1/35 X-Craft midget submarine (Scratch)
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by Maksym Bazhal |
Here is a self-made replica of British X class midget (type I) built for the Royal Navy during 1942-43 (X5-X10, and X20-X25).
Length of 44cm, width of 8cm (5cm without the two side-charges). The
hull, periscopes and propeller were made of brass. Both charges can be
removed.
When the left-side charge is out, a cutaway is open and two of four
compartments can be seen (Wet and Dry, and Control centre). As I know,
this is one model only of X-Craft in the World with a cutaway and movable
charges.
The following parts were made movable as well: air inlet pipe can be moved up/down along left side, both periscopes can be turned, both upper hatches and a hatch to W&D can be open/close, shutters of all three illuminators can be moved, and angles of rudder and horizontal plane can be changed.
At the end, I’d like to present here an interesting story about X-Craft.
I’ve got this story via email from Mr. Vernon Coles who served at X-24
(many thanks to Mr. George A Malcolmson from Royal Navy Submarine Museum,
Gosport, GB). So, the story is below:
X-Craft did not have ladders. When the boat was in the water, the after
hatch was never open, we always used the W&D access. When the boat
was inboard, nine times out of ten someone would be sat in the after control
seat which is directly under the after hatch. When the King came to inspect
us in 1944 in X24, a short ladder was made by our blacksmith Jock Hunter.
It only had three rungs but the King refused to come into the boat so poor
Jock was quite disappointed.
