Lafayette SET

The LAFAYETTE SSBN-616 was laid down 17 January 1961 by Electric Boat Co., Division of General Dynamics, Groton, CN/USA and launched 8 May 1962. The Lafayette had her place in the Navy’s expanding “Polaris Fleet” during the 1960’s. While still in service in March 1991 the vessel was decommissioned on the August 12 of that year.

This kit offers a high grade of pre-fabrication and content.

Hull
The hull of the model is made of glass fiber reinforced Epoxy (GRP).
The main hull consists of two parts, the bow and aft section which are combined with a bayonet lock ring made of aluminum and sealed with an o-ring.
The rocket hatch section is also made of GR Epoxy and shows finely scribed detail.

Conning tower with periscope parts, rudders and dive planes are all cast in resin to allow easy assembly.

Inner Section
The inner section (so-called technical frame) is made of CNC cut PVC allowing easy and fast assembly. All parts have their set location and a very good fit. Furthermore, the frame is reinforced by alloy bars with threaded ends which are screwed against or into the CNC cut bulkheads.
The rear (main) bulk head is cast in 12 mm thick resin and incorporates all necessary connections for the screwed-on alloy bars, main drive as well as two water in-/outlets for the Piston Tank and the Pressure Switch.

Dive System
The center of the inner section consists of a single Piston Tank type HA825-12 825ml volume with AutoStop and HALL Sensor for proportional control which comes pre-mounted with the necessary bulkhead on each end.
The Piston Tank is controlled by the electronic switch unit CTS2 which is mounted directly onto the Piston Tank. The CTS2 incorporates a Pressure Switch as security device (located at the bow of the frame) which limits the maximum depth to about 1.8 meters. The CTS2 also features a second security device, the so-called “low battery monitor” which forces the model to emerge should the voltage of the battery drop below 9 Volt for longer than 6 seconds.
The 12 Volt drive of the Piston Tank runs smoothly and allows the tank to be flooded fully after 18 seconds.

Main Drive
The model has a 12 Volt direct drive motor. This is attached to a specially fabricated alloy mount which is fitted to the main bulk head and sealed with an o-ring. The coupling connecting the motor to the prop shaft (stainless steel) runs within this mount, closed-off by a shaft seal. The kit also includes a 6-blade scimitar prop made of brass.
This set-up allows a speed of up to 12 km/h (approx. 7.5 mph, submerged).

Accessory Pack
The kit comes with all necessary components, such as pre-cut tubes and rods as well as linkages, connectors, screws, nuts etc. as well as comprehensive building instructions in English supplemented by 3-D drawings a general plan.

All parts are packed in groups to their corresponding sections of the model.

Technical Data
Scale 1/100
Length 1300 mm (51.2”)
Width 100 mm (3.9”)
Beam 180 mm (7.1”), w/o periscope
Weight 8.5 kg (300 oz)
Speed 12 km/h (7.5 mph), submerged
Battery 2x 12V (=2x10 1.2V MiMH 3500mAh, Size Sub-C)
Cruise time at least 2 hours (with 3500mA batteries)

This special LAFAYETTE package deal includes:

Kit Contents
• Fiber glass hull and rocket hatch section made of Epoxy
• Piston Tank HA825-12V with AutoStop and Hall Sensors
• electronic switch unit CTS2
• Pressure Switch
• Technical frame CNC cut with alloy reinforcements
• Bayonet lock with O-ring
• Rudders, dive planes and carriers cast in resin
• Conning tower and periscopes cast in resin
• Main bulk head
• Brushless main drive motor 300kV/12V (direct drive)
• Propeller shaft made of stainless steel
• Rudder yoke made of brass
• 7-blade scimitar prop made of brass
• Pre-cut tubes, rods, inserts etc.
• Accessory pack including linkages, tubings, seals etc.
• All screws, nuts etc. made of stainless steel
• Decals "616", "Lafayette" and water level markings (color transfers)
• Comprehensive English building instructions and drawings in 3-D
• Further pictures on construction of the kit and of the original Lafayette Class on CD-ROM
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• 2 servos (with ball bearing and metal gears)
• 2 Servo accessory packs
• 3 Servo extension leads
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• Pitch Controller SPC2
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• automatic Reverse Drive Detection (for SPC2)
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• Electronic speed controller
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• Main Battery Pack NiMH 12V/7000mAh
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• Receiver Battery Pack NiMH 4.8V/3000mAh
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• Cable and Connector Set GOLD
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• Boat Stand