HMS Duncan, D37 by Trumpeter, Kit #4550,
in 1/350 Scale OOB Review and Build
Click on any pic for a higher resolution version.
Or, you cans see all the pictures in higher resolution at my Flicker Site: Here - Flickr Photo Lalbum of Trumpeter Daring Model in 1/350 Scale
Type 45, Daring Class Destroyer:
The Type 45, Daring Class destroyers are the Royal Navy's newest and most potent surface combatants in history. They have the most modern and among (if not the) most capable radar and battle management systems available.
They are specialized for anti-air warfare and serve as the principle escorts for the Royal Navy's high value vessels, like the new Queen Elizabeth class air craft carriers, the Albion LPDs and the Ocean LHA vessels.
They are also very strong in ASW, also carrying among the most effective sensors and one of the most effect ASW helicopters in the Merlin.
With 48 Vertical launch tubes for Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, they are very capable in that air defense role. They alos carry six Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, which will be upgraded as time goes on.
One of the only short comings is that only six vessels were built. This model is of the HMS Duncan, D37, which was the last one of the class.
Trumpeter Kit #4550 of the HMS Daring, D32:
This is Trumpeter's kit of the Daring class, and specifically of the HMS Daring. I had already build two Daring class vessels using the Aifix kt. They are good kits and I decioded that I wanted to build and compare this vessel using the Trumpeter kit, kit.
The two earlier kits (which are on my site and on Fine Scale Modeler), are the HMS Daring, D32, and the HMS Dragon, D35. so, I decided to buuiild the Trumpeter kit as the HMS Duncan, D37, the last of the class.
Both model makers did wonderful jobs. Airfix has a better overall hull and includes parts and decals for all six vessels (which is helping since Trumpeter only has decals for the Daring.
The Trumpeter kit has more photo etch details, better small plastic details, but did not include the Harpoon missiles (because she was initially launched fitted 'for' Harpoons, but without them on the ship). In addition, as stated, the decals for the Trumpeter vessel are only for the Daring, D32.
As I built the kits I have to say they are both about equally well done...and they both make excellent kits. The Trumpeter may have a bit better dretail, biut it is also more expensive. Really, there is not enough difference to tell too much.
I added the Merlin helicopter with four torpedos (which is one of its very strong features, along wth its very potent sensors). Carrying four torpedos off of a destroyer is very powerful...and the Merlin is large and has very good range and loiter time.
Like all Trumpeter models, it is very detailed, lots of small parts, this one has three spreues of photo etch details, great full color paint scheme, and excellent instructions.
Here it is out of the box:
Note, the model does not come with the harpoon missiles forwrd, which she did not launch with, but which have been added to the class over time, particularly as the older frigates were decommissioned. I added some I had from other builds. The Build of the Model. June 11 - June 27, 2017:
...so here are the pictures of the build. Not too much explanation, they are pretty self explanatory, seen prgressively as I built her:
And now the Completed MOdel:
...and here are the pictures of the completed vessel, with the Merlin helicopter:
...and some detil shots:
...and a shot to compare the Airfix model (top) with the Trumpeter ()bottom). They both make excellent kits:
...and my entire Royal Navy CSG, with three Darings, one Type 22, and an Astute:
...and that does it. The Trunmpeter Daring model in 1/350 scale built as HMS Duncan, D37.