Calling all Fletcher-class (DD-445) fans

[DanCinSD]

Nice looking build!

[Phealan]

Does anyone know if the three Catapault equiped Fletchers (Pringle, Stevens and Halford) were round or square bridge ships?
Ive looked and looked for this info, but am not having any luck.

I would like to convert my Tamiya Fletcher to one of the above.

Thankyou.

[Timmy C]

Round. Navsource's pages on the ships have quite a few decent pictures. The extra platform for the 20mm in front of the bridge makes the round silhouette a little hard to distinguish, but looking strictly at the bridge bulkhead and roof you can see it's round.

[Rick E Davis]

Timmy is right. I posted some of the nicest photos I have found of the HALFORD (DD-480) at NARA at Navsource ... a sequence of four photos showing the entire ship.

There were TWO different configurations used for the aircraft handling crane: PRINGLE (DD-477) was completed to the original design, STANLY (DD-478) was nearly completed to that same design before being ordered to convert to a non-standard Fleet Destroyer ... All units were to be built to this design, but when it was found to not be a workable design, the last three ships (DD479-481) were to be modified to a revised crane design and in the end only STEVENS (DD-479) and HALFORD (DD-480) were completed to it.

... http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/480.htm ...

[Phealan]

Thanks Rick and Timmy, gee that was a quick reply! I have to admit that i forgot all about Navsource, that is one great reference source, US Navy fans are lucky to have it.
Still doing a ton of research on this project but i will post some photos of it once I get started.
Thankyou.

[Rick T]

Since Tom's has stopped offering it, is there anybody that offers a 1/350 scale square bridge conversion for the WW2 Fletchers, including the after 40mm gun mounts? I have searched the forums but have not seen anything current on this. There are a few conversion found on Ebay but these do NOT have the aft superstructure with the 40mm gun mounts.
Thanks for any help.
Rick T./throck3

[Rick E Davis]

Rick, (how strange that is)

I'm not sure what your modeling "project" is planned to be, but there are a couple of options available. Since you are working in 1/350 scale and want a Square-bridge conversion set, I assume you have the Tamiya FLETCHER kit with the Round-bridge. First off there is the Trumpeter "THE SULLIVANS" Square-bridge kit available. You can either get this kit to build a direct model or kit-bash the bridge onto a Tamiya kit. There is also a 1/350 scale resin kit or two out there, but are limited to specific configurations. I don't know your subject FLETCHER or period/configuration to provide any additional suggestions.

Both of these plastic kits have problems. Tamiya's FLETCHER kit has crisper detail, but limited configuration options and undersized gun mounts for the scale. The Trumpeter kit is ... well a Trumpeter kit ... and only has one version of the 40-mm "tub" between the 53 and 54 mounts. There is an update set for the Trumpeter kit from L'Arensal if you desire to go that route.

Post what your model plans are and I (we) can provide other suggestions/options.

Rick

[throck3]

Rick, (yep, that's odd)
You're right, I will be using the Tamiya Fletcher as a base model, but would like to do a build of DD 562, USS Robinson, in summer of 1944. A friend's father was a radio operator on her durring WW2. She had only been commissioned in the spring of that year and was in splinter camouflage throughout the summer. She had the "D" shaped aft 40mm gun tub, and that is the particular piece I am searching for. I have the resin "square bridge" conversion pieces for the brudge superstructure, as well as the other primary structural pieces to convert the Fletcher kit to this period of Fletcher. I'm pretty sure I can scratch build the aft 40mm gun tub and director tub, but was looking for one from a conversion kit. As I said in the previous message, they used to be available but don't seem to be out there today.

I've built off of the Tamiya and Trumpeter Fletcher class kits before. Too bad about their problems. I think the detail level of the basic Tamaya Fletcher makes it preferable to use as a base kit. The Sullivans kit is just too "spartan" in details. Now if only Dragon would do a Fletcher like their Gleaves, Bensons, etc., but that has been said before.

Speaking of Dragon, I am hoping they take advantage of the hulls of the previous models and do a Sims class Destroyer. I would think that would make good business sense that to take advantage of the similarities and produce a Sims class, but I am not a model producer.

Thanks for your response and offer. Any photos of Robinson, not in Navsource, Haze Gray, etc. would be appreciated. There don't seem to be all that many of Robinson in her splinter scheme.
Thanks again,
Rick T.

[Rick E Davis]

Rick,

It sounds like you have most of the information you need lined up for your build. I have to disagree on one item however, ROBINSON was commissioned with the "Tear-drop" shape tub and had it into her post-war career. It wasn't until, sometime in the 1950's, that she had the aft tub modified to the "D" shape.

I don't have many views of ROBINSON (DD-562) either. Actually, I have more images of her post-war than during the war. I'll have to look in 80-G specifically for her in a future trip to NARA. I have posted two WWII views of ROBINSON and when I lack views of a particular ship I look for sisters built at the same yard and have posted a view of STODDARD as well. STODDARD has a different dazzle pattern than ROBINSON, but the layout of her tubs and equipment is the same.

Good luck on your build.



ROBINSON seen after launching. Her bridge front has yet to be modified to allow installation of the forward twin 40-mm mounts. Which was done prior to commissioning. Note the teardrop tub shape.


STODDARD (DD-566) on 21 April 1944.

[Garry71]

Oerlicons:

[Rick T]

Rick,
Thanks for your efforts, and also the clarification on the aft 40mm mount. I thought I had looked closely at it and it seemed to be the "D" shaped tub. You're right though, it is the teardrop shape. I will have to do a little scratchbuilding but that's the fun of it, right.
Again, thanks for the pics and the comparison shot. Very helpful.
Best regards,
Rick Throckmorton

[Garry71]

Guys! Help Me, please!
What color of vertical triple fighting lights (on mast and bridge)?

[Cliffy B]

Hey guys, I'm interested in build one of the 4 gun FRAM Fletcher's (1950's-60s) but I need some info. I have some drawings and a few photos but does anyone which of the class received that particular conversion? I read that around 30 or so got it but I can't find a list of them. I'm want to see if there were any variations and what not. If anyone has any close-up shots like those taken while in the yard from a gantry crane I'd greatly appreciate it!!!

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for looking,

-Mike

[Garry71]

Cliffy B, three destroyers Fletcher-class only:
DD 446 Radford, DD 447 Jenkins, DD 449 Nicholas
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/helpers/fram.htm

[Cliffy B]

Wrong FRAM re-build. The ones I'm talking about are like The Sullivans. I'm not sure of the actual number but I'd guess they were FRAM I builds. The FRAM IIs were the DDE conversions that were canceled for the most part.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0553738.jpg

I know of her, Black, Heerman, and a few others. Detail photos are coming up short though

[Garry71]

Wrong FRAM re-build. The ones I'm talking about are like The Sullivans. I'm not sure of the actual number but I'd guess they were FRAM I builds. The FRAM IIs were the DDE conversions that were canceled for the most part.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0553738.jpg

I know of her, Black, Heerman, and a few others. Detail photos are coming up short though

May be it's not FRAM programm - because FRAM was 1960 - 1964.
And, DD-537 circa 1950: http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0553731.jpg

[Garry71]

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0553710.jpg
And FRAM started 1960.

[Rick E Davis]

Mike,

The 4-Gun FLETCHERS were not FRAM conversions and none were given a FRAM upgrade. The only FLETCHER FRAM's were the three already mentioned ... former DDE's. The 4-Gun FLETCHERS, also called SCB 74A, were the result of upgrading the class with 3-in guns replacing the 40-mm armament and one of the 5-in guns. 82 "Square-Bridge" FLETCHERS were recommissioned in the Korean War mobilization. The original plans were to upgrade all of them to this standard, but in the end less than half were upgraded.

39 FLETCHERS were modified in 1951-54 to the 4-Gun mod while in the USN service and several others for foreign navies (including some "Round-bridge" units. There are several references with lists of the FLETCHERS modified, but most are not totally accurate. Over the careers of these SCB-74A units, there were many changes to electronics, bridge layout, and torpedo tubes.

Which ship (ships) are you interested in modeling and during which years? Do you have particular areas that you need details of?


The 39 FLETCHERS modified to the SCB-74A configuration; four 5-in mounts, three twin 3-in mounts

Hull # Name
DD-519 Daly
DD-520 Isherwood
DD-527 Ammen
DD-528 Mullany
DD-530 Trathen
DD-532 Heermann
DD-535 Miller
DD-537 The Sullivans
DD-544 Boyd
DD-547 Cowell
DD-556 Hailey
DD-561 Prichett
DD-563 Ross
DD-564 Rowe
DD-566 Stoddard
DD-629 Abbot
DD-630 Braine
DD-642 Hale
DD-644 Stembel
DD-650 Caperton
DD-651 Cogswell
DD-652 Ingersoll
DD-655 John Hood
DD-659 Dashiell
DD-666 Black
DD-669 Cotton
DD-670 Dortch
DD-674 Hunt
DD-677 McDermut
DD-678 McGowan
DD-679 McNair
DD-681 Hopewell
DD-685 Picking
DD-687 Uhlmann
DD-689 Wadleigh
DD-795 Preston
DD-796 Benham
DD-799 Jarvis
DD-804 Rooks

FLETCHERS modified for foreign navies (Many of the above USN served units were transferred to foreign navies in the 1960-60's)

Round-Bridge units
DD-500 Ringgold (Germany)
DD-509 Converse (Spain)
DD-515 Anthony (Germany)
DD-516 Wadsworth (Germany)
DD-569 Aulick (Greece)
DD-570 Charles Ausburne (Germany)
DD-571 Claxton (Germany)
DD-572 Dyson (Germany)

Square-bridge units
DD-581 Charrette (Greece)
DD-582 Conner (Greece)
DD-583 Hall (Greece)
DD-656 Van Valkenburgh (Turkey)
DD-668 Clarence K. Bronson (Turkey)

Photo of RINGGOLD (ex-DD-500) in German service in 1967


Photo of ISHERWOOD (DD-520) on 6 Feb 1956

[Brian Miller]

I'm building the 1/700 Skywave Callaghan kit into the USS Killen and I'm starting on the bridge. I noticed on pics online that the "roof" (can't think of a better term) above the bridge windows is not in the kit. There is a review on this site and the pics show that there is a sprue C, which never came with the kit. From my inexperienced eyes part 6 on sprue C is what I need. Anybody know for sure? The instructions that Skywave gave me are pretty close to useless for the bridge because the diagram/instructions they give looks nothing like what actual pictures show. Is there any way that I can get ahold of sprue C? Thanks. Brian

[Rick E Davis]

Brian,

I'm uncertain of which part you are looking for to build a kit of KILLEN from the Skywave CALLAGHAN kit. The CALLAGHAN kits I have (W1) don't have a Sprue C. Just a Main Sprue (A) and a Sprue B.

KILLEN was a Round-Bridge FLETCHER and the parts called out to build that bridge are A20 (bridge deckhouse levels 01 and 02), A18 (the pilothouse roof w/Mk 51 director positions), A17 (Mk 37 director), and A6 (Mk 4 radar). My kits are rather old by now, so maybe Pitroad made a change to the kit. You will need to build her up into the five twin 40-mm mounts configuration.