Dragon USS Zumwalt, DDG 1000, 1:700

[D-Boy]

This kit has arrived on US shores and is available for initial review, well ahead of it's 1:1 scale prototype, which is headed for a 2016 fleet debut. There's already a CASF thread for the ship/class: viewtopic.php?f=49&t=155056&start=20

HobbySearchJP has photos of a dry-fit, assembled model, parts sprues, and directions: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10274617a/20/1

Dragon's Zumwalt can be built in waterline form, or full hull, which further displays the tumblehome hull design. There is no waterline plate to seal the hull bottom, but internal bracing on the two hull side interiors and a positive alignment on the bow should keep hull form intact.

The kit consists of five sprues, display stand for full-hull mounting, and a small fret of PE, which is shipped loose in the box (edit: mine simply came out of its glassine envelope), and two pages of directions. One sprue from PitRoad provides parts for the M60R helicopter and MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter drone, but is otherwise destined for the parts bin (Sprue D, here: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10274617z3/70/3)

Consisting of 55 parts, the kit appears to be a straightforward build. The directions suggest mating the completed above-waterline hull with the hull bottom as a last step, but anyone undertaking a full-hull build should probably mate hull bottom after completion of the hull sides at an early stage to address any seam issues at the front end of the build.

Decks are cast in two pieces, bow and stern. The two hull sides include the port and starboard superstructure. Three additional parts complete the superstructure, and one additional part completes the hull stern. A hanger door completes the stern deck - there's no interior detail to the hanger space.

For those completing a full hull build, the sonar dome is cast in two parts, and 11 other parts complete the lower hull, including 4-bladed props (there's doubt as to whether the ship will be so-equipped), waved-shape rudders (be sure to mount them with the indentations facing inward to the keel line), and bilge keels: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10274617a8/20/8

VLS launchers are molded into the bow and stern decks. Box art notes the inclusion of twin Bofors Mk 100 57 mm Close-In Guns (CIGS) (to be mounted above the hanger). However, the ship is not going to be so equipped - she will apparently fit out with two Mk36 30mm Close in Gun Systems (CIGS): http://www.seaforces.org/wpnsys/SURFACE ... system.htm. Edit: links further down this thread indicate that these weapons will not be stealthed.

Main armament consists of 2x 155 mm AGS mounted on the bow. These can be assembled in firing position, or with barrels stealthed.

Decals are included and provide hull number, firing arc circles for the 155mm main guns, flight deck markings, draft markings, and aircraft markings. They are tightly grouped on the decal sheet, so care will be needed to cut decals for soaking and application. Page 4 of the directions provides placement instruction.

A very small fret of PE provides skids as well as blades for the drone (but not the M60R).

There are some good shots of the M60R helicopter at this link - at the very least, you'll want to add a small disk to the underside of the PitRoad copter to represent maritime radar: https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/mh ... ers-04435/. Edit: actually, the larger copter included in the kit includes an under fuselage radar dome, so no addition needed here.

I hope to start an immediate build and will report in on fit of parts later this week.

- D-Boy

[D-Boy]

Three things to note, observed in initial construction:

1) The bridge piece/front of superstructure has a bit of a gap when mating with the port and starboard sides of the superstructure. It is the only noticeable seam in the superstructure that I experienced in my assembly. It's going to be a bit of a challenge to address, given the detail present at that level of the superstructure.

2) There are dimples on the hull exterior at the location of the interior supports on the hull. These will need to be filled with putty and sanded back to flush. A similar problem exists at the bow, less obvious, which occurs where the positive locator pin is molded in the interior.

3) There are ejection pin marks on the upside of the bilge keels that need to be cleaned. The fit of the keels into the hull bottom is not as tight as it could be, and one side or the other of where the keels meet the hull will need to be filled.

[Timmy C]

And in case there's any doubt as to the rudder, here's a photo of it before it's installed (on its side on the ground).

[maxim]

Today I got the kit. Some remarks:

1.) The depiction of the "tiles" on the superstructure is over scale. It looks more like a brick wall. Probably it helps to sand them a little bit thinner. I am not sure about the radar antenna on the side of the superstructure.

2.) The depiction of the mooring openings as recessed panels is not optimal, because on the real ship these panels are are not recessed but on the same level as the hull plating.

3.) Some panels on the hull side are not depicted, e.g. below the rear end of superstructure on main deck level.

4.) The SH-60B included is only remotely similar to a Seahawk, e.g. all the equipment on the bow is missing, the shape is wrong and the hull is much too narrow. It should be better replaced by parts offered by Pit-Road or Trumpeter. It is strange that Dragon (Black Label) modified that sprue to include the MQ-8B Fire Scout instead of making a new one including the MQ-8B, a MQ-8C and a new MH-60R Seahawk (including even Hellfire launchers).

5.) The HighViz markings for the Seahawk are not fitting at all to 21st century warship.

6.) The addition of PE rotors for the MQ-8B is nice, but why are none for the Seahawk included? Will there be nets at the ends of the helicopter deck?

[VilleH64]

D-Boy,

"Box art notes the inclusion of twin Bofors Mk 100 57 mm Close-In Guns (CIGS) (to be mounted above the hanger). However, the ship is not going to be so equipped - she will apparently fit out with two Mk36 30mm Close in Gun Systems (CIGS): "

Where did you get this information? First information available did suggest Mk 46, but everything I have seen after that votes for Bofors Mk 110 CIWS, so this is going back to original plans?

I'm currently scratchbuild Zummie in 1:200 scale, and the CIWS will be soon in worklist.

Br, Ville H

[D-Boy]

Today I got the kit. Some remarks:

1.) The depiction of the "tiles" on the superstructure is over scale. It looks more like a brick wall. Probably it helps to sand them a little bit thinner. I am not sure about the radar antenna on the side of the superstructure.

Agreed - the tiles look more like bricks, and sanding is probably the best and most efficient means of seeking to correct. They appear a bit rounded off in profile as cast. Any company seeking to do an aftermarket PE set for this kit should consider a PE overlay for these sections of superstructure.

2.) The depiction of the mooring openings as recessed panels is not optimal, because on the real ship these panels are not recessed but on the same level as the hull plating.

I'm thinking about plastic plugs that could be inserted and be sanded to profile, but would hopefully leave evidence of a seam or shape where the mooring openings would be.

3.) Some panels on the hull side are not depicted, e.g. below the rear end of superstructure on main deck level.

The hazards of casting a first-in-class ship two plus years ahead of her fleet debut, I guess.

4.) The SH-60B included is only remotely similar to a Seahawk, e.g. all the equipment on the bow is missing, the shape is wrong and the hull is much too narrow. It should be better replaced by parts offered by Pit-Road or Trumpeter. It is strange that Dragon (Black Label) modified that sprue to include the MQ-8B Fire Scout instead of making a new one including the MQ-8B, a MQ-8C and a new MH-60R Seahawk (including even Hellfire launchers).

5.) The HighViz markings for the Seahawk are not fitting at all to 21st century warship.

6.) The addition of PE rotors for the MQ-8B is nice, but why are none for the Seahawk included? Will there be nets at the ends of the helicopter deck?

To the PE spares box for the Seahawk rotors. And while I presume the flight deck will have netting, the ship is not at a stage of completion to determine its configuration.

[Timmy C]

Where did you get this information? First information available did suggest Mk 46, but everything I have seen after that votes for Bofors Mk 110 CIWS, so this is going back to original plans?

From this discussion: viewtopic.php?f=49&t=155056&view=unread#p632598

[VilleH64]

Hmm, It is possibly, the Navsea site has not updated and has original information?

I suggest to check this issue from somewhere else source

Br, Ville H

[navydavesof]

Hmm, It is possibly, the Navsea site has not updated and has original information?

I suggest to check this issue from somewhere else source

Br, Ville H

One of my fellow GM1s is on her, and he confirmed for me there will be no 57mm guns, only 30mm.

[Timmy C]

Hmm, It is possibly, the Navsea site has not updated and has original information?

Unlikely, since it includes information that is fairly recent, such as the names of all three ships, the fact that the third ship's deckhouse will be built at Bath Iron works, and only the X-band radar rather than both S-band and X-band.

[VilleH64]

Great, Thanks for confirm this. I will do the Mk 46:s then.

Br:Ville H

[biggles2]

Dragon's "Black Label" series (1/35 armor kits) so far has had a very bad reputation with severe inaccuracy issues and high pricing. .

[D-Boy]

Dragon's "Black Label" series (1/35 armor kits) so far has had a very bad reputation with severe inaccuracy issues and high pricing. .

In this case, the buyer should both understand that Dragon has released a kit of a first-in-class and as yet incomplete ship. I was fully prepared as a buyer for some conjecture and inaccuracies. For the most part, we are noting minor inaccuracies that can be addressed during a build or parts that can be swapped out from other kits.

The anechoic tiles sand down nicely, imo. Trying to get pictures up, but camera and laptop not enjoying their conversation at the moment.

[biggles2]

In that case, it may be better to wait a year or two for Hobby Boss, or Trumpeter to release a more accurate one. Dragon may be jumping the gun a bit here.

[D-Boy]

Here is Tim Dike's review, posted on this forum as of 8/1/2014: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... eview.html

[biggles2]

$35 is a bit steep for a 1/700 destroyer with so few parts and very limited included PE. Are there no deck railings on the real ship, or did Dragon just decide to not include them? Of course, this is the trend for all of the Black Label line.

[D-Boy]

$35 is a bit steep for a 1/700 destroyer with so few parts and very limited included PE. Are there no deck railings on the real ship, or did Dragon just decide to not include them? Of course, this is the trend for all of the Black Label line.

We don't know yet. There's been a mix of heavy and light construction fencing on the ship, but I can't imagine what we see in photos is in any way permanent.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... 99-103.JPG

http://intercepts.defensenews.com/wp-co ... 1015-b.jpg

http://aviationintel.com/wp-content/upl ... alt-01.jpg

http://www.jeffhead.com/usn21/zumwalt-ddg1000-08.jpg

http://intercepts.defensenews.com/wp-co ... -gun11.jpg

This rendering shows a portion of the bow with deck railings (and netting on the helicopter landing pad as well (also not included)). Note no railing on deck above hanger at stern.

[biggles2]

This was the point of my earlier posting - this kit is sort of a "what-if" model. "What if" it looks like this when finished. There is even some conjecture on armaments above, as well. And then there is the issue of DML's designs accuracy lately on new-tooled kits. In the past, Dragon has released fantastic kits, but recently they are increasingly suspect, and subject to very close scrutiny for accuracy and dimensional flaws. DML does not have a record of correcting mistakes (their first Cyber-Hobby SAS Jeep; their more recent M103, and M6 tanks); they simply discontinue the production run and move on to their next subject. Buying this USS Zumwalt by DML may prove to be premature.

[navydavesof]

On the other hand, a lot of advanced modelers (way more advanced than myself!) love accuritizing models. : D

[maxim]

Yes! But we have to wait for the real ship to be finished and to get high resolution photos of the finished ship, e.g. showing also the decks, the upper part of the superstructure etc.

The photos I have found do not show any details from above.

And there are some unknowns, e.g. where exactly will the 30 mm guns go, will she really get this "mast" on the top of superstructure etc.