Calling all Virginia-class (SSN-774) fans

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:22 pm

Here are recent official US Navy photos of Virginia class submarines from "Navy NewsStand". Notice that USS Virginia's hull is all black. USS Texas' hull is black over very dark gray. Also note the varied skin textures and non-skid:

Warning to dial-up users: very large files, LONG DOWNLOAD TIMES.

Lead ship of its class, PCU Virginia (SSN 774) is moved outdoors for the first time at the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 0X-002.jpg

PCU Virginia (SSN 774), pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., in preparation for her commissioning on October 23, 2004
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 0Z-002.jpg

the U.S. Navy launches its second Virginia-class attack submarine, Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) Texas (SSN 775)
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/ ... 5O-001.jpg

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:24 pm

Horrido · Post by **Horrido** » Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:44 am

Regarding the Texas and the gray,

Are the top and bottom surfaces of the dive-planes also gray, or just the outside edge with the tops and bottoms black?

How would the aft stabilizers and propulsor shroud be colored?

Judging from pictures with the same gray demarcation line, I suspect the Seawolf was painted the same as the Texas.

the third man · Post by **the third man** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 2:48 pm

Horrido wrote:Regarding the Texas and the gray,

Are the top and bottom surfaces of the dive-planes also gray, or just the outside edge with the tops and bottoms black?

How would the aft stabilizers and propulsor shroud be colored?

Judging from pictures with the same gray demarcation line, I suspect the Seawolf was painted the same as the Texas.

It is all black. Anti-fouling paint isn't used on SSNs any longer. In the pix the grey look is merely a photo illusion based on light angles and refraction.

Atma · Post by **Atma** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:59 am

I decide to build the Hobby Boss new Virginia sumbarine in 1/350 as a USS New Mexico (SSN-779) a Block II ship, and I know that from USS New Hampshire (SSN-778) till USS Minnesota (SSN-783) the ships belongs to Block II Virginia class. All I know for Block II boats are built in four sections, compared to the ten sections of the Block I boats, plus USS California will be the first Virginia with the advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system built in, but this will be retrofitted into the other submarines of the class.So for a USS New Mexico from a Virginia Hobby Boss kit does it require some kind of modifications or there is no external difference between Block I and II. ?

the third man · Post by **the third man** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:03 pm

Atma wrote:I decide to build the Hobby Boss new Virginia sumbarine in 1/350 as a USS New Mexico (SSN-779) a Block II ship, and I know that from USS New Hampshire (SSN-778) till USS Minnesota (SSN-783) the ships belongs to Block II Virginia class. All I know for Block II boats are built in four sections, compared to the ten sections of the Block I boats, plus USS California will be the first Virginia with the advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system built in, but this will be retrofitted into the other submarines of the class.So for a USS New Mexico from a Virginia Hobby Boss kit does it require some kind of modifications or there is no external difference between Block I and II. ?

Bear in mind this is only opinion. If you have a copy of the Hobby Boss Virginia sumbarine in 1/350 you may have noticed, as I did, that it is a very bumpy submarine. The mold seems to include straps used to secure test equipment attached during sea trials. OK, I left all that alone because it gives the boat a little character which most modern sub models lack.

To your question. The advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system, a fancy phrase for de-gauzing gear. I suspect the introduction of the gear, beneath the anechoic tiles was the reason we hear of the said tile seperation from some submarines late late last year. Toward the answer, which again is just an opinion, is that the sig reduction system is embedded beneath the anechoic tiles and thus no modifitations are neccessary since those tiles are not modeled, and even if the tiles were modeled the de-gauzing gear would be hidden.

Atma · Post by **Atma** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:45 am

Thank you very much for your answer

I was almost sure that Block I and Block II have external difference, like Block III.
Anyway thank you again

the third man · Post by **the third man** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:56 pm

Atma wrote:Thank you very much for your answer I was almost sure that Block I and Block II have external difference, like Block III.
Anyway thank you again

I wouldn't want to imply that differences don't exist. I will argue about differences in 1/350 scale which are undetectable.

I won't argue too hard. I believe in the rights of the modeler. I have an entire fleet of mixed WWII and current warships which aren't accurate. I like them and that is all that matters.

Atma · Post by **Atma** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:19 am

Its possible the USN Virginia class and of course the USN Seawolf and the USN Los Angeles class submarine,S to be equipent with nuclear warhead Tomahawk ? The W80 nuclear warhead.
Thanks in advance.

the third man · Post by **the third man** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:25 am

Atma wrote:Its possible the USN Virginia class and of course the USN Seawolf and the USN Los Angeles class submarine,S to be equipent with nuclear warhead Tomahawk ? The W80 nuclear warhead.
Thanks in advance.

Not that this has any modelling application but.... http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/W80.html

We can nor confirm, or deny the existance of "special weapons' on board.

Atma · Post by **Atma** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:18 am

Nice article thank you

carr · Post by **carr** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 2:24 pm

Cliffy B · Post by **Cliffy B** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:26 pm

Hey guys, found this shot of the PCU California (SSN-781) during sea trials.

http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=107153

Is it just the way the light is reflecting off of the hull or is she wearing blue anti-fouling paint? I know they trialed it on some surface ships but I thought subs were all over black now. Any ideas?

Tracy White · Post by **Tracy White** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:50 pm

This shot on the same day suggests no:
http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=107128

Atma · Post by **Atma** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:24 am

OKB Grigorov have released a 1/700 resin USS Virginia class block I-II submarine in 1/700, I belive this is the first USS Virginia class submarine in 1700:

Link for the OKB Grigorov site:
http://www.okbgrigorov.com/

Tom Dougherty · Post by **Tom Dougherty** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 12:56 pm

Some really good shots of the USS Texas returning from a Western Pacific deployment in late December 2011. Both good model photos as well as human interest photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/subpac/set ... 562175075/

BTW, the new uniforms are a big subject of discussion on several submarine veteran web forums. Why a camo pattern onboard a submarine?

The best comment I saw was that if the Navy was really concerned about undersea pirates and illegal boarders and needed a camo pattern for the crew to conceal themselves, the uniforms should be all EB sea foam green with gauges and pipes imprinted so the crew could blend in with the background.

Atma · Post by **Atma** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 5:52 am

Quick question, USS Minnesota is a Block II or Block III ship ?
Thanks in advance.

Tracy White · Post by **Tracy White** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:38 am

Man, shows you how out of touch with the class I am - I didn't even known there were blocks on the things yet! Makes sense though.

Wiki says II (last of the Block II boats).

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:37 pm

Tom Dougherty wrote:Some really good shots of the USS Texas returning from a Western Pacific deployment in late December 2011. Both good model photos as well as human interest photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/subpac/set ... 562175075/

BTW, the new uniforms are a big subject of discussion on several submarine veteran web forums. Why a camo pattern onboard a submarine?

The best comment I saw was that if the Navy was really concerned about undersea pirates and illegal boarders and needed a camo pattern for the crew to conceal themselves, the uniforms should be all EB sea foam green with gauges and pipes imprinted so the crew could blend in with the background.

Actually its so the Messcranks can hide from the cook in the reefer with the viddles. I'm an old Submariner and I think the uniform is laughable.

sgtmac1 · Post by **sgtmac1** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 7:37 pm

Does anyone have a source for plans of the VIRGINIA-class?
I would like to obtain them if they are available
Thank you
Dave

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