Calling all Fletcher-class (DD-445) fans

[Rick E Davis]

Does this answer your question??

[ligamin]

Well, yes. Thanks.
The idea was if the choosing of arabic or roman numbers has some sense.
I saw both on some hulls and that confuses me.

[KotoBuilds]

Hey all. The Trumpeter 1/200 Fletcher has been released, with hints of Stevens and Sullivans for further release. Got my hand on the Fletcher variant. With two other Fletchers already (Tamiya Fletcher 1/350 as herself, and Trumpeter Sullivans 1/350 as Kidd), I was thinking of turning the 1/200 into Johnston. Did I bite too early in geting Fletcher (I'm not even sure if the 1/200 Sullivans will copy the 1/350 cousin, with a 1943 and '45 option)? As of right now, there are 1/200 options for the square bridge Fletcher (via ModelMonkey), but not even in 1/350 are there options for the midships twin 40mm platform abreast the second funnel. Is scratch building the platforms the best choice at this time?

[Rick E Davis]

I think it is pretty early to expect upgrade/mod parts for the 1/200 scale FLETCHER kits. In the only images I have seen of the completed kit and not knowing what other parts are in the kit, I have noted several omissions that in the 1/200 scale need to be corrected. The buildup FLETCHER on Squadron shows her in her Shakedown configuration before she returned to NYNY and had the fantail twin 40-mm mount and Mk 51 director installed. Also, during her shakedown, she still was painted in Ms12R(mod). The box art shows a solid color of unknown color. How FLETCHER was painted after her post-shakedown yard period is unknown ... still in debate as to when and where she was painted into Ms21.

For some reason Trumpeter's kit on Squadron shows TWO MK-51 directors atop the pilothouse. Those should not be installed. Several details that should be on this kit, include radio antenna trucks at the back of the bridge.

I can't access this website on my apple devices and I hate Windows 10 or is it 11, on the laptop I have with that OS. Apple says the security level is a threat. Sigh. Even then Microsoft says my password is a problem half the time. So my replies will be delayed.

[FFG-7]

Rick, it is most likely it is Win 11 you do not like.

[KotoBuilds]

I think it is pretty early to expect upgrade/mod parts for the 1/200 scale FLETCHER kits. In the only images I have seen of the completed kit and not knowing what other parts are in the kit, I have noted several omissions that in the 1/200 scale need to be corrected. The buildup FLETCHER on Squadron shows her in her Shakedown configuration before she returned to NYNY and had the fantail twin 40-mm mount and Mk 51 director installed. Also, during her shakedown, she still was painted in Ms12R(mod). The box art shows a solid color of unknown color. How FLETCHER was painted after her post-shakedown yard period is unknown ... still in debate as to when and where she was painted into Ms21.

For some reason Trumpeter's kit on Squadron shows TWO MK-51 directors atop the pilothouse. Those should not be installed. Several details that should be on this kit, include radio antenna trucks at the back of the bridge.

I can't access this website on my apple devices and I hate Windows 10 or is it 11, on the laptop I have with that OS. Apple says the security level is a threat. Sigh. Even then Microsoft says my password is a problem half the time. So my replies will be delayed.

That was something I found interesting, yes. The instructions ask you to make 3 mk 51s, one of course for the twin 40mm, but the two on the bridge for what...? The parts all say Stevens on them, so my theory is that Stevens was designed first, then Fletcher.

From initial overview of parts, there are a few things that disappoint me for a 1/200 scale Fletcher.
The Mk.37 director feels incredibly lacking in detail for this size, with no photoetch for the hatches. Speaking of hatches, the two on the left side of the director are missing. The type seems to be the correct one, a Mk.37 square back for the Mk.4 radar, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

The searchlights that are included are nicely molded, but for the front, it is just a flat surface with no detail of shutters or grillings. Strangely enough, the search lights for the funnel wing mounts do have a rounded piece for the front, but again no detail of grillings or shutters.

For their scale, the twin 40mm Bofors is lacking in detail. The recoil springs are detailed nicely, but for the mount itself, it is bare bones. The front is entirely flat, when there should be some sort of shield that would cover the firing stop mechanism.

I will add more as I look through the kit.

[FFG-7]

KotoBuilds, there is no shields on the twin barrel 40mm gun mounts as shown in these pictures.

[Timmy C]

That was something I found interesting, yes. The instructions ask you to make 3 mk 51s, one of course for the twin 40mm, but the two on the bridge for what...? The parts all say Stevens on them, so my theory is that Stevens was designed first, then Fletcher.

Also possible they messed up and are mixing up parts from Fletcher's later post-August 1943 configuration: https://www.navsource.org/archives/05/pix1/0544520.jpg

Some photos of the built-up kit on Squadron, showing well Koto's observations and the lack of detail on the 40mm and other things: https://squadron.com/1-200-trumpeter-us ... model-kit/

Also noting the incomplete SC-2 antenna, with the PE and CAD seeming to depict only the bottom larger rectangle.

[KotoBuilds]

KotoBuilds, there is no shields on the twin barrel 40mm gun mounts as shown in these pictures.

My bad, not the splinter shield to protect the mount crew, but rather for the electronics/wiring on the base of the mount (if there was one. I'm aware of one on the quad mount). However if there wasn't a shield or box to cover the wiring, the mount is still very plain.

[Rick E Davis]

Timmy,

Another error I didn't mention, the USS FLETCHER as depicted by Trumpeter for her Shakedown Cruise and actually for her period prior to upgrading to the five twin 40-mm mounts in mid-1943, she DID NOT have the SC-2 radar. She had the SC-1 radar. When first installed on FLETCHER's, the SC-2 radar antenna didn't have the IFF antenna attached on a few units. The BL "stovepipe" antenna IFF system was used on units with SC-1, SA, and early SC-2 radars until the integrated antenna/system was installed.

The shield on the front of the twin 40-mm mounts (to protect wiring, etc.) was an upgrade. I have not tried to find out when "exactly" it was first installed and if it was back-fitted. There was an early version drive (Ford Instrument Co.) used on the 40-mm mounts that had problems and was replaced with another drive on REPLACEMENT mounts after used on the first 466 units. Replacement drives were made by York (which also had problems and was discontinued) and General Electric, plus other contractors. Bottomline, twin 40-mm mounts were replaced/rebuilt throughout WWII and difficult to determine on when and which ships. For use of the shield, I look at images for specific units I wish to model or comment on. If I can find images for a specific timeframe.

As for accuracy, come on, this is a Trumpeter kit. Being accurate is something they DON'T worry about. Even the "built-up" kits may well have parts added in random from sprues. The aftermarket guys will be happy to produce correct replacements.

Anyone building a model from any of the "new" 1/200 scale FLETCHER kits will need to get references to see if making corrections is needed. The USS STEVEN's Aircraft-Handling FLETCHER and Post-WWII THE SULLIVANS will be interesting to see what they got correct. The catapult and crane on the STEVENS are ones that there are no accurate engineering drawings, only some pretty good photos.

[KotoBuilds]

Was SC-1 radar the square shaped one mounted atop the main mast?

[TZoli]

Was SC-1 radar the square shaped one mounted atop the main mast?

All of the SC Series are squere shaped just theirdimensions are different:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SC_radar

https://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/ ... 11.en.html

https://www.aviationmegastore.com/img/i ... 3629_1.jpg

[ModelMonkey]

We're happy to help the new Trumpeter kits with some much better-shaped and detailed 5"mounts. And some other better detailed goodies, too, for round-bridge and square-bridge ships.

[KotoBuilds]

We're happy to help the new Trumpeter kits with some much better-shaped and detailed 5"mounts. And some other better detailed goodies, too, for round-bridge and square-bridge ships.

Thank you, I've already ordered a square bridge for the 1/200
Are you guys working on a twin Bofors tub that sits on either side of the second funnel? I see you guys only sell the twin Bofors tub ahead of the bridge, and quad Bofors tub amidships for anti Kamikaze fits, but nothing for a twin Bofors tub aside the second funnel.

[ModelMonkey]

Are you guys working on a twin Bofors tub that sits on either side of the second funnel? I see you guys only sell the twin Bofors tub ahead of the bridge, and quad Bofors tub amidships for anti Kamikaze fits, but nothing for a twin Bofors tub aside the second funnel.

Thanks so much!

Regarding the midships tubs for twin-gun Bofors, good news, yes, they are in the design queue. It will be a while before I get to that project. I'm swamped with other work at the moment. I can't say exactly when the models will be available.

Thanks again!

[Jon C Ryckert]

I have been searching for the shell plating diagram for the Fletcher class; would anyone happen to know of where I can possibly find them? Another question, did Johnston have the flat back Mk37 or the angled version? I really can't make heads or tails looking at wreck photos as some views look angular and other don't.

[Rick E Davis]

All Fletchers had the square-back Mk37 director.

[Jon C Ryckert]

Thank you, Rick.

[KotoBuilds]

Here again, I am working on making Trumpeter's 1.350 Sullivans into Kidd, and would like to know if there were any differences in their late war 1945 anti-Kamikaze refit. The obvious thing that stands out is the bulwark around the two twin 20mms located aft of the quad 40mm mounts.

On Sullivans, this bulwark is attached to the 40mm support, runs along the hull, curves and ends at the aft most twin 20mm. There are also slots along the bottom to allow water drainage. The top edge of the bulwark is uniform and straight.

On Kidd, this bulwark is not attached to the 40mm support, rather it begins a few feet aft and is connected by railings. The bulwark runs along the hull, curves and ends also at the aft most twin 20mm. There are no slots for water drainage, with the only slots being for the chocks. The top edge of the bulwark is not one uniform, as there is a dip that begins at the foremost twin 20mm and ends before it curves at the aft most twin 20mm.

Other than that, were there any other differences that distinguished them?

[Rick E Davis]

I wouldn't rely on Trumpeter's THE SULLIVANS kit being correct to begin with. The navigation bridge is the wrong shape. Look at getting Model Monkey 3-D printed upgrades. There were variations for the various Anti-Kamikaze upgraded FLETCHERS. Mostly minor. The big differences for the various units is the Mk 63 Fire Control System. Some units got it and others didn't due to shortages. Both USS THE SULLIVANS and USS KIDD did, but Trumpeter didn't supply parts for the Mk 63 FCS. Also, look closely at the Mk 63 small deckhouse for the directors. The layout varied. Both THE SULLIVANS and KIDD had double reload racks for the K-Guns, Trumpeter supplies a terrible version of a single reload rack. Black Cat has good double racks and maybe other 3-D printers(?). Study photos of USS KIDD and modify as required or you can do.

Here is an image of USS KIDD (DD-661) as she appeared when recommissioned for the Korean War. Not much had changed yet and because it is an overhead view many details show up better. When first recommissioned for the KW, the USN generally didn't make any major mods prior to shakedown. The exception was to communications and a few antennas were added to be able to communicate with operational units. Compare to the August 1945 image below.