Calling all Russian submarine fans

[Timmy C]

Well, this is going to make them a bit more difficult to identify: http://barentsobserver.com/en/security/ ... subs-10-04

[Cliffy B]

Wonder if they're going to start randomly changing hull numbers again too, or did they ever stop?

[Tom Dougherty]

Wonder if they're going to start randomly changing hull numbers again too, or did they ever stop?

The Russian (USSR) hull numbers were actually associated with squadrons to which they were assigned and were not "hull numbers" uniquely assigned to a submarine. If the sub changed squadron assignment, the number would change. For example, we found in our research that the Golf class SSB K-129 had the assigned squadron number PL-722.

[redoctober27]

Just wondering if this is true but is all the typhoons out of service now? I know they had 2 in reserve and the TK-208 Dmitry in active static and planed to be in the fleet till 2019 but I just heared they were done away in September of 2012!? Any one know any good info or up to date news about them?

[redoctober27]

Also I have a question does anyone know if the Russian submarines like the Oscar class fitted with the P-800 onyx missile systems? I did also hear at one time that the Typhoon class submarines were also to be fitted just like the first four submarines of the Ohio class to be converted into cruise missile caring submarine. is this true as well and if so is this still being planned by the Russian due to budget cuts and spending pressures?

[Tim Jacobs]

Just wondering if this is true but is all the typhoons out of service now? I know they had 2 in reserve and the TK-208 Dmitry in active static and planed to be in the fleet till 2019 but I just heared they were done away in September of 2012!? Any one know any good info or up to date news about them?

I haven't been able to pin down whether or not the last two Typhoons have been taken out of service, but the Sept 2012 date you list lines up with the elimination of the last of the SLBM class used on them (SS-N-20/R-39). http://dtirp.dtra.mil/NC/slbm.aspx

[Neptune]

I thought so. Severstal was the only one with 10 missiles left for the few last years.

It doesn't however explain why they would take the Dmitry Donskoy out of service. She was upgraded for Bulava, received new electronics including towed array etc. only a few years ago. Taking her out of service wouldn't make much sense (except for financial reasons).
I'll have a look at some sources to see if I can find an article on this.

[Neptune]

Here is something:
http://svpressa.ru/society/article/58808/

It sort of describes how the subs were placed in reserve since mid 2000s and that the missiles were out of service. It does say that a decision on the fate of the Archangelsk and Severstal was still pending. Possible conversion to Bulava as well, but as mentioned it's not only upgrading by now, it's also repairing... So lots of costs involved and I doubt its economical. Don't forget that the hulls as well as the technology of these subs is '80s vintage, and '80s Soviet vintage at that... They were no doubt upgraded during their lives, but I'm pretty sure they are not up to today's standard.

[redoctober27]

Thanks Neptune! I hope they at least keep one in service for some years. such a class is always been my favorite growing up. On a sidenote has anyone ever had any experience with polar bear model resin submarine kits? I have four ship, an alpha, papa , Juliet, and Mike class kit. I am really fond of them but with one problem it seems like when using Tamaya TS 82 rubber black spray paint, the paint does not want to stick to the boats after while the paint seems like it wants to pull off when I'm using tape to corect lines. Luckily I haven't added details to the finish product. Will I have to strip off the paint and add primer in which case I am doing right now on my papa class sub? Does anyone know if these kits require priming first and then painting? and if priming is required, does all the paint have to be stripped off or can some be left on?

[Timmy C]

A nice picture of the Typhoon's above-water stern, showing the shrouded props to great effect: http://i.imgur.com/VohcYhK.jpg

[Tom Dougherty]

Thanks Neptune! I hope they at least keep one in service for some years. such a class is always been my favorite growing up. On a sidenote has anyone ever had any experience with polar bear model resin submarine kits? I have four ship, an alpha, papa , Juliet, and Mike class kit. I am really fond of them but with one problem it seems like when using Tamaya TS 82 rubber black spray paint, the paint does not want to stick to the boats after while the paint seems like it wants to pull off when I'm using tape to corect lines. Luckily I haven't added details to the finish product. Will I have to strip off the paint and add primer in which case I am doing right now on my papa class sub? Does anyone know if these kits require priming first and then painting? and if priming is required, does all the paint have to be stripped off or can some be left on?

They are resin kits, so you need to wash them before painting to remove any release agents. Also, it is probably a good idea to prime them first; I use a grey enamel primer and acrylic over top.

I think if you want a decent paint job, you will need to strip it all off, otherwise there will be an uneven finish.

[redoctober27]

Found this to be interesting "Two Project 945 Barrakuda / Sierra class submarines will be recommissioned by Russia" http://defenseupdates.blogspot.com/2013 ... s.html?m=1 I for one hope it's true!! As I do like my Russian subs

[redoctober27]

Here is another source http://barentsobserver.com/en/security/ ... -sub-05-03. Looks like both sierra I and II. Will be upgraded along with the akulas

[Wis]

Ok, A friend build a database (in french at last) of all Russians and soviets Project :

Project List of Russian and Soviet Submarines

We harvest a ton of intels about subramrines and we still update when news intell available to us

However I wrote on my website a long and detail monography about Project 941 Akula (NATO : Typhoon), also In french. I continue to improve it with testimony of Russian sailors (Thanks to them).

Project 941 Monography

[chuck]

Are the limber holes on the akula and victor classes all capable of being closed when the boats submerge, or do some remain open permanently?

[Neptune]

I think that on the early Akula's the window shaped limber holes (four holes in a rectangular shape mostly amidship if I remember correctly) couldn't close. The rest of them, the longer rectangles can all close.
On Victor I think they can all close, although they're often kept open. Not sure on Victor I or II class though.

[redoctober27]

Hello ! Does anyone know of a place were one can buy polar bear resin sub kits other than from polar bear themselves or free time hobbies which is always sold out on their kit? I would buy from polar bear but when the kits are already 60-99 bucks and the shipping is an extra 30 that just way out of my price range :/

[Timmy C]

Official says that two Typhoons will be scrapped: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/ ... 369167248/

Are they the only two remaining ones?

[Tim Jacobs]

Here's some additional Russian reporting on elimination of two Typhoons:

http://russianforces.org/blog/2013/05/t ... s_to.shtml

"Russia appears to have made a final decision to eliminate two Project 941 Typhoon submarines - TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal. This decision has been expected for quite some time - the submarine division that included these submarines was disbanded in 2004 and in September 2012 Russia and the United States announced that the CTR program had completed elimination of R-39 missiles that were deployed on these submarines. The Russian Navy tried to come up with other uses for the submarines, but apparently none of the options worked.

The third submarine of the Project 941 class - TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy - has been converted to a test bed for Bulava SLBMs. It is expected to remain in service until 2017."

[redoctober27]

Hello guys question for you! I currently am finishing up priming my papa class Russian submarine and my Alfa class submarine along with my Mike class submarine. My question is what where the paint schemes in 1960 or so for Russian submarines like? I have seen pictures of foxtrot class submarines that have their hulls painted red all the way up to the white water line and then black about that. I also have seen the more common more modern Russian paint schemes of black on top white water line then some more black and about a quarter of the way from the bottom red for the hulls like what is found on the Oscar and Akula and typhoon and Delta 4 classes. Does anyone know what the papa, Mike and Alfa class submarine paint schemes were? I am assuming that they were repainted numerous times during there lives. The most hardest for me is the Mike class submarines I have seen numerous hypothesis on what there hull looked like. I have seen a video on YouTube of her being commissioned but I have a had time making anything useful out of it :/