Welcome to Tri-ang Minic Ships (Best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution)

This is the Tri-ang Minic Ships model of USS Thach FFG 43 a Flight III Long Hull variant ship of the US Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates named for Admiral John Thach.

The Oliver Hazard Perry class, also known as the FFG-7 class (often pronounced as "Fig Seven"), is named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry who defeated the British Navy at the Battle of Lake Erie during the Anglo American War of 1812.

The FFG-7 class frigates were designed by Bath Iron Works of Maine and New York based naval architects Gibbs & Cox as a total warfare system capable of operating independently or as an integral part of a carrier or surface action group. They were purchased by the US Navy during the 1970s and 1980s as general purpose escorts which were capable enough to perform most tasks adequately while being cheap enough to be purchased in large quantities to replace aging World War II era destroyers and, although costs rose dramatically over the production run, all 50 ships planned for the US Navy were eventually built.

FFG-7 class frigates were built in two variants the 445-foot Flight I "Short Hull" ships, which operate the less capable SH-2 Seasprite helicopter, and the 453-foot Flight III "Long Hull" ships (FFG 8, 28, 29, 32, 33, 36-61), which operate the SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III helicopter. The principal difference between the variants is the location of the aft capstan which on Flight III Long Hull ships is located a step below the level of the flight deck in order to clear the tail rotor of the longer Seahawk helicopter. FFG 8, 29, 32, and 33 were built as Flight I Short Hull ships but later modified into Flight III Long Hull ships. The Flight III ships are also equipped with the RAST (Recovery Assist Securing and Traversing) system, a variant of a hook and winch, which can reel in a Seahawk in flight and expands the pitch and roll envelope in which flight operations are permitted.

Powered by two gas turbine engines, which are more cost effective than steam or diesel propulsion, the ships are able to reach speeds in excess of 25 knots . These advanced propulsion systems and the electrical power plant are computer controlled and monitored to ensure a smooth running and efficient system. With the gas turbine engines providing full power five minutes after start up the ships are able to get underway quickly and the ability to rapidly change operating modes makes them more maneuverable.

To reduce operating costs the US Navy's active Flight III ships are being fitted with modern Caterpillar diesel electrical generators to replace the original Detroit units and the forward Mk 13 single arm missile launchers are being removed because the Standard SM-1MR missile it is meant to fire has outlived its service life. To improve their defensive capabilities the ships CIWS are being updated to Block 1B, allowing the Mk 15 20mm Phalanx gun to shoot fast-moving surface craft and helicopters, and they are also being fitted with the Mk 53 DLS Nulka missile decoy system, which is better than chaff and flares at guarding against anti-ship missiles.

The model is marked on the underside with the Tri-ang Minic logo, "US Navy Series", model number P 850, and the description "O H Perry  Class Frigate".

Specifications

(Statistical information from Jane's Fighting Ships 2003 Edition)

Contact the Webmaster

All Rights Reserved - Copyright © 2007 Tri-ang Minic Ships Limited