Introduction and What's in the Box- March 15, 2013
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 way in the littoral waters, with a shallow draft, very fast sprint speeds, and the ability to conduct anti-surface warfre, 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 Combat 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. 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 mon-plane hull design, and the second headed by Grumman with a new, trimaren 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 each. When the Navy tested both designs it found both adequate and then went ahead and let contracts for each company to build another ten of each vessel.
The Lockheed design is the USS Freedom class of Littoral Combat Ships after which this model is depicted. 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-3), 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 oin the pcitures 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 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 both 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 interesting 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 mone 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.
The instructions are very well done with 12 pages of very detailed and yet intuitive instructions. 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 lot numbers for several different paint options.
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:
The Build - INitial construction of the main deck house and painting the hull- March 15, 2012
I determined to build the main deck house, without the significant detail (to be added later), 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, 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 appropriate 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 (Falt Red-2prts and Flat brown-1prt), the flat black waterline marker, and the upper surfaces in Model Master 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.
SCHEDULE for Future Activities - March 15, 2013
- By May 01, 2013: Complete entire US Carrier Group (Including USS Freedom, LCS-1 and USS Texas, SSN-775)
- By Jun 15, 2013: Start the UK Carrier Group Centered on Airfix's HMS Illustrious.
- By Aug 01, 2013: Start the JMSDF Carrier Group Centered on Fujimi's JMSDF Hyuga.
- By Sep 15, 2013: Start the French Carrier group centered on Heller's Charles de Gaulle.
- By Nov 01, 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 Trumpeter's 1/350 scale PLA Navy's Aircraft Carrier CV-16, Liaoning, (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 Tamyia's 1/350 scale USS Enterprise, CVN-65, (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 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, 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 Russian Alfa Class SSN, 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:
WORLD-WIDE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
...and most of their surface escorts at:
AEGIS AND AEGIS-LIKE VESSELS OF THE WORLD