Army Guys Need Answers!
The guys from Castle Argghhh!!! posed a question to us bubbleheads that should pose a good challenge for us. They linked to a picture over at StrangeMilitary.com (re-printed below, so those who want to avoid the pop-up adds that got through my pop-up blocker can skip them) of a sub at PD, and want to know what kind of boat it is:
I said that I though it might be a Permit-class boat, due to the large fairwater planes that look to be fairly close to the top of the sail. Anyone else have any ideas? As always, the best comparison shots for U.S. boats can be found over at NavSource.Bell-ringer 0038 23 Feb: The consensus seems to be an Aussie Collins-class boat; EM1derful found a picture at Navy NewsStand from RIMPAC 2004, that looks like it might be from the same series of photos, that's identified as being a shot of HMAS Rankin (SSK 78):
Mystery solved... (?)
posted by Bubblehead at 12:08 AM
25 Comments:
This is a large bowed boat, we've had very few classes of them. It is prollie a 688, do we know the country of origin? All previous classes to the 688's had short bows except for the parchesi. '594's had almost no bow forward just like a '637.
2/21/2006 1:51 AM
She seems to have a pretty blunt/bulbus nose compared to the U.S. boats....
This could be a Austrailian.....How about a Collins class?
2/21/2006 5:27 AM
From that angle it looks like a "Target" class.
2/21/2006 5:53 AM
Another point that it could be a collins is the topside fwd of the sail goes straight out and stops at the bow. On our boats, the topside slops down to the bow.
2/21/2006 6:52 AM
I say it's the HMS Gotland, looks like the same sail structure to me. Although, it could be another similar boat design from the Kockums shipyards.
2/21/2006 10:05 AM
Looks like a Sturgeon class sail, to elongated to be 594 class.
2/21/2006 10:59 AM
how the heck can you guys tell anything from this???!!!!
LOL.
My, er, "answer" is HERE
2/21/2006 1:04 PM
It is it a model in a basin, though? Water is not right for the open ocean (no disbursed foam, breakers, little wave action, etc. (Is the Army setting us up?)
What is all the turbulence around the supposed bow? (simulated damage to San Francisco?) Periscope (angled forward 15 degrees implies dive not evident from position of visible planes). Speed from mast wake also appears rather low.
See the circular object on boat (lower right corner of photo): do not remember such from Permits I knew; also, the fairwater is too long, I think, for that class. Not Tulibee, either. A Russke?
(from UQNM comment)
2/21/2006 1:32 PM
I was thinking 688. The "circular object being the forward escape trunk.
2/21/2006 5:04 PM
ok, this is addictive--good thinking "anonymous"; it may be an army trick! wouldn't put it past 'em! lol.
Now, either my eyes are starting to play tricks on me, or else I'm thinking that the top of the boat forward of the sail looks kinda square-ish, no?
2/21/2006 6:26 PM
aha! My observation above about the "square-ish" top agrees with Lubber's speculation that it is the HMS Gotland. So, I'm agreeing with him--at least I'll be in good company even if we're not correct!
2/21/2006 6:29 PM
I'm thinking either Gotland or Collins.
What? No Dolgorae?
2/21/2006 8:38 PM
It couldn't be one of those remote controlled submarines could it?
2/21/2006 8:39 PM
The fairwaters seem a little too big and too high on the sail to be Gotland or Collins class. And the scope looks about right for #2 scope on a 688. As for the bow, possibly discolored sonar dome?
2/21/2006 9:06 PM
I'm with Chap I think its a Collins Class, the sail planes are the right configuration, while the bow and obvious hatch aft of the sail fit as well.
Compare Here
2/21/2006 9:27 PM
Updated my post HERE. The salient point is...how are we going to know the correct answer?
2/21/2006 10:14 PM
Unless someone finds the original picture, with an explanation of what it is, I don't think we will...
2/22/2006 1:00 AM
After viewing cockatoo's comparison photo, I'd have to agree. Most likely a Collins class.
2/22/2006 4:53 AM
Possibly HMAS Rankin during RIMPAC 2004?
http://www.cpf.navy.mil/old%20files/RIMPAC2004/imagepage/files/UssStennis/images/07July2004-1025/images/040706-N-6811L-023.jpg
2/22/2006 9:49 AM
It is the USS CHICAGO during CARAT Malaysia 2002. QED.
2/22/2006 1:30 PM
Correction: CARAT Malaysia 2001. Same ship from another angle: www.csp.navy.mil/news/688-721.htm
2/22/2006 1:33 PM
Even if it's just some discoloration on the sonar dome the sail looks too far forward to be a 688 based on the above link and other photos I've seen of the p-depth Chicago.
2/22/2006 3:18 PM
Not the Chicago.
2/22/2006 3:42 PM
subcomunic8r is correct, my bet. While not the exact picture, look here: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=15890
2/22/2006 7:02 PM
it is definitely a coolins class sub. i am in the australian navy and the photo is from a series of the hmas rankin
4/21/2006 1:31 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home