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Bronco Models 1/350 scale Type 052D Kit #NB5030 Changsha, DDG-173 OOB Review & Build

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  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Monday, March 31, 2014 2:42 PM

The Build - Completing the Model (March 30, 2014)

Well, I completed the Ka-27 helo, using the decals that came with the model. However, they are far too large, so I will later come back, remove them, and replace them with some smaller PLAN helo markings more appropriate to the scale.

Once that was completed it was just a matter of glueing it onto the helo pad, doing touch-up work with various paints, and then giving the model two good coats of dull coat paint. Here how she looks:





...and then three close ups from various angles.

So, that's the PLAN DDG-172, Type 052D DDG. A very good looking model and a very good lokking and capable vessel.

I also have the DDG-172, Kunming, as well and will build that at a later date, moving my existing Type 052C, DDG-171, Haikou, by Trumpeter to become an escort for the PLAN ARG that I will build.

To close, I took down the Type 052C, Haikou that I have, which is a Trumpeter Model, and placed it next to the newly built Bronco Model, DDG-173, Changsha, to compare them, and found that the Bronco Model is somewhat overscaled. In other words, it is larger than 1/350 scale. Maybe even close to 1/325th...several centimeteres too long. I know the Trumpter Model is to scale from measuring it out, and sure enough, this Bronco model is just a bit too long and a hair too wide. I suspect the error is in the entire scaling. Oh well, they still look good together for comparison, particularly when shown next to the 1/350 scale USS Lansen, DDG-82 (another Trumpeter model) and the USS Bunker Hill, CG-63, Ticonderoga Class cruiser I have in 1/350 scale:

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Charleston, SC
Posted by sanderson_91 on Saturday, March 29, 2014 8:52 AM

Hey Jeff,

She's looking really nice!  It looks like your helo-pad decal has some damage on the right side so you might need to tweak it a bit.  Otherwise, she's a beauty.  That PE looks tedious!

Steve

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Friday, March 28, 2014 11:58 AM
The Build - Decals, Photo Etch Railing, and Name Plate (March 28, 2014)

The decals on the main part of the vessel were stright forward on this kit. Basically it was the pennant number, "173" on either side of the bow, the helo landing pad markings, and the helicopter alignment stripe. Then it was time to begin the photo etch railing.

The kit comes with a set of failry fine photo etch railing that are cut to fit into the various areas. Starting with the bow, I moved aft through amidships, adding the PE Name plate as I went:



Then, it was aft to the hanger deck house which has some railing up around the aft FN-3000L missile launcher and then the railing and safety netting around the landing pad:

Once completed I had some touch up to do. One was that I noticed a portion of the railing that had not adhered along the port side of the hanger deck house, along the side where the decoy/chaff launchers are located. So, I applied some more glue, and then jury rigged a little jig to hold it in place while it dried. I took a pic of it because this is the type of thing you do fairly regularly as a model builder. In that pic you can see the Ka-27 helciopter drying on the helo pad...which comes next. Finally, the last pic there shows the model coming together nicely.

Next session will complete the Ka-27 helo with its decal markings, add the propellers, do final touch up, add the two coats of dull coat, and complete the model.

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Monday, March 24, 2014 12:31 PM
The Build - Deck details, Main mast, Ship's launch, Type 517M Yagi Radar antenna (March 24, 2014)

Now began the arduous task of plaing all of the smaell details on the weather decks throughout the ship. Bronco has provided a lot of these details in individual, very small parts, that if properly and cerefully placed add significant realism to the overall model. These are most numerous on the main deck and particularly on top of the bridge.In addition, there are numerous parts that gointo making up the main mast and all of the instrumentation on it, including some PE parts for the main mast that are very small and intricate, but which add significant detail to the ship.

The aft portion of the ship, where the ships launches and haber bay for the aircraft are areall open on that deck. In order to show either (or both) of the ship's launches in their respective bays (which are completely enclosed within the structure of the ship to enhance stealth), and/or to the helo hanger open (which I inted to do), you would end up wityh this large open space being able to see completely through the ship (if both boat bays were open) and be able to see from the boat bay into the hanger deck. This is nt the way the ship is actually built, so, since i wanted to show on of the bpoats bays open and the hanger open, I needed to scratch build some walls enterior to that houseing to accomodate this. So I did.

In addition, I added the handling/callibration equipment along the bottom of each of the APRARs (Actvive Phased Array Radars) that were included with the model kit.

There are numerous antenna on the vessel, both forward over the bridge, around the smoke stack, and amid ships. All 12 of these were added and then carefull set so they would be vertical when dried.

Finally, in this session it was time to build the Type 571M Yagi antenna towards the back of the mid ships area, forward of the aft VLS cells. This radar is used for anti-stealth puproses and is reported to have a maximum range at or over 300 km (about 190 miles). Its effectiveness is difficult to ascertain because the Chinese are not saying, and it is not known what they had to test it against when it was designed...though the remains of the single F-117A fighter downed by Yugoslavia in 1999 was heavily investigated and studied by the Chinese. The Yugoslavians, during the NATO bombing of Serbia during the Kosovo Campaign, found that if they modified their radars using longer wavelengths, the could just detect the F-117 Nighhawk aircraft when the wheel well or bomb bay doors were open. What use the Chinese have made of this in their development is unknown. But it is known that they have this radar located on both their Type 052C class, and now their Type 052D class anti-air destroyers.

With all of the antennae, the Yagi antenna, the ships launch, and the numerous deck details, the vessel is looking very good at this point.

In my next session I will add the decals, build the Ka-27 ASW helo, and begin (perhaps complete) the PE railing for the vessel.

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Thursday, March 20, 2014 2:27 PM
The Build - Props & Rudders, Main Deck House, Armament, Waterline, Attaching to hull (March 20, 2014)

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. Here it is larger:

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.

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Bronco Models 1/350 scale Type 052D Kit #NB5030 Changsha, DDG-173 OOB Review & Build
Posted by Jeff Head on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 5:01 PM
My Review and Build of Bronco's 1/350 scale Kit #NB5030,
The PLAN DDG-173 Changsha, Guided Missile Destroyer

The Type 052D Class Destroyer (March 17, 2014)

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

What's in the Box (March 17, 2014)

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.

< 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 PLAN Aircraft Carrierstrike 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 box and all of the parts, pieces, and material included within it.
The Photo Etch spure, the Decal Sheet, and the Paint Scheme.

Very well designed instructions with detailed, yet easy to follow steps for building the model.



The Build - Intial Hull construction (March 17, 2014)

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.


SCHEDULE for Future Activities - March 17, 2014
  1. By Mar 31, 2014, complete the PLAN Changsha, DDG-173.
  2. By May 31, 2014, Complete the Russian Udaloy II DDG and the Russian Kuznetsov carrier.
  3. 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.
  4. By Sep 31, 2014, Start the PLAN Amphibious Ready Group centered on the Trumpeter Type 071 LPD-999, with a FFG, and three DDGs.
  5. 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 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'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 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, 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 completion of the UK Group featured the Airfix 1/350 scale HMS Illustrious, R06as 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 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 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 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 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:

WORLD-WIDE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

...and most of their surface escorts at:

AEGIS AND AEGIS-LIKE VESSELS OF THE WORLD

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