Jump to content

Delta IV SSBN - 1/350 sub from Zvezda


Recommended Posts

The latest 1/350 scale submarine kit from Zvezda is the massive Delta IV (Delfin) class of Russian SSBN....

 

spacer.png

 

Moulded in black plastic, the lower hull is made up from three sections - two lower vertically split sides plus a top....

 

spacer.png


spacer.png

 

The twin five-bladed propellers each have to made up from a central shaft - to which are attached the five separate scimitar-shaped blades :analintruder:

The missile casing is also separate - made up from two side panels (below) and a top section (above)...

 

spacer.png

 

This complex hull construction would allow (I think?) for a waterline build - although the vertical fin/rudder would have to be modified... (lower section cut off?)

 

Internal bulkheads are included to stiffen the hull - but it remains to be seen how good the many joints are....

 

This sprue contains the various masts/periscopes, hatches for the two missile tubes, dive planes and doors for the topedo-loading hatches.

 

spacer.png

 

Zvezda include a display stand - depicting a rocky sea bed.....

 

spacer.png

 

The decal sheet is well printed and includes the white waterline stripes and depth markings, plus the town emblem after which she is named - Tula....

 

It also contains the boats pennant number - K-114 - and the name Tula (in Latin and Cyrillic) in gold to go on the display stand....

 

spacer.png

 

The painting and decal placement guide gives Zvezda and Tamiya colours... (and you can learn a bit of Russian while you are at it....)

 

spacer.png

 

Lastly - the four-page construction sheet is 'busy' - but readable...

 

spacer.png

 

I have already got a Delta IV SSBN in my collection - from Alanger........

 

spacer.png

 

 

So it will be interesting to compare the two models.......

 

Interestingly, the hull breakdown suggests - as well as a waterline option (although not mentioned in the instructions), the fact that it has a separate missile casing - could they make the earlier Delta II & III from the same hull moulds??

 

This needs investigating more...

 

This is a very welcome new kit from Zvezda - more power to them.

 

Ken

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Belay that order Stuart - I'm talking out of my stern tube...............

 

A cursory Google for 'Delta sub' shows that the lengths differed substantially between the Delta's I, II, III & IV - so it would be difficult to backdate the new Zvezda kit.

 

With that in mind - and having now got the 'Delta virus' - I ordered the Delta II resin kit from Polar Bear subs.......

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Submarine-resin-kit-of-SSBN-Delta-II-class-1-350-scale/264264444857?hash=item3d87636bb9:g:I8QAAOSwFNZWyt0q

 

It's very expensive...... but I'm  indulging myself....

 

Ken

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just hit the first problem......:wall:

 

The five scimitar-shaped blades are 5mm-long separate parts that have to be attached to an 8mm-long shaft...... the assembly drawing makes it look easy....

 

spacer.png

 

First you attach the 'key' blade (part B1/B330 - then you attach the other four blades (each with a 'collar' that fits into place and establishes the pitch)

 

All well and good - except...

 

spacer.png

 

In the above photo - I have attached three blades to the shaft, the fourth is separated and the fifth is still attached to the sprue.

 

Being moulded in black plastic makes the parts difficult to see (especially at my age!) and gives a lack of depth-perception.

 

Removing each blade leaves burrs that have to be removed - whilst holding a tiny part that threatens to ping off into the maws of the carpet monster.

 

Come on Zvezda - give us a fighting chance..... please!

 

Trying to attach the blades correctly is proving to be beyond my capabilities........ so I'm looking at alternatives...

 

I've found a couple of etched-brass scimitar blades in my stash - they are seven-bladers - but they may have to do.... 

 

Anyone know of a source of appropriate 1/350 scale propeller blades ???

 

In the meantime, the fixed horizontal rear planes are assembled - again a complicated arrangement designed to have moveable dive planes...

 

spacer.png

 

spacer.png

 

Next up are the two open missile tubes - each made up from THREE segments.........

 

spacer.png

 

This is proving to be a frustrating build.......

 

Ken

  • Like 3
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A bit of progress - but I must say that the kit breakdown seems a bit overly complex - not helped by being moulded in black plastic.... :deadhorse:

Anyway... the separate upper hull has a rectangular box added at the bow (the open torpedo loading bay) - plus four bulkheads and the two missile tube sub-assemblies....

 

spacer.png

 

Upper hull underside - the bow is top left.

 

spacer.png

 

Upper hull on its side.

 

spacer.png

 

Top view of the upper hull - the bow is now at bottom right - you can just make out the torpedo loading bay

 

Black is so difficult to photograph....

 

Ken

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Progress....

 

The lower hull is in two halves (actually thirds - counting the top section) - and attaching one side is easy, because you can apply glue from the inside...

 

I attached to port side lower hull section first...

 

spacer.png

 

View from the staboard (open) side showing the glue applied to the bulkheads and seam....

 

spacer.png

 

Whilst waiting for the glue to set I built up the stern section - the fixed diving plane assembly has to be trapped between the upper

and lower halves - note the spigot for the 'working' upper and lower rudders....

 

spacer.png

 

Attaching the starboard lower hull is more problematic - a dry fit revealed a gap along the lower edge.

 

This was because one of the bulkeads was slightly mis-aligned and was fouling on the raised locating grooves inside the starboard half.

 

After sanding off the offending raised grooves, assemly proceded.....

 

spacer.png

 

Fit isn't perfect - particulary the join along the keel...

 

spacer.png

 

Top view showing rear end attached.....

 

spacer.png

 

.... revealing a slight gap that needs some attention....

 

spacer.png

 

All the joints will probably need attention - to be revealed by the first grey primer coat.....

 

More later....

 

Ken

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Ken, nice work on the kit so far.  It is the end of March already and I still have my Christmas pressie money! :christmas: I had been holding on to it in the hope that a 1:350 Kirov class would be discounted in one of the modelling stores, but that still hasn't happened, so I will order the Delta IV from Hannants.  Thanks for the pointer on this. :winkgrin:

Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A quick burst of grey primer reveals the gaps along all the joints.....

 

Hull sides....

 

spacer.png

 

...and along the keel. The two diamond-shaped holes are for the uprights on the display stand - they have been filled in.

 

spacer.png

 

A few sessions of sanding down the filler soon had those joints (nearly) hidden.....

 

spacer.png

 

Almost there.... (it's much easier to work with grey rather than black)

 

spacer.png

 

In the meantime, I made a start on the bridge/conning tower/sail.

 

Zvezda gives two choices - masts up or retracted - and they provide a housing inside the bridge for them - made up from three tiny parts.

 

As with the stern dive planes and rudders, the dive planes on the sail can be made 'workable' - by means of a connecring rod inside.

 

There is even a raised quadrant moulded inside to limit their travel (on the real thing, the dive planes can be rotated to the vertical to avoid damage when breaking through Arctic ice)

 

I chose not to have this (IMHO unnecessary) working feature and opted to glue the dive planes in place later....

 

The bridge parts - note the blue/green mast housing...

 

spacer.png

 

The bridge assembled - minus the dive planes...

 

spacer.png

 

Top view..... note the large wells for all the masts....

 

spacer.png

 

Another view of the bridge...

 

spacer.png

 

Ken

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I decided to forego the 'working' features and glued the rudders and aft diving planes in place........

 

I'm too old to be running round my lounge, holding the model and whooping 'Dive', 'Dive' 'Dive' - or in Russian.... 'Погружение', 'Погружение', 'Погружение'.....

 

spacer.png

 

There are four cooling intakes and four outlets on the lower hull.... each made up from two parts.

 

spacer.png

 

Port side of the missile compartment is added - the starboard side has still to be attached....

 

spacer.png

 

The starboard side in place and the top decking added - black is so difficult to photograph !!!

 

spacer.png

 

It all fits together beautifully - all credit to the Zvezda designer (although I do think it is a little over-complicated overall)

 

Ken

  • Like 5
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

EEEEEEEeeeeep! 

 

That constructions  sequence looks positively fiendish,

 

I will have to get one now - damn your eyes Sir!

 

You are doing an awesome job  Ken, watching with interest

 

cheers,

 

Pappy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I came to fit the conning tower sub-assembly - it just wouldn't fit.

 

spacer.png

 

I tried to push it in from the front - but the assembly diagram showed it sliding in from the top...???

 

But there was no way that my conning tower could go in that way..... there are bits in the way.

 

So I scratched my head, studied the Zvezda instructions again, cursed the kit designers.....

 

Then a few brain cells stirred into life, a couple of synapses sparked, some cogs started to move - and it dawned on me....

 

I had glued the top decking to the BOTTOM of the tower... :wall:....

 

spacer.png

 

Luckily, I was able to carefully remove the top decking and correct the problem......

 

spacer.png

 

It now fits - as intended.

 

Phew... !!!!

 

The moral of this tale - always study the 'kin instructions !!!!

 

I'm going for a lie down now....

 

Stay safe.

 

Ken

  • Like 3
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Delta Flyer......

 

The hull is painted - using my favourite acryllic car sprays from a rattle can - Hycote Red Primer (with Halfords Red Plastic Primer at the bows for a little contrast) for the anti-fouling red lower hull.

 

I thing plain black is too stark, so for the upper hull I use Halfords Volvo Dark Grey - a very dark off-black.

 

I was worried about the decals - Zvezda include the white waterline markings split into four sections that look delicate and fragile

 

But they are superb - they are going on perfectly (so far!) they are thin, but opaque and are easy to apply.... the waterline decals take a lot of prodding and positioning without complaint.

 

I cut them into shorter section for ease of application.....

 

spacer.png

 

I'm doing one side at a time...

 

spacer.png

 

More to follow....

 

Ken

Edited by Flankerman
  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Submarines have never been my thing (though I originally joined the Navy to be a submariner until i realised the smell of diesel inside a conventional boat made me violently ill) but this is fascinating.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I found it almost impossible to construct the multi-prt props provided by Zvezda and wondered about how to replace them......?

 

Now, Michael Fuller (Woodstock74) has produced a set of 3D Printed props and very generously gave me a set.

 

He has made both 5-blades 'paddle' and 'scimitar' styles - and they are superb....

 

spacer.png

 

They fit the Zvezda model perfectly....

 

spacer.png

 

spacer.png

 

Mike says they will be available commercially on eBay ........

 

With the props attached, the model can now be completed

 

Thanks once again Mike..... :worthy:

 

Ken

 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the plug Ken!  At the moment the screws aren't quite available, but I'd suspect I can get my act together in the next week or so as I've solved the scarce consumable issue (lack of isopropyl alcohol) caused by Covid-19 concerns.  Denatured alcohol is readily available, and more importantly, I tested it over the weekend and there were no untowards issues.  I'll have 3 varieties of the Delta IV (2 x 5-blade versions, 1 x 7-blade version), as well as two varieties for the Oscar II (for the Hobby Boss kit).  My LA 688 and Ohio screws are already available.

Edited by Woodstock74
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...
59 minutes ago, Roger Newsome said:

Excellent work in progress Ken. I just thought I'd post my appreciation as it is helping me no end with my own build of this kit.

I didn't get two prop blades fitted before I gave up and took your advice and hit ebay for a set of replacements from Michael @Woodstock74😀

Roger.

Those are on the front porch waiting for USPS to pickup as I type...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Woodstock74 said:

Those are on the front porch waiting for USPS to pickup as I type...

Fantastic, thank you very much! 🙂

There's no way I would have got those Zevzda monstrosities assembled in the time it will take for them to cross the Atlantic and be delivered.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...