RPG 1/35 Phalanx CIWS

Ben M
👀

Mike Szwarc
I got the Mod 11 Block 1B version of this kit because I found it on sale for a good price. What I didn't know (until I started building it) is that this kit is basically RPG's MK -15 Phalanx CIWS kit plus the different parts needed to build the Mod 11 Block 1B version. I wasn't paying close enough attention to the instructions when I started building, and ended up assembling the tracking radar enclosure using a panel for the standard MK-15, and I didn't catch the error until after the glue had set. While trying to figure out what to do, I discovered that this kit had all the parts to build the standard version, so I downloaded the instructions from Scalemates, and happily continued building the standard MK-15 . . . until I got to the barrel assembly. I had to drill out the barrel support blocks with much larger drills than indicated in the instructions, and then when I test fit the barrel assembly to the gun mechanism, I discovered that the barrels were about 7 or 8 mm too short. The Mod 11 Block 1B uses a shorter barrel. I eventually solved the problem by affixing a piece of brass tube to the gun mechanism to lengthen the socket that accepts the end of the barrel assembly. Once painted and assembled, the fix shouldn't be too obvious.

Desert Marlin
Hate when that happens!!!

Ben M
Great build!

Neuling
All´s well that ends well! 👍

Mike Szwarc
This kit was at once challenging, satisfying, fun, and frustrating to build. Parts fit was generally pretty good, but the rubber parts were difficult to work with. The instruction drawings were very detailed, but so small that it was often difficult to see how parts were supposed to fit together. I ended up referring to photographs of the real Phalanx to understand how things fit together. The gun mechanism itself is quite detailed, with lots of tiny parts, but in the end, it's completely hidden in its mount. Most of the build time on this kit is spent attaching the huge number of tiny detail parts, both PE and plastic, and microscopic decals-- a process that requires much care and patience, but, once complete, results in the satisfaction of having put together a beautifully detailed model.