1:350 Russian Navy Akula Class

Russian nuclear submarine of the Akula class in 1:350 scale from Hobby Boss

The kit captures the Russian nuclear attack submarine that Western classification lists as the Akula class. The 1:350 scale is the most common one for submarines, so the model sits well in a collection alongside other vessels of the Cold War and the modern era. The silhouette is formed by a smooth, teardrop-shaped hull with a tall sail, so the result rests above all on a cleanly finished seam and an even coat of paint.

The real subject

Submarines of this class were among the best of Soviet and later Russian underwater technology. They were designed as attack vessels against surface task forces as well as against enemy submarines, and they became famous for their low noise signature, which considerably narrowed the lead of Western designs. On the vertical rudder aft they carry a prominent pod with a towed sonar array. Watch out for one common confusion: in Western classification the name Akula stands for an attack submarine, while the Russian name Akula belonged to the giant missile submarines that the West calls Typhoon.

Building and painting tips

The longitudinally split hull is the key point of building a submarine. Fill the seam, sand it through several grades and check the result with a coat of primer before you paint. Apply the dark hull shade with an airbrush in thin coats so that the hatches and the engraved lines stay readable. Heavy dirtying looks out of place on submarines; light shading of the surfaces and a hint of deposits at the waterline work better.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of modern submarines in 1:350 scale
• Those interested in the Russian Navy and Cold War equipment
• Modelers who want to work on a smooth painted surface
• Those building comparative sets of nuclear attack submarines

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.