Chinese Navy Type 055 DDG Large Destroyer

Bronco, 1/350 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Type 055 destroyer is a new class of stealth guided missile destroyer being constructed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force. It was commissioned in January 2020.

It is a multi-mission design; the combination of sensors and weapons suggests a main role of area air defence, with anti-submarine warfare capabilities surpassing previous Chinese surface combatants.

The Type 055 is expected to undertake expeditionary missions and form the primary escort for Chinese aircraft carriers.

The United States classifies these ships as cruisers. The United States Navy defines a cruiser as a large multi-mission surface combatant with flag facilities. This suggests the U.S. expects the Type 055 to fulfill a similar role as the Ticonderoga-class cruiser.

The Type 055 adopts a conventional flared hull with distinctive stealthy features including an enclosed bulbous bow that hides mooring points, anchor chains and other equipment. The bow and main deckhouse are configured similarly to previous Type 052C/D destroyers. A continuous structure amidship increases internal volume and reduces radar cross-section. The smoke stack design reduces both infrared signature and radar cross-section.

Chinese sources credit the design as being generally stealthy, with reduced radar, noise, infrared, and electromagnetic radiation signatures.

Primary armament is missiles carried in 112 universal vertical launch cells (VLS) - 64 cells forward and 48 cells aft. The same VLS model is used on the Type 052D destroyer, which is believed to be an implementation of the GJB 5860-2006 standard. The longest variant, with 9-metre cells, is likely used. The Type 055 is expected to carry HHQ-9 surface-to-air missiles, YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles, CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles, and missile-launched anti-submarine torpedoes upon entering service. Potentially, the larger cells may also carry anti-ship ballistic missiles.*

* Background adapted from Wikipedia

Bronco has wasted no time in bringing China's newest destroyer to the modelling community.

Bronco's 1/350 scale Chinese Navy Type 055 DDG Large Destroyer comprises 83 parts in pale grey plastic, three parts in black plastic, two photo-etched frets and decals for the sole example.

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The box is quite large. It's entire length is taken up with the full length upper and lower hull parts, split above the waterline. These are impressive mouldings. The lower hull is reinforced with ribs moulded on the inside of the large part.

The bulbous bow is a separate two-part sub-assembly.

Detail parts are added to the lower hull including the propellers, shafts and mounts, as well as various long and short longitudinal strakes.

Above decks, we have a gun turret and superstructure based on the bridge and main deckhouse as well as closed hatches for the Vertical Launch Cells, and aft chopper deck.

Photo-etched parts supplement the plastic notably for the helicopter deck tailings and plethora of antennas.

Decals are supplied for the vessel's number, "101", helicopter deck markings, various Chinese naval and national flags, and semaphore flags (R U 1) reading "I am carrying out maneuvering trials".

They are well printed and in register.

A three-piece black plastic stand is also included.

Moulding quality is very good. There are some gigantic injection points in the gap amidships. Some care will be required when removing these, but assembly looks otherwise very straightforward.

Bronco's brand new 1/350 scale Chinese Navy Type 055 DDG Large Destroyer is a nice looking model of a very timely subject considering the currrent competing claims in the South China Sea.

It has a relatively small parts count suggesting a quick build but detail is good.

This is a genuinely large destroyer that will make a big impression on your maritime display shelf. It'll look great next to your U.S. Ticonderoga-class cruiser!

Thanks to Bronco for the sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2020 by Brett Green
Page Created 3 August, 2020
Last updated 4 August, 2020

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