Airfix's 1/350 scale HMS Daring, D32, Type 45 Destroyer, OOB Review & Build Up, Kit #12203

Introduction and What's in the Box - April 2, 2013

Overview - Airfix and the 1/350 scale Type 45 Daring Class Destroyers:
So, I have been looking forward to building the Royal Navy's Carrier Strike groupo around the Illustrious, or "Lust," as she is known, and ultimately, especially around the new Queen Elizabeth CVF when she comes out. In particularly alos looking forward to building these Daring Class, Type 45 destroyers. They represent the most modern western design for major destroyer combatants, particularly for Air Defense. Some say better than the AEGIS Burkes...but I believe they are on par because there is such a huge wealth of knowledge on operating the Burke AEGIS system, and those vessels were designed to be continuously upgraded with new technologies, which they have been and are...also, they carry far more weapons and have the full multi-mission packages not only fitted for, but actually installed by Jove.

Anyhow, the Daring's are nontheless awesome vessels and I ma just sad the U.S.'s strongest ally had the total cut from 12 vessles (which for me was a minimum number) down to six vessels. Just wish there were all twelve of them as originally planned.

Anyhow, Airfix Model company builds excellent scale models, particularly of Royal Navy vessels like these. In many cases Airfix is the only place you can find certain Royal Navy vessels, particularly in 1/350 scale. This is true of the new anti-air Type 45, Daring Class Destroyers. These models were long waited, and there were many delays over a year and half's time in their completion and shipping. The demand was pent up and when they were finally relased late in 2012, they were extremely hard to come by and did not arrive in the United States until February. I had purchased two of them in advance (like last summer) from Free Time Hobbies in Georgia and as soon as they arrived they were shipped out to me. They are very nicely done as I will explain in the OOB Review and the build.

Introduction - Type 45 Daring Class Destroyers:
The Royal Navy Type 45, Daring Class destroyers had their origination in design studies originating in the 1990s. At that time a consortium which included Italy, France and Great Britian were studying and desiring to develop a next generation air defense destroyer that they could use for their fleets that would have a great deal of commonality.

As a result of differences in requirements, disagreements about where production and logisitical support would occur, and other issues, the United Kingdom dropped out of the consortium and developed their own vessels, while still utilizing portions of the consortium design.

The Italians and French went on to develop the Horizon Project destroyers which produced two modern area air defense destroyers for each country.

The British development turned into the Type 45, Daring Class air defense destroyers, and use the same PAAMS missile system, but also differ in some significant ways. The Principle Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) uses two missile varieties launched from the same Sylver vetical launch system (VLS). These are the Aster 15 short to medium range missile, and the Aster 30 medium to long range missile. Each vessel carrier six, eight cell launchers, for as total of forty-eight missiles, housed on the forward portion of the ship, just aft of the main 4.5" gun and forward of the bridge on the main deck. These 48 missiles comprose the main anti-air armament of the vessel. There is room between the two rows of three missile cells to house another row of three, eight cell Mk-41 VLS to house Tomohawk missiles, but these have not been added yet, though the vessels are designed with this capability in mind. This is one of the principle differences between the Daring and Horizon vessels.

These vessels use the SAMPSON defense system which is comprosed of a very powerful, 3 diminsional Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) system. When this APAR is coupled with the fire control system, the PAAMS Aster missiles and the Sylver VLS launchers, these systems as a whole allow the Daring class to individually track and engage five times the number of incoming missile or aircraft that a Type 42 destroyer, which the Darings replace, could engage. The Royal Navy indicates that the system is capable of tracking, engaging and destroying a cricket-ball sized object traveling at up to Mach 3 attacking the vessel from as far away as the 450 kilometer range of the ship's system, and further when data linked to other sensors that could feed the SAMPSON defense system.

The British believe that the Sampson System is the equal or better of the AEGIS system employed by the United States Navy and many of its other allies (including Spain, Japan, Korea, Norway and Australia). While it is true that the SAMPSON System is a newer system than AEGIS, the AEGIS system is modular and scalable and has been upgraded numerous times and represents a very mature design that is still improving. Which ever may be better than the other, both systems are highly capable overall ship and task force defense systems, and in the case of AEGIS, also Theater wide anti-ballistic missile defense platforms.

Originally twelve Type 45, Daring Class destroyers were to be built to serve as one for one replacements for the Type 42 class that they are replacing. Then, after a defense review in the early 2000s, it was decided in 2003 that eight vessels could fulfill the requirement, and so the number was reduced from twelve to eight. Then in 2008, the British government decided to not take up the contract on the last two vessels, and so six units were ultimately produced. The first, HMS Daring, D32 was launched in February 2006 and commissioned in July 2009. The long outfitting time was due to issues associated with the missile systems required for the ship. Once these issues were overcome the other ships were launched and commissioned regularly, with the last in class, Duncan, D37 being launched in October of 2010 and scheduled for commissioning here in the middle of 2013.

These vessels will make outstanding and critical escorts for the new Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers and Ocean and other large class Amphibious ships of the Royal Navy. In joint exercises they have already also proven to be very strong escorts, along with the US Navy AEGIS cruisers and destroyers, of American nuclear aircraft carriers.

Introduction - HMS Daring D32, and HMS Dragon, D35:
This build will really be for two Type 45, Daring Class destroyers. The initial vessel in class, HMS Daring, D32, and the fourth vessel in class, HMS Dragon, D35. I will be building both to serve as the principle air defense escorts for my Royal Navy, 1/1350 scale Carrier Strike group initially centered on the HMS Illustrious, last of the Invincible class carriers, and then ultimately for one of the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers when a 1/350 scale model kit for them comes out.

The Daring had its first steal cut in March 2003, was launched in February 2007, and commissioned into the Royal Nsvy in July 2009. The Dragon had first steel cut in December 2005, was launched in November 2008 and commissioned into the Royal Navy in April 2012. Both vessels have since served in joint operations with US Navy Carrier Strike Groups and have performed well.

Though initially the vessels were outiftted for, but not with, Harpoon missiles Systems, Tomohawk missiles Systems and 20mm Phalanx CIWS, the Phalanx 20mm CIWS have both been added since their commissioning. The Daring has been deployed to the Persian Gulf, the Norther Arabian Sea and has conducted anti-pirating missions in adjacent areas off the Horn of Africa. In that role she acted as the task force flagship ofr a large multi-national anti-piracy mission. She has also operated with US carrier groups. The Dragon, since her commissioning a year ago, has also operated with US Carrier groups in conducting joint operations.

Both ships displace just over 8,000 tons, making them the largest surface escorts of the destroyer class that the United Kingdom has every built. They are armed with the 48 cell Syver and PAAMS combination with Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles,, they have a 4.5" dual purpose main gun, two 20mm Phalanx CIWS, two 30mm autocannons for close in defense against small craft, and house either two Lynx or one Merlin helicopter for anti-submarine warfare duties. The compliment of these vessels consists of 190 sailors, non-commissioned officers, and officers.

What's in the Box:
The Type 45 destoyer kits from Airfix come in large, well constructed boxes. Inside you find all of the various spures for the vessel in a single, large bag. The hull is made up of four pieces. A port and starboard main hull that fit together for the entire length of the hull, extending well above the waterline, including the sides extending up to cover the main deck houses, a single aft piece that covers the fan tail of the vessel, and then a below the waterline single piece that can be built for a full hull model, or left off for a waterline design. I will be building the full hull vessels.

The main deck is a single piece with all deck houses molded into it. A nice feature is that each of the deck houses are covered on all four sides with seperate panels that provide significant detail for the sides of each deck house. This allows for very convienent painting where the decks can be pained without worry of having some of the sides of the deck houses painted because the side panels, themselves painted before hand, will fit over the deck house sides and end up with very clean lines for the painting between the decks and the vertical surfaces. The same applies for the vast majority of each side of the hull. The only places where any railing will occur on this vessel is right on the forward portion of the ship from the main deck house up just past the main gun, a small area surrounding the decks that house the 30mm autocannons, and the flight deck. Other than that, all of the protective railing is formed by the structure of the ship itself, which also serves to reduce radar signature significantly.

I did order a PE kit for these vessels from White Ensign Models. They do provide te railing required in precise cuts, and also many of the details and snesors on the superstructure and excellent holders for the life rafts and what not. Theere are no PE parts included with the kit.

Here's how the box and initial parts look.

The decals provided for the ship allow any of the six vessels to be constructed. The ship's names, the pennant numbers, and distinctive decals, and the name plate for each vessel are provided along with all of the warning stripes and various other markings on the vessel. The last two pages of the instruction manual give a very good overall look at the vessel and the arrangement of the equipment in isometric views, as well as side and plan views of the painting scheme for the ship. The paint scheme calls for a Ghost Gray to be used for the upper hull and vertical surfaces and a Sea Gray to be used for the weather decks. I initially started the vessel with these colors, but that gray appeared several shades too dark for the vertical surfaces, and the sea gay appeared (to me) to have too much green in it versus the many pictures of the actual vessels I have seen online. A Royal Navy (or Model Masters) Light Grays eems closer to the mark, and a medium gray seems closer for the weather decks...to which I may very well change.

The instruction booklet is very detailed and very exacting for the building of the ship. It consists of 18 pages of instructions that are very well laid out and cover all options and contigencies. I may add the harpoon missiles (which are included with the kit) and I may also add the eight cell Mk-41 VLS launchers for the Tomohawk missiles in order to represent the vessels in their absolute fullest measure and capability.

I started painting the hull and major vettical and horizontal surfaces according to the paint scheme given with the kit. But, as I said before, the hull and vertical surfaces in Ghost Gray appeared darker than what I see in the pictures of the actual vessels which are painted in a very light gray, almost off-white like the light gray of the Royal Navy or Model Master's Light Gray, so I may change these pictures out after some more research.

The same holds true for the weather decks which are called out to be in a Sea Gray, which when applied seemed to have more green in the gray than what I see on the actual vessels which looks more like a Model Master Medium Gray or Testor's Flat Gray...so I may change that coloring too. However, with the painting done according to the instructions, here are three pictures of those main surfaces painted accordingly:

Well, I did not like the Ghost Gray hull and vertical surfaces, or the Sea Gray weather decks, so I spent a couple of hours looking at many pictures of the Darings yestrerday afternoon after work, and then made my choice and repainted last evening. I did go with Royal Navy Light Gray from Testors for the hull and vertical surfaces, and then Testor's Flat Gray (it is a shade or two darker than most flat grays) for the weather decks. This turned out very nicely...and it matters, because all of my UK Carrier Strike Group vessels and then later, the UK Amphibious Ready group vessels, will be painted to match.

Then I went ahead and repainted those parts I had already painted, and then also painted the various pieces in black, including the waterline mark, and in white (the Radomes on the Phalanx CIWS and other sensors and life rafts, and then some Gunship Gray for the inflatable portion of the ships launches, chaff dispensers, etc. Here's how all of that now looks:

So, in the next installment I will begin gluing the various panels in for the vertical surfaces on the deck houses, and hopefully get the bridge put together and get the main hull sides attached. We'll see!

The hangar bay on the kit is quite detailed, but the detailed is GREATLY enhanced by WEM's Type 45 Destroyer PE set (which was made specifically for this model), providing the railings, ladders, and serveral other components that give that etra look of realism. I placed the various panels I had painted before hand, added the PE parts, whch also had been painted. A very nice decal inside the hangar bay had to be added at this pooint before the roof went on. Also the rigid inflatable rafts and their decks which are both directly outboard of the hangar on each side. Again, the PE parts added that extra touch of realism to already nicely detailed sections.

Then I decieded to build the bridge structure. There is a lot of detail provided here, with open windows so you can see inside to the consoles, command chairs, etc. I added some Eduard 1/350 scale US Navy sailors to add even more realism. Note, that each of the window sections is a seperate part, so painting them before hand, and then carefully fitting them is ritical to the roof pof the bridge fitting correctly. I did a lot of dry fitting and ensuring that all bumps and any kind of protrusion was removed...and still had to cut a little on the bridge roof to make it fit just right. Generally the idea Airfix had of providing all panels to cover the molded deck houses and give the detail that way has been good, allowing the weather decks to be painted beforehand, and then add the panels for nice, crisp lines. But I have found numerous occassions where I either had to play with, scrape on, file, etc. the tabs or their openings for these panels to get a good fit, or in some casses cut the tab off altogether. Just the same, she is going together nicely.

I then put together all of the panels for the various deck houses and mast structures, including the large integrated main mast forward, the first smoke stack, the second mast structure and the integrated SAMPSON radar/aft smoke stack just forward of and on the hangar deck house. A nice feature is that the main radar can easily be made to rotate to allow orientation of it in which ever direction desired as you show it off later. Once this was done, the entire main deck is really starting to look very nice indeed, and very distinctively...Daring...if I do say so myself (pun intended).

Well, I did not get the upper hull attached this go round, but in the next session I expect to get that done, along with the lower hull, and quite a few details on the vessel's integrated mast, main gun, CIWS, 30mm guns, etc.

1. By Apr 15, 2013: Complete HMS Daring, D32 by Airfix.
2. By Jun 15, 2013: Complete HMS Illustrious CVL, HMS Ambush SSN, and HMS Kent F78.
3. By Aug 15, 2013: Start the JMSDF Carrier Group Centered on Fujimi's JMSDF Hyuga.
4. By Oct 15, 2013: Start the French Carrier group centered on Heller's Charles de Gaulle.
5. 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 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'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 two of those, propbably LPD-998 Yuzhao and 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) 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. 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 and have started building), 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