X51 Stickleback

[michael hilton]

Good morning hearties, just to say I am not idling my time, rather between 'caring' I am ensconced in my 'drydock'. While I await the next production from Armortek. I have had this model for about eighteen months lurking beneath the waves, ready to pounce and stir my imagination once again. Not going to advertise the creator of a museum quality moulding however...it really is superb and sits atop my workbench begging me to make at least further progress, before father time beckons, and calls it a day....only joking guys...Mick

[John Clarke]

Your right it is a superb model but the museum quality comes from the builder not the manufacturer,
I have no doubt that it will museum quality when you have finished it.
The build of the water tight chamber WTC is pretty good, though I did think quality of the wiring could be better. Electrical problems are not required at 2 meters below.
Easy answer questions too.
"Does it fire torpedoes Mr?"
"No"
"How deep will it go Mr?"
"All the way if your not careful"
The X50 craft is such a good model, great scale. Easy to handle and you don't need a boat stand. (flat bottom) and then there's always that delighted feeling when it comes to the surface.

[Christoffer Ahlfors]

Ha ha - awesome model!

I have always argued that model tanks are very practical:

• They don't need a paved raceway
  They don't fall out of the air and crash
  They don't capsize and sink (ah, well... )
  Oh, and the running cost is nothing! (compare with motorcycles, quads, boats, cars and similarly priced, unnecessary items... )

Recognize the standard questions?

• How much does it weigh? (OMG!)
  Can it shoot at the neighbors? (no)
  How many hours have you spent on it? (as many as possible! )
  How much does it cost? (Plenty, but it's just a one time cost that is soon forgotten... )

[michael hilton]

Finally reached the painting and weathering. The X51 build has saved my sanity during 'lockdown' , more or less, that and a reviving interest in my garden railway. Hobbies, hobbies, hobbies, where would we be without them.
Any road up, Armortek has an interest in the midget submarine, anyone spot the the part I have used in the build... Mick

[Phil Woollard]

I like that Mick and no can't spot the Armortek part! Regards Phil

[michael hilton]

Thank you Phil and other 'likes'. Ok, here is the answer in the photograph. For the 'flagstaff'' I used a spare track pin out of my Panther build CH0502.
Just the right length, diameter, and a flat top.
Watching all the excellent builds and enjoying the mixed weather. Hopefully here in Wales from Monday, we are allowed to travel over the current five mile limit. First fine day, bucket and spade in my grubby little fingers and down to the beach we go....do not get your clothes wet Mick

[florian rudolf]

Verry nice,
I have build also some submariens in the past.
Like that submarine. Where did you get the kit?

Florian

[John Clarke]

Lovely Job Mick. Hope mine looks as good when I get round to it.

Hard to believe that these four x craft subs were to play a part in British nuclear deterrent in the 1950's.

Nothing like a good old British suicide mission. I'd want more than a "stiff upper lip" to get into one those things with an A bomb strapped to the side.

One does have to wonder who comes up with these ideas.

Still, they do make interesting Model to build.

Now the fun bit, sinking it.

[michael hilton]

Thank you John, the X51 is a comfortable build, lots of free time over the past three months. I also purchased a set of plans from Marine Modelling, most helpful.
Florian, the hulls are crafted by OTW Design, they also supplied the 'dive' module. They have a website.
The beauty of tanks, no bath required for testing the dive ability. I have to say my wife and I had our bath removed for a 'walk-in' shower couple of years ago so that is a problem. I have a large 'tarp' and plenty of wooden laths to build a trough.....and a full water butt.
Must give thought to the next products from Armortek, so much to do, so little time....Mick

[florian rudolf]

Many thanks for that link Michael
Looking forward to my next jobs...
But first is comming my StuGII