| Proposed by the US Navy in 1996, An arsenal ship is a concept
for a floating missile platform intended to have as many as five hundred
vertical launch bays for mid-sized missiles, most likely cruise missiles.
Some concept artwork of the Arsenal Ship was produced, some images bearing
the number "72," possibly hinting at an intent to classify the arsenal
ships as a battleship, since the last battleship ordered (but never built)
was USS Louisiana (BB-71) of the Montana Class.
Blue Ridge Models has turned this concept into a reality in 700 scale.
Based on the original concepts this kit has been named in honor of the
USS Arizona BB-39. |
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| HULL |
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| The hull with included superstructure are cast waterline
style. The battleship hull is long and sleek with a stealthy sloping superstructure.
Bridge windows and radar arrays are cast on the surface. On the deck are
a multitude of vertical launch hatches for the "arsenal" of missiles. The
stern has a flight deck and elevator cast on. My sample was waterline only,
however an optional lower hull is available. |
click images
to enlarge
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| MAIN GUN AND ANCHORS |
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| The main gun turret is also stealthy with sharp sloping sides. A CNC
machined brass gun barrel is included with a hollowed out tip. Two anchors
are also included. |
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| RIM-116 (x 2) |
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| The RIM-116 comes from Orange Hobby in their Blue Series. Two packages
are included with two each of the launchers. These are finely detailed
with separate yokes allowing them to be posed at any angle. A small photo
etch fret provides the base and front and rear panels. |
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| PHALANX CWIS |
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| The Phalanx is a two piece assembly with a separate base and gun pod.
These can be assembled and posed just like the real ones. Two types of
gun barrel braces are provided in photo etch. |
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| PHOTO ETCH |
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| A fret of FStar's relief etched safety netting is included
for use around the flight deck. Tom's Modelworks Modern 4 and 5 bar railings
is included so you can add railing around the deck. Ladders and 2 and 3
bar railings are also included on the fret. There should be plenty of left
overs for other projects. |
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| SH-60F |
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| Two clear plastic helo's are included. Landing gear and rotors
are separate. One set of rotors is folded and one deployed. |
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| DECALS |
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| The decals come from Starfighter and are sharp, clear and well registered.
Warning circles, hull numbers, and a variety of warning stripes are provided
giving you a number of options for markings. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| The instructions are seven page total with a nice reprint of the box
art photo showing the proposed ship with the USS Arizona BB-39 ghosted
in behind her. Computer generated renderings show some how the ship could
have looked if it has been built. Instructions for the Orange Hobby and
Tom's Modelworks parts are also included. |
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| CONCLUSIONS |
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| WHIF, what if this ship had been built? It certainly
would have been a formidable platform to deliver a never-ending barrage
of missiles to a target. This is a kit you can have some fun with. Use
your imagination and come up with your own version of the Arsenal Ship.
Everything you need to get started is right here.
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