Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
On Display – DKM Bismarck
MSW Crewmember Kostas Katseas (angeleyes) shows off one of his commissions featuring the DKM Bismarck in 1/350 scale.
Crew of Alrosa prepares for Submariners' Day
Source: Rusnavy.com
Crewmen of the Russian Navy's best diesel submarine Alrosa will celebrate the Submariners' Day in intensive preparations for the Bold Monarch 2011 joint naval exercise to be held off Spain.
The sub was placed in wet dock of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) 13th Ship Repair Plant late in Jan 2011.
According to BSF Submarine Division Commander Capt 1 rank Anatoly Varochkin, quality repair is essential for successful cruise, because the submarine is about to pass the Bosporus and the Dardanelles straits, the Aegean, the Ionian, and the Mediterranean seas for the first time in her service life.
Now it is a rush period for Alrosa crew. Everyone is at work, but most of all – engineering department headed by experienced officer Capt 3 rank Nikolai Kulik. His right-hand man is engine officer Capt Lt Alexander Lukianchuk. Petty officers Dmitry Fomenko, Alexander Glybovsky, Alexander Skobelev work with sleeves rolled up; other sailors have also much work to do.
Recall that the submarine has been under patronage of JSC Alrosa and Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) for 13 years. Many social issues were resolved with the patrons' assistance. They improved living conditions and established good sport facilities which were a good contribution to the fourth Navy Commander's Prize recently won by Alrosa.
Ukraine found the money for corvettes
Source: Lenta.Ru
Ukraine's Cabinet ratified the state defense program targeted at building of corvette class ships, reports press service of state-led company Ukrspetsexport. The document provides financing of new project no later than in 2011. Amount of funds appropriated for the program is not specified.
"Defense ministry is about to allocate $163.5 mln for arms development in 2011", said Ivan Marko, director of the ministry's financial department in mid-Nov 2010. However, he added that such projects as designing of An-70 transport aircraft, modernization of Mi-24 helicopter, and building of corvettes would not be financed.
Earlier on, Ukrainian defense ministry declared the plans to build 10 corvettes till 2026; by the way, the first of them was supposed to be keel-laid back in 2009. Due to financial crisis and strong disbalance in state budget, financing of Ukrainian armed forces had been significantly reduced. The major part of defense budget was spent for outfit and meals, while financing of most programs was suspended.
It was previously reported that the corvette's project had been designed by Shipbuilding Research and Development Center (Nikolayev, Ukraine). Estimated fuel range of the corvette is about 4 000 nm, displacement is 2 500 tons.
Airship ZPG-2
Today’s website is the Airship ZPG-2. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1865 - In the largest amphibious operation of the war, Union forces capture Fort Fisher, N.C.
1943 - The Numbered fleet system is established.
1957 - Airship ZPG-2 lands at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., after an 11-day non-stop flight across the Atlantic.
1966 - River Squadron 5 is established in Vietnam.
Diorama Idea of the Day
Facing high winds and heavy seas, Sailors aboard the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE 1) rig a fuel probe over to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
Gator
