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US Navy FFG(X) (Lockheed Entry) in 1/350 scale by Dutch Naval Miniatures

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  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
US Navy FFG(X) (Lockheed Entry) in 1/350 scale by Dutch Naval Miniatures
Posted by Jeff Head on Sunday, October 28, 2018 6:38 PM
US Navy FFG(X), Lockheed Martin entry in 1/350 scale
3D model by Dutch Naval Miniatures, detailing using veteran Models and others by Jeff Head

Introduction

What is depicted in this thread is the next true guided missile frigate of the US Navy, the FFG(X) program and the vessel I believe most likely to win the competition. I produced a model in 1/350 scale to depict this.

Right now you have Lockheed developing a significantly upgunned and upgraded sensor and armored version of the Freedom LCS class, Austal with a similar upgrade to the Independence class, the Italian firm, Fincantieri Marine Group, with a suitably altered version of r their FREMM frigate, General Dynamics, with a version of the Spanish F-100 AEGIS vessel, and Huntington Ingalls Industries with Frigate version of the Legend class National Security, or Legend Class US Coast Guard Cutters.

Here are the Five Entries, and a decision will be made in 2019, with the first FFG starting construction in 2020 and the second in 2021:

- Bath Iron Works, Spanish Navantia F100 AEGIS derivative

- Austal Independence class LCS derivitive

- Fincantieri Marine Italian FREMM frigate derivitive

- Lockheed Martin heavily upgraded Freedom class derivitive

- Huntington Ingalls Legend Class Coast Guard cutter derivitive​

All of these are fine vessels, especia;l;y te F-100, which is also the Hobart DDG fro the Australians. I just do nmot think they will be able to get that vessel in at the correct price point with 48 Mk-41, a 5" gun, etc.

Also, based on my own experience, and particularly with the current administration pushing a "Make America Strong again," and American economic basis for what is already turning around the US economy significantly, I do not believe a foreign design will win, which IMHO, leaves out both the Italian and Spanish designs.

Although the Austal design shows 16 OTH missiles, and the same 16 cell Mk-41 VLS, the Austral design is still heavily aluminum and much more susceptible to damage, and has not received as strong a reception as the Freedom class LCS in the US Navy to date, and Lockheed Martin is heavily involved in setting up many of the electronics for all of the vessels and has shown over decades its ability to do so. The Huntington Ingalls class would be a good design as well...but it is a more 1980s-1990s type hull and superstructure configuration with very little of the stealth features, and although HI has built many very strong Amphibious ships for the US Navy, in terms of service contracts, and they have built a great US Coast Guard cutter (eight out of eleven so far), they are just not strongly considered in the environment of a major US Navu surface combatant.

That is why I believe the Lockheed design has the strongest chance, and will, I believe win the competition.

History iof the Littoral Combat ship (LCS) Design:

In order to fully understand this competition you have to understand the history of the LIttoral Combat Ship (LCS) experience the US Nay has had over the last ten years (which has been sophomoric at best and very embarrassing in any case).

What started as a competition to produce a very fast, very modular frigate sized vessel and a competition between two contenders, Lockheed with a mono-steel hulled vessel and the Trimaran, Aluminum vessel from Austral, under the Obama administration went far awry.

What was supposed to be the capability of replacing modules to give the vessels the ability to change from anti-surface, to anti-submarine, to counter-mine, and other capabilities within a 24-36 hour period, came apart at the seems, with it requiring several days to a week to make the change, and several modules that simply were not working. In addition to that, it was decided to produce both vessels to build up the 56 vessels desired (meaning 28 of each). Finally, the vessels themselves in any configuration, including the anti-surface warfare module, were incapable of defending themselves or having a hope to win in a confrontation between any peer nation frigate, or even their corvettes.

The light sensor package, the lack of any long range, over the horizon missiles, the light combat build/construction, and the very small crews which in any major damage would be too small to handle war fighting and damage control, made this unavoidable.

In order to address this the US Navy ultimately, despite the Obama administration attempts to slow down or derail the efforts, produced requirements and changes to cut the overall number of vessels and round the rest out with a Fast Frigate (FF) design that would require an upgrade of sensors, armor, and weapons to allow at least 20 vessels to have the necessary sensors and armament to make them competitive, and to be able to back fit these upgrades to vessels already built..

Finally, after the elections in 2016, the ultimate requirement produced a need to cut the overall LCS production to 24, adding 16 FF vessels for a total of 40, with the ability to upgrade already produced LCS vessels to the FF standard. This standard basically added a SeaRAM defensive anti-air system, added over the horizon missiles to augment 24 hellfire misiles, added some sensor upgrades, and some additional armor. This helps a lot, but would not make the vessels able to really take on peer nation frigates all to well.

What is depicted in this album is the next true guided missile frigate of the US Navy, the FFG(X) program and the vessel I believe most likely to win the competition. I produced a model in 1/350 scale to depict this.

Right now you have Lockheed developing a significantly upgunned and upgraded sensor and armored version of the Freedom LCS class, Austal with a similar upgrade to the Independence class, the Italian firm, Fincantieri Marine Group, with a suitably altered version of r their FREMM frigate, General Dynamics, with a version of the Spanish F-100 AEGIS vessel, and Huntington Ingalls Industries with Frigate version of the Legend class National Security, or Legend Class US Coast Guard Cutters.

Again, here are the Five Entries, and a decision will be made in 2019, with the first FFG starting construction in 2020 and the second in 2021:

- Bath Iron Works, Spanish Navantia F100 AEGIS derivative
- Austral Independence class LCS derivative
- Fincantieri Marine Italian FREMM frigate derivative
- Lockheed Martin heavily upgraded Freedom class derivative
- Huntington Ingalls Legend Class Coast Guard cutter derivative​

All of these are fine vessels, especially te F-100, which is also the Hobart DDG fro the Australians. I just do not think they will be able to get that vessel in at the correct price point with 48 Mk-41, a 5" gun, etc.

Also, based on my own experience, and particularly with the current administration pushing a -Make America Strong again- and American economic basis for what is already turning around the US economy significantly, I do not believe a foreign design will win, which IMHO, leaves out both the Italian and Spanish designs.

Although the Austral design shows 16 OTH missiles, and the same 16 cell Mk-41 VLS, the Austral design is still heavily aluminum and much more susceptible to damage, and has not received as strong a reception as the Freedom class LCS in the US Navy to date, and Lockheed Martin is heavily involved in setting up many of the electronics for all of the vessels and has shown over decades its ability to do so. The Huntington Ingalls class would be a good design as well...but it is a more 1980s-1990s type hull and superstructure configuration with very little of the stealth features, and although HI has built many very strong Amphibious ships for the US Navy, in terms of service contracts, and they have built a great US Coast Guard cutter (eight out of eleven so far), they are just not strongly considered in the environment of a major US Navu surface combatant.

That is why I believe the Lockheed design has the strongest chance, and will, I believe win the competition.

In order to fully understand this competition you have to understand the history of the LIttoral Combat Ship (LCS) experience the US Nay has had over the last ten years (which has been sophomoric at best and very embarrassing in any case).

What started as a competition to produce a very fast, very modular frigate sized vessel and a competition between two contenders, Lockheed with a mono-steel hulled vessel and the Trimaran, Aluminum vessel from Austral, under the Obama administration went far awry.

What was supposed to be the capability of replacing modules to give the vessels the ability to change from anti-surface, to anti-submarine, to counter-mine, and other capabilities within a 24-36 hour period, came apart at the seems, with it requiring several days to a week to make the change, and several modules that simply were not working. In addition to that, it was decided to produce both vessels to build up the 56 vessels desired (meaning 28 of each). Finally, the vessels themselves in any configuration, including the anti-surface warfare module, were incapable of defending themselves or having a hope to win in a confrontation between any peer nation frigate, or even their corvettes.

The light sensor package, the lack of any long range, over the horizon missiles, the light combat build/construction, and the very small crews which in any major damage would be too small to handle war fighting and damage control, made this unavoidable.

In order to address this the US Navy ultimately, despite the Obama administration attempts to slow down or derail the efforts, produced requirements and changes to cut the overall number of vessels and round the rest out with a Fast Frigate (FF) design that would require an upgrade of sensors, armor, and weapons to allow at least 20 vessels to have the necessary sensors and armament to make them competitive, and to be able to back fit these upgrades to vessels already built..

Development of the FFG(X) Program

Finally, after the elections in 2016, the ultimate requirement produced a need to cut the overall LCS production to 24, adding 16 FF vessels for a total of 40, with the ability to upgrade already produced LCS vessels to the FF standard. This standard basically added a SeaRAM defensive anti-air system, added over the horizon missiles to augment 24 hellfire missiles, added some sensor upgrades, and some additional armor. This helps a lot, but would not make the vessels able to really take on peer nation frigates all to well.

In order to do that, a competition for this new FFG(X) was introduced to replace the remaining 16-17 vessels originally envisioned with a 20 ship strong class of FFGs (called FFG(X) with the competition between the contenders named above. If the current administration holds office after 2020, it is my surmise that more than 20 of these vessels may be built...and that would be a good thing.

The new vessel would be fully FFG capable, would be larger, would not be modular but would be multi-mission requiring the produced vessels to be able to be able to perform anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine-warfare, and anti-air warfare at the same time, with a medium ranged (out to 45-50 miles) anti-air capability, which the LCS and has been removed from the FF.

So, as I say, I believe the US is most likely to pick the Lockheed Martin design. Lockheed has the most experience and is in the best position to produce a vessel that will be able to communicate with the rest of the US Fleet, particularly the AEGIS class destroyers and cruisers for cooperative engagement, and most capable to produce a fully combat worthy, strong guided missile frigate with the flexibility and armament necessary for the US Navy needs into the 2040s and 2050s.

So, getting to the new frigate I purchased from Dutch Naval Miniatures online at Shapeways 3D, the load-out I am showing on this model in 1/350 scale includes:

Displacement: 4,000-4,500 tons
Lengeth: 410 Ft (125m)
Width: 60 ft (18.5m)
Range: 8,000-10,000 nautical miles
Compliment: 130+ personnel
Speed 32+knts
Sensors:
- COMBATSS-21 Combat Management System (which will be an AEGIS derivative capable of working with full AEGIS vessels in a cooperative engagement capability:
- Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR)[1]
- Next Generation Surface Search Radar
- AN/SLQ-61 light weight towed array sonar
- AN/SQS-62 Variable-Depth Sonar
- AN/SQQ-89F undersea warfare/anti-submarine warfare combat system
Armament:
- 1 x 57mm main gun - 16 Mk-41 VLS cells using RIM-1
62 ESSM Block 2 (Quad Pack), RIM-174 ERAM (SM6), or AGM-158C LRASM missiles
(Suggested loadut would be ASuW: 4 x LRASM, 64 x ESSM, or AAW: 8 x ERAM (SM6) 32 x ESSM
- 8 Over the Horizon misiles in 2xquad cannister packages
- 1 x SeaRAM Mk15 Mod 31 short range anti-air defense system
- 24 Hellfire missiles in VLS cells
- 1 x mature, fully capable Laser Weapons System (LAWS)
- 2 x 30mm secondary guns
Air Facilities:
- One Hanger
- One MH-60R helicopter
- 1 Fire Scout UVAV unmanned vertcal helo

As I say, the basic model was produced by Dutch Fleet Miniature 3D Models from Shapeways. I then purchased two Trumpeter LCS Freedom class, USS Ft-worth 1/350 scale models, as well as well as 1/350 scale Veteran Models SeaRAM and Harpoon quad launchers in 1/350 scale. As well as several other 1/350 scale parts from 3rd parties and/or spare parts from other US Navy models in 1/350 scale. The idea was to take off the less detailed parts from the Dutch model vessel and add the more detailed parts available from the Trumpeter models (many LCS parts are compatible) and from the other sources. I used photo etch metal parts for railing and various sensors and other parts from the Trumpeter models and other spare parts.

In the end, what you see is what was produced, starting with the initial concept pictures of the FFG(X) from Lockheed, progressing through the Dutch Naval Miniature model as I received it, and then showing the various other components and progressing through their builing onto the ship and culminating in the finished model. Finally comparing the new FFG(X) to an up gunned LCS to the new FF standard for LCS-3 USS Ft. Worth, which would at that point be re-designated to FF-3.

Hope you enjoy the thread. My intent is to produce two of these vessels so that I can add them to my US Carrier Strike Group and/or my US Navy Amphibious Ready Group in 1/350 scale. See the following videos in my Youtube channel, and the build thread on Sino-Defense forum:

US Navy two carrier Strike group in 1/350 scale:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EfoVwP4Kp0

US Navy Amphibious Ready Group in 1/350 scale
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs0pJvCq7eg

US Navy USS Ronald Reagan, CVN-76, Nimitz class carrier in 1/350 scale
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESlQidhdXT0

US Navy USS Enterprise, CVN-80 Ford class carrier in 1/350 scale:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04Hy8CQjC8

Sino-Defense Build Thread:
www.sinodefenceforum.com/new-us-navy-ffg-x-and-1-350-mode...

Similar Damage/mismanagement of the Zumwlt Class

BTW, for those interested, the Obama administrations actions with the Zumwalt class destroyers was even more telling. What could have been...and hopefully ultimately will ultimately result in a CG(X) offering, was so mis-managed and derailed to produce 3 ships with a main gun that is on the ships, but has absolutely nothing to fire. The very expensive and long range 155mm gun, that was supposed to support Marines ashore, inland to 100 miles and with several batteries worth of striking power, since they reduced the number of ships to only three, was cancelled due to cost. (With only three ships, instead of 30, the cost per round for the number of rounds they would purchase, exploded to 800,000 per round. So they cancelled it and left nothing that could shoot from the gun! The intended follow-on rail gun, which was supposed o test at sea in 2016, was set back, and then the test cancelled, and so now they have no plans to do so.

Hopefully, the new administration will correct these glaring errors and mismanagement, and select thie Zumwalt hull for the CGX and get more peripheral VLS cells on the vessel, the newer larger AEGIS APARs, and then the rail gun and laser weapons systems to make the vessel the modern marvel it was meant to be and could have and should have been.

Building the FFG(X) by Lockheed Martin in 1/350 scale:

So, moving along, the first thing I did as to buy the FFG(X) 1/350 scale model as a 3D print from Dutch Naval Miniatures on Shapeways 3D Print site, and the veteran detailed models for various parts, as well as two Trumpeter 1/350 LCS USS Ft. Worth LCS-3 Freedom class models by Lockheed. I found a good deal on ebay for them for 14.99 each.

Then it was time to remove the non-detailed enough portions of the 3D model (like the main gun, the quad pack missile launchers, and the SeaRAM launcher), and then build some of the parts, paint some of the photo etch from the Trumpeter models and other spare parts I had. I then assembled some of these parts, did an initial paint on the D model, and then placed the parts, particularly on the after portion above and forward of the hanger.

I then added the 57mm main gun forward, the smoke stacks hidded in the superstructure to reduce the IR signature of the ship, and then add more detailed printing of the various, existing sensors, radars panels, domes, etc. already on the ship. You can see that the quad launchers are missing on these last two pics. They will be added back later.

I then added details and photo etch railing. Details like .50 cal machine gns, spot lights, ladders, life buoys, antennae, etc. I then build the MH-60R helicopter and added the decals to the landing deck and then added the helo there on the landing deck.

Now it was time to build the Veteran Harpoon missile quad lauchers and add them to the vessel, and then build and add the ships launches, and then add more sensors, equipment, etc. around the vessel. This included warning decals for the main gun and SeaRam.

I then began detailing the lower hull and preparing it for fill where necessary and to prepare the waterline mark, adding the water jet propulsion units, while continuing to add detail in the superstructure and bridge areas around the vessel. I then added the fill and smoothed and painted the waterline mark on the lower hull

At this point it wat time for touch up the paint work, add the final details, and then add the two coats of flat clear paint to prepare for the final build pictures and then to add the final build pictures of the vessel. First the pictures from the eight position all aroun the ship includign the four quarters, fore and aft, and starboard and port. I will also show some close up detail pictures and some comparisons gainst an upgraded LCS to the FF standard. (All of these will be higher resolution pictures)

...and now those close up pictures:

...and now the pictures comparing the FFG(C), which I gave the pennant number 41 o, to the USS Ft. Worth, LCS-3, showing her as an upgraded vessel to the FF standard with the extra weapons and sensors, making her FF-3:

There you have it. A 1/350 scale model of the first FFG(X) new guided missile frigtae of the US Navy, assuming the Lockheed design is shown, and starting building sometime in 2020.

Hope you enjoyed it and please look at my other model builds on Fine Scale Modeler, and the many videos I have of them on my Youtube channel. Here are a few of the youtube channel videos:

US Navy two carrier Strike group in 1/350 scale:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EfoVwP4Kp0

US Navy Amphibious Ready Group in 1/350 scale:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs0pJvCq7eg

US Navy USS Ronald Reagan, CVN-76, Nimitz class carrier in 1/350 scale:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESlQidhdXT0

US Navy USS Enterprise, CVN-80 Ford class carrier in 1/350 scale:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04Hy8CQjC8

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 9:50 AM

I am kind of surprised a little that there has been no reply or comment to this build.

 

THis is the 4th 3D model I have taken and outfitted and remade into a 1/350 scale from the 1/35 3D print.

 

I am finding, partiularly through this firm Dutch Naval Miniatures that there are a lot of vessels that otherwise are not on the market...and they know it because they charge fairly high costs for frigate and destroyer sized vessels.

 

What do you guys think? Is it worth it?

 

I wish that the major model companies would make some of these newer designs in 1/350 scale, but this is the only place they are available that I am aware of.

 

I intend to add another of these FFG(X) models so I can augment my 1/350 carrier strike group with them instead of the Freedom clas LCS which I believe are undergunned, and under crewed for such duties.

 

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by LonCray on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 2:44 PM

Your models are beautiful as always; alas the 3D Printed models are out of my price range.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Philadelphia Pa
Posted by Nino on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 9:27 PM

Jeff,  I envy you.  All those Task Forces you have assembled over the years are quite impressive.  And sorry for no post earlier. It took me a few viewings (quite a few) to go over that wealth of Information you have posted.  Thank you for that.  I am way better informed on the LCS types out there now.

     These 3D printed models are a great way to fill in all the missing classes. Thanks for bringing an example to us. They are not so expensive for a model not available elsewhere either. The FFG(x) at $113.74 is much in line with 1/350 scale Resin.  (Note that the Grey Professional Plastic 1/350 version is $215.47 but in 1/700 scale using the best smooth fine detail is only $56.65!). Plenty of After Market is needed but that seems a standard addition for most modelers here on FSM.

     I am impressed that Dutch Naval Miniatures has made this and many other ships available as 3D printed scale models thru Shapeways. Your FFG(x) models 3D printed deck details look good as well as sharp corners and edges on the superstructure. You have done a great job on the additional detailing and the painting is very well done which makes the ship look realistic. The 3D printed Deck surface has a nice texture reminiscent of the Helo Deck Coating but the hull  seems to be too "textured" for me. Is there a way to smooth the hull surface other than sanding?  I admit I did not take much notice of the rough surfaces initially. Your added details added so much to the model that I overlooked any imperfections in the 3D process.

In answer to your question...

"... there are a lot of vessels that otherwise are not on the market... What do you guys think? Is it worth it?"

Yes! 

     All of us have a desire for some kit no one currently makes..  I want Salt Lake City in 1/350 that is under $70. I know other folks would love to see an HMS Shannon, and etc., etc., etc...And , by the way, there is still no 1/350 HMS Victory or 1/350 USS Constitution.   Maybe......

    3D printing  is one way to get it

Thanks again for bringing this to my attention.

     Nino

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 11:35 PM

I have found the guy at Dutch Minatures to be open to talking to people.  Message him there and tell him what you would like to see and he may do so.

 

Thy do have a much finer tecture material they can use...but it drives the price up like 2X, so I have just been gettting the cheaper ones.

 

Anyhow, there is another place where I got a LOT of the sponsons and the 6th gen aircraftdone for my USS Enterprise, CVN-80, that I built out of a Trumpeter Nimitz class model in 1/350 scale.  I used the following Shapeway vendors to get additional after market things for that 3rd Ford class carrier, the Enterprise:

 

- BaconFist Shapeways 3d Print carrier sponsons and parts x 3 (Sponsons holding the self-defense weaponry of the Ronald Reagan compatible with the Ford Enterprise)


- BaconFist Shapeways 3d Print Upgraded/Updated Hangar entrances x 3 (Much more detailed decks and entrances)


- BaconFist Shapeways 3d Print Upgraded/Updated Hangar Bay walls for all thee bays - BaconFist Shapeways 3d Print Additional Deck tugs and equipment 


- BaconFist Shapeways 3d Print Jet Engines and trailers package with eight (Jet engines on maintenance trailers)


- DutchNaval Miniatures Shapeways 3d Print 1/350 scale Ford 3D Island structure (requires significant detailing, but the structure is spot on) 


- SNAFU Shapeways 3D additional F-35C aircraft with folded wings and unfolded


- Echo Shapeways 3d Print F/A-XX Grumman aircraft x 16 (6th generation US Navy Stealth/Strike fighter

Submit Your Reply
- Kokoda Trail Models Shapeways 3d Print F/A-XX Boeing aircraft x 16 (6th generation US Navy Stealth/Strike fighter proposal)

 

You can see my youtube video of the USS Enterprise, CVN-80 here:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04Hy8CQjC8

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Thursday, November 15, 2018 9:13 AM

Hi Jeff ;

 I am truly sorry for the lack of response . I for one will comment and  the reason I am doing so is this . A neighbor gave me a 3-D printed Whitehall as a gift BUT that darned layering effect ruins it a lot . 

  This is the reason many probably have reserved comment . Now if there was a styrene type medium that could be used , sanded and smoothed accordingly then I believe you would've gotten more replies .

   What I do appreciate is your research and ability to deliver , even layered , models of the ships of which you speak . You have done an admirable job of drawing the eye to details and NOT the layering . That to me shows dedication toward a job , Well Done ! T B. 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Philadelphia Pa
Posted by Nino on Thursday, November 15, 2018 4:28 PM

Jeff,

     Thanks for all the tips on 3D vendors.  I have been a Model Monkey fan for awhile have recently picked up parts for Tamiya's Enterprise and Revell's Arizona/Pennsylvania.

     I have been reviewing many of the offerings on Shapeways site from time to time.  Currently looking into a 1/700 St Louis Cl class model.  It's cheap compared to Niko's resin offering but the AM list to complete it will be pretty large.  It is also a rough surface model so would need the Air Eraser/blaster to smooth the surface.

  There is a lot to consider for these type of models.  If they are the only source and you really need it, it is a great alternative to doing without. Deep in my stash is a 1/200 paper Salt lake City. I will rescale it to 1/350 someday, (f no inexpensive plastic kit gets produced),  but I will want good looking turrets; ShapeWays/Model Monkey,(Steve), to the rescue. I have seen a few Sailing ship hulls on the ShapeWays site too.  The 3D images look real good.  I hope some modelers will put actual pictures of a finished ship on the site.

  I have reviewed your web site from time to time and have always been impressed with your modeling method of making representative task forces with all the proper classes of ships from various countries.

Also, I have followed your builds and Web site updates as well as your Photostream links on Postimage and your worldwide aircraft carrier site.  I have been following your Jeff Head's 1/350 Carrier Strike Groups  for years. Glad to see someone follow the worlds Navy's preparedness.   Thanks for that.

 So, what other 3D printed ship are you looking for to fill out another carrier Strike Group?   Looks like you may need a few UK ships.  So 3D printing to the rescue?

 

A tech question... Do you have any experience with the other plastics being used or with metal?  I understand Shapeways can do metal printing now.  I wonder if that metal process can make museum-worthy parts or models. No wood to warp or plastic to get brittle. 

    Again, Thanks for this Thread.  That is a dynamite FFG(x)!

          Jim

 

 Gary, ( TB)  I feel the same about the layering but my Tamiya Enterprise replacement island used the better "smoothest fine detail plastic" stuff so it looked good as is. Jeff is right though, the price escalates dramaticly for the better material. If you are into War gaming however, this is the site to help fill out your fleet when  GHQ, Superior, and Viking fail you.

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Thursday, November 15, 2018 8:04 PM

Great post.

 

I have been building, and posting, and documenting for a long time.

My father was a World War II combat naval officer in the POT.  He commanded a Landing Craft Infantry landing Marines on Pacific Islands with the MaCAurthur group coming up through the Solomons and ultimately to the Philippines.  He was then waiing with a large task force to go into China when the war ended...and of course an even much larger group was preparing to invade Japan.

 

I thank God they did not have to do either.  We would have won...but it would have been a horrible butchers bill.  They expected a million US casualties with as many as 200,000 killed.  They anticipated 4-6,000,000 Jpapanese soldieras casualities, mostly dead...and as many as ten million Japanese civilians.

 

Dropping he two A-Bombs, despite what some may say or try and teach, was the most merciful way to win that war...for both the US  and Japan.

 

Anyhow, I became an engineer and worked on DOD projects for many years ( A-7E Corsair, Multiple Launch Rocket Systsm, NSSN that became the Virginia class SSN, THAADS missile defense, etc.). for the military.  Ultiamately after 9-11 I gave that up and went to work for the government with the US Bureau of Reclamation designing, maintaining, and watching over high tech security systems for our large dams.

 

But I have stayed a member of the US Naal INstitute through it all and try and send my thoughts into them from time to time.  In my book sries (that I ultaimtely made into one large 12000 page hard back book called "The Dragons Fury: World War against America and the West," I desribed in detail how AEGIS could be installed on land and put to use for taking down short, mediuam, and long range ballistic missiles.  This was in 1999 and 2000.

 

Now I have seen that fiction become reality with "AEGIS ashore."  I do not know if anyone was listening or reading...but its in there and we now have the one system operational in Romania and another going in in Poland.  we could...and should IMHO...build those in many place o prtoect our own assets and our allies if they are willing to help pay for them.

I have purchased several of the 3D printed 1/350 models. ...all of them from Dutch Naval Miniatures on Shaeways 3D printing.

They have put together a LOT of 1/350 scale models you simply cannot find anywhere alse...and for those wwho are price consicious about the 1/350 scale, they have twice as many or more done in 1/700 scale that are very reasonably priced.

I will post a few pictures here...and follow that up with posting them on the thread about new models I started,  Most of them I have a thread up here on FS for:

The Russian Gorshkov class FFG - a Really good design, they just do not have the money or logistics to built them very fast.  They have now out out two in the last ten years:

 

Here's the German F125 Baden Wuettemberg class Frigate:

Chinee ype 55 Large DDG, really a cruiser and their anser to the US Navy Tico cruiser, but with fewer VLS cells 112 cells versus 128 + 8 for the Tico:

Finished model 9

Finished model 11

..and finally, the FFG(X) for the US Navy.  I will buy another of these to use in my US Navy Carrier Strike Group:

I mght add a Resin kit that most people are unware of, but, like the Resin Kit by Organe Hobby of the 1/350 Harper's Ferry, LSD-49, it is VERY well done and was a real joy to build and was the only 1/350 scale verssion of the model I could find.

That is the Akizuki DDG for the JMSDF.  As I say, it is a resin kit, but it had so many extras and so many metal, and other parts that it ame out very, very well.  The Japanese built four of them and are now following them up with two more built on the same hull, but armed more specifically for ASW where the first four or more AAW oriented.  All six are multi-purpose and the first for use the Japanese FSC-3A battle management system with their own dual APAR radars.  They call it the Japanese "AEGIS" and it will allow cooperative engageent with their other six, soon to be eight actual AEGIS destroyers.  They just launched the first of their two new advanced Atago class.

Anyhow here that Akizuki model in 1/350 scale:

 

I put it in with my Japanese carrier grou with their 1/350 Hyuga class:

 

 

I would REALLY like to see a 1/350 scale Izumo class (two arriers that diplace about 35,000 tons and can carry up to 24 aircraft.  They say they are for helos only, but I am sure that if the Japanese get too concerned about the PLANs buildup, you will see them buy 40+ F-35Bs and put them on these carriers.  If I ever find a 1/30 scale Izumo, I would load it up with 18-20 F-35Cs.

 

Anyhow...this post turned into a much bigger thing than I intended!

 

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 9:52 AM

Bronco MOdels just came out with a PLastic Kit for the new Type 055 large PLAN (Chinese Navy) ddestroyer.  Looks very good with phot etch included and priced EXTREMELY well at 40.85 and free shipping from China.

 

Here's a link on ebay:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bronco-1-350-5055-Chinese-Navy-Type-055-Large-Destroyer/163587580838?epid=23028008280&hash=item26169463a6:g:6CQAAOSw-kdcg9Qh&autorefresh=true

 

I intend to buy one and see how it stacks up against my 3D Dutch Naval Miniature waterline version.

 

Glad to see it and hope tht more makers start coming out with some of the long over due models.

 

Here are some pics:

 

BronCo Type 055

 

Bronco Type 055 Model

 

Bronco Type 055 Plastic Model

 

Bronco Type 055 Plastic Model

 

Bronco Type 055 Plastic Model

 

Bronco Type 055 Plastic Model

 

Bronco Type 055 Model

 

Looks like a good kit.

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Canada
Posted by sharkbait on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 11:25 AM
You build some very nice stuff. Well done. Cheers Sharkbait.

You have never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3!

  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 12:51 AM

it does look an interesting kit

 

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 8:14 PM

Thank you for those kind words, and for taking a look at the thread and replying.

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 8:16 PM

steve5

it does look an interesting kit

 

I believe they will be.  12,000 tons and very clean lines.  112 VLS and the 24 Cell HQ-16 launcher over the hanger (very simillar to the US RAM launcher).

Bronco is a part of, or owned by, Dragon so it will be like the Dragon Models out there.

Still, I am looking forward to them.  I am buying two off of eBay from China.  You can get them for $40 each and free shipping so they are very reasonably priced.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Monday, April 15, 2019 1:49 PM

Jeff,

I am intrigued with this model, but could you please not include any political comments.  I know that I, and some others, would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Bill

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Philadelphia Pa
Posted by Nino on Thursday, April 18, 2019 2:49 PM

Jeff,

  Let us know what the Bronco type 055 is like.  Looks like the hull gets seperate Bilge keels and other details. Any sink marks or release mold depressions on visible areas?

    Nino

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Idaho, USA
Posted by Jeff Head on Monday, April 22, 2019 9:51 AM

Nino

Jeff,

  Let us know what the Bronco type 055 is like.  Looks like the hull gets seperate Bilge keels and other details. Any sink marks or release mold depressions on visible areas?

    Nino

 

I will.  I have two coming from China.  There are none available in the US to my knowledge...but various Chinese outlet have them.

 

I intend to buid two for my PLAN CSG.

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