Delta iii mod

[greenman407]

You heard it here first!!!
Project 09786 BS-136 Orenburg has been modified into a Mini sub carrier. It has underwater chemical lighting and cameras.
Notice that the tall missle superstructure has been replaced with a shallow superstructure.

[greenman407]

In these somewhat fuzzy views you can make out a large box like structure about midway that must house the sub. A hanger, if you will.

[NavyICman]

Smile and nod, smile and nod.......

[greenman407]

Well..............Then..............most of you heard it here first! Tune in here for the latest in breaking news!:biggrin:

[Slats]

Hi Greenman.
as always great photos but I'm not convinced that the box thing is what you say it is. That is not to say of course that she is indeed a mini sub carrier, I have an open mind on that. But that box thing to me looks like it could be simply be the dry dock cradle or part thereof. Dry dock cradles are not uniform along the length of the ship or in this case sub, and occasionally there is a mid ship "guide" on both sides of the ship /sub to ensure that the ship /sub sits in exactly the right position. Got any more close ups?
Best
John

[greenman407]

I hear you. The pictures were taken and posted by the Russian man on site. Thats his red circle. Also I found a similar thing done to a Yankee which I will post next.

[greenman407]

This Yankee was set up to dock and haul around this mini-sub. This fuzzy picture is the mini-sub

[greenman407]

Another thing that convinces me that the square box on the bottom of the Delta is part of the Delta itself is that if you look at the coloration of the skin of the box and the coloration of the skin of the Delta, they seem to match. What do you think?

[NavyICman]

That Yankee was known as Yankee stretch, the Delta, Delta stretch............As far as any other conjectures about purpose, I cannot say.......possibly it may be along this lines of what you speak, but then again it may not.

[Slats]

Another thing that convinces me that the square box on the bottom of the Delta is part of the Delta itself is that if you look at the coloration of the skin of the box and the coloration of the skin of the Delta, they seem to match. What do you think?

Agree same colouration but that could just be a coincidence. I am a bit like a hung jury on this. Would love to see more photos if they are around.
If it is just part of a guide type cradle, it is weird that the "cradle" finishes at it its uppermost position at precisely the demarcation for the upper limits of the lower hull's outward curvature. I.e. the turning point from lower hull to upper hull curve.
If it is a housing for a mini sub it would seem clunky and a possible source of noise as it would probably upset the flow of water along the hull.
Anyway great photos indeed.

Best
J

[greenman407]

Yep! For sure. I dont have any more pictures on it but when they appear Ill get em up! Thanks

[greenman407]

This article contains a few references to it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_III_class_submarine

[Slats]

So we know she is the BS-136 (ex K-129) then.
The Yankee Stretch with a similar carrying role would be the K-411.
J

[greenman407]

Well I dont know if its the Yankee stretch or not, it has a different number. The drawing with the yankee and a small sub attached to its belly is referred to as KS-441.

[greenman407]

Slats, you mentioned a cradle for holding and guiding these subs during construction and drydock work. Im sure that there are many shapes and sizes. Heres one type being used during the launch of the Borei. You can see it in the background.