From: "Brent Hartwig" <brenthartwig@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Great Update on the old K-250 sub in Sandpoint
Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:25:05 -0800
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.
http://www.frappr.com/?a=viewphoto&id=2384531&pid=3969643
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
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