{{short description|3-seater wet sub diver propulsion vehicle}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = | image_caption = }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview | builders = Hawkes Ocean Technologies | operators = Virgin Oceanic | class_before = DeepFlight Super Falcon | class_after = | subclasses = | built_range = | in_service_range = | total_ships_building = | total_ships_planned = | total_ships_completed = 1 | total_ships_canceled = | total_ships_active = 1 | total_ships_laid_up = | total_ships_lost = | total_ships_retired = | total_ships_scrapped = | total_ships_preserved = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | type = Submarine | tonnage = | displacement = {{convert|750|kg|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|4.6|m|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|3.0|m|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = | draft = | depth = | decks = | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | sail_plan = | power = | propulsion = | speed = 5 knots | capacity = 3 | crew = 1 | notes = }} }} '''DeepFlight Merlin''' is a personal submarine by Hawkes Ocean Technologies, part of the DeepFlight line of submersibles. The positively buoyant<ref name=DW-2010-02-18>Design World, [http://www.designworldonline.com/articles/5479/21/DeepFlight-Merlin-3-person-Aero-Submarine.aspx "DeepFlight Merlin 3-person Aero Submarine"], 18 February 2010 (retrieved 31 July 2010)</ref> submersible was designed by Graham Hawkes.<ref name=ABC-2010-02-04>ABC News, [https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/richard-bransons-underwater-airplane-1st-kind/story?id=9738276 "Richard Branson's 'Underwater Plane' Is 1st of Its Kind"], Ki Mae Heussner, 4 February 2010 (retrieved 31 July 2010)</ref> The Merlin was the first winged open-cockpit submarine (a wet sub) available on the market,<ref name=ABC-2010-02-04/><ref>Buzzle.com, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100210065331/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/virgin-goes-from-air-to-sea-with-luxury-submarine-rides.html "Virgin Goes from Air to Sea with Luxury Submarine Rides"]}}, 6 February 2010 (retrieved 2 August 2010)</ref> and first three-man submarine in the "aero submarine" class,<ref>Gather.com, [http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978173285 "Necker Island & Virgin founder Richard Branson on Oprah Winfrey Show"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711081850/http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978173285 |date=11 July 2011 }}, 22 April 2010, Matt Clark (retrieved 2 August 2010)</ref> representing a major advance in scuba diving technology.<ref>''Forbes'', [https://blogs.forbes.com/face-to-face/2010/05/11/submarines-for-the-super-rich/ "Submarines For The Super-Rich"], Joumana Saad, 11 May 2010 (retrieved 2 August 2010)</ref>
It travels up to 5 knots,<ref name=ABC-2010-02-04/> has an operating time of one hour,<ref name=ABC-2010-02-04/> and an open cockpit,<ref name=ABC-2010-02-04/> requiring the use of scuba gear by occupants,<ref name=ABC-2010-02-04/> and giving them 360-degree views of the space around them.<ref name=DW-2010-02-18/> The sub carries three, two passengers and one pilot.<ref name=DF-2010-02-01>Deep Flight, [http://www.deepflight.com/press_merlin.htm Merlin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722011024/http://deepflight.com/press_merlin.htm |date=22 July 2010 }} press release, 1 February 2010 (retrieved 31 July 2010)</ref> The occupants have "windshields" to protect them from the water stream.<ref name=PopMech-2010-03-11/> It is capable of hydrobatic maneuvers{{Clarify|date=August 2011}} and 360-degree turns.<ref name=SP-2010-02-01>''SmartPlanet'', [http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/richard-branson-reveals-662k-fighter-jet-inspired-submarine/3778/ "Richard Branson reveals $662K fighter jet-inspired submarine"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211222846/http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/richard-branson-reveals-662k-fighter-jet-inspired-submarine/3778/ |date=11 February 2010 }}, Andrew Nusca, 1 February 2010 (retrieved 31 July 2010)</ref> It weighs 750 kg, is 4.6 m long, 3.0 m wide, 1.2 m tall, and runs off battery power.<ref name=gizmag>Gizmag, [http://www.gizmag.com/the-necker-nymph-submarine/14037/picture/109703/ "Necker Nymph: underwater flying becomes Virgin territory"] (retrieved 31 July 2010)</ref> It is available as either a single-seater or two-seater.<ref name=gizmag/> The design work on the sub started in July 2009.<ref name=Outside-May-2010>''Outside'', [http://outsideonline.com/outside/culture/201005/graham-hawkes-winged-submarines-5.html "Just Don't Call It a Submarine"]{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Thayer Walker, May 2010 (retrieved 31 July 2010)</ref>
==''Necker Nymph''== The first example of the Merlin, the ''Necker Nymph'', was sold to Richard Branson's Virgin Hotel Group.<ref>''Contra Costa Times'', [http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_14312781 "San Anselmo's Hawkes sell submersible to billionaire Richard Branson"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316082023/http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_14312781 |date=16 March 2012 }}, Jim Welte, 2 February 2010 (retrieved 31 July 2010)</ref> It cost US$670,000<ref name=PopMech-2010-03-11>''Popular Mechanics'', [http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/recreation/boating/4344091?nav=RSS20&src=syn&dom=yah_buzz&mag=pop "Richard Branson Dives Into Personal Submarines With Hawk"], Cassie Rodenberg, 11 March 2010 (retrieved 31 July 2010)</ref> and is operated by Virgin Aquatic<ref>''Time'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20090903082436/http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1919660,00.html "Virgin Founder Richard Branson"], Dan Fletcher, 1 September 2009 (retrieved 25 July 2010)</ref> from the 32-metre yacht ''Necker Belle'',<ref>SuperYachts.com, [http://www.superyachts.com/news/necker-nymph-%E2%80%98underwater-aircraft%E2%80%99-announced-by-virgin-limited-edition-327.htm "Necker Nymph 'Underwater Aircraft' announced by Virgin Limited Edition"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526131650/http://www.superyachts.com/news/necker-nymph-%E2%80%98underwater-aircraft%E2%80%99-announced-by-virgin-limited-edition-327.htm |date=26 May 2010 }} (retrieved 25 July 2010)</ref> which is based at the Virgin Limited Edition resort Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.<ref>''Daily News'', [http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/02/01/2010-02-01_richard_bransons_latest_toy_an_underwater_airplane.html "Richard Branson's latest toy? An underwater plane called 'Necker Nymph'"], Catey Hill, 1 February 2010 (retrieved 25 July 2010)</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * DeepFlight, [https://web.archive.org/web/20100715204011/http://deepflight.com/subs/df_merlin.htm Merlin] (official webpage)
==See also== * Innespace Seabreacher
{{DEFAULTSORT:Deepflight Merlin}} Category:Personal submarines Category:Submarine classes Category:Wet subs