"Meteor", project 342E- a series of river passenger hydrofoil ships designed by Rostislav Alekseev.
Story
M/v "Meteor"
Produced from 1961 to 1991 at the Zelenodolsk shipyard named after. A. M. Gorky. In total, more than 400 motor ships of this series were built. The Nizhny Novgorod hydrofoil design bureau named after Rostislav Alekseev developed the Meteor-2000 modification with imported engines and air conditioners, which was also supplied to China. By 2007, the Meteor production line at the plant was dismantled, and motor ships of the new A45-1 project were laid down.
Description
The motor ship Meteor of project 342E is a 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 salons equipped with soft seats: bow, middle and stern - with 26, 44 and 44 seats, respectively. The transition of passengers from the middle to the aft salon is carried out along a deck that has a roof (visible in photographs as a “hump”), from the deck doors lead to the toilet, engine room and utility room. There is a buffet in the middle salon.
The wing structure consists of bow and stern load-bearing wings and two flaps mounted on the side and bottom struts of the bow wing.
The main engines on the ship are two diesel engines of type M-400 (12CHNS18/20) of right and left rotation, twelve-cylinder, four-stroke, turbocharged, water-cooled, reversible clutch, rated power 1000 hp. each at 1700 rpm, converted from aviation M-40. Propulsors - two five-bladed propellers of a fixed pitch ø 710 mm. To service the power plant and ship needs, a combined diesel-generator-compressor-pump unit was installed. The unit consists of a 12 hp diesel engine. at 1500 rpm. with starter and manual start, 5.6 kW generator, compressor and vortex self-priming pump. The mechanical installation of the ship is controlled from posts in the wheelhouse and in the engine room.
Electricity sources
The main source of electricity in running mode are two running DC generators with a power of 1 kW each at a normal voltage of 27.5 V, installed on the main engines. There is an automatic parallel operation of the generator and batteries. To power electricity consumers in the parking lot, an auxiliary DC generator with a power of 5.6 kW and a rated voltage of 28 V is installed.
"Meteor-236" on Lena
- The first captain of the Meteor SPK was the famous pilot Hero of the Soviet Union Mikhail Devyatayev, who during the Great Patriotic War was able to escape from captivity by hijacking an enemy bomber.
- In the center of the Sormovsky district of Nizhny Novgorod, on Burevestnik Square, a Meteor model was installed. At this time, the model has been moved to the park in front of the Polytechnic College near Sormovsky Park.
- A Meteor model was installed near the Kazan River Technical School.
Motor ship Meteor-86
VIP class ship!
In 2011, the ship's interior was completely renovated, the decoration and layout of the room were changed (the bow and middle compartments were combined). Equipped with leather seats with folding wooden tables, a wardrobe and separate tables for negotiations.
Passenger capacity = 86 people
There is a bar on the ship; meals can also be arranged on board by delivering snacks using special carts (like on an airplane). In addition, there is a well-equipped closet.
The windows are tinted and there is a built-in air conditioning system.
The ship's hold was also given due attention: new rivets, straightened floras, fresh paintwork. The ship's hull also received the necessary care.
The ship is equipped with the latest radio navigation equipment of class O2.0. A separate cabin is equipped for conducting special communications when accompanying VIP flights.
In addition, the diesel power plant was updated: the company carried out a major overhaul of two M419 engines (2200 hp in total). Additionally, a Westerbeke 220 V generator is installed.
In contact with
The boat "Meteor" is a river passenger ship. It is a hydrofoil-powered vessel. It was developed by the domestic shipbuilder Rostislav Alekseev.
History of "Meteor"
The boat "Meteor" dates back to 1959. It was then that the first such experimental vessel was launched. Sea trials took almost three weeks. Within their framework, the very first boat "Meteor" covered the distance from Gorky to Feodosia. The ship was built at a plant called Krasnoye Sormovo.
The Meteor spent the winter in Feodosia. He set off on his return journey only in the spring of 1960. This time it took him five days to swim from Feodosia to Gorky. The tests were considered successful by all participants.
Mass production
Everyone was happy with it, so already in 1961 it was put into mass production. It was established in the name of Gorky, who was located in Zelenodolsk. Over 30 years, more than 400 ships from this series were produced here.
At the same time, the design bureau did not stand still. New and improved versions were constantly being developed. Thus, Nizhny Novgorod designers proposed making the Meteor on hydrofoils. In this case, imported engines and air conditioners were used. The history of this ship ended only in 2007, when the line was finally dismantled and rebuilt for ships of a new class.
Inventor of "Meteor"
The shipbuilder Rostislav Alekseev is rightfully considered the creator of the Meteor boat. In addition to aircraft on air wings, his merit is the appearance in our country of ekranoplanes (high-speed vehicles flying in the range of an aerodynamic screen) and ekranoplanes (using the screen effect for flights).
Alekseev was born in the Chernigov province back in 1916. In 1933 he moved with his family to Gorky, where he developed a successful working career. He graduated from the Industrial Institute and defended his thesis on hydrofoil gliders. He started working as a shipbuilding engineer.
During the Great Patriotic War, he was allocated resources and people to create hydrofoil combat boats. The leadership of the Soviet Navy believed in his idea. True, their creation was delayed, so they never had time to take part directly in hostilities. But the resulting models convinced skeptics of the feasibility of this project.
Work on "Meteor"
A group of scientists began to develop the “Meteor” hydrofoil under the leadership of Alekseev. Initially it received the symbolic name "Rocket".
The world community became aware of this project in 1957. The ship was presented at the international festival of youth and students, which took place in Moscow. After this, active shipbuilding began. In addition to the Meteor boat, whose technical characteristics turned out to be impressive, projects were created under the names Burevestnik, Volga, Voskhod, Sputnik and Comet.
In the 60s, Alekseev created an ekranoplan for the navy and a separate project for the airborne troops. If the flight altitude of the first was only a few meters, then the second could rise to a height comparable to airplanes - up to seven and a half kilometers.
In the 70s, Alekseev received an order for the landing ground effect vehicle "Eaglet". In 1979, the world's first ekranolet ship was adopted by the navy as an official combat unit. Alekseev himself regularly tested his vehicles. In January 1980, while testing a new model of a civilian passenger ekranolet, which was supposed to be completed for the Moscow Olympics, it crashed. Alekseev survived, but received numerous injuries. He was urgently hospitalized. Doctors fought for his life, two operations were performed. But on February 9, he still died. He was 63 years old.
Hydrofoils
The hydrofoil Meteor is a striking example of ships of this class. It has hydrofoils under the hull.
Among the advantages of such aircraft are high speed of movement, low resistance when moving on the wings, insensitivity to pitching and high maneuverability.
However, they also have significant disadvantages. Their main disadvantage is low efficiency, especially in comparison with slow-moving displacement vessels, and they begin to have problems when the water is rough. In addition, they are not suitable for unequipped parking lots, and to move they need both powerful and compact engines.
Description of "Meteor"
"Meteor" is a hydrofoil motor ship, which is designed for high-speed transportation of passengers. It runs on diesel and is single-deck. Used exclusively during daylight hours on navigable rivers. It is also possible for it to move through freshwater reservoirs and lakes, but only in areas with a predominantly temperate climate. It is controlled remotely, its movement is controlled directly from the wheelhouse.
Passengers are seated in three salons with comfortable and soft seats. They are located in the bow, middle and stern parts of the vessel. A total of 114 passengers can be accommodated. Movement between parts of the vessel is carried out through the deck, from which doors lead to the toilet, utility rooms and engine room. In the middle salon there is even a buffet for those who want to refresh themselves.
The wing device includes load-bearing wings and flaps. They are fixed to the sides and bottom racks.
The main engines are two diesel. At the same time, to service the power plant, a combined unit consisting of a diesel engine with a power of up to 12 horsepower is required. The mechanical installation is controlled from the wheelhouse and engine room.
Power supply of the ship
"Meteor" is a motor ship for which two running DC generators are considered the main source of electricity. Their power is one kilowatt at a stable and normal voltage.
There is also an automatic machine for simultaneous operation of batteries and a generator. There is also an auxiliary generator, which is used directly to power consumers.
Specifications
The passenger ship "Meteor" has enviable technical characteristics. The empty displacement is 36.4 tons, and the full displacement is 53.4 tons.
The length of the vessel is 34.6 meters, width is nine and a half meters with a hydrofoil design span. The height when parked is 5.63 meters, when moving on the wings - 6.78 meters.
The draft also differs when stationary and when moving on the wings. In the first case, 2.35 meters, in the second - 1.2 meters. Power varies from 1,800 to 2,200 horsepower. "Meteor" can reach a maximum speed of 77 kilometers per hour, as a rule, it is operated at a speed of 60-65 kilometers per hour. Autonomously, the ship can sail about 600 kilometers.
One of the disadvantages of Meteor is fuel consumption. Initially, it was about 225 liters per hour, but thanks to the use of new modern engines, today it can be significantly reduced - by about 50 liters of fuel per hour.
The crew is small - only three people.
Countries where Meteor is distributed
Currently, serial production of Meteors has been discontinued, so new ships of this type are no longer appearing. But their exploitation continues today. In particular, they are used by the river fleet of the Russian Federation, and they are also common in other countries.
Until now, they can be seen in Hungary, Greece, Vietnam, Italy, Egypt, China, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
These river hydrofoils were actively used in Bulgaria until about 1990, in Latvia until 1988, in Ukraine until 2000, in the Netherlands until 2004, and in Germany until 2008. Now in these countries they have been replaced by more modern ones vehicles.
Safe Travel
Exciting river trips and walks are still organized today using Meteor. Safety on board the ship for passengers is guaranteed by a special control system and regular thorough maintenance of all devices and mechanisms. Therefore, we can say with confidence that when you set sail on the Meteor, you do not risk anything.
You can take a ride on this river boat in different parts of the country. For example, excursions from St. Petersburg to Peterhof and back are very popular today. The ship sets off through the picturesque places of the Neva, tourists can enjoy the amazing beauties of Northern Palmyra. Moreover, everything is done for the convenience of people; it is not even necessary to waste time in line at the box office; it is enough to purchase a ticket online.
This high-speed river boat will delight you with a smooth ride, which is provided by powerful and reliable modern engines. On board each vessel there are radio navigation control, communication and air conditioning systems.
In three comfortable cabins, passengers are protected from any vagaries of nature. In soft chairs that take the form of a tourist, they can fully relax, have a snack, using folding wooden tables hidden in the armrests.
Between the chairs there are also round tables made of natural wood, which are much larger. They will come in handy if you are traveling with a friendly group.
Service for tourists
It is worth noting that today these vehicles are mainly used for tourism purposes. Therefore, they organize the most comfortable pastime. Great attention is paid to service.
Companies organizing such river cruises provide a full range of services, providing everything a vacationer might need. For example, tourism services, which include not only the transportation and accommodation of passengers, but also the organization of nutritious meals, exciting entertainment programs and educational excursions.
By using the convenient form for ordering tickets for these river ships on the Internet, you will not only save time, but also fully enjoy an unforgettable journey along the great rivers of Russia.
There are many fascinating and useful facts about the Meteor ship that will not only broaden your horizons, but also make a trip on this ship even more exciting.
Most of them are collected in a book called “Winged”, which combines all the most interesting things about this unusual type of water transport.
For example, one of the captains of the Meteor ship, which moved on hydrofoils, was the famous Hero of the Soviet Union, participant in the Great Patriotic War, Mikhail Devyatayev. While fighting against the Nazi invaders, he was captured, but managed to free himself and even hijack an enemy bomber.
A successful escape was achieved in February 1945 from a concentration camp located in Germany.
And in 1960, the new ship was demonstrated to the leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev. The famous aircraft designer Andrei Tupolev, who was present, was so impressed by what he saw that he even asked the main developer, Alekseev, for permission to jointly control the ship.
Today, the Meteor has been replaced by the passenger ship Lena, which is also produced at the shipyard in Zelenodolsk. In the future, this project is being developed at a shipbuilding plant located in Khabarovsk. It is capable of covering a distance of 650 kilometers. At the same time, it develops an average speed of up to 70 kilometers per hour. Capable of accommodating 100 passengers or 50 with VIP accommodation. And the crew is only 5 people.
At first glance, it looks like a space boat from Star Wars. In fact, this rusting ship was made more than 40 years ago. During the Cold War, similar hydrofoils plied rivers in the Soviet Union at tremendous speed, causing general delight and admiration of passengers.
The creators of Soviet passenger hydrofoil ships used a technology in which, after reaching a certain speed, the ship's hull rose above the surface of the water. This reduced drag and allowed incredible speeds of up to 150 km/h.
These ships were called “Rockets”, “Meteors”, “Comets”, “Satellites” (not surprising, since the space program was actively developing at that time), and some of the models were even equipped with turbines from aircraft.
The father of modern hydrofoils, ekranoplanes and ekranoplanes is the Soviet inventor Rostislav Alekseev. It was according to his drawings that almost 3,000 ships were built for Russian and Ukrainian rivers. Over the years, many different models have been introduced, with names inspired by the Soviet space age (Sputnik, Comet, Voskhod).
But then came the collapse of the Soviet Union and production of hydrofoils ceased. They were taken out of service and many of them today rust in ship cemeteries, one of which is located in the forest near the city of Perm.
Other vessels were sold to various countries. For example, in Vietnam, the Voskhod hydrofoil boats, built in the 1970s, are still in use today, plying daily between Cat Ba Island and the city of Haiphong. Other former Soviet "Rockets" are still flying over rivers in Canada, Greece, the Netherlands, Thailand, Turkey and China.
One wealthy Russian even turned one of the ships into his personal luxury yacht. Another ship was turned into a trendy bar in the Ukrainian city of Kanev.
The motor ship Meteor of project 342E is a 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 salons equipped with soft seats: bow, middle and stern - with 26, 44 and 44 seats, respectively. The transition of passengers from the middle to the aft salon is carried out along a deck that has a roof (visible in photographs as a “hump”), from the deck doors lead to the toilet, engine room and utility room. There is a buffet in the middle salon.
The wing structure consists of bow and stern load-bearing wings and two flaps mounted on the side and bottom struts of the bow wing.
As the main engines on the ship, two diesel engines of type M-400 (12CHNS18/20) of right and left rotation, twelve-cylinder, four-stroke, turbocharged, water-cooled, reversible clutch, rated power 1000 hp can be installed. each at 1700 rpm, converted from aviation M-40. Propulsors - two five-bladed propellers of a fixed pitch ø 710 mm. To service the power plant and ship needs, a combined diesel-generator-compressor-pump unit was installed. The unit consists of a 12 hp diesel engine. at 1500 rpm. with starter and manual start, 5.6 kW generator, compressor and vortex self-priming pump. The mechanical installation of the ship is controlled from posts in the wheelhouse and in the engine room.
Electricity sources
The main source of electricity in running mode are two running DC generators with a power of 1 kW each at a normal voltage of 27.5 V, installed on the main engines. There is an automatic parallel operation of the generator and batteries. To power electricity consumers in the parking lot, an auxiliary DC generator with a power of 5.6 kW and a rated voltage of 28 V is installed.
