Casabianca (SNA-603) image

[Guest]

The French nuclear submarine Casabianca (SNA-603) departing Toulon to take part in Exercise 'Trident of gold' (April 4, 2005). The French Rubis SSN's (SNA in French) are the smallest displacement 'armed' nuclear powered submarines operationally. When initally built, they looked much like single screw Skates SSN's. They underwent a major upgrade and appearance changes, looking now much like 'Skipjacks'.

Steve Reichmuth





Edited By Dolphin on 1115262593

[chuck chesney]

Steve,
Nice photo...The only thing thats

Steve,
Nice photo...The only thing thats missing is the white flag on the periscope. They must be on their way to surrender to SOMEONE.

[Antoine]

clap clap. What a sense

clap clap. What a sense of humour. congrats.

[Antoine]

ooops, I forgot to add

ooops, I forgot to add (if you had forgotten your own history) that without these "cowards of frenchies", you would have a queen today...

If you do not want to appear as a typical redneck, please do not be insulting.

[chuck chesney]

Sometimes, the truth hurts. Sorry.

Sometimes, the truth hurts. Sorry.

[Antoine]

the board will judge you

the board will judge you then.

Each country had its dark times, even yours.

France does not need to proove its value.

Read your history books (if you have one at least)

[anonymous]

Its a beautiful photo, that

Its a beautiful photo, that is all, and highlights there is more submarines around for modeling subjects. Less politics here please. It is more a nudge in the ribs, but for some I see a kick in the butt is needed to inspire perhaps some new modeling subjects. Or are people afraid or lack the talent to try something that doesn't have either a round hull cross section, or is not in kit form?

Love the line ...."that without these "cowards of frenchies", you would have a queen today". I'll have a drink with you Antoine.

Steve



Edited By Dolphin on 1115584665

[Antoine]

when you want Steve !!!

when you want Steve !!!

By the way, the Roland Morillot is going well,the mould is made ! If you want a conning tower I would be glad to send you one !

Antoine.

[gerwalk]

Vive La France!! Antoine, please

[color=#000000]Vive La France!! Antoine, please don't be bothered by simple minded remarks!!!

As for the Rubis class models there is a very small (and not very accurate) plastic model kit (no more than 10cm long) from an unknown chinese company. It comes toghether with a german Type 206 sub of similar dimensions in the same box.

Dolphin]

[novagator]

ooops, I forgot to add

ooops, I forgot to add (if you had forgotten your own history) that without these "cowards of frenchies", you would have a queen today...

If you do not want to appear as a typical redneck, please do not be insulting.

Now Now, just remember the French would be speaking German twice if not for the USA.

We'll just stay with cool photo.

[JWLaRue]

All right folks, let's please

All right folks, let's please stick to the original subject....?

-Jeff

[gerwalk]

What's that strange patern in

What's that strange patern in the radar mast? Looks like "Ds" and at first I thought there was something written on the mast!

[anonymous]

It must be a different

It must be a different mast camo pattern. Different. That is the whole exersize here. Camo to break up the vertical lines of the mast. Though in the above image, I do not see how.

Antoine, I would love to see (dying to see) a picture of a casting from my 1/40 Roland Morillot master Antoine. Send me a casting too please...but no hurry. Finish that project of yours first.

The Rubis class pressure hull is round mainly in cross section. This is true ( the point is new subjects to model...I will lead you gently...). The casing in both it's old and new guise Améthyste upgrades vs. pre-Améthyste, and the new construction after Améthyste in this class) makes this hull technically not completely round. The new casing is amazingly well blended, contrast this to old style deck casing. Also a completely new bow and sonar's were added to the new Rubis configurations. The old Rubis bow looked like the early French SSBN bows, but now have round 'domed bows' like the Sturgeon 637 boats for example. However, in the Rubis, the torpedo tubes still project out the bow 2X2. On the Sturgeons 637's as we know, the tubes are farther back, angled out 10 degrees. Images below of original Rubis, and the Améthyste version of same boats.

The original Rubis SSN's (or SNA's in French parlance) were oriented toward anti-surface targets, and ASW secondary. In the new Améthyste configuration, the primary roles are reversed. ASW primary. These Rubis boats have had new quieting features added too. Their main function when not escorting surface units as part of a battle group, is primarily protecting the French SSBN force. Usually one SNA assigned to each French SSBN on deterrent patrol (hanging back riding shotgun).

http://sousmarins.free.fr/a-sna.php?page=v-rubis

http://www.netmarine.net/bat/smarins/saphir/photo10.jpg

http://sousmarins.free.fr/sna/rubis/vues/images/rubis3.jpg

http://sousmarins.free.fr/sna/rubis/vues/images/rubisb24.jpg

http://www.netmarine.net/photos/sna.htm

Steve Reichmuth






Edited By Dolphin on 1115705964

[gerwalk]

Dolphin,
Thanks, excellent material! I still

Dolphin,
Thanks, excellent material! I still think that the hull cross section is round in the Rubis (not in the previous design with an Agosta class bow type). I admit that if you include in the "hull cross section" the upper deck then it is not "round" But is just a question of definitions!!

As for the radar mast: that's why I'm asking, it makes no sense as a cammo!!

I would like to see a photo or diagram of the torpedoes hatches!!

Excellent topic! Keep it alive and just don't pay attention to the moronic political comments!! If it were for them we would be only discussing about US Navy SSNs which would make this a very sad and unidimensional forum!!

[anonymous]

You mentioned Agosta? I do

You mentioned Agosta? I do not have sections of the Rubis, but I do for Agosta. Not identical, but very simular.

Steve



Edited By Dolphin on 1115785216