"Turtle" - D. Bushnell's submarine (USA)

Self-taught American inventor David Bushnell built what is believed to be the world's first time-detonated mine, suitable for underwater use. He conducted several successful tests by releasing charges downstream. In this way, he blew up a small British ship. However, he believed, that this method of attack did not guarantee the destruction of the enemy. He concluded, that the only reliable way to sink warships was to attach the charge directly under the hull. To this end, he designed and, together with his brother Ezra, built a small submarine, which was named "Turtle" because of its shape. The wooden hull of the ship resembled two compressed turtle shells. It had two propellers. One was vertical, used to change the draft of the ship (driven by hand). The second was horizontal, driven by pedals. The device was submerged and raised, using water ballast and solid ballast. The ship was armed with a mine, filled with black powder, detonated by a time-detonator. A special drill was used to attach it under the hull of the enemy ship. The opportunity to use the new weapon in battle arose on the night of September 6–7, 1776. Ezra Lee, a volunteer soldier, who commanded the "Turtle", attacked the frigate HMS "Eagle", operating in the Hudson River near Manhattan. While the charge was being placed, the drill broke down. Lee was forced to break off the attack. Another attempt to reach the target of the attack was also unsuccessful. The ship encountered a strong current, that the crew could not overcome. On the third attempt, the "Turtle" was forced to withdraw after being fired upon by the British. The career of the first American submarine ended a week later, when a British cutter sank the ship carrying the "Turtle". Bushnell raised his ship, but did not continue further work on it. The further fate of the "Turtle" is unknown.

Small and simple models of two scales (1:35 and 1:50), well-designed and perfectly reproducing the exterior of the world's first used (albeit unsuccessfully) combat submarine, which will suit any level of experience modeler. Only beginners and those with little experience are recommended to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. Two versions of each model can be made: "wooden" and "painted". The "painted" version should look more realistic in terms of use, because the resin provides tightness to the wooden hull.