The Turtle was designed in much secrecy in 1775 to counter the British Navy blockading ports during the American War of Independence. It was intended to approach anchored vessels awash on the surface, then dive, and attach an explosive device on the underside of the hull. It was actually attempted, but the operator Sgt. Ezra Lee was unable to attach the explosive, either due to the copper sheathing on the hull, or the drill being unable to get enough purchase.
Because of the secrecy by David Bushnell there don't seem to be any contemporary drawings, only written descriptions, by observers who had little idea of what they were seeing ( not surprising ). On doing a bit of searching on the 'net, I have found a lot of models/replicas of the Turtle, and I can say that they're all different!
So, this model by MikroMir is one interpretation of what the Turtle looked like!
MikroMir are a Ukrainian manufacturer of short run models of a wide range of weird subjects not attempted by anyone else
It comes in what is perhaps the flimsiest 'box' ever, it's just heavy paper folded to a box shape - no fasteners!
Sprue shots!
It looks like the model will be around 30mm dia. by 50mm tall - not a great deal of detail, and the parts will need a fair amount of clean up.
Instructions
What is labelled as 'copper' was almost certainly brass - I've seen references to 'brass fittings'.
It's certainly a strange model - there are no suggestions how to display it & one item shown on the box top is missing from the instructions - the rope that connected the drill to the explosives....
The model is around, but prices are a bit silly, anything from £19 - 24 for a really small model, with not a lot of detail. I got mine from Ebay, from before the russian unpleasantness, & I certainly didn't pay that much!
Only recommended for experienced modellers, with deep pockets, and a deep interest in submarine history
Dave
edit: - I've just spotted that Hannants have this in stock for £14.99!
Because of the secrecy by David Bushnell there don't seem to be any contemporary drawings, only written descriptions, by observers who had little idea of what they were seeing ( not surprising ). On doing a bit of searching on the 'net, I have found a lot of models/replicas of the Turtle, and I can say that they're all different!
So, this model by MikroMir is one interpretation of what the Turtle looked like!
MikroMir are a Ukrainian manufacturer of short run models of a wide range of weird subjects not attempted by anyone else
It comes in what is perhaps the flimsiest 'box' ever, it's just heavy paper folded to a box shape - no fasteners!
Sprue shots!
It looks like the model will be around 30mm dia. by 50mm tall - not a great deal of detail, and the parts will need a fair amount of clean up.
Instructions
What is labelled as 'copper' was almost certainly brass - I've seen references to 'brass fittings'.
It's certainly a strange model - there are no suggestions how to display it & one item shown on the box top is missing from the instructions - the rope that connected the drill to the explosives....
The model is around, but prices are a bit silly, anything from £19 - 24 for a really small model, with not a lot of detail. I got mine from Ebay, from before the russian unpleasantness, & I certainly didn't pay that much!
Only recommended for experienced modellers, with deep pockets, and a deep interest in submarine history
Dave
edit: - I've just spotted that Hannants have this in stock for £14.99!
