Calling all Fletcher-class (DD-445) fans

[bwross11]

I have a build that I've been in the process for a while; anything in particular you want to know?

[Sr. Gopher]

Yes, and thank you for showing this. Other than the removal of everything from No. 4 mount to No. funnel, were there any other changes that can be shown in 1/700 scale? I'm sorry if it's too vague, but just answer whatever you can. Also, fabulous work on the Stevens. Definately a reference photo.

[Rick E Davis]

Bruce,

Your model is looking great. I see that you got the Charleston style sliding metal gun port seals on mounts 51 and 55 ... cool.

Rick


St Gopher,

Looking through all the pages on this thread on FLETCHERS for previously posted images of these ships. I'm not going to hunt for them.

There were two configurations for the Aircraft-Handling FLETCHERS. PRINGLE (and planned for HUTCHINS and STANLY) and the STEVENS and HALFORD configuration. PRINGLE group used a kingpost with a boom on the centerline and STEVENS/HALFORD used a crane mounted on the port side main deck.

PRINGLE on 25 November 1942 before the catapult was installed.


STEVENS on 15 March 1943 with the revised crane design in the stored position.

[bwross11]

Hi Rick,
Thanks; I just got the aft deckhouse detailed and painted. Now onto the mid-deckhouse! Also, I am working up the CAD model for the boom; taking a little longer than I anticipated plus I keep getting distracted by other projects.

Sr. Gopher,
As you have noted mount 53 and the #2 torpedo tube mount were removed. Additionally, on next to the aft deckhouse were a pair of avgas tanks that were on the maindeck (the C.O's absolutely hated them; said if he had ever gotten into a shooting match that they were targets just waiting to get hit!). If you look at the model pictures you should be able to make out the tanks.

The next obvious change is as Rick has mentioned; which ship, because it matters as far as which lifting crane you put on. The Pringle's boom as attached directly to the aft stack and they found after a few lifts that the stack as being bent. Stevens and Halford had the crane to the side and it functioned much better after some refinements.

From the starboard quarter:



Hope this helps,

Bruce

[les]

You can find a built up model on Dynamic Dioramas website. It's the Stevens, I believe.

[bwross11]

Les,
The model protrayed on the Dynamic site is the Halford. I'm not knocking the work, which I think is top-notch by the way; but I wouldn't advise using the model as a standard of comparison when it comes to the crane. I have corresponded with the builder and he admitted that there was a fair amount of artistic license when it came to modeling it.

Bruce

[USN_Matt]

I built a 1/700 uss Fletcher a few months ago. I painted her in a measure 31/2c scheme. I heard she did sport that in circa 1944, but I have not been able to find any photographic proof that she did. I was wondering if anyone had a photo of her in that camouflage! I used the pattern sheet, but I just want to see what she looked like with it.

[Rick E Davis]

Here is an image of FLETCHER in dazzle ... http://www.ussfletcher.org/445-44.jpg ... from the USS FLETCHER reunion website.

[falcon04]

Looking for an "interesting" build candidate for an early round-bridge Bath-built Fletcher, I've settled on Strong at the time of her fitting out.

My conclusions based on web photos: Measure 18 camo, fantail teardrop tub twin 40mm, lowered teardrop deckhouse tub w. twin 40mm, 4 20mm - 2 aft, 2 forward, Mk-51 Director in each 40mm tub. The linked photo shows the back of at least one turret done in Deck Blue as is the top - also 2 shades on the barrels:

http://www.destroyerhistory.org/fletche ... ng_07.html

http://www.destroyerhistory.org/fletche ... ng_11.html

http://www.destroyerhistory.org/fletche ... ng_16.html

http://www.destroyerhistory.org/fletche ... ng_17.html

It would also appear that the fantail teardrop "tub" might not be a splinter shield but railing with canvas ?? I note the typical dark canvas weather covers for the clip stowage on the inside.

Query - am I on target here ?

[Rick E Davis]

The canvas you see is the "flash" covers that went over the ready round clips stored on the inside of the bulwark "tub". The canvas would be flip over to the outside when in use or for servicing.

STRONG is an interesting ship in the class. She was one of the first to be modified to the two twin 40-mm configuration and she was the first to get Mk 14 sights for her 20-mm guns. Of course she had a busy career until lost.

[falcon04]

Thanks, Rick.

I'm not referring to the dark covers.

Look at the fantail tub - it looks like eyelets and lacing on the bottom edge of the ( light colored ) front of the tub. This may just be bolts or welds of some sort, since the surface is so taught, but it just looks a bit different than the typical splinter shield. The dark inner canvas covers are shown flipped to the outside on the deckhouse tub photo, and are inside on the fantail tub.

When / where were the Mk-14 sights fitted ?

I assume also that the Measure 18 didn't last long before Measure 21 was applied - but it sure was pretty.

Also, was it typical to apply the deck blue to the backs of the turrets ?

[bwross11]

Falcon,

I see what you're referring to but I believe that Rick is correct. What I believe you're seeing is the canvas cover that has been thrown over the shield for the forward cluster of ready ammo. Since the cover was actually in sections perhaps they added some bars at the end of the canvas to keep it from flapping in the wind or some other sort of tie-down. I've tried working with canvas at sea when you had the normal wind movement over the deck; I'll beat you to tears if you're not careful.

Good subject to model; I'm sure you'll have a great model.

Best,
Bruce

[falcon04]

I've cropped, "clarified", lightened, and enlarged the fantail tub image. ( used PSP7 - like PS elements FWIW )

You can see the dark segmented canvas covers on the inside of the tub. They are not flopped over to the outside.

I now think the exterior is most likely sheet steel - perhaps this was the prototype installation ?? I see a horizontal seam , some sort of regularly spaced fasteners at the bottom, and a gap at the bottom with what appears to be a rail or rim - that's what led me to guess it might be canvas over railing.

[OS1880]

check out the image in Picture post , 1/144 Revell Fletcher class destroyer build by rotorhead its the 3rd pix on page 6 . Gives another view of the interior of the fantail tub.

[ArizonaBB39]

Heres a few pictures of the Fletcher class Im building in the MS31/2C Scheme: USS Spence DD-512

[falcon04]

I've clarified and lightened that pic. Note the "light leaks" at the base of the shield to the left of the mount as well as the detail of the covers.

[Dick J]

Note the "light leaks" at the base of the shield to the left of the mount as well as the detail of the covers.

Unfortunately, that is not a sure sign that the "surround" was not steel. Even the steel tubs needed drain holes to ensure that these tubs remained gun tubs rather than bathtubs in heavy seas. Not only would accumulating water damage the guns, but the "slosh" effect could endanger the stability of the ship. Also, note that the light seems to be coming from two roughly equal holes that appear to have rounded edges, if one allows that the top of the lefthand hole is partially covered by the hanging canvas. More info needed.

[Rick E Davis]

Sorry I didn't get back to you all before this, but I have been out-of-town on a business trip and this has been my first chance since to address this question.

First off, after looking at a hi-res image I have of STRONG (DD-467), there is a canvas cover on the exterior of the bulwark spray shield "tub". But, I have no idea of why they would install a canvas cover over the exterior of the tub, just that they did. I suspect that it "may" have had something to do with equipment installed on the outside of the bulwark. But without additional good close-up views of this area at other times in her career, we may never know why. I have gone through STRONG's Departure Reports at NARA, but didn't notice any discussion about adding a canvas covering ... honestly something I would not have been looking for. Here is what I can pass on.

DD-467 STRONG on 28 August 1942 ... a very grainy fuzzy blow-up of the fantail. I don't see the Mk 51 director being in place yet, I think it was installed on the second Boston Avaialbility.


DD-467 STRONG on 22 December 1942 at New York Navy Yard.


When you look at other similar views of these "tubs", there isn't any canvas covers for most, although I "think" there are at least two other New York Navy Yard modified FLETCHERS that may have this feature as well. But, the photos are more distant.

DD-445 FLETCHER in 1943 in the South Pacific.


DD-465 SAUFLEY on 22 September 1942 at New York Navy Yard.


A little history. STRONG was delivered by Bath Iron Works in a half-way condition from the previous quad 1.1-in mount configuration with the original higher round shape tub on the aft deckhouse and some of the changes required for the next version of two twin 40-mm mounts with a lowered mounting on the aft deckhouse. Boston Navy Yard completed STRONG to the configuration you see in that photo (taken on 28 August) of her while painted in Ms 18 during two Availabilities ... 7-26 August and 28 Sep-7 Oct 1942. At the end of her second Availability at Boston, STRONG was "likely" repainted to Ms 22 (but I don't know for sure). STRONG went on a shakedown cruise and returned to New York Navy Yard for further modifications. At New York Navy Yard during her first Availability there ... 30 Oct-5 Nov 1942 ... Mk 14 electronic sights were installed on her 20-mm guns. STRONG went on a convoy mission to North Africa and again returned to New York for another Availability ... 11-23 December 1942 ... before going to the Pacific. During this yard period, a fifth 20-mm gun was added on an elevated platform before the bridge. AS a note; two additional 20-mm guns were added ... one per side to the existing ones on the main deck port and starboard and another gun atop the pilothouse while in the South Pacific prior to February 1942.

At Boston, the fantail twin 40-mm mount and Mk 51 director were installed. A 5-lb steel spray-shield bulwark WAS installed as clearly stated in the Departure Report from Boston.



Drawing of Fantail installation for STRONG from BIW Engineering Drawings DVD ... which was different than the ones THEY installed on subsequent FLETCHERS built at BIW.


Drawing of typical BIW built Spray Shield all laid-out in a single piece. Note the drain holes.


Overhead view of the fantail "tub" on most BIW FLETCHERS.

[Unicorn]

I hope you don't mind but here are a few shots of a 1:72 scale Fletcher, USS Nicholas.

A fully operational R/C model, she was built by a modeler in Australia.









Regards

Unicorn

[Rotorhead]

Hey Rick,

Just what I was needing, thank you for posting those.

Regards
Steve