1:350 FFG Project 20380 Late Production

The real subject

The ships of Project 20380 are among the newer Russian multi-purpose missile units. In the domestic classification they are listed as corvettes; the product name uses the Western abbreviation FFG for them. The hull, about 105 meters long, carries a gun turret at the bow, a tall smoothly shaped superstructure amidships and a landing deck with a hangar for a shipborne helicopter at the stern. In 1:350 scale that comes out as a model just under thirty centimeters long.

The late production form

This item captures the ships of the later batches. Compared with the first vessels built, they differ in the layout of the upper superstructures, the shape of the masts and part of the equipment, so an early and a late ship cannot be built from one and the same set. If you are aiming at a particular vessel, look through photographs of the upper part of the superstructure in advance, where the differences show best.

Building and painting tips

• glue and sand the hull before you reach for the paint, later repairs show
• set the decks a shade apart from the sides, otherwise the model merges visually
• leave the masts, antennas and railings to the very end of the build
• lay the waterline out with masking tape only once the base layer has dried

Who it is for

The set assumes a modeler who has built a ship before and does not mind working with small parts. In a display case it looks well as a pair with the early form, which shows how the building of ships in this class has moved on. Paints, glue and accessory sets are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.