The submarine was built at just the right time in the 'history' of LEGO. The sand-blue color seen here is much more rare these days, but not long before there was an entire line of sets with that as the main color. Since LEGO sets tended to stay on the shelves longer then, I built this right around a time when stores had large clearances on these.

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In honor of Episode I being re-released in theaters today, I decided to finally take some good pictures of my Opee Sea Killer and Gungan Tribubble Bongo submarine.

The fish was originally completed in January 2007, the submarine a few months earlier. I had started on the fish first, almost 6 months prior, but I had gotten as far as the legs in back and then shelved it until winter. After I finished the submarine, I went back to work on the fish. Very little has changed since then - the tail on the submarine got an upgrade sometime in 2009, but that was it.

The fish and sub are both, roughly, minifig scale (in the approximate 1-foot to 1-stud ratio). After I had finished the sub, I then knew how big to make the fish to match.

I have placed this (fish only) on LEGO Cuusoo. Vote for this if you want LEGO to create a set like this!

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Since both of these are swimming through water (use your imagination), I felt the need to make stands to raise them up a bit. The stand for the submarine was an afterthought - I simply needed to make sure that it was raised up to approximately mouth height for the fish. Then I put an octopus on it to show that it's underwater - otherwise who would know?

The stands for the fish took a bit more consideration, and had to be among the first things built. The supports actually go almost all the way to the 'spine) of the fish, and then the sides hang down from that.
The support is strong enough that I can carry the fish by holding just one or the other strut. I plated it with dark blue so that it could 'blend in' whenever I was doing a full scene.

I have placed this (fish only) on LEGO Cuusoo. Vote for this if you want LEGO to create a set like this!

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It always struck me as odd that the Gungans gave the heroes a fully loaded submarine. Whatever is stored in the hold here is just supplies not likely meant for the jedi.

It is very difficult to put the three figs in there. I pretty much have to take the entire center structure apart.

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