Dominic Winter Auctions
Lot 677
*H.M. Submarine `K3`. A fine 1/72nd scale museum quality display model of this steam-powered submarine, built by D. Simpson, finished in pale grey over light blue-grey below the water line, with conning tower, periscopes, forward and rear deck armament, twin folding funnels, upper deck armament, guard rails, cleats and other fittings, all gold plated, with twin radio masts forward and aft stabiliser planes, the bow torpedo doors and twin three-blade propellers gold plated, on stand in oak framed display case, 64in (162.5cm) long, with fore and aft simulated ivory builders plates, inscribed `H.M. Submarine `K3` High Speed Fleet Submarine `K` Class for the British Admiralty Constructed By Messrs Vickers Barrow in Furness, Launched May 1916` The `K` Class submarines were designed and built on the orders of the Admiralty as rumour was rife that the Kaisermarine had developed a high surface speed U-boat. Ultimately, driven by geared turbines of 10,500 h.p., the `K` class, with a crew of five officers and fifty-three ratings, this submarine had at the time (1916) a surface speed of 25 knots and was the world`s fastest. Known as the `Kalamity Kays` the eighteen `K` class built had unhappy lives. Accidents, technical malfunctions and incompetence led to the class becoming rapidly extinct. `K3``s most momentus moment was when, with HRH The Price of Wales abroad, she suddenly and uncontrollably dived, becoming stuck on the sea bed. After much anguish and 20 minutes she was freed and returned to the surface. The Prince was unharmed, but no doubt shaken by the experience. After many other `adventures`, `K3` was eventually scrapped in 1921. (1)
