"Das Boot"... [PIC]

Mom started with a Mk III, went to IV and then to a V, I had two Mk VII's which I really loved.   My first was basic one in Gold, then the second was a Bill Blass edition in Green.  Went to a Cadillac STS after that one as I did not like the MK VIII's.  Looks like a beautiful model, but not something I would get due to the price point for a static model.

What a beautiful model. I love the Automodello models, just too pricey for me.😟

great story Rich, I really enjoy your posts.   Another model I would like but where to put it....

I was looking for a submarine story but found your Continental MkV story likely more interesting, Rich. Not a car to my tastes but it looks like you had a great deal of fun with it.

@david-green If you want submarine and diecast together, I can regale you with the history of the Peoples Liberation Army/Navy Xia Class Changzheng 6 nuclear ballistic submarine.

 There's actually quite an interesting, even humorous story on this one. Or, if "Steampunk" is your thing, there's always Disney's Nautilus submarine:

I guess that I asked for that.

@david-green and... you got it! LOL

@rich-sufficool

Actually Rich, that Chinese atomic sub looks interesting. I would not mind knowing the back story. I have seen the Disney one before.

@david-green I'll give you a the short version: Built in 1981 and commissioned in 1983. it was the first (and last) of the PLA/Navy's 092 nuclear ballistic submarine class with an extended hull to house 12 ballistic missiles. Unveiled and touted at Party functions, the submarine never was deployed outside their territorial waters. Actually it only left port once. It was way too noisy as obviously they never managed to steal our propellor designs. It was actually classed as the noisiest ballistic missile sub of any country. It also suffered from radiation leaks and overall reliability. It sits in port today, still capable of launching its JL-1A missiles, but even those were found to have too short a range. So, I guess this rather detailed diecast model doesn't give any secrets away. I remember when Renwal released their "Visible USS George Washington" 1/200 scale model of our first SSBN in the early 1960s. There was an uproar that they were giving away valuable national security secrets. The Pentagon had to step in to reassure the public all was OK with them. Renwal only got what they gave them. Here's the Renwal:

Thank you Rich. Technology is a lot more than looks. I imagine China would do a competent job today. It must have taxed there economy incredibly to design and build that submarine back in the late 1970s. Interesting story and model.

@david-green Their vast espionage network has probably gotten most all our classified designs by now. Although when our military releases current threat levels on the PLA, they don't mention PLA Navy SSBMs as a threat, so I gather we can still track them.

The Mark V is a very nice model - I wanted one in black but wanted the blue & gold more. Great photos in a stunning color.

Rich, getting back to your Mark V post...I sold my 1/1 1979 two years ago. I kept it for several years because it had working A/C. The car had every option except the mirror thermometer and universal door opener. I grew to like the car after I had the catalytic converters replaced with filler pipes which made the car come alive ( or at least get out of its own way}. You were right on about the control module and after the first one let me down, I used to carry a spare in the trunk. I found that the easiest way to change out the module was to remove the left front tire. As to the Automodello model, I have it in Blue which was the closest to my Turquoise 1/1.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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which made the car come alive ( or at least get out of its own way}