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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The last of the Alfa submarine was withdrawn for scrapping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)
$1,790
 Shipping and
insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other
places: $200 flat rate. This
model is in stock and can be shipped within five
business days.
32"
long (1/100 scale)
$2,460 Shipping and
insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other
places: $300 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 very accurate. Pay particular
attention to the stern and the propellers when you
compare across the Internet.
For different
Russian submarines, click here:
Typhoon,
Akula,
Kilo, Alfa,
Oscar.
Learn more about the
Alfa class submarine here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa-class_submarine
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