Typhoon Class - The Largest Submarines Ever Built

The Soviet Typhoon class submarines, known in Russia as Project 941 Akula, were the largest submarines ever constructed by any nation. Designed during the height of the Cold War to counter the U.S. Navy’s Ohio class, the Typhoons were massive ballistic missile submarines built for long-duration patrols beneath Arctic ice. NATO assigned the name “Typhoon,” while the Russian designation “Akula” translates to “shark.” With a submerged displacement of approximately 48,000 tons and a crew of around 160, these submarines featured unheard-of crew accommodations, including a sauna, pool, and recreational areas. Of the six constructed, five were eventually scrapped due to high operating costs, with one remaining in limbo as a potential museum vessel.

This 1/350 scale model was completed using acrylic paints with oil-based weathering. The build presented several challenges, both expected and unexpected. The Typhoon’s distinctive black anechoic tile finish required each tile to be airbrushed individually, varying air pressure, paint flow, and distance to break up the surface and avoid a monotone appearance. An unforeseen issue arose during the weathering stage, where heavy use of mineral oil compromised the hull seam by weakening the cement bond, resulting in separation and slight warping. Reassembly proved difficult, and while the joint line could not be fully restored to its original state, the model was brought back together as cleanly as possible.

As with all submarines in this series, the model is displayed on a hand-cut hardwood base with a miniature slipway. The base includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size comparison, and a QR code linking to additional historical information, offering context to the sheer scale and engineering ambition of this Cold War leviathan.