Albacore
The Albacore, No 569, at sea, picture from the web.

 
On this page, the building of a model of the Albacore is presented. The Albacore was a revolutionary boat that marked the transition from WWII submarine design to the present boats. The Albacore was the first boat that had a 'teardrop' hull design to minimize drag. The Albacore was diesel/electric powered and carried no weapons. In the same time period the US Navy also developed the first nuclear driven boat: the Nautilus. Present submarines combine the revolutionary designs of both boats: a streamlined hull design and a nuclear power plant. The Nautilus got a lot of public attention when it traveled submerged across the globe and although the Albacore never received the publics appreciation, its revolutionary hull design has been equally important for the development of modern submarines.

The history of the Albacore has been described in great detail in the book: "USS Albacore - Forerunner of the Future-", Robert P. Largess and James L. Mandelblatt, 1999, ISBN 0-915819-25-2.

 
Class Albacore Albacore Model
Build 1953 started 2001
Length 62 m 97 cm
Width 8.4 m 13.5 cm
Displacement 1880 ton submerged -

 
This model described on this page is a kit purchased from SubTech run by Skip Assay. The kit contains plastic parts of the upper and lower half of the hull, the sail, nose cone, pressure hull and bulkheads. Electric parts comprise: the ballast pump and the electric motor. Electronic parts comprise: throttle for the motor, reversing switch for the pump, and level control. I went for the optional package that allows to empty the ballast tank with compressed gas and comprises a solenoid valve and nipples for the gas tank. 

Overall I was quite satisfied with SubTech's Albacore kit. However, do not expect a kit with parts that just pop into place. The plastic parts require a lot of work before they snugly fit. 

Below you'll find some pictures I took during the construction. 

 
 
Modification of the original tail to X-tail plane configuration. First the two parts of the original tail were glued together (A) then the inner part of the tail is coated with glasfiber and epoxy (B). A pilot hole is drilled using a brass rod and the original rudder as guidance (C). The original rudder assembly is cut off and the tail cone is sanded (C).

 
The nose cone and sail attached to the upper hull. The white stuff is 'liquid plaster' that is applied to get seamless joints (after sanding of course).

 
The gas tank made out of copper plumbing tube and the nipples supplied by SubTech. 

 
Internal assembly of the sub. (A) gas tank with solenoid valve, (B) battery pack, (C) RC receiver, (D) pump electronics, (E) ballast tank, (F) pump, (G) level control, (H) servos and speed control, (I) motor, and (J) shaft. Note: items B to I are located inside the pressure hull. 

Other Albacore Models


Completed Albacore model. Picture taken at the annual SubCommittee regatta in Groton,CT, 2001.  Owner (??)

 
Another Albacore model. Picture taken at the annual SubCommittee regatta in Groton,CT, 2001.  Owner (??)

 
Nearly completed Albacore model. Picture taken at the annual SubCommittee regatta in Groton,CT, 2001.  Owner (??) 

Visit the Albacore
You can visit the Albacore at: Port of Portsmouth Maritime Museum & Albacore Park, 600 Market St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, phone:  (603) 436-3680.


This page is under construction!