by Doug Hallet
1/100 PLAN Huang Feng (Zhengdefu)
This is my model of the Zhengdefu PLAN Huang Feng missile boat in approximately 1/100 scale. Many modelers will recognize this as the Russian Osa I. Unlike other Russian client states, China built these locally at their own shipyards (hence the new name) and they went through a number of modifications separate from those in Soviet service. Most if not all of them are now out of operational service, although a few may still be in reserve. Zhengdefu has produced some nicely detailed models on PLAN subject matter. However, compared to Trumpeter, they suffer badly from low production values, requiring te removal of lots of flash and much filling and sanding. In addition to clean up, I substituted stretched sprue for the rails and PE mesh for the radar screens. The kit is shown in the original PLAN colors of dark blue/grey and red/brown decks with white numerals. From about 1990, the PLAN switched to a light green color scheme.
