The Seaview 8 Foot Miniature
Web site by: Phil Broad

This is all that is known to survive of the 8 foot Seaview miniature.  This section of the bow was removed when the model was reconfigured for the short-lived Irwin Allen "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" TV series.  One of the interesting features of this particular model is the various repairs visible on it.  This model is the one which did the lions share of filming on the series.  Most shots showing the entire sub when running under water were of this miniature.  Notice that it is not "one color" but rather a mottled pattern of various shades.  All the models used in Irwin Allen productions were finished in a similar fashion with paint-on shadowing.  It was particularly important on those models meant to be filmed underwater because the water tends to diffuse the light, causing objects to flatten out and lose their definition.  This example also has a clear varnish coat which has yellowed over the years giving it a yellowish cast it never had originally.   Notice too the way the model has been repaired in the area where it was cut off, new fiberglass had been laid up on the inside at one point.  This is from a particular scene where a giant sea monster (AKA: man-in-suit) had the Seaview in its clutches and was rocking it back and forth.  Well... there is an out-take from the series showing said monster swinging the ship back and forth until it breaks!  Then it just sort of stops and looks around sheepishly.  Very un-monster like!

The 8 window nose is a reproduction of the original design, based on a casting from this nose section.  The collector who owns it intends to build the entire submarine and incorporate this nose.

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