Introduction
Cyber-Hobby markets a series of value-packs, now including the Orange Box: Orange Box - value-priced, entry level kit with previous tooling and upgraded with combinations of bonus parts such as figures, new OVM, or new tracks.
This review of the Cyber-Hobby Orange Box Super Value Pack features two Dragon 1:350 plastic injection submarines, United States Navy SSBN-738 U.S.S. Maryland, and SSN-721 U.S.S. Chicago.
USS MARYLAND is a nuclear-powered Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines ( SSBN), the 8th ship of the OHIO class (known as "Trident" submarine), and the fourth U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Maryland. Commissioned on June 13, 1992, she is 560 feet (170.69 meters) in length, with a beam of 42 feet (12.8 meters), and a draft of 36 2 feet (11.1 meters). She displaces 16,764 tons when surfaced and 18,750 tons submerged. USS Maryland is manned by two crews, Blue and Gold, of 155 officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel. They protect themselves and their country with 24 Trident I and II submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and four torpedo tubes with Mk-48 torpedoes. She is based at Kings Bay, Georgia.
USS CHICAGO is a nuclear-powered Attack Submarine (SSN) of the LOS ANGELES class. Commissioned on September 27, 1986, she is 362 feet (109.73 meters) in length, with a beam of 33 feet (10 meters), and a draft of 31 ft (9.4 meters). She displaces 6,082 tons when surfaced and 6,900 tons submerged. USS Chicago is manned by two crews (Blue and Gold) of 140 officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel. They protect themselves and their country with four torpedo tubes that launch Mk-48 torpedoes, and Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles.
In The Box
Packed in a sturdy, medium weight, top-bottom style box, are more than 190 parts on six sprues sealed in separate plastic bags, one instruction sheet, and a sealed sheet of decals. The first thing I noticed was the detail: missile tube hatches, textured anti-slip deck, thin antennas and periscope masts, and missiles! Finally, each sub has a display stand to set upon.
The parts are crisply molded. However, there are small bits of flash on many pieces. I spotted no ejector marks, but there is a yawning sinkhole on the SSN propeller (The propeller was damaged in the bag). Most parts have noticeable seam lines to clean up. The forward control planes have a texture to them. The missile hatch interiors have quite a bit of “molding trash” to clean up.
There are no photo-etch parts. The hull halves of the boomer are thick and heavy! The attachment points of the parts to the sprues are robust. Use a sharp blade or sprue cutters to carefully remove pieces; clean-up will be required as so many parts are round where they attach to the sprue.
details, details...
Recessed panel lines of varying depth and width detail the surface of parts. The surface of the hulls are nicely detailed. Dragon includes a pair of SH-60B Seahawk helicopters, Mk 48 torpedoes, Tomahawk SLCM’s, and Trident I C4, and Trident II D5 SLBM’s.
On the nose of the Chicago are the ports and separate hatches of the 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for firing Tomahawk cruise missiles. The Trident can be built with the torpedo tubes open or closed. The sail can be built with the various antennas up or retracted.
Instructions, painting, and decalsThe decal sheet provided is a wonderful set of accurate markings, printed by Cartograf, Italy, and includes a great deal of markings–3 for each torpedo, and 12 for each helicopter! Dozens of individual decals mark the subs. The most unique is a fierce bull head for bow of the Chicago. Registration and printing of all markings is sharp.
The enclosed instruction sheet is done in Dragon’s typical fashion: one sheet folded into three parts, making a six paged booklet. Illustrated clearly, assembly is directed in a good sequence. Specific parts are colored in blue.
Gunze Aqueous Hobby, and Gunze Mr. Color paints are the only brands referenced.
Conclusion
Dragon has released a good 1:350 set of modern US Navy submarines. The size is impressive but not overwhelming. Detail is good, and the helos and missiles are fun to have. I am surprised and disappointed by the molding flaws. All the same, a good set. Recommend.
ReferencesNAVY.mil Fact File, Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines - SSBN
NAVY.mil Fact File, Attack Submarines - SSN
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=200&ct=4NAVY.mil, Under Sea Warfare magazine
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/summer_07/summer_07/tips.html
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