- DeepFlight Merlin
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Class overview Builders: Hawkes Ocean Technologies Operators: Virgin Oceanic Preceded by: DeepFlight Super Falcon Completed: 1 Active: 1 General characteristics Type: submarine Displacement: 750kg Length: 4.6m Beam: 3.0m Speed: 5 nm/hr Capacity: 3 Crew: 1 DeepFlight Merlin is a personal submersible by Hawkes Ocean Technologies, part of the DeepFlight line of submersibles. The positively buoyant[1] "aero submarine" was designed by Graham Hawkes.[2] The Merlin was the first winged open-cockpit submarine available on the market,[2][3] and first three-man submarine in the "aero-submarine" class,[4] representing a major advance in scuba diving technology.[5]
It travels up to 5 nm/hr,[2] has an operating time of one hour,[2] and an open cockpit,[2] requiring the use of scuba gear by occupants,[2] and giving them 360-degree views of the space around them.[1] The sub carries three, two passengers and one pilot.[6] The occupants have "windshields" to protect them from the water stream.[7] It is capable of hydrobatic maneuvers[clarification needed] and 360-degree turns.[8] It weighs 750 kg, is 4.6m long, 3.0m wide, 1.2m tall, and runs off battery power.[9] It is also available as a two- or one-seater.[9] The design work on the sub started in July 2009.[10]
The first example of the Merlin, the Necker Nymph was sold to Richard Branson's Virgin Hotel Group.[11] This initial example cost US$670,000.[7]
References
- ^ a b Design World, "DeepFlight Merlin 3-person Aero Submarine", 18 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)
- ^ a b c d e f ABC News, "Richard Branson's 'Underwater Plane' Is 1st of Its Kind", Ki Mae Heussner, 4 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)
- ^ Buzzle.com, "Virgin Goes from Air to Sea with Luxury Submarine Rides", 6 February 2010 (accessed 2 August 2010)
- ^ gather.com, "Necker Island & Virgin founder Richard Branson on Oprah Winfrey Show", 22 April 2010, Matt Clark (accessed 2 August 2010)
- ^ Forbes, "Submarines For The Super-Rich", Joumana Saad, 11 May 2010 (accessed 2 August 2010)
- ^ Deep Flight, Merlin press release, 1 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)
- ^ a b Popular Mechanics, "Richard Branson Dives Into Personal Submarines With Hawk", Cassie Rodenberg, 11 March 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)
- ^ SmartPlanet, "Richard Branson reveals $662K fighter jet-inspired submarine", Andrew Nusca, 1 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)
- ^ a b gizmag, "Necker Nymph: underwater flying becomes Virgin territory" (accessed 31 July 2010)
- ^ Outside Magazine, "Just Don’t Call It a Submarine", Thayer Walker, May 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)
- ^ Contra Costa Times, "San Anselmo's Hawkes sell submersible to billionaire Richard Branson", Jim Welte, 2 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)
External links
- DeepFlight, Merlin (official webpage)
Categories:- Personal submarines
- Submarine classes
- Wet submarines
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