The GREAT British M1 Submarine

[Kazzer]

I just received my hull today. It's a boat I have always found interesting, just because it has a huge gun and it's sister, the M2, actually flew a small plane from its deck.

Take a look at some photos etc. I have set up at http://moonrakers.com/submarines/M-cabal/M-Class-72.htm

and tell me what you think.

Would anyone else be interested in this 1:72 scale boat?

http://moonrakers.com/submarines/M-cabal/M1-VII.jpg

[toppack]

It is Indeed a very interesting 'Gun Platform'.
The thing I'm wontering about the model and it's construction is the lack of Deck/superstructure Detail on the models hull. In an actual pic the M1 there appeared to be some large strange structures on the deck? Do you have detailed drawings or pics of what the deck looked like. If so, what will you use to make the deck structure, plastic, wood, or something different?

[Kazzer]

At this point, this model certainly isn't a 'kit assemblers' project. There is no 'fittings kit' so all the appendages will need to be made from scratch. The plans show a 3" gun at the rear and details of the main gun and there are a number of other more detailed photos available. There is quite a collection of underwater photos of the wreck, as this is a popular scuba dive of the south coast of England. (Portland, I think)

My favorite has to be the M2, with the plane on board. With some ingenuity, I'm sure the boat could be fitted with an assortment of appendages, swapping out the big gun for the plane launcher etc.

[Jacky Fisher]

You're thinking of M2 or M3. That is pretty much exactly what my orignal blue prints (loaned and copied from an wonderful Australian) depict.

[toppack]

Jacky,
Which one do you have drawings of, M-1, M-2 or M-3?

[Tachikaze]

I have the M1 in 1/72nd, obtained her from Cliff Shaw. He had the ship armed with a 1/4" ball bearing gun, but that has disappeared somewhere, it is my understanding that he did not wish for it to fall into enemy hands.
I acquired the ship as I am new to subs, and am using her to help me in the construction of the Surcouf in 1/72nd. The plan on the Surcouf is to create two superstructures, a combat one, and a sail the pretty boat one.:o

[toppack]

Yes, the M-1 is an interesting design but I Really like the Surcouf.
That double-barrel shot-gun really makes 'er look Mean! :D

I would like to see pictures of work in progress if you can post some. Thanks,

"1/4" ball bearing gun"
Man, you could sink full-scale boats with that. :D LOL :D

[Tachikaze]

The Surcouf hull has been shaped in pink foam, waiting for the summer to return to do the glass work. Have just started to think about the superstructure. I have a small vacume press that I made, but it is a little too small to do the superstructure as one unit. So I will either have to make a larger unit, or break the superstructure into sections.
And a 1/4" round, below the water line will bring a DD down in about 10 minutes. If there are any other hull hits, you will have a lot less time.:eek:

[Jacky Fisher]

Jacky,
Which one do you have drawings of, M-1, M-2 or M-3?

The plans I have are for M1.

[toppack]

Jacky,
If you have detailed drawings of the deck/superstructure, I think Mike Caswell needs a copy of those, since he's doing an RC model of it.
Correct, Mike?

[Kazzer]

Rick


I already have the M1 plans, they are from John Lambert in the UK. Pretty detailed.

[toppack]

Okay, Great.

[herrmill]

Mike,

Nice hull you've got there. I'd be interested but not until late next year after I have a few things out of the way.

What became of that K steamer I thought you had the hots for? :D

Chuck

[Kazzer]

Chuck

I'm just enthralled with ALL the British submarines! I'm a real nut for genealogy of my Caswell ancestors, and I guess it spills over into my dad's submarine HMS Sibyl. I see how she got to be what she was, through the K Class and M1, and then how she morphed into the T and eventually all the others. History is the best teacher, and submarine evolution is a wonderful exercise.

David Merriman says "Well ... I am impressed! Nice kit. Well designed, symmetrical and as far as I can tell from the limited drawings you sent, very close to documentation.

The GATO SD fits, so this will be the base-line cylinder. We have to move the motor bulkhead up forward, and this can be done -- the ballast tank will be shorter and I can halve the after dry-space length. So, this will work with most of the 2.5 SD devices and bulkheads.

We shorten up the GATO SD a bit and we have the perfect system for the M1, Mike. Very little to make the conversion.

DMIII

[Albion]

Nice looking boat :) whats the price?

[Kazzer]

I'm not sure what the price will be yet.

We have to develop a fittings kit, and Merriman reckons the rudder was an aerodynamic shape. I'm trying to get some photos from the scuba divers who are all over the wreck, but no luck yet.

It looks like our Sub-drivers will drop into this model quite easily, so nothing special in that respect.

Anyone good at machining the gun for a master mold?