Bronco Models 1/350 Chinese Navy Type 056 Class Corvette Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The People's Liberation Army Navy developed the Type 056 corvette to replace the older Type 037s and modernize this class of warship. The first in class was launched in 2012 and features the stealthy sloped hull facets found on modern combatants to reduce their radar signature. The type is armed with a 76mm main gun and an array of anti-ship missiles, SAMs, and torpedoes. The Type 056 also has a helicopter flight deck on the stern though the superstructure does not include a hangar to house a helicopter.

Bronco Models has released the first kit (that I'm aware) of the Type 056 Corvette in 1/350 scale. The kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on three parts trees plus a separately molded superstructure and display stand as well as a fret of photo-etched details. The kit is rated for experienced modelers as there are some tiny parts in this kit to help render a detailed model of this stealthy vessel.

Some key features of this kit are:

• Designed for full hull display
• Includes display base and photo-etched name plate
• Detailed 130mm HPJ-26 main gun
• Detailed mast and antennas
• Photo etch railings and grillework included
• Nice details provided for and inside stealthy stack
• Nice array of deck gear, missile launchers
• Includes Z-9 helicopter

The instructions are very well illustrated and will be easy to follow. Nice color guides for the ship and helicopter are provided to make finishing straightforward.

If you're looking for the latest in global naval combatants, this series from Bronco Models helps fill the void of current PLAN warships and this kit will provide some nice eye-catching details.

Thanks to DML for the review sample.