DF-17 Hypersonic Glide Vehicle
I picked this kit up on a whim only 5 days ago, in part because it was on sale for less than 50% the usual price - I paid AUD$14.99.
The DF-17 is a Chinese Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) that is launched using a solid fuel booster rocket. Hypersonic speeds are defined as being in the region of M5 - M10, do this thing travels fast and is maneuverable, making the intended target difficult to predict and therefore defend. For more on the DF-17 see here.
With only 13 parts and two colours, this was a quick build that was completed in under 2 days.
Fit was fine, with the most difficult part (unsuccessfully) eradicating the seams on the two rocket halves while keeping the cross section circular. That is my pet hate when modelling things like missiles, drop tanks, etc.
There are also some mold/plastic flow marks evident in the rocket cylinder that persist in spite of my sanding and an undercoat, top coat and clear gloss.
Rather that try and work out the equivalent to the 3 colour Mig paint mix on the instructions, I painted it Tamiya IJN Green.
The two decals looked to be suspect, as confirmed by online reviews, so I cut masks using my wife's Cricut cutter.
A quick build that won't win any prizes but that was simple and fun.
A beautiful result, Michael @michaelt
Never heard about this missile but it does look impressive.
I can read on the box cover, 'This is not a toy'. Yikes, no kidding!
Nice work, Michael. Fun builds are the best builds.
One of the reasons the USN is going to find it unsafe to put a CVN closer to the Chinese coast than the Marianas if "the flag goes up" ever. This and their carrier-killer ballistic missile.
Even a "simple kit" takes talent, as shown here.
That’s an interesting missile, Michael. Scary what they can do these days.