TARCO RESEARCH PRESS ARCHIVE TRANSCRIPT:

POPULAR MECHANICS JUNE 1990

MUSCLE SUBMERSIBLE
Poverty Flats, CA- A high speed, 1-man sport submersible powered by a 100 hp marine inboard engine is under development privately by two former aerospace engineers. Known as VASH™ for Variable Attitude Submersible Hydrofoil, the 10-ft., 400-pound craft will cavort through the water like a flying fish. During leaps out of the water, a blowhole will open, allowing a pump to force air into a turbo-compressor. The compressor fills scuba-type air tanks, lungs that feed the engine. A shielded semi-tunnel drive houses the propeller. Dives of 12 to 15 mph at full power can last 10 to 15 seconds, with a depth of 20 ft. Or else, VASH™ can hydrofoil across the surface on twin lower fins at 45 mph. The builders say VASH™ will be capable of 20-ft. Jumps could inflict 6 G forces during turns. The Canopy is 3/4 in., bulletproof Lexan, which can withstand 250-mph crashes or 200-ft. dives. The pilot lies on his back, cushioned by a modular airbag seat, and controls the craft with twin joysticks. CUTAWAY(left)shows air-breathing apparatus and 4-cylinder, 2-stroke marine Inboard that powers VASH™ Prototype (below) is now under construction.