I finally got a chance to go over to Sandpoint, Idaho yesterday and talk to one of the owners of the K-250 submersible we were talking about a few weeks ago. I got more detailed pictures of the sub inside and out. I got inside it as well, and for me that's my first time inside a PSUB so WHOO HOOO. : ))))))))))""
The owner I talk to was Tevis Cox, and we hit it off famously. Between the two of use we have enough wild and crazy ideas to last many life times. We more or less decided to restore this late model K-250 for active duty or if that can't be done safely then at least restore it to a none rusting state. From all my poking and scratching it looks like we only have surface rust in the main hull. But we will have to disassemble it and sandblast every thing to really know what we have. If it can be verified that this sub was build by George Kittredge then we plan to restore it to visually look as it did from the outside, since it's a classic of sorts. If not we will do some heavier modes. Tevis is great with electronics so we would do some external camera's, a couple of sonar systems, and a lot more. I will
need some help from you guys with selection of electric side motors, lighting systems, and a couple other areas. I'm very aware most, if not all that data can be found in past threads here on the forum, so I'm going to read what I can before I bug you guys to much. Here is the links to the first new pictures of 10 pics.
The blocks in the interior that look like bricks are just some old styrofoam. There is about 5 inches of ice in the bottom at the moment so we'll have to get the sub inside to melt it and clean it up. The three view ports are dirty and a little scratched but that can be buffed out once they are removed for the reworking of the hull. There is no yellowing or crazing in these view ports so unless this type of view port gets brittle with age and lots of sun exposure then we might be able to use them again. Please let me know what you think about that. The dome looks to be vacuum formed acrylic that Tevis said he knew of a small crack in its edge, so that will need to be replaced.
You'll notice with the closer pics of the conning tower view ports, that they are tilted down a degree or two. I found out what the four short two inch tall vertical rods that are welded to the outer hull next to the conning tower are for. There was a weldment structure that protected the dome that was attached to the square tops of these rods. That weldment was in such poor shape that the Cox's likely sent it to be recycled. I'll ask them if they have a picture of it later today. These rods are only welded to the outer hull surface.
I don't see any rust coming out of the welds around the saddle collar that would make be believe it lost it's seal. So that over lapping metal weldment looks to be in good order. Some water got in the open valve on the port side of the conning tower and went down and filled the small vent pipe that comes from the rear MBT up to the top of the view port and froze then split the pipe. So if you route a pipe like they did here, then you best keep your valve closed when your not using the sub if your going to be in freezing weather.
I can make molds of the two MBT's and the rear bottom fairing if anyone wants this type of fairing's for there K-250 projects. I plan to modify the MBT's a little by adding a wide flange going horizontally around the bottom edges of the existing MBT's some what like Dan H did on the Persistence so you don't spill your air.
Jon I don't know if George Kittredge would be interested in taking a look at these new pictures or not to help use identify this little sub, but if he is, we would love to know if this was one of his 12 that was later modified a bit. It would be good to know if he put any kind of markings or serial numbers on them. I've looked a fair bit, but so far I don't see any thing. I know the interior is in sad shape, but take heart that we plan to remedy that. Some one left the hatch open and water got inside some time back. I'd like to know what year this submersible was built. I don't have Kittredge book for identifying some of the K subs, so perhaps I should get one.
I plan to take hundreds of measurements using digital caliper of this sub and render it in Solidworks CAD to show all the parts and details inside and out. I could also do that for the K-350 model. I was thinking that if I do that with one or both models, then that CAD data and drawings created from them can be added to the plans sold in the PSUB.org store. Anyone that got the plans could see a 3D animated file on every single part as well at the main assembly and the sub-assembly's in a small program that can be downloaded for free. I've heard that the existing plans may have some parts that now have a more modern practical alternitive that could be changed in the new CAD models. Perhaps the Persistence could be used to base a new set of K-350 plans from. From that data a animated video could be made to show the parts going on step
by step until you have a complete final assembly. I think I'm finally done now, sorry about the long war and peace emails.
Respectfully,
Brent