Polaris Nuclear Submarine Model

Image: OakRidgeStores.com

Seen in FBDO

There are multiple times a Polaris Nuclear Submarine model can be seen in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. First, at approximately 00:15:19-00:16:45 in the film, Ferris is trying to convince Cameron to join him for a day off. Just over his right shoulder, the submarine model can be seen on top of the speaker behind the chair.

Image: Paramount Pictures

Near the end of the film, as Ferris rushes into his room before his parents arrive, a wide shot of his bedroom is seen (01:37:11) and a second model submarine is seen on the shelf just above the television.

Image: Paramount Pictures


Finally, as revealed in the detailed information shared about Garth Volbeck and the Volbeck family, a submarine model is seen at the police station on Detective Lim’s desk as he talks with Mrs. Bueller (01:27:49).

Image: Paramount Pictures

Description

The Polaris Nuclear Submarine Show-Off Model was first produced in the 1960s by Revell. The 1:260 scale model measures approximately 18” in length and opens up to “show off” the submarine’s interior.

Image: WorthPoint

Image: ScaleHobbyist.com

When it was first released, the $2.98 model was widely available and a huge commercial success which caused some unease with the United States Navy. Some worried the model might reveal classified details about the schematics of the real submarine. The instructions even claimed to be based on official blueprints. 

Ultimately, investigators found no evidence of the model leaking any sort of classified information as the amount of detail provided by the model was not enough to be truly useful for espionage purposes.

Notes

A promotional photo from a deleted scene in Ferris’s bedroom gives a closer glimpse of the submarine model on the shelf over the television.

Image: Paramount Pictures

Finding This Item

Each time the model submarine is visible in FBDO, the “show-off” design is evident which allows for the size of each section inside the model to be recognized. While other models from the same time period appear very similar in design, this particular Revell model most precisely matches the ones seen in the film.

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