Dan Dare 1955 and the Origin of Scout 1 by Toad

Toadster has sent in these cool comic strip illustrations that look darn similar to our friend the SWORD Scout 1 [pictured beneath]:

"Woodsy,

Attached are the pics mentioned. They are from the Dan Dare story "The Man from Nowhere" (May - November 1955). It looks less like the Scout than does Mike Noble's [via Andy B - below. Ed] : the "sponsons" are further forward; the stern isn't blunt; upper deck is all different. But it is those sponsons/ engines/whatever ... Wonder if this had an influence on the Scout directly, or on the artwork which led to the Scout (if any)? (is there anything in the real world like this?) Another interesting point is that this is a submarine ... ie, it can be sealed off from the atmosphere, just as can the Scout.I wonder if Frank Hampson used any reference? Cos, didn't he tend to draw from models? The story "Man From Nowhere" was illustrated by Frank Hampson and Don Harley, but I don't know who did what.

Toad"

Thanks to Toad for sending the above Dan Dare pics and info and Shaqui pointing it out to you! Woodsy