| The USS Seawolf is the United States
Navy's first all new Attack Submarine since the Skipjack class. This large
new sub is both fast, and quiet, and armed with a formidable array of weapons.
The Seawolf can target 75% of the land mass of the world and enemy ships
at long range. Equipped for a variety of missions these subs are designed
to operate in forward areas with little need for support. These subs are
more capable than the preceding Los Angeles Class Attack subs that are
designed to replace. Originally designed to defeat the best Soviet Subs
before they could close on the US and launch their weapons. There are currently
three of these subs in service; SSN 21 Seawolf, SSN 22 Connecticut, and
SSN 23 Jimmy Carter. Additional subs orders were canceled with the demise
of the Soviet Union. |
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SPECIFICATIONS:
| Displacement |
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7,460 ton surface displacement
9,137 tons submerged displacement |
| Length |
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353 feet (107.6 meters) |
| Draft |
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35 feet (10.67 meters) |
| Beam |
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40 feet (12.2 meters) |
| Speed |
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35 knots maximum submerged*
20 knots tactical ["silent"] speed* |
| Operating Depth |
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About 1600-2000 feet* |
| Armament |
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eight 660-mm torpedo tubes and |
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50 Tomahawk cruise missiles or |
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50 Harpoon antiship missiles or |
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50 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes or |
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up to 100 mines or a combination of the above |
| Propulsion System |
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One S6W reactor driving one shaft with 52,000 SHP |
| Crew |
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12 Officers, 121 Enlisted |
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* Unofficial numbers. |
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| HULL AND DETAILS |
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| This latest release from Trumpeter captures the immense proportions
of the Seawolf class in 1/144 scale and scales out at about 29". The hull
is cast as two halves, with a separate bow and stern piece. The first sprue
contains the half of the hull, some of the sail plane, and other details.
The hull is nicely engraved with panel lines and what little surface details
is evident on the prototype. The huge propeller shroud is molded as one
piece. |
click images
to enlarge
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| The second sprue contains the bow and stern halves. The sail is also
two halves with a separate top on the other sprue. The propellers look
a little flat, but will be hard to see when installed in the shroud. |
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| A stand is included to display your sub. |
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| DECALS |
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| A nice decal sheet is included with hull numbers for the Seawolf. Also
on the sheet are the camouflage usually applied to the periscopes and depth
markings for the hull |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| The instructions consist of a well illustrated six page
booklet. There are several sub-assembly views that show all phases of the
construction as well as decaling and painting.
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| ADDITIONAL REFERENCE |
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| Conclusions: |
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 Another
impressive kit from Trumpeter. Some may question the choice of scales,
but there are already a number of subs in this scale and you can now display
a Seawolf alongside them. This kit retails for $32.95 (USD), but can be
found on sale for less in most places.
Thanks to Stevens
International for the review sample. They are the exclusive importer
for Trumpeter kits in the US. If your hobby shop does not carry Trumpeter
kits have them contact Stevens
International or try their Hobby Shop Locator to find one. |
