Roll Out! and Road Test!

Before we got ahead of ourselves with final paint details and finish on the sub, we thought it would be a smart bet to get the trailer to a state ready to mount the submarine. Further more, since we have no well payed engineering staff to crunch numbers, we figure it would be best to take it on a mini road trip after mounting for data collection. This way we could see how well the weight was distributed as well as how the boat rides down the road with vibration. Basically a Hail Mary pass to see if 5 months of work went down the tubes as the boat broke in half going over a speed bump.

Well I am happy to report, the road test went well. We did have a minor fracture in the AMR 2 area, but we found out we are a little light in the front, which will be compensated later by the forward trailer build out.

We made a couple of stops for checkout, adjustments and to get gas, and we were turning heads everywhere. Its not every day you see a 16 foot submarine rolling down the road. I did have to give a few short history lessons on FBM submarines to a some people, but they really thought it was a awesome sight to look at. The number one question?

Does this thing really work?

Well if this thing really worked. I wouldn't be talking about it on the internet and maybe hooked up with a few South American drug cartel's for product submersible delivery vehicles. Then I could make enough money to make a real full size FBM submarine!

Anyway....

So now we will be able to put the finishing touches such as hatch locations and depth markings and a number of other details.

Please enjoy these roll out pictures. And as always we could use more donations for the Project.

Click here To Make a Donation

Click Here for the latest Project Photos

Click here for the 41 For Freedom Project Website

TSR and Boat Project Update

Ahoy fellow Submariners and readers of TheSubReport.com! TSR which many you might have guessed was not operating at full capacity for about a month. I was a victim of the current Recession (Really a depression) and had to dedicate enormous time and effort in securing new employment. Like I said, it took alot of work but I am really happy with my new employer. So things worked out for the best in which I am very thankful.

TSR in the recent week has ramped back up to full operations.

Now for the 41 for Freedom Boat Project Update.





The Project Build started back in the end of May and still progresses. We would like to have it ready for Veterans Day minus all the decals and trimmings which we hope to have that completed for the Christmas Parade in Mims and Titusville Florida.

I would like to thank my Brother Sam who is a Army Veteran of Desert Storm for his diligence and hard work to keep the project progressing while I looked for employment.

We still need donations as we have put alot of money into the project that we Technically don't have. (Credit)

If you have a few dollars during these hard economic times to donate to the project it would be much appreciated. We still plan to have Donors names on the completed project.

Please enjoy a few recent photos of the project here.

The 41 for Freedom Project website

Make A Donation

You will notice photos of the display trailer construction as well. lots a welding!

Thank you for your continued support and readership of TheSubReport.com.

Eric

41 For Freedom Project Update #2

Florida heat, family visits and lack of funding have slowed down the progression of 41 For Freedom Sub Project. But we have managed to get some more build done.

Click here for latest set of photos.

You can visit http://www.thesubreport.com/41forfreedom.html for more build photo links, information and to make a donation to the project.

Eric

TheSubReport.com

New Navy Inspired Youtube Videos

Bad Word Warning!

Like a Chief



I'm On A Boat Navy Edition

Forward and Stern Take Shape

Update - 41 For Freedom Tribute Sub

Completed fabrication of both ends of the sub. The front was difficult to model. Used Great Stuff to firm up the front to help mold in the metal. Also started to add bondo to hide seems and to shape and round off areas of the superstructure. I told my brother that we used EB green tape to do the job back in the day, but he went with the bondo anyways..

Click For The Latest Build Photos Here....

TSR Sub Build Project Update

TSR 41 for Freedom Tribute Submarine
http://www.thesubreport.com/41forfreedom.html

The 41 for Freedom Tribute sub is progressing. We have finished the frame fabricating of the Missile deck, Sail and the forward section of the boat. We also started to tack down some sheet metal. the boat is really starting to take shape now.

Click Here for Latest Build Photo's



Please Make a Donation to Help Sponsor the Project at TheSubReport.com
Your Name added to the display trailer as a sponsor of the Sub Tribute.


Have Trailer. Let's Build A Submarine!

Have Trailer. Let's Build A Submarine!

TSR 41 for Freedom Tribute Submarine
http://www.thesubreport.com/41forfreedom.html

My brother an I have been throwing around the idea of building a large scale model of a sub just to see if we could do it. Plus we would have the added benefit of showing it in local parades or other community and educational venues.

We knew we would need a trailer to mount the sub and to transport it, which was the big hang up. So we put off the idea for along time due to no trailer. Well low and behold, my brother found a good deal for floor tile for his house in which a trailer came with the tile for free. So since we now have a trailer, might as well start building a submarine.



I recruited my neighbor who also has a great talent for fabrication to give us a hand. So the shipyard staff stands as my brother and neighbor as fabricators and I am pretending to be a design engineer of sorts. I have no fabrication or artsy talent at all, so really I am more or less like the expert that is on the side lines of a submarine movie set.. "Yea that looks pretty close to how it was." and I also make beer and materials runs too. I did get my hard hat from the yards from when I was decommissioning the USS H. L. Stimson. Sort of makes me feel like I'm important and fake being in charge of the whole operation.

We are attempting to build a 15 foot model of my first submarine the USS U.S. Grant but it will be a tribute to all the 41 for freedom missile boats. Depending on funding we will try to incorporate as many gadgets and functionality as we can, such as a operable rudder and stern and fair water planes, a few scopes and and at least one operable missile hatch.

The trailer does need a full refurb job, but it will be modified and rebuilt for the sub model in which we will incorporate displays and other submarine memorabilia around the trailer to create a mobile submarine museum more or less.

Anyone that would like to help out and sponsor the project can have their name on the side of the display trailer for a minimum $20.00 donation to TheSubReport.com. If you are former submariner or any other branch of service we can include your former rate/rank or any other salutation with your sponsor name.

I will continue to post photos of our progress and we are opened to any ideas or helpful comments. If you live local to Florida Brevard county area and have some ideas or materials or just want to stop by for a look, please email me through TheSubReport.com website.

Click Image Below for Latest project Photos.

Who's a Good Doggie?

The Great White Shark: Playing with Death

The Respect Nuc's Demand From Coner's

This is a new Intel commercial, but I can see Nuc's fantasizing the same Rock Star treatment when walking into the forward part of the boat. Enjoy!

Walk on a Glass Deck 103 Stories Up? No Thanks, I'll Pass

My first Job out of the Navy was contracting as a Field Rep. for NEC America doing test and turn up on Sonet ADM equipment for multiple telcom companies around the country. Most of these telecommunication switch rooms are located in high rise buildings in all of our major cities.

The phone company technician or manager that would be assigned to me would always insist on a tour of the facility which usually included a elevator ride to the top of the building.

One problem.... I hate heights and have a odd phobia of elevators. So to be a good Representative of the company I would just suck it up and sweat it out as they insist on I taking a look over the edge to see how high up we were.

Most people don't understand my phobia, since I am a submariner who is completely at ease at test depth, which common folk consider dangerous. People don't realize that they are exposed to a lot of danger in there daily lives, like driving and flying which the danger is lessened by training, safety standards and proper operation. The danger of diving underwater on a submarine is mitigated by pretty much the same principals. Since a very small percentage of the population every get to experience a submarine ride, the thought of someone doing it for living is to much to comprehend.

I contribute some of my fears and phobias to the control factor. I feel I can control my fate on a submarine because I am a qualified participant and operator. For instance I dislike flying as well, but I would love to be a pilot. If I was properly trained and piloting the airplane, I would be more comfortable and enjoy the experience of flight because I am now in control of my fate.

Well back to the whole reason of today's entry, if you attended Great Lakes RTC for Boot Camp, there is a good chance you might have run down to Chicago after graduation and toured the Sears Tower.

The Sears Tower one of the tallest buildings in the world is a breath taking experience if you like heights. I remember taking the fast turbo elevator ride, which I despised all the way to the top with a few of my new shipmates from boot camp and slowly going to the edge to look down over the city of people ants. Now they have built a glass bottom observation deck to walk out on and look down to get the full experience of falling from a 103 stories up. I'm sure adrenaline junkies will love this, but I think I will pass and stick with the scary world of the deep.



Sears Tower to open glass-bottom Skydeck in June

Here is Another one I might have a problem with too...

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Tourists walk on the glass-bottomed Skywalk that extends 70 feet over the edge of Grand Canyon West's Eagle Point in northwestern Arizona



Sure hope the glass holds, thats one heck of a last step.

"Hey little Jimmy, put down those rocks! What have I told you about throwing rocks on the glass skywalk!".