JD Products 1:192nd scale SSBN kit

(From the FAS website www.fas.org)

SSBN-726 class FBM submarines can carry 24 ballistic missiles with MIRV warheads that can be accurately delivered to selected targets from almost anywhere in the world's oceans. Earlier FBM ships carry 16 missiles. A cylindrical pressure hull structure of HY-80 steel is supported by circular frames and enclosed by hemispherical heads at both ends. The pressure hull provides an enclosure large enough for weapons, crew, and equipment with enough strength to enable the ship to operate deep enough to avoid easy detection.

A streamlined (fish-shaped) outer hull permits the ship to move quietly through the water at high speeds. This outer hull surrounds the forward and aft end of the pressure hull and is not built to withstand deep submergence pressure. It is normally considered as the main ballast tanks. The superstructure is any part of the ship that is above the pressure hull. This would include the sail or fairwater area, and the area above the missile tubes. The streamlined hull was designed specifically for efficient cruising underwater; the Skipjack was the first nuclear-powered ship to adopt this hull form.

The larger hulls accommodate more weapons of larger size and greater range, as well as sophisticated computerized electronic equipment for improved weapon guidance and sonar performance. Improved silencing techniques reduce the chances of detection.

The Ohio-class submarines are specifically designed for extended deterrent patrols. To increase the time in port for crew turnover and replenishment, three large logistics hatches are fitted to provide large diameter resupply and repair openings. These hatches allow sailors to rapidly transfer supply pallets, equipment replacement modules and machinery components, significantly reducing the time required for replenishment and maintenance. The class design and modern main concepts allow the submarines to operate for 15+ years between overhauls. Each SSBN is at sea at least 66 percent of the time, including major overhaul periods of twelve months every nine years. One SSBN combat employment cycle includes a 70-day patrol and 25-day period of transfer of the submarine to the other crew, between-deployment maintenance, and reloading of munitions.

Like all submarines in use by the U.S. Navy today, the Ohio class submarine is powered by a pressurized water reactor (PWR) driving steam turbines to a single propeller shaft. It can attain depths in excess of 800 feet at speeds in excess of 25 knots.

Specifications
Builders:	General Dynamics Electric Boat Division.
Power Plant:	One S8G nuclear reactor core reloaded every nine years two geared steam turbines, one shaft, output of 60,000 hp
Length:	560 feet (170.69 meters)
Beam:	42 feet (10.06 meters)
Displacement:	Surfaced: 16,764 tons Submerged:18,750 tons
Speed:	Official: 20+ knots (23+ miles per hour, 36.8 +kph) Actual: 25 knots submerged speed
Operating Depth:	Official: "greater than 800 feet" Actual: greater than 1,000 feet
Armament:	24 - tubes for Trident I and II, 4 - torpedo tubes with Mk48 Torpedoes
Sensors:	BQQ-6 Bow mounted sonar BQR-19 Navigation BQS-13 Active sonar TB-16 towed array
Crew:	15 Officers, 140 Enlisted
Unit Operating Cost Annual Average	$50,00,000 [source: [FY1996 VAMOSC]
Date Deployed:	November 11, 1981 (USS Ohio)

Boat	Name	Laid Down	Launch	Commission
SSBN-726	Ohio	10 Apr 76	7 Apr 79	11 Nov 81
SSBN-727	Michigan	4 Apr 77	26 Apr 80	11 Sep 82
SSBN-728	Florida	9 Jun 77	14 Nov 81	18 Jun 83
SSBN-729	Georgia	7 Apr 79	6 Nov 82	11 Feb 84
SSBN-730	Henry M. Jackson (ex-USS Rhode Island)	19 Jan 81	15 Oct 83	6 Oct 84
SSBN-731	Alabama	27 Aug 81	19 May 84	25 May 85
SSBN-732	Alaska	9 Mar 83	12 Jan 85	25 Jan 86
SSBN-733	Nevada	8 Aug 83	14 Sep 85	16 Aug 86
SSBN-734	Tennessee	9 Jun 84	13 Dec 86	17 Dec 88
SSBN-735	Pennsylvania	10 Jan 84	23 Apr 88	9 Sep 89
SSBN-736	West Virginia	24 Oct 87	14 Oct 89	20 Oct 90
SSBN-737	Kentucky	18 Dec 87	11 Aug 90	13 Jul 91
SSBN-738	Maryland	18 Dec 89	15 Jun 91	13 Jun 92
SSBN-739	Nebraska	26 May 87	15 Aug 92	10 Jul 93
SSBN-740	Rhode Island	1 Dec 90	17 Jul 93	9 Jul 94
SSBN-741	Maine	4 Apr 89	16 Jul 94	29 Jul 95
SSBN-742	Wyoming	27 Jan 90	15 Jul 95	13 Jul 96
SSBN-743	Louisiana	19 Dec 90	27 Jul 96	06 Sep 97

J&D Productions now offers a Ohio Class SSBN in 1/192^nd scale. This model is a huge kit measuring out at 35 inches when complete. Even though the model is hollow is also a heavy kit. The kit is made of Resin and White Metal parts. The kit comes in a large box and all the parts are well packed in bubblewrap and NOT Foam Peanuts.

All of the parts in the kit are well cast and require a very small amount of cleanup. The main hull has casting lines running on both sides of the hull. This will require some sanding and filling to make the lines disappear. This casting line is not unusual considering the size of the model and the fact that the main hull was cast in one piece. None of my parts in this kit were warped, miscast, or broken.

The hull is cast in two pieces with the main hull cast as a single piece hollow tube. The main hull is cast hollow to save on resin and keep the weight of the model down to a reasonable amount. Alignment holes are provided for each part to be added to the hull. The detail work on the hull is very well done and includes details like Crew Hatches, Covers, Torpedo and Missile tubes, and even the Sea Chests which is rare and normally not found in most Submarine kits.

The Sonar dome is cast as the second piece of the main hull and fits exactly where the Sonar Dome is supposed to fit on the real Submarine. An alignment pin is cast on the hull and dome to ensure the dome contour is aligned with the main hull contour. The Sail, Rudders, Sail Planes, and Stabilizer Planes are cast as separate resin parts. All of these parts have an alignment pin cast with each part and a corresponding alignment hole on the hull for each part. This is a really nice touch since it takes the guesswork out exactly where the part should fit on the model.

The Periscopes, Masts, Prop, and Vertical Planes are all cast in White Metal and are very well detailed. Location marks and alignment pins are provided on the hull and sail for all of the parts.

The kit includes a list of comprehensive instructions and a technical pamphlet for the class of Submarine purchased. Also included is a questioner for J&D Productions and a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope to mail the questioner.

A decal sheet is provided with this kit. The sheet includes draft marks, rescue targets, and markings for 4 different boats: USS Maryland (SSBN-738), USS Alaska (SSBN 732), USS Michigan (SSBN-727) and USS Ohio (SSBN-726).

The instruction sheet is 3 pages long and is broken down to 1 page each for assembly, painting, and inventory.

The Inventory Page gives you an exploded photograph of the kit and a list of all parts broken down in sections.

The assembly instructions are broken down into 4 visual steps and 11 written steps. The visual instructions point out the name of the part and lines pointing where they go. A really nice touch in the instructions is a top and side drawing showing the location of the Periscopes, Masts, and Antennas. This completely takes the mystery out of trying to find out which mast goes in which location.

The painting instructions provide you with top-down and side view drawings. The drawings give you the option of as-launched or operational paint schemes. Written instructions are also provided to help you with painting of various parts and locations on the submarine.

Included in the painting instructions is a separate drawing showing locations for the placement of the decals. The placement location for each decal is lettered with a small drawing of the actual decal that is to be placed in each location.

For those of you who like really big models (like me!) will enjoy this kit. It is easy to build yet highly detailed and makes for a beautiful model when finished. At 35 inches in length, you are going to need big shelves or a nice mantle place to display this kit on.

Currently, J&D Productions is producing 1/192^nd scale kits of Seawolf Class SSN and Virginia Class SSN. Upcoming releases will include all three versions of LA Class SSN, Thresher Class SSN, and Sturgeon Class SSN. We will review each of these kits when they become available.

Specifications