The Little World

A model submarine in operation is like a smiling Methodist.

You suspect they exist because someone told you so, but you never actually see one for yourself.

Once it submerges the only evidence most people see is the wake of a periscope or a Harpoon missile broaching the water and streaking off to blow up someone. This is rare but memorable.

Later, if the model’s owner is lucky, they might see it surface and be recovered on shore. It’s exciting and as long as the modeller doesn’t let the spectators see him using a tea towel to mop the seepage out, it all looks authentic.

I’ll let you into a secret. It is authentic – the Navy just use bigger tea towels.