14/05/2019. U51. 18". 8 Plate Hull. Screw Cap. Tinplate Clockwork Diving Submarine.
U51 has an 8 plate fabricated hull consisting of a 3 plate base and a 5 plate upper deck. The form is rectangular in section giving flattish sides, this method of build required internal bracing to maintain the hull strength, however once soldered together its as solid as a rock (and dives like one too). The 80ml dive tank is fitted in the bow with through hull forward dive planes, the aft planes are standard rudder mounted. I didn't have great expectations for this boat in the water being quite a bulky beast but was pleasantly surprised to find it extremely slippy in the oggin. All in all not a bad turn out and well worth the 3 shillings and sixpence it cost to build.