RC Engel Akula Project

This model was purchased from a local friend in Victoria, BC. I have always been impressed with the Engel submarine kits, and I was anxious to get my hands on one to see for myself how they were in real life. This kit was purchased along with the Sturgeon kit featured elsewhere on my site. The kit is 1/90 scale and measures almost exactly 48" in length. Engel claims a maximum submerged speed of 6.5mph!

Crew: 73
Surfaced displacement 8,140 tons
Displacement submerged 12,770 tons
Overall length 11 0.3 metres
Diving depth 600 metres
Run speed surfaced 10 knots
Run speed submerged 33 knots

Akula is the designation given to the newest and most technologically advanced attack submarine of the Russian Navy. The Akula class submarine is Russia’s answer to the American Los Angeles class fast attack subs. Common opinion holds that Russian submarines are noisy and technologically inferior to their American and British counterparts. Expert opinion, however, knows what lies behind the traditional Russian veil of secrecy. With the Akula, the former Soviet Union has caught the US in the undersea arms race.

June 10th, 2008: I haven't had a lot of time to take a really close look at things, but I can already tell that this model will need work to get working properly. The periscope system is completely seized, and will need to be cleaned with brake cleaner to remove a buildup of paint along the sliding shafts that keep the assembly aligned. Additionally, the TAES dive module, a benchmark of engineering that Engel developed that allows static diving to a maximum of 1.8m and allows the model to hover at any depth, is not connected or functioning. Diagnostics will need to be employed to see if the board is fried or if it is a wiring issue. In the meantime, I'll play with getting things cleaned up and learning how the model works. There are a lot of electronics in there....

Return to top of page