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HMS Oberon Class Submarine Modernised (700052) - 1:700 OKB Grigorov


Julien

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HMS Oberon Class Submarine Modernised (700052)

1:700 OKB Grigorov

 

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The 295.2 feet (90.0 m) long Oberon class (Or more commonly in the RN O Boats) were based heavily on the preceding Porpoise class of submarines, which were in service from 1956 to 1988. Changes from the Porpoise design were primarily to improve the strength and stealth of the submarine. Instead of UXW steel, the hull was built from QT28 steel, which was easier to fabricate and stronger, allowing the submarine to dive deeper. Glass-reinforced plastic was used in construction of the casing. The sonar, and radar systems were also upgraded to the latest standard. The submarines were equipped with a Type 1002 surface search and navigation radar, Type 187 Active-Passive attack sonar, and Type 2007 long range passive sonar. The Oberons were constructed at a variety of shipyards in the United Kingdom: the six Australian and two Chilean submarines by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company; the three Brazilian submarines by Vickers-Armstrongs; and the three Canadian submarines at Chatham Dockyard. Construction of the British submarines was shared amongst four dockyards: the three mentioned above and Cammell Laird. They  were originally armed with eight 21-inch (533.4 mm) torpedo tubes: six tubes in the bow, and two short tubes for anti-submarine defence in the stern. The submarine normally carried a payload of 20 torpedoes for the forward tubes; a mix of Mark 24 Tigerfish and Mark 8 torpedoes, while only the two pre-loaded torpedoes were carried for the stern tubes. Naval mines could be carried instead of torpedoes: the forward torpedo payload would be replaced with up to 50 Mark 5 Stonefish or Mark 6 Sea Urchin mines. Like may vessels these were all modernised during their lifetimes and the class had good longevity due to it remaining a very quiet vessel. 

 

 

The kit

The model arrives in the standard small sturdy cardboard box with a picture of one of the class underway. The model, as stated on the box is 129mm long. Inside, beneath the small instruction sheet, the parts are well protected in the companies usual manner with the main, one piece full hull is in a poly sponge wrapper within a bubblewrap cocoon with the other parts, both resin and etch. The six resin parts include the propeller shafts, fore and aft diveplanes, plus the propeller bosses. Etched parts are provided for the propellers, the propeller shaft support brackets and display stand. Detail is very nice and fine with the possible exception of the deck hatches which, as in their other kits are a little deep, but should look ok with a coat or two of paint. Construction is pretty simple, just attach the diveplanes to their relative positions, fold the prop shaft “A” frames and glue into position with the shafts. The propeller blades need to be twisted to shape and glued onto the end of the shafts, and then attach the bosses to the centre of each propeller. There are no painting guides, so research will need to be carried out to assess the correct colours.


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Conclusion

This is another great little model of a British submarine, always a good thing to see, as there are too few of them about. I can easily recommend this to all submarine modellers. Even if you don’t normally build in 1:700, buy one, you never know, it may lead to one in 1:350 being released.

 

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Many thanks to OKB Grigorov for supplying the review sample.

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2 hours ago, Julien said:

Even if you don’t normally build in 1:700, buy one, you never know, it may lead to one in 1:350 being released.

There is a kit in 1/350 scale - in resin from 'Polar Bear' subs ;- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Submarine-resin-kit-of-SS-Oberon-class-the-UK-1-350-scale/264271889518?hash=item3d87d5046e:g:jlYAAOSwy8JctiIL

 

I finished mine as 'Special Ops' sub HMS Opossum.....

 

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The build is here:- http://www.flankers-site.co.uk/model_submarines_350_scale.html#HMS_Oberon

 

IIRC, there's another 1/350th Oberon that has just been announced.....

 

Ken

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Hi Julien, it does build into a great model with patience as the prop assembly is fiddly.

 

The model itself has been available for over 5 years, built mine in 2015, can recommend OKB for those hard to get subjects, his later R class (4 in a box), M1 and upcoming modernised Vanguard are must haves in 1/700.

 

All the best Chris

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6 minutes ago, whitestar12chris said:

Hi Julien, it does build into a great model with patience as the prop assembly is fiddly.

 

The model itself has been available for over 5 years, built mine in 2015, can recommend OKB for those hard to get subjects, his later R class (4 in a box), M1 and upcoming modernised Vanguard are must haves in 1/700.

 

All the best Chris

Cheers Chris, this is the Modernised Oberon, not the Oberon, not sure there is much difference in 1/700 tho.

 

OKB have sent us the Dutch Zwaardvis, Iranian Ghadir, Israeli Gal, RN R Class and the Italian Enrico Toti, so reviews of these coming soon.

 

Julien

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  • 2 years later...

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