USS Independence (LCS-2)

[Mike]

USS Independence (LCS-2)

1:350 Bronco Models

In association with

The Littoral Combat Ships that are being developed currently by the US are multi-role combat ships operating in areas closer to shore (known as the Litroral zone) than traditional warships, using a raft of modern technology. Based upon an Australian trimaran hull design, they incorporate stealth technology and internal weapons bays, all of which help to reduce the vessel's radar signature.

The USS Independence and her sister ship USS Freedom are still in the development phase, with the Independence completing her inaugural cruise early in 2010, so this tooling is pretty hot on the heels of the real thing. Incidentally, a search of Wikipedia makes for some interesting reading, as to what is incorporated within this quite unusual ship - modular mission bays, space for roll-on-roll-off AFVs and softskins to name but a few.

The kit arrives in a large glossy top opening box, which I found quite tricky to open, which could be down to the fact that I had a minor operation on my wrist a few weeks ago, but it seems quite tight nonetheless. Inside are 11 sprues of varying sizes, plus the upper hull part and a stand, a medium sized fret of Photo-Etched metal and a small decal sheet.

The ship itself is made up of the parts in the larger 3 sprues plus the upper hull, with two small sprues providing all of the fixtures and fittings that stand proud of the hull. Two small rectangular sprues and two smaller clear sprues provide you with two SH-60 Seahawks, and a tiny sprue contains the parts to make the diminutive MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (rotary wing).

The photo-etch (PE) contains all of the deck railings and anti-fall netting, plus some fine parts that fair in the superstructure to the hull, some small weapons and parts for the helicopter rotors. Finally, there are a few 1:350 2D figures, and a name-plaque, which also has the ship's name in Chinese.

The stand is a simple moulding of black styrene, with two parts that glue to it that are on one of the grey styrene sprues - if they'd been black, you probably could have got away without painting the stand.

Detail on the upper hull is good, with lots of fine raised and recessed detail present. The flight deck has lots of depressions etched into it to represent equipment tie-downs, but it also has shallow raised impressions of the white markings that are also provided as decals. I'm not sure what the thinking was behind this, but I would consider removing this detail, as in scale it would stand more than a few inches off the deck, tripping all and sundry that negotiated the area.

The main (central) hull is made up in the same way as a conventional warship, from two parts split vertically. Onto these latch the out-riggers with the waterline depth outer hulls, with the below water portions as extra parts that glue to the stubs. You might have already guessed, but it is possible to model this ship either full-hull or waterline with a little minor surgery, cutting the main hull along pre-marked lines, and leaving off the outer hull bottom parts. There is even an inner base to the main hull so that it remains sturdy once the bottom is removed, which is a nice touch.

All of the four water-jet motors and the front steering thruster are provided for the full-hull model, with the water-jets using slide-moulding to give them extra fine detail in both planes.

The bridge is made up from a number of slab-sided parts, and looks on first impression to present a bit of a hurdle to get the angles right. However, on closer inspection and test-fitting the parts, it goes together rather neatly, and with care you can hardly tell where the joins are. Glazing parts are included, and these slot straight into the corresponding cut-outs in the bridge, with various tiny parts go to make up the fixtures and fittings - you'll need to be very careful not to lose these parts to the carpet monster here, especially 20 tiny parts that are fitted above the hangar bay doors on the rear of the bridge.

There is no traditional funnel, and only one mast, which is made entirely out of styrene parts, so shouldn't be too taxing to even the novice modeller.

Inside the bridge, the basic walls of the hangar bay are provided, in which you can house any or all of the supplied helos. The SH-60s have styrene rear parts, with clear noses, and side windows, with separate parts for the engine pack and rotor housing above. A radome and multi-part landing gear assembly fits underneath, and the rotors can be made either from PE parts, or a single styrene part, depending on your preference.

THE MQ-8 has two parts for the fuselage, with PE skis that can be bent around the supplied former parts (D5), plus PE rotors which can be modelled stowed or deployed.

The decal sheet gives you flight deck markings, aircraft markings, wavy or straight American flag, plus a number of depth markers, the name for the side, and number 2 markings. All seems to be perfectly in register apart from some yellow/black chevron markings which don't seem to be on the decal diagram anyway. The deck markings are supplied as a large one-piece decal, which may cause problems unless it is sectioned for ease of handling.

Conclusion

Coming hot on the inaugural voyage of the real thing, Bronco Models are to be applauded for their speed. As with all prototypes though, it is as well to check your references for updates and omissions if you are going to model the Independence at any particular point in its (so far) short life.

This kit would make a good introduction to maritime modelling for a novice, as it has a relatively simple, straightforward design, so the part-count reflects this. It still builds up into an impressive looking model though, and at around 15" from stem to stern should look good in your display cabinet.

Review sample courtesy of

[Shar2]

Quite like the look of this so will be buying one. It'll certainly look different amongst all my other ships.

[wkennerley]

Nice, I do like the look of it - How long is the model?

Wayne

[Shar2]

Nice, I do like the look of it - How long is the model?

Wayne

15", it's in the last paragraph.

[Mike]

Well spotted Dave

I'll be posting up the start of my build review later today, all being well

[ChancerUK]

I'm not a Naval modeller, but that is really tempting. I've been following the progress of Littoral combat ships on the Jane's network for quite a while. The addition of the Fire Scout UAV is an excellet touch. Not sure if ther'll be much scope for fancy colour schemes, though the Norewgean Navy might provide some inspiration.