by David Salvin
1/700 PLAN DDG 170 Lanzhou (Dream Model)
Among the new generation of home-made destroyers attending the maritime parade, the "Lanzhou" missile destroyer with a hull number of 170 is the latest one in China. The construction of the destroyer started at the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard in August 2001. It was launched in April 2003, left the shipyard in August 2005 and enlisted in the array of the PLA Navy formally in September 2005.
Another in the growing list of exotics from my patron. Like the previous kit (the Guangzhou), this kit is from Dream Model. However, unlike the last kit, this kit lacked most of the detail PE parts that the Guangzhou had. In the previous kit, Dream Model provided PE for the fins on the main gun barrel, PE for the cage and body of the two close range anti-missile cannon fore and aft had full PE replacement construction for the “harpoon” type missiles in the center of the ship as well as a plethora of other PE detail parts. The Lanzhou lacked all of these.
The molding was again good, but not great, and the ship lacked most surface details like water-tight doors, PE vents etc. The kit did, however, feature a ridiculously delicate and tricky PE assembly for the unusually large “X” shaped radar unit amidships.
The PE, fret was, as indicated above, greatly truncated from the Guangzhou kit. Railings for some of the decks was provided, but not enough for all the decks leaving the modeler to fill in the gaps. Also lacking was the upper tower on the main radar mast as well as any small detail items on that radar mast. (Added in by yours truly)
Overall, a mediocre kit, but a simple and enjoyable build if you don’t want PE headaches and want a very exotic and unusual ship you don’t run into every day.
