Comets on the water: high-speed shipbuilding in the USSR and Russia - the history of world shipbuilding - a catalog of articles - the history of world shipbuilding. New "Comet": the revival of the Soviet hydrofoil ship

River and sea expresses are hydrofoil ships. Impressions from traveling on them are one of the most vivid memories of river or sea travel.

The chief designer of these vessels is Rostislav Alekseev.

In total, more than 3,000 hydrofoil passenger ships were built at shipyards in Russia, Ukraine and Georgia.

This is how these ships were transported. Monument to R. Alekseev in Nizhny Novgorod.

Engineer Soviet Union, Rostislav Alekseev, defended his thesis "Hydrofoil glider" in 1941, at the age of 25 years. During the war, the management of the plant where he worked allocated time and money to work on the SEC. However, Alekseev's combat boats appeared already at the end of the war, and did not have time to fight. After the war, Alekseev continued to work for the army, but he also developed a passenger ship, which he gave the catchy and relevant name in those years, "Rocket", as today's "Forsage".

"Rocket"- This is the first Soviet passenger hydrofoil. Designed and launched in 1957 at the shipyard of the Krasnoye Sormovo plant (Nizhny Novgorod). Production continued until the mid-1970s. This vessel was awarded the Gold Medal at the Brussels Exhibition.

During the period from 1957 to 1979, about 300 ships of this class were built. Production was established in Feodosia (FSK "More"), Volgograd, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Nizhny Novgorod, Khabarovsk and Poti (Georgia).

Missiles, in addition to the USSR, were bought by Finland, China, Lithuania, Romania and Germany.

Some rockets are still used in flights to this day. And many rockets, after the collapse of the USSR, were converted into cafes and dachas.

Soon the name "Rocket" became synonymous with all vessels of this type, regardless of the name of their models.

The hydrofoil "rocket", although it was created by order of the Ministry of Shipbuilding, however, had dubious prospects, due to its unusualness and non-standard for that time.

Most likely, it was precisely because of the fear of being misunderstood that Rostislav Alekseev conceived a daring plan - to show the "Rocket" to the Secretary of the Central Committee himself - Nikita Khrushchev, bypassing the authorities. And it was done like this: in the hot summer of 1957, on the day of student youth, Alekseev ordered the Rocket to be launched, and at full speed headed from the Krasnoye Sormovo plant, straight to Moscow. Knowing where Khrushchev was staying, Alekseev moored the rocket and offered the General Secretary a ride.

Here general secretary floats at super-speed along the Moscow River, easily overtaking other ships, and this swim is watched by astonished students who came from all over the world to the festival. "Rocket" struck Nikita Sergeevich, and under an explosion of pleasant feelings, He immediately uttered the memorable words "Enough for us to ride oxen along the rivers! Let's build!" The rocket became a large-scale motor ship, Alekseev received the right to contact Khrushchev directly once a year, as well as a feud with the Minister of Shipbuilding, Boris Butoma: “A bastard is crawling over your head!” Here we mention that Boris Butoma is also a talented engineer and a competent leader, but a jump over the head of the authorities will quarrel these two talented people. Further mistakes by both Butoma and Alekseev will lead to a tragic end.

"Rockets" at the Northern River Station in Moscow.

The scheme of routes "Rockets" along the Moscow Canal

The rocket served as a firefighter during the Soviet era, in the 2000s the fire rocket retired. She was moved to the training base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. During its operation, this rocket evacuated more than one hundred passengers from sinking ships, and extinguished about a dozen ships.

Length: 27 m
Width: 5 m
Height (wing): 4.5 m
Draft (full): 1.8 m

Power plant: 1000 hp. diesel M50
Propeller: screw
Crew / attendants: 3
Passengers: 64

Gas turbine "Petrel".

The gas-turbine Burevestnik is the fastest type of river transport. Has two engines from IL-18.
In 1964-1979 he worked on the Kuibyshev-Ulyanovsk-Kazan-Gorky route.

This is the most beautiful hydrofoil of all created earlier and later.

In 1964, the flagship of the river passenger fleet of the USSR "Burevestnik" began to operate, accommodating 150 passengers and having an operating speed of 97 km / h. However, this ship did not go into series either, although it was in operation for about 15 years.

Burevestnik had problems - two aircraft engines made a lot of noise and required a lot of fuel. In addition, the ship's stern was constantly smeared with fumes from used engines that had exhausted their resources.

In 1974, the Burevetsnik collided with a tugboat and was badly damaged. They refused to repair it then, but thanks to the pressure of the captain and the enthusiasm of the workers, they repaired it.

After the repair, the Petrel went on for only a couple more years, and then the rising cost of fuel made it unprofitable. The gas turbine was put on a cut, and later towed to the landfill, where it stood for most of its life. Sawed up for scrap in 2000.

Length: 43.2 m
Hull width: 6 m
Height (wing): 7 m
Displacement: 40 t
Draft: 2 m
Operating speed: 45 knots, 97 km/h
Range: 500 km
Power plant: 2x GTD AI24
Propulsion: 2x water cannon
Type and consumption of fuels and lubricants: Kerosene, 330 g/hp.
Passengers: 150

"Gull"- an experimental rocket built in a single copy in 1962. The seagull was created as a scaled-down model of the upcoming Burevestnik. honed on her new form hydrofoil, aerodynamic contours and a water cannon - as a new propulsion. There are allegations that the Chaika also worked out the geometry of the hull of the KM ekranoplan.

Chaika worked as a delivery ship for Rechflot employees, picking up speed of 85-90 km / h and accommodating up to 30 passengers. And then it was cut into metal. The seagull lived only a couple of years, but turned into a symbol of a high-speed ship for the USSR.

Length: 26.3 m
Width: 3.8m
Height: 3.5 m
Displacement: 9.9 t
Draft: 0.6 m
Working speed: 40 w.s. 85 km/h
Power plant: 1200 hp diesel
Propulsion: water cannon
Crew / attendants: 3
Passengers: 30

Motor ships "Meteor" and "Kometa".

In 1961, the series went new type civilian SPK "Meteor". More capacious ships were required than the Rocket.

So the Meteor already took 115 people on board, had a comfortable lounge (with a bar and a cafe), and a long range.

However, he used two engines, instead of one, which, in terms of operation and profitability, made the Meteor equal to the Rocket.

On the basis of the meteors, a marine version of the Comet was designed, on which the hull was modified and other wings were installed. This increased the capacity to 120 people and improved the ship's seaworthiness.

Comets were produced from 1961 to 1981, in Feodosia and Poti. More than 100 ships were built, of which 39 were for export to Greece.

The case of 1992, during the conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia, is connected with Comet 44. An unknown helicopter fired from a machine gun "Comet 44", with 70 passengers on board, the Comet stopped for inspection. But instead of being searched, the helicopter made a combat turn and opened fire with NURS (unguided rockets). The 3rd salvo hit the hull, and made a hole below the waterline, 1m2 in size. If the "comet" had remained in place, it would have drowned. But the crew, turned on the engines to the maximum, and the SPK rose to the wings, which did not allow the ship to sink. "Comet" reached Sochi safely.

"Comet-44" in Turkey

As for Meteors, they were produced from 1961 to 1993, more than 400 ships were built. Today they are upgraded with fuel-efficient engines and resold abroad (to China, Greece and South Korea).

Some cars, like the Verny meteor, are bought by individuals and turned into elite super-yachts, with modern cabins, showers, and lounges.

SPK "Meteor-Verny" on the Yenisei.

"Meteors" on vacation in St. Petersburg

One of the "Meteors" was converted into a bar in the city of Kanev, Ukraine:

And this "Meteor" ended up in China. Works on the Yangtze River

"Sputnik" and "Whirlwind".

In 1961, simultaneously with the launch of the Meteors and
Comet, the type 329 Sputnik motor ship is lowered from the stocks - the largest (at that time) SPK. It carries 300 Passengers at a speed of 65 km/h.

But during 4 years of operation, a lot of shortcomings were revealed: both the great voracity of 4 engines, and the discomfort of passengers due to strong vibration, from the work of so many diesel engines. As a result, "Sputnik" in one of the swims ran into a drifter, breaking one engine. The ship could continue to go, but it no longer “took off” on the wing, and therefore it was erected as a monument to the Soviet SPK in the city of Togliatti. In 2005, a fire burned inside, due to which the interior of the ship was badly damaged.

Also, as with the Meteor, they built a marine version of the Sputnik, called the Whirlwind. There is information that 3 Whirlwinds were built, one had 4 diesel engines, like Sputnik, and the other two were equipped with AI-20A aircraft turbines. The fate of these ships is unknown.

For comparison, "Sputnik" and "Rocket" on the Volga.

Length: 48 m
Width: 12 m
Height: 7.5 m
Draft: 2.5 m
Operating speed: 37 knots, 65 km/h
Fuel consumption: 650-750 kg/h
Power plant: 4x1000 hp diesel
Propeller: screw
Passengers: 240

"Belarus" and "Polesie".

For shallow rivers, a little more than a meter deep, in 1963 they developed the ship "Belarus", named after the Republic in which this ship was assembled (a plant in Gomel). Belarus took 40 passengers. Built about 30 ships. In 2005, these ships successfully navigated the Karakum Canal.

In 1983, there was a replacement, or rather the modernization of "Belarus": a motor ship of the "Polesie" type. The hull became angular, which reduced the cost of production, and multiple parts of the hull and engine were standardized in Polesie with the details of the Voskhod-type motor ship, which made production even cheaper. In addition to cheaper prices, "Polesie" accepts 50 instead of 40 passengers. A little less than a hundred of these ships were built. These SPKs are still in operation, for example, in Romania and Belarus.

Length: 21.5 m
Width: 5 m
Height: 2.6 m
Displacement: 12 tons + 6 tons of cargo
Draft: 0.9 m
Working speed: 35 oz., 60 km/h
Range: 400 km

Propeller: screw
Type and consumption of fuel and lubricants: 150-170 kg/h
Crew / attendants: 2
Passengers: 50

"Sunrise" and "Swallow".

"Rockets" and "Meteors" were getting old. To replace them, in 1973 they launched the second-generation Voskhod SPK.

Voskhod is a direct receiver of the Rocket. This ship is more economical, more spacious, more reliable - in fact, every characteristic of the Voskhod is better than that of the Rocket. In addition, although Voskhod was designed as a river SPK, its characteristics make it possible to operate without changes in sea coastal zones, for example, in the Crimea.

Since 1973, about 300 ships have been built, and further construction was stopped by the collapse of the USSR and the economic crisis, which has been lasting for 25 years. New ships continue to be built in small batches.

So, the Dutch company Connexicon ordered three upgraded versions of Voskhod in 2003. These ships were delivered to Canada, Turkey, Austria, Thailand and China.

The last 3 SPCs of this series were assembled in 2003 for the Connexicon company in the Netherlands.

Length: 27.6 m
Width: 6.4-7m
Height (wing): 4 m
Displacement: 20.4 tons + 8 tons of cargo
Draft (full): 2 m
Working speed: 35 oz., 60 km/h
Range: 500 km
Power plant: 1000 hp diesel
Propeller: screw
Rates of fuel and lubricants: 150-170 kg/hour
Crew / attendants: 3 / 5
Passengers: 70

In view of the fact that the "Voskhod" could also work at sea, the "sea" version of this ship, called the "Swallow", appeared much later, in the 80s.

And it had significant changes - a modified shape of the wings, and a twin-engine power plant, which, in addition to seaworthiness, increased the speed to 85 km / h. We assembled 3-4 motor ships, which were bought by European companies.

A little-known fact - in 1986, "Rockets" and "Sunrise" of the Ukrainian SSR participated in the removal of the inhabitants of Pripyat. One of the Chernobyl "Sunrise" is called "Shkval" - suitable name, for the fighter with that tragedy.

"Olympia".

Sea passenger hydrofoil vessel "Olympia" (hereinafter referred to as SPK "Olympia") is a universally recognized flagship of the Russian high-speed passenger fleet. Its appearance fascinates and creates a feeling of hidden swiftness and power, which can be fully felt when sailing on this ship. This ship fully corresponds to the proud and beautiful name "Olympia" given to it by its creator - the famous "Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoils named after R.E. Alekseev", Nizhny Novgorod, whose achievements in the design of hydrofoils and ekranoplanes unsurpassed to date by anyone in the world.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that the SEC "Olympia", which will be discussed below, were built at a shipbuilding enterprise with unique technical and technological capabilities, having highly qualified specialists - the Feodosia Shipbuilding Company "More", Feodosia, where During its existence, more than 630 ships were built and launched, the products of which were delivered to 40 countries of the world.

Motor ship "Olympia - Hermes" in Sochi.

"Colchis" and "Katran"

SPK "Katran" and "Colchis" are twin brothers.

In 1980, at the Shipyard named after Ordzhonikidze (Georgia, Poti) opens the production of SPK "Colchis". Vessel speed 65 km/h, passenger capacity 120 people. In total, about forty ships were built. Currently, only two are operated in Russia: one vessel on the St. Petersburg - Valaam line, called "Triada", the other in Novorossiysk - "Vladimir Komarov".

"Colchis" is a type of marine passenger hydrofoil twin-rotor vessels designed for high-speed passenger transportation. Navigation area - open seas with a distance of up to 50 miles from the port of refuge and up to 100 miles in closed seas and lakes. The ships were produced according to projects 10390 and 10391, developed by the Central Design Bureau for the SPK im. R.E. Alekseev and approved in 1980. They were built at the Poti Shipyard and the Volga Shipyard in Nizhny Novgorod. The first ship of the series went on trial in 1981. The ships of this series had a number of improvements compared to the Comet series. The ship's hull, seized by argon-arc and contact welding, was divided along the length below the main deck by watertight bulkheads into 9 compartments, the ship's unsinkability is ensured when any two adjacent compartments are filled. The bow saloon had no windshields. There was a special room for luggage. In total, about 40 ships of this series were built.

Currently in Russian Federation they are almost never used on passenger lines - a number of ships are mothballed, sold abroad, cut into metal, converted into cafes. Some ships of "Colchis" continue to work on maritime passenger traffic in foreign countries.

The modernization of "Colchis" are developed by the Central Design Bureau for the SPK them. R.E. Alekseeva series of vessels "Kolkhida-M" (project), "Katran" (4 vessels were built, 2 of which: "Sealight-1" and "Sealight-2", operate on high-speed lines in the Black Sea), and "Katran-M" (project).

Similar to "Colchis" and "Katran" in appearance there was an experimental hydrofoil vessel "Albatross", built in a single copy at the Poti shipyard in 1988. Unlike the "Colchis", the "Albatross" had high-speed diesel engines M421 of Soviet production (Zvezda plant).

Until 1996, he worked on the lines of the Black Sea Shipping Company (port of registry Odessa), after which he was sold and worked in the Mediterranean Sea on the line between Cyprus and Lebanon under the name "Flying Star".

"Katran" - Passenger twin-screw hydrofoil ship of project 10391, designed for high-speed transportation of passengers on sea and lake coastal lines, with a distance of up to 50 miles from the port of refuge and up to 100 miles in closed seas and lakes and a cruising range of up to 380 miles. The lead ship was built in 1994.

"Cyclone"

"Cyclone" is a new flagship, but already a marine passenger SPK. Equipped with two gas-turbine engines (GTE), has a speed of 70 km / h, and a capacity of up to 250 passengers. "Cyclone" is a second-generation marine SPK built in 1986. Cyclone's competitor was Olympia, which was built at the same shipyard in Feodosia.

There is 1 ready-made "Cyclone", which in 2004 returned from Greece to Feodosia for repairs, but it still stands there, in a semi-disassembled state. In addition, there is at least 1 more Cyclone backlog, with a readiness of 30%. There is unconfirmed information that there was also a second reserve of the "Cyclone" with a readiness of 15%, but it could have been destroyed.

Length x Width x Height: 44.2m x 12.6m x 14.2m
Displacement: 101 tons + 36 tons of cargo
Draft (afloat/wing): 4.3 m / 2.4 m
Operating speed: 42 knots, (70 km/h)
Range: 300 miles
Power plant: 2x3000 hp GTD
Propulsion: 2 screws
Type and consumption of fuels and lubricants: kerosene
Passengers: 250

More interesting fact- all SPKs are on military records, in case of war they should be used as river hospitals.

New developments of the Central Design Bureau for hydrofoil ships named after R.E. Alekseeva

During the exhibition "International Naval Salon-2013", held in St. Petersburg, Russian shipbuilders announced the upcoming revival of one almost forgotten direction. During July, the Rybinsk shipyard "Vympel" will begin construction of a new hydrofoil. Last time similar equipment in our country was built about twenty years ago.

Nizhny Novgorod Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoils. R.E. Alekseeva (Central Design Bureau for SPK) several decades ago created several models of such equipment, which became widely known. However, in Lately the development and construction of hydrofoils ceased. The new vessel, which is scheduled to be laid down in the coming days, will be built in accordance with the new project 23160 Kometa-120M. This project, as stated, combines the best practices of past years, as well as modern technologies and electronic equipment. According to the figurative expression of the General Director and Chief Designer of the Central Design Bureau for the SPK S. Platonov, the Kometa-120M differs from the previous Kometa in the same way that the Sapsan train differs from a simple electric train.

The new Kometa-120M differs from previous hydrofoils in the first place widespread use in the design of composite materials. In addition, the control systems have undergone major improvements. As a result of all these measures, it was possible to save several tons and significantly lighten the ship. Reducing the weight of the entire ship, in turn, made it possible to change the draft and hydrofoil design, which ultimately had a beneficial effect on driving performance. Claimed maximum speed"Komety-120M" - about 60 knots, which exceeds the capabilities of all previous ships of this class.

Project 23160 vessels are proposed to be equipped with modern electronic navigation and communication equipment. At the IMDS-2013 salon, the Central Design Bureau for the SEC demonstrated not only models of its hydrofoils, but also a full-scale mock-up of the Kometa-120M control systems. All the usual devices on the panel have been replaced by several large monitors, and most of the controls have given way to push-button remotes. At the same time, the functionality and information content of the new systems fully corresponds, and in some respects even exceeds the corresponding indicators of the systems used earlier.

The declared economic qualities of the new vessel "Kometa-120M" will probably be of interest to potential customers. The payback period is set at five years, and general term services with timely maintenance must be over 25 years of age. During this period, during each voyage, the ship will be able to carry up to 120 passengers. It is especially noted that two versions of the Kometa-120M are available for order, designed for operation on rivers and at sea. Most of the design of both options does not have any differences, but the ship for the sea will have a different anti-corrosion coating of structural elements and a hydrofoil of a different shape, adapted to work in sea conditions.

The construction of the first hydrofoil of the Kometa-120M project will begin literally any day. In the future, the Central Design Bureau for hydrofoils named after. R.E. Alekseeva plans to bring several more similar projects to production. So, at the last exhibition, a model of a hydrofoil vessel of project 23170 Cyclone-250M, designed to carry 250 passengers, was demonstrated. In addition, in the coming years, the serial construction of vessels of project 23180 Valdai-45R, capable of carrying about four dozen passengers, may begin. However, these projects are still only in the plans. First of all, the Central Design Bureau for the SEC intends to launch the production of the new Komet-120M. Only after these vessels go to work on passenger transportation, preparations for the construction of other types of SECs will begin.

The impetus for the current work of the Central Design Bureau on hydrofoils and the Vympel shipbuilding plant can be considered the Federal Target Program "Development of Civil Maritime Transport", within which promising research and design programs are financed. In the course of this program, only the Central Clinical Hospital for the SPK them. R.E. Alekseeva, commissioned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, is conducting several projects, the total cost of which exceeds 590 million rubles. According to available information, from the Central design office it is required to prepare four projects of hydrofoils and two projects of air cavity vessels by 2014, as well as to carry out several research programs necessary for the implementation of other projects.

The high performance of new hydrofoils, as well as extensive experience in operating such equipment, suggests that the Kometa-120M will be of interest to potential customers in a certain amount will enter the service of carrier companies. It is too early to talk about the specific prospects for new projects of the Central Design Bureau for the SPK, since the construction of the first vessel of the new project has not even begun yet.

Your mark:

Burevestnik, Sputnik, Comet and Meteor - the names of these Soviet ships gave rise to romantic thoughts about flying. Although it was only about the river trip. However, it is difficult to say, a trip on a hydrofoil is also swimming, but there is something from flying in it. These ships, which general view, were called rockets and could reach speeds of 150 km / h (carrying up to 300 passengers), were the same symbol of the USSR of the 60s - 80s, like the real ones space rockets that plowed the Bolshoi Theater into space.

The severe economic crisis (if not an industrial disaster) of the 90s led to the fact that the number of ships of this class was sharply reduced. Now let's remember a brief history these unusual ships.

The principle of movement of these vessels was twofold. At low speed, such a vessel moves like an ordinary ship, that is, due to the buoyancy of water (hello to Archimedes). But when it develops high speed, then due to the hydrofoils available to these ships, a lifting force arises, which raises the ship above the water. That is, a hydrofoil is both a ship and, as it were, an airplane at the same time. He only flies "low".

Perhaps the most elegant high-speed hydrofoil was the so-called. gas turbine "Petrel". It was developed by the Central Design Bureau of the SPK R. Alekseev in the city of Gorky and, with a length of 42 meters, could reach an estimated speed of 150 km / h (although there is no evidence that the ship has ever reached such a speed).

The first (and only) experimental vessel, Burevestnik, was built in 1964.

It was operated by the Volga Shipping Company on the Volga along the route Kuibyshev - Ulyanovsk - Kazan - Gorky.

Two aircraft gas turbine engines on the sides gave this ship a special showiness (such engines were used on the IL-18 aircraft).

In such a ship, the journey really should have resembled a flight.

The captain’s cabin was distinguished by particular grace, the design of which resembled the design of futuristic American limousines of the 50s (in the photo below, however, the cabin is not the “Petrel”, but about the same).

Unfortunately, having worked until the end of the 70s, the unique 42-meter Burevestnik was written off due to wear and tear, and remained in a single copy. The immediate cause of the write-off was the accident in 1974, when the Burevestnik collided with a tugboat, severely damaging one side and gas turbine engine. After that, it was restored, as they say, "somehow" and after some time its further operation was considered unprofitable.

Another type of hydrofoil was the Meteor.

The "Meteors" were smaller than the "Petrel" (34 meters in length) and not as fast (no more than 100 km / h). Meteors were produced from 1961 to 1991 and, in addition to the USSR, they were also supplied to the countries of the socialist camp.

In total, four hundred motor ships of this series were built.

Unlike the aircraft engines of the Burevestnik, the Meteors flew with diesel engines that drove propellers typical of ships.

Vessel control panel:

But the most famous hydrofoil is probably the Rocket.

For the first time "Rocket" was presented in Moscow in 1957 at the International Festival of Youth Students.

The leader of the USSR Nikita Khrushchev himself then expressed himself in the spirit that, they say, it’s enough to swim along the rivers in rusty bathtubs, it’s time to travel in style.

However, at that time only the first experimental "Rocket" went along the Moscow River, and after the festival it was sent for trial operation on the Volgna to the Gorky-Kazan line. The ship covered a distance of 420 km in 7 hours. An ordinary ship followed the same route for 30 hours. As a result, the experience was considered successful and the "Rocket" went into series.

Another of the famous Soviet ships is the Comet.

"Comet" was a naval version of "Meteor". In this photo from 1984, two "Comets" in the seaport of Odessa:

"Comet" was developed in 1961. Serially produced from 1964 to 1981 at the Feodosia shipyard "More". A total of 86 Komets were built (including 34 for export).

One of the surviving "Komet" in a bright design:

By the beginning of the 70s, the Rockets and Meteors were already considered obsolete ships, and the Voskhod was developed to replace them.

The first ship of the series was built in 1973. A total of 150 Voskhods were built, some of which were exported (China, Canada, Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, etc.). In the 90s, the production of Voskhod was stopped.

"Sunrise" in the Netherlands:

Of the other types of hydrofoils, it is worth remembering the Sputnik.

It was truly a monster. At the time of the construction of the first Sputnik ship (October 1961), it was the world's largest hydrofoil passenger ship. Its length was 47 meters, and the passenger capacity was 300 people!

"Sputnik" was first operated on the Gorky - Tolyatti line, but then, due to its low landing, it was transferred to the lower reaches of the Volga to the Kuibyshev - Kazan line. But he was on this line for only three months. On one of the voyages, the ship collided with a driftwood, after which it stood in a shipyard for several years. At first they wanted to cut it into scrap metal, but then they decided to install it on the Togliatti embankment. "Sputnik" was placed next to the river station, where it housed a cafe with the same name, which continues to delight (or frighten) the inhabitants of Avtograd (proof) with its appearance.

The marine version of the Sputnik was called the Whirlwind and was intended for sailing with a wave of up to 8 points.

It is also worth remembering the ship "Chaika", which was created in a single copy and took on board 70 passengers, but developed a speed of up to 100 km / h

Another of the rare ones is the Typhoon ...

... and "Swallow"

A story about Soviet hydrofoils would be incomplete without a story about a man who devoted his life to the creation of these ships.

Rostislav Evgenievich Alekseev (1916-1980) - Soviet shipbuilder, creator of hydrofoils, ekranoplanes and ekranoplanes. Yacht designer, winner of all-Union competitions, master of sports of the USSR.

He came to the idea of hydrofoils during the work during the war (1942) on the creation of combat boats. His boats did not have time to take part in the war, but in 1951 Alekseev was awarded the Stalin Prize of the second degree for the development and creation of hydrofoils. It was his team that created the Rocket in the 50s, and then, starting from 1961, almost every year new project: "Meteor", "Comet", "Sputnik", "Petrel", "Sunrise". In the 60s, Rostislav Evgenievich Alekseev began work on the creation of the so-called. "Ekranoplanes" - ships for the Airborne Forces, which were supposed to soar above the water at a height of several meters. In January 1980, when testing a passenger ekranolet, which was supposed to enter service for the Olympics-80, Alekseev received severe injuries. He died from these injuries on February 9, 1980. After his death, the idea of ekranoplanes was no longer returned.

And now I offer a few more photos of these insanely beautiful hydrofoils:

The Kometa-44 built in 1979 is currently operated in Turkey:

Project "Olympia"

Project "Katran"

Two-story monster "Cyclone"

Cemetery of ships near Perm.

Bar "Meteor" in the city of Kanev (Ukraine)

Red "Meteor" in China

But even today, these ships of the 60s projects look quite futuristic.

MOSCOW, June 17 - RIA Novosti. Russia has resumed the production of high-speed passenger hydrofoils of the Kometa type, Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said. Greece is already showing interest in the project, and they are ready to accept such vessels on the Black Sea coast of Russia.

The talk about the new "Comets" was at a meeting of the co-chairs of the Russian-Greek mixed commission for economic, industrial and scientific-technical cooperation in Crete. The head of the Russian Ministry of Transport was asked whether the sales of Komets to Greece, which bought them thirty years ago, resumed. To this, Sokolov replied: "There is no sale yet, but the production of Komets has resumed."

However, now the ship has received a different name, he said.

"We even named her nice name"Seagull", because it was laid in Rybinsk in Yaroslavl region, where Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova works as a deputy. You remember that her call sign during the flight into space was "Seagull". Therefore, this "Comet" was called "Seagull". Now she is almost ready. Therefore, if Greek companies want to buy it, then the contract, in my opinion, is still open," Sokolov said.

As for the purchases of "Comets" by Greece, then, according to the minister, he is ready to assist them.

“We will be happy. And although shipbuilding is the competence of the Ministry of Industry, I, as the Minister of Transport and as the co-chairman of the mixed commission, are ready to support any proposals from Greece,” the head of the Ministry of Transport said.

As it became known to RIA Novosti, the Vympel Shipyard in Rybinsk is cooperating with the Greek company Argonavtiki Ploes on the construction and transfer of the Kometa 120M. Negotiations are underway with a potential Greek customer to sign an agreement of mutual understanding, in which the main terms of the contract for the construction of four such vessels are reflected, the cost of each vessel exceeding six million euros.

At the Black Sea

Interest in the new "Comets" is shown not only in Greece, but also in Russia itself. At the end of April, President Vladimir Putin visited the Vympel plant in Rybinsk. During the meeting, the general director of the enterprise, in particular, told the head of state about the project to launch a hydrofoil ship between Yalta and Sochi.

Putin noted that this proposal is not the only one, several other shipbuilding companies in different regions offer similar projects.

"The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Industry have the opportunity to conduct quasi-competitive or competitive procedures and choose the best proposal. But I really like the proposal itself," the President said, noting that the plan can be implemented with some support from the state in the form of benefits for leasing.

At the same time, Putin added that the Sochi-Yalta route is difficult in terms of weather conditions, since hydrofoils are dangerous to use when strong wind. But such ships can be launched on other routes on the Caucasian coast or in the Crimea, this type of transport needs to be developed, it will be in demand, the president concluded.

Anapa is ready to receive "Comets"

Recently Andrey Tarasenko, Director General of Rosmorport, said that preparations are already underway for the resumption of Komet flights on Black Sea coast. According to him, an enterprise has already been created in Anapa, which will be fully responsible for passenger transportation.

“It used to be unprofitable, but now applications have been received, in particular from the Black Sea High-Speed Lines company, which is interesting for many to come from Anapa to Sochi, many want to come to Yalta. Therefore, we are resolving the issue. I won’t say exactly when it will be. Now the company receive licenses, there is a large set of documents for obtaining equipment," Tarasenko said.

Whether this direction will be popular and regular will be shown by passenger traffic, he added.

Updated "Comet"

The production of Komets at the Rybinsk plant was interrupted for almost two decades, but in 2013 the company again began building hydrofoils.

Then Maxim Sokolov, speaking at the laying ceremony of the first of the updated Komets, noted that the ships would be built using completely new technologies. According to him, the implementation of such developments will provide new opportunities for the transportation of passengers not only along the largest rivers of Russia, but also in the Black Sea basin and in the Baltic Sea basin.

The high-speed hydrofoil "Kometa 120M" is intended for transportation of passengers in sea coastal zone. The vessel with a length of about 35 meters and a displacement of 73 tons will be able to reach speeds of up to 35 knots and carry up to 120 passengers: 22 in the business class cabin, 98 in the economy class cabin.

Traveling around our country every day you discover something new. So today, on a cruise in Petrozavodsk, I discovered just such a curiosity. These are hydrofoil ships "Kometa" and "Meteor". Since I was not prepared to meet such vessels, the Meteor practically did not get into the frame, because I thought that they were the same. From Petrozavodsk "Meteors" and "Kometa" operate flights along Lake Onega to Kizhi, Velikaya Guba and Shala. The fare, for example, to Kizhi is 1375 rubles one way. Pleasure is not cheap.

1. "Kometa" - a series of sea (the first in this class) passenger ships on hydrofoils. The motor ship was developed in 1961 at the Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoils named after I. R. E. Alekseeva. Serially produced in 1964-1981 at the Feodosia shipbuilding plant "More" (a total of 86 Komets were built, including 34 for export) and in 1962-1992 at the Poti shipyard (project 342 ME, 39 ships).

2. Displacement 41.2 t (empty), 58.3 t (full), length 35.1 m, width 11.0 m, height 7.8 m (when running on wings), draft 3.6 m (when parked) , 1.7 m (when running on wings).

3. The ship is equipped with 2 diesel engines M-401A, 1 auxiliary diesel generator-compressor-pump. Power 2200 hp, propeller 2 propellers, travel speed 60 km/h (maximum), 55-57 km/h or 30 knots (operational).

4. Crew 5 people, passenger capacity up to 120 people (depending on modification). Passengers are accommodated in three cabins equipped with soft chairs: bow, middle and stern. The passenger compartment resembles the cabin of an aircraft, because even the seats are of an aircraft type.

5. In the parking lot and when moving at low speed, the hydrofoil is kept on the water due to the force of Archimedes, like an ordinary displacement vessel. At high speed, due to the lift created by these wings, the ship rises above the water. At the same time, the area of contact with water is significantly reduced, and, consequently, the hydrodynamic and frontal resistance of water, which allows you to develop a higher speed.

6. "Meteor", project 342E hydrofoil river passenger ship, developed by Rostislav Alekseev. Produced from 1961 to 1991 at the Zelenodolsk shipbuilding plant named after. A. M. Gorky. In total, more than 400 ships of this series were built.

7. And this photo is a bonus. Here is such a sunset today on Lake Onega.

My next post will be about the city of Petrozavodsk. As they say, Stay tuned.

Russia resumed production of hydrofoils June 17th, 2017

Recently I was in Kazan and several times passed by the river technical school, in the yard of which there was a full-fledged "Rocket". I thought back then, there were times...

And here I read that the shipbuilding plant "Vympel" (Rybinsk, Yaroslavl region) plans to launch a marine passenger hydrofoil vessel "Kometa 120M" of project 23160 in 2017.

That is, we can say that Russia has resumed the production of high-speed passenger hydrofoil ships of the Kometa type. Greece is already showing interest in the project, and they are ready to accept such vessels on the Black Sea coast of Russia.

However, now the ship has received a different name, said Minister of Transport Maxim Sokolov.

Photo 2.

"We even called her the beautiful name "Chaika", because she was laid in Rybinsk in the Yaroslavl region, where Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova works as a deputy. You remember that her call sign during the flight into space was "Chaika". Therefore, this "Comet" received the name "Seagull". Now it is almost ready. Therefore, if Greek companies want to acquire it, then the contract, in my opinion, is still open," Sokolov said. As for the purchases of "Comets" by Greece, then, according to the minister, he is ready to assist them.

"We will be happy. And although shipbuilding is the competence of the Ministry of Industry, I, as the Minister of Transport and as the co-chair of the joint commission, are ready to support any proposals from Greece," the head of the Ministry of Transport said.

Photo 3.

Photo 4.

Putin noted that this proposal is not the only one, several other shipbuilding companies in different regions offer similar projects.

"The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Industry have the opportunity to conduct quasi-competitive or competitive procedures and choose the best proposal. But I really like the proposal itself," the president said, noting that the plan can be implemented with some support from the state in the form of benefits for leasing.

Photo 5.

At the same time, Putin added that the Sochi-Yalta route is difficult in terms of weather conditions, since it is dangerous to use hydrofoils in strong winds. But such ships can be launched on other routes on the Caucasian coast or in the Crimea, this type of transport needs to be developed, it will be in demand, the president concluded.

Anapa is ready to receive "Comets"
A few days ago Andrey Tarasenko, Director General of Rosmorport, said that preparations were already underway for the resumption of Komet flights along the Black Sea coast. According to him, an enterprise has already been created in Anapa, which will be fully responsible for passenger transportation.

Whether this direction will be popular and regular will be shown by passenger traffic, he added.

Photo 6.

The production of Komets at the Rybinsk plant was interrupted for almost two decades, but in 2013 the company again began building hydrofoils.

Photo 7.

The high-speed hydrofoil vessel "Kometa 120M" is intended for the transportation of passengers in the sea coastal zone. The vessel with a length of about 35 meters and a displacement of 73 tons will be able to reach speeds of up to 35 knots and carry up to 120 passengers: 22 in the business class cabin, 98 in the economy class cabin.

Photo 8.

Sea passenger hydrofoil vessel "Kometa 120M" project 23160 - reference

The area of operation is seas with a maritime tropical climate. Distance from the port - shelter in the open seas up to 50 miles.

RS class: KM Hydrofoil craft Passenger – A

Overall length, m - 35.2
Overall width, m - 10.3
Displacement, t - 73.0
Draft overall afloat, m - 3.5
Speed, knots - 35
Crew, people - 5
Passenger capacity, people: 120
business class lounge 22
economy class cabin 98
Engine power, kW - 2 x 820
Hourly fuel consumption, kg / hour - 320
Range in full displacement, miles - 200
Autonomy of navigation, hours - 8

Photo 9.

Marine passenger hydrofoil vessel "Kometa 120M" is a single-deck vessel equipped with a twin-shaft diesel-reduced power plant. The vessel is designed for high-speed transportation of passengers during daylight hours in new aircraft-type seats. It is reported that this project of a sea vessel was designed on the basis of the SEC, which were created in the USSR under the projects "Comet", "Colchis" and "Katran". The main purpose of this ship is the transportation of passengers in the coastal sea zone. It is reported that the ship will be able to reach a speed of 35 knots. Its main difference from the SECs previously built in our country will be the provision high level comfort for passengers. To this end, the ship will have to appear automatic system moderate pitching and overload. The design of the ship will use modern vibration-absorbing materials, which should also have a positive impact on passenger comfort.

Photo 10.

Spacious business and economy class cabins on the new Comet will receive comfortable aviation-type passenger seats, maximum amount passengers - 120, installation in salons of an air conditioning system is provided. The features of the ship include the accommodation of passengers in the bow and middle salons. There will be a bar in the aft saloon. Double glazing is also provided in the wheelhouse and bar rooms. The vessel will receive modern facilities communications and navigation. It is planned to reduce fuel consumption by installing modern 16V2000 M72 engines with electronic fuel injection, manufactured by the German company MTU, and propellers with increased efficiency.

Photo 11.

Also, Sergey Italiantsev, who holds the post of head of the directorate of the River-Sea Vessels program in the department of civil shipbuilding of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, told reporters that the USC is considering the option of completing the construction of two hulls of marine passenger hydrofoil vessels of the Olympia project located at the Khabarovsk Shipbuilding Plant . In the future, these completed ships could be used to ensure the transportation of passengers at the Kerch ferry in the Crimea. Also, in the case of completion, these vessels could be used on Far East. It is in the Black Sea and the Far East that today there are big problems with servicing passenger traffic.

The ships of the Olympia project are able to take on board up to 232 passengers. They are designed for high-speed transportation of passengers on the seas with tropical and temperate climate with a distance from the "ports of refuge" up to 50 miles. In total, two such vessels were built, both were sold for export. The degree of completion of the two unfinished ships is approximately 80%. If a decision is made and an agreement is concluded for their completion, the ships can be completed within 6-8 months, according to the website of the R.E. Alekseev Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoils.

Photo 12.

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Photo 14.

sources