Calling all Zumwalt-class DDG fans

[Timmy C]

Some commentators suggest the navigation radars and light mast are temporary and would be removed for actual deployments, though perhaps they may be put on a permanent conventional mast as well. It's suspected she'll get the hangar-top 30mm after she arrives in San Diego next year.

[TK1]

Hi,

Bit late to this thread, but was searching for any info on a possible 1/350 model?

I know there's a 1/700 one out, but keen to know if there's any rumours or knowledge on someone releasing a 1/350 kit. I mainly build older (early WWII/pre-war) ships but this one is "out there" in styling so would make an interesting comparative subject.

Thanks

[D-Boy]

New video from Bath Iron Works:https://www.facebook.com/32402943432560 ... 771762201/

[maxim]

Interesting views!

Now no mast, but a lot of navigation radars - unlikely to remain all on the ship. Interestingly the safety rails on the helicopter deck can be retracted and there are no rails to see at sea.

It shows also nicely the exhausts - and that the air intakes look very different from the radar antenna, which Dragon did not really got right.

Are there any views of her in bad weather? Would be interesting, if the bow works as intended (making the ship dryer) or not.

[Timmy C]

I don't think she's experienced bad weather yet - only been out to sea for three trials so far.

Navigation radars will be removed and regular mast installed, along with other antenna per this latest concept (from USNI: https://news.usni.org/2016/03/03/new-ex ... nal-design):

[Haijun watcher]

This is vessel is correctly prefixed "PCU" (Pre-Commissioning Unit) Michael Monsoor, since the "USS" prefix only applies to commissioned ships.

Defence Aerospace

Navy to Christen Destroyer Michael Monsoor
(Source: U.S Navy; issued June 17, 2016)

WASHINGTON --- The Navy will christen the newest destroyer, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), Saturday, June 18, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at the General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine.

The second ship in the Zumwalt-class of destroyers, DDG 1001 is named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor. Sally Monsoor, petty officer Monsoor's mother, will serve as the ship's sponsor.

Retired Navy Vice Adm. Joseph Maguire will serve as the principal speaker. Highlighting the event will be Mrs. Monsoor breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow to formally christen the ship-a time-honored Navy tradition.

(...SNIPPED)

[Plastic Habit]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-nav ... cid=ASUDHP

[FRAMSailor]

She is in Newport this weekend and then on to Baltimore.

[Charles Landrum]

Zumwalt pulled into Norfolk on Wednesday and I believe will be here until here transit up the bay to Baltimore. As on old CRUDES sailor she sure is different.

[SSNJim]

PCU Zumwalt is in Baltimore now. She's at the North Locust Point Terminal. I did manage to see a bit of her (forward guns, superstructure) from the street outside the terminal, and saw the top of her superstructure from Fells Point. No pictures yet. I'll be back in Baltimore Friday.

[Timmy C]

Here are two close-ups of the Zumwalt's new retractable flight deck edge railings/barriers from the commissioning ceremony October 15, 2016 - pics from US Navy's official Twitter account:

[MartinJQuinn]

Some photos from yesterdays commissioning in Baltimore...

[maxim]

Thank you very much for the photos!

Again, a different configuration of the mast. There are still no secondary guns on the hangar.

AND: did they remove the tiles from the superstructure and added some other material?

[MartinJQuinn]

Tiles are still there. It looks like the masts are temporary. Apparently the radars are also temporary - she's carrying commercial radar until she gets to the west coast. There were .50 calibers just forward of the bridge and on the starboard aft corner. There was a 7.62 machine gun on the port aft corner, obviously all temporary.

She's a BIG boat when you get up close. During the ceremony I looked up dimensions of other ships for comparison.

She is about the same length, but displaces 4,000 more tons than an Independence class carrier.
She is about the same length, but about 1/2 the displacement of the Arizona.

[AyalaBotto]

Thank you very much for the photos!

Again, a different configuration of the mast. There are still no secondary guns on the hangar.

AND: did they remove the tiles from the superstructure and added some other material?

Hi,

A good point the lack of the tiles on the superstructure.
As for the guns I read somewhere that 2x Mk-46 30mm Bushmaster gun will be installed on top of the hangar rather than the 2x 57mm guns.

Another interesting detail is the flight deck barrier. It means no helicopter safety nets?

And yes, the ship looks absolutely massive!



Thanks
Regards,
Ayala

[maxim]

Ok, there are still tiles. But they are mainly visible because of the border to the normal skin of the superstructure - not as tiles.

I wonder when this ships will be fully equipped...

[MartinJQuinn]

No safety nets. Those aren't stealth friendly.

Hatches can raise up on the deck - you can see this in these photos - they are black rectangles.

[AyalaBotto]

Hi,

according with the photos and details known so far (and yet still many more details to be defined in the real ship), it seems we gonna have to wait until a decent and accurate 1/700 model of Zumwalt is available.

After all, patience is the mother of all virtues!



Thanks
Regards,
Ayala Botto

[MartinJQuinn]

More photos of the commissioning posted by Mike D in the main forum: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=163659

[Timmy C]

Zumwalt will receive her final fit (30mm guns, weapon control/management systems, proper radars, masts, antennas) after her arrival in her homeport of San Diego later this year.