Jeremy Clarkson once famously quoted that he'd choose to serve on a submarine if he were ever conscripted into military service. Well, Jezza, you don't even need to sign up anymore. He could just use some of his Diddly Squat Farm money to buy this abandoned Russian submarine.The Foxtrot class Russian submarine, as NATO designated it, represented the dull mass of the Soviet and then the Russian navy from the late 1950s all the way until less than a decade ago. The 90 meters long (294 ft 11in) sub was powered by three Kolomna 2D42M diesel engines rated at 2,000 horsepower each.
These diesel engines run in conjunction with three electric motors ranging from 1,350 to 2,700 horsepower. The end result is a sub that could endure speeds of 15 knots (28 km/h) while underwater for as many as three to five days at a time. Its ten torpedo tubes were a threat to any NATO ship passing through its jurisdiction. This ship has room for a crew of 12 officers, 10 warrants, and 56 seamen.
With their retirement from front line service in 2014, this is just one of the Foxtrot subs that may very soon be open to civilian sale. Many already serve as museum ships, with two examples located in Los Angeles and San Diego, respectively. This particular example was actually retired in 1993 to be preserved as a museum ship, which it's served as since 1998.
The San Diego B-39 exhibit closed. It was wearing out, with hull rust
he online description on mysubmarines.com claims the ship is largely as it was when it left the Russian Military, with no vital drivetrain or navigational components removed. Whether as a one-of-a-kind rich people's toy or as an educational museum ship, this submarine has the potential to be far more useful than an antiquated pile of floating scrap. Check out the gallery above to see more of what this vessel has on offer.
Pricing and shipping information is reserved for only the most serious prospective buyers. So you better have your paperwork and credit score in order if you're ready to spend your days LARPING as a Soviet submarine commander.
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