Hello evryone,
I am trying to find a scale model kit of the USS Oscar Austin DDG79. So far I have not been able to locate one. Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and help in this matter
Hunter
Arleigh Burke class. I know there are kits of the class out there in at least 1/350. As far as mods needed to make an accurate DDG 79, vs what is in the kit, no idea. You could use generic numbers, and have a nameplate made for a few $ at a local trophy shop.
GH,
Thank you very much sir. That information is a great starting point for me. Thnak you again.
Quick search came up with 1/350 from Trumpy and Hobby Boss (likely same molds) and Bluejacket for the class leader DDG 51
Yes, I just found one on Scalehobbyist.com for $52.99 (1/350 scale) Trumpeter. Again, thank you GH for your help. It has the proper numbers in the decal sheet. I’ll do as you stated and get a name plate at a trophy store. My sister was a nurse on the Ocsar Austin during her time in the military, and I am going to surprise her with this build.
Nice, she’ll appreciate that.
Pass on our thanks for her time under the colors.
Oscar Austin is a Flight IIA variant, so it’s better to start with the Trumpeter USS Momsen kit as it represents a Flight IIA rather than the initial Arleigh Burke. My understanding is that the Momsen kit also includes additional hull numbers to build other ships.
A little bit about the family tree of the Burkes. DDG-51 (Arleigh Burke) through DDG-70 (Hopper) are termed Flight I. DDG-71 (Ross) through DDG-78 (Porter) are termed Flight II Burkes. The differences between Flight I and Flight II are largely in their onboard electronics. There may be some minor differnces in the antennas on the masts. They are the same externally in their gross appearance.
The DDG-79 (Oscar Austin) and onwards are known as Flight IIa Burkes. While all Burkes are helicopter capable, the Flight IIa Burkes added hangar facilities. Electonics are similar to basic Flight II Burkes. To acheive equivalent radar horizon coverage with the added hangar blocking the view the forward superstructure height had to be increased by a level to accomodate the raised SPY-1 antennas.
Your Flight IIa Oscar Austin is not externally the same as a Flight I or Flight II Burke.
I will GH…I tried to talk her into going to the Army like I did. She wanted no part of that LOL.
Phil,
Thank you for providing me with that information.
Thank you sir for the detailed information on the different types of Burkes. I must say with the information provided from everyone I am definitely going to read up more on naval ships. Thank you again sir.
Based on Ed’s information, a web search shows that Trumpeter kits DDG-82 USS Lassen, and Dragon sells DDG-88 USS Preble, both on 1/350 scale. Both come with some PE, both are well regarded by reviewers.
I think the Burkes are really pretty ships, having seen several here over the years.
Hello Bill,
LOL…the Trumpeter DDG-82 USS Lassen is the kit I just purchased. Thank you friend for the information. I hope you are improving and taking it easy. Make sure you go to ALL of your doctor appointments.
The Arleigh Burkes sure are beautiful ships.
Squadron Signal Publications makes a pretty good reference book about the Arleigh Burke Class of Destroyers. It’s called Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyers in Action. I found it useful when painting various weapons and equipment on the deck of the destroyer. It also breaks down the differences between Flight I, Flight II, and Flight IIa variants.
https://www.squadron.com/Arleigh-Burke-Class-Destroyers-In-Action-SC-Sq-p/ss14031.htm
There is a Flight III in the works as an economy option to the new and expensive Zumwalt class destroyer.
One other feature of the Flight IIA and III from earlier versions is the stacks. The earlier Flights have the individual tops exposed, while the later Flights have them encased. This supposedly is to cut down on Radar Cross Section (RCS).
Early
Late
ridelusmc,
Thank you very much for the link. I will be purchasing this book to help me with this build. Thank you again.
It took me a second Carlos LOL…but then I saw what you were pointing out. This is all new to me, so I am going to take full advantage of this build and learn as much as I can. Thank you sir.