The vessel depict on this stamp, entering the Volga – Don Canal lock No 1 in 1952, is the river- passenger ship JOSEPH STALIN.
Built at the Red Sormovo plant at Gorki in 1937 for the ERM, Soviet Union. She was the lead vessel of her class, and her hull was welded
Launched as JOSEPH STALIN, four sisters
Tonnage and dimensions?
Powered by two 6-BK-43 four-stroke 6-cyl diesel engines of 350 hp. each, speed 20 km/h
The two propellers were housed particular in tunnels to protect the propeller blades.
Bunker capacity 35 ton.
Flat bottomed, did have eight bulkheads, a round stern.
She was fitted out with a steering wheel fore and aft to pass easily through the many locks in the 128 km long canal.
For heating she was fitted out with a steam boiler.
Fitted out with berths for 18 passengers and eight four person cabins used by passengers without a berth.
One cargo hold of 108 m³.
Behind the engine room there were cabins for crew, a dinning room, hairdressing saloon and an other small cargo hold of 11 m³.
Also had a cinema and concert hall and a restaurant with seats for 100 persons.
1937 The Moscow Canal was opened and for this canal this five vessels were special built to pass through this canal from Moscow to the great rivers of Russia.
In 1938 she was featured in the Russian film Volga-Volga. Some scenes of the film are showed on a envelop of Russia issued in 2003, which shows also the director of the movie Mr. G. Alexandrov.
She got the honour to open op 27 July 1952 the Volga Don canal, as seen on the stamps.
During World War II attacked by enemy bombers.
After the war in 1947 again in-service in the Moscow River.
After Stalin died, was she in 1958 renamed in MIKHAIL FRUNZE.
1971 Out of service?
A model of the ship today you can find in a hall of the Red Sormovo plant at Gorky, were you can see also the movie Volga-Volga.
Russia 1947 50k sg1273, scott. (she is one of the JOSHEP STALIN class)
Russia 1952 8k sg?, scott? (cargo vessel leaving the Volga-Don Canal)
Russia 1952 40k sg 1783, scott?
Russia1r sg1806, scott? (also a photo after which this stamp was designed)
Russia 1956 envelope for the Volga-Volga film.
Rumania 1955 1.55 lei sg?, scott? (looks a Joshep Stalin class vessel?)
Source: info and images supplied by Mr. Gennadiy Sitnikov.
Built as a landing platform dock by PT Pal Shipyard, Surabaya, Indonesia for the Indonesian Navy.
19 October 2006 keel laid down. The keel laying ceremony was attended by Admiral Slamet Subiyanto, Chef of Staff, Indonesian Navy.
28 August 2008 launched as the KRI BANJARMASIN one of the Makassar class landing platform dock. She was named after the provincial capital of South Kalimantan.
Displacement 7,300 tons standard, 11,394 ton full load, dim. 125 x 22 x 4.9m. (draught).
Powered CODAD by 2 MAN B&W 8L28/32A diesels rated at 2,666 BHP, twin shafts, speed 16 knots.
Range 10,000 mile.
Armament: 2 Bofors 40mm canon, 2 Oerlikon 20mm canon, 2 – MBDA Simbad Missile system,
Can carry 5 helicopters and 40 infantry vehicles. 2 LCVP craft.
Accommodation for 218 troops up to 518 persons, crew 126.
Building cost US$37.5 million
28 November 2009 commissioned.
She was the first of her class built in Indonesia with assistance by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, South Korea were the first two units of this class had been built at Busan.
The third and fourth unit of this class have been modified to act as a flagship with provisions for a command and control system, 57 mm gun and air defense systems.
She is primarily deployed by the amphibious operation forces to transport equipment, cargo and military vehicles. The ship of this class can also be used in humanitarian operations and natural disasters management.
2012 In service.
Indonesia 2011 2500rp sg?, scott?
Source: Wikipedia. Various Internet sites. Watercraft Philately 2012 page 78.




