| Sphyrna Models has released a series of 1/700 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) nuclear-powered submarines. This review covers the kit officially titled "PLAN Type 093/094 Nuclear Power Submarine", product code HTP 7003. The Type 093/09III SSN (NATO: "Shang" class) is China's latest class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, while the Type 094/09IV (NATO: "Jin" class) is their first serial-production nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Combined, the two classes serve as the backbone of the PLAN's nuclear-powered underwater fleet. This kit contains one full-hull model of each. Both classes of boats have different subvariants with greater and lesser degrees of differences from the version in this box. I will try to point these out but the limited degree of high-quality and positively-identified imagery from the PRC makes it difficult to say with much certainty as to which boat(s) the kit best resembles.
Sphyrna Models is an offshoot of Flyhawk Models, with a specialization in modern mainland Chinese small-scale military subjects. To date, the other products they've produced are a 1/700 Type 055 destroyer and a two-in-one set of Type 091 SSN and Type 092 SSBN. They also have a 1/144 PLA Armoured Vehicle set.
Packaging is simple but attractive, with line drawings and profile views of the subs and basic stats printed top and bottom. The box opens from the side with flaps. Inside are separate zip-lock bags for each of the boats. The singular sprue for small parts are in its own smaller bag within each boat's larger bags. All decals are printed on one sheet, located in the Type 093 bag. Each boat's sail and display stand are loose in the bag along with the hull halves.
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| The Type 093 SSN currently number six in the PLAN's inventory and have been in low-rate production since 2006, with notable changes to each successive hull. The version in this kit incorporates some of the latest known changes, which Sphyrna dubs "Type 093 Improved" and others call "Type 093A": a lengthened sail with a blended leading edge akin to those on the American Seawolf and Virginias, a towed sonar array "tube" on top of the upper rudder, and a subtle hump transitioning from the trailing edge of the sail to the boat's back. These changes are discussed on HI Sutton's webpage for the class located here. This means the kit can only be used to depict the last two or so boats. In terms of accuracy, the model appears true to the limited photos available, with the correct number of holes on the back and the emergency rescue buoy and hatches in their correct positions.
In terms of moulding and fit, the kit is generally good though perhaps a little sloppier than what we've come to expect from FlyHawk (subsidiary or not). As one can see in the photos of the upper and lower hull halves fitted together, the seam is not even from stem to stern. Some areas protrude over/under the other half, leaving a lip that needs to be addressed. Trimming the very tight locating tabs might help. There are also noticeable seams and dark marks from what I can only surmise is a slidemoulding process. These will have to be cleaned up. There is also an divot on the upper bow where the mine-avoidance sonar (I think) should be - it either wasn't completely moulded or ripped off somewhere along the way, as it is depicted in the instructions. There is also some flash on the torpedo tube doors, though those are easy to scrape off.
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| Type 093 D-Sprue |
| The D sprue for the Type 093 includes four masts for the holes on top of the sail, the upper and lower rudders, the sail planes, and the screw. All are about as good as can be expected for plastic in this scale. The screw is rather flat (especially when viewed from the bow) and thick for my taste, though seems robust enough that some sanding/scraping could provide both the needed pitch and thinner blades. The towed array tube is admirably molded as open, though a bit of flash clean-up will be needed. |
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| Type 094 Hull & Sail Parts |
| Much like the Type 093, the Type 094 has also received modifications along the way from the first-of-class to the latest sixth boat. Like the 093, the latest changes involve the sail shape, again with the similar blended leading edge. The top of the sail is also more rounded and streamlined. The windows that used to be in the top of the sail are also gone in this latest version. Unlike the Type 093, the Type 094 has the additional distinguishing feature of the numerous flood holes along the base of the SLBM "humpback". The latest boat, Long March 18, commissioned in April 2021 has two straight rows of flood holes whereas the preceding boats had three curved rows.
As for which variant this kit depicts, it is clearly one of the earlier Type 094s. No blended leading edge on the sail and presence of windows on the sail are the tells. A photo of a vessel that most closely resembles the kit can be founded on SeaForces.
The SLBM humpback provides for more opportunities for Sphyrna/FlyHawk to showcase their famous level of surface details. The missile hatches are crisply done, as are the many hatches on the hull. The mine-avoidance sonar on the bow is intact on this one. The lower hull is devoid of details, as would be expected from the lack of public imagery on these elusive creatures.
In terms of fit, it is similar though perhaps slightly improved over the Type 093. However, the moulding seams and dark marks (mould release or grease) that were present on the smaller SSN are exacerbated on the Type 094. Numerous lines on the hull that should not be present are clearly present. It seems all the fine details on the upper hull were on a separate mould that would be slid onto the main hull, but the tolerances were too loose for a tight and seamless fit, resulting in excess plastic along the seam. These will have to be removed with care.
The sail is good, though the open bridge could be deeper and is very plain. It is a missed opportunity for Flyhawk to show off their detailing. The bridge windscreen is moulded as a solid chunk of plastic and the more discerning modeler will want to replace it with some PE railing filled in with clear varnish or other glass-replicating element. An accuracy question surrounds the bridge window along the centreline. There seems to be conflicting imagery and video as to whether there are six or five windows on the sail - indeed, it may even differ between hulls. In any case, Sphyrna has decided on five windows.
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| Type 094 D-Sprue |
| This contains the equivalent parts to those on the Type 093's D sprue. Although similar in quality, there are minor differences. The towed array tube is moulded solid on this one, which is disappointing. There are only three masts for the sail, and the one containing the surface radar has a slight bend to it. The sailplanes have a series of holes molded very crisply into them but I've yet to find any confirmation of their existence in photos of the real thing, though I have come across footage showing them on an unidentified submarine as viewed from the sail. The screw is equally flat and thick as the one for the Type 093. |
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| Decals |
| A single sheet of decals in the Type 093 baggy contains flags, draft marks, and hull (sail) numbers. The decal sheet is shared with the other Sphyrna PLAN 2-in-1 sub pack with the Type 091 and Type 092. As such, the white hull numbers are meant for those older boats, not the two newer ones in this kit since the real boats no longer paint hull numbers on their sails. The quality appear quite good, and I was impressed by the discernibility of the star points on the Chinese flag, as well as the Chinese characters for "8 1" (August 1, the PLA's founding anniversary) on the naval ensign. The draft markings lack the numerals that can be seen in photos of the real thing next to the longer line. The instructions would have you use only the draft markings, but of course one can use the flags as well with a bit of research on where they're flown on the sail. |
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| Display Stand |
| Two display stands are included, one for each boat. |
| Instructions |
| Instructions are a simple single two-sided sheet, containing both assembly and painting/marking instructions. |
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| CONCLUSIONS |
| As it stands, this is probably the only kit of the latest submarines in the Chinese navy. It's a simple kit and should pass muster for all but the most picky of builders. If it seems I've been a bit harsh, it's only because of the high standards that FlyHawk has set for themselves. Like with most modern submarine kits, it won't amaze, but neither does it disappoint.
This is Sphyrna Models HTP7003, 1/700 PLAN Type 093/094 Nuclear Power Submarine. It retails for around $32 USD from US sellers like Freetime Hobbies, and is probably available from many of our other sponsors as well. Thanks to FlyHawk for the review sample. Recommended. |
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