USS Miami (SSN-755) - Los Angeles-Class Fast Attack Submarine, Post-Cold War Era (1/350)

This model represents the United States Navy Los Angeles–class fast attack submarine USS Miami (SSN-755 USS Virginia (SSN-774) is the lead boat of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines and represents the United States Navy’s post–Cold War approach to undersea warfare. Designed to replace aging Los Angeles–class submarines, the Virginia class emphasizes stealth, versatility, and advanced sensor integration rather than raw speed alone. 

Unlike earlier Cold War designs optimized primarily for deep-ocean submarine hunting, the Virginia class was developed to operate effectively in both open-ocean and littoral environments. These submarines are capable of intelligence gathering, special operations support, land-attack missions, and traditional anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, reflecting the broader mission set of modern naval operations.

This model is presented in 1/350 scale and was finished using acrylics with oils applied for subtle weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, it is mounted on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base painted to represent a simple slipway. Each base includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for immediate size comparison, and a QR code that links to detailed historical and technical information about the submarine depicted.

This build was intended to capture the clean lines and understated presence of the Virginia class, emphasizing function over spectacle and reflecting the quiet, persistent role these submarines play in modern naval strategy.

USS Miami was part of the prolific Los Angeles–class, a class that formed the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s attack submarine force from the late Cold War through the early post–Cold War period. Designed for speed, stealth, and versatility, these submarines were optimized for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface operations, intelligence gathering, and land-attack missions using cruise missiles. Their combination of nuclear propulsion, advanced sonar systems, and high sustained speed made them dominant undersea platforms for decades.

Commissioned in 1990, USS Miami served during a transitional era in which the U.S. Navy shifted from Cold War deterrence toward regional conflict response, surveillance, and power projection. The Los Angeles–class proved highly adaptable to this changing mission set, remaining operationally relevant well beyond their original design expectations.

Weathering on this model was intentionally kept restrained, reflecting a maintained fleet submarine rather than a heavily worn hull. The emphasis was placed on clean lines, correct proportions, and an accurate silhouette, allowing the form of the Los Angeles–class design to speak for itself without excessive visual effects.

 

Type 039 Song-Class Diesel-Electric Submarine - People’s Liberation Army Navy, Post-Cold War Era (1/350)

This model represents the Chinese Type 039 Song-class diesel-electric submarine, built in 1/350 scale and finished using acrylics with oils applied for restrained, realistic weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, the model is mounted on a standardized, hand-cut hardwood base painted to resemble a miniature slipway, ensuring consistent presentation across the collection.

The display base incorporates three reference elements: the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure positioned just above and to the right of the flag for size comparison, and a QR code that can be scanned with a cellphone camera (see the side-view photo) to access additional historical and technical information on the submarine.

The Type 039 Song-class marked a significant step forward for the People’s Liberation Army Navy as China transitioned from older Soviet-derived designs toward more indigenous submarine development. Introduced in the mid-1990s, the Song-class incorporated improved hydrodynamics, reduced acoustic signature, and more modern combat systems compared to earlier Chinese diesel-electric submarines. While still conventionally powered, these boats represented an important bridge between legacy designs and later, more advanced classes such as the Yuan-class.

Designed primarily for coastal defense, sea denial, and regional operations, the Song-class enhanced China’s undersea warfare capabilities during the post-Cold War period, particularly within the Western Pacific and surrounding littoral regions. Their introduction reflected China’s broader naval modernization efforts as it expanded its focus on asymmetric and area-denial strategies.

 

Astute Class Nuclear Attack Submarine HMS Astute - Royal Navy, Post-Cold War Era (1/350)

This model represents HMS Astute, lead boat of the Royal Navy’s Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, built in 1/350 scale and finished using acrylics with oils applied for subtle, realistic weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, the model is displayed on a standardized, hand-cut hardwood base painted to resemble a miniature slipway, ensuring uniform presentation throughout the collection.

The display base incorporates three reference elements: the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure positioned just above and to the right of the flag for size comparison, and a QR code that can be scanned with a cellphone camera (see the side-view photo) to access additional historical and technical information about the submarine.

The Astute-class represents the most advanced attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. Designed to replace the Trafalgar-class, these boats feature a fully nuclear-powered propulsion system that eliminates the need for refueling over the submarine’s service life, significantly increasing operational endurance and flexibility. HMS Astute was commissioned in 2010 and marked a major leap forward in British undersea warfare capability.

Equipped with advanced sonar systems, modern combat management architecture, and the ability to deploy both Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes and Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, the Astute-class is optimized for intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, surface strike, and support of special forces operations. Extreme emphasis was placed on acoustic stealth, making these submarines among the quietest in the world.

Weathering on this model was deliberately restrained to reflect a modern, well-maintained frontline submarine rather than a heavily worn hull. The focus was placed on capturing the clean geometry, sail profile, and overall proportions characteristic of contemporary nuclear attack submarines, allowing the design sophistication of the Astute-class to remain the visual focal point.

 

USS Connecticut (SSN-22) - Seawolf-Class: The Quietest Hunter

This model represents USS Connecticut (SSN-22), a Seawolf-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy, built in 1/350 scale and finished using acrylics with oils applied for restrained, realistic weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, the model is displayed on a standardized, hand-cut hardwood base painted to resemble a miniature slipway, providing consistent presentation across the collection.

The display base incorporates three reference elements: the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure positioned just above and to the right of the flag for size comparison, and a QR code that can be scanned with a cellphone camera (see the side-view photo) to access additional historical and technical information about the submarine.

The Seawolf class was conceived during the final years of the Cold War as the ultimate U.S. Navy attack submarine, designed specifically to counter the most advanced Soviet submarines of the era. Emphasis was placed on extreme acoustic stealth, very high sustained speed, deep-diving capability, and heavy weapons load, resulting in one of the most capable submarines ever constructed.

USS Connecticut, commissioned in 1998, is one of only three Seawolf-class submarines built, as the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the program’s early termination due to cost and shifting strategic priorities. Despite the limited production run, the Seawolf class set new benchmarks in quieting technology, sonar performance, and undersea survivability, directly influencing the design of subsequent U.S. attack submarines, including the Virginia class.

Capable of carrying a large payload of torpedoes and cruise missiles, the Seawolf class features eight torpedo tubes and advanced combat systems optimized for anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations support. The class remains among the fastest and quietest nuclear attack submarines ever fielded.

Weathering on this model was intentionally kept subtle to reflect the appearance of a modern, well-maintained frontline submarine rather than a heavily worn hull. The focus was placed on capturing the clean lines, sail geometry, and overall proportions that define the Seawolf class, allowing its purpose-built, high-performance design to remain the dominant visual feature.

 

Le Triomphant (SSBN) - Backbone of France’s Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrent

This model represents Le Triomphant, the lead boat of France’s Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines, built in 1/350 scale and finished using acrylics with oils applied for subtle, controlled weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, the model is mounted on a standardized, hand-cut hardwood base painted to resemble a miniature slipway, providing a consistent presentation across the submarine collection.

The display base incorporates three reference elements: the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure positioned just above and to the right of the flag for size comparison, and a QR code that can be scanned with a cellphone camera (see the side-view photo) to access additional historical and technical information about the submarine.

The Triomphant class forms the backbone of France’s sea-based nuclear deterrent and represents the culmination of decades of French submarine design focused on survivability, acoustic discretion, and strategic endurance. Designed and built by DCNS (now Naval Group), these submarines entered service beginning in the late 1990s, replacing the earlier Redoutable-class SSBNs.

Le Triomphant was commissioned in 1997 and is one of four boats in the class. Each submarine is powered by a nuclear reactor and designed for long-duration deterrent patrols, carrying submarine-launched ballistic missiles that provide France with an independent and continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent capability. Over their service lives, the class has undergone modernization programs, including upgrades to missile systems and onboard electronics, ensuring continued relevance well into the 21st century.

The Triomphant class emphasizes extreme quieting measures, hydrodynamically refined hull forms, and advanced sonar suites, allowing the submarine to operate discreetly while on deterrent patrol. These design priorities reflect the strategic requirement that a ballistic missile submarine remain undetected at all costs, serving as a survivable second-strike platform.

Weathering on this model was depicted to represent months and months at sea.

 

Borei Class Ballistic Missile Submarine K-535 Yuri Dolgorukiy - First Post-Cold War Russian SSBN

This model represents K-535 Yuri Dolgorukiy, the lead boat of Russia’s Borei-class ballistic missile submarines, built in 1/350 scale and finished using acrylics with oils applied for restrained, realistic weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, the model is displayed on a standardized, hand-cut hardwood base painted to resemble a miniature slipway, providing visual consistency across the submarine collection.

The display base incorporates three reference elements: the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure positioned just above and to the right of the flag for size comparison, and a QR code that can be scanned with a cellphone camera (see the side-view photo) to access additional historical and technical information about the submarine.

The Borei class represents Russia’s first entirely new generation of ballistic missile submarines designed after the end of the Cold War. Developed to replace the aging Delta III and Delta IV classes, the Borei program reflects a shift toward quieter operation, improved survivability, and modernized strategic deterrence capabilities within the Russian Navy.

K-535 Yuri Dolgorukiy was commissioned in 2013 after a lengthy and complex development period that spanned the post-Soviet transition. The submarine is powered by a nuclear reactor and is armed with the RSM-56 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, providing Russia with a sea-based nuclear deterrent intended to remain credible well into the 21st century. Later Borei-A variants introduced further refinements in acoustics, hull shaping, and onboard systems.

The Borei class features a blended hull form influenced by earlier Akula and Oscar designs, extensive sound-dampening measures, and a focus on reducing radiated noise to enhance survivability during deterrent patrols. These submarines are designed to operate primarily in bastion areas, where layered naval and air defenses increase their strategic protection.

 

Vanguard-Class Ballistic Missile Submarine HMS Victorious (S29) - Backbone of Britain’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent

HMS Victorious (S29) is one of four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines constructed to uphold the United Kingdom’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent. Entering Royal Navy service during the closing years of the Cold War, the Vanguard class has remained central to Britain’s strategic nuclear posture into the modern era, operating silently and continuously to provide an assured second-strike capability.

This 1/350 scale model of HMS Victorious was completed using acrylic paints with restrained oil weathering to reflect the clean, well-maintained appearance typical of an operational SSBN. Rather than heavy wear, subtle tonal variation and shadowing were used to suggest scale, mass, and the subdued finish of modern submarine coatings. The model is mounted on a hand-cut hardwood base painted to represent a simplified slipway, consistent with my submarine series. Each base includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for size reference, and a QR code linking to additional historical and technical information on the vessel.

 

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.