Original TSWLM `Shark Hunter II` sub to be auctioned

If you’ve ever wanted to live the life of Bond, ever needed to make a quick escape from underwater assassins, or just wanted to look incredibly cool tooling around your local lake, Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas has just the thing for you.

“This is, without a doubt, one of the stone-cold coolest things we’ve ever offered,” said Doug Norwine, Director of Music and Entertainment Auctions for Heritage. “We’re very pleased to offer the actual, functional submersible that was used in the 1977 James Bond thriller ‘The Spy Who Loved Me.’"



“A prototype for the ‘Shark Hunter II’ series produced by Perry Oceanographics,” Norwine continued, “this mini-sub was designed for transporting personnel, conducting underwater surveys, and to serve as a recreational vehicle. Representatives from Pinewood Studios were visiting the builder to negotiate the propulsion and ballast for the submersible Lotus Esprit used in the movie, when they caught a glimpse of the Shark Hunter hull. They were so enamored with it, that the script was rewritten to include the sub in an astounding underwater chase scene.”

“Features of this astounding beauty include an aluminum and fiberglass hull, brushless electric motor, and stainless steel aircraft control cables. It’s maximum depth is 450 feet with a top speed of 3.5 kys, a battery duration of 5-6 hours, and a range of 18-20 miles. Sadly, torpedoes are not included. You’ll need to supply those yourself.”



“The sub, which is yellow with black detailing, seats two, and is 15 feet in length, includes a wheeled transport trailer, a history of the sub from designer Richard Brown, and list of operational guidelines from previous owner Tom Kolodner,” Norwine added.

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer "The Spy Who Loved Me" Submarine in their upcoming Signature auction, to be held April 14 & 15, 2006 at their headquarters in Dallas, TX.

Click here for "The Spy Who Loved Me" Submarine acution page.

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