Gato

This is my Gato cylinder kit for the 1/72 Revell kit. I have had great luck with running this conversion. Now I am selling version 2 of the kit which now comes with a custom made copper pressure tank, and larger bladders. I will still sell version 1 as a basic kit, but version 2 is only available as the deluxe kit. This is because the pressure tank is built into the cylinder.   With the deluxe kit, the motor and battery kits you have everything to do the conversion except for the R/C system. It is very easy to assemble and just a matter of installing the running gear and R/C inside of the completed cylinder. Then install the cylinder in the hull which is all shown on the CD ROM.  The RCABS-R ballast system requires no maintence, or gas and is about as K.I.S.S. (Keep is simple stupid) as you can get. All hi-pressure hose and connections plus heavy duty neoprene bladders insure flawless operation.

The above is the version-1 system.

Above photo shows the new version-2 cylinder which has a new pressure tank and bladders.

12/14/06 Update.

I have completed the first test running of the Gato and all went well. The cylinder worked great. It will require more trimming to get the boat set up correctly but that just takes time.  I am happy with the design and will now go foreword with finalizing the kit.

1/01/07 Update

I am still working on finalizing the kit. Just a lot to do to set up for production. I have been sick over the holidays which did not help. I hope to release the pricing within a week. 

1/15/07 Update

The second in water test of the Gato went very well. She runs and dives great. I can even get her close to waterline with  full bladders. I see no reason not to continue with the kit. 

  1/23/07 Update

            This is the information on my new Experimenters cylinder kit. I designed it to convert the 1/72 Gato plastic kit into a functional R/C submarine. This kit has been done differently from my other kits. More of the kit has been prefabricated and the manual is more comprehensive showing my R ballast system design. I am still selling it as an experimenter’s kit for those that want to design their own system and just use my basic cylinder. At this time I am selling both a basic and deluxe kit along with 4 add-on option packages, which allow more of a RTR type of build.  

3/12/07 Update

I am shipping the first four kits out this week. Finally!!       I will be contacting the interested people on my list four at a time to see if they still want one. Thanks for you patience. This was a lot of work.

This is my finished and detailed Gato.

Here is my Gato at Subregatta 2007.

            If you purchase the basic experimenters kit you will receive.

            Basic kit cost=$180

            If you purchase the deluxe kit you will receive the basic kit plus

            Deluxe kit cost=$375 (Ballast system now included)

This is the new deluxe version-2 kit whice uses a larger custom pressure tank and larger bladders.

(Pump, Clippard valve, pressure vessel, pressure connectors and tubing, capacitors, diodes, wire,  brass, nuts, bolts, screws, and tie wraps) All stainless steel hardware.

            Also available are two add-on option packages

Kit A,

Modified motor gearbox kit (Two GWS motor/gearbox’s converted to 1/8” shafts)

Cost=$50

Kit B,

Battery tube kit (Houses 5 AA batteries in Lexan tube) (Batteries not included)

Cost=$25

            These add-on kits are more for if you intend to build it to my design with the R ballast system and GWS drive system.

They save you time by purchasing them from me  with all the parts from one source.

Unless you are going to try and design your own version of the R system you will need all of the components in the deluxe ballast system.

       I am taking orders for the Gato kits now.   

            I take the orders and put them in a contact list. I will contact you when I get to your name.  You can decide at that time if you are still interested. Thanks, Dave.