LCS-2 Independence Multi-Mission Combatant WHIF

seadude · July 14, 2013, 07:20:27 PM

I'm going to see if I can start on another ship for a contest later this year. Nothing big, mind you, but something more smaller that I can get done a bit quicker and won't take as long.
I'm going to build a Trumpeter 1/350 USS Independence LCS with a bit more weapons added. Today's LCS's are woefully inadequate when it comes to offensive and defensive firepower. For my LCS, I'm thinking of the following:
1 x 5"/54 (or 5"/62) gun
16 (or 32) VLS cells.
2 x Phalanx CIWS
2 quad Harpoon missile launchers (8 missiles total)
2 x Triple tube torpedo launchers
4 x .50 cal machine guns

There's one other question I have: (Copied from another forum)

QuoteI'm going to be starting work soon on the 1/350 Trumpeter USS Independence LCS. But there's one major problem I'm having: Where's the waterline mark? I can't tell how high or low the red bottom should be as well as the placement of the black boot stripe. When other people were painting their ships, how did you figure out how to paint the bottom hull? What methods did you use?

Thorvic · July 15, 2013, 01:53:57 AM

I would suggest mounting the Torpedo tubes in a new cut out in the main hull so you can put them behind hatches, you could replace Harpoon with VLS Tomahawk, which gives the punch your looking for in land attack as well as anti-ship. You could mount the Phalanx or Sea Ram on angular shaped sponsons abreast the hanger to lower their profile and improve their arc of fire. Possibly go for a new stealth mast to allow for the extra sensors for the SAM systems

kerick · July 15, 2013, 02:49:01 PM

I like this idea. I'll be watching.

seadude · July 16, 2013, 08:36:33 AM

QuoteYou could mount the Phalanx or Sea Ram on angular shaped sponsons abreast the hanger to lower their profile and improve their arc of fire.

But I like the CIWS where they are as I want them high and I think they'd have a better firing arcs if they were higher placed rather than abreast the helo hangar.

QuotePossibly go for a new stealth mast to allow for the extra sensors for the SAM systems

What type of mast do you have in mind? Should I go with Aegis? Maybe the smaller SPY-1F version which is designed to fit frigates and other small vessels. Should I add two Mk.99 illuminators also? If so, in what area/positions?

kerick · July 16, 2013, 10:55:08 AM

Just get some spheres of about the right size and say the antennas are covered like the British ships.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.defensetech.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Dauntless.jpg&imgrefurl=http://defensetech.org/2012/01/31/britain-sending-air-defense-ship-to-falklands/&h=308&w=490&sz=84&tbnid=d_rQfKuYo4SumM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=148&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbritish%2Bmodern%2Bwarship%2Bpic%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=british+modern+warship+pic&usg=__v2n3AInabuynWolIL5JbxnHBSjE=&docid=MQtQj7RtDmbajM&sa=X&ei=yojlUf-qOcSn8AHojYDAAw&ved=0CEYQ9QEwCA

Hobbes · July 16, 2013, 01:50:46 PM

For the mast, you could go with a design like the Thales Integrated Mast, where all of the radars are phased array panels. More in keeping with the stealthy design than separate illuminators.

seadude · July 29, 2013, 03:29:47 AM

There's one major problem I'm having: Where's the waterline mark? I can't tell how high or low the red bottom should be as well as the placement of the black boot stripe. When other people were painting their ships, how did you figure out how to paint the bottom hull? What methods did you use?

Mossie · July 29, 2013, 03:46:50 AM

I've got the Cyber Hobby 1/700 model, the painting diagram shows that the waterline mark starts just above the notch where the bow bulb starts. The marks on the floats are in line with this. From pictures I've seen, the hull bottom is a weathered charcoal black-grey, with a black bootline:
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/1002dp_uss_independence_lcs_2/photo_01.html

Here's the painting diagram from the Cyber Hobby model, split over two pages:
http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/misc/lcs/700-lcs2-ch/indy-Page-06.jpg
http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/misc/lcs/700-lcs2-ch/indy-Page-05.jpg

seadude · July 29, 2013, 05:33:35 PM

Another question:

Would a ship such as the LCS that I am making benefit from having the SPY-1F Aegis radar on it? The SPY-1F is a small version at about 8 feet in diameter (1/4 of an inch in diameter in 1/350 scale) designed to fit Frigates and other smaller vessels.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/systems/images/spy-1-variants.jpg
Or should I not put any SPY-1 radar panels on at all? The only other pic I found was this concept sketch here:
http://www.austal.com/Resources/PromotionSlides/dd47585d-170b-4e43-a80c-2d849e065b2d/mmc-new-image1-wide.jpg

seadude · July 30, 2013, 02:17:51 PM

Continuing from Post # 8 above.......

The main hull, bridge structure, and a few other hull pieces are all glued together now. I'm still playing around and figuring out what weapons to have and where, etc. In the pic below, I glued on 2 small black spare parts (One on either side of the superstructure) to represent more stealthy chaff dispenser launchers. If I do add SPY-1 radar on top, I may be using some spare parts from some Arleigh Burke destroyer kits I have. Though putting Aegis on the LCS means I may only have one Phalanx instead of two as originally shown in my opening thread post further above. I don't want to have Phalanx's in spots where they will interfere with the "line-of-sight" so to speak of the Aegis radar. Not sure I want the Harpoon launchers in front of the bridge structure either. I'm thinking of a possible alternative to make new 4 cell VLS Harpoon launchers on either side of the superstructure near the back end where you see the torpedo launcher. As for the torpedo launchers, I have an idea to make those more stealthy as well.

Comments appreciated as always.

nighthunter · July 31, 2013, 09:11:47 AM

I have a very, very helpful solution for you, it's called www.shipbucket.com/forums where we have parts that you're using and the base model of the Independence:

http://www.shipbucket.com/images.php?dir=Real%20Designs/United%20States%20of%20America/LCS-2%20Independence.png

Hobbes · July 31, 2013, 10:17:15 AM

Quote from: seadude on July 29, 2013, 05:33:35 PM
Another question:

Would a ship such as the LCS that I am making benefit from having the SPY-1F Aegis radar on it? The SPY-1F is a small version at about 8 feet in diameter (1/4 of an inch in diameter in 1/350 scale) designed to fit Frigates and other smaller vessels.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/systems/images/spy-1-variants.jpg
Or should I not put any SPY-1 radar panels on at all? The only other pic I found was this concept sketch here:
http://www.austal.com/Resources/PromotionSlides/dd47585d-170b-4e43-a80c-2d849e065b2d/mmc-new-image1-wide.jpg

If you want to add SAMs, (and given the VLS, I think you do), you'll need a fire control system. SPY-1 would be an excellent option, so go for it.

seadude · July 31, 2013, 08:21:58 PM

Just got done adding the SPY-1 radars tonight and boy, does it look sweet!

To the best of my ability considering I currently have a cataract, I do believe I got the pieces in the right positions and at the right angles, etc.

Pics to come tomorrow night.

nighthunter · July 31, 2013, 10:52:24 PM

Awesome, can't wait to see them

kerick · August 01, 2013, 02:27:17 PM

Quote from: seadude on July 31, 2013, 08:21:58 PM
Just got done adding the SPY-1 radars tonight and boy, does it look sweet! To the best of my ability considering I currently have a cataract, I do believe I got the pieces in the right positions and at the right angles, etc. Pics to come tomorrow night.

I never trust putty in a seam unless it feels right. Surprising what we do by feel and never notice, until the eyes start to go.