C.S.S. Hunley Scratch Build

**Fizbi** · #1 03-29-2018, 04:16 PM

This is where I hope to post my progress for my scratch build of the C.S.S. Hunley, 1864.

I have software for GIMP, InkScape, and my latest download of FREECad.
I also have Paint Shop Pro and Corel Draw. I'm an expert with GIMP but vector drawings are better with InkScape. I'll give FREECad a shot but if it proves to be too challenging, I'll lean on InkScape.

I already have a few drawings of the sub, but before I do anything else, I need a base line drawing to make the correct scale. So, I need to make some better calculations first and get a few more details.

The biggest bug-a-boo that I'm wrestling with is the bow of the sub. Is it curved by design or was it straight and then damaged, or what? There seems to be a mystery about that.

**Maltedfalcon** · #2 03-29-2018, 04:23 PM

Awesome!, Planned scale?

**Maltedfalcon** · #3 03-29-2018, 04:24 PM

Also it's paper, for accuracy sake make both...

**Fizbi** · #4 03-29-2018, 05:08 PM

Well, this is still an unknown. I suspect the curve is by design. I have read that the bow and stern are cast metal whereas the hull plates were rolled steel.

The hull concretion still obscures hull details, and I'm am doing research almost daily as the details emerge.

I figure cast steel (iron?) would more easily crack from an explosion. Since the bow looks undamaged, I reason curved by design or erosion. Concretion could slow or prevent erosion, so I will have to wait to find out.

In the mean time, more calculations to find my desired scale.

**Fizbi** · #5 03-29-2018, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maltedfalcon

Awesome!, Planned scale?

Planned scale will be about 1:15.

This will allow a fair sized hatch opening to look into the sub. Somewhere between 1" and 2" in size as measured lengthwise.

Too big and the model turns into a 40" monster and that's without spar and torpedo. Too small, and the hatch opening will not allow enough light into the interior.

**missileer** · #6 03-29-2018, 09:23 PM

This is going to be an impressive build!

**Fizbi** · #7 03-30-2018, 09:08 AM

I received an email this morning from a reliable source to my questions about the bow and here is the reply:

"The bow (stern, hatch towers, and keel weights) are cast iron. The hull plates are wrought iron, rolled or otherwise shaped to fit. The forward edge of the bow was a straight vertical line. The curved line seen when the Hunley was raised was the result of sand scouring cased by underwater currents. Several other parts of the sub suffered similar scouring, including the starboard side of the forward hatch. The two holes on the starboard side of the hull were the result of scouring"

So, my model will have a straight line at the bow and I will be going with 1:15 scale.

**MichaelS** · #8 03-30-2018, 10:24 AM

So I guess the South will rise again albeit in 1:15th scale!

So roughly how long will this make it?

**Fizbi** · #9 03-30-2018, 10:41 AM

Length will be a little over 25". Still researching data to confirm the exact length. The bow was sand blasted over the years, so accuracy may be a bit off.

With spar and torpedo, it will be over 3 foot in length.

**elliott** · #10 03-30-2018, 01:05 PM

Sounds great! Really looking forward to this design/build.