Hobby Boss 1/700 USS New York LPD 21 Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The USS New York LPD 21 is the fifth ship in the San Antonio class of amphibious transport dock vessels and the seventh ship to bear the name 'New York'. The San Antonio class represents a new generation amphibious assault vessels which bring together a number of modern technologies as well as the functionality performed by several different classes of assault vessels previously. The key features of the San Antonio class include a hull and superstructure design that reduces radar cross-section, a large flight deck on the stern, and the ability to submerge itself a number of feet to bring sea level up inside the well deck and allow LCACs, amphibious vehicles, patrol vessels, and other craft to enter, dock, and depart the interior of the ship. A rear ramp and door are built into the stern to enclose the interior while underway and open to provide exterior access to the submerged well deck, or alternatively allow the LCACs to hover up the ramp out of the ocean and into a dry well deck.

Construction of the USS New York began after the attacks on the World Trade Center and over seven tons of steel from the remains of the twin towers was used to build this ship. The construction contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman shipyards near New Orleans, Louisiana and was under construction at the time of Hurricane Katrina. The ship was launced in December of 2007 and commissioned in early November 2009. At the time of this review, the USS New York and her crew are assigned to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (Arabian Gulf/Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean).

If you'll recall, Trumpeter produced several of the Wasp-class in 1/350 scale in conjunction with Gallery Models (US) and Revell Germany. The kit was very well received and has since been issued in 1/700 by Trumpeter's sister company - HobbyBoss. These were followed by another joint project in 1/350, the USS New York LDP 21 and as before, that release was followed by a HobbyBoss release of this same subject in 1/700. Let's take a look:

Molded in light gray styrene, this kit is presented on eleven parts trees plus 10 trees of clear styrene parts and one fret of photo-etched parts. One display stand molded in black round out the parts in this kit. This kit does not provide a waterline display option. The kit construction starts with the well deck that is nicely detailed even though it will only be visible through the stern if you opt to pose the ramp and door open.

Among the features and options in this kit:

• Detailed well deck
• Positionable ramp and door on the stern
• Positionable crane
• Positionable hangar door w/detailed hangar bay
• Catwalks around flight deck
• Detailed dual integrated masts
• RHIB boats stowed in open starboard bay and midships
• Ship's self defense details around the vessel
• Full-hull display with stand and ID plate

Combat Vehicles

• 2 x AAV-7

Landing Craft

• 2 x LCAC
• 1 x LCU

Aircraft

• 2 x AH-1W Cobra
• 2 x UH-1N Iroquois
• 2 x CH-46 Sea Knight
• 2 x MV-22 Osprey
• 2 x CH-53E Sea Stallion

Like the LHDs before it, this LPD kit from HobbyBoss is a really nice kit and if you've been intimidated by the complexity of the earlier LHD kits, this model will be an easier build and show you how well the model goes together so you can build the LHD to display alongside this beautiful model. Kudos to HobbyBoss for tackling another class of warship that has been previously overlooked.

My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!