Submarines by Simon Lake - Why is he so ignored?

I've just been reading the book reviewed by Steve in the current mag (The Argonaut by Poluhowich) and it is quite an eye opener.

Simon Lake did so much for submarine development including build over 30 US Navy submarines up to the 1920's but he seems to have received little attention not least from modelers. I cannot recollect seeing any models of his subs anywhere. Why has Holland received so much more attention in the development of the submarine?

I just wondered why this is so? Is it difficult to obtain information on his subs (drawings etc)?

He hasn't been completely ignored.

A build thread of a nice model of Lake's Protector was posted over on the Sub Committee forum some time ago-

http://s181686668.onlinehome.us/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=8626&hilit=lake+protector

Also Tim Smalley is building a 1/4 scale replica of the Argonaut Jr. Someone has even recreated a working 1:1 replica, which will be featured in the December issue of the SCR!

As such, most submarines prior to WWII tend to be ignored by the majority of modelmakers. There are very few kits of early submarines, about the only currently produced kit of a pre-WWII boat I know of is the German UB1, supplied by Norbert Bruggen.

Prior to that one or two companies have had a stab at the Holland boats, and Norbert did supply a c-class and a model of the Deutchland (a connection with Lake there) for a time.

It's a shame really, as many early subs would make excellent models- the shortcomings of their 1:1 counterparts can be side-stepped in model form. Designs by the likes of Baker and Goubet spring to mind.

Lake's early prototypes were essentially like sub aquatic trucks, designed to sink to the seabed, and then trundle along the bottom. Novel, but probably a bit uninspiring to control, unless you like the idea of an underwater RC car. I'm sure the drawings for many of his designs can be sourced, although it may require a bit more digging around than usual.

Andy