ROKS Dokdo by modeller_masa - FINISHED - Academy - 1/700 - PLASTIC

[modeller_masa]

 

Hello.

My current project is an amphibious assault ship ROKS Dokdo from Academy. This snap-tite kit is very convenient and allows no gap. There are only two Dokdo class ships. In my opinion, Academy won't make 1/350 Dokdo kit because South Korea decided to make bigger aircraft carrier ship.

 

 

This kit is fairly easy and fast. I bought Tetra models PE kit for additional detail. It is the first time I play with PE... Pretty tough, but very challenge and exciting work.  It is so tiny that my eyes hurt. 😭

 

 

The kit has only three helicopters. So I bought another amphibious assault ship kit.

 

 

ROKS Dokdo was made based on USS Wasp class amphibious assault ship. It is only 20% shorter than Wasp class.  I bought HobbyBoss USS WASP LHD-1 1/700. I'll transfer some deck planes from the kit to here. Combined operation of ROKS and USFK.  

 

 

 

Here is a tip : The HobbyBoss USS Wasp class 1/700 Kits has some errors regarding scaling. When HobbyBoss (AKA Trumpeter) made 1/700 kit from 1/350, they forgot to resize parts... In this case, they forgot to resize tie down padeyes. The holes are 1/350 size.

 

 

As a result, the huge holes look weird... I'll close all holes when I build this kit in near future. 

 

There are more same errors such as over sized decals. You may need to fix them for realistic expression.

 

(One of not accurate part.)

To compare with the HobbyBoss kit, the Academy kit has minor issues. However, it is very hard to find because this ship is very rare and references are insufficient.

 

I'll complete Dokdo kit this month. I hope you enjoy my first PE work.  ( I already lost 8 tiny tiny parts.  )

[mikegr]

This is more of  a toy than a kit. I hope it worth the time and extra spending on PE and other upgrades.

[modeller_masa]

mikegr // I agree that many Academy kits are usually fancy and simplified kit for general people, but a few of them are serious kit when they are ROKA equipments. Academy tends to follow Bandai's position which is easy assembly and multi colored parts. They are highly commercial company, so they make profitable kits only. However, they sometimes make serious kits with high standard. As a South Korean company, they have close relationship with ROK Army. They can refer to unveiled information such as under water or interior of military equipment that nobody can see or confirm. In this case, I couldn't find any reference picture of screw and rudder of Dokdo ship. 

 

 

Here is a sample how Academy catches two birds - general people and professional modellers. If you follow this kit's manual, you will be dissapointed by simple parts. However, Academy hid explains of upgraded parts for professional modellers on manual. All of those red X are additional detailed parts that essential for realistic expression of Dokdo ship. I compared each unused parts and real pictures thousand times, and found all of correct places. It feels like mistery puzzle.  

 

 

 

I don't know how the other kits are great, but given PE kit is already funny and impressive.  I'll buy Eduard PE kits for USS Wasp LHD-1 kit when I build her.

[modeller_masa]

 

I finished deck floor. The next step is bridge. Multiple masking and airbrushing work is waiting. 😂

[mikegr]

ROK Navy has some nice Aegis destroyers. That would be an interesting theme. They are also very capable carring almost 130 VLS tubes for weapons.

Edited September 23, 2021 by mikegr

[modeller_masa]

Unfortunately, the new DDG-991 kit, also known as KDX-III, from Wolfpack design is postponed to early next year. It is 11,000 tons full load guided missile Aegis destroyer. The Wolfpack design is kind of professional model company, so you won't be disappointed.  

[modeller_masa]

 

I finished basic setting of original kit and Tetra model PE kit. The next and final step is additional deck planes.  

 

[mikegr]

Indeed looks like a model now not a toy.

[modeller_masa]

I received 30 years old deck plane kit from Italy today. The price was 10.50 euros!

 

It is too late to use them because I'm almost done. Also, the quality of this classic kit is much worse than 2010s HobbyBoss' amphibious ship kit, of course. 

 

 

No panel lines, too thick parts,

 

 

and less details such as landing gear and tail rotor. 

 

 

The only better thing is decal sheet. The thirty years old kit has much accurate scale. The HobbyBoss Wasp class kits have too many scale issue that they produced 1/350 scale parts and decals instead of 1/700. I'll paste the Dragon's decal to HobbyBoss's deck planes.  

[modeller_masa]

It's done...

 

 

I want to sleep all day.

[modeller_masa]

Case shot.

 

 

And detail shot.

 

 

I did tons of mistakes on deck planes. I planned to finish all the deck planes within two days... I underestimated them... They need at least same time I spent for bridge...

 

 

Ths is 'Denny Taeageukgi' which is one of the oldest national flag of Korea in existence. In 1880s, one of last King of Korea granted the flag to Owen N. Denny who was an adviser on foreign policy from the United States. His relatives donated the flag to Korea government in 1981. ROKS Dokdo used the Denny flag at ROK International Fleet Review in 2018.

 

 

 

As a consequence, only few of deck planes left for USS WASP LHD-1. I have another plan to fill deck of her.

 

 

Not this year. 😎

[GrandpaPhil]

Nicely done!

[modeller_masa]

Thanks, grandpa!

[mtaylor]

Well done and well detailed. The helicopters look good from here.  In person, they probably look better as the case keeps one's nose from getting too close.

[modeller_masa]

Thanks, Mark! I left enough margin as I used to crop pictures at photoshop. Isn't it weird?

 

 

ROKS Dokdo isn't the first 1/700 ship I made, but the first ship with PE kit. Tamiya USS hammann was so simple and small that I lost interest quickly. I finally realized that a PE kit is essential for 1/350 and 1/700 battleship plastic models in person. Of course, I can't satisfy with the detail of the PE kit at 1/700 scale. It is just minimum level of detail to enjoy those kits personally. I'm looking for ways to make PE parts for 1/50 scale wooden model ships. I'm eager for more and more details...