The Type 052D is a Chinese designed and built missile destroyer. It features an active electronically scanned array radar system and it is refer by the Chinese media as the “Chinese Aegis”. There are two ships in the class completed and several more under construction. This kit represents the second ship of the class, “Changsha”.

Upon opening the box you find 13 sprues, 2 photo-etch frets (one of them for the nameplate), one clear sprue for the helicopter and a small decal sheet. The superstructure is packed on its individual box –inside the main box-. Despite the precautions my sample got slightly warped during transit (see photo).

This is a nice sized kit, with the hull being almost 18.5 inches long. There is no option for waterline hull, however there is an flat internal piece –that provides strength to the hull assembly- and some modeler might feel courageous enough to convert the full hull into a waterline model.

Osprey Publications is well known for their books on military history and vehicles. This book is a follow up to the earlier Osprey release "General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark", which has also been reviewed.

If you are looking to add some “life” to your next 1/200 scale US Navy ship, allow me to direct your attention to Eduard release 53109. This set contains 1/200 scale figures that are pre-painted, and require simple bending in order to create more of a three-dimensional effect. Although labeled as WWII, the U.S. Navy, being all about tradition, kept the denim work uniform in use past my discharge in 1991. The only challenge would be with the dress white uniform as the one depicted in the kit was discontinued sometime after the 1940’s. The figures are easy enough for anyone who is experienced with photo etched parts to use, and will make a nice addition to your next Ship, Submarine, or Boat of this scale.