · Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 150

Work has continued on Narval. The hull is much further along; to the point where I've slathered some epoxy on it in order to get a nice, smooth finish. There will be lots and lots and lots of sanding in my near future...

I've also begun to research the colour scheme of this thing. I'm assuming that it would be painted like the torpedo boats/destroyers of the time. However, I am getting conflicting reports of really dark blue and black for the hull above the waterline.

One of the side projects I may do is to do a physical model of the engineering plant in order to demonstrate how it was done.

Photos coming once I get some sanding done.
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John H. Dulaney

Iain · Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 150

Progress on Narval.
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John H. Dulaney

Diederick44 · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:44 am Post subject: awesome !

have you finished your sub ? ? And its a pretty sleek design ! I think they may have used black since it was easy to produce a black type of paint in the old days
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can we fix it ? :) no its screwd ! :(

Iain · Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 150

Finally dragged this out of the project bin for the first time in a year and a half. So far I've mounted hatches and am halfway done with the prop. I still have to do the rudders, diving planes, and detailing, but she's coming along.
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John H. Dulaney

Diederick44 · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:39 am Post subject:

wow she is looking good and really modern ! You said it would be steam powerd , how would that be done on such a small scale ?
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can we fix it ? :) no its screwd ! :(

Iain · Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 150

No, this is a static model; the prototype was steam powered.
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John H. Dulaney

Diederick44 · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 2:04 am Post subject:

ooh my bad , how much power did the prototype have ? ? Because i also love steam power and i want to build a german steam powerd warship but i dont know which one to pick
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can we fix it ? :) no its screwd ! :(

Iain · Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 150

Work continues. About ready to start on rivets.[/url]
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John H. Dulaney

Diederick44 · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:23 pm Post subject: tottally awesome

its looking awesome !
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can we fix it ? :) no its screwd ! :(

Deforest · Joined: 14 Dec 2016 Posts: 2

MERRIOS · Joined: 27 Jul 2019 Posts: 1

Decent, need to accomplish something like this with mine.

1143Minsk · Guest

This does look great! Would it be doable in an enclosed apartment, or do you need to do that in an open space due to varnishes, glue fumes etc? Because if it's possible to do that in enclosed spaces, I'd like to start a model of the Russian battleship Gangut now, but if it needs to be done in a well-ventilated place, I'll have to wait for next spring, when I finally get one of these houses in Greece for the holidays.

Deforest · Joined: 14 Dec 2016 Posts: 2