1/125 Fletcher class USS Gregory DD-802 (1944)

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:30 pm

Thanks to all!

Reid · Post by **Reid** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:32 pm

DUDE YOU STILL ALIVE!!!

Reid

P.S. just checking!

Tony Bunch · Post by **Tony Bunch** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:59 pm

Hi Guys,
Steve,
Yes indeed, where you been???
Hope you and your family are well, Tony
ps I'm going to quote you now...."Fletcher's Rock!"
Rock on!

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 6:22 pm

Reid, Tony!

Thanks for checking! Yep all is well. Just finishing up some resin orders before I return full bore on DD-804.

Although I intended to wait until next year, the Essex class bug bit hard and I have started building a 1/350 Trumpy Yorktown. If you guys would quit posting inspirational pics of your models of ships of other classes I might just get one model done, hehehe.

Reid · Post by **Reid** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:11 pm

GOOD TO HEAR STEVE!!!

Reid

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:28 am

Comparison of the model's painted hull to photos of the actual ship reveals
very little adjustment is necessary and then hull numbers can be added.
I will use dry letter transfers to number the hull.

Reid · Post by **Reid** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:59 pm

Nice to see you back again. can't wait to see what magic you will work now. i think the depth charges are MK. XI. not to sure though

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:38 pm

Reid, thanks! I think you are right about the mine being a depth charge. Good eye!

Detailing the funnels begins; insides first. The Lindberg funnels, except for the caps,
match the plans from Floating Drydock so I am using them. The caps need only slight
reshaping so are usable and need interior detailing. On a real Fletcher, there is a
platform inside the cap containing two openings for two uptakes per funnel separated
by baffle. The baffle on some ships was smooth, others were ribbed. The uptake
openings have a diamond-pattern grate mounted inside the uptake slightly below the
top of the opening.

The kit's funnel halves were assembled then the funnel caps were cut off using a razor
saw. The interior was the built up from Evergreen styrene and K&S brass photo-
etched mesh. The top of the baffle will be trimmed later and stiffeners will be added
across the top of each cap.

A real Fletcher's funnels are raised above the midships deckhouse by a rectangular
structure that acts as a funnel base. Lindberg does not include these funnel bases in their
kit. New bases were fabricated for each funnel from styrene strip.

The exterior of the funnels and their respective platforms will be detailed later.

Click on thumbnail to view larger photo

Post by **JIM BAUMANN** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:04 pm

Good to see progress resuming here!

Its a kit I built some years ago--after adding the required sheer to the hull--I completed her and gave her away!
Looks like yours will be a beauty!!

Looking forward to progress

JIM B

Reid · Post by **Reid** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:53 pm

wow great job on the funnel detail

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:41 am

Jim and Reid, thanks so much!

Reid,

I think you nailed the identity of the depth charges. Here's a photo of depth charges aboard USS Kidd:

Thanks to Bruce Ross for the photo!

Reid · Post by **Reid** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:06 am

WOW thats a nice picture you got there of Mk. XI. i was on Kidd last fall and i thought those depth charges looked familiar.

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:01 pm

Aft, 20mm "Heart Tub" is installed. There are 37 pieces needed to build this feature.
Three 20mm Oerlikons and their associated crews were protected by this shield. This
splinter shield differed from ship to ship. On Fletchers built at Seattle-Tacoma like
DD-804, the shield was heart-shaped, enclosed three single mounts, and the reinforcing
ribs were welded to the interior. The other common variation was ribs welded to the
exterior. Check your sources carefully for the ship you are building.

Click on thumbnail to view larger photo

Next update: intake vents on the funnels. There are 56 pieces needed to build the intake vents.

Reid · Post by **Reid** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:11 pm

Very smooth steve!!! looks great. just one thing, can u give as a kind of over all shot of her so we can see how shes lookin now!!! Can't wait to see the funnels!!

P.S. do you anything about the aft shields from fletchers built in Boston.

Post by **Dave Wooley** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:54 am

Hi Steve I always enjoy seeing your builds in progress and your skilled use of styrene , great work . Now were are those funnels?

Dave Wooley

Ship Model Gallery · Post by **MartinJQuinn** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:36 am

Fantastic work Steve!

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:42 pm

Thanks so much for all the kind comments!

Reid wrote:...do you anything about the aft shields from fletchers built in Boston?

Generally, the ribs appear to be fixed to the splinter shield interiors with some exceptions: it is difficult to make such a determination of rib locations on the heart tub splinter shields of some Square Bridge ships built at Boston from photos. The photo of USS Connor seems to show exterior ribs on the aft part but a smooth exterior forward. See: http://www.destroyerhistory.org/fletche ... er_01.html

According to DestroyerHistory.org the Round Bridge Fletchers built at Boston were:
DD-472 USS Guest
DD-473 USS Bennett
DD-474 USS Fullam
DD-475 USS Hudson
DD-476 USS Hutchins

According to DestroyerHistory.org the Square Bridge Fletchers built at Boston were:
DD-581 USS Charrette
DD-582 USS Connor
DD-583 USS Hall
DD-584 USS Halligan
DD-585 USS Haraden
DD-586 USS Newcomb
DD-662 USS Bennion
DD-663 USS Heywood L. Edwards
DD-664 USS Richard P. Leary

Post by **ModelMonkey** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:19 pm

Funnel intake vents are fabricated and installed. There are 7 parts to each intake vent for a total of 56 parts.
Some final shaping and cleanup of the vents is yet to be done to even out their appearance in relation to each other
and there is much more detailing to be done to the funnels, platoforms and searchlights. The funnel caps will be
replaced with more accurately shaped caps later. A director platform will be added to the aft funnel. Both funnel
platforms will have underside structural members added as well as rails.

Click on thumbnail to view larger photo

Avery Boyer · Post by **Avery Boyer** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:15 am

Mike Glasgow · Post by **Mike Glasgow** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:12 am

Your build is looking great! Could you describe how you made the aft 20mm gun tub. Did you heat the plastic in warm water? Just wondering how you kept that perfect symmetrical shape, no twisting, looks really nice. How many pieces did you use for the vertical wall? Thanks for all the information you have passed on.

The Ship Model Forum

1/125 Fletcher class USS Gregory DD-802 (1944)

Nice overall ship pictures