The Foxtrot long-range conventionally powered (diesel) submarines were first laid down by the Soviet Union in the last 1950's. A successor class to the earlier Zulu class long range submarines, these subs demonstrate the post-war Soviet evolution of German inspired submarine design; the Zulu and Foxtrot both show the influences of the Type XXI submarine. Foxtrot was one of the last hull designs fielded with a "conventional" hull shape.

The Foxtrot class was one of the largest classes of post-war submarines constructed. These subs served not only the Soviet navy, but in the navies of many allies and client states. It is rumored that these nations received used ex- fleet hulls, while new construction stayed domestically as replacements.

These subs have distinctive sonar installations in the bow, with additional transducers built into the forward sail area. They were also some of the final Soviet submarine designs to field aft torpedo tubes.

This 1/350 kit of a Foxtrot class submarine is the first 1/350 kit issued by Admiralty Modelworks, and is the also the first time this class has been seen in this scale. This Cold War workhorse is sure to make many a sub fan happy.

Foxtrot's hull is in a single piece, full hull fashion. The hull has quite a bit of detail cast in place, including a full sail, sonar domes, torpedo tube doors and deck. There is a small raised detail at the rear of the sail, near the snorkle, that is quite delicate; the one on this review sample fell off while taking these photos.

The hull has many vents and gratings; the Foxtrots didn't have open free-flooding holes, and these various gratings are spread all over the hull. The bow anchors are nicely recessed, and must be looked at from underneath to really appreciate. There appear to be some flats in the curvature of the hull, perhaps from the final touches placed on the master. They are not apparent by touch, but with certain playing of the light, these can be seen. Of course, they may also be protoypical for Soviet shipyard construction tolerances... either way, to smooth them out, if needed, should only require a few passes of fine grit sandpaper.

The resin parts for this kit are packaged in the usual Admiralty way; parts heat sealed in plastic with blue cardstock stiffeners. In comparison to other Admiralty kits, there are few parts to be concerned with in this kit; forward and aft dive planes, compass binnacle, devices to go atop the masts and the snorkle. The three resin-cast propellors are a nice touch, but may require some tricky cleaning. Don't get them mixed up!

Turned brass sensor masts, antennas and periscopes. These are all very nice, very finely done, and would look great on almost any 1/350 submarine kit!

Foxtrot includes a single, small fret of stainless steel photoetched parts. Part M may look a little jagged, but that is the correct appearance; it is part of a hatch assembly.

The single sheet of decals includes deck and hull markings, as well as markings for 4 separate subs and flags

6 page instruction set, with CAD drawn steps is included. The first page consists of history of the class and specifications, followed by a contents page, 4 pages of instructions and a color/decal page. Nothing real surprising here.

This sub from Admiralty Model Works is a different offering than what we've seen from them in the past. It's a submarine, it's full hull, and it's in a larger scale. That said, the kit appears to uphold the same standards established by the other subject released by Pavel and the gang. This Foxtrot fills a long-empty niche, and with so many variants available, should make many modelers happy. Next up- the modern HMS Astute! I can't wait!

Foxtrot has a list price of $85.00 USD, and is available direct from Admiralty Model Works. Thanks to Admiralty for this review sample.