# DeepFlight Merlin
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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/DeepFlight_Merlin.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeepFlight_Merlin
> Source revision: 1335452822
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{short description|3-seater wet sub diver propulsion vehicle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
| image =
| image_caption =
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|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview
| builders = [Hawkes Ocean Technologies](/source/Hawkes_Ocean_Technologies)
| operators = [Virgin Oceanic](/source/Virgin_Oceanic)
| class_before = [DeepFlight Super Falcon](/source/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 =
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|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
| hide_header =
| header_caption =
| type = [Submarine](/source/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](/source/personal_submarine) by [Hawkes Ocean Technologies](/source/Hawkes_Ocean_Technologies), part of the DeepFlight line of submersibles. The positively buoyant[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)] [submersible](/source/submersible) was designed by [Graham Hawkes](/source/Graham_Hawkes).[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)] The Merlin was the first winged open-cockpit [submarine](/source/submarine) (a [wet sub](/source/wet_sub)) available on the market,[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)] and first three-man submarine in the "aero submarine" class,[[Gather.com](/source/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)] representing a major advance in scuba diving technology.[''[Forbes](/source/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)]
It travels up to 5 knots,[ has an operating time of one hour,][ and an open cockpit,][ requiring the use of [scuba gear](/source/scuba_gear) by occupants,][ and giving them 360-degree views of the space around them.][ The sub carries three, two passengers and one pilot.][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)] The occupants have "windshields" to protect them from the water stream.[ It is capable of hydrobatic maneuvers{{Clarify|date=August 2011}} and 360-degree turns.][''[SmartPlanet](/source/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)] It weighs 750 kg, is 4.6 m long, 3.0 m wide, 1.2 m tall, and runs off battery power.[Gizmag, [http://www.gizmag.com/the-necker-nymph-submarine/14037/picture/109703/ "Necker Nymph: underwater flying becomes Virgin territory"] (retrieved 31 July 2010)] It is available as either a single-seater or two-seater.[ The design work on the sub started in July 2009.][''[Outside](/source/Outside_(magazine))'', [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)]
==''Necker Nymph''==
The first example of the Merlin, the ''[Necker Nymph](/source/Necker_Nymph)'', was sold to [Richard Branson](/source/Richard_Branson)'s Virgin Hotel Group.[''[Contra Costa Times](/source/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)] It cost US$670,000[''[Popular Mechanics](/source/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)] and is operated by [Virgin Aquatic](/source/Virgin_Aquatic)[''[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))'', [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)] from the 32-metre yacht ''[Necker Belle](/source/Necker_Belle)'',[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)] which is based at the [Virgin Limited Edition](/source/Virgin_Limited_Edition) resort [Necker Island](/source/Necker_Island_(British_Virgin_Islands)) in the [British Virgin Islands](/source/British_Virgin_Islands).[''[Daily News](/source/New_York_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)]
==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](/source/Innespace_Seabreacher)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Deepflight Merlin}}
Category:Personal submarines
Category:Submarine classes
Category:Wet subs
---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [DeepFlight Merlin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeepFlight_Merlin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeepFlight_Merlin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.