AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
![]() ![]() This is particularly seen in the fitting of the hull sections which come in separate bow and stern sections for both upper and lower hulls. On initial inspection the details are nicely moulded, but be aware that this is more like a limited run kit and as such will require a bit more fettling and fitting than a model from one of the larger mainstream manufacturers, it is not a shake and bake. Also included are two small etched sheets, a tiny clear styrene sprue and a sheet of decals. Inside there are four hull sections, two smallish sprues and two separate parts for the fin all in a light to medium grey styrene. The kit comes in a colourful top opening box with what looks like an actual photograph of a Typhoon on the lid. This is my first look at a Mikro Mir kit in its raw state and I have to say initial impressions are pretty good. ![]() Some of the ideas proposed were to refit the ships as natural gas, oil and cargo transports capable of delivering large quantities of stores to Russia's most northern outposts. Interestingly enough, before the final decision was made to scrap all but one of the remaining Typhoons, the shipyard that originally built them was floating some pretty wild concepts in an attempt to see that they were refurbished and put back into active service. In their place, the more streamlined, efficient and cost effective Borei Class, although not necessarily cheaper to build, and its second generation derivative, which were designed around the RSM-56 SLBM, will solidify its grim role as Russia's primary second strike nuclear deterrent. The two other remaining Typhoons that were still in Russia's reserve inventory are being scrapped as the cost of refitting and operating them is deemed too high. Today a single boat, the first of her class, the Dmitriy Donskoy, is still in service, acting partially as a missile development test boat as she was updated and converted to carry the newest Russian SLBM, the RSM-56 "Bulava." In the end just six Typhoons were built during the 1980s, and most were withdrawn from service within a decade and a half of their christening. Additionally, these ships were prime targets on America's nuclear hit lists while in port as they could launch their missiles even while tied up to the dock if the orders to end the world as we knew it were ever given. ![]() In effect, tracking these suckers was a top priority for NATO, and especially the US, and it was not that easy for America's silent service to do so. What made the Typhoons even more threatening was that they were among the quietest vessels ever built by the USSR, and they were fast, capable of hitting around 28kts underwater. Additionally, she possessed six 533mm tubes that were capable of launching Type 53 torpedoes and SS-N-15 "Starfish" cruise missiles, although these were tertiary capabilities in comparison to her primary mission as a nuclear "second strike" deterrent. Seeing as the ship was designed with Arctic patrols in mind, she could break through the ice and fire all of her missiles while surfaced if need be. In other words, this submarine could rain two hundred nuclear warheads down on western cities and military installations in a single barrage. They could carry 20 R-39 SLBMs, each with 10 multiple re-entry vehicle (MIRV) warheads. The Typhoon's massive tonnage comes from the fact that they were basically two Delta Class submarine hulls mated together and built outward from there. A submerged Typhoon was said to reach 48,000 tons, while its western equivalent, the almost as long Ohio Class "boomer," displaced "just" 19,000 tons. She was half the length of an Nimitz class aircraft carrier and about 2/5ths its displacement. Built primarily for long missions under the polar icecap, the sheer size of the Typhoon, known indigenously as the Akula Class, was simply mind blowing. ![]()
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |