Woodsys earlier post about the Ice Fountains of Enceladus and the seas which may exist on the moons of the gas giants got me thinking about the kind of submersibles that might be used to visit these hidden seas. Recently, I followed a blog about a prototype robotic probe which was being tested in the deep sinkholes or 'cenotes' in Venuzuela. The robotic device is a testbed for equipment which could be used on a probe which would venture into the seas of Europa. The blog is very interesting - although the field tests are now over: http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/projects/depthx/ and shows the cool saucer like vehicle.
I love a good submarine and inspired by the DEPTHX, i decided to make a few minisubs of my own. The top pic shows a couple of rough scratchbuilt subs made of playmobil parts, scrap kits and gum capsule lids. Below are a pair of Matchbox Mega Rig Rescue subs and a pilot figure.
Next we have a slightly larger two man sub, made from a sweet premium toy.
Below is an american mail away minisub - possibly on offer from a cereal. Anyone any idea which one ? Its called a Sonar Sub and is battery powered and came with instruction sheet, which sadly reveals nothing about the maker.
Finally, a little scratchbuilt ROV (remote operated vehicle) - a litttle like Big Geek in the Abyss, a Kinder Egg Deep Diving suit and our friendly Matchbox pilot.
Next we have a slightly larger two man sub, made from a sweet premium toy.
Below is an american mail away minisub - possibly on offer from a cereal. Anyone any idea which one ? Its called a Sonar Sub and is battery powered and came with instruction sheet, which sadly reveals nothing about the maker.
Finally, a little scratchbuilt ROV (remote operated vehicle) - a litttle like Big Geek in the Abyss, a Kinder Egg Deep Diving suit and our friendly Matchbox pilot.
Woderful WOTE! You should have your'e own toy line! No idea what that US sub is but it looks great. And Big Geek! I love Abyss, ET Under the Sea!
ReplyDeleteI second that. More great craft from the WOTAN workshop!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that top pic in particular is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI really like your scratchbuild work Wotan. If you were here in Arizona I'd hire you on for the project I'm working on.
ReplyDeleteWhat project would that be RP ? Drop me a line, maybe we can work something out!
ReplyDeleteI've sent you an email Wotan. Let mew know waht you think.
ReplyDeleteHello, mini sub was a mail away ($1 plus two box tops) by Kellogg's here in the states, around 1967-68. Great toys, I had three of them.
ReplyDeleteYes! My brother and I had two.
DeleteYou still got them Sean?
Deletestill got mine!
DeleteAha - cheers John
ReplyDeleteThe "Sonar Sub" was, indeed a mail-in premium toy from a breakfast cereal. My brother and I both got one. It was about a dollar, as I recall, with, probably two box tops. This would have been around 1970. I remember it being from the back of a box of Kellog's Sugar Frosted Flakes, but that may be incorrect. No idea who the manufacturer was, but it's just a variation of a AA powered torpedo toy motor that got used for all kinds of small boat toys, at the time. It would attach to the bottom of a toy boat, and propel it through the water, from underneath. This just has to the two ballast tanks, and little slide-on conning tower added. The more common variety of toy torpedo motor on most toys that had one was white and red. This was a good functional toy, and we played with ours in the swimming pool, for at least a couple of years.
ReplyDeletethats a great memory. Thanks for sharing. I suspect it may have been a Kelloggs cereal as you say, so this confirms it. Ill do a bit more research
DeleteI got my Sonar Sub from Quisp ceral & yes it was mail away but I seem to remember $.50 cent cost but I could be wrong
ReplyDeleteaha - Quisp! well thats good to know, ill try and track down an advert
DeleteFound picture of ad for Sonar Sub Mail-away offer on worth point, I was wrong it was from Kellogs not Quisp (by Quaker Oats). Sugar Smacks by Kellogs was my other favorite, so there it is!
DeleteI just found a Sonar Sub on Ebay & bought it! It was a salesman sample & is like new. Got a box of Quisp to make it complete. I'm pretty sure Quisp did the original mail offer but not 100% positive, If anyone can find the cereal box add I'd love to see it
ReplyDeleteP.S. Found Sonar Ad photo. was from Kellogs not Quaker oats (Quisp parent brand) so it probably was Sugar Smacks my other favorite. Case closed!
ReplyDeletecool - post us a link if you can!
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