TMN: Preview: Beacon Hobby's new 1/350th scale DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas

A new modelling brand - Beacon Hobby, is releasing the impressive-looking DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas kit in 1/350th scale. We have the test kit put together for you in our preview...

Preview: Beacon Hobby's new 1/350th scale DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas

DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas

From Beacon hobby

Kit no: S3001

1/350th scale

The Subject: The DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas
USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125) is the first Flight III variant of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, marking a significant evolution in naval architecture and combat capability. Built by Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding, she features a steel hull reinforced with Kevlar-type armour and numerous passive survivability measures. The ship spans 509.5 feet in length, with a beam of 66 feet and a draft of 31 feet, displacing approximately 9,496 tonnes at full load. Her propulsion system includes four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines delivering 100,000 shaft horsepower, enabling speeds up to 31 knots.

DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas acceptance trials—May 2023

The hallmark of the Flight III upgrade is the integration of the AN/SPY-6(V)(1) Air and Missile Defence Radar, which dramatically enhances detection and tracking capabilities. DDG-125 is equipped with the AEGIS Weapon System Baseline 10, supporting a wide array of armaments, including 96 Mk 41 vertical launching system cells capable of deploying Tomahawk cruise missiles, Standard Missiles, and ESSMs. Additional weapons include a 5-inch Mk 45 gun, Phalanx CIWS, Mk 38 machine guns, and torpedo tubes. The ship also supports two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters with a double hangar and helipad.

Guided missile destroyer USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125) on a floating dry dock at Huntington-Ingalls Shipbuilding prior to launch

Commissioned on October 7, 2023, in Tampa, Florida, USS Jack H. Lucas is assigned to the U.S. 3rd Fleet and homeported in San Diego, California. She plays a vital role in the Indo-Pacific region, contributing to combat operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. Her advanced radar and weapon systems make her a cornerstone of integrated air and missile defence for carrier strike groups and joint task forces. In 2024, she earned recognition as the overall winner of Surface Line Week Pacific, highlighting her crew’s excellence in professional and athletic skills.

DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas at an ammunition pier at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, California—August 2024.

Named after Jacklyn H. Lucas, a Medal of Honor recipient for heroism at Iwo Jima, DDG-125 embodies the spirit of indestructibility. Her motto, “Indestructible,” reflects both her namesake’s valour and the ship’s formidable capabilities. The vessel is commanded by Capt. Andrew Bucher, with Lt. Cmdr. Travis Lair as Executive Officer and CMDCM Marcus Jimenez as Command Master Chief. Their leadership ensures that DDG-125 remains mission-ready and a symbol of naval innovation and resilience.

DDG-125 Jack .H. Lucas arriving at her new homeport, Naval Base San Diego, California - October 25, 2023

The kit: S3001 1/350 DDG-125 Jack H. Lucas from beacon Hobby

The new brand is called Beacon Hobby. We get to see their first kit in the built-up test-kit phase, with plastic and photo-etch making up what we see of the kit so far.The previous test photos are very exciting and look forward to the post-market performance, followed by the test model test.

The main parts of the hull are split into three parts, allowing you to make a waterline version. The bow is made in a one-piece construction.

We have several photos of the test kit made up. Photo-etch is used here, but it looks like sparingly for the best details with a good degree of ease of construction.