The Typhoon class submarine is a type of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine deployed by the Soviet Navy in the 1980s. The class was developed under Project 941 as the Russian Akula class, “Akula” meaning “shark”. Typhoon submarines are among the quietest sea vessels in operation, being quiter and yet more maneuverable than their predecessors. This is partly due to their large size, which allows them to minimize noise caused by water.

The Typhoon class submarine is of multi-hulled design. It also has features for travelling under ice and ice-breaking. The retractable systems include two periscopes, radio sextant, radar, radio communications, navigation and direction-finder masts. Maximum diving depth is 400 meters, and speed is 12 knots when surfaced and 25 knots when submerged. Typhoon submarines are capable of spending 120 days at sea.

Six Typhoon class submarines were built, each carrying 20 R-39 missiles with a maximum of 10 MIRV nuclear warheads each. Only the first of these submarines to be constructed, RFS Dmitri Donskoi, is still in active service with the Russian Navy, serving as a test platform for the Bulava missile currently under development. The Typhoons are to be replaced with the Borei class starting in 2007.

Typhoon submarines frequently appear in works of fiction. The subject of Tom Clancy's novel The Hunt for Red October and the movie adaptation of that book is a fictional stealth ship Typhoon class submarine called Red October. Another fictional novel, Typhoon, written by Mark Joseph, features Typhoon submarines. The submarines can also be played as naval units in the strategy game Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2.

At Maritime Modelworks, we bring ordinary wood models to life. Each museum quality Typhoon class submarine model is created step-by-step meticulously. No machines are involved in the process; everything is made by hand. Skilled craftsmen chip away at a piece of mahogany until a ship appears, which is then sanded and puttied. Hand-casted resin and handmade metal parts are also added. Gifted artists paint on the colors and all details, no matter how big or small. Afterwards, clear lacquer is applied for protection. Each wooden model is complemented with a handsome display base with brass pedestals and a brass name plate. Products are always double-checked before being delivered to customers in professionally-packaged double-lined boxes with high density foam.