USS Grayback (SSG-574)

Users: United States Navy

Built: 1954-1958
In Commission: 1958–1964, 1969–1984
In the 1950s before the development of SLBM's or even advanced SLCM's, the Regulus Cruise missile was developed as a means of nuclear deterrance. In time, the Subsonic Cruise missile would see its sucessor, the Regulus II developed. As the Regulus II was developed, a Tang Class hull was modified with a Missile Hangar for carrying the Regulus missiles.

Two Submarines would be constructed, the USS Growler and USS Grayback respectively. Capable of carrying 2 Regulus II or 4 Regulus I Missiles in a large bow hanger. To Launch the missiles, the vessels would surface and open the aft set of doors before the missile was pulled out and placed on a launch ramp.

Alongside vessels such as the USS Halibut, the Grayback Class submarines would serve as Nuclear detterence for a short time before the advent of the Polaris SLBM rendered them obsolete. Much like the Halibut, the Grayback would be converted for use as a special mission submarine. With the high budget used to convert the Grayback, the Growler would be left out of the conversion. Capable of deploying Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDV's) while submerged. It would go on to serve as part of Operation Thunderhead in the late Vietnam war.

The Growler would ultimately be preserved as a museum ship, while the Grayback was striken from the navy list and sunk as a missile target in 1984.

Source(s)
designed4submariners.com
HI Sutton

Features:

• Fully working hydroplanes and rudder (pitch and yaw)
• Simulated Ballast Control
• Unlimited Dive
• Near 1:1 Scale
• 1 Regulus Cruise Missile

Instructions:

Submarine Operation
1)Pitch for Pitch
2)Roll for Steering (Yaw)
3)VTOL for ballast (Sinking and Floating)
4)LandingGear to deploy bow planes.

Cruise Missile Operation
1)Surface and Reduce speed below 5 mph
2)AG1, wait for launch
3)Pitch and Yaw to control Missile.

The Grayback Class! And man did flop physics give me problems. It works though, just remember to slow your speed before launch! It can launch at higher speed but you'll risk the physics glitching out if you do that. Making the Regulus missile itself work well was surprisingly painless, seems just one set of wings worked well after all.

Also please don't complain about it being slow to maneuver, think of it like a large bomber plane, like those it's not supposed to be nimble! If you want something more fun to take to the water, I have a Los Angeles Class upcoming to keep an eye out.