Question about USS Spruance 1:350?

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Hi

I was looking into getting the Trumpeter 1:350 Uss Spruance kit, and was wondering:

  1. Is it a hard kit to build? How many parts does it have?

  2. Are stands and helicopters included?

  3. How many materials are needed for it?

Thanks

Adam

2

I wouldn’t get the Minihobby kit 90% of the sprues in that kit are taken from the Dragon 1/350 USS Spruance with the only differance being the hull. The MiniHobby kit was designed as a motorized ship. So save your money and buy the Dragon kit. And yes there are stands and Helicopters But I would suggest investing in the Trumpeter HH-60 sets as those are made of clear plastic.

3

What about a Trumpeter USS Oliver Hazard or USS The Sullivan’s? How do they compare?

4

The OHP is a Academy product and is a Perry Class Frigate. The USS the Sullivans is a Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer and is a Trumpeter product and also Dragon puts out a Arleigh Burk class kit. I believe both share the same hull sort of like how the Spruance Class and Ticonderoga Class ships shared the same hulls. The Perry Class replaced the Spruance Class while the Arleigh Burke Class replaced the Ticonderoga Class in the AEGIS AAGM destroyer role.

5

Ok, thanks.

6

The Perry Class did not replace the Spruance. They were contemporary. The Perry Class (long hull and short hull) were Frigates. They were referred to as missile sumps due to their minimal defense. The Spruance were “destroyers.” Though they shared the hull of the Ticonderoga Class cruisers, they were designated destroyers to get them through congressional military allocations (which had said “no more cruisers.”).

The Spruance/Ticonderoga Class kits (along with the Kidd Class - known as the Ayatollah Class) whether DML or Dragon or whatever, are VERY difficult and problematic due to their poor fit.

The Academy Perry Class, on the other hand, is highly recommended and builds well. Add a photoetch accessory such as from White Ensign Models, and ti builds into a real winner.

7

There are still many Ticonderoga class CG in service. The 5 without VLS were retired and the ship that got caught on a reef outside Pearl Harbor is going to retire early because the ship hasn’t been able to be returned to acceptable condition.