Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] What's goin' down?

["Captain Nemo" <vulcania@interpac.net>]

----- Original Message -----
From: <TeslaTony@aol.com>

Regarding your reply to my post:

"Ray toasted the idea of the swimsuit calender and nude pictures of
DeepWorker so we will have to talk about more productive items, such as
robotic arms, baby ROVs and AUVs, lights, underwater communication, PSub
resue systems and other great things."

Actually, Anthony, we've discussed each of those technical topics on this
forum numerous times in the past.  And, over the past 30-plus years of
diving and 20-plus years of active experimentation with underwater
technologies, I've built a lot of them too; as have many of the other guys
on this site.  Sometimes, we also feel like exchanging a little humor as as
a means of expressing the unique comaraderie we share as people who build,
own, and operate submersibles.  Ray, in his role as webmeister, has been
obliged to announce "last call" when the jocularity went a bit too far; but
I've also seen him join in the fun, and I suspect he enjoys it as much as we
do.  ;-)

" "Incandescent Colored"? Are they lights that have been colored like
incandescent bullbs or are they colored incandescent bulbs?"

OOPS!  That was a typo!  I meant to say "irridescent".  They are a
relatively new type of high intensity automotive light which produce an
irridescent "rainbow effect" that changes colors depending on the angle from
which the eye perceives it.  You see, there is some debate amongst LEAGUES
fans about what color the headlights on the NAUTILUS should be: some say
white, yellow, green, etc.  These lights alternably display each of those
colors (and more), and should add an interesting "surrealistic" visual
appeal to this "fantasy" submarine.

"Hey, sounds like fun, I hope that they don't think that you did a
full-sized Nautilus!"

No, I'm sure they don't.  All I know so far is that they saw the NAUTILUS
MINISUB on one of my pages on the WWW; were impressed; and want to use it in
a documentary film.  I'm presently waiting to learn the particulars of their
plan, and expect to hear from them next week.

"You could call it "Minisubs," "Small
Sumersibles/Submarines/Subs/Whateverthebloodyblueblazesyoucanthinkof,"
"Minisub Fever," "Point-two leagues under the sea," "Nuts with Time and
Steel" or one of many other names that are possible (although not 100%
recommended)."

The title HOMEBUILT SUBMARINES is out because some of our subjects aren't
homebuilts.  All references to "small" submarines are out because some of
the boats we'll be featuring (like the ATLANTIS) aren't small.  And I doubt
people in the commercial business of building and selling submersibles (like
SPORTSUBS) would want themselves characterized as "nuts".  So, thank you for
your suggestions, but I'm still looking for a new name for the video.  (I
thought about calling it PERSONAL SUBMERSIBLES, but that's already in use.
Any of you other guys got any ideas?)

" I know of a guy who invented a flexible shaft"

Oh really?  How interesting!  What's his name; and is his invention
available as a product we may know the name of?

 "that apparently is much better than all the other flexible shafts
(friction mostly, but I think there were some other neat things about it
too) and could be made from almost anything (Ice Cream, Cookies and Jell-O
are definatly OUT) which means that it could be adapted to a very wide range
of applications, including subs. Could that fill you needs?"

Doubtful.  For reasons sufficiently numerous to exceed the scope of this
correspondence, the addition of a flexible shaft isn't feasible in this
particular hull / motor combination; and an articulated motor mount would be
a much better means of reducing the turning radius.

" How about an entire island with a drydock, like Vulcania?"

Well, I'm already on an island; a drydock is not in my immediate plans.
However, I do believe there are such facilities available nearby, should I
ever need them.  A forklift and crane (even a small one) are what I'd really
like to have next.

"Everything is good so far, except not much is being said on the mail list"

This forum does go through quiet times.  But then, that was the point of my
post.

 "and the closest thing I have to a sub is halfway completed and made from
PVC pipe, not quite what I want but fun for now. Anthony"

A working model submarine, I presume?  Esxcellent!  How about some more
information about it?  How far along are you with it; what are your systems
like; etc?

Yes, model subs are fun, Anthony; but perhaps more importantly, the
knowledge gained from such projects can greatly aid those in pursuit of a
real submarine.  I presently have 31 model submarines in my collection (32
counting the NAUTILUS MINISUB); and I forget how many I've built over the
years.

Model submarines are one safe way of learning the basics of systems
operation.  For example: I was working on a semi-wet sub design back in the
early 80's: I built a functional test model, while a competitor got wind of
my idea and rushed to produce a working prototype.  My model disclosed
ballast system deficiencies which caused me to shelve the project; while my
competitor nearly drowned in his contraption.

There's an old saying: "It is far better to be on dry land wishing you were
underwater, than to be underwater wishing you were on dry land."

Visiting the local libraries; watching movies and programs about submarines;
building working models and the like; websites about model submarines like
THE SUBCOMMITTEE:  all of these are excellent (and safe) ways of gaining
knowledge in a field of endeavor where what one doesn't know surely can hurt
him.

I commend you on your model submarine efforts, and encourage you to continue
your research.

Very best regards,

Pat