# Submarine Sea Planes Richard Branson Puts His Famous Necker Belle Up for Rent By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-09-04 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/necker-belle References: [gadgetreview](http://www.gadgetreview.com/2011/08/necker-nymph-submarine-sea-plane.htm) & [neckerbelle.virgin](http://www.neckerbelle.virgin.com/en/necker_belle/necker_nymph/) After showing off the one-of-a-kind Necker Nymph, charismatic billionaire Richard Branson is prepared to let you play with a replica of his favorite toy, the Necker Belle. In a nutshell, the Necker Belle is a sea plane... in that it flies through the water. If you've ever seen "The Spy Who Loved Me" or any other James Bond movie, the design should stir up your memory. Armed with a new type of propulsion engine, the sea plane is capable of travelling at 6 knots underwater and can remain submerged for over 2 hours. But you won't be wearing a tuxedo while driving the Necker Belle -- all three seats are exposed directly to the ocean water. Instead, you'll be asked to wear a full [SCUBA suit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seanxt-elite). At $2,500 per day, [renting the Necker Belle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bahamas-getaway) is hardly impossible. Just remember to wear your swankiest breathing apparatus because Richard Branson might be driving! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 44% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Underwater Transportation:** The Necker Belle is a sea plane that flies through the water using a new type of propulsion engine, indicating an opportunity for innovation in underwater transportation technology. - **Luxury Submerged Experiences:** The Necker Belle offers a luxurious fully submerged experience with all three seats exposed directly to the ocean water, suggesting an opportunity for innovative tourism experiences. - **Alternate Propulsion Engines:** The new type of propulsion engine used in the Necker Belle presents an opportunity for innovation in the propulsion engine industry for underwater vehicles. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Maritime Transportation:** The Necker Belle's underwater capabilities highlight a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for the maritime transportation industry. - **Tourism:** The Necker Belle's luxurious and unique fully submerged experience indicates an opportunity for innovation in the tourism industry. - **Propulsion Engines:** The new type of propulsion engine used in the Necker Belle indicates a possible innovation opportunity for the propulsion engine industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Submarine-Storing Superyachts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/submarine-storing-luxury-yacht.md) - [Ultra-Luxe Jet Skis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supermarine-mm01.md) - [Hyper-Luxury Submersible Superyachts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/migaloo-m5-superyacht.md) - [Compact Luxury Submersibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hightech-submersible.md) - [Helium-Filled Airship Yachts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-yacht.md) - [Supercar-Inspired Submersibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uboat-worx-super-sub.md) - [Luxe Submersive Superyachts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/migaloo.md) - [Lavish Entertaining Submarines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uboat-worx-uwep.md) - [Tourism-Focused Electric Submersibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-submersible.md)