Fenian Ram (Holland II) 1881, 1/12 scale, RC, scratch built

[Deperdussin1910]

Here is the strongback with frames.

[Deperdussin1910]

Here is the strongback with outer banding/sheer plank.


And with frames taped so any glue with not stick. I only want plank-to-plank gluing.

[Deperdussin1910]

I set a separate camera at the lower picture quality setting for this forum. Have begun planking...

[Deperdussin1910]

More planking...

[Deperdussin1910]

In looking at the images of the framing, I've had an idea about John Holland's inspiration for the submarine hull shape...the curragh! I may be the only one who ever built a model of both forms. The Whitehead torpedo is supposed to be his inspiration. Yes, the 1860s design was part of his inspiration. But, Holland grew up in Ireland where the curragh had been around for more than a 1,000 years. He would have looked at the curragh form since childhood. He would have known it's seakeeping qualities. It would have been his fundamental shape.

Holland would have seen these curragh hulls as they normally stored inverted.


My model inverted before covering.


Take away the double gunwale and there is a narrowing half circle.


Robert Whitehead with a battered test torpedo, Rijeka (today's Croatia), c.1875