My Review and Build of Trumpeter's 1/72 scale Kit #01664,JH-7A Flying Leopard
Introduction and What's in the Box - December 9, 2014,
Introduction - The Chinese JH-7A Strike Aircaft:
The Xian Aircraft Industry Corporation JH-7A is a 4+ generation Chinese tandem two-seat, twin-engine fighter-bomber in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The JH-7A is the new build, improved variant of the original JH-7 which entered service in the 1990s. The JH-7A, was developed specifically to give the PLAN and PLAAF precision strike capability and to do so carrying a significantly larger load than the original JH-7. This is because the JH-7A has an all new, stronger, lighter airframe which allows the aircraft to carry a maximum ordnance load of 9000 kg, which can include up to four YJ-82 anti-ship missiles.
Other innovations for the JH-7A include a domestic Chinese helmet mounted sight (HMS) which is compatible with Chinese air-to-air and air-to-surface ordinance, and with airborne sensors such as radars and electro-optics which are slaved to HMS. The JH-7A has newer, more modern electronics including the BM/KJ-8605 jammer, a Type 271 radar altimeter, fully digitized fly-by-wire flight control system, and a JL-10A pulse Doppler radar. This enables the JH-7A to employ precision guided munitions.
The JH-7A has six, underwing hard points for munitions, and another station under the fuselage. It also has two forward stations under the fuselage for various jammers, sights, and other electronics, making for a total of nine stations.
These aircraft have a minimum speed of Mach 1.75, an 1,100 mile combat radius and a service altitude in excess of 50,000 feet. They are mainstay strike aircraft for the PRC's modern aircraft.
JH-7A Flying Shark Specifications:
Crew: 2
Length: 22.32 m (73 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 12.8 m (41 ft 7 in)
Height: 6.22 m (20 ft 4 in)
Empty weight: 14,500 kg[22] (31,900 lb)
Max Take-off Weight: 28,475 kg[23] (62,720 lb)
Enginese: 2 × Xian WS-9 afterburning turbofans
Dry Thrust: 2 x 54.29 kN (12,250 lbf)
Thrust w/afterburner: 2 x 91.26 kN (20,515 lbf)
Max Speed: Mach 1.75 Mach
Combat Radius: 1,759 km (890 nm, 1,093 mi)
Service Ceiling: 16,000 m (51,180 ft)
Armament:
- 1× GSh-23L 23mm twin-barrel autocannon,
- 4 x AAW Missiles (PL-12, R-77), and
- 4 x Anti-surface/ship missiles, or
- 4 x Anti-radiation (radar) missiles, or
- Combination of missiles, bombs, rockets, etc.
Hardpoints: 9 external hardpoints, 3 under each wing, 2 wing-tip, 1 under-fuselage) capacity of 9,000 kg (20,000 lb) external fuel and ordnance
The JH-7A a modern, supersonic, strike aircraft for the Chinese Navy (ground based) and Air Force that has precision strike capabilities. It has been produced in numbers and represents a powerful force that the Chinese leadership has at its disposal for pursuing its national interests.
The Kit:
This is a new trumpeter model that represents the latest model JH-7A Flying Leopard and is a significant advancement for Trumpeter over their older JH-7 variant model.
This is the only JH-7A Flying Leopard kit available to my knowledge in any scale, and is modeled in 1/72 scale. it comes with eight sprues molded in gray, one sprue molded in clear plastic (the canopy) and one Photo Etch sprue for various cockpit details (like the seat belts). There are a total of 212 part.
The fuselage is in four pieces with two halves for the major portion of the fuselage and a nose cone and tail-pipe/jet exhaust piece for the two engines. The cockpit has decent detailing with decent ejection seat detail, controls and raised surfaces for the various instrumentation. it comes with good decals for the instrumentation, but I will probably hand paint the details because the raised instrumentation will lend itself to doing that very nicely.
As with all modern Trumpeter kits, it has been well molded and has very little to no flash or leftovers from the injection molding process.
The landing gear bays are well detailed and the gear can be built either in the raised or lowered position.
There are some very decent modern, indigenous Chinese armaments included with the model including the following:
4 x KD-88 anti-radiation missiles that can be built as either the "L" or "R" variants.
4 x YJ-83 Anti-shipping missiles.
2 x PL-5 Short Range Anti-aircraft missiles.
2 x PL-12 Medium Range Anti-aircraft missiles.
1 x Electronic Counter Measure Pod.
1 x Precision Guidance Pod.
1 x Centerline Fuel Tank.
I will build it with a full weapons load of all of four AAW missiles, 4 ASM missiles and the centerline fuel tank, as well as the two pods.
The decal sheet is nice with a great depiction of the Flying Leopard with authentic Chinese markings for the aircraft and weapons. Numerous panel markings are included for a total of o2120 decals.
The instructions are well done, as it typical for Trumpeter, with intuitive diagrams, and a very nice, full color painting scheme for the aircraft (on one side) and the weapons (on the other side)
I have some other 1/72 scale Chinese aircraft to build to represent the most modern Chinese aircraft in addition to the JH-7A.
- J-11B Flanker Air Superiority Fighter by Trumpeter.
- H-6F Badger Bomber by Trumpeter, I intend to modify it to the latest "K" version.
- Z-10 Fierce Thunderbolt Attack helicopter by Hobby Boss.
These will go along with the following that I have already built in 1/72 scale:
- J-15 Flying Shark by Trumpeter, which is the Chinese aircraft carrier strike fighter.
- J-10S Vigorous Dragon by Trumpeter.
- J-20 Mighty dragon 5th generation stealth Fighter by Trumpeter.
Here are pictures of the JH-7A kit before starting the build:
The Build - Cockpit, Gear Bays, Fuselage - December 9, 2014
I began by gathering all of the pieces necessary to build the cockpit and painting them. it is a tandem, two place cockpit and so there are two of everything. The instrumentation is raised in the model so rather than grinding that down and using the decals, I decided to hand paint the instrumentation. I then assembled the cockpit.
Once this was completed I assembled the pieces for, painted, and began assembling the landing gear bays. These re relatively nicely detailed. The forward landing gear bay and the two main gear bays along either side of the fuselage. I then glued the main fuselage together, carefully adding the cockpit and landing gear bays in their appropriate positions.
At this point I assembled and added the wings, vertical stabilizer (tails) and the horizontal stabilizer. I also added the ventrals underneath the rear of the fuselage and the air intakes. With all of these added, I was then able to paint the entire fuselage in the Ghost Gray I am using for the PLAN aircraft. I also built and painted the tail exhaust section for the two engines and painted the nose cone, which I will add in the next session.
This is looking nice indeed.
In the next session I will add the tail section, the nose cone, the landing gear and the weapons pylons, and perhaps build and paint the weapons.
The Build - Landing Gear, Pylons, and Weapons - December 11, 2014
I began this session by gluing the nose cone and the engine exhaust sections onto the fuselage. Then it was time to build the landing gear. The gear on this aircraft are hefty...strong. Each has dual wheels/tires, including the front gear.
I painted the main landing gear, as well as the various struts, supports, and shocks in their blue and silver coloring.
I then added the main and front gear structure to the aircraft.
At this point I painted the wheels and tires. These all come as individual pieces so there was no need to glue halves together. The tires are flat black, and the wheels are they typical Chinese green (which they took I suppose from the Russians). I then added these wheels/tires to the aircraft.
Like I said, these landing gear are hefty. Very strongly built.
At this point I added the pylons. Before I could do that I needed to add the underside decal markings for the Chinese aircraft because the pylons in this case cover them. I then painted the pylons and let them dry. They are all single, individual pieces but have very decent panel and structural detail.
Then I added the three under each wing, the centerline pylon between the main landing gear, and the two small pylons for the pods forward of the main gear on either side under the fuselage.
She's looking like a fearsome Flying Leopard now.
And to add to that fierce nature, what better than to assemble the weapons. In this session I will have time to build them. They are all small assemblies themselves with anywhere from two pieces (the centerline fuel tank and the pods, to six pieces for various missiles.
I have decided to make the weapons fit for this aircraft the following:
2 x PL-5 Short Range, Infrared Anti-aircraft missiles
2 x PL-12 Medium Range, Radar guided, anti-aircraft missiles
2 x Yj-83 Anti-shipping missiles
2 x K-88 Anti-radiation missiles
1 x Centerline Fuel Tanks
1 x Guidance pod
1 x ECM pod
This is a heavy, attack load out, with ample self defense included in case of encountering opposition air craft.
I went ahead and assembled all of these, let them dry, and then arranged them as they will fit onto the aircraft.
That's going to be a very capable load out, and the aircraft is going to look very good.
In my next session I will paint all of the weapons and add their decals and then position them on the aircraft. I will also add the numerous details (antennae, air scoops, fairings, etc.) to the fuselage, and paint and add the canopy.
If I get the chance I will also add the decals but it will probably be that I add the many decals this kit offers in my final session.
The Build - Canopy, Details, Painting and Placing Weapons - December 12, 2014
The canopy for this aircraft comes in a single piece. In life, the sections over both the pilot and back seater open separately. It would be difficult, but the canopy is scored and could be cut to depict the two canopies open. I chose to show them closed.
I panted the canopy oin the Light Ghost gray that I have been painting the entire fuselage in. This had to be carefully done with small brushes.
I then added the numerous details to the fuselage which includes the various antennae, scoops, the gun, and other details...including the targeting and ECM pods, which I had also painted.
I had already painted the various weapons as well. These eight weapons, the two PL-5 air to air missiles, the two PL-12 air to air missiles, the two YJ-83 air to surface missiles, and the two KD-88 anti-radiation missiles were then added to their pylons.
With the canopy (which I have just dry fitted for now...I will glue it after adding the last two dull coats to the model), the details, and the weapons added to the model, this JH-7A Flying Leopard for the Chinese is nearing completion.
The next session will be the final session for the model and I will add all of the decals, do the touch up, and then apply the final dull coats and glue on the canopy.
She's looking very good now.
The Build - Decals and completing the model - December 13, 2014
There are a lot of decals for this model. Some of them are so small as to be illegible. Bit outside of that, it is very comprehensive. I ended up putting over 100 decals on...many of them various panel marking. A lot of time involved, and some of them were indeed small and required some effort to get into place and oriented properly. But I believe it came out fairly good.
At this point I had some touch up to do. Some of the glue smudged, and some of the paint was discolored in the assembly process and this needs to be fixed. I needed to paint the forward pitot tube the proper color and also touch up some other areas. Then it was time to give the aircraft two good coats of dull coat. This helps protect the decals and also gives a good, dull matt finish.
Finally, I glyed the canopy in place.
I believe it turned out very nicely.
...and here are some close ups showing some of the detail:
A very capable looking and well armed Chinese JH-7A Flying Leopard.
Schedule for Future Activities: December 13, 2014
- By Mar 15, 2015, Complete the US Navy Amphibious Ready Group centered on the Gallery USS Iwo Jima, a 2nd LPD, USS Somerset, LPD-25, a CG, a DDG, and another LCS.
- By Mar 16, 2015 Go back and start finishing the rest of the DDG and FFG escorts for each CSG and ARG group.
The completion of the PLAN Carrier group was centered on the already completed Trumpeter's 1/350 scale PLA Navy's Aircraft Carrier CV-16, Liaoning, (in addition to the other escorts already completed) included Mini Hobby'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, probably 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 was centered on the completed Tamyia's 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN-65, (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 Tamiya's 1/350 scale, USS Iowa, BB-62 (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, Academy's 1/350 scale USS Rueben James, FFG-57, and another Flight IIA US AEGIS class destroyer based on Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Lassen, DDG-82...all of these models which I already own.
The completion of the UK Group featured the Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Illustrious, R06 as its centerpiece 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 to start building a Royal Navy ARG.
The French CSG is centered on Heller's 1/400 scale Charles De Gualle, R91. 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 D612 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 Pearle 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 Grasse 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 completion of the Japanese JMSDF group was centered on Fujimi's very finely detailed, 1/350 scale Hyuga, DDH-181. 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 released, 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 Clemenceau Class carrier that was sold to the Brazilians in 2000 and in 2002 was refitted and became the Brazilian CV, Sao Paulo, using steam catapults. 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 ultimately 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 specifications at my site:
WORLD-WIDE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS