1:350 USS Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7

USS Oliver Hazard Perry, FFG-7 1:350 — Academy

An injection-molded plastic kit of the American guided missile frigate USS Oliver Hazard Perry in 1:350 scale from Academy. The ship gave its name to a whole and very widespread class, and in the model it carries its original designation FFG-7, the hull number of the very first unit.

The real subject

The Oliver Hazard Perry class was an American guided missile frigate designed as an inexpensive and easily built escort for convoys and strike groups. That is exactly why more than fifty were built, and besides the US Navy a number of allies used them; they are thus among the most widespread large warships built after the Second World War. The class stands out for its single launcher forward, the large platform with a hangar for two helicopters aft and the six-barreled close-in gun system on the superstructure. The ships proved themselves in action as well: two of them survived a mine hit and a torpedo hit.

Building and painting tips

Glue the hull up and fill and sand back the lengthwise seam carefully. Finish and paint the superstructure and the armament separately and fit them onto the completed hull. The American gray finish takes only a very light wash. The helicopter platform has conspicuous markings on the deck, which should be laid over a gloss base. Photo-etched railing is the usual accessory in this scale and it lifts a model considerably; fit it only onto the painted hull and glue it with cyanoacrylate.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of modern American warships
• Builders who want a large model for a display case
• Enthusiasts of escort vessels and helicopter operations
• Builders with basic experience of ship modeling

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.