1/72 HL Hunley (Cottage Industry Models)
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by Maksym Bazhal |
1/72 HL Hunley (Cottage Industry Models)
According to the kit guidance, I’ve made movable air pipes and horizontal planes. In addition to the kit replica, I’ve made propeller able to be turned from hand crank as it was designed for original submarine. Also, I’ve modified the model so that the rudder can be operated using a tiller, control rod, steering linkage and sliding bracket. Both tanks where water was filled in were painted in blue. Total length of 80cm (hull is of 55cm).
The model can be seen here.
Simulation of torpedo attack is shown here.
History:
The Hunley was built in 1863 and sank 2 times during her testing killing
21 crewmen in total. On the night of 17 February, 1864 the Confederate
Submarine H.L. Hunley attacked and sank the Union Sloop-of-War USS Housatonic,
and became the first submarine in history to sink an enemy warship in combat.
At the same time, Housatonic and his killed 5 crewmen became the first
victims of submarine attack in history. The Hunley disappeared after the
attack killing all 8 of her second crew, including her inventor Horace
Hunley himself. They are not sure yet exactly how the crew died. There
are many opinions about it, but nothing conclusive yet. The boat was on
the surface after the attack. They were signalling the shore party about
their success. Most probably, they were suddenly run over by one of the
many Union boats rushing to assist the Housatonic's crew. The damage caused
by the collision caused the boat to take on water too quickly for the pumps
to evacuate, and the crew became trapped. The boat was sealed tight at
the time it was lost, so it’s supposed there was some unseen damage that
prevented them from surfacing. They died of suffocation and the boat slowly
filled with water and sediment over the years.
The Hunley wreck was discovered in 1995 and later raised in August 2000
for study and preservation by “The Friends of the Hunley”. William Blackmore
from Cottage Industry Models worked with the recovery organization, and
had direct access to the real boat, from which he took his measurements
and designs of the model. This kit is the first and only accurate cutaway
model available in the world. This amazing submarine replica was created
from first hand observations and measurements. It features resin, cast
white metal, wood and brass parts. The interior is fully detailed and updated
to reflect the latest information about the Hunley.
It was generally accepted as a fact for many years that the submarine
propeller was turned by hand by 8 crewmen. This information came from later
sources after the war and has been provided in the most references. When
the Hunley was finally opened one of the surprises found was the lack of
an 8th crewman to turn the crank. There are only 7 stations for the crew,
and one position for the Capt (8 people in total).
