Resurrecting a Deep-Sea Explorer from 1986 as a 3D Printable Model
Bringing the Dawn of Remotely Operated Subsurface Exploration, True-to-Scale Mechanical Details, and a Custom-Convertible Architecture Straight to Your Workshop Bench.
Few tools in the history of oceanography command the same level of reverence as Jason Jr. (JJ). Operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) during the historic 1986 expedition, this tiny, tethered remotely operated vehicle served as the eyes of humanity inside the RMS Titanic wreckage. While the manned submersible DSV Alvin sat safely outside, it was Jason Jr. that bravely braved the dark, collapsing corridors of the Grand Staircase, capturing the haunting, iconic close-up footage that stunned the world.
The Mini Marvel of the Titanic Expedition
In the mid-1980s, deep-sea exploration was undergoing a massive shift. The concept of deploying a small, agile robot via a fiber-optic tether from a larger manned submersible was revolutionary. Built by WHOI’s Deep Submergence Laboratory, Jason Jr. was designed to be compact, boxy, and robust enough to handle intense deep-sea pressure while retaining the agility needed to navigate tight interior ship corridors.
Our studio project honors that rugged, industrial design. Instead of just looking at grainy archival footage, we built this asset from the ground up using historical photos. Every visible element has been captured in high-fidelity detail:
- The distinct, blocky structural framework protecting the sensitive core.
- The front-facing twin incandescent light bars and vintage camera lenses.
- The exact placement of the small directional thruster pods that gave JJ its remarkable stabilization.
- The rear fiber-optic link terminal meant for deployment straight out of Alvin’s front-facing garage cage.
Engineered for Custom Hobbyist Modifications
True to the EnDTaS philosophy—Every Nautical Detail, True At Scale—this is not just a static display asset. The physical engineering behind this release leaves ample creative freedom for the maker community.
Complete the Deep-Sea Fleet
Jason Jr. doesn’t have to stand alone on your workbench. To accompany this release, we also offer two separate DSV Alvin models that together cover the entire generation span of the legendary submersible from 1964 all the way to the present day.
Our earlier Alvins 1964-70, 1971-89, 1989-Today. <<— Click to take a look at them, all open in new tabs.
Paired together, you can recreate the ultimate deep-sea exploration diorama right on your 3D printer. While they come optimized as a hyper-accurate desktop display kits, their interior structural design are meticulously sectioned. This means with a bit of custom hobbyist engineering, advanced builders can readily adapt the internal cavities, thruster mounts, and pathways to house real working micro-servos, custom wiring harnesses, or electronic components for remote control operations.