Welcome to our new submarine section, over the following pages you will find a selection of 9 model submarines, most are shown with a small sketch off what the craft looks like, a descriptive text about the full-size vessel and about the model itself. Also a photo off the finished model (where one is available) and some photo's off the full-size vessel (if these are available).

To those of you who are experienced submariners you will recognise the models as having formally been manufactured by John Darnell of 'Darnell Models' Leavesden. We were fortunate enough to be able to purchase all Johns moulds upon his recent retirement. Those of you who know of John will readily acknowledge him as the founder in model submarine development and manufacture in the UK.

For many beginners to model submarines it may appear to be a bit of a 'black art', however this is not so, with some thought and common sense you will soon have you first model submarine running.

To help the first time modeller we have produced a small general construction booklet, it is specific to fitting out our sets of mouldings ready to accept diving gear of your choice. Here we also describe the Darnell method of diving, this uses a simple oscillating steam engine with low pressure air tank and air bags. This is a simple method that is inexpensive and does work very well.

There are other methods using piston tanks or compressed air bottles, we do not go into these methods as we do not personally have experience of them. However we do include a comprehensive list of other specialist manufacturers and suppliers of model submarine fittings and equipment in the UK (and world-wide), these will be only too pleased to give you information and will be pleased to help you get your first submarine up and running.

The booklet also contains a list of good books to read, where to research further details as well as contact addresses for the various model submarine associations.

It is the policy of our company to offer our customers as much support and help as we possibly can, to this end we are only a phone call away, we do not claim to be able to answer your query, but we will do our level best to.

We will only be supplying the models in the form of sets of white GRP mouldings, typically a set will comprise the following :-

1 No. Hull. In the case of most large submarines this will be moulded up to the waterline with
the bow section moulded over the top and back about 12", inside flanged around all
exposed faces.

1 No. Casing. This consists of the top half of the model moulded up to the front torpedo tube
joint flange, moulding flanged around all jointing face, some of the casings have
the conning tower moulded on to them.

1 No. Conning Tower. This will be a shell moulding suitable for fixing to the casing top, some
models do not have a conning tower, or the conning tower is moulded to
the casing.

1 No. Set rudder/vanes. These are solid mouldings with holes/rods cast into place for servo
controls. The exact numbers to suit the model.

1 No. Interior R/C.Box. Most sets will have just the one large box, however a couple of them
do have two smaller boxes (U570). These will need to be drilled to take
top cover fixing bolts and other control holes.(positions mostly shown
on drawings).

1 No. Acrylic box cover. This is a clear acrylic sheet, it will need drilling for fixing bolts.

Resin Castings. Some models will have some resin castings with them, for instant the 'X-craft' will have the two main hatches, some will have resin cast gratings, etc., phone when ordering for exact details of what is included.

Drawings : All sets will have a copy off the original Darnell kit drawings, these will be a good guide to how to fit out shafts, motors, control rods etc. Most have the original (kit) box('s) layout drawn full size, most have full-size templates for brass sheet skegs, also shown is some basic construction detail for the mouldings. These drawings are not perfect, however if you follow them you should be able to construct a working model.

Construction Manual. This small 'A4' manual is intended as a guide to constructing the models, it is not a-specific to any one model, however it will enable the beginner to model submarines to be able to build their model.

It covers such sections as how to handle/prepare the mouldings for use, glues/fillers to use, paints & techniques, simple diving mechanism, installation of the watertight R/C box, making the diving planes work etc. There is also a list of names and addresses of other suppliers, manufacturers, scale drawing suppliers, book publishers etc. Also a list off the model submarine associations. Where available 'web' and 'e-mail' addresses are included.

Many of you more experienced model submariners will be sourcing your own information to detail and finish your model off.

The mouldings are not just plain, most mouldings are nicely detailed with all cut-out positions moulded in, torpedo tube scallops and recesses, hatch positions, shaft positions, rudder & vane positions etc., many have plate lines as well.

As time progresses we hope to be able to offer a list of other items to go with our moulding sets, keep your eyes open for these details.

These models all make up into attractive, good looking, scale models off the full-size prototypes

For exact details off each set please contact us at any one of the following places:

Tel/Fax/24hr. Ansaphone : 01920 438686.
Metcalf.Mouldings@Virgin.com

www.metcalf-mouldings.com

METCALF MOULDINGS

SG11 1JG.

Tel/Fax/24hr Ansaphone: 01920 438686