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fighting ships of the world

SOVIET NAVY (USSR)

CRUISERS

MAXIM GORKIY cruisers (project 26bis) (1940-1944)

Maxim Gorkiy 1941

Maxim Gorkiy 1941

Molotov 1942

Slava 1957

Project history: First large ships designed and constructed in the USSR. The design was developed with the technical help of Italy, in the same place the machinery for a lead ship was bought (earlier intended for cruiser Eugenio di Savoia). The ultimate variant of project 26 was approved 29.12.1934 and under it 2 ships, Kirov for Baltic Fleet and Voroshilov for Black Sea Fleet were laid down. In the end of 1937 the project 26-bis, differed by a little strengthened protection, the form of the fore superstructure, new fire control system and increased fuel stowage was approved. Under it 4 more ships were laid down: Maxim Gorkiy for Baltic Fleet, Molotov for Black Sea Fleet, Kalinin and Kaganovich for Pacific Fleet; last pair was completed already after a beginning of war with changed structure of antiaircraft armament.
   In a hull structure the construction of Italian cruiser Eugenio di Savoia was used. Changes have concerned basically ship ends: the bow was fulfilled without a bulb, stern had more thick form and was transom, instead of cruiser-type.

    Outwardly ships differed by the form of fore superstructure. On project 26 it was formed round a quarter-pod foremast with director arranged above which has been subject to vibration and covered the view from a bridge. Cruisers of project 26-bis received new tower-form superstructure reminding the Italian cruiser Montecuccoli, and the massive foremast has been changed by light tripod one.
    Protection of cruisers of project 26 included 50mm belt with 121m length and 3.4m height, covered by 50mm transverse bulkheads. 50mm main deck was connected with its upper edge. Turrets and barbettes from all directions were protected by 50mm plates, the conning tower had 150mm sides and 100mm roof. Steering gear compartment was covered by 20mm armour. In project 26-bis the protection scheme remained the same, but a thickness of a belt, transverse bulkheads, faces and roofs of turrets, barbettes have increased to 70mm, steering gear compartment to 30mm. By estimations, it ensured immunity zone against 152mm shells on distances from  97 to 122cables.
    The main artillery became the major feature of cruisers. Turrets were projected by means of Italians, placing of all guns in the common gun slide became corollary of that. In this connection, it is necessary to mark, that in the USSR cruisers of projects 26 and a 26-bis were listed as light when according to the international norms they should be referred to the heavy. Beacuse of shortage of new 100m AA guns Kalinin and Kaganovich did not receive planned AA guns, therefore they should receive 85 mm/52 guns instead, but however because of unavailability of these mounts on Far East, Kalinin at the commission was armed with 76 mm/55 34K guns.

   Machinery took places in eight compartments and it was packed in two autonomous echelons. Kirov had Italian-built Beluzzo turbines made by Ansaldo, for remaining they were made under the licence. A designed power was 110000hp, however Soviet-built turbines have appeared a little bit more powerful and more efficient than Italian. On trials Kirov has shown 35.94kts at 8604t and 113500hp; Voroshilov 36.72kts at 122500hp; Maxim Gorkiy 36.1kts at 8610t and 129750hp; Molotov 36.3kts at 133000hp; Kalinin 35kts at 109500hp (or at short term 36kts at 126900hp); Kaganovich has shown average 35.65kts speed.

Ship protection: Main 70mm belt (121x3.4m) protected space between end barbettes and was closed by 70mm bulkheads at ends and by 50mm flat main deck at upper edge. Turrets had 70mm faces and roofs and 50mm sides and rears, barbettes were protected by 70mm armour. CT had 150mm sides and 50mm roof. Steering gear compartment had box-shaped 30mm protection.