USS Blueback (SS-581) is a Barbel-class submarine that served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1990, and subsequently was made into an exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. She was the second Navy submarine to bear the name.
Blueback was laid down by Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation of Pascagoula, Mississippi on 15 April 1957. She was launched on 16 May 1959 sponsored by Virginia McManes, wife of Rear Admiral Kenmore M. McManes, and commissioned on 15 October 1959, Lieutenant Commander Robert H. Gautier in command. She was the last non-nuclear submarine to join the United States Navy and was the final conventionally powered combat capable submarine to be decommissioned, which left the United States Navy with a fully nuclear submarine fleet, with the exception of the research submarine USS Dolphin which served until 2007.
Our Blueback kit is intricately detailed with vents, hatches, line lockers, torpedo shutters and fairwater access plates. The model’s ease of construction, and docile handling characteristics make it one of the best choices for the R/C submariner with beginner modeling skills.
USS Blueback
Contents:
- Matched upper and lower Epoxy hull halves with indexing lip.
- 3D Printed carbon fiber reinforced control surfaces with shafts molded in place.
- 3D Printed fittings set with masts and scopes.
- Photo etched MBT vents.
- Scale machined, brass, seven bladed propeller.
- Water tight cylinder foundations.
- Plans and instructions.
