The Vanguard Class Submarines were designed to deploy the Trident Missile system to replace the aging Resolution Class which deployed the Polaris Missile system, Britain's initial nuclear deterrent. The boats were based largely on the American Ohio Class the major difference being that the Vanguard Class was designed with 16 missile tubes instead of the 24 missile tubes of the Ohio Class boats. Twice as heavy and twenty metres longer the new Vanguard Class Submarines had many advantages over the Resolution Class including more space, with a fourth deck, and less crew due to increased automation. They also have improved sonar and carry the Spearfish torpedo. The development of the Trident Missile system received much interest from Russian intelligence and in what was dubbed "The Hunt for Red December" Russian submarines trying to monitor Vanguard's sea trials in December 1993 were chased across the Norwegian Sea by British frigates and submarines. Upon embarking on her first operational patrol Vanguard was the subject of further Russian interest and it is rumoured that at least two Trafalgar Class submarines, one of which was HMS Torbay, escorted her as she left the Clyde approaches and headed into the open ocean. In 1993 it was announced that Devonport had won the contract to refit and refuel the four Vanguard Class Submarines, worth £5 billion. Since the announcement a large amount of money has been spent constructing the facilities needed for the refit including the conversion of a 90 year old battleship drydock into a modern earthquake proof refit complex. The four Vanguard Class Submarines are members of the 1st Submarine Squadron based at HM Naval Base Clyde.

The Vanguard Class can carry sixteen Trident II (D5) Missiles which have a range of 4,000 nautical miles (around 11,000km). Each missile is 13 metres long, weighs 60 tonnes and can carry up to twelve warheads each of which can be programmed to attack different targets.�At any single time there is at least one Vanguard Class Submarine on deterrent patrol, its location a closely guarded secret known only by the senior officers onboard. Once they leave Faslane they submerge and do not resurface until they return.

Originally designed for Cold War operations in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic the Trafalgar Class design was a follow on from the successful Swiftsure Class but incorporated many improvements making them both faster and quieter.

The hull of is covered by anechoic tiles to absorb sonar signals and noise reduction is achieved through the pump jet propulsion system which is a multi blade rotor turned by a jet of water that is quieter than a conventional propeller. The lead ship HMS Trafalgar was completed in 1983 before the pump jet propulsion system was ready and has a seven bladed propeller instead.

Like previous British nuclear submarines the Trafalgar Class boats have a ‘teardrop hull’, the fin has been strengthened and the hydroplanes can be retracted to allow the submarine to surface through ice.

The principle role of these "hunter-killer" vessels is to attack ships and other submarines and in this capacity they could support and protect a convoy or taskforce. With the fitting of the Tomahawk cruise missile system they will also be capable of a land attack role.

The Trafalgar Class are fitted with cameras and thermal imaging systems that allow them to be used in a surveillance role.�

This is the model of the SS Volunteer Mariner a Mariner Class C4 cargo ship owned and operated by Matson Lines.The Mariner Class C4 cargo ships were designed in the early 1950's for the US Maritime Administration (MARAD), under the leadership of Admiral Edward L. Cochrane, to provide a nucleus of fast sealift capacity for the US Military after the limitations of the World War II era Liberty / Victory Ships were highlighted by the Korean War.A total of 35 ships were built to the Mariner Class C4 design under a commercial arrangement between the US Maritime Administration and various American shipping lines such as American President Lines, Matson Lines, Pope & Talbot Lines, and Pacific Far East Lines whereby the US government provided some of the funding and the ships were available for call up.

Tri-ang Minic Ships metal waterline model�of the� Ellerman Lines container ship�MV City of Durban.This particular model is no longer in production but we still have stock.

This pack of 4x Storage Tanks are common harbour accessories which are placed on M836 Quay Straights as part of a harbour diorama. There are four locating holes on the underside which fit over the locating lugs on the M 836 Quay Straight.

The M 838 Storage Tanks are re-issues of the original Tri-ang Minic Ships models which are fully compatible with all of the original harbour accessories.

The Tanker Wharf Set contains 1x tanker wharf berth, 1x tanker wharf straight, 1x plastic oil headers and 4x plastic oil pipelines which are designed to be connected to the M 836 Quay Straights as part of a harbour diorama.

The models in this set are re-issues of the original Tri-ang Minic Ships models which are fully compatible with all of the original harbour accessories.

Each of the breakwater parts have connecting rings and connecting lugs to enable them to be joined to each other and to the Quay Straights.

Pack of 2x Pieces

The Mixed Accessory Set contains�1x Crane Unit,�1x Storage Tank,�1x Customs Shed and�1x Warehouse which are placed on M 836 Quay Straights as part of a harbour diorama.

Warehouses are common harbour accessories which are placed on M 836 Quay Straights as part of a harbour diorama.

Pack of 2x prepainted warehouses.

Customs Sheds are common harbour accessories which are placed on M 836 Quay Straights as part of a harbour diorama.

Pack contains 2x prepainted customs sheds.