3D Printed 1/72 Titanic: Sinking Test and possible results?

[Harland Duzen]

For the past several months, BernCo Models has been 3D Printing a scaled model of the Titanic after several attempts at Kickstarter and testing. The model measures 3.7 Meters long, has been weighted for ballast with cement now weighing 200kg and is RC Controlled.

Photo of Model Titanic (taken from RMS Titanic GIANT 4 meter 3d printable remote controlled 3D Model 3D printable STL PDF and being used for informative purposes only).

Recently, the owner has stated he's prepared to sink the model permanently as it's weight and length means it will be currently unrecoverable once it's sunk. Interestingly according to the owner, there's a high chance the model could actually snap in 2 as the cement put into the Hull as ballast will easily snap the plastic

youtube:V0GZLypq4Rg
BernCo Models

Given the large scale of the model and the Owner wishing to use HD Cameras, Titanic Experts will have the opportunity to witness a large scale model sinking not seen since the fibreglass model used in "Titanic: Secrets Revealed" in 1998 to test the theory of Open Bulkheads slowing the flooding.

Now the model as far as I know doesn't have interior decks or Bulkheads, but the Ballast and Breaking feature could give us a unique glimpse into how the ship sank in 1912.


NOTE: The owner now intends to make a 1:24 scaled model with a steel hull making it the second largest Titanic Model ever made (the 1st being the Prop for the 1997 film at 1/20 scale).

 

[Harland Duzen]

Update 06/07/17:

The Owner's attempts to fund the sinking haven't gone to well, having only raised $30,00 out of a $7,000 target. However new evidence from the owner's Facebook page have already conjured up interesting questions:

While testing the model at "Full Ahead" in a costal sand bar, the owner didn't notice it was heading for a sand bar that could damage it if impacted and was having to "light jog along the shore to keep up with her"

First he turned the model Hard-a-Port while still at "Full Ahead" (the same action some theorise might have helped Titanic avoid the iceberg) but found she wasn't turning fast enough.

Next he panicked and did the 1997 version of events and went "Full Astern" only to find the ship stopped turning and staying locked onto a straight course towards the sandbank!

Fortunately, the owner managed to run over and grab it preventing any damage.

(click here for link to Owner's Story: BernCo Models)

What this shows is that if the "Full Astern" order had been given as in the 1997 film (currently disputed with the new version suggesting "All Stop" was ordered instead) the rudder would have been compromised / made ineffective and the ship would have been unable to turn till it was too late. please note the model was tested in shallow water so the ship could have been affected by the Shallow Canal Effect but it's still interesting.

 

[Brad Rousse]

I would caution taking the model too seriously. Different scale, material and scenario.

 

[Harland Duzen]

The original creator has posted a new video explaining the construction process: