Calling all Freedom-class LCS fans

[Jeffcsr]

Does this mean the LCS1 design is picked over the LCS2 Independence class or are they both still on the procurement list?

[Timmy C]

Nope, 10 of each are still being built as part of the first 20 ships.

Freedom is just ready for deployment earlier.

[Jeffcsr]

Damn, the more I look at it now I want one.

I love the boat deck in the rear called the Waterboard Mission zone

I have to build one and name it the DickChaney

great pics on this link
http://www.seaforces.org/usnships/lcs/L ... -Ships.htm

[davidwaples]

I made a post on their Facebook website and asked them to post some pictures once they had her painted. They said they would. I'm very interested to see this paint scheme. I'm also wondering if they'll paint the LCS-2 as well.
Dave

[Philip LaVoie]

Here are some excellent close-up pictures of the USS Fort Worth. Looks like she carries a Twin 50 on the Starboard side.


http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newsthumbs ... s_1612.htm

[Philip LaVoie]

Starting to research the USS Fort Worth, looks like the Bronco model is nice but will need a little modification. There is only one life raft canister opening on the starboard side instead of two so one will have to be closed up. There is a much different and larger anchor well on the port side that will need to be made. Looks like the two 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II guns are not mounted either, so the bases where the guns would mount will need to be removed and capped off.

Below is a nice pic of the port side of the Fort Worth showing the anchor well detail, does anyone know what that large canister is hanging from the side? There is one on each side, are they just bumpers?

[Timmy C]

The 30mm Bushmasters are part of the Surface Warfare mission package, which are not installed until after the ships have been delivered, so including them or not depends on the time period you're building your LCS.

The big black canister is indeed a bumper.

[Philip LaVoie]

Thanks, I just noticed some pics of the Freedom have them removed as well at times. Guess I�ll put them on, can�t have too many guns!

[davidwaples]

There is a special on Littoral Class ships featuring LCS-1 on the National Geographic Channel, Sunday Feb 10th. The previews look great. Check listings but here in Colorado it is coming on at 16:00.
Dave

[Philip LaVoie]

Thanks, think I found it. Looks like a 2 hr special, I set it to record. Hope it gives a view of the rigid boat well, I need some views to detail that area.

[navydavesof]

Look!!!

[davidwaples]

Nice! Saw her on Facebook. Can't wait to see the complete paint job.

[Bill Liebold]

David,

Thanks for posting that so big. I do have a couple of observations. They must have done a lot of work on her to bring her up to at least LCS-3 standards if not LCS-5. I was surprised to see that the large inboard bridge windows were replaced with the new shape. The old ones were rectangular, the new ones have the inboard edge follow the center line knuckle (This change was not corrected in the LCS-3 kits). Another minor change is the aft antenna mount on the stack has been legthened as on LCS-3. If you have the 1/350 cyber-hobby kit on step 8, they are parts B6 and B8. They should be long enough to go out to the edge of the deck below the mounts and they have supports that come up from the side of the stack. The port side one is clear to see. Also on step 8 there are two antennas that have to be removed from part B5. Compare the part to the picture and you will see the two long rods near the trunk that are not in the picture. The yard arms have fewer antennas than the kit.

Those are small things I know and I would never fault anyone for not wanting to deal with changing the shape of a window or spitting hairs over the amount of antennas on a yard arm. I only point it out for those like me that are be wacko enough to make the chances.

[Timmy C]

Thanks for noting those things Bill! For those of us who want to paint her in the new camo, those are certainly some useful observations.

[davidwaples]

Also note that the equipment for handling the anchor chains is now on deck and the winch has been modified. I noticed this in LCS-3 photos and I recently saw this on LCS-1 as well. They definitely did make some changes prior to being painted. You can see it in the photo above.
Dave

[navydavesof]

There she is:

[Timmy C]

Higher rez: http://i.imgur.com/xmEXv2P.jpg

[Gator52]

Has anyone seen the 1/350 Bronco LCS-3 yet, or know of an online review? It's my understanding that it is mostly the same as the Cyber Hobby LCS-1, but I'm curious about any differences.

Thanks

Jonah

[Timmy C]

I have both. It is a cooperative effort, so the plastic and photoetch are identical. The instructions are different, though - Bronco's are in colour as usual and may be more accurate than the Cyber-Hobby, though I haven't checked intensely.

[Raverdave]

There she is:

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to the colours used?