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ALFA
SUBMARINE
The Alfa
class were the fastest submarines ever existed. They
could reach a blistering 41 knots, outrunning American torpedos! If an Alfa submarine detected a torpedo launch,
standard operating procedure would be simple: full steam
ahead away. No destroyers could chase them, as even the
newest American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers' top
speed was 30 knots.
The stunning performance of the Alfa class submarines
was the result of two factors:
innovative reactor and titanium hull. The lead-bismuth
cooled fast reactor greatly reduced the size of the
reactor compared to conventional designs, thus reducing
the overall size of the submarine, and thus water drag.
Titanium is an extremely light-weight and strong metal.
In 1969, a photo analyst at the CIA stumbled upon the
first indication of what would eventually become known
as the Alfa class submarine. The reports told of a
submarine hull section awaiting assembly that was an
oddly reflective, silvery color. Analysts disagreed on
the material. Some said it was part of a massive
disinformation campaign, that the hull pieces were
simply covered in aluminum paint to confuse the United
States.
Bending
and manipulating massive titanium panels for hull
sections are very challenging. In order to weld huge
titanium panels on a large scale, Soviet engineers had
to first create enormous warehouses that were
hermetically sealed, then filled with argon, an inert
gas that would not interfere with the welding process.
Welders had to wear a large cosmonaut-like suit that
would supply them with oxygen while inside these
warehouses. A titanium
hull would offer a few advantages. Titanium would thus
resist magnetic detection. Titanium Alfa submarines would
also be able to dive deeper than traditional
steel-hulled and would be better protected from depth
charges or other explosions.
The last of the Alfa submarine was withdrawn for scrapping
in 1990 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Armament:
6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes:
18–20 torpedoes SET-65A or SAET-60A (or)
18–20 SS-N-15 cruise missiles (or)
20–24 mines (or)
a mix of the above
This primarily wood Alfa submarine model is
22" long x 7" tall x 4" wide (1/144 scale)
$1,500
 Shipping and insurance in the US included.
Canada $90.
Other countries: $200 flat rate.
32"
long (1/100 scale)
$1,900 Shipping and insurance in the US included.
Canada $90.
Other countries: $200 flat rate. This one is built
per commission only. We require only a small deposit
to start the process (not full amount, not even
half) to start the process $500 The
remaining balance won't be due until the model is
completed, in
several months.
Our
model of the Alfa class submarine is much accurate and much higher
craftsmanship than scratch-built models out there. Pay particular
attention to the stern and the propellers and you'll
be able to tell the degrees of accuracy among model
builders.
ModelShipMaster.com builds any
submarine models, at virtually any sizes. When you are choosing
a reputable builder for your favorite submarine,
look for large photos showing details to verify if a
model is worth the title "museum quality" as wildly
claimed by some. Do not assume a model that looks
good from far away (in smaller photos) is actually good.
It's the accuracy and craftsmanship that count and only
large photos can tell you that.
For different sizes,
contact us for a quote:
Services@ModelShipMaster.com.
For different
Russian submarines, click here:
Oscar class,
Akula class.
Learn more about the
Alfa class submarine here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa-class_submarine
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