The submarine fleet:
The diversity of subs expanded over time due to the way of trail and error. Subs where introduced, modified and replaced. The next summary shows the line
of barrel subs that are well known for their achievements in successful naval encounters.
The “Ripper I”
The first and famous single man barrel sub that molested many well armed ship and will continue to do so. The razor sharp teeth are a match for any wooden
hull it collides in to. The single row of teeth makes perfect vertical cuts in the hull. Once the damage is inflicted the sub can go in reverse to take the
ship on for a second attack.
length: 5.5 cm / 2.17 “
wide: 3.5 cm / 1.38 “
Height: 2.0 cm / 0.79 “
The “Ripper II”
The success of the first “Ripper” asked for a newer and more severe version. The “Ripper II” looks more severely then his older brother and is more
heavily build. When operated well, this sub can inflict more severe damage then the “Ripper I”. The weak point of this submarine however is that
a full hit often will end in being stuck in the hull of the boat it rammed. This is why there are 2 escape hatches, one on either side.
length: 5.8 cm / 2.28 “
wide: 3.3 cm / 1.30 “
Height: 1.8 cm / 0.71 “
The “Recon I”
This sub is reasonably fast at open sea. Its attack value is not impressive however its stump metal nose can bruise a hull, especially on a more vunerable
spot. The “Recon I” has another more important task at sea. While producing horn blowing sounds under water, the “Recon I” can rally the fleet of barrel
subs in certain directions. It proofed to be of great value during the advancing stages of naval battles. Once the canons start pounding however,
the value of the “Recon I” is downgraded to a minimum.
length: 7.5 cm / 2.95 “
wide: 4.0 cm / 1.57 “
Height: 2.0 cm / 0.79 “
The “Hull Cutter”
An astonishing invention occurred during the arms race when the rotating saw blade was invented. The “Cutter” was the first barrel sub that had a double
mechanism on board that provided the thrust of the sub an, if needed, also provided the power for rotating the saw blade. The tactics of the “Cutter” was
to set in for a dive, not too far from the hull of the ship.
While making speed and with a good feel of distance to the hull of the ship, the saw was activated. When the sub collides with the hull, the saw starts
cutting its way through the hide of the ship. While doing so, the sub starts to lift up slowly up until it surface. In doing so, the saw will produce a
fine and straight cut in the hull.
length: 6.2 cm / 2.44 “
wide: 3.5 cm / 1.38 “
Height: 1.9 cm / 0.75 “
The “T-Cutter” (Tiny Cutter) ((nickname Flipper))
Its bigger brother, the “Hull Cutter” proofed to be reasonable successful. Its mass made him stronger but also a bit slower and made him more sensitive to
unfriendly fire.
The “T-Cutter” is much more swift in open water. Compared to its bigger brother it is lightning fast and can make spectacular U-turns. Due to these
statistics, the “T-Razor’ is also known as “Flipper”. The impact of the “T-Cutter” is less devastating because of the lack of mass behind the saw.
length: 4.8 cm / 1.89“
wide: 3.9 cm / 1.50“
Height: 1.9 cm / 0.75 “
The “Battle Axe”
A lean and mean sub machine is the “Battle Axe”. This sub is solely made for dealing out final blows and is equipped with a large axe head that breaks
through the even most thickest hulls in the ocean. Due to the fact that the change of getting free after the ram is minimal, the front part of the sub
can be disconnected so the sub can break free and head for safer waters.
length: 8.0 cm / 3.15 “
wide: 4.0 cm / 1.57 “
Height: 1.9 cm / 0.75 “
The “Wooden Glad”
The “Wooden Glad” isn’t an actual one person barrel sub anymore. First of all, it can obtain 2 or even 3 persons at a time. Secondly, the “Wooden Glad”
can not actually dive. It can lay low on the water surface once it makes speed but as soon as the speed drops, the “Wooden Glad” emerges from the sea.
The floating capacity of the “Wooden Glad” is its ultimate weapon. The crew is trained to focus only on the rudder of the enemy ship. Its task is to ram
the rudder or rather lifting it by emerging underneath it and in doing so, jamming it. The man on these subs are the bravest of the entire barrel sub crews.
This is why we speak of “Wooden Glads and Iron Men”
length: 9.0 cm / 3.54 “
wide: 3.7 cm / 1.46 “
Height: 1.9 cm / 0.75 “
The “911”
The rescue squad at sea consists of the “911” subs. 911 is the pirates emergency code meaning;
With every 9 subs you need at least 1 rescue sub that can save 1 person.
The fleet of barrel subs can bring along as many rescue subs it desires but the sub is still called the “911”.
The has spare paddles available as well as robe for towing subs.
A state of the art medical kit and buoy are standard features on this sub.
Resently I added a flag for better visibility of the sub during battles.
length: 5.6 cm / 2.20 “
wide: 2.9 cm / 1.14 “
Height: 2.4 cm / 0.94 “
The “Chain Grater”
A fierce and mean sawing machine this “Chain Grater” is.
A small and fast sea vehicle that can actually cut your boat in half.
(if you give him the chance and quite some time that is)
Apart from the fact that it is a mean assault machine the “Chain Grater is also very useful in cutting logs
for home improvement or dock maintenance projects. Simply throw a log in the water and the “Chain Grater”
simply starts cutting away.
length: 7.9 cm / 3.11 “
wide: 3.8 cm / 1.50 “
Height: 1.7 cm / 0.67 “
The “Barrari" (aka Swifty)
It was Alfonso Berrari who improved the man propelled mechanism of the one person barrel submarines. Thanks to his modifications the subs became faster and more user friendly. Alfonso, who likes to live a fast and exciting pirate life also wanted his sub to be the fastest of the pack.
Being an extreme idle man, he named this sub after himself. His fellow pirates refused to call the Berrari a Berrari, they simply called it “Swifty”.
(Rumour say that he has a fully painted red one just for fun to impress the ladybirds.)
length: 7.7 cm / 3.03 “
wide: 3.6 cm / 1.42 “
Height: 1.6 cm / 0.63 “
The “Blunderbuss" (aka The B7)
The “B7”is a Large and heavy sub with a lot of firepower. Although it is as slow as the “Woodenglad”,
it’s firepower is quite impressive. The “B” in “B7” stands for “Blunderbuss” and the “7” stands for the number
of blunderbusses on board. The “B7” is most effective when it can maneuver between ships.
The reason is that when the “B7” fires, it has to fire the 6 blunderbusses at the same time.
(the 3 blunderbusses on both sides of the sub). During the first test run the “B7” sunk after firing its blunderbusses
on only one side. The shockwave made the sub capsize and it started to make water.
Reloading the sub is a bit of a venture because the reloading of ammunition has to be done from the outside.
length: 9.0 cm / 3.54 “
wide: 3.7 cm / 1.46 “
Height: 1.9 cm / 0.75 “
The “Stag Beetle" (aka The Pinch)
With the “Stag Beetle” the era of barrel subs is coming to a new chapter.
More and more high tech equipment is being worked in to these successful skirmish attack units. The “Stag Beetle”
is a close combat assault machine that is solely focused on the rudder of the vessel when in open waters.
Once it can get its claw around the rudder it slams shut which makes the vessel very hard to steer.
The other subs can now execute their battle plans and loot or sink (or both) the ship.
The “Stag Beetle” can also cut ropes and chains and when not used in combat it can help out the “Chain Grater”
by cutting logs for home improvement purposes.
length: 7.2 cm / 2.83 “
wide: 3.6 cm / 1.42 “
Height: 2.0 cm / 0.79 “
Alternative paint jobs:
I Painted up two subs in “Dazzle” camouflage style.
I found pictures of the so called “Razzle Dazzle” camouflage painting on the internet and thought it would be fun to get
this kind of camouflage on my subs.
The “Dazzle or Razzle Dazzle” camouflage was used during the first, and partially, during the second world war.
The idea was to distort. Looking at a “Razzle Dazzle” ship through a periscope was confusing.
It was hard to tell what type, size, speed and distance they had to deal with. Even the location of the bow and
direction of the ship wasn’t always sure.
“Razzle Dazzle” camouflage was used on ships. I think it’s fun to use this kind on camouflage on my subs.
Not that I want to paint up a whole army of “Dazzle Subs” but a nice and entertaining exercise for a rainy day.
