The Soviet Union/Russian Navy Project 705 (Лира/Lira, "Lyre") was a class of hunter/killer nuclear-powered submarines. The class is also known by the NATO reporting name of Alfa. They were the fastest class of military submarines built, with only the prototype K-222 (NATO Papa class) exceeding them in submerged speed.
The Lira was a unique design among submarines. In addition to the revolutionary use of titanium for its hull, it used a powerful lead cooled fast reactor as a power source, which greatly reduced the size of the reactor compared to conventional designs, thus reducing the overall size of the submarine and allowing for very high speeds. However, it also meant that the reactor had a short lifetime and had to be kept warm when it was not being used. As a result, the Liras were used as interceptors, mostly kept in port ready for a high-speed dash into the North Atlantic.
Model length: 44.5 inches (113cm)
Beam: 5.1 inches (13cm)
Kit contents (1/72nd scale):
- Upper and lower fiberglass hulls in epoxy resin
- Periscope castings (x5)
- Rear tail fins (x4)
- Control surfaces (x4) with cast-in shafts
- Front dive planes (x2) with cast-in shafts
- Layout drawing
NOTE: This kit is for the advanced modeler. Some adjustment of fitment, filling and sanding will be required for assembly.
Soviet Project 705 Alfa in 1:72 scale
Type: Attack Submarine Displacement: 2,300 tons surfaced, 3,200 tons submerged Length: 81.4 m (267 ft) Beam: 9.5 m (31 ft) Draught: 7.6 m (25 ft) Propulsion: - OK-550 or BM-40A, 155-MWt Lead-bismuth cooled fast reactor
- 40,000 shp (30,000 kW) steam turbine, one shaft
Speed: 12 kn (14 mph; 22 km/h) surfaced, 41 knots (47 mph; 76 km/h) submerged Test depth: 350 m test[2] Complement: 31 (all officers) Armament: - Six 533-mm (21-inch) torpedo tubes:
- 18 SET-65 or 53-65K torpedoes
- 20 VA-111 Shkval torpedoes
- 24 mines