by Chris King
1/700 Modern Submarines of the World (Various)
I built these 1/700 scale models of unique modern submarines by modifying Skywave/Pitroad kits, with the Russian Sierra class made directly from a DML/Dragon kit.
The SSBN in the picture is the PLAN (Chinese Navy) Xia class, a development from the Type-091 HAN class attack submarine which began sea trials in August 1971. While the Han class greatly improved the Chinese Navy's distant defense capabilities against enemy nuclear equipped surface forces, one of its most significant features was that it served as a stepping stone in the development of a Chinese nuclear powered, submarine launched ballistic missile (SSBN) force. Such a force would enhance Beijing's assurance of an effective retaliatory capability, as well as strengthening her deterrent posture.
In 1981 China launched the Xia-class SSBN #406, derived from the Han-class SSN, with the hull lengthened to accommodate the missile tubes. The Type-092 became operational in 1983, though missile firings conducted in 1984 and 1985 were unsatisfactory due to fire control problems which were not resoloved until until 1988.
The Xia class SSBN was initially armed with 12 JL-1 (CSS-N-3) SLBMs.A major update of the class started in 1995 to fit the new JL-2 SLBM system, with the upgrade expected to be completed in 1998. The JL-2 (CSS-NX-4) SLBMs is reported to carry 3 or 4 MIRV (90kT each) or a single 250kt warhead with a range of 8,000km.
The large SSN in the picture is the USS Connecticut, one of the Seawolf class submarines. It came from a Pitroad/Takara full-hull model, which I had to cut and smooth-out to make a waterline version. I had to do some touch-up painting as well. The Seawolf class were built extra large compared other SSNs to accomadate a massive load of weapons. They were to operate for long streches of time off the Soviet Union's Arctic shores, sinking ships at random and then darting away to hide.
The small black submarine is a "Kilo" class Project 636 sub. It is equipped with six 533 mm forward torpedo tubes situated in the nose of the submarine and carries eighteen torpedoes. Alternatively the torpedo tubes can deploy mines. Russia exported 21 Project 877 and 636 submarines, including: India - 10, and China - 4, Iran - 3, Algeria - 2, Poland - 1, Romania - 1. A more advanced version of the Kilo class with air-independent propulsion is currently being developed for China.
The gray submarine is the Russian Project 945 "Sierra" class. The Sierra is generally comparable in performance to early Los Angeles class, though with an arguably superior non-acoustic detection system and integrated acoustic countermeasures system.
The boat is outfitted with six 533 mm torpedo tubes capable of using a combination of Granat
cruise missiles, torpedoes, antisubmarine missiles, and mines. As with the Alfa, the hull is
constructed of titanium alloy, providing deep diving capability and the ability to avoid magnetic
anomaly detection. The Sierra-I class had six major compartments:
The double-hull reduces possible damage to the inner hull’s compartments, and the outer hull is coated with anti-hydroacoustic materials making the Sierra more difficult to detect. A crew escape chamber is capable of bringing up the entire crew from a depth of 1,500 meters.
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