Ohio Class SSBN – America’s Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrent

The Ohio class represents the backbone of United States sea-based nuclear deterrence in the post–Cold War era. Originally designed as ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), the class entered service beginning in the early 1980s and was built around stealth, endurance, and survivability. Each Ohio class boat was capable of carrying up to 24 Trident ballistic missiles and operating undetected for extended patrols, forming the most survivable leg of the U.S. nuclear triad.

Following the end of the Cold War, four Ohio class submarines were converted to guided missile submarines (SSGNs), replacing their ballistic missile load with conventional Tomahawk cruise missiles and special operations support capabilities. This conversion extended the service life and relevance of the class well into the 21st century, allowing the Ohio class to transition from strategic nuclear deterrence to flexible power projection and covert strike roles. The remaining SSBNs continue to serve today until their eventual replacement by the Columbia class.

This model is built in 1/350 scale and finished primarily in acrylics with oil washes used for subtle weathering and tonal variation. As with all of my submarine builds, the display base is standardized in size and hand-cut from hardwood, finished to resemble a miniature slipway. Each base includes three identifying elements: the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size comparison positioned just above and to the right of the flag, and a QR code that can be scanned with a cellphone camera to access detailed historical and technical information about the submarine depicted.

The model emphasizes clean lines, restrained weathering, and overall scale fidelity to reflect the Ohio class’s massive size, smooth hydrodynamic hull form, and understated appearance characteristic of modern U.S. Navy submarines.

 

Russia Project 658 K-19 - Early Soviet Nuclear Deterrence and Cold War Tragedy 1/350

Project 658 submarines, known to NATO as the Hotel class, represented the Soviet Union’s first operational generation of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. K-19 was the lead ship of the class and entered service at the height of Cold War tensions, symbolizing the USSR’s urgent push to establish a credible sea-based nuclear deterrent to counter the United States Navy.

K-19 quickly became infamous due to a series of catastrophic accidents, most notably the 1961 reactor coolant failure that nearly resulted in a nuclear meltdown and cost the lives of several crew members. The incident exposed the extreme risks, rushed engineering, and human cost behind early Cold War nuclear programs on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Despite its troubled history, K-19 remained in service for years, undergoing multiple refits and conversions as Soviet submarine technology rapidly evolved.

This 1/350 scale model depicts Project 658 K-19 as a Cold War–era ballistic missile submarine, finished in acrylics with restrained oil weathering to reflect an operational but well-maintained fleet boat. As with all submarines in this series, the model is mounted on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base featuring the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size reference, and a QR code linking to historical background on the real vessel. The presentation emphasizes both the imposing scale of early nuclear submarines and the sobering history behind one of the Cold War’s most notorious boats.

Project 667BDRM Delfin Class K-114 Tula - Soviet Delta IV SSBN in 1/350

The Project 667BDRM Delfin class (NATO reporting name: Delta IV) represented the final and most advanced evolution of the Soviet Union’s Cold War ballistic missile submarine force. Entering service in the mid-1980s, these boats were designed to provide a credible second-strike nuclear deterrent well into the late Cold War and beyond. K-114 Tula was commissioned in 1987 and served with the Northern Fleet, remaining in active service into the post-Soviet era after receiving modernization upgrades that extended her operational life.

The Delfin class featured improved acoustic quieting, enhanced survivability, and the ability to operate the R-29RM family of submarine-launched ballistic missiles, allowing patrols from protected bastion areas rather than open ocean. This marked a strategic shift in Soviet naval doctrine, emphasizing survivability and deterrence over forward deployment.

This 1/350 scale model is finished in acrylics with oil-based weathering to subtly represent operational wear without overstatement. As with all of my submarine builds, it is mounted on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base painted to resemble a drydock slip. Each base includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size reference, and a scannable QR code that links to historical information on the real vessel. 

 

K-141 Kursk - Oscar II Class Cruise Missile Submarine and the Tragedy That Defined an Era

The K-141 Kursk was an Oscar II–class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine designed at the height of the Cold War to hunt and destroy NATO carrier battle groups. Enormous even by submarine standards, the Oscar II class carried heavy anti-ship cruise missiles mounted externally along the hull, reflecting Soviet doctrine that emphasized overwhelming firepower and survivability. Although conceived for Cold War confrontation, Kursk entered service in the post-Soviet era, operating during a time of shrinking budgets, aging infrastructure, and reduced naval readiness.

In August 2000, K-141 Kursk was lost during a naval exercise in the Barents Sea after an internal explosion, resulting in the deaths of all 118 crew members. The disaster became one of the most significant peacetime naval tragedies in modern history and exposed systemic issues within the Russian Navy, marking a somber turning point in post-Cold War naval operations.

This 1/350 scale model represents K-141 Kursk in her Cold War configuration and is finished using acrylics and oils for subtle weathering. As with all submarines in this series, the model is displayed on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base featuring the national flag, a 1/350 scale human figure for size reference, and a QR code linking to historical information about the vessel. The restrained finish reflects the massive, utilitarian nature of the Oscar II design while emphasizing the sheer scale and presence that made these submarines some of the most imposing ever built.

 

K-21: A Cold War Classified Weapons Platform Beneath the Iron Curtain

The Soviet K-21 represents a class of Cold War submarines developed as experimental and classified weapons platforms during a period when naval innovation was driven by secrecy and rapid technological escalation. Rather than serving as a conventional fleet submarine, vessels like K-21 were used to evaluate emerging weapons systems, launch mechanisms, and support equipment that would later influence frontline submarine designs. Much of the true operational detail surrounding these platforms remains limited or fragmented, underscoring the secrecy that defined Soviet naval development during the Cold War.

This 1/350 scale model depicts K-21 in a dockside or test configuration, emphasizing its role as a developmental platform rather than a combat patrol submarine. Finished in acrylics with oil weathering, the model features restrained aging to reflect controlled operating conditions rather than extended sea deployments. As with all submarines in this series, it is mounted on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base with a miniature slipway, national flag, 1/350 scale figure for size reference, and a QR code linking to historical context. The display highlights both the unconventional nature of the vessel and the quiet experimentation that shaped Cold War undersea warfare.

 

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.

USS Ethan Allen (SSBN-608): America’s First Purpose-Built Ballistic Missile Submarine

The Ethan Allen class submarines marked a critical turning point in U.S. Navy history, representing the first American submarines designed from the keel up specifically as ballistic missile platforms. Commissioned in the early 1960s, USS Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) and her sisters were built to carry the Polaris missile system, establishing the sea-based leg of the United States’ nuclear triad during the Cold War. Unlike earlier conversions of attack submarines, the Ethan Allen class featured a dedicated missile compartment and hull form optimized for strategic deterrence patrols.

USS Ethan Allen achieved a historic milestone in 1960 when she successfully launched a live Polaris missile with a nuclear warhead during Operation Frigate Bird, the only full-scale underwater launch of a nuclear-armed ballistic missile ever conducted by the United States. This event validated the concept of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and cemented the role of SSBNs as a cornerstone of Cold War deterrence strategy.

This 1/350 scale model was finished using acrylic paints with oil-based weathering and mounted on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent with the rest of the submarine series. The display 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 about the vessel. Subtle weathering was applied to reflect a well-maintained but operational Cold War submarine, emphasizing clean lines and restrained surface variation appropriate to early U.S. SSBNs.

 

USS Parche (SSN-683) - The Most Decorated Submarine in U.S. Naval History

USS Parche (SSN-683) holds the distinction of being the most decorated vessel in United States naval history, a legacy earned through decades of highly classified Cold War operations. Originally commissioned as a Sturgeon-class attack submarine, Parche was later converted into a specialized intelligence collection platform, conducting missions that remained secret for many years after the Cold War ended.

Her unique modifications allowed Parche to rest directly on the ocean floor using reinforced skids, enabling dive teams to exit through the bottom of the hull. From these positions, Parche’s crews tapped into undersea communication cables and gathered critical intelligence from Soviet naval and strategic communication networks. Over her career she earned nine Presidential Unit Citations, ten Navy Unit Commendations, and thirteen Navy Expeditionary Medals, an unparalleled record reflecting the importance and success of her missions. USS Parche was decommissioned and scrapped in 2006, but her legacy remains one of the most remarkable in undersea warfare history.

This 1/350 scale model represents USS Parche in her Cold War configuration and was finished using acrylic paints with oil-based weathering. The model is mounted on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent with the rest of the submarine series. The display includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size reference, and a QR code linking to additional historical information. Weathering was kept restrained and purposeful to reflect an operational but meticulously maintained intelligence submarine rather than a combat-worn fleet boat.

 

USS Tullibee (SSN-597): A Quiet Pioneer with a Tragic End

USS Tullibee (SSN-597) was one of the most unconventional and experimental nuclear submarines built by the United States Navy during the Cold War. Designed primarily as a hunter-killer submarine, Tullibee featured a radically different layout from her contemporaries, including turbo-electric drive and a bow-mounted sonar sphere that influenced later submarine designs. Her mission profile focused on tracking and destroying enemy submarines rather than surface combat.

Commissioned in 1960, Tullibee represented an important step in quieting technology and sonar development at a time when underwater detection and acoustic superiority were becoming decisive factors in naval warfare. Despite her advanced concepts, she remained a one-of-a-kind vessel and did not lead to a direct production class.

USS Tullibee was tragically lost on 15 May 1968 during deep-diving trials in the Atlantic Ocean, likely due to a malfunction involving her torpedo systems. All 99 crew members were lost. Her sinking occurred during a year marked by multiple submarine disasters worldwide, underscoring the inherent risks of Cold War undersea operations.

This 1/350 scale model depicts USS Tullibee in her Cold War configuration and was finished using acrylic paints with oil weathering kept deliberately restrained. The model is mounted on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent with the rest of the submarine series and includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size reference, and a QR code linking to additional historical information. The presentation emphasizes Tullibee’s clean, experimental lines and her role as a technological stepping stone in U.S. submarine development.

 

USS Thresher - A Tragedy That Reshaped Submarine Safety

USS Thresher (SSN-593) was one of the most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarines of her time and the lead boat of the Thresher/Permit class. Commissioned in 1961, she represented a major leap forward in submarine design, incorporating improved hull shaping, advanced sonar systems, quieter machinery, and greater diving depth compared to earlier U.S. submarines. Thresher embodied the Navy’s push for technological superiority beneath the seas during the height of the Cold War.

On 10 April 1963, USS Thresher was lost during deep-diving trials in the Atlantic Ocean. A catastrophic failure, believed to involve a piping joint rupture and subsequent loss of propulsion, caused the submarine to sink beyond crush depth. All 129 crew members and civilian personnel aboard were lost. The disaster marked the first loss of a nuclear submarine and remains one of the most significant tragedies in U.S. naval history.

The sinking of USS Thresher led directly to the creation of the SUBSAFE program, a comprehensive overhaul of submarine design, construction, maintenance, and quality assurance practices. This program fundamentally transformed submarine safety and has been credited with preventing similar losses in the decades since, making Thresher’s legacy one of lasting impact despite her short service life.

This 1/350 scale model depicts USS Thresher in her Cold War configuration and was finished using acrylic paints with restrained oil weathering to reflect her clean, operational appearance. The model is mounted on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent with the submarine series and includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size comparison, and a QR code linking to additional historical information. The presentation emphasizes both the sleek lines of this pioneering design and the profound legacy she left behind.

 

Surcouf - Guns, Aircraft, and the Limits of Submarine Design

Surcouf (Q 495) was a unique and ambitious French submarine design that blurred the line between submarine and surface warship. Laid down in the late 1920s and commissioned in 1934, she was conceived as a “cruiser submarine,” intended to operate independently over long distances, hunt commerce, and engage enemy ships on the surface. At the time of her completion, Surcouf was the largest submarine in the world.

What set Surcouf apart was her extraordinary armament. She carried two 8-inch naval guns housed in a sealed turret forward of the conning tower, along with torpedoes and extensive anti-aircraft weapons. Even more unusually, she featured a small reconnaissance floatplane stored in a watertight hangar, intended to extend her scouting range. This combination reflected interwar naval thinking that sought to maximize versatility at the expense of specialization.

Following the fall of France in 1940, Surcouf joined the Free French Naval Forces, though her service was plagued by political tension, mechanical issues, and questions about her operational effectiveness. In February 1942, Surcouf was lost in the Caribbean under unclear circumstances, officially believed to have collided with an Allied merchant vessel. Her disappearance remains one of the more enigmatic submarine losses of World War II.

This 1/350 scale model represents Surcouf in her World War II configuration and highlights the distinctive features that made her such a radical design. Finished in acrylics with subtle oil weathering, the model is mounted on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent with the rest of the submarine series. The display includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size comparison, and a QR code linking to additional historical information. The model emphasizes Surcouf’s unusual proportions, heavy surface armament, and her place as one of the most unconventional submarines ever built.

 

HMS K-4: Britain’s Steam-Powered Submarine Experiment

HMS K-4 was part of the Royal Navy’s K-class submarines, an ambitious and ultimately flawed attempt to create fast fleet submarines capable of operating alongside surface warships. Designed during World War I, the K-class were powered by steam turbines rather than diesel engines, allowing them to achieve unprecedented surface speeds for submarines of their era.

The concept came with severe compromises. Steam propulsion required complex boiler systems, tall funnels, and lengthy dive times, making the boats difficult and dangerous to operate. The K-class quickly earned a reputation for mechanical unreliability and frequent accidents, leading to the grim nickname “the Kalamity class.” Several were lost in peacetime incidents, most notably during night maneuvers and fleet exercises.

HMS K-4 herself was lost in 1917 during a night exercise known as the Battle of May Island, when a series of collisions among British warships and submarines resulted in multiple losses without enemy involvement. The incident underscored the inherent risks of combining large fleets with experimental submarine designs.

This 1/350 scale model represents HMS K-4 in her World War I configuration and highlights the long, sleek hull and distinctive features that set the K-class apart from more conventional submarines. Finished in acrylics with restrained oil weathering, the model is mounted on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent with the rest of the submarine series. As with all builds in this collection, the display includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size comparison, and a QR code linking to further historical information.

 

HMS M1 - When a Submarine Was Built Around a Battleship Gun

HMS M1 was a unique product of post–World War I naval thinking, designed at a time when submarines were still evolving rapidly and doctrine had yet to catch up with technology. Unlike conventional submarines armed primarily with torpedoes, M1 was built around a single massive 12-inch battleship gun mounted forward of the conning tower. The concept was to allow the submarine to surface briefly, fire a devastating shell at close range, and submerge again before an enemy could respond.

Commissioned in 1920, HMS M1 represented an attempt to give submarines the firepower to engage surface targets without expending valuable torpedoes. In practice, the idea proved deeply flawed. Accurate targeting was difficult, reloads were slow, and the operational risks were high. The Royal Navy eventually abandoned the gun-submarine concept in favor of more conventional designs.

HMS M1 was lost in 1925 after a collision in the English Channel, likely caused by the gun barrel being exposed while submerged, leading to catastrophic flooding. Her loss marked the end of large-caliber gun submarines in British service.

This 1/350 scale model captures the distinctive profile of HMS M1, including the long hull and prominent gun mounting that set her apart from any other submarine of the era. Finished in acrylics with subtle oil weathering, the model is displayed on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent with the rest of the submarine series. As with all builds in this collection, the display includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size comparison, and a QR code linking to further historical information.

 

Shchuka Class - The Soviet Union’s Workhorse Submarine of World War II

The Shchuka class submarines (Russian: Щука, meaning “Pike”) formed the backbone of the Soviet Navy’s submarine force during the Second World War. Designed in the early 1930s, these medium-sized diesel-electric boats were intended for patrol, reconnaissance, and anti-shipping operations in the Baltic, Black Sea, Arctic, and Pacific theaters. Known in NATO reporting as the “Pike class,” the Shchuka boats emphasized simplicity, endurance, and rugged construction over technical sophistication.

More than eighty Shchuka class submarines were built in multiple production series, reflecting continuous wartime refinement. They carried out hundreds of combat patrols, engaging Axis shipping under often brutal conditions, particularly in the confined and heavily defended waters of the Baltic Sea. Losses were heavy, but the class proved reliable and effective given the technological limitations and industrial realities facing the Soviet Union during the war.

This 1/350 scale model represents a Shchuka class submarine in its World War II configuration. Finished in acrylics with restrained oil weathering, the model reflects the utilitarian appearance typical of Soviet submarines of the era. It is displayed on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent across the submarine series and includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size comparison, and a QR code linking to additional historical information.

 

Gato Class - The Submarines That Carried the Pacific War

The Gato class submarines formed the backbone of the United States Navy’s submarine force during the Second World War and played a decisive role in the Pacific campaign. Designed for long-range patrols, these fleet submarines combined endurance, firepower, and habitability unmatched by most contemporaries. Operating vast distances from forward bases, Gato boats targeted Japanese merchant shipping and warships, slowly strangling Japan’s ability to sustain its war effort.

Seventy-seven Gato class submarines were built between 1941 and 1944. Armed with ten torpedo tubes and a deck gun, they were capable of independent operations lasting months at a time. Although early torpedo reliability issues limited their initial effectiveness, once resolved, Gato-class boats became extraordinarily successful. Collectively, U.S. submarines accounted for more than half of all Japanese shipping losses during the war, with Gato-class submarines responsible for a significant portion of that total.

This 1/350 scale model represents a Gato class submarine in her World War II configuration. The model is finished using acrylic paints with subtle oil weathering to reflect the hard, extended patrol life of Pacific fleet submarines. It is mounted on a hand-cut hardwood base consistent with the rest of the submarine series and includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size reference, and a QR code linking to additional historical information.