The Ship Model Forum

Those wishing to build the RCN Halifax class frigates have two normal options - Iron shipwrights in 1/350 and the Resin Shipyard in 1/700.

Here's my inbox photo review of the ISW kit, which I managed to get for a song at a local show: http://imgur.com/a/uWEiQ#0

Here is the Resin Shipyard's kit, as reviewed by Sean: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... eview.html

I'll be building mine as Calgary probably starting March 2013.

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I still want one in 350- but perhaps not that one. Are you going to document your build here?

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Sean Hert

Can't wait to see what Resin Shipyard will eventually cook up in 1/350 for this class, the ISW kit is a beast to be polite. I've built three of them now, two are pictured in the below link:

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=136906

I have also served on this class of ship for over 7 years now so if anyone is looking for information just let me know!

P

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Regards,
Paul

@Sean: Yep, I'll have a WIP in Picture Post when I get around to it.

@Paul: Glad to see you've still been building the last few years!

I'm really hoping that I can get past the oddly-dimensioned bow of the ISW kit - it just looks so...fat.

Will need some Veteran Harpoons and CIWS to start, and some scratchbuilt Sparrow launchers.

If anyone has access to scale drawings, I'm all ears!

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Timmy,

Just went through your review of the ISW kit and I see that you ended up with one of the early versions of the kit. In my experience there has been two subtly different masters used for the kit with several small differences. The first ISW kit I made was the same vintage as the one you received but my subsequent three kits have been a newer and slightly more accurate version.

For instance in the newer version the stbd bridge-face doors are not present which is correct, running lights are molded onto the bridgewings, towing point on the quarterdeck and the RAST tracks are inset into the flightdeck, not raised as in your kit. All that being said the glaring issue of the bow shape is still present, can't confirm the hangar door and/or waist problem observed in your review as I didn't notice either problem, but wasn't looking either.

I've spent this week prepping my last ISW kit for another commission build and have put about 15 hours into simply filling the mold imperfections as all of my kits have suffered the bubbling problem you observed. I have a box of over 100 of the small bits which I've liaised with ISW for replacement parts over the years. They have been incredibly helpful in arranging to send replacement parts in abundance when approached regarding unsatisfactory pieces such as some of your ESSM canisters. I have at present 6 separate funnel top pieces, two of which I was able to combine to achieve one satisfactory piece for the current build.

One interesting thing now is that Resin Shipyard sells individual kits for their RHIB and Sea King parts in 1/350 as provided in their 1/350 modern Tribal kit which are very nice indeed and make great replacements for the ISW bits.

Of note with the CIWS, if you are doing a fit post 2007 the majority of the frigates had received the CIWS 1B upgrade by that point. It's technically part of the Halifax Class Modernization program. Visual differences in the 1B are extended barrels, barrel supports as well as a surface firing capability which comes along with two cameras attached to the side of the dome on the outboard side of the mount when facing aft as it normally is. Around the same time as the CIWS 1B upgrades most frigates received the SEOSS upgrade which is an EO/IR camera fitted on the port side of the bridgetop, forward and port of the fwd STIR. The additional domes on the hangartop have been present for quite a while, there are three total there now.

As for scale drawings I would suggest contacting Darren Scannel at Resin Shipyard, he likely has access to or at least knowledge of a source. I've tried talking to engineers I've sailed with in the past and haven't managed to obtain anything suitable for model making yet.

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Regards,
Paul

Thanks Paul! Seems like the improvements in the newer kits are pretty simple to add. Veteran Models is releasing the Blk Ib CIWS in the coming months, so that will be good. I've asked Darren about plans, but he's only got large 1/96 scale drawings...
For the Seaking, I'll have to grab decals for it as well. Replacement STIRs will also be a priority, both because they seem undersized and the bubbles. I know there are differences between the STIR on the Iroquois and the ones on the FFHs, but would they be visible in 350th scale? If similar enough, I might ask Darren for two from his Iroquois kits.

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Interesting news for the coming Blk2 from Veteran Models, combined with their harpoons you'll be in good shape as the ESSM canisters are largely hidden from view anyway.

I'd go with acquiring replacement STIRs from Darren if he has them available. I'm not even 100% sure there is a physical difference in the STIRs, there are internal differences I won't get into but if you look at the link below I'd be hard pressed to say there is an external difference at all, let alone one noticeable in 1/350 scale.

Resin Shipyard's searchlights, photoetch big-eyes, .50 cal mounts, zodiacs, cranes and Sat Domes are also vastly superior to the ISW offering.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/US_Navy_100624-N-6674H-015_Sailors_aboard_the_Canadian_Navy_Halifax-class_frigate_HMCS_Calgary_(FFH_335)_moor_the_ship_next_the_Iroquois-class_guided-missile_destroyer_HMCS_Algonquin_(DDG_283).jpg

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Regards,
Paul

Maybe they've changed the STIRs since these photos, but the difference I see is in the rear element - the 501s have a boxy structure on the left:
Iroquois: http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/ ... g501-3.jpg
Halifax: http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/ ... g503-3.jpg

But you're right - it's not a major thing and the size correction alone would make the Iroquois ones worth using.

I've a display case on order from Darren, and when he gets it I'll be sure to ask him for some relevant part bits!

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Yeah that structure is 100% to do with the "internal" differences I alluded to, honestly didn't know how that manifested itself physically. There may even be several other small differences like that, would be pretty simple to add the boxy section to the back of a Resin Shipyard piece either way.

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Regards,
Paul

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Veteran-1-350-PHALANX-CIWS-with-FLIR-resin-/221195053766?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item338040aac6

That's a 1B

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Regards,
Paul

Ah, I did not know it's already been released. Will get a pack for sure.

I might try adapting my 1/700 20mm guns for 1/350 .50 cals.

Still, my greatest problem right now is the 57mm barrel - Master Models won't sell theirs separately from their LCS 2 pack, and no one else does one.

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