PLAN Type 052D in 1/350 scale, DDG-173 Changsha

This model is a 1/350 scale model depiction of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) DDG-173, Changsha. I will also build its sister ship, DDG-172 Kunming.

These are the Chinese Navy's new, Type 052D destroyers (of which they have six under construction) and are their most advanced area air-defense and all-purpose guided missile destroyers using an AEGIS-like battle management system with four Phased Array Radars (PARS), a vetical launch system (VLS) with 64 guided missile cells (principally anti-air missiles but which can also include cruise missiles, ASW missiles, etc.), and a sophisticated battle management system. The PLAN has currently built and launched three of these vessels with at least three more building. It ids anticpated that they may build twelve por more of these vessels.

The vessel's armament also include a new 130mm main gun capable of firing extended range munitions, a 30mm Type 730 Close in Weapons Systems (CIWS), a FN-3000L anti-missile system with 24 more missiles, six torpedoe tubes, and a deck and hangar for one medium sized anti-submarine warfare (ASW) or search helicopter.

This represents a significant upgrade to the Type 052C Destroyers that the Chinese Navy built six of, but which only have 48 VLS cells, a 100mm gun, and carry two Type 730 CIWWS.

These are China's first, fully capable, muli-role vessels with a VLS system to accomodate full multi-role munitions. The Phased Array panels are larger and more powerful than the system on the Type 052C, giving longer range and probably finer resolution. The specifications of the Type 052D destroyers include:

Beam: 56 ft (17m)
Draft: 20 ft (6m)
Displace (Full Load): app. 7,200 tons
Propulsion: 2 QC-280, CODOG, two shafts
Speed: 32 knots
Range: est. 5,000 nautical miles (20 knots)
Crew: 280
Helicopter(s): 1 KA-27 ASW
Sensors:
- Unknown APARs
- 517H1, Sea Soul, TR-47C, OT-3 EO
- Unknown sonar
Armament:
- 32 cell VLS fore
- 32 cell VLS aft
- 1 X 130mm DP Gun
- 1 X Type 730 30mm CIWS
- 1 X FL-3000N launcher (24 missiles)
- 4 X 18 ASW MLRS
- 2 X 3 YU-7 Torpedoes


These are new models from Bronco Models, released in March 2014. I was able to obtain one of the first models in North America.

Bronco, in itsis affiliated with Dragon Models, is one of the two leading builders of 1/350 scale ship models from China. The other is Trupmeter. Typically, Bronco/Dragon molds more of their smaller details directly into the vessel itself, while Trumpeter includes more of the detail as individual parts. This usually means that a Bronco/Dragon model will be somewhat less expensive than a corresponding Trumpeter kit.

This kit, however, is very detailed and includes a lot of additional options that make the overall model a very good value.

There are approximately 330 parts on six sprues of injectrion molded plastic parts. There are also two photo etched sprues (one of which is the name plate for the model) which contain another seventy-five parts. The photo etched parts include sensors, the webbing around the helo deck, railings throughout the vessel, and other equipment. The hull comes in four pieces, where each side is molded seperately, with a cap piece to the stern, and a stiffener plate is included. The hull could be cut along the bottom of this plate to depict a waterline version if desired, but it is not molded seperately to allow for it. The entire main deck house comes seperately as a single piece. Although I intended to build the full hull any case, I was surprised that this model did not offer a waterline version as most newer 1/350 scale models do.

The pieces are well molded with very little or no flash. There are lots of finely detailed and small plastic parts for the sensors, weapons systems, which includes the VLS systems fore and aft, chaff/decoy systems, antennae, sensors, life rafts, and parts that you can imagine. The bridge windows are cut out and will display very nicely, though no clear or smoked plastic parts for them are available.
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A KA-27 ASW helo is included that can be depitced with its rotors folded, or in position ready for launch. The hanger can be shown open or closed. The main gun can rotate and elevate. You can model one or both of the VLS systems to show some of thecells with open hatches revealing the missile nose cones beneath them. Lots of options like this on this model.

The instructions are very nicely done with easy to understand steps, full color, and a lot of detail. There is a full color painting scheme provided for correctly painting the vessel. As this is part of my <a href="http://www.freewebs.com/jeffhead/modelbuilds/PRC-CV-01.htm">PLAN Aircraft Carrier</a> strike group, the paint scheme will be the same as that of the carrier in major colors.

The decal sheet is also included which is well done including all of the markings necessary to depict DDG-173,Changsha.

The model comes in a very nice, heavy cardboard box with nice graphics, and a separate glossy graphic of the vessel depicted on the cover is included inside.

Here are pictures of everything you get:


The hull comes in two pieces, and a stiffner plate located just above the waterline. There is a fourth piece for the stern.

I glued the stiffner plate in first on one side and allowed it to become relatively dry...then I glued the other side onto that. I used some rubber bands to ensure a tight fit all long the seam.

I then painted the entire lower hull in Model Master's Light Gray, which I will use for all of the vertical panels for the various deck houses.


Next I will add the props, screws and rudders, and then mask off the lower hull and paint it hull red. I will do the initial painting for the various parts on the sprues, and paint all of the weather decks in TEstor's gray.

I hope to add the main deck and main deck house, including the landing pad, in the next session too.



- By Mar 31, 2014, complete the PLAN Changsha, DDG-173.
- By May 31, 2014, Complete the Russian Udaloy II DDG and the Russian Kuznetsov carrier.
- By Jul 31, 2014, Start the US Navy Amphibious Ready Group centered on the Gallery USS Wasp with an LHD, an LPD, a DDG, a SSN and two LCS.
- By Sep 31, 2014, Start the PLAN Amphibious Ready Group centered on the Trumpeter Type 071 LPD-999, with a FFG, and three DDGs.
- By Nov 31, 2014 Go back and start fleshing out the rest of the DDG and FFG escorts for each CSG and ARG group.

The completion of the PLAN Carrier group, centered on the already completed , (in addition to the other escorts already completed) included Mini Hobby's's PLAN Guangzhou, DDG-168. I recently pre-ordered a 1/350 scale model of the PLAN Type 071 LPD, Yuzhao Class, announced by Trumpeter and due out in October, 2013. I will end up adding two of those, propbably LPD-998 Yuzhao and LPD-999, Jinggangshan, add the PLAN- DDG-139, Ningbo, and the PLAN DDG-115, Shenyang, along with the PLAN Weifang, FFG-550 and thus build a PLAN ARG.

The completion of the US Carrier Strike group, centered on the completed , (in addition ot the other escorts already completed) included Trumpeter's, USS Freedom, LCS-1, Dragon's USS Preble, DDG-88 and Hobby Boss's USS Texas, SSN-775. When a 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN-80 (or any Gerald R. Ford Class) is released from Trumpeter, Tamiya, Dragon, or whomever else, I will add it to this group along with another AEGIS Cruiser. Whichever Ford Class coms out in 1/350 scale, I will build it as the USS Enterprise, CVN-80.

The US ARG will include (which I have already completed), Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Iwo Jima LHD-7, Gallery's 1/350 scale USS Sommerset, LPD-25, Bronco Models 1/350 Scale USS New York, LPD-21, Cyber Hobby's USS Independence, LCS-2, Acadamy's 1/350 scale USS Rueben James, FFG-57, and another Flight IIA US AEGIS class detroyer based on Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Lassen, DDG-82...all of these models which I already own.

The UK Group is (as shown) featuring the Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Illustrious as its centerp[iece until a 1/350 scale Queen Elizabeth carrier is released. When that happens, I will add that carrier to the group as its centerpiece. The Royal Navy CSG will also include two Airfix 1/350 scale Daring Class DDGs (one of which is already completed), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Type 23 HMS Duke class Frigates (one of which is already completed), and the Hobby Boss 1/350 scale HMS Astute SSN (which is also already completed) and Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Tragalgar SSN. One day, when a 1/350 scale HMS Ocean LPD come out, I will use tt to start building a Royal Navy ARG.

The French CSG is centered on Heller's 1/400 scale . I have purchased the 1/400 scale Heller French De Grasse, D612 DDG, which is an ASW DDG, the French Duquesne, D603 DDG which is an anti-air multi-purpose DDG, and the French Aconit F713 FFG and Guepratte F714 FFGs, both of which are Lafayette class frigates. These five vessels will round out my French CSG. As soon as a French Robin class nuclear sub, like the French Perale S606 SSN is released in 1/350 or 1/400 scale, I will add that to the group. Also as soon as the Forbin D620, Horizon class anti-air DDG is released in 1/350 or 1/400 scale, I will purchase two of them and replace the De Grrasse and Duquesne with them, and then save those two for when a Mistral Class LPD is released in 1/350 or 1/400 scale so I can create a French ARG with those vessels.

The Japanese JMSDF group will be centered on Fujimi's very finely detailed, 1/350 scale Hyuga, DDH-181, which I own. It will be escorted by Trumpeter's 1/350 scale DDG-177, Atago, an AEGIS class DDG and the JMSDF, DDG-174, Kongo class (which I own), Trumpeters's 1/350 scale DDG-114 Susunami and DDG-111 (both of which are Takinami Class DDGs which I own), and by the 1/350 scale SS-503 Hakuryu (which I own), one of Japans new, very modern and capable AIP Diesel Electric submarines. As soon as a DDG-115 Akizuki in 1/350 scale is released, I will add it to this group. Should a 1/350 scale Osumi Class LPD be relased, I will buy two of those vessels and create a JMSDF ARG.

Then, finally it will be a complete Russian CSG (centered on Trumpeter's Kuznetsov which I own) the Russian Kirov Class nuclear battle cruiser (CGN), the Peter the Great, by Trumpeter (which I own), the Russian Slava Class cruiser, Varyag by Trumperter (which I own), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Udaloy DDGs (which I own), Hobby Boss's Akula II class SSN (which I own), and the new Yasen class Russian SSN (which I own), all in 1/350 scale. Some time in the more distant future when a 1/350 scale Russian version of the French Mistral class comes out (which is building in real life right now), I will add two of those and build a Russian ARG.

Recently I purchased Heller's 1/400 scale Foch, the Clemceau Class carrier that was sold to the Brazilians in 2000 and in 2002 was refitted and became the Brazilian CV, Sao Paulo, using steam catapaults. I will build the model as the Sao Paulo and thus start a Brazilian group, though the Type 22 DDGs and the FFGs the Brazilians use are not available at present. I have however purchased a set of 1/400 scale A-4 Skyhawks and S-3 Trackers to build a suitable airwing for the Sao Paulo.

Then, again, once the models are available, I'd like to build an Italian Carrier Strike Group centered on the Cavour and their Horizon DDGs, a Spanish Carrier Strike Group centered on the Juan Carlos and their F-100 AEGIS FFGs, and ultimatly an Australian Strike Group centered on the new Canberra Class LPD and the Hobart class AEGIS DDGs. If they ever build the models, an Indian Carrier Strike Group centered on either the Vikramaditya or their new ADS Carrier, the Vikrant, and their Kolkata class DDGs and Shivlak class FFGs would also be nice.

Years more worth of work!

You can see all of these actual carriers, read their histories and specifictions at my site:



...and most of their surface escorts at:

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Jeff enjoy the modeling, but:

Jeff Head said:

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The Photo Etch spure, the Decal Sheet, and the Paint Scheme.

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there must have been something beneath it and the hull looks warped

It's just a close-up shot of this obviously the booklet is not flat.

Jura said:

there must have been something beneath it and the hull looks warped

Click to expand...

It's a pic of a page of the instructions.

When opened to that page, the page itself folds over and has distortion.

As you shall see, the molded very well according to the actual lines of the vessel, and corresponds to an accurate 1/350 scale version of those lines.

How's the product quality of the model?

Blackstone said:

How's the product quality of the model?

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It's very good.

A lot of people like to compare Trumpeter with Dragon/Bronco. They both have their points.

Trumpeter usually has a lot more small, plastic detail parts. This makes for a nice finish if you have the patience for it...but it also increases the cost.

Dragon/Bronco typically molds a lot of the small details directly into the various deck houses. And they do a good job of it. Still, the finished product does not have the crispness to its detail...but ther kits usually cost less.

This kit has a fair amount of small detail parts, and includes a good Photo Etch set (which many times Trumpeter also includes) to allow for a very complete, detailed model right out of the box, without having to buy after-market kits.

I will end up building two of these...172 which is D1, and 173 (which I am working on now), which is D2.

...more progress coming on this thread, with a bunch more pics of that progress, after this post.

For this session I started by painting the weather decks...the main deck and the various decks on the main deck house. These were painted in a Testor's Flat Grey. I then added all of the stabilizors, props, and rudders to the lower hull.


As this was drying, I began building the various weapons systems. Each of these represents a small assembly itself. They include the 130mm main gun mounted on the foreward main deck. This is a new gun the Chinese have develpo-ed and is supposedly capable of firing eextended range munitions. I then built the Type 730 Close in Weapons System (CIWS). This is a sevenn barrelled 30mm gatlin gun used for close-in anit-aircraft and anti-missile defense. it is mounted on the auxillary deck just aft of the forward vertical launch missile cells and in front of the bridge. I then built the FL-300N missile launcher. This is a 24 cell missile launcher mounted on top of the forward portion of the hanger. This is alos used for anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense and is similar to the US Navy RAM missile launchers. Finally, I painted and added the vetical launch systems (VLS), the two 32 cell launchers which are mounted forward between the main gun and the forward CIWS, and aft, in the main deck house foreward of the hanger. More on these later as their are options to show missile hatches opn and the underlying missile(s).


I then completed the various other major deck houses that attach to the main deck house and glued them in place. This includes the smoke stacks, the housing for the VHF antennae amidships, and the underlying structutre for the main mast above the bridge. In addition, I addded the large, square/flat Phased Array Radars (PARs) that are on the main deck house. Finally, I assembled and painted, and then attached the main radar sensors on the main and auxillary deck houses.


With that, it was time to paint the lower hull, below the waterline. This is done in a Hull Red, which for the PLAN vessels I am using Tuscany from to depict it. I then added the main deck house, the aft helo pad, and the forward gun decks to the hull. Looking very good now, really showing off the lines and major equipment and armament of the new PLAN Type 052D class.


That last pic is a good representation of how the model is coming together.

With that, the next seesion will take me through the weekend and hoopefully allow me to accomplish quite a bit. I hope to get the various details of the main deck completed in that session, and perhaps start on the photo etch details.

Jeff did the model comes with any paint? It looks like you are using your own paint.

no_name said:

Jeff did the model comes with any paint? It looks like you are using your own paint.

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I don't think any of these models come with paint.

@Jeff: do you feel that these modern ships with clean lines and large flat surfaces make it significantly easier/faster to build models compared to WWII warships? Which type of ships do you enjoy building more?

no_name said:

Jeff did the model comes with any paint? It looks like you are using your own paint.

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Generally, they do not come with paint.

Some of the AIRFIX special editions models, and the Heller models come with enough paint to do the one model.

However, there are so many good paint suppliers out there, with such a significant avaialbility of virtually any color, that I prefer to buy my paints and then use them as I build.

T_U_P said:

@Jeff: do you feel that these modern ships with clean lines and large flat surfaces make it significantly easier/faster to build models compared to WWII warships? Which type of ships do you enjoy building more?

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Well, in the 1/350 scale range thre are so many details, even on the newer stealth ships, that there is still a lot to do.

The 1/350 scale ships in the numbers and variety that they are available today is a reltively new thing. Over the last 20 years they have really become very much available.

Generally, a World War II destroyer does have more external detail. But an Arleigh Bukre class, for example, is also quite detailed and is quite a bit larger than the old Fletcher Class destroyers...and with that size, comes more parts and detailing.

Now, the Type 45 Daring Class and I imagine something like the new Zunmwalt class will not have as many details in terms of fittings, external equipment, weapons systems, etc. These vessels, and the Type 052C do not have quite as much equipment and detail on the main and other weather decks as a Burke...but they have quite a bit just the same.