A DESIGN AUTHORITY DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE MODEL FOR H.M.SUBMARINE CONQUEROR, BUILT BY CAMMELL LAIRD, 1970

the 34in. ebonised hull carved from the solid in two halves with articulated veins, rudder and seven blade brass propeller, the starboard half pulling apart on section of base to reveal hand-coloured technical profile drawing of the internal layout including reactor, wardroom, torpedo tubes etc., secured by a lift-off conning tower with plug fittings to hull and complete with snorkels, periscopes etc., the conjoined halves mounted on chock stands to display base with carved laminated name plate and contained and secured within fitted travel case of issue – case 16 x 40¼ x 7in. (41 x 102 x 18cm.)

Provenance: Design Authority, Bath (closed 2012)

The Design Authority was an M.O.D. department that provided technical support to all three services wherever located around the globe. The model was most likely supplied by Cammell Laird as the information contained within would have been classified as Top Secret for the duration of Conqueror's career.

The 4000 ton Improved 'Valiant' Class nuclear attack submarine Conqueror was laid down by Cammell Laird on the 5th December, 1967, launched eighteen months later and completed in November 1971. Perhaps her greatest moment has also remained her most controversial -- the sinking of the General Belgrano on 2nd May, 1982 during the Falklands campaign which has provoked impassioned debate ever since. She was sold for breaking in 1990 but as of 2017 was still at H.M.N.B. Devonport and being considered for public opening.