Swiftsure class Subs - Swiftsure class plans

[jim shearing]

Hi guys, another plea for help here.... I just bought "OTW designs" Trafalgar class Hunter-killer kit.Looking at the kit,and the pictures of the Swiftsure class subs which preceeded the Trafalgars, I have decided to make a model of H.M.S. Spartan at the time of the Falklands war in 1982. I know that there is a very small size difference between the classes,but they are very similar,so I have decided to ignore the small difference at 1/72nd scale.

Does anyone know of,or have copies of plans (any scale)of the Swiftsure class as they were in the 80's ? I would be very willing to pay,as I have looked all over the net,and can't find any.I have written to the Royal navy sub museum,but as yet, had no reply. If anyone can help that would be great. thanks

[anonymous]

The Swifture and the Trafalgar

The Swifture and the Trafalgar classes are different, but in model form these can be easily overcome.

The hulls and fins are generally the same externally, but as you noted, the Swiftures are 8 feet shorter midships. The main visual ID difference is in the height of the upper rudder. The upper rudder in the Swiftures are very close in height to the lower rudder. It is much higher on the Trafalgar's. On the Swifture's....it is roughly level with the main casing deck. Also the rectangular casing vent on each side of the sloping casing longitudinally on either side of the sail (fin) is wider and flatter on the 'T''s than on the 'S' class subs. On the 'S' boats...the vent is narrower, less flat and even on some boats there are two each..staggered length wise. Go to the Royal Navy official web site and view the beautiful large images of the T and S class subs. These will support what I am sharing with you. These vents are simply for quicker diving, the cover shapes to eliminate or reduce flow noise.

The individual subs in both the S and T classes are under a constant program of upgrades in weapons control, sonars, quieting, computer processing speeds. The latest upgrades have in fighting ability are on par with the new Astute class in their initial form.

Steve

[jim shearing]

Steve, thanks very much for

Steve, thanks very much for all that information....very much appreciated. Another reason for modelling an early Swiftsure,was that (as far as I can see on the few photos I have found) on the boats in the mid-1980's they hadn't yet been fitted with rubber anechoic tiles..can you confirm that ? Well, thanks again for your help.

[anonymous]

Those heavy anechoic tiles patterns

Those heavy anechoic tiles patterns I believe began in the mid-1980's, so maybe you can get in under the wire, since the Falkland/Malvinias Island war occured in 1982. A Swifture class SSN in 1982 would not have had a pump jet propulsor then too, these were retro fitted on the 'S' class later. The second 'T' class (HMS Turbulent) was the first with this new very secret pump jet arrangement operationally. In 1982 Turbulent was still fitting out.

The turning abilities of these models with pump jet shrouds is poor. The smaller upper rudder size will not help. But since you are doing HMS Spartan with a propeller, with no PJ shroud, perhaps turning will be much better with or without that smaller upper rudder issue.

Steve

[jim shearing]

Thanks again Steve..i really appreciate

Thanks again Steve..i really appreciate your help...I was kind of hoping that there was a way around the "Tile" thing!..and judging by the few photos I have found of Spartan and sisters in the early 80's,it seems that they were tile-less.I was wondering if you knew where else I might find some photos of the Swiftsures in pre-tile form All the best, Jim