Trumpeter 1/350
Udaloy Class Admiral Panteleyev

Reviewed by Sean Hert
HISTORY
The Udaloy I Class (Project 1155) was envisioned in the late 1970's as the Soviet answer to the United States Navy's Spruance class; a dedicated ASW platform, known as a Bol'shoy protivolodochny Korabl, or Large ASW Ship. Udaloy's served as a companion to the Sovremenny's, providing ASW support to surface task forces.

Udaloy's design shows an intent to rememdy the issues of the Krivak class, specifically the lack of helocopter facilities, as well as adding a low-frequency bow sonar and variable depth towed sonar (VDS). Udaloy's continued with gas turbine propulsion, arranged in two seperate units, providing the lower noise emissions neccessary in an ASW platform.

Admiral Panteleyev was the final Udaloy I completed (1990), and is currently operational with the Russian Pacific Fleet.

HULL PARTS
The hull is one piece molded in the waterline style. A separate flat waterline base and full lower hull are molded in red plastic. The hull has a nice shape, capturing the graceful bow and "knuckle. There is a little flash along the extreme bow, as well as mold marks around the "step" in the stern, the VDS well and the exit points for the weapon disposal rails. The portholes all have a very faint brow above each. The extra reinforcment around the anchors looks a bit understated when I compare to my photos.

The hull halves fit together very well, with the lower hull showing the normal molding lines. These should clean up with little difficulty.

Test fit of the decks shows a good fit, and less than 1mm off in scale beam. The long sonar dome fits flush against hull.

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DECK

The decks come in two pieces, and fit snugly into the hull. The rotary SA-N-9 launchers of the upper deck are a little soft on detail, compared to the other launchers on the sprues. The bases for the ZIL-121 chaff launchers and the torpedo tubes are finely detailed. Weapon disposal rails run the length of the decks. The is a small mold line where the rails exit the stern that may prove awkward to remove with damaging the detail.

Both decks have bollards and chocks, and seem to be in the proper places for Panteleyev. In all but the extreme fore and aft of the decks, the chocks are little wedges of plastic. The others show a pattern in the center that the brave may attempt to open. There are many well detailed hatches and plates on both decks.

I could do without the simplified molded on anchor chains present on the foc'sle. They are very basic, and will look much better replaced with real chain.

SPRUE A
The first sprue contains smaller of the two deck pieces, as well as ths ship's boats and life raft cannisters. The boat crane and the KITE SCREECH gun control system are also present on this sprue.
SPRUE B
This sprue contains superstructure parts, the VDS door, and the large bow sonar dome. It also has the screws and shafts and the single rudder of the class.
SPRUE C
More superstructure parts are here, and the forward funnel. I like detail present on the funnel pieces, and the fact that Trumpeter provides the exhaust internals for the funnels. The base for fitting the KITE SCREECH atop the bridge is here, and the parts to construct the foremast.
SPRUE D
More superstructure, and the aft two funnels- both continuing to show the same level of detail, and the lattice work for the mainmast.
SPRUE E
The E sprue is predominately parts for the helicopter hangar. The hanger walls have nice detail, and the hangar roof doors offer both an open and closed positions. There is even basic interior detail for the hangars if you do choose the open door option.
SPRUE F
This sprue shows some neat thinking on Trumpeter's part. All the radars, fine radar masts, and superstructure parts with windows (the bridge and helo landing control) are on this sprue of clear plastic. I look forward to drybrushing the radars and masts to see how the affect is.

The clear styrene of the sprue (frame for our English friends) seems only slightly stiffer than the plastic of the rest of the kit- meaning slightly more flexible than what I am used to with clear. I don't forsee any bonding problems, and the masking should be easy.

It is difficult for me to photograph the clear, but there are some air bubbles apparent in this sprue, but only one is visble in a part; but my luck, it's in a bridge window!
SPRUE G
The weapons sprue. All the fun parts are here. There are two (2) of sprue G in the kit, with one (1) AK-100 100mm gun and quad SS-N-14 launcher per sprue. Each sprue also has a CROSS SWORD radar illuminator for the SA-N-9's. (The CROSS SWORD radar was the source of many issues early in the Udaloy's life) Also present are the AK-630 CIWS, the RBU-6000 ASW mortars, and a very nice BASS TILT radar for the AK-630's.

The AK-100 turret looks good, but the barrel is missing the prominent water cooling hose. The ship's ladders are also here, and have some nasty ejector marks on the rear of each. I'll be holding out for some aftermarket photoetch replacements.

Filling out the sprue are the torpedo tubes, the signaling guns, and various other sensors and satellite uplinks.

SPRUE H
The final sprue has the helipad and the nameplate for the display base. The helipad has the landing circles inscribed to aid decal placement. The track to aid in helo recovery is molded on, and slightly raised as on the actual ship.
AIRCRAFT
There are two (2) KA-27's included in the kit. This is the same helo included in Trumpeter's earlier 1/350 Soviet releases, utilizing the multiple color styrene. Each have the option for both folded and deployed blades. Stashing a helo with folded blades in a hangar with the doors open should prove a nice visual to the kit.
DISPLAY BASE OPTIONS
A display base is included for full hull display.
PHOTOETCH
A basic photoetch sprue is included, as has become Trumpeter's standard. Included is the netting for the edge of the helipad, and PE options for the SURFACE SCREECH and CROSS SWORD radars. None for the PALM FROND however. There are also some PE replacement options for some of the smaller masts.
DECALS
A decal sheet is included with flags and hull numbers for Admiral Panteleyev or Severomorsk. Options for the twin or a single landing circle are on the sheet as well. As the decal set show the kit numbers for both this kit and the upcomming Severomorsk, it's easy to see there will be a single common decal set.
INSTRUCTIONS
A sixteen page instruction booklet describe the assembly in great detail with a variety of sub assembly views. These instructions are well done and should provide all the information that is needed to build this ship. For painting, a color plan and profile sheet is included, with Trumpeter's standard Gunze color references.
CONCLUSIONS

A very nice kit, one that I am a big fan of. The detail on the decks shows an improvement over the earlier Sovremenny kit. The kit certainly captures the lines of the Udaloy class, and hits all the major visuals. I wish the kit included some photoetch railings, but I understand why it doesn't. There are a few places that will benefit from aftermarket accessories; the 100mm gun barrel, the various radars, platforms and ladders, and some missing support posts under the helipad.

As the first time an Udaloy (Project 1155) has been offered in a 1/350 kit, I think it looks like Trumpeter has a winner. I know I'm pleased, and looking forward to the upcoming Moskva (Slava Class Project 1164). Maybe a 1/350 Kirov is in our future?

Thanks to Stevens International for the review sample. They are the exclusive importer for Trumpeter kits in the US. If your hobby shop does not carry Trumpeter kits have them contact Stevens International or try their Hobby Shop Locator to find one.



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