USS Freedom, LCS-1 in 1/350 scale. Trumpeter kit#4549 by Jeff Head

About the ship:
This model is a 1/350 scale model depiction of the US Navy's USS Freedom, LCS-1, Littoral Combat Ship.

In the mid 2000s, the United States Navy identified a need for a completely new class of combat vessel, specifically designed to fight in serveral ways in the littoral waters, with a shallow draft, very fast sprint dspeeds, and the ability to conduct anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, mine counter measures, and landing and supporting special forces in the shallow, near to the coast, littoral waters. These vessels would have to be stealthy, network centric, and capable of also performing escort duites, particularly in the anti-submarine role for other task forces if called upon. As such, they were to be called Littoral OCmbat Ships (LCS) and would end up replaceing the older Perry Class Frigates, Avenger Class counter-mine vessels, and other vessels associated with the missions this ship was meant to conduct.

The vessels would be either large corvette or light frigates in displacement, around 3,000-3,500 tons. They would have to consist of a basic armament suite, but would also allow for significant space internal to the vessel to accomodate one or two "mission packs," that would customize them to the specific mission they were meant to perform on that specific mission. Furthermore, these "mission packs," would have to be able to be changed out within a 24 hour period at forward operating bases so the vessels could change their mission as required.

Initially several companies submitted bids, but this was relatively quickly narrowed down to two manufacturers. One headed by Lockheed Martin building n advanced mono-plane hull design, and the second headed by Grumman with a new, trimaren hull design. Both had pros and cons for their specific designs, and both were meeting the requirements. In the final run-off the companies each built one vessel, and then were authorized to build another one. When the Navy tested both designs it found both adequate and then went ahead and signed contracts for each company to build another ten of each vessel.

The total requirement is for 55 vessels. Current contracts will produce 24 vessels, 12 of each variant. It is not known at the end of that time whether the US Navy will then decide on a single contractor to provide the additional 21 vessels, or continue to build both. At this point (March 2013) most analyst believe it is likely that both vessels will be built in number of anywhere from 26-30 vessels each.

The Lockheed design is the USS Freedom class of Littoral Combat Ships after which this model is depecited. These vessels will have odd pennant numbers, beginning with LCS-1 for the USS Freedom. So far two have been built (USS Freedom, LCS-1, and USS Fort Worth, LCS-2), and another two are under construction. The USS Freedom is beginning its second deployment as this build is occurring, being deployed to the western Pacific and the South China Sea. In that mission she is sporting a new camouflage paint pattern similar to World War II patterns as shown above in the pictures of her.

The second, Trimaren design by Grumman is called the Independence Class of Littoral Combat Ships and they will be numbered with even numbered pennants, starting with LCS-2, the USS Independence. Two of those have also been built (USS Independence, LCS-2 and USS Coronado, LCS-4), with another two of those under construction. A model build of the USS Independence class LCS will be forth coming.

The Kit:
The Trumpeter model kit is a couple of years old and is a typical Trumpeter...very strong kit with lots of detail, photo etched parts, and numerous options. I have also purchased and will soon be receiving the Bronco, LCS-3, USS Ft. Worth model in 1/350 scale that has recently come out. When I build that model, I will compare the two. Both seem very good with extensive details for the sensors, hangars, well deck areas, hull cut-outs for launches, etc. There are some differences. For example the Bronco model has an option for a waterline hull version, and it includes the lengthened flight deck of the USS Ft. Worth that covers the entire aft well deck opening (a small well deck that both vessels have for launching and recovering unmanned water vehicles and special forces. In addition, the Ft. Worth has clear plastic for the aft, helo flight deck observation windows as well, which are lacking in the Trumpeter model (you have to paint them in). Having said that, a lot of the detail that Trumpeter includes as small pieces, and which when correctly done can provide a more detailed and realistic look, are modled into the Bronco model. For example, the stack outlets which are seprate pieces on the Trumpeter model, are molded into the stack area of the Bronco model. It will be intersting to compare the builds and I am sure both will look great when complete.

As has already been stated, on this Trumpeter model, there is a wealth of detail in its plastic molded parts, but also includes three frets of Photo Etch parts for railing, sensors, gratings, and tie downs. Every one of the 120 tie down spots on the landing deck, which are molded into the deck with their repective indentations, has a tie down cover in PE for a very realistic look to that flight deck.

The plastic parts are on six sprues with the hull (a complete hull, no waterline option out of the box...you would have to cut the hull accordingly, but that is okay, I build mine full hull to show the propulsion), the main deck, and the main deck house included as seperate pieces. One of the plastic sprues is a clear plastic mold for the windows on the bridge. The model comes with a very adequate water slide-on decal set, but is only configured to depict the USS Freedom.
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The instructions are very well done with 12 pages of very detailed and yet intuitive explanations. There is a full color color scheme that depicts the colors and the locations for the decals, and calls out the specific colors and their numbers for several different paint suppliers.

All in all a very good looking, out of the box kit that looks fun to build, with a lot of detail, but straight forward enough for the relative novice who has the right tools and the patience.

Here's how she looks out of the box:


And here are several pictues of the instructions and the paint scheme:


- By Apr 15, 2013: Complete entire US Carrier Group (Including USS Preble, DDG-88 and USS Texas, SSN-775)
- By Jun 15, 2013: Start the UK Carrier Group Centered on Airfix's HMS Illustrious.
- By Aug 15, 2013: Start the JMSDF Carrier Group Centered on Fujimi's JMSDF Hyuga.
- By Oct 15, 2013: Start the French Carrier group centered on Heller's Charles de Gaulle.
- By Dec 15, 2013, Start the US ARG centered on the USS Iwo Jima and USS Sommerset.

The completion of the PLAN Carrier group, centered on the already completed , (in addition to the other escorts already completed) will incluide Mini Hobby's's PLAN Guangzhou, DDG-168. If a 1/350 scale model of the PLAN Type 071 LPD, Yuzhao Class, is ever released, I will add one of those, propbably LPD-999, Jinggangshan, add the PLAN- DDG-139, Ningbo, and perhaps the PLAN DDG-115, Shenyang, and build a PLAN ARG.

The completion of the US Carrier Strike group, centered on the completed , (in addition ot the other escorts already completed) will include Trumpeter's, USS Freedom, LCS-1, Dragon's USS Preble, DDG-88 and Hobby Boss's USS Texas, SSN-775. (All of which I already own). 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. Whatever Ford Class coms out, I will build her as the USS Enterprise, CVN-80.

The UK Group will indlude the Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Illustrious (which I already own), two Airfix 1/350 scale Daring Class DDGs (which I also already have), two Trumpeter 1/350 scale Type 23 HMS Duke class Frigates (which I already own), and the Hobby Boss 1/350 scale HMS Astute SSN and Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Tragalgar SSN (both of which which I already own). One day, when a 1/350 scale HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier and a 1/350 HMS Ocean LPD come out, I will add both.

The French CSG will be centered on Heller's 1/400 scale Charles De Gualle (which I already own). 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 Gueprattet 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 tow for when a Misteral Class LPD is released 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-178, Ahigara (which I have purchased), Trumpeters's 1/350 scale DDG-114 Susunami (A Tachanami Class DDG 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 soo as a DDG-115 Akizuki in 1/350 scale is released, I will add it to this group.

The completion of 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, Bronoc Models 1/350 Scale USS New York, LPD-21, Cyber Hobbies USS Independence, LCS-2, Acadamy's 1/350 scale USS Rueben James, FFG-57, and andother 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.

Then, finally it will be a complete Russian CSG (centered on Trumpeter's Kuznetsov which is available but I have not purchased yet) 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 , which I have already completed.

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 Group centered on the Cavour and their Horizon DDGs, a Spanish Group centered on the Juan Carlos and their F-100 AEGIS FFGs, and ultimatly an Australian Group centered on the new Canberra Class LPD and the Hobart class AEGIS DDGs. If they ever build the models, an Indian 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 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:

I determined to build the main deck house, without the significant detail to begin with, so I could paint it in its basic colors after painting the hull. This involved putting the front pieces with the bridge windows on the large part that represents the main deck house (the fit for these angled pieces which included the openings for the bridge windows was very good), putting on the smoke stack area atop the main deck house, building an extended area aft of the smoke stacks, and building the helo hanger (which is very nicely detailed) into the aft portion of the main deck house. The main deck house is going to sit flush to both sides of the main deck which fits down onto the hull all across the hull. This fit is critical because it provides continuous sides at the apprpriate anti-radar angles.


Once that initial construction was completed, it was time to start painting the hull. I intend to paint the hull initially in its standard colors, with the below water line US Navy hull red (for me a mix of Testors flat red and flat brown, 2 to 1), the black waterline marker, and the upper surfaces in Neutral Gray. Later, I will come back and add the other two shades of gray and black that make up the new camouflage scheme the vessel is currently using. Here's how the painting of the waterline marker and lower hull went:


That is where the build is at at this point. Over the weekend I should be able to spend significant time on the build and hope to have the entire hull painted, with the main deck and main deck house attached with some of the main deck house details, and perhaps the main mast on.


The next step for me was to complete the painting of all the basic vertical and horizontal surface in preparation for putting them altogether. This included detailing the bridge area which comes with the commander's console, the main console, and all of the command seats. I dtailed this area somewhat more, adding doors on the bulkhead, and other instrumentation and stations aloing the aft bulkhead in the bridge area. I then built the various launches and completed the intial construction on the well deck area. Here's how that looked:


I then did the detailing in the well deck area, adding railings and other details which I had to add before adding the main deck. I also completed the hangar bay.


In the next session I will add the main deck and the main deck house to the hull. I will then detail the ramp into the well deck, detail the deck house and forward main deck, complete the mast, and add all of the principle weapons systems as well as a few additional weapons I feel the LCS coulduse in its basic wepaons fit.

I glued the main deck to the hull and it was an extremley good fit. There is a cut out for the port side launch inset that has to fit, and once that occurs, the recess all along the hull is almost a perfect match for the main dek. I then added the Main Deck House, which constitutes all of the structure above the main deck. This fit absolutely perfectly on the port side (the side with the cut-out for the launch on that side), but was off just a couple of millimeters on the starboard side. The resuslt is almost seemles on the port side with a small seem on the starboard side. I then detailed the aft launch ramp as well as adding the tie down cleats for docking in the aft starboard opening for that launch. Here's how all that went:


Then it was a matter of completing the mast and adding it to the ship. There is a single main mast on this vessel and in this kit it is made up of numerous parts when you include all of the antennae and sensors....which inlcudes a very fine PE antennae at the very top part of the mast of the forward side. 20 PArts altogether in the mast alone.

In addition, I bgan adding the weapons fit, detailing them as I went. This included the 57mm rapid fire main naval gun, which is a dual purpose (DP) gun for firing on surface targets or air targets. This gun is mounted forward on the main deck.

The kit includes four fifty caliber machine guns for close in, anti-small craft protection. The kit comes with very good PE blast and protective shiled which must be painted and then delicately added to the machine guns on their mounts. I chose to add these while the mounts were still on the sprues. Sometimes adding delicate PE parts to other parts while those parts have the stability and added strength of the sprues is a good way to go. Also, these weapons are shown all mounted on the aft portion of the vessel. Two on the deck house above the hangar, and two on the very stern of the vessel. I know that there are also two mounts for these wepaons on the bow of the ship, and I determined to add the two on the deck house facing aft, and drill holes for and add the two on the bow...which I did. I wish I had two more and I would add them to the stern and perhaps some day I will have some extras to make this addition.

These were built and added as shown below.

Continuing with the weapons, the vessel in this configuration is armed with two 30mm Bushmaster auto cannons, which are the same auto cannons fitted to the San Antonio Class LPDs. These are located on the main deck house,covering the entore aft and port and starboard sides of the vesssel. The standard standard loadout also includes a Mk-144 RAM launcher with 21 short range RIM-116 ROlling Airframe Missiles (RAM) which are very good for either aircraft or anti-shipping missiles threatening the ship.

Having added these, I note that many naval analysts feel that the vessel is underarmed in it's basic anti-air defense, as well as its anti-surface capability. The planned NLOS medium weight and medium range missiles (which the ship would have carried up to 40 of in the anti-surface mission), were cancelled and the Navy has chosen the extremely short range and light Griffin missile as an interim solution. These are only good out to 10-12 kilometers and while they may be adequate for "swarming" small craft the vessel may meet in the littorals, they are wholly inadequate for the Corvette or small Frigate size vessels the ship is also likel to face. Those larger enemey combatants will carry four to eight longer range (60-120 km) missiles which the LCS will not be able to answer from the vessel itself and would have to rely on the embarked helos to get to those agressor vessels and deal with them with either Hell Fire or Penguin missiles.

So, I also added the following "extra" weapons to the model which I feel are the minimum, and also least expense, to address these issues. Call it the LCS+. The fact is both Lockheed and Grumman have upgraded weapons systems available for both ships should any purchasr desire to take advantage of them. So, knowing these specific weapons I added are capable of being added to the ship, I added a single eight cell mk-41 launcher between the two 30mm auto cannons. The eight cells would be loaded with quad packed Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles, making 32 missiles in all, to augment the 21 short range RAM missiles and give the vessel very good short range and medium range protection against all current airborne threats. In addition, I added two dual cannister Harpoon missile launchers behind the stacks. This will give the vessel four anti-shipping missiles which are among the world's finest anti-surface/ship missiles with a range in excess of 150 km.

Here's how all of that ended up looking, with some pictures of the overall progess to date.

Completing the 1/350 scale USS Freedom, LCS-01, model


Alright, I was able to get the decals on. The warning circles for the weapons (where the larger one for the gun cam in two sections, and the one for the CIWS was a full circle, but since I had already installed the Phalanx, I had to cut out a section to account for a deflectror), and the helo pad which was actually nine seperate decals. HAving a large single piece helo pad is much easier to install, put also much more difficult to make look as good because the decal material covers the entire surface in that area, and evn with the poper initial coat of gloss, the decals, some decal set, and then coats of dull coat afterwards, though the edges themselvess can be made to not be obvious, the entire surface takes on a different hue. with the hwole thing being seperate decals, it is harder to line them up perfectly, but if you do, you end up with a much more realistic appearance. Here's how mine looked:


Then it was time to put on the Photo Etch(PE) plates, vents, and sensors for the upper portion of the deck house, above the bridge, and along the port and starboard side of the deck house. There were raised lines for these so I suppose they could have just been painted, but the textures and grates on these pieces looked much better whne painted in a slightly darker gray (and I used Testors Flat gray) looked like they would be much better. So, I used the PE and these relly made the vessel look good.:


And now it was time for the Phot Etched railings and ladders. These came cut to fit with this model and the nbedning was all straight forward because they were cut into sections where the bends were all at section posts in the railings. These went together very well, as did the ladders and the help pad safety netting. Once this was done, I touched up the vessel, and then covered it with two good solid coats of dull coat to finish the model. I decided at this point not to do the new camo pattern being used for the littoral operations in the South China Sea for the USS Freedom currently. I will use this model as a part of the escort for my CSG, and will use the USS Ft.Worth, LCS-3, by Bronco models to be a part of my Amphibious Ready group and pain it in those camo colors when I build it.

Here's how the model looks, the USS Freedom, LCS-1 in 1/350 scale:


All in all a very nice look and I am very satisfied with the Trupmeter build and the few additions I made to her. Great detail, great fits, lots of internal detail options which show up real well, and an excellent kit. I'll compare it to the bronco USS Ft. Worth, LCS-3 when I build it later for my ARG.