UK Mini Sporting Submarine of 1956

[hesham]

From, Техника - молодежи 1956-08,

SPORTS SUBMARINE

As reported by the magazine "International graphic", on the miniature
submarine "Minisub", produced by the company "Kalif", you can make
exciting underwater
journeys.

This boat is very small in size and can accommodate two people. The boat
weighs about 175 kg. Its hull is made of sheets of light aluminum alloy. It
moves with the help of one propeller, which rotates from a shaft connected
to foot pedals. Both passengers can work the pedals together or each separately.
You can also put a small electric motor of 1 hp on the boat, powered by a dry
battery. Under water, the boat can reach a speed of 7-8 km / h. The boat has
rudders and depth rudders.
It is intended for swimming at shallow depths - up to 5 m. But m of this depth
is enough for interesting observations of the seabed, for underwater walks (England).

 

[publiusr]

I wanted something like this as a kid…

 

[Dilandu]

It was a Mark VI minisub, build by Aerojet General Corp.



It was designed as combat diver delivery two-men submersible for Underwater Demolition Teams. Two versions existed; a pedal-powered Model F and electric-powered Model P. The Mark VI was tested, but rejected by UDT's due to being too fragile for practical use. At least one example survived in Panama City Sea Museum:



It's possible that company tried to pitch the submarine for civilian market then, as recreational vechicle. Apparently they did not sucseed, because only about six Mark VI were build. I wasn't able to find anything about "Kalif" company, so it seems like translator mistake.

 

[Dilandu]

 

[martinbayer]

There are notable differences between a *true* submarine and a mere submersible - please do not confuse those categories, especially in a hallowed forum like this that expects a certain level of engineering acumen/acuity from its contributors, as opposed to mere fanboi adulation.

 

[Dilandu]

There are notable differences between a *true* submarine and a mere submersible - please do not confuse those categories, especially in a hallowed forum like this that expects a certain level of engineering acumen/acuity from its contributors, as opposed to mere fanboi adulation.

It was classified as "minisub", which confuse situation a bit.