Trumpeter 1:35 DF-21 Ballistic missile launcher

Post by **gaz45** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:17 pm

Looks like i'm the first up
I apologise for the long post but there is a lot of plastic in this kit over 24 sprues

The box art

box full of plastic

sprues with some very nice detail and very little flash

Clear parts are very clear

Enough tyres to build 4 6 wheeled kits lol

Metal axles with copper wire and pvc wire

A first for me some PE

Decals

Instuctions

The history part

Chinese DF-21 Ballistic Missile (CSS-5)
The DF-21 (NATO code name: CSS-5) is a two-stage, solid-propellant, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) system developed by China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy (also known as 2nd Space Academy). The missile design is based on the two-stage JL-1 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The DF-21 is capable of delivering a 500kT nuclear warhead over a distance of 1,800km. The improved DF-21A was reportedly introduced in 1996.

In March 1967 the Commission of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defence (COSTIND) decided to develop a land-based solid-propellant strategic ballistic missile. However, due to the impact of the Culture Revolution, the missile development did not start until August 1978.

In 1979 the solid-propellant ballistic missile design team, which was also in charge of the JL-1 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) development, was subordinated to 2nd Aerospace Academy, with Huang Wei-Lu appointed as the chief designer. The proposal to develop the DF-21 land-based medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) based on the JL-1 SLBM design and technology was finally approved by the PLA in June 1980.

chinese df-21 transport
The road-mobile DF-21 MRBM system (Chinese Internet)
As well as the development of the ballistic missile, 2nd Aerospace Academy was also responsible for developing the transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle, missile canister, missile testing and aiming, and other launch and ground support systems. These systems had received rigid tests in various environment and weather conditions in 1984.

The first test launch of the DF-21 missile took place in May 1985, followed by a second test launch using modified ground support system in May 1987. The missile entered operational service in the late 1980s. In the mid-1990s, 2nd Aerospace Academy also introduced the improved DF-21A (CSS-5 Mod 2) with increased range and accuracy.

The DF-21 is a two-stage, solid-fuel, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile system designed to provide target coverage in Asia and West Pacific regions. No detailed information is available regarding the missile’s performance or design, but it is estimated that the DF-21 might be similar to the JL-1 SLBM in general aerodynamic layout. The missile might uses nozzle controls with no stabilising fins.

df-21 launch vehicle
DF-21 in the 1999 national day parade (Chinese Internet)
The missile uses an inertial guidance, coupled to a terminal radar-guidance system to increase the accuracy. The missile’s CEP is estimated to be about 300~400m. The missile carries a single 100kT, 200kT, or 500kT nuclear warhead, but can also configured to carry conventional HE warheads.

The missile is contained in an alumni-alloy cylinder launch–tube which keeps the missile in an invariable temperature environment. The launch tubes have an elevation range of 0 to 90 degrees. The azimuth range is from -180 to +180 degrees. The missile launch-tube is carried on a 3-axes semi-trailer TEL, which is towed by a HY473 6X6 tractor truck. The TEL trailer and tractor are equipped with hydraulically operated stabilisers which are lowered in preparation for the missile launch.

Operational Deployment

It is estimated that so far around 40~ 50 DF-21 missiles and 30~40 launcher systems may have been deployed by the PLA Second Artillery Corps in 4 locations:

Tonghua, Liaoning Province, near Korea Peninsula, Japan and the Far East Russia
Liangxiwang, Jiangxi Province, near Taiwan Strait
Jianshui, Yunnan Province, near South-East Asia
Xining, Qinghai Province, near China-India border and Middle Asia
These missiles are generally deployed in areas closer to China’s borders to ensure adequate target overage of areas previously covered by the DF-3 IRBM, which has a longer range, but is less accurate compared to DF-21. Many reports claimed that some DF-21 missiles are fitted with conventional warheads but this cannot be confirmed. The total number of DF-21 in deployment may not increase significantly in the future since the PLA has already deployed enough number of DF-11 and DF-15 theatre missiles for potential regional wars.

df-21 launcher
Operational DF-21 unit
Specifications

Configuration: Two-stage
Length: 10.7m
Diameter: 1.4m
Launch weight: 14,700kg
Propellant: Solid fuel
Guidance: Inertial + terminal radar guidance
Range: 1,770km
Deployment: Road mobile, 6X6 tractor truck + 6-wheel trailer; or silo
Re-entry vehicle mass: 600kg
Warhead: Single 500 yield kT nuclear
Accuracy: CEP 300~400m
Launch preparation time: N/A

Looking forward to starting this but it'll have to wait till next week with work
Thanks for looking and any comments and hints/tips are appreciated

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:33 pm

Never seen one of these built before, so this'll be different. Looks like a cool kit...will be pretty long, about 11 inches I guesstimate at 1/35th scale

Post by **Yevgeny** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:34 pm

This looks very interesting. Looking forward to see more

Post by **LTmodelmaking** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:01 pm

Interesting. You don't see people building Chinese vehicles that often. Looking forward to this build.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:46 pm

Good luck with the kit !

Its an Older Trumpeter kit ..... late 1990's or Early 2000 and it could be riddled
with EPM's so take your time and have fun !!!

the Camo is challenging and very nice.... should be very cool to see it come together !

Best of luck !

Post by **AlkaSeltzer** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:27 pm

That is going to be a massive build! Good kit and I look forward to seeing your progress.

Post by **ROBOPAUL** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:44 pm

OMG is 3 months going to be long enough to build this monster. Good luck.

Post by **gaz45** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 12:03 am

i'm hoping so

Post by **LudvigN** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:12 pm

Have fun with this beast, will surely be a long one

Post by **Tiger131** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 5:46 pm

well this is the biggest in the sig so far good luck and look forward to seeing your work

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:39 am

WOW! Now this is a lump, great looking kit and a very different subject, will be following this one with interest.

Good luck with the build

Martin

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 11:47 am

BIG!

Love it, great choice!
Good luck mate

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 11:49 am

That is going to be huge
Can you make it in a launch setup or only in transport
And if so what will you do

Post by **trekfanj** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 2:42 am

Great entry!

Post by **FlyingCoffin** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:54 am

Looking forward to seeing this one! Looks to be a really interesting kit.

Post by **gaz45** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:29 pm

Thanks guys and MarkVerploeg if i can have it in launch setup i will

So thought i'd make a start as there is a lot of plastic i wasn't sure wether to work through the instructions or get some of the smaller sections made up so here is was i have so far.

Most of the engine parts which i will make up and paint before adding the copper wiring

The steering column parts

The back seat

The front seats

Mid section for the drive chain i think

The front axle assembly

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Stowage and the 2 fuel tanks

The dash board

My first ever time using PE this part goes inside the cab on the roof so won't really be seen

Parts on the cab underside

The right and left air cleaner assembly

More air tanks with PE edge

Something that goes in the cab under the dashboard

Last up the centre and rear axle assembly

Thanks for taking a look and sorry for any blurry photo's i'm breaking in a new phone

I do have one question i would like help with the tyres are rubber and they are painted to look like white wall tyres any help with how i can do this would be very much appreciated.

The plan is to get these parts primed up tomorrow.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:35 pm

That is a big kit indeed
The white walls remind me of this from Cars

Post by **Tiger131** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:53 pm

thats some orange plastic for the engine you cracking through this build looking real nice

Post by **gaz45** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:32 pm

Right lots of bits ready for priming

All primed up

Forgot to take pictures of the wheel arches with the PE on the edges before primin

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Today i got quite a lot of the assemblies painted to hopefully to start assembling something
The front and rear seats were painted in revell 381 brown withe the base of the front seats in tamiya xf-5 flat green and the seat mechanisam in revell 91 silver

Next up was the dashboard were i used tamiya xf-1 and revell 91 silver along with the steering wheel also in tamiya xf-1 these were both dry brushed with the brown ( revell 381 from the seats) to give a warn look sorry if this cant be seen frome these pictures

Next up was the engine painted with revell 30 orange and parts picked out in tamiya xf-1 and revell 90 silver and mr hobby coca brown for the drive connection

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When this was dry it was time to add the copper wire

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Which were then covered with the exhaust pipe manifolds

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The stowage and 2 fuel tanks were painted using tamiya xf-1

lastly for today the front, centre and rear axle were painted with mr hobby cocoa brown

with the inside of the cab floor painted using tamiya xf-5 flat green and vallejo model air rlm70 black green

hopefully the next update will see these components put together

Thanks for taking a look

Post by **Nev** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:35 pm

Awesome mate

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:49 am

Great unique subject interesting ! Good Luck !!

Post by **gaz45** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:49 pm

Next update
Firstly i dirtied the engine with thinned tamiya X-19 smoke

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While that was drying i assembled the inner cab along with the decals on the dashboard ( the decals were a nightmare )

The air cleaner system was painted with Tamiya XF-1 flat black and Revell 90 silver

Next up i added the windows to the cab along with the vent and the vent/scoop on the roof

Also made a start on the trailer assembly sections

So far this kit as fitted together very well with very little clean up needed there are a few IPM that will need to be filled if they are seen

Once again thanks for looking and as usual and comments are much appreciated

Post by **Tiger131** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 5:25 pm

cracking on with your build and doing a great job look forward to seeing more

Post by **gaz45** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:08 am

just a small update got some more construction to the trailer frame work and again the fit is very good

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:10 am

Great work so far...she's starting to take shape nicely now mate

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 10:11 pm

Wow, great progress so far

Love the copper wire at the engine, make all the difference

Post by **gaz45** » Wed Nov 05, 2014 12:16 am

thanks for your comments
got quite a bit done the last couple of days

The stowage for the trailer assembled and fitted then all primed with ammo grey primer

The chasis frame painted up with mr hobby H78 olive drab and assembled with fitting the engine and prop shaft gear and the front wheel assembly

Fitted the pvc brake lines to the centre and rear axle assembly

assembled the lorry wheels along with the mud flaps with added PE

The rest of the lorry parts cleaned up and primed

And just to finish the cab interior i dry brushed the foot wells with revell 381 brown and wiped some very thin revell 84 leather brown

I appologise for some of the picture quality i'm getting to grips with the camera on my new phone.

Thanks for taking a look and again all comments welcome.

Post by **Tiger131** » Wed Nov 05, 2014 5:59 pm

thats one cool looking chassis its coming along real nice

Post by **Russ72** » Wed Nov 05, 2014 9:50 pm

Great progress so far. Looking good.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Nov 06, 2014 2:24 pm

http://s966.photobucket.com/user/Gary_W ... d.jpg.html

My Gawd ! those Ejector Pin Marks are HUGE !!! and Deep !

are they covered by some other parts ???

I have this kit and now it Hurts to find out.. so much Work will be needed to clean all that up !

Good work so far !
but man... the EPM's ... . ouch !

Post by **gaz45** » Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:44 am

they are on the underside so will be hidden by the tyres hopefully but after a dry fit if they are visible a spot of filler and touch up and a wash will sort them out to be far to the kit i think that those are the only EMP's so far that may be seen.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Nov 07, 2014 12:55 pm

Post by **gaz45** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:39 pm

Right got a little more done on the cab chassis but having a little trouble getting the centre and rear axle fitting right. the exhausts are fitted along with a few other bits and bobs

the exhausts were painted in revell silver and mr hobby H76 burnt iron

next up the trailer axles

then some components for the canister assembly

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The 5th wheel i believe its called

The canister itself is not the best of fits so with some tamiya putty and some mr surfacer should sort this out

Thats where i'm upto for now thanks for looking

Post by **hansolo** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 8:41 pm

Wow this is an epic build. So many parts and details. You are truly putting a lot of effort into it.
What do you use for filler? At the moment I use mr. Surfacer but that stuff is so thin.

Cheers

Post by **martin57** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 10:25 pm

looking great so far , theres a lot of plastic to deal with , best of luck with the rest

Post by **gaz45** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 11:56 pm

hansolo wrote:Wow this is an epic build. So many parts and details. You are truly putting a lot of effort into it.
What do you use for filler? At the moment I use mr. Surfacer but that stuff is so thin.

Cheers

I also use mr surfacer but for bigger gaps i use tamiya putty mate

Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Nov 14, 2014 3:50 am

Nice work thus far!

Keep up the good work!

Post by **kiwigav** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:01 am

Nice progress mate

Post by **Nige201980** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:08 am

Great build mate looking forward to the next update.

Post by **JayCub** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 9:30 am

That is a lot of parts, and one im more than interested to see built up
Tom

Post by **gaz45** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:50 pm

Right managed to get quite a bit done over the last few days
A few more parts to the canister theres about 40 of these

The canister is complete

The rear suspension and axles in place

The fuel tanks and air cleaners added

Made a start on the white wall tyres I base coated them with vallejo model air white 71.001 then coating them in tamiya XF-2 flat white

Next i added the mirrors, handles and rails to the cab ready for priming and masked the windows

More PE parts mud flaps and grills

The truck wheels are painted up in tamiya XF-1 flat black and Mr Hobby H17 cocoa brown

The trailer wheel hubs all assembled

The rest of the parts ready for priming the spare wheel plate and support bar, truck bed and trailer axle clamps

and the canister supports

Thats it for a few days as work gets in the way but hope to get all the priming complete mid week.
Thanks for taking a look and your comments are always welcome.

Post by **Tiger131** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:49 pm

Love the white wall tyes will look quality when there attached to that big ass missle launcher

Post by **Yevgeny** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:11 pm

/\ agree. Is this parade version then?

Post by **gaz45** » Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:57 pm

Just a small update the cab and the rest of the assembled parts are all primed up including the canister

The trailer wheel hubs and PE mud flaps painted up with tamiya xf-1 flat black just need to do the centres with mr hobby H17 cocoa brown

base coated these parts with mr hobby H78 olive drab

as i have ran out of the olive drab and waiting for delivery i thought i would try my hand at pre shading and im quite pleased how it has turned out for my first attempt

Thats it for now as im waiting for paint thanks for taking a look

Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 1:25 pm

Good progress !

Keep up the good work !

Post by **gustavlekstal** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 4:59 am

It's gonna look great this one!

great work