Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Lassen, DDG-82, Burke Flight IIA, OOB Review & Buildup, Kit #4526

Dahjval Dadhania...here's the build thread for the 1/350 scale USS Lassen, kit by Trumpeter.

Great work, Chuck!  I am so glad you saw the Lassen build here and were able to build one of your own.  After my cancer, and the resulting disabilites, and with retirement now 3-5 years away, I find doing this work very relaxing and therappeutic for me.

I am in the middle of my 1/350 scaleHMS Illustious build now, along with its Strike Group..  Great model by Airfix, and great vessel.  The Daring class Type 45 DDGs are a very potent Anit-air destroyer and a technological wonder.  Too bad they can only afford 6 of them.  Those are great models by Airfix too.

Kudos on the deck gray decks!

Thanks, glad you like the paint job!  Since it's been over 50 years since I did a ship model, I guess aircraft and figure painting skills are indeed transferrable to other subjects.  There is no hand painting, (except for tiny touch-ups.)  I used Model Master enamels with an Iwata double action airbrush.  I built and painted everything as assemblies and the last step was to glue the completed superstructure blocks to the deck.

I built the hanger doors closed as I figured it would be difficult for anyone to view the interior.

The black waterline stripe is a piece of Testor's self-adhesive trim tape.  They make a set of three rolls of three colors, each roll having about six different widths of tape on it.  I simply put the tape over the seam between the bottom hull and the upper hull, covering it nicely and saving me the trouble of filling and sanding the seam.  It was strictly an accident that I found this tape hanging on a pegboard at the LHS.  I'm sure I will find more uses for it on future models.

I used Allean'sTacky Glue to attach the superstructure blocks to the deck, then after it dried, I ran a bead of CA along the joints.  It dried glossy, so I gave the whole thing another coat of Testor's MM Dullcoat and the glossy CA became invisible.

The nameplate was painted with Tamiya lacquer in rattle cans.  First, a primer, then an overcoat of silver, next a coat of black.  After it was dry, I gently sanded the black off the raised letters being careful not to go through the silver coat.  Took a bit of patience and a little touch up at the end, but came out OK.

As far as writing a review, well, that's something I don't enjoy, although I like giving techique tips such as above to help out the readers whenever possible.  The reason I got back into shipbuiding was finding your article here.  I did not know there was a ship named USS Lassen until then, and that intrigued me and I just HAD to build it.  Plus, my wife has been encouraging me for years to build something other than aircraft!

Best regards,

Chuck Lassen

That is a GREAT job.  Outstanding painting, and a very clean build.  Trumpeter provides so many details that make for such a nicer looking vessel.

You should create your own review and buildup page here on FS for it.  Detailing how you got back into ship building and all the steps you went through to produce the model.  A lot of people could benefit from it.

Anyhow, again, great job!  And thanks for sharing it here.

Here are a few pics of my finished ship, Jeff, and thank you  for the well wishes!

Well, I have another five years until retirement and was saving a lot of these kits until then...but then the cancer came, the drastic surgeries, hospitialization, recovery and rehab and then the disabilities.  So, at the suggestion of my dear wife of 35 years, I broke the kits out and started anew.

it was  a GREAT suggestion and a very helpful thing.  God bless you on surviving your open heart surgery.  My father had two quadruple by passes, and I know hwo involved, and difficult thaat is.  Glad you were able to percerevere, and pray God's blessings on you and your family.

So, now we can trade notes on our model building experience.  I have gotten a three of my grandsons involved.  Here's a link to a Facebook video of my 10 year-old, Riley and his starting the USS Ronald Reagan in 1/700 scale.  It's a lot of fun, and very fulfilling to work with them.

Facebook Video of my Grandson and the 1/700 Scale USS Ronald Reagan

Wow, Jeff, that is some ordeal you went through.  I, too, have found modeling to be very therapuetic since open heart surgery 4 years ago.  I'm retired, and have lots of time on my hands, so this keeps me busy and sane (and off the streets!)

I will post a photo when the ship is finished, though it will be a few weeks, I'm sure.  This is the first ship model I have built since I was a kid, so there were a lot of new techniques to learn and I am going slow and doing it right, so far.

No problem...I am sure it is a very good looking model!  Please, if you get a chance, post some photos.  

I got back into to this (model building which I did as a youngster, and then later in my 30s for 3-4 years) after being diagnosed with a very rare malignant bone cancer and undergoing massive surgerieis (3 of them) in 2010 to remove my entire sacrum...and then the recovery for months in the hospital followed by several months of very intensive rehab.

My Sacral Chordoma Journal

www.jeffhead.com/chordoma.htm

Luckily, they were able to accomodate me back at work due to my resulting disabilities...but in the evenings this has been very therapuetic for me.

I have about 5 years to go until retirement so am very grateful to be able to continue working.

God's speed and Bravo Zulu!

Well, Jeff, after further study of the configuration of the decks, the paint job, which is good, and considering your advice, I have decided that adding the railings at this point is a couple of steps above my skill level, so reluctantly, I will leave them off.  There are a lot of bumps and protusions on the decks that get in the way of the rails, also.  My hands are a bit shaky, as I am one of the senior guys on the forum, and the ship looks good so far, so I have decided not to risk messing it up.

Now, if you lived down the street from me, I would be happy to bring my model to you, and entrust you with adding those PE railings!

Thank you for those kind words.  She is a part of my World's Modern Carrier Strike Group Project as an escort for my US Navy CSG.

Jeff Head's 1/350 Scale Modern Aircraft Carrier Strike Groups

www.jeffhead.com/modelbuilds

You have done a beautiful job on her. You should be very happy.....Cheers mark

Yep...just your standard plastic model cement in the red tube.

The super glue is the quick drying type for PE.  It is pretty runny and I started mixing plastic cement in it because I wanted there to be more consistancy and more form to it...easier to work with.

Anyhow, I usually mix 1:1 and then, as I said, let the drops dry a few seconds before applying so they start to set up and then carefully put the PE onto the small bead I lay down, applying ever so slight pressure to let it set.  Works out pretty well.

Good luck...post pics!

Thanks for the suggestions, Jeff.  I will seriously consider doing that.  What kind of plastic cement did you mix with the super glue?  Are you talking about tube glue?  

Well, I really enjoyed this model, and placed the PE railing at various stages of the build, but mostly towards the end.

if you had the model painted when you noticed this you were probably planning to place them at the end as well.  This can be done without messing up the painting if you are very careful,  I usually place a drop of my PE glue mixture (super glue and plastic cement mixed to give the super glue some consistancy and which has the plastic cement firming up faster for a base) on the tip of a very small, angled pick.  I then wait maybe fifteen seconds and then spread that drop in a line along where the railing will go and then very carefully place the PE railing there.  Usually this works very well and leaves very little indication of the gluing.

Then, some fine brush touch up where necessary and a coat of dull coat makes any left over changes in texture or glint pretty much go away.

Anyhow, that's how I would proceed.  Good luck and hope it turns out well.

As I said, I really enjoy the level of detail provided by Trumpeter over the Dragon model which I also built and reviewed as a comparison.  Though both models end up looking good, there is a major structural issue with all of the Dragon Burkes in that the landing pad is too long, and the hanger too short.

Here's the Lassen, DDG-82 (Trumpeter), and the Preble DDG-88 (Dragon) right after one another to compare:

This is my own fault for not thoroughly reading through the entire instruction book before starting the model, but now that most of it is finished and nicely painted, I discovered there are NO indications of where, when, or how, to mount the PE deck railings!  They are not shown anywhere, not even on the full color multiview painting and decal placement instruction sheet.

If I try to add them now, I will surely mess up a nice paint job, and repainting is not an option due to all the little plastic parts affixed to the decks, no way to sand it off, add railings, and do a good finishing job.

I am really disappointed in Trumpeter for the incomplete instruction manual.  This is why I usually enjoy building aircraft models as my first preference.

Thank you very much for reading it and the kind words. I am currently building Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Freedom, LCS-1.  

www.jeffhead.com/.../US-lcs01.htm

When I finish that I am anxious to start the Dragon Model's USS Preble, DDG-88, Arliegh Burke Flight IIA in 1/350 scale and compare it to this one by Trumpeter.

Typically, Trumpeter has a lot more detail resulting in a lot more parts, putting a lot of small detailed parts into individual plastic molded parts, while Dragon does a GREAT job of modling significant detail right into the large portions of the hull.  Good detail...but more difficult to paint and make look individual.

I think the Trumpeter model is overall better, but you also pay more, and if you are very careful and good at painting the small details, can get almost as good an effect.

Anyhow, I will have that review here and on my own site (above) when I do.

Thanks again!

Well, I am sure somewhere back down the line you are related.  He was a very brave individual who went above and beyond the call.  Good luck and have a lot of fun with your build.  Please point me to it when you get it done and can upload a build-up review here, or elsewhere.

Jeff,

Beautiful ship!  Excellent job.  I'm planning on building this one for my brother in law who is a Plank Owner on the Lassen.  Your review and build log have been very helpful.

Cheers,

Wayne

I have researched the bio of Clyde Lassen and checked some geneaology sources, but so far, it seems I am not related to him, although it is not a common name.  Still, it was fun to find a ship with my name on it!

Thank you very much! I have a bunch of others built...and even more planned.  See:

www.jeffhead.com/modelbuilds

That's a beautiful ship!  Nice work.

Thanks, I am sure you will enjoy the build.  I am building Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Freedom, LCS-1 right now.  

www.jeffhead.com/.../US-lcs01.htm

When I finish that I am anxious to start the Dragon Model's USS Preble, DDG-88, Arliegh Burke Flight IIA in 1/350 scale and compare it to this one by Trumpeter.

Typically, Trumpeter has significant more detail and a lot more parts,putting a lot of small detailed parts into individual plastic molded parts, whicl Dragon does a GREAT job of modling significant detail right into the large portions of the hull.  Good detail...but more difficult to paint and make look individual.

Anyhow, neat how your name lines right up with the USS LAssen.  Any relation?  The USS Lassen was named for  Clyde Lassen, who received the Medal of Honor for rescueing of two downed aviators in Vietnam  very hostile territory.  He commanded the a search and rescue helicopter that found and brought them home.

God's speed...fair skies and a following wind!

Nice work, Jeff!  Your finished model has given me inspiration to continue!  I'm still in the early steps, the deck is done and am now going blind building the first superstructure.  Your photos are very helpful, especially the rigging.  I think I can do that using stiff wire, might be easier.

Thanks again-  Chuck Lassen

Latest Update: More deck details and Main Mast- January 10, 2013

I continued with the Lassen, adding more deck details, like the MK-38 25mm guns, the ship's launches and davits, and numerous other details, and began working on the main mast. The main mast on the Arleigh Burke destroyers is distinctive. It is a raked mast, angled back to help with reducing its radar signature. It is a miniature model all its own consisting of over 30 parts. I added a couple of Photo Etch parts from my Dragon, 1/350 Scale, USS Sullivans model that I am using for spare parts to assist with this model and the other two Burke Flight IIA DDGd I inytend to build for the US CSG and ARG. The Dragon Models have a second PE sprue that contains more parts, including the personnel supports on the main masts for the sailors to climb up there and do maintenance on the sensors. Here's the construction of those various parts:

Now it was time to attach the main mast and its supports. This had to be carefully done since the main supports for the mast, and the supports for the main arm of the mast could not be added until the mast itself was glued in place. You do not want the mast to dry firm before doing this because you have to have enough "play" in the mast to allow for the proper placement of those main supports and ensuring that they are both symetrical and properly placed.

So, here's the process I used to do this. First, you get the glue on...and in this case I carefully added glue to both surfaces (the mast and the deck), and then let it get "tacky." Once it was a little "tacky," I added the mast, pressing it in place firmly for about 20-30 seconds to get the bond started, and then letting it set for a few minutes so it would stand on its own, but not set enough to be firm. It was then that I added the two long support braces that extend from the middle of the mast at the main arm, down to the two locations on the forward deck house aft of the mast. This process allowed me to gently place those parts and move the mast into its proper final position, with both braces symetrcial to each other and the mast set evenly. Then, I let that dry firmly and then added the supports that come from the outer portion of the main mast arm (underneath on the bottom of the arm) down to each of these supporting braces. I was pleased with the results.

Very good progress on the vessel now. You can see the lower hull in the background in several of these pictures. For the next and possibly last installement of this build, I will paint the black waterline strip on the upper hull, add all of the life raft caontainers onto the vessel, build and locate the SeaHawk helicopters on the flight deck and add the safety netting there, and then add the lower hull, the props, screws and rudders. This should complete the model and I hope to be able to have the time to do that over the next 2-3 days, accomplishing the most on Saturday when I have more time to work on it. Back with more then.

Helos, rigging and COMPLETION - January 13, 2013!

 I had a couple of more items to build to finish the model. One was the two Seahawk helos for the landing pad and hangers. I decided to complete one ready for takeoff in the middle of the landing pad, and the other just peeking out of its hanger, preparing to be the next in line for takeoff. These helo models are molded in clear plastic so that if you wanted, you could really do up the interior and leave the windows clear to see that level of detail. I am afraid a 1/350 scale detailed helo cockpit and interior are a bit too much for these later 50s hands and eyes, so I painted them in normal colors. Testor's Model MAster Light Ghost Gray for the fuselage, black for the tires, canopy, and rotors, which I added yellow tips to. And then steel for the landing struts.

I also had to scratch build the aft, landing pad viewing station, which was on that "S" sprue that was not included with the model, and which I fabricated from spare parts and then used a couple of small rectangular PE parts, painted black, for the windows. Also, masked off the name plate area on the stand I had built to paint it light gray so I can later stencil or find decals for it to name the model. I used nasking tape and paper, and then (what I really wanted to show here) used my high-tech, very expnsive (/sarcasm) spray paint booth to paint it as shown below. Really, you can buy really nice modeling spray paint booths for upwards of $200 dollars...my solution works pretty well at...let's say...a real fraction of the cost. Hehehe.

I then did the rigging. The rigging on this model is fairly staright forward with four lines on each side from the main mast down to areas behind the main deck house and forward of the first smoke stack. I had placed hand rails there (not included or shown on the model) specifically to provide these tie down points behind the main deck house. Intricate work and somewhat time consuming, but also gratifying. Adds one of those "touches" to the model that lends more realism. I also scratch built an aft yard arm from the main mast to place the rigging for the main flag.

Now it was time for placing the model on its stand, doing any final touch up painting and adding a couple of coats of dull coat over the entire thing to give that flat finish and protect the decals. I did that, completing the model (except for 1/350 scale figures and flags I amy add at a later date) and completed the model. Here's how she looks. A real beaut!

Trumpeter's USS Lassen, DDG-82, completed in 1/350 scale for my US Navy CSG.  I will also build the USS p[reble by Dragon and compare the two...I can pretty much say already that the Trumpetetr model is the better build, more detail, more difficult, more complete...but the Preble looks good too and it will be interesting to see if the finished product is as pleasing, even if a lot of it is molded from the get go.  I have no doubts it will prodce a fine model too, just do not believe it will be as good as this one.

Anyhow, in the mean time...wow on to those two Chinese Type 054A FFGs for the PLAN CSG.

Chuck,

You will not be sorry.  Fine kit.  If you really want to get detailed, get the Photo Etch kit for 1/350 scale Arleigh Burkes from Gold Medal Models or Tom's Model Works.  As it is, the PE parts that come with this kit are nice.  I did add some additional PE parts up in the main mast area...actually tonight.  I will be posting an update tomorrow showing my progress.

If you get the chance, check out my other reviews, both here on Fine Scale Modelr, and on my site, where I am tracking all of my Carrier Strike Group builds at: htt://www.jeffhead.com/modelbuilds.

Have a lot of fun.  I build modern 1/72 scale aircraft too.  Got a bunch of them, both built and in stash.  One day I will do a site for them too.

I do have a B-17G from WW II in 1/72 scale I will build at some point in honor of my Uncle, my mother's only brother (she had four sisters) who died in 1944 over Germany when his B-17 was shot down...hit by an 88, two missions before they were done.

God's speed...and fair winds and a following sea.

Jeff, thanks for the excellent review!  Since my name is Lassen, I just had to order one of these kits from Sprue Brothers today!  Normally, I build WWII aircraft.  I haven't built a ship since I was a kid in the 50's, a decent plastic LST, long gone now, so I am looking forward to tackling this one!

Actually at my World-wide Aircraft Carrier site mentioned above, I do have both of Spain's Carriers (one is on the Carrier page and the other is on the Amphib Page there because the Juan Carlos is an LPH), and I also have the Thai Carrier on the Carrier page.

Here are their links:

Spanish Principe de Asturias

www.freewebs.com/.../asturias.htm

Spanish Juan Carlos

www.freewebs.com/.../bpe.htm

Thailand Chakri Nareubet

www.freewebs.com/.../naruebet.htm

I share your enthusiasm for Trumpeter, although I like those other guys too. That's an impressive post. It has a lot of information, and it certainly must have taken a deal of time to create. Thanks for that.

So out of curiosity I looked up carriers in service;

en.wikipedia.org/.../List_of_aircraft_carriers_in_service

Seems you're only missing Spain and Thailand! Great post, thanks.