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The Russian ASW Guided Missile Cruiser Petropavlovsk Kagero Top Drawings No. 74 via Casemate UK The Russian ASW Guided Missile Cruiser Petropavlovsk was a Kara Class Guided Missile Cruiser in Western Classification though the Soviets classed them as Large anti-submarine warfare vessels. The Kara Class was itself an enlarged Kresta II Class vessel with new Gas Turbine Engines replacing steam turbines. Even though designated ASW ships they have a formidable anti-aircraft capability as well. They are 173m long with a beam of 6.7m. Their primary ASW weapon is two quad SS-N-14 Silix missile systems. This solid fuel rocket system was a response to the US ASROC system could deliver a torpedo or nuclear depth charge at ranges of upto 50km. The system unlike the US one also has multipurpose torpedo's which can be used against surface vessels. Two additional RBU-1000 and two RBU-6000 are also carried. For the anti-aircraft role two twin SA-N-3 Goblet, and 24 SA=N-6 Grumble missile systems are carried. The vessel also mounts 2 twin 76mm guns, 4 30mm CIWS systems and finally two racks of 5 533mm torpedo tubes. An sub hunting helicopter can also be carried, All in all these were very capable ships, All of the class have now been paid off. One of these ships the Ochakov was used in anger, though in a strange way. In 2014 with the Russian invasion of the Ukraine she was sunk as a blockship in Donuzlav bay to prevent the Ukrainian gaining access to the Black Sea. This is the latest book from Kagero in their Top Drawing series, and like the previous books it has a brief history and the ships specifications at the beginning. The rest of the 15 pages are filled with beautifully drawn diagrams of almost every piece of equipment on the ship. Unusually for this series there aren’t any drawings of the hull, the largest section being covered is the superstructure. The main reson for the book are the the two double sided A2 foldout sheets, the first of which has a three view line drawing of the complete ship on one side, the other side containing similar views, but in full colour. The second sheet also contains three view line drawings of the ship, The opposite side of sheet 2 also contain line drawings of the ship, the top drawing of the hull only, the next, top down view of the hull, but also showing the internal spaces of he first level of the superstructure. The bottom drawing is a waterline drawing with annotations for the majority of the equipment visible above the main deck. The drawings also show the differences between entry into serivce and the changes to their final years. Conclusion This is another good book in the series. The pullout sheets are also wonderful to see. This is certainly a very useful book for all modellers. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of