You build the Krazny Oktyabr!



The model is 1.5 inches longer than the usual Typhoon kit. It will be widened by 8mm. These measurements were taken from the book "The Hunt for Red October" where it was mentioned the RO was some 44 feet longer and 2-3 meters wider at the beam. This scales down roughly to 1.5 inches additional length, and 8mm additional beam, in 1/350. I'm using Dragon's 1/350 Typhoon kit for the conversion (one of which was given to me by my sister as this year's Christmas present). As shown in the above photo, the stretching has begun, but the widening of the hull isn't.





This here's the missile launchers. According to the book, the RO has 26 missiles rather than the original 20 in a "standard Typhoon". In the Dragon kit, there are two silos that can be positioned open. I decided to leave out these ones when I made the rough surgery since it woud IMO hamper in the stretching of the kit.





This here's the plugs which came from the "donor" kit to stretch the Typhoon. As you can see, the rough cuts were made by a coping saw (I had nothing smaller, and scribing away with an X-acto knife would be such a pain). The upper hull half's seams where the plug was added hasn't been finessed yet, but has been filled with CA glue. The lower hull half's plug isn't cemented yet in this pic, but has since been glued. It, however, has not yet been filled with CA glue. The tricky part in stretching it is to make it straight. Just less than a millimeter off center and you get a tilted bow. Fortunately, this didn't happen.


Both hull halves are secured by the screws which came with the model. The bow planes-and-torpedo assembly have been secured already, though the torpedos have been cut off - I didn't want the 'toy' feature. The bow planes will be cemented in place before the hull is sliced along the center to widen it.

I've already decided to fill the model with resin. Before the hull is cemented, layers of cardboard insulation will be placed in it (affixed with double sided tape). The resin will be poured prior to the installation of the missile deck. To keep the resin secured and not shake around, "anchors" will be placed.

I was sorely tempted to enter this in the Dive 3x campaign, but as with all conversion projects (not to mention the other projects I currently have), I reckon I won't make it to the end of the campaign. Still, I just wanted to show what I was up to hehehe :-)

Now I want a third Dragoon Typhoon kit to accompany the RO and to show off the difference in size.

Hi GIBeregovoy

It seems that you are into an accurate Hunt for Red Oktober!

I see you had the guts to go and embarc on this crazy ivan project!!!
Even if you don't join DDD Campaign (sad, though) please keep us posted on the evolution of your Project

Best regards
Skipper

You also need a USS Dallas to compare Red October to the Typhoon to a US sub

Good point there Alan!!
As a chalenge, GIBeregovoy could even built all the subs that participate in "Hunt for Red Oktober"

(The Red Oktober, USS Dallas, an Alpha and an "original" Typhoon)

What do you say, GIBeregovoy?
Accept the challange?

Skipper

How are you going to do the caterpillar drive?

Hehehe!

Re: all other subs, yeah that's exactly what another modeller in the local IPMS chapter told me to do, too. Actually, it's "worse" - a diorama of the hunt - EEK!

Honestly, I'd like to build the rest, problem is that the kits aren't available in the shops. Still looking for the Dragon Alfa v 688 "aggressor series" kit, not to mention a third Typhoon... I reckon by next year they'll have another Typhoon - dunno about the 688 and Alfa, though.

But yeah, why not - challenge accepted! :-) Provided you guys don't give me a deadline :-) (I'm already deep in half-built projects - though I intend to finish this one ASAP).

Re: caterpillar drive, that's one of the issues. I've been reading and re-reading the book and try to visualize where on this beast the caterpillar intake and exhaust doors are to be located. Since the torpedos were mentioned "inboard" of the intake doors, that means the intakes are on the bow, probably above the dive planes or a bit in front of it, in "somewhat circular" shape (that's the way it was described in the book), with the exhaust doors a direct straight line from the intake to the stern, just before the propellers, to give the indication that if those doors are for towed array sonars they'd barely clear the screws (as described in the book).

I honestly was going to just scribe the doors on the hull rather than have them opened. But that can still change (one way is by placing styrene tube inside the hull so it can be the caterpillar drive's tunnel).

It's the 30th, a holiday over here, and I'll be working on the RO in a few hours.

I'll keep y'all updated along the way.

EDIT:

Y'all forgot the DSRV as well... OOPS! I think I shouldn't have said that.... :-)

DSRV - nice catch!!!!

About the caterpilar drives, on the movie there's two fuzzy pics of it... Bow and Stern
They are showed open...

Best luck with this cool project and a Happy New Year!


Skipper

Hey Fellas- I'm no Bubblehead, but I believe you're still missing at least one sub from that book- The derelict US sub that they blow up with the fuel/air bombs to simulate the destuction of the Krazny Oktaybr...forget the name, but clearly recall the dockworker going home & checking on the type of explosive...

Not trying to be a noodge or anything.
Happy new year!

You're right! That's the USS Ethan Allen. Any idea what class that is? The only subs available USN (well, those I've seen) here at the shops are the Ohio, LA (with the Alfa kit) and the Andrew Jackson (?) by Revell.

Don't hold me to it, but I think she was the leader of her own class. Came out in late 50's early 60's. Renwal did the ship same time frame with clear side and an interior. Don't think anyone makes a 350 scale type, but recommend you going to the modelwarships web site and post a query there. Jeff Herne (Angry Ensign) more than likely will know, shoot him a PM and ask. Sounds like a wonderful collection you have started. Check ebay and the missing kits will probably show up.