[PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: Thought-experiment

["Michael B. Holt" <mholt@richmond.edu>]

MerlinSub@t-online.de wrote:
> 
> Hi Mike - seems you have much better sources than I.
> In all my books is the same picture. Only one is
> different and shows old Simon in the remains of the sub.

I keep hoping someone else has more information ...  I talk with
Jeff Lake, and with John Poluhowich, who wrote the recent book
about Simon Lake (worth reading, by the way).  
 
> Some years before I play with the idear to build a replica
> sub : I found 3 which seems useful with the old hull
> but with modern technology inside:
> Place 1.) Disneys Nautilus - but Pat had done the job..
> Place 2.) A small size copy of a VIIC boat - but the beam will be much
>           to small - or the boat to big.

I have the lines of the VIIC drawn as though the boat were to 
be built in plywood.  I was thinking about the same thing, but 
as a surface boat (or as a diving boat).  I finally decided 
that the IX has a better shape for a surface or diving boat.  

> Place 3.) A German Seehund of World war two.

I like that!
 
> A combination from 3.) with tank treads will be the ultimate machine,
> you can drive directly from ashore to the sea - travel fast on the surface
> and dive deep. And if you wish -like Simon L. - use the treads on the
> seabed..

In 1950 a boat was built with propellors and with treads.  It's on
the PSUBs site: the Mechanix Illustrated of 1950.  The daughter of
one of the builders is trying to find all the information for us.

I wonder if Simon Lake ever drove his subs on land: they might have
been too heavy for the axles, on land.  I'll ask about that.  

Thanks.



Mike