The C.S. Hunely

Excellent report, Reb-re, and the photos are great. This is the kind of insider info that scale modelers need. Next question ... who makes a Hunley kit so we can re-enact it's construction?

here are a few sites on the Hunley
http://www.charlestonillustrated.com/hunley/
http://www.thehunley.com/
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org12-3.htm

Verlinden makes a 54mm model-$42.46
http://store.yahoo.com/internethobbies/vrl-2000.html
another site has it for $39.95
http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/Verlinden-Military-Vehicle-Hunley-CSS-Confederate-Minisub/itemVER-2000.html

heres a very detailed resin one for $110.95, doesnt say who the manufacturer is
http://www.acrossthepond.net/C.C.S.Hunley_ship_model_kits.htm

It did look a lot like an iron coffin.

no kidding.

This kit has given me some inspiration. I want to do one of the available kits and open it up to show the interior. There is a kit that does this, but I dont know about its accuracy as it was made before the hunley was raised. I have to get experience in replicating the iron though.

there are a couple of 1/72 kits and some 1/32 ones. I think this one is the most accurrate

Neat stuff, Iron Brigade ... gotta love those computer graphics. I can't get my mind around how modern the Hunley looks for its day, especially in those underwater scenes. And I'm bettin' that Reb turns out a pretty sweet model once you score a good kit.

The original Cottage Industries issue with interior has an inacurate exterior, i.e., flat bow, Their 1/72 and Verlinden's 54mm have the correct shape, having been produced after trhe boat was found, but are solid resin castings. The neat thing about the Verlinden is that it includes both a waterline and a full hull versionof the Hunley.

As to the crew's demise, the excavation shows stalgtites from the ceiling and that the bodies were in relaxed positions, indicating the boat was lost with no water in the hull. The crew suffocated and eventually water and minerals seeped in to help preserve the remains

I did the 1/72 scale Cottage Industries and next to ta WWII era sub, it looks like a torpedo.

For available Hunley (and othe ACW kits) check out http://www.milminwh.com and go to the "Scale models" button.

BTW, Reb, wearing that outfit could get you hung as a spy if you were captured. Thanks for the pictures.