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"Scorpion" b-427    Q: How did we “capture” the Scorpion? A: Scorpion was not captured! It was retired from active duty in 1994 and was immediately purchased from the Russian Navy by a group of private businessmen for use as a museum exhibit. Q: How much did they pay to purchase The Scorpion? A: Not as much as the Russians paid to build her but a lot more than they wanted to pay! Q: Can I hire The Scorpion for a party and have it painted yellow? A: Yes you can hire The Scorpion for a special event but you can not have it painted yellow! The Russians know about that song too! In truth the sales agreement for The Scorpion limits it use to only those activities that will not cast any dispersions on the Russian Navy or the Russian Undersea Fleet. It must remain as it is today…in the original condition it was in when on active duty with the Soviet/Russian Navy. Q: Is Scorpion nuclear powered? A: No Scorpion is not a nuclear powered submarine. It is a Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine powered by 3 diesel engines (2,000 Horsepower each) when on the surface and by almost 300 tons of batteries and 3 electric motors when underwater. Unlike the United States which fields only Nuclear Submarines, Russia has always had two submarine programs, one for Nuclear Submarines and one for Diesel-Electric Submarines. The Scorpion is a “FOXTROT CLASS” Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine. The replacement for the “FOXTROT CLASS” is the new “KILO CLASS” Attack Submarine which is currently being built by Russia. Q: Did Scorpion get to Long Beach under its own power? A: No it did not! When originally purchased from the Russian Navy Scorpion was towed on the surface from Vladivostok, on the Russian Pacific Coast to Sydney, Australia where it was put on display at The National Maritime Museum. Three years later it was loaded onto a “heavy lift ship” (similar to a floating dry dock) and transported from Sydney to Long Beach where it is currently on display. Q: Can Scorpion still go underwater? A: AT LEAST ONCE!!! Although all the original equipment is still on board and in working order we have removed the almost 300 tons of storage batteries that powered Scorpion underwater. As such, deprived of her batteries, hydraulic fluid and diesel fuel Scorpion is a static exhibit and unable to move or dive on her own power. She is afloat however and you may experience some swaying of her hull as you explore her many compartments. Q: It is very cramped inside…was being a Russian submarine sailor limited to only short men? A: Not at all! There was no height restriction in the Soviet/Russian Undersea Fleet. In fact at one time the First Officer of The Scorpion was 6 feet 5 inches tall. When you tour through Scorpion, look at the navigation table in the Control Room. We have mounted a picture under the glass showing this officer standing with the rest of Scorpion’s crew as proof! Q: I could never go to sea in a submarine. Why would anyone volunteer to do that? A: In truth the officers were all volunteers and service in submarines was considered the fast track to promotion. As for the enlisted men, they were mostly conscripts drafted into military service and then assigned to the Navy and later to submarine duty. If they did not like service in submarines they soon got used to it! Most submariners, both Russian and American talk of their service in submarines with fond memories. Q: How many men were on Scorpion and how long were they at sea? A: Scorpion had a full compliment of 78 officers and men who would put to sea for up to 3 months at a time. With a full fuel load Scorpion had a surface range of over 20,000 nautical miles. Q: How long can Scorpion stay underwater? A: When fully charged Scorpion’s almost 300 tons of batteries could allow Scorpion to stay underwater for almost 20 days but only if she remained stationary and was powered down to minimum life support. In normal operation Scorpion could make over 15 knots (18MPH) submerged and her huge batteries would behave just like your cell phone batteries. The more you use it the faster they wear down. The usual time spent underwater was 2 to 3 days. Scorpion would then have to surface and recharge her batteries before diving once again. Q: Can I take pictures on Scorpion? A: Yes, by all means take all the pictures you want but not the ones we have hanging inside Scorpion. Those belong to us! |
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