Russian Foxtrot - San Diego

This is a floating, mostly restored example of a Soviet Foxtrot diesel submarine.  This boat  was launched in 1974 and based out of Vladivistok.  It's a real relic of the Cold War and apparently patroled the Indian and Pacific oceans.

I enjoyed seeing the Cobra; it felt larger than the WWII boats I'd been on and is in pretty good shape.  That said, it feels like a fairly low-budget operation, or at least a project in its earlier stages.  The boat was pretty empty with little in the way of supporting information or exhibits in the various compartments.  The torpedo room forward was empty with no dummy torpedoes.  The control room in particular was missing equipment and stations.  I think the radio shack was boarded up with plywood the day I visited.  Still it was great to tour a Russian sub and I plan to go aboard again if I get the chance.

Boat: Soviet Foxtrot  b-39, the "Cobra"

Location:  San Diego, CA, was originally in Seattle, WA.

Exhibits: Really just the boat, with little information below decks. 

Owner: Private

Reviewer visited: 2004

Official website (out of date as it states location is Seattle, WA)