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Little Alvin Model on Display

The deep-sea adventures of the 23-foot-long research submersible Alvin inspired Illinois diver and model enthusiast Tom Ryder to create a small-scale reproduction, now on display at the WHOI Ocean Science Exhibit Center. Little Alvin shares some of its namesake’s capabilities, including battery operation and the ability to submerge to take live video of underwater scenes. Ryder spent three years crafting the 1/8-scale model in his home workshop using information provided by a retired Alvin pilot. In 2013, after displaying the model in his local library, Ryder drove it to Woods Hole, where it can be viewed when the exhibit center reopens for the season on April 21. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)