Calling all Freedom-class LCS fans

[Timmy C]

Having looked at the 350th Trumpeter kit's hull some more, I am convinced, as Bob has noted, that it's not just the bow that's wrong, but the entire thing. From a top view perspective: On the real thing and in the 1/700 Dragon model, the hull sides slope gently towards the centerline starting from the stern - they are not parallel. Looking at the Trumpeter instructions and pieces, it is clear that their hull sides are perfectly, inaccurately, parallel all the way up to where the bow curve is.

It's an error that I think will be nearly impossible to rectify without much contortion of all deck and superstructure pieces - squeezing the hull to force a slope will not work.

[carr]

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[Timmy C]

Hmm, looks like I might've jumped the gun a bit. All those oblique views plus the curve starting at the front of the superstructure really got to me.

Edit: I guess the most convincing picture was this one: http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imageDown ... 3d854f7312

[carr]

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[navydavesof]

Looks like its up to Dragon to make a good 1/350 kit. Oh, darn.

[Bill Liebold]

Timmy C,

You are correct. The sides of the ship are not parallel but taper inward from the transom to the front of the deckhouse. Dragon did get it right on their 1/700 kit.

Bill L

[carr]

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[Bill Liebold]

Yes Bob, I work as the prototyper for Lockheed Martin and I make the trade show models based on "official" drawings. Most of the models I have posted in the gallery are LM models. I did the 1/96 scale Surface Combat Ship that is in the Dubai Air show vidio that is in this thread. I don't know that much about the programs and the technical stuff of how the real ships work, I'm sure you know more than me just from doing on line research, but I have a handle on what the outside shape is. I build models of almost every major Lockheed Martin MS2 program, so it becomes impossible to know the technical aspects of everything. Between LCS and Aegis, I do get to build quite a few ships. I'm sorry but I can't share the drawings I have.

I hope that helps,

Bill

[Timmy C]

Thanks Bill! Love you work as well.

[carr]

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[Bill Liebold]

Bob,

In 1/350 scale the hull at the front of the deck house should be about a tenth of an inch narrower on each side than the transom. Total width would be about two tenths narrower. You can measure it out on your model and see if it is worth messing with. This would force you to alter the hull and the deck house so they both meet at the edge. That sounds a lot like work to me!

Bill

[carr]

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[Timmy C]

I found a basic side and top view diagram of LCS 1 on slide 5 of the LCS presentation at this year's Sea-Air-Space Expo: http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/SAS201 ... AS2011.pdf
The top view reflects the amount of narrowing of the hull going towards the front.

[carr]

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[Cadman]

I don't think there is any harm in saying so, but I relied heavily on photos of Bill's model to help Dragon get their version right. His work is outstanding and I really appreciate the detail he puts into his models.

[carr]

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[Timmy C]

No, I think you're all right, Bob - Tim's just implying that the reason behind the accuracy of the Dragon kit is because he referenced Bill's very accurate work.

[davidwaples]

I received my Trumpeter 1:350 kit and understand what the concern is with the bow. Personally I think this is am easily fixable issue, and yea, it will take some work but not that much. My thought is that you split the leading edge of the bow and use some evergreen plastic side to side in order to hold the corrected form you want in the bow. Then fill as required and sand back to shape. At this point as the hull is compressed slightly the edge will bow up. Sand it back flat with a sanding block and do the same for the recesses where the deck piece fits into shape. Reshape the deck and you should be good to go. You may have to replace the deck bollards but not much more.

As far as the stern is concerned, if it needs to be fixed to match the drawing it appears to be a matter of removing the molded in fillets. The question is of course, is the drawing correct?

Personally I think the most challenging piece of this kit will be getting the railing right. These all appear to slant inward and on the bow section have 5 lines. I'm thinking the way to go is to install your own brass stanchions and run some very fine line like fly fishing tippet material to represent the cable.

All in all a very nice offering at a very reasonable price.

Dave

[carr]

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[Timmy C]

It should be noted that the LCS is going to be the USN's only MCM vessel. Given the acknowledgement by the USN that mines are the greatest threat to area access that the USN faces, I don't see them giving up on the MCM module for the LCS due to these difficulties. They may change or scrap the "deficient" systems, but I am nearly certain that a working MCM package will be developed for the LCS. It may not be soon, but it will be done.