HMCS Okanagan Submarine

General Product Description

Our MyMahoganyModel HMCS Okanagan Submarine exhibits unique, unrivaled quality and detailed design to come as close as possible to the accuracy of the actual craft. It comes as standard with a robust, durable base or stand which is available in a variety of different finishes designed to match your own personal requirements including solid wood, wood with polished metal supports or adjustable wood wall mount and will be ready within about 9-10 weeks from placement of order.

The HMCS Okanagan Submarine is made of the finest kiln dried renewable mahogany wood (commonly known as Lauan or Meranti) which has undergone many stages of carving and meticulous and careful sanding giving the beautiful, finished museum quality masterpiece. Many collectors and model connoisseurs demonstrate their preference for genuine handmade and hand painted mahogany wood models rather than plastic or die cast (diecast) alternatives due to the overall look and totally different feel of the item - we trust you will find the same. We can however, if required produce the same model in Solid Cast Resin so just click and contact us for further information. Our craftsmen and gifted artisans ensure that our finely handcrafted model watercraft match the precise blueprint details of the original version. The paint scheme, markings and parts are closely matched, reflecting the original. This stylish top-quality desktop replica model will surely enthrall anyone who receives this as a gift and for sure one of the most appropriate and desirably collectable gifts for any boat, ship or similar enthusiast and avid collector whilst also displaying a perfect resemblance to the actual craft itself.

If you require, we can also make the All-round marine Boat Dinghy Model in any other private livery, markings or colour scheme you require and if necessary, in a different size or scale. Just click here to contact us with a description or photographs of what you require and we will let you have a quotation for the necessary customization by return email. We can also make bespoke scale replicas of any other private / civil commercial airliner or airliners, helicopter, glider, gliders with engines, military jet, warplane jets, propeller warplanes, biplane, triplane, tail fin, spacecraft, rocket or NASA model you require in any airline, military or civilian livery or colors. We also produce boat and ship collectibles. Wall plaque or seal for military, government or private customers. Again, by clicking here to contact us just let us know exactly what you need.

HMCS Okanagan (S74): Canada’s Cold War Silent Service

HMCS Okanagan (S74) was a diesel-electric submarine of the Oberon class, operated by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during the Cold War. Named after the Okanagan region in British Columbia, this submarine represented a vital component of Canada’s underwater defense capability from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. HMCS Okanagan served with distinction in surveillance, training, and anti-submarine warfare roles, embodying the stealth and effectiveness of the RCN’s “silent service.”

Origins and Construction

HMCS Okanagan was the third and final submarine in a trio of Canadian Oberon-class boats, following HMCS Ojibwa and HMCS Onondaga. These submarines were based on a British design, originally developed for the Royal Navy and later customized for Canadian requirements.

Construction of the Okanagan began in 1965 at Chatham Dockyard, United Kingdom. She was launched in September 1966 and commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy on June 22, 1968.

The Oberon class was known for being among the quietest and most advanced conventional submarines of their time. The Canadian versions were optimized for operations in the challenging conditions of the North Atlantic and included upgrades in sonar systems and fire control equipment.

Design and Capabilities

HMCS Okanagan was a diesel-electric patrol submarine, meaning she ran on diesel engines while surfaced and used electric motors when submerged. Key specifications included:

• Displacement: Approximately 2,400 tons submerged

• Speed: 12 knots surfaced, 17 knots submerged

• Armament: 8 x 21-inch torpedo tubes (6 forward, 2 aft), capable of deploying torpedoes and mines

• Crew: About 68 officers and sailors

The submarine’s quiet operation made her highly effective in anti-submarine warfare exercises, surveillance missions, and as a training adversary for NATO allies.

Service Life and Modernization

Throughout her career, HMCS Okanagan operated primarily in the North Atlantic, participating in NATO exercises and Canadian coastal defense patrols. She frequently deployed to Europe for joint training operations and took part in various multinational maritime exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability with allied navies.

In the early 1980s, Okanagan underwent significant refits as part of the Submarine Operational Update Program (SOUP). This upgrade extended her service life and modernized her systems, including new sonar, fire control, and periscope equipment.

Okanagan and her sister boats were especially valued for their role in training surface fleet crews and aircraft in detecting and combating submarines—skills critical during the Cold War.

Decommissioning

By the 1990s, the Oberon-class submarines were nearing the end of their operational lives. The introduction of the more modern Victoria-class submarines (former Royal Navy Upholder-class) led to the gradual retirement of the Oberons.

HMCS Okanagan was decommissioned in 1998, ending three decades of reliable service. She was sold for scrap in 2011, unlike her sister submarines HMCS Ojibwa and HMCS Onondaga, which were preserved as museum ships.

Conclusion

HMCS Okanagan (S74) served as a silent sentinel during a critical period of Cold War maritime security. Her stealth, endurance, and advanced technology for the era made her a valuable asset in Canada’s naval defense strategy. Though she no longer sails, Okanagan’s legacy lives on through her contributions to Canadian sovereignty, naval training, and NATO alliance readiness during a tense and complex time in global history.