JMSDF Atago, DDG-177 in 1/350 scale

Overview - The JMSDF Atago Class:

The Atago Class AEGIS destroyers are the largest and most capable surface combatants in the Japanese fleet. They sere as the anchor, and can be command vessels for Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer flotillas and any task force the JMSDF might put to sea. Currently, there are two of these larger AEGIS guided missile destroyers. They were built as follow-ons to the JMSDF Kongo AEGIS destroyers. The Kongo class are loosely equivalent to the US Navy Arleigh Burke Flight I & II destroyers. The Atago class is roughly equivalent to the US Navy Arleigh Burke Flight IIA AEGIS destroyers.

The Atago's have a heavier displacement. The have maintained both of their 20mm Phalanx CIWS, their eight surface to surface missiles in quad launchers, and they have better command facilities aboard.

Each of these vessels displaces over 10.,000 tons full-load, and are the largest purpose built surface combatant warships built by Japan since World War II. The Hyuga class and now Izumo class DDH carriers are larger, but they are more oriented towards helicopter and aircraft carrying where the Atago class are true multi-mission surface combatants.

Each of these vessels is heavily armed and acts as a escort to Japan's high value capitol vessels. Their armament includes:

1 x Mk-45 Mod 4 127mm 62 cal DP main gun
1 x Mk-41 VLS Launchers with 64 missiles fore for SM-2MR AAM, SM-3 AAM, ESSM, and RUM-139 VL ASROC missiles
1 x Mk-41 VLS Launchers with 32 missiles aft for SM-2MR AAM, SM-3 AAM, ESSM, and RUM-139 VL ASROC missiles
8 x Type 90 SSM-1B Surface to surface Missiles
2 x Mark 15 20mm Phalanx CIWS
2 x Type 68 Triple torpedo launchers
1 x Helo hanger and pad for SH-60 Seahawk ASW Helicopter

Two vessels were built and have been commissioned and are fulfilling this role:

DDG-177 Atago, Laid down 4/52004, launched 8/24/2005, commissioned 3/1/2007.
DDG-178 Ashigara, Laid down 4/6/2004, launched 8/30/2006, commissioned 3/13/2008.

In 2012, the Japanese government announced that they will build two more Atago class destroyers.

All four will be powerd by four Ishikawajima-Harima LM2500 gas turbines which give them a top speed of in excess of 31 knots.

The superstructure of each is dominated by the AN/SPY-1D(V) phased array radar, which are fixed, radars facing in each of four directions providing 360 degree coverage without a rotating radar. The design of the superstructure also incorporates stealth features, designed to reduce radar cross section of the ships. As a consequence, these ships, like their Kongo sisters, is somewhat more top-heavy than other destroyers and requires a deeper draft. As such, operations in a littoral (coastal) environment are limited. They have a high top speed and are surprisingly maneuverable, and because of their large displacement actually come closer to the size of traditional cruisers than destroyers.

The Atago destroyers are being updated for modernization and to assume additional roles as time progresses. One of the most important of these has been to serve in a theater ballistic missile defense role.

Due the proliferation of short to medium range ballistic missiles, adopting this role and using the US developed systems and weapons (as the US does on its Arleigh Burke class destroyers) was a natural evolution to help protect the Japanese islands from this threat.

In December 2007, Japan conducted a successful test of the SM-3 block IA against a ballistic missile aboard JDS Kongo (DDG-173). This was the first time a Japanese ship was selected to launch the interceptor missile during a test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. In previous tests they provided tracking and communications. Afterward, Japan has also undertaken another two successful Ballistic Missile Defense test aboard another of their AEGIS DDGs in October 2009 and in October 2010.

These vessels will remain the center pieces for JMSDF flotilla operations for the next several decades. With the addition of two more Atago classes, there will be one Atago for each of Japans four destroyer flotillas. In combination with the Kongo class DDGs, the Hyuga class DDHs, and the new Izumo Class DDHs, with an Atago class DDG, each of these flotillas has the potential to exert a very powerful presence anywhere in the western Pacific.

What's in the Box:
The 1/350 scale Trumpeter model of the JS Atago, DDG 177, kit #04536, is an excellent and very detailed depiction of the vessel. It is molded in gray and hull red plastic, and can be depicted in either a full hull, or waterline version. This model will be built with the full hull. Trumpeter is very well known for its quality products and modern manufacturing techniques.

Inside the box, you find the hull in two pieces, one to be used for the waterline, with a plate to attach to its bottom, and the other to add to the above waterline portion to show the full hull. This lower section is molded in a hull red, though not exactly the color I will use for the blow waterline portion. There is a full length, highly detailed main deck to match it. All are molded very well with little or no flash or extra plastic left over form the molding process.

There are 10 sprues of gray plastic parts, and one sprue of clear plastic parts (for the helicopter). Altogether there are well in excess of 350 parts to the model. There are also three sprues of photo etch parts included with this model. They provide for all of the railing, safety netting, and many of the sensors and grating cover plates for the ship. This adds well over 100 more pieces to the model.

The plastic parts are extremely detailed and the plastic sensors, vents, tie downs, and other small parts in very good detail as well.

Another great option provided for in this model that I really like is that the forward 64 cell VLS is provided in complete detail. You can cut out the deck covering and build the entire VLS structure, with

the eight sections, each carrying eight cells, included. This can then be fitted to the ship such that it slides in and out to show this detail. A nice feature.

A very good set of waterslide decals with over 50 decals is included which covers all of the flight deck markings, all of the helo markings, and the pennant numbers and various hull and superstructure markings. There is a very nice full-color sheet of the Atago in multiple views for painting, including several of the most common paint suppliers part numbers for the paint.

The instruction sheet is, as is the case with all newer Trumpeter models, very intuitive and well laid out. It is 16 pages long and covers all of the build, including all options for the modeler (ie. like whether to make a waterline build or not).

The Build - Initial Hull build, shafts and rudders, waterline mark, main deck painting - April 8, 2015

I paint the vertical surfaces, including the hull above the waterline in Model Master neutral gray, and the various weather and auxiliary decks (the horizontal surfaces) in Testor's flat gray. I started

this model by adding the sonar dome to the forward portion of the hull below the waterline, and then the shafts (and their supports) and the rudders to the stern of the hull below the waterline.

I then painted the entire lower hull (below the waterline) in hull red. I painted the upper hull in neutral gray, and then masked off and painted the waterline mark in flat black.


And that is as far as I got with this first session.

In the next session I will add the decals to the main deck and then build the main deck houses for the vessel.

I began this session be gluing the upper hull to the lower hull. I then added the main deck decals. I do this at this stage because a number of them would be very difficult to add after the weapons, equipment, and other deck decals and deck houses are added.

I also added the main gun, a DP 127mm (5"), 62 caliber gun.

Once that was completed, I began to build the bridge and APAR deck house. This is the central nervous system of the ship. Trumpeter does an excellent job of detailing these parts of their newer 1/350 scale ship models. There are numerous parts, and you have to ensure that you trim off any excess attach material after taking them off the sprues. But they go together nicely if you are careful and produce a really nice assembly.

I then added the forward smoke stack for the forward deck house, and built the after VLS deck house and smoke stack, which I will add to the aft deck house, which also includes the helicopter hanger.


I then assembled the main aft deck house and added the VLS and Smoke stack to it. This completed all of the main deck houses.


And with that, I then dry fitted these parts to the main deck.


Now that is looking like a full blown Atago Class AEGIS destroyer.

In my next session I will add the main mast, the funnels for the engine exhaust, and the numerous details for these deck houses.

There was lots to do in this session.

I began this session by building the main mast and assembling the hanger, and then gluing the aft deck house with the hanger to the vessel. I then glued the main mast to the vessel (atop the bridge), and added the decals to the main deck of the vessel, including the helicopter landing markings aft of the hanger.

I then began to build the small assemblies for the life rafts that the JMSDF utilizes on its destroyers, as well as the weapons systems...the Anti-surface missile launcher quad canisters, the two Phalanx 20mm close in weapons (CIWS). I glued these in place and then glued the life rafts to their holders. Tow per holder, eight holders altogether. This makes for 16 life rafts, which hold 20 personnel each, or a space for a total of 320.

At this point I built the ships launch davit and the launches themselves and added them to the vessel. Also the myriad of small details and equipment around the vessel...from antennae, to sensors, search lights, etc. I also used photo etch stairways in place of the plastic stairways that came with the model. This makes for a lot more realism in the detail work as shown.