The Sovremenny (Project 956) class of guided missile
destroyers was designed for anti-ship operations and to complement the
anti-submarine capabilities of the Udaloy class of destroyers. While primarily
an anti- ship unit fitted with the Moskit missile system in two quadruple
launchers, the Sovremennys also have anti- aircraft, anti-sub and shore
bombardment capabilities. These ships, commissioned in 1985, are roughly
the size of the United States Navy Ticonderoga class Aegis cruisers. In
addition to the Moskit launchers, the Sovremennys also carry two Shtil
surface-to-air missile launchers, two twin AK-130-MR-184 130mm turrets
and four six-barreled AK-630 artillery systems. Anti-submarine defense
is provided by two double 533 mm torpedo tubes, two six barrel RBU-100
rocket launchers with 48 rockets and a Ka-27 helicopter.
While as many as 28 Sovremenny destroyers were planned, there
are only four now serving with the Russian Navy. Two other ships were completed
and sold to China mostly using parts from some of the original ships. Two
ships were canceled before construction was begun.
Dragon has released this Sovremenny Class Destroyer in a new
and improved version. The original ship was produced by Skywave
as the Sovremenny and
Boevoy until the
molds were sold to Dragon. Not content to simply reissue the same
old kit, Dragon designed a lower hull option for the kit. This kit
was available until just recently when it was again upgraded, this time
with photo etch to further enhance some of the kits finer features.
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| HULL (Sprue A) |
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| The kit is molded in the waterline style with a separate
lower hull or flat bottom. Most of the superstructure is molded on with
a separate bow insert. Due to the limitations of injection molding, the
superstructures sides are molded as separate parts. This allows for much
more detail, but a few more seams to fill. The one thing that I don't like
is the raised helo deck markings molded on the deck, these are an aid if
you are painting these markings on, but not if you use the included decals. |
Click
images
to enlarge |
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The kit includes a helicopter hanger that can be retracted or extended,
a cool feature. You don't have to glue yours in any one position, instead
you can slide it in and out just like the real ones.
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| WEAPONS SPRUE (Sprue B) |
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| A complete weapons sprue is included with an assortment
of Soviet Naval weapon. You wont need them all, but it is nice to have
a few extras. The main guns are nicely molded with clean sharp lines. The
Helo is nicely molded with deeply recessed windows and some nice surface
detail. The propellers are even thin enough to use, but that won't be necessary
since they are also provided in photo etch. |
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| LOWER HULL (Sprue D) |
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| A full lower hull and running gear distinguish this kit from the earlier
Skywave kit. A stand and nameplate is also included to mount your ship.
Like the other parts, these are well molded. I prefer the waterline option
myself, but it is great to have a choice. Many modelers like to show off
the graceful lines of the Sovremennys hull, so now that is possible. There
are even some new superstructure components for the 965E variant. |
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| PHOTOETCH |
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| The big plus in this kit is this stainless steel photo
etch fret. This one is relief etches to help the detail to stand out and
give it a more 3D appearance. You get railings and radar's as well as some
really nice lattice towers to replace the plastic ones supplied in the
kit. Another nice item is the helicopter blades. These have some nicely
etched blades. The railings are pre-cut to fit the hull so you don't have
to measure and fit them. |
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| DECALS |
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| The decals in this set are very good as well. They are produced for
Dragon
by Cartograf of Italy. They are sharp and well registered and are
precut to size with a minimum of excess carrier film. There are hull numbers
for most of the Soviet ships and both of the Chinese PLAN ships. Helo deck
markings are provided and even some red stars for the Helos. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| The instructions are an 8 page booklet showing the assembly
in a step by step process that is easy to follow. Very thorough and well
illustrated. These have been further upgraded over the previous version
of this kit with photo etch alternative parts locations noted. The previous
Skywave
kit had only two pages, Dragon has greatly expanded upon those by
illustrating all the possible subassembly steps.
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| BUILDUPS |
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| I have heard of fit problems with this kit, but I
have one partially built kit, and I can say that the fit is very good.
I did not find any problems at all with the fit. |
| I have included some views of that kit with no filler yet
applied. You can see for yourself how tight the fit is. This is clearly
a well engineered kit, that doesn't settle for the limitations of plastic
injection molding. Rather than settle for those limits, this kit exploits
them for good measure.
Notice how well the parts fit with a minimum of gap. |
| CONCLUSIONS |
|
 Dragon
USA lists this kit with an MSRP of $21.95 US. A great price, especially
when you consider the extras. Dragon has taken a good kit and made it even
better. I am pleased to see Dragon, bringing these old kits up to today's
standards. Not only are they releasing brand new kits, but they are upgrading
many already nice kits to even higher standards.. Dragon is clearly
out to be the leader in the 1/700 waterline world. |
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