Photo of comic book Polaris submarine

Yesterday I ran a scan of a comic book ad for a toy Polaris Sub. As a comic book reading kid in the 70s, I must've seen the ad hundreds of times.

I've always wondered what they really looked like, and today, Clayton kindly emailed me a remarkable photo of himself in one from 1967. The submarine looks a lot cooler than I thought it would!

He says: "The submarine is long gone but proof of its fabulousness remains.

"Lawnmower off the starboard bow! Submerge to periscope depth!"

[#1 posted by seasick1775, January 3, 2008 9:51 AM]

When I was about 4 or 5 (1966) my parents bought 2 of these subs for me and my brother. After seeing the quality and spending several hours assembling just one the 2nd one was never started. Still though it was a really neat thing to see on Christmas morning. Thanks for the memories.
Darryl

[#2 posted by Dragonrider59, June 22, 2008 4:31 PM]

I am amazed to actually see a photo of one of these subs!! I have been trying to find one for months--does anyone know if there is any way to still get one of these cardboard sub kits? I have been dying to find one--still remember wanting one of these things ever since I saw the ads at the back of all my old comics in the 60's.

[#3 posted by Anonymous, November 18, 2008 6:04 PM]

I wanted one of those subs so badly when I was a kid. I never put too much thought into: Where will I keep it? How will I fuel it? How will I transport it to the nearest body of water?
As a kid, you just don't dwell on the details.

Anyway, I decided to make my own.
Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjo01yg-stU&feature=channel

[#4 posted by Ben in Prague, February 12, 2009 1:28 AM]

I found the ad yesterday in a 1967 comic, my friends in the pub thought it was a spoof and spent the whole night giving me exact reasons why I was an idiot for stubbonly believing that it was actually possible to buy this, for that price etc.
Today I found this site and the wonderful photograph that justifies my inherent belief in the existence of this little beauty.
Thankyou.
I won.

[#5 posted by Anonymous, May 28, 2009 4:53 PM]

Thanks a LOT for posting this. Like a million other kids, I wanted one ( and the tank, too). Now, after about 45 years, I finally got to see one. Thanks to both of you. bk

[#6 posted by Anonymous, June 12, 2009 9:25 AM]

I sent off for one of those way back in 1969-70 but never received it! Only later did my parents inform me, "You never send cash in the mail, much less an envelope full of change!"

[#7 posted by Anonymous, August 14, 2009 8:41 PM]

These comic book ads even made it to Australia in the 60's.

I always remember my best friend and I reading one of these ads and just imagining us at the beach cruising around offshore in our Polaris Nuclear Submarine (never mind how we would transport this massive metallic beast).

We'd imagine what it would be like being underwater checking out fish, sharks, dolphins and stealthily sneaking up on girls in the shallows in their bikinis!

I must admit, even at that age my 9 year old mind questioned that we could buy an actual working Polaris Nuclear Submarine for only $6.98.
Paul

[#8 posted by Anonymous, August 14, 2009 8:44 PM]

By the way, I want to say thanks a lot for posting this.
I've always wondered what they actually looked like.
It was probably better that it was left to our active imaginations!
Paul
Australia