Welcome in my first build report,
Coming to Singapore I have took with me card model of USS Heerman plus some references. Life shown that card cannot handle tropical humidity, even 1 mm thick card after some become 1.5 mm and lost its integrity. Decision was simple do nothing or... Go into polystyrene.
So my build will be rougly based on the card model, but in fact it will be scratchbuild. I'm going to upgrade my model as much as possible.
I have some references:
![Image](http://images32.fotosik.pl/1/36c9731558e64ff0m.jpg)
On the photo you can see:
- USS Heermann (card model)
- Kamuflaze niszczycieli typu Fletcher (Polish book on Fletchers' camouflage)
- Fletcher Class Destroyers by Alan Raven
- AoTS USS Sullivans
- Fletcher, Gearing and Sumner Class Destroyers in WW2 (WR Press)
- USS Navy Fletcher Class Destroyers in WWII Dazzle Camouflage (amazing book - givins some surprising me informations).
Besides not shown on the photo:
- Fletcher Planbook (by Floating Drydock)
- shipyard plans (most impressive. If you have possibilty you can just build your own Fletcher class destroyer).
Model shown as for today
![Image](http://images32.fotosik.pl/1/5bcca487e06b1b7cm.jpg)
USS Heermann model will show her as in October 1944 in Ms32/24D camouflage.
As I mentioned earlied oryginal model is hardly verified. So far I have found two issues. One is bow part, where in model is missing Taylor's bulb (I'm not sure if it is correct name) and second is stern part where frames should have more flat shape. Both were corrected by custom made additional frames.
![Image](http://images34.fotosik.pl/1/9d75a05f7f31a384m.jpg)
Polystyren is new for me, but I have a lot of fun learning how to use it. I like it more than card, however some its properties are not so nice (like missing shape memory)
Right now I'm preparing the hull to cover with styrene sheets. Next step will be critical for my work.
Till next time then.
![Wave :wave_1:](./images/smilies/SMILE_Wave_1.gif)