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Royal Navy S Class (Group 3) Submarine
The Royal Navy decided in 1930 to replace its ageing fleet of ‘H’ class vessels. The requirement was for two classes of submarines, one to be a medium sized coastal type suitable for use in the North Sea and Mediterranean, this was the "S Class" and the other a long range class ("T Class"). During design due note had to be taken of the Washington Treaty’ requirements.
This new "S Class" had to be simple to build and operate, with a surface speed and endurance greater than the "H class" they were to replace, however they had to retain, or improve on, that classes excelent handling, underwater performance and diving time.
With her then high speed, manoeuvrability, short dive time and range the ‘S Class’ proved to be extremely successful, so much so that at 63 boats this was the largest class ever built for the Royal Navy. Our model is for one of the 51 boats of the ‘Group 3’ variants ordered in 1935 and launched during 1942/3. 17 boats were lost to enemy action during WWII, however the design was so successful that the last boat was not withdrawn from service until the early 1960’s.
Our set of white GRP mouldings consists of :The "S Class" is one of the models we have bought in from John Darnell of ‘Darnell Models’ of Leavesdon.
This twin screw model has been designed to operate on 4 channel radio control and can submerge from stationary, using an air pump system, or in motion, using forward dive speed.
When completed the mouldings make up into a handsome and attractive large model typical of the most active RN submarine of WWII.
