THE DELTA WING SUBMARINE
Propulsion is provided from two 12 VDC electric trolling motors at 36 pounds of thrust each. Electric power is supplied from three automobile batteries. The sub is set for slightly positive buoyancy and motors tilt up or down to change depth. Turns are made with the twin rudders. Running time is approximately four hours. Maximum depth is the same as with scuba gear. Air is supplied from a standard scuba tank, which lasts three times as long as when used with a swimming diver.
The sub is exremely stable with the weight down low and the air pocket up high. It is impossible to turn over. The maximum dive angle is about 15 degrees. Exit time from the craft in an emergency is under 5 seconds.
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The Delta Wing Submarine (US Patent # 3,416,478) is a one-man
craft designed from the ground up for divers. It
is a simple project to build and easy to operate. Building
costs are well within the reach of almost any diver.Performance
is outstanding and should add many hours of pleasure to
your diving. It was originally featured in the June 1968
issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine and a large number
of plans were sold. The sub is a semi-dry type (The upper
part of the diver stays dry in an air pocket even while
the craft is underwater).
Specifications: Length 11'4", Width 4'5",
and Hieght 4'. Construction Materials: exterior plywood
with some fiberglass at the rounded nose section. Bubble
is easily formed using a 1/4" acrylic plastic sandwiched
in a simple plywood mold, heated at a plastic sign shop
and blown up.