Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Submarines => Topic started by: Arik on June 16, 2014, 08:53:31 am

Title: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Arik on June 16, 2014, 08:53:31 am
I am seaching for any information on the British built human torpedo known as <Chariot MK I>, I would prefer original drawings and documents but also detailed model builders documentation is very welcome! I am trying to figure out this <Chariot MK I> in order to built a much as possible "original"static working model. The scale will be quite large because it will be some what easyer to built, I think !??! I hope there is someone out there who can help me? I think good electronic copies will will do.
Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: raflaunches on June 16, 2014, 09:12:19 am
Hi Arik


Welcome to the Mayhem hope you find what you're looking for. I've attached the link below to a thread that was on here a few years back, hope it helps. :-))


http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24045.0 (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24045.0)


Regards


Nick
Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Davy1 on June 16, 2014, 10:36:48 am
 Hi Arik,
That is a very useful link for Mayhem. (Good that the late Steve Webb's model is included - it was a very good one.)
Also have a search of the AMS Forum and the Website ( a lot of photos on the Website which may turn something up.)
As regards A1 Down Under Models he seems to come and go a lot. (I met him at the Blackpool show a few years back.)
Anyone else have any recent information on A1?

David
Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Arik on June 16, 2014, 11:34:34 am

Thanks David,

I will take a look  there also.

Kind regards,

Arik



Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Subculture on June 16, 2014, 12:28:59 pm
The best drawings I've seen are the ones printed in the book 'Midget Submarines' by Paul Kemp.

Anyone interested in midget subs should have a copy of this excellent book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1840675217/ref=dp_olp_used/279-2935875-3326739?ie=UTF8&condition=used (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1840675217/ref=dp_olp_used/279-2935875-3326739?ie=UTF8&condition=used)

There may be better drawings out there, perhaps an inquiry with the museum at Gosport might unearth something- they do have an archives section.
Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Davy1 on June 16, 2014, 01:35:34 pm
Hi Arik,

I have had a chance to search the AMS Forum now.
If you search on the word "Chariot" you will get a couple of good links. These inlcude a reference to the book by Kemp , which I have on my shelves (my copy is a paperback and a quick leaf through shows only limited sketches.) but it IS a good book. There are also some useful references to UK museums etc. (A visit perhaps?!)
Steve Webb's problems with the model were connected with making realistic divers (not a common problem with submarines.) He made some very good dry (clammy death!) suits but the natural rubber on them perished.

Good luck with your research!

David
Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Subculture on June 16, 2014, 01:54:30 pm
Sorry I should have put 'Midget Submarines of the Second World War', which is a hard back book and has a whole chapter on Chariots with an A3 spread of drawings.  Midget Submarines, which I also have, is a much smaller book, with less information. Still worth getting if you can find a copy.

The link I gave does take you to the better book however.
Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Arik on June 16, 2014, 02:23:20 pm
Hello again subculture,

I have the book of Paul Kemp!!!

Thanks!!!

Regards Arik
Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Subculture on June 17, 2014, 10:12:49 am
In that case I think you will have to try contacting the museum at Gosport. Often very good drawings exist of craft, and sometimes sadly, none at all.

Also I understand there is a Mark one Chariot at Eden Camp Museum in Yorkshire. http://www.edencamp.co.uk/ (http://www.edencamp.co.uk/)

Often these vehicles have been badly restored, so I don't know how original the boat is. Doesn't look too bad in the pictures I found online.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Aa_chariot_mk1_front_side_00.jpg/1024px-Aa_chariot_mk1_front_side_00.jpg)

Title: Re: British built human torpedo <Chariot MK I>
Post by: Arik on June 17, 2014, 12:11:54 pm
Hello Subculture,

Thanks again for looking around in the net.
I do have the Edencamp pictures also and think this is what you ment, the restoration hasn't been done very well.
Also the figurine isn't correct at all.
Back in 1992 there must have been built a replica, but as far as I understand they didn't built the inside correct, mechanicly and electricly spoken.So they had their troubles at her maiden trip. Where this replica has gone I still do not know yet, it would be nice to know.
It is almost like the quest for the holy Grail at this moment!
It seems that the Navy is not proud of those men and Chariots at all, but as far as I know the Navy found submarines a damned unenglish weapen.
Very different from the Italians, I could find a lot of material about their Maiale's, from which the Chariot are developed.

Regards,

Arik