I'm building a submarine!!!

So, I got this crazy idea the other day that I would build Brendan a submarine for his birthday (which is just about a month away). My dad made me a cardboard submarine when I was about 5 or so, complete with parascope. I LOVED that thing, but unfortunately, the rain destroyed it only after 4 short months of good times.Well, in order to make this one actually last, I decided that I would make it out of wood. Since I was making it out of wood, I definitely had to draw up some blueprints, otherwise I'd be winging it, which could only lead to shoddy work and then ... disaster.So, here are the sets of plans I drew up in Microsoft Paint.The sub is going to be HUGE. It will be 8 feet long, from bow to stern. It will be 4 feet wide and 4 feet tall. The conning tower will add another 2 feet. What's awesome is that I will be able to build the whole thing for about $250.

Step 1.

Frame the interior space using 1X2 planks and masonite board for the interior. Rounded supports are to be cut out of plywood, and quarter round stringers will provide the ribs that will be covered with rubberized canvas.

Step 2.

Create and mount bridge supports in the bow. Segmented stringers will provide the ribs to be covered by rubberized canvas in the bow.

Step 3.

Frame and mount supports for conning tower. Cover framing with plywood as siding. Insert parascope.

Step 4.

Mount plywood deck to top of sub and fasten rubberized canvas to sides and bow and stern. The kids will enter the sub from the back, which will swing open on a hinge.Waterproof and paint, and the sub is ready to go!