Passenger hydrofoils comet. SAROAVTO transport blog

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 marine passenger ships on hydrofoils of the "Comet" type. 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, said Minister of Transport Maxim Sokolov.

Photo 2.

"We even called her the beautiful name "Seagull", because she 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 purchase of Komets by Greece, 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.

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.

Photo 4.

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 best offer. But I really like the proposal itself," the president said, noting that the plan could be implemented with some support from the state in the form of leasing benefits.

Photo 5.

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 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"
The other day CEO Rosmorport Andrey Tarasenko 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.

Will it this direction popular and regular, will show 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.

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 major rivers Russia, but also in the Black Sea basin and in the Baltic Sea basin.

Photo 7.

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.

Photo 8.

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

Operation area - seas with sea tropical climate. Removal from the port - refuge in 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 to provide a high level of 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 ship will receive modern means of communication 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 transport passengers to Kerch ferry in 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 a tropical and temperate climate with a distance of up to 50 miles from "ports of refuge". 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.

Photo 13.

Photo 14.

sources

"Sputnik", "Kometa", "Meteor" - this was the name of the high-speed hydrofoils known to many, capable of "flying" rather than sailing along rivers and seas. The names of the ships are not devoid of a share of romanticism and challenge inherent in Soviet designers and inventors. Real rockets in the open spaces of the river! Fast, swift, streamlined, like seagulls or swallows taking off into the sky, these graceful ships, like many other things, have become pride Soviet Union in 1960 - 1980 But then .... there is a sharp and prolonged decline in the industry and many industries. Today at modern Russia these fine vessels are being used less and less. In addition to incredibly beautiful pictures from the golden and glorious past, we will see some sad photos of abandoned and dismantled Meteors. All this is further in the new material on our website.Let's start with the Golden Era of these fast rockets. White in color, quite noisy, but powerful and fast, and some are able to reach speeds of 150 km / h and carry more than 300 passengers on board. Perhaps the most beautiful of all ships of this type is the Burevestnik. The futuristic-style hull with two aircraft turbine engines on the sides is a delight.

The steering wheel is reminiscent of the cockpit of cars from the 1950s, streamlined with smooth lines:

In this rare photo we can see the Port of Odessa on the Black Sea going back to 1984:

And here are small express trains waiting for passengers:

"Meteor", side view:

Surviving dashboard:

In the period from 1960 to 1980, many such ships were built in the Soviet Union - various modifications, shapes and sizes. More than 3,000 units are estimated to have been used in Russia and Ukraine. Most of them were developed and designed by Rostislav Alekseev, a shipbuilder, creator of hydrofoils, as well as ekranoplanes and ekranoplanes. In 1951, Alekseev and his assistants were awarded the Stalin Prize of the second degree for the development and creation of hydrofoils. The team begins to work on a hitherto unseen passenger hydrofoil vessel (SPK), which received the symbolic name "Rocket". In the summer of 1957, Alekseev presented the "Rocket" to the judgment of the world community, bringing the ship to Moscow during the International Festival of Youth and Students. From that moment on, high-speed shipbuilding began in the world.

Anniversary portrait of R. Alekseev and his monument in Nizhny Novgorod:

"Rocket" became the first Soviet passenger hydrofoil. ("Rocket-1" was built at the Krasnoye Sormovo plant.) Production continued until the mid-1970s. About 400 ships were built. "Rockets" were very popular in the USSR and beyond. Their name has become a household name and often all ships of this type are called that, confusing "Rockets" with "Meteors" and other hydrofoils. With the advent of these high speed boats humanity got the opportunity to quickly get by water to hard-to-reach settlements. A trip on the "Rocket" to some picturesque bay was one of the favorite views family vacation on the river. The main difference between the "Rocket", from all other hydrofoil river vessels, is the presence of a large open area in the stern. By the way, only 4 years later a similar vessel was made in the USA. The “Rockets” reached high speeds (maximum 120 km / h) thanks to a hybrid of a ship and an aircraft: they were equipped with engines from bombers. It was a unique unit, super-light, completely made of aluminum. kg / h at cruising speed. Despite this, Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev himself was amazed by the "Rocket", and uttered the memorable words: "Enough for us to swim along the rivers on oxen! To the modern world- modern speed!”.

The technical parameters of the "Rocket" were as follows: length - 27 m, width - 5 m, draft afloat - 1.8 m, draft during the course on the wings - 1.1 m, average speed- 60 km / h, power - 850 hp, number of passengers - 64 people. There was also a fire modification "Rocket-P" with two fire nozzles and water and air-foam protection systems. Soviet cruise ships were successfully exported to many countries of the world, including the USA, England, Germany, France, Italy, which did not have similar technologies. They went out of wide use immediately after the collapse of the USSR. The main reason for this was the incredible energy consumption of the ship. True, some "rockets" are still used in flights and as pleasure ships. For example, in Moscow, since 2007, the gradual restoration of the Rocket began, and four vessels have already entered the navigation of 2009.

Era « Meteors »

"Meteors" were built from 1961 to 1991. Unlike the Comet, they were used for river cruises, and compared to the Rocket, they had great speed and capacity. In total, more than 400 ships of this series were built. In the Nizhny Novgorod design bureau for hydrofoils named after Rostislav Alekseev, a Meteor-2000 modification was developed with imported engines and air conditioners, which was also supplied to China. By 2007, the line for the production of "Meteors" at the plant was dismantled, and motor ships of the new A45-1 project were laid down. Motor ship Meteor project 342E - duralumin, diesel, single-deck, twin-shaft hydrofoil motor ship, designed for high-speed transportation of passengers during daylight hours along navigable rivers, freshwater reservoirs and lakes in areas with a temperate climate. The remote control and monitoring system provides control of the ship directly from the wheelhouse. Passengers are accommodated in three cabins equipped with soft seats: bow, middle and stern - for 26, 44 and 44 seats, respectively. Wing device consists of bow and stern carrier wings and two flaps mounted on side and bottom struts of the bow wing.

Below you have a magnificent photo of the ship and beautiful scenery:

And this is an early photo of the Meteor on the Volga. Early 1970s.

Also, "Meteors" successfully performed river cruises along the Neva in St. Petersburg:

"Kometa" is a naval version of "Meteor". The project was developed in 1961. 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). High-speed diesel engines for the ship were supplied by the Leningrad plant Zvezda.

One of the "Comets" makes a cruise to Valaam. (note: a group of islands in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, 22 km from the mainland.):

"Comet" could boast of a speed of 60-70 km / h:

"Voskhod" - another type of ships, created to replace older hydrofoils - "Rockets" and "Meteors". The lead ship of the series was built in 1973. The Voskhods were built at the More shipyard in Feodosia. High-speed diesel engines for the ship were supplied by the Leningrad plant Zvezda and the plant Barnaultransmash. In total, by the beginning of the nineties, more than 150 Voskhods had been built. In the nineties, the production of Voskhod practically stopped due to the difficult situation of the manufacturing plant. In addition to the USSR, Voskhods were delivered to eighteen other countries, in particular, to Canada, Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Thailand, and Turkey.

The updated Katran-M and the larger Vostok (Seatech):

The ship known as "Kometa - 44" built in 1979, is now used in Turkey under the name "Ege Princess":

The Burevestnik is one of the most beautiful ships in the entire series! A real masterpiece of engineering, fantastic appearance and speed. Berevestnik seemed to have flown in from the future. This is a gas turbine developed by the Central Design Bureau of the SPK R. Alekseev, Gorky. "Petrel" was the flagship among the river SPK. It had a power plant based on two gas turbine engines (GTE) AI-20 designed by A. G. Ivchenko, borrowed from civil aviation(with IL-18). Operated from 1964 until the end of the 70s on the Volga on the route Kuibyshev - Ulyanovsk - Kazan - Gorky.

In 1993, the last surviving Burevestnik was dismantled for scrap. What a disgrace!

The Sputnik in the photo below used similar engines (4x850 hp) and could take 300 passengers on board:

The motor ship "Chaika" had a somewhat distinctive appearance, only one copy was built: "Chaika" was designed for 30 people, but developed a speed of up to 100 km / h:

Less well-known and rarely mentioned is Typhoon:

... and also do not forget about the "Swallow":

The current state of the surviving specimens built in 1960-1980, unfortunately, is not very good. With rare exceptions. Motor ships can be seen in absolutely different places: some collapse in the worst conditions, some await conversion into a floating restaurant or yacht, and others are completely forgotten.

Not far from Perm - rusting ships-heroes of the past against the backdrop of autumn:

Is it a restaurant or…….the unfortunate Sputnik. Samara:

Bar in a residential area small town in Ukraine:

Below are other victims of time, from marina to super yacht:

In Finland, you can somehow find several perfectly functioning courts at once. Feeling like you're in the past

And in the end - a great shot of a sliding in still water"Meteora":

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.

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

"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-chairman of the mixed commission, are ready to support any proposals from Greece,” the head of the Ministry of Transport said.

At the Black Sea

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 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.

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 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.

Many Russians and Ukrainians living on the banks big rivers could see hydrofoils. "Rockets", "Meteors" and "Comets" became the most massive river transport in the USSR and quickly gained popularity. After a long break in Russia, their production is being established again. New model"Kometa 120M" is a unique ship, which will soon begin to carry passengers along our rivers and the Black Sea.

Hydrofoils have been produced in the USSR since the 1950s. They housed 70-120 people, who were transported across the water surface at a speed of up to 75 km / h. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the release of this amazing water transport, unfortunately, stopped, the country was not up to high-speed boats. Now only residents of St. Petersburg and several European countries can see these ships.

Years passed, and it was decided to resume the production of domestic hydrofoil motor ships. Project 23160 "Kometa 120M" was developed in the same design bureau, which has designed and previous models. Actually, new ship very reminiscent of Soviet projects.

The characteristics of the vessel have not undergone major changes. The length of the Comet 120M is 35.2 meters, the width is 10.3 meters. Maximum capacity- 120 people, of which 22 are in the business class cabin. Passengers are accommodated in the front and middle parts of the vessel. At the stern, near the engines, there is a wheelhouse and a bar.

The power plant "Kometa 120M" consists of two diesel engines MTU (Germany) with a capacity of 820 kW each. For an hour of operation, the engines consume 320 kilograms of fuel. The designers said cruising speed motor ship at 35 knots (65 km/h).

The maximum range of the hydrofoil vessel is 200 miles (370 kilometers), the crew is only 5 people.

Vessels of project 23160 will be manufactured at the Vympel Rybinsk shipyard. They are supposed to be used in the Black Sea basin. Separate copies of "Komet 120M" are planned for export to Greece. Estimated cost vessels - about 6 million euros.

Learn more about the predecessors of the Comet 120M -.

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 in general 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 and 80s, like the real space rockets that plowed the Bolshoi Theater space spaces.

Heavy 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 decommissioning was an accident in 1974, when the Burevestnik collided with a tugboat, severely damaging one side and a 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 International festival 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 marine option"Meteora". In this 1984 photo, two Comets are in seaport 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. In one of the voyages, the ship collided with a driftwood, after which it stood in the sea for several years. shipyard. 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 river station, where it houses a cafe with the same name, which continues to delight (or scare) 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 courts on 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 in the 50s created the "Rocket", and then, starting in 1961, almost every year a 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, while testing a passenger ekranolet, which was supposed to enter service for the 1980 Olympics, Alekseev was seriously injured. 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: