Translate

Friday, November 26, 2010

Los Angeles Class





Here are some images of Dragon Model's 1/350 scale Los Angeles class submarine.
From Wikipedia "
The Los Angeles class, sometimes called the LA class or the 688 class, is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN) that forms the backbone of the United States submarine fleet. With 45 submarines on active-duty (and 17 retired), this class has more boats than any other nuclear powered submarine class in the world. The class was preceded by the Sturgeon class and followed by the Seawolf and Virginia classes. Except for USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709), submarines of this class are named after U.S. cities, breaking a long-standing Navy tradition of naming attack submarines after sea creatures.
The final 23 boats in the series, referred to as "688i" boats, are quieter than their predecessors and incorporate a more advanced combat system. These 688i boats are also designed for under-ice operations: their diving planes are on the bow rather than on the sail, and they have reinforced sails.
According to the U.S. government, the top speed of Los Angeles-class submarines is over 25 knots (46 km/h, 29 mph) and the precise speed is classified. Some estimates put the top speed at 30–33 knots. Tom Clancy, in his book Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship, puts the top speed of a Los Angeles class submarine at 37 knots.
Similarly, government sources give the maximum operating depth as 650 feet (200 m), while Patrick Tyler, in his book Running Critical, suggests a maximum operating depth of 950 feet (290 m). Although Tyler cites the 688-class design committee for this figure, the government has not commented on it. The maximum diving depth is 1,475 feet (450 m) according to Jane's Fighting Ships, 2004-2005 Edition, edited by Commodore Stephen Saunders of Royal Navy.

4 comments:

Pat Tillett said...

A great looking model. Talk about a sinister looking machine. Wow!

-Warren Zoell said...

Thanks Pat - I here one has to be of a special disposition to serve on submarines.

Hanny said...

Great model! I made a 688i once and I really enjoyed getting to know the vessel through building its miniature.
Talking about the right disposition, I think 'hot-racking' would be the worst part for me! Have you read 'Blind Man's Bluff?'

-Warren Zoell said...

Thanks Hanny - The name rings a bell but I haven't read the story.