This is a video of my two completed 1/350 scale FFG(X), which will be built in 2021 and 2022 from the US Naval version of the Italian, Fincantieri Marinette FREMM frigate design. These are shown together, and then in a full 1/350 scale US Navy Carrier Strike group centered on the US Navy USS Ronald Reagan, and its other SSN (Virginia class), Burke, and Ticonderoga escorts.
The two models were purchased from Dutch Fleet Naval Miniatures on the Shapeways 3D site which features 3D models printed out on 3D machines. I have purchased several Dutch Naval Miniatures in 1/350 (like the German F125 Baden Wuerttemberg F125 FFG, the Chinese Type 055 Renhai Large DDG (a CG in the US nomenclature), and the Russian Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov FFG, and have found them to be excellent 3D representations.
I then take off the less detailed pieces and then add Veteran, Trumpeter, and other detailed plastic parts (some of then completely hand made) and etched metal railing and sensors to the 3D model to completely detail them out. (See my first FFG(X) video which explains exactly what). In some cases I add other detailed 3D printed parts (like the Naval Strike Missiles on these frigate purchased from SNAFU (Dutch Miniatures has them also) is and other outlets like SNAFU and others on Shapeways 3D Market.
The Ronald Reagan, shown here and in its own video on my channel, had numerous parts purchased from Bacon Fist (who has virtually all of the hanger wall segments and sponsons for all of the Nimitz class in 1/350 scale) as well as the entire island for the Ford class, SNAFU, Echoco, and others. See the CVN-80 USS Enterprise 1/350 model video and its strike group for a GREAT example of the same.
These FFG(X) vessels will provide probably the best frigates for US Navy carrier escorts. There will be at least 20 of them and I am hoping for more, like 24 or 28. They carry a hefty anti-surface loadout of 16 Naval Strike Missiles, a 32 Mk-41 VLS launcher that can carry the LRSAM, all of the surface launched Tomahawk missiles, all of the standard missiles, and ...very importantly...the quad packed ESSMs. A good, normal escort for the Carriers can now include, two Burks AEGIS DDGs, one Ticonderoga AEGIS DDG, two of the Frigates, which are also AEGIS, and one to two SSNs (probably one Virginia and one LA Class, or two Virginias). They will certainly be far better than either of the LCS class vessels, even with the upgraded to the Fast Frigates. Use the Freedom for SAGs, ASW roles, and show the flag and normal patrol roles. Use the Independence for counter-mine, mining, Special forces, ASW escort for ARGs, Patrol, and SAG capabilities.
These new FFG(X) vessels should be the escorts for the carriers and large amphibious, or other multi-role assignments.
With a towed array sonar and a variable depth sonar and two Seahawk helicopters, they have a very strong ASW capability. I show FFG-81, the second vessel, with a US Navy COD Osprey (which was chosen for the new COD aircraft and is being phased in on the Nimitz and Ford class carriers now).
I hope you enjoy the video. Please tell others about my 1/350 scale and 1/72 scale/ Military Channel. I have CSGs from most all of the world navies. As I say in my 1st comment, I will be getting a 1/350 scale JMSDF Kaga, Izumo class carrier next week with the ski-jump and equipped with 20 F-35Bs, SH-60J Sea Hawks, ECH-101 helos, and JMSDF Naval Ospreys as well. Watch for it to come out after I detail her up over the next 2-4 weeks.
