ROKS Dokdo LPH 6111 is the first of a class of four planned amphibious assault ships for the Republic of South Korean navy (ROKN). These ships represent a new aspect to South Korean planning and operations, demonstrating a desire to expand into "Blue Water" operations in this 21st century age of expeditionary operations. The Dokdo class is the culmination of the LP-X design project, and can house 700 marines, operate amphibious assault vehicles (AAV's), and utilized conventional or air cushion landing craft for tanks and other land vehicles. The flight deck can accommodate up to 15 helicopters, and has the capacity for F-35B and other VTOL jets; options which may be exercised in the future. The United States has supplied -60 type helicopters to the Republic of Korea's military as part of its aid packages; these helos are quite common in ROK military use. The Korea Helicopter Project - Korea Utility Helicopter KAI Surion, an indigenous medium-duty helicopter may also operate from this class in the future.

Orange Hobby is a relative newcomer to this market. While offering resin upgrade parts for a time, this is their first full-fledged kit 1/700 scale. It comes nicely packaged in a sturdy brown cardboard box, with the parts bagged and the hull tightly wrapped in bubble wrap.

This waterline hull is resin cast in one large piece, with the flight deck and island as en block part of the assembly. The hull has an open well deck molded in as well, but with a floor for the deck molded separately. The hull has a substantial poured sprue attached to the bottom.

The detail is good and crisp, but is not without a few blemishes. There are numerous areas that will need some cleanup: rough spots to sand, pin holes to fill, and breaks needing a little thin CA. There is a large loading hatch to the vehicle deck on starboard side with can be posed open or closed.

The island has the smooth sides common with modern warships, but the subtle layering, a legacy of the rapid prototyping methods used to create the master, are still visible. There is also a gap between the island and the deck that will need require attention. In addition, the air intakes and vents molded into the island have some issues, and may need a touch of work.

The well deck is also nice, with inner supports and bumpers molded on the walls and ceiling. The gallery which borders the well deck is also represented, as are the surface details. The gantry cranes and well deck opertaions control booth are missing.

Over 25 resin parts make up the rest of this kit. There are a set of doors for the well deck which can be positioned either opened or closed. The large sensor mast for placement atop the island is cast in one piece. The mast in this sample had a slight mis-alignment of the mold halves, and as a resort will require more attention to clean up than this part would normally warrant. Fortunately, it is comprised mostly of large flat areas and should sand smoothly.

The distinctive SMART-L radar from Thales is molded in one piece, but does not appear to be perfectly symmetrical- the starboard side is a fraction longer.

Another part molded separately- but in one piece- is the deck crane to be placed in the deck, in from of the island. This crane is interesting in appearance,and has an enclosed cab.

Rounding out the resin parts are an RIM-116 RAM launcher, 2 Goalkeeper CIWS systems, RHIB's, and some other targeting and surveillance sensors. There are no amphibious vehicles (AAV7A's), landing craft, or UH-60 Black Hawk or SH-60 Ocean Hawk helicopters included.

The kit includes two Korea Utility Helicopter KAI Surion, cast together on a resin block. This kit includes etched rotor blades, tail rotors and wheels. Surprisingly, these helos are molded with an open cabin- and have etched doors that can be modeled in an open or closed position.

There are 5 turned metal satcomm/sensor domes.

This kid includes 4 small frets of photoetch:

• Fret A: Railings, ladders, anchor chain
• Fret B: Doors and various fittings for Dokdo
• Fret C: Details for RIM-116 RAM launcher- although only parts 1 & 2 seem to be used. 3 & 4 appear to be parts that should be used as the base of the unit.
• Fret D: Details for the KUH Surion helocopters

Dokdo's decal set has a number of markings included- flight deck markings, elevator warning cicles, hull numbers and national insignia for the aircraft.

There are five pages of instructions on three pages. The steps appear easy to follow- Dokdo is a fairly simple kit.

The last page has line drawings to aid in the painting and application of decals. There are only generic color recommendations; flat black, light grey and neutral grey.

Orange Hobby's first entry into the 1/700 resin ship market is an interesting expansion of the available subject matter. Dokdo is a neat kit with some minor faults, but it would have been desirous to have included some LCAC's or LCM's, or some amphibious vehicles. The choice to include the Surion helos is interesting, but -60 series helos might have been more appropriate. However, at the basement-level pricing available from Orange Hobby, it would be hard to pass up this kit.

This kit of the 1/700 ROKS Dokdo LPH 6111, produced by Orange Hobby, is item number N07012, priced around $50.00USD. See the whole line on their website- including a new Spanish Navy (Armada Española) 1/700 Juan Carlos I LHD.