Welcome to Zero Bubble Model Design:

Specializing in Radio controlled Submarine kits and dive modules.

 

My Name is David Hughes and I am the sole operator of Zero Bubble model design, located just north of Sydney, NSW,  Australia.

I am a model maker with over 25 year’s experience.  I have designed and flown numerous scale Radio controlled Gliders and have for the last 20 years designed and developed over 10 RC Scale submarine designs.

 

Six of my designs are featured here and are offered as basic kits.  They are kits ideally suited to radio control application and are based on five rarely modeled Nuclear submarines and a rare World War One design. These kits are durable, the hull components are made of Fiber glass and the appendages are made of polyurethane castings.  These models are niche designs in an already niche sector of the RC market.  They are intended to be affordable and reasonably priced kits at the lower end of the price spectrum. They offer challenge for the builder who wants to take a basic kit and produce their own version of a rare submarine design.

 

These kits are designed for a Water tight cylinder (WTC) that can be configured for either dynamic diving (using forward momentum to drive the boat underwater) or more commonly using a static system (a ballast tank that changes the buoyancy of the boat).  These boats use my own custom made cylinders the ZB-1 and ZB-1/2 designs.

This page gives an overview of my submarine designs and also the ZB Series of cylinders that drive the models

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My RC Submarines.

 At Zero Bubble I have six kits available for sale. Three are 1/120 scale with a hull diameter of 90 mm / 3.54 inches.  (Mike and Resolution). 

Papa's diameter at 97 mm / 3.81 inches.

Borei  and Delta are 1/140 with a diameter of 95 mm / 3.74 inches.

U-23 has a maximum diameter of 120mm 1/154 scale

 

All are designed for Radio Control application. These kits are basic and just comprise the hull, appendages and fittings (eg, Rudders, Fins and scoops). They also include a brief instruction booklet. They do not include Radio control electronics, Water tight cylinder (WTC) propeller shafts or masts and stand. 

 

To make Radio control you need to purchase an appropriate ZB cylinder or use one of your own.

 

They are designed for experienced modelers who know how to build and would have a preferred method of assembly. The components included will need sanding, filling and adjustment. As can be seen by photos and videos, all designs have been thoroughly tested and have and will continue to undergo design evolution.

 

Odd Scales?

I have a bad habit of building to whatever scale I like. It is usually determined by how well a model sits on the back seat of my car.  Borei,  just fits across the back seat of my Corolla!  Sorry,  I've never really paid much attention to 1:96, 1:72 or 1:144. (call me a rebel)

 

 The Kits:

 

KIT 1: Royal Navy Polaris missile Submarine HMS Resolution.

This is the only 1/120 Scale model of Resolution on the market.

 

KIT 2: Soviet Project 685 Plavnik K-278 'Komsomolets'. Nato codename: Mike.  This design is the only large kit available for radio control of this one off Russian submarine. (Scale: 1:120)

 

KIT 3: Project 955 'Borei' class SSBN. Big Russian SSBN. Lots of space. There are some 3D printed files available for this boat but not a Fiberglass hull.  (Scale: 1:140)

 

KIT 4: Project 661 'Papa' class SSGN.  This is a cool little submarine if I may say so. Once again no other large kit of this submarine exists. (that I know of)

(Scale 1:120)

 

KIT 5:  Project 667  BDRM Delta IV class SSBN.  January 2020. (Scale 1:140)

Like Borei, lots of space. Twin shaft ZB 1/2 cylinder required.

 

KIT 6: New for 2022! This is really different. I have developed a kit of a 

World War One U-boat. The SM U-23 Class. This kit is 1100 mm long and 120 mm wide. Scale 1/54. Will be unique at the pool!

 

ZB-1 and ZB-1/2 Cylinders. Single and Twin shaft. All my hulls will accommodate either the ZB-1 or 2.

 

News: March 2024.

 

Regrettably, I am going to have to withdraw the Resolution class SSBN kit from the product line. This is because the top silicon hull mold has torn and is worn out. When I originally made it years ago there were spots in the silicon wall that were a bit thin. They have now torn with repeated use. 

I do intend on retooling the top hull, it just wont be soon. Once done the kit will then go back into production.

 

February 2024

 

In the last couple of weeks I have been really impressed with the new design of the ZB-1 that I decided to produce the same design features in this new ZB-1 to create a new ZB-1/2. Mostly the same design just a twin and looking good so far. 

 

News: January 2024.

During the Christmas / Summer Holidays I have been busy working on the development of a New ZB-1 design. I have wanted to re-develop it based on feedback and user experience. I am happy with the results. First prototype components are out of the molds. Stay tuned.

 

News: November 2023.

The new Ballast tank valve design has passed testing. At the moment the unit is working well. I have now decided to put it into production and will now have to create the appropriate instruction documentation to go along with it. Further details can be found on the ZB product pages.

 

 

Beginners: Please read.

 

I love getting enquiries from Beginners, or people whom I perceive as being Beginners.  If so, I will often ask further questions to gauge background knowledge about a potential enquiry. I do this in order to then determine what may be appropriate as a start point for a kit and Cylinder. 

 

I also do this in order to make sure that the potential customer has an understanding, if they may be new , of what they are "getting into".

 

Bob Martin, from Nautilus drydocks, calls this Hobby "one for the Elite". I think this tends to imply people who are really wealthy.  I prefer to say it is one for the "Mechanically / Electronically tenacious.'  But I understand and agree with where he is coming from.  I also totally agree with him in that you should start "simple".

 

We both say equivalent things in order not to be arrogant or opinionated, but to help people realize that this hobby simply isn't easy.  I have lost sales because I'd rather a person hold onto their sanity and leave than to spend money on something that will simply gather dust never to be built. 

 

Yes, I make some money off these kits, but I also want to inspire the next generation and slowly increase the scope of the hobby. I am a High school Technology teacher and every day I see students give up on "hard" things, often because it requires long term perseverance. 

 

If you are new to this Hobby, or you've caught the bug, first thing you should do is Read, Read, Read and did I mention Read. You can't know enough.  I am still learning. Heck, David Merriman is probably still learning. 

 

There is an absolute goldmine of information out there, take the time to hunt it down.  I have got to know some of my customers well. It makes my week when they send pics of their finished boats. I love it. 

 

So if you are mechanically tenacious and attack a problem until IT gives up being a problem, then welcome aboard and please see this write up, not as condescending, but helpful.

 

I look forward to hearing from you. 

 

David H

 

 

What's with the name? "Zero Bubble" is a submariner's terms for keeping the submarine level underwater.

Customer service:

Zero Bubble model design is a side business and not my full time occupation. (I wish)

I do require approximately 6-8 weeks from order to completion of the kit, as I do not necessarily keep kits in stock. Although if a kit is in available then I will notify you as the turn around time will be shorter.  I keep in touch with customers throughout the production cycle and when the order is ready to ship to inform you of shipping costs. My wait time this year (2024) may extend further as I have increased responsibilities at work.

 

As a courtesy I usually take a photo of the completed kit or Cylinder and send it to you for your acknowledgment.

I do not take deposits. I take payment just before shipping kits. (I only take Paypal)  If you do not commit to the kit. It goes back on the shelf and the next buyer gets theirs really quickly!

 

Due to overseas shipping costs I will split the top and bottom hulls of my larger models (Borei, Delta, Resolution and U-23) in order to create a package that does not exceed Australia Post's shipping size requirements. This is done as a means of reducing the cost for the customer.

 

I don't do custom work. I'm busy enough working through orders and trying to perfect what I already have. Sorry....

 

Ask Bob Martin...

 

I am quite happy to field technical questions and help out with problems where I can. I am just an email away..

 

Shipping:

I am frequently asked about shipping costs. Each kit and destination gets me a different reply from Australia post when I get a quote, however to give you a ball -park idea I'll give quotes from previous orders. Usually I am quoted an express price (the higher end) and an economy price (lower end). Sometimes there is an in-between standard rate. The difference is usually how quickly it gets to your country (The post office states the number of days it takes to get to your country) but no how quickly it gets to you! I usually recommend tracking but not the express.

United Kingdom:

Resolution is approx- $45-65 AUD

France:  

Borei is approx $ 55 AUD

Mike is approx $ 42  AUD

Germany:  

Mike is approx-   $43-56 AUD.

Papa is approx-  $36-56 AUD

Delta is approx    $55      AUD

The Netherlands:

Delta: is approx: $55 AUD

Norway:

Borei is approx-  $49-56 AUD

United States:

Mike is approx- $37-40 AUD

Borei is approx- $52-62 AUD

Delta is approx - $55 AUD

Papa is approx- $37-51 AUD

Resolution is approx- $40-49 AUD

 

Australia post offers different shipping options which I investigate for each customer...

 

As mentioned, my kits are basic. They are not precision kits of museum quality, as components may not precisely align. Experience with scratch building is advisable.  I  would spend on average up to 10 hours laying up, casting and processing parts once out of the molds.

 

If you monitor my webpages long enough, you will notice that I am on the path of gradual improvement. I intend to simply produce the best product that I can. My designs go through the process of evolution as I receive feedback from customers, my own observations or something I have designed and produced, bugs me enough or makes it clear that improvements are needed. These developments take time, months, years, and I don't claim to be there yet however with every new modification, I get closer.

 

I make very little profit off these kits and do it for the passion. I realize that many modeler's would rather an imperfect, reasonably priced kit than none at all. 

In a hobby where a decent incomplete hull and cylinder will set you back $1000, to have a basic hull and cylinder come in at approx $500 is worth considering...

 

With reasonable modelling skills these five kits will build into satisfying models and handle superbly when built for Radio control. They are also unique, rare and hand crafted.

 

Proudly Designed, Engineered and hand made in Australia.  (yes, we still actually make stuff in this country)