I was wondering if someone could help me.
Does anyone know if anyone makes a 1/350 (1944) Fletcher-class destroyer? I know there are a few early war (1942) models out there and there are slight differences between the two ships. (Bluewaternavy and Tamiya, offer the 1942 verion that I know of)
I wanted to start off my first boat-build with something easy and no scratching. Heck, I’ve never even done PE before, but I figure I will learn as I go! [%-)] I might just start out with the 1942-version.
Crawl, walk, run.
Thanks a lot!
I am working on the Tamiya Fletcher with the GMM PE set. Although not my first ship kit, it is my first time with PE and applying the techniques I have heard of from this and the “modelwarships.com” forums.
The kit is a good starting point into the hobby, as it is quite small but well detailed and (being a Tamiya kit) all the parts fit.
My main problem with the build is the application of the tiny amounts of super glue needed to fix the PE parts, and masking of the camo pattern.
I am persevering with it and hopefully will get a good build at the end.
Hope this helps
It def. does… any tips you have (or discover) about putting on PE, would be much obliged!
As a money saver I think I’ll get the Tamiya kit, as opposed to the $100 Resin kit. I’ll start off small.
Is the GMM PE set worth it?
The Tamiya Fletcher is a great kit. The Photo-Etch is a must. You can get a resin “square bridge” for a late model Fletcher, but I don’t know off the top of my head who makes it.
Tom’s Modelworks (www.tomsmodelworks.com) does a square bridge conversion kit, to allow you to modify the Tamiya 1942 into ANY of the 175 ships in the class, from 1942-45.
Your choices are pretty simple…for the round bridge…
Replace the forward 20mm tubs with 40mm Mk 1 tubs and mounts, and build the rest of the ship out of the box…that’s good for most of the round-bridge Fletchers through mid-1943. Add in the midship Mk1 40mm sponsons and mounts, and you’ve got most of the round bridge Fletchers through 1945. Add the Mk2 quad 40mm, replace the forward torpedo tubes with the MK 51 FCD platform, and you’ve got the 1945 version of the Emergency AA fit Fletchers.
For the square bridge, you can model the early ships by replacing the forward 20mm tubs with the Toms 40mm part. Square Bridge Fletchers never carried 20mm guns in the forward tubs into combat. You can then add the midship MK 1 or MK 2 40mm if you want late war ships.
I recommend my book ‘Fletcher, Gearing and Sumner Class Destroyers in WW2’ from the Warship Perspectives line…available from White Ensign Models and Hannants in the UK, or from Pacific Front Hobbies or Floating Drydock here in the states.
Tom’s set gives you all the necessary parts, and photoetch, for the model…
Regards,
Jeff Herne
(some schlub who knows a little about the Fletchers)
Hey Jeff, thanks A LOT. I am going to save this thread.
Do you think the Fletcher is a good kit for a first time PE build? Actually… a first time ship build in about 10 years?
MarinR00,
I’ll add a little to this. The GMM photo-etch is well worth the money. The only difficulty you’re likely to have is the radar antenna; that’s tricky. Apply superglue sparingly using a piece of fine wire as an applicator. Try straightening out a paper clip; that works pretty good if you can’t find anything finer. Good luck!
Paul
Marin,
It’s a great first kit to start with, since the PE is pretty straightforward. Tom’s brass is well suited to beginners and those with thick fingers and 5 thumbs like myself. There are other sets out there, but they’re finer in detail, making them tougher to work with, and of course, pricier as well.
If you need any help or photos, let me know…I have a few (about 4000 at last glance).
Jeff
As my earlier post, I am in the middle of a Fletcher. I have built the hull, all superstructures (not fitted), guns and applied as much PE ladders and rails as I can before I need to put it all together. The anti fouling and boot stripe are done and masked off and today painted the decks. Most of the PE so far has been anything but straight forward. Some of the parts are so small that you need 2 pairs of tweezers, one to pick it up and another pair to bend into shape. You then also need a third hand to apply the glue, a fourth to position the part and even a fifth hand to check the positioning . I did the mast last night and today it looked like giant seagulls had visited. As I scraped away the excess glue, most of the parts fell off. I bit the bullet and started again, cleaning off all glue and sanding smooth. I then had a rethink, and used white glue instead of CA. This gives you more positioning time but the fix is not as strong, so you have to be extra careful not to touch.
I have been more successful today and I did the PE radar assembly. This went OK.
I would post some pics of my progress, but there seems to be a reluctance on this forum for pics (unlike the armour forum).
If you would like pics then please reply.
Please send pics!!
I agree… the armor forum is great at people showcasing their stuff.
What ship do you want photos of?
J
I’d be interested in seeing some PE work on a Fletcher if that’s possible. Just so I can have an idea of what to shoot for. Thanks.
I just ordered Tayima’s 1/350 Fletcher and Tom’s Modelworks conversaion kit. I’ll order the GMM PE set later this week.
One more quick question… when working with PE, should I paint the basecoat first and then put the PE on, or complete the whole model and then paint and weather? Thank you very much.
Personally I paint the base coat and PE seperately, then put together (usually, there are ALWAYS execptions).
Here are a few pics of my in progress Fletcher with first time attempt at PE. Please excuse the poor finish on some parts but I will be cleaning it up before I start to paint the top coat.
I did not paint the PE before installing it, I wonder if that will make it stick any better.
It is amazing what a camera picks up. It looks OK from a distance. I will persevere with this kit and hopefully it will turn out OK.
Comments and advice welcome
Those look awesome! Thanks for the pics. So the way you do PE is, you bend it to the right shape, then just dab a bit of super glue down, set it, and then it dry?
You run into any problems with the Tamiya Fletcher kit or the GGM PE you could warn us about??
I just picked up the Squadron series “Fletcher DD’s in Action” which has some great pics and drawings in it and was only $8. Can’t wait for it ti come in the mail so i can get cracking on it.
My main problem was with the small size of some of the parts, holding them in place and applying the glue. I guess that this will improve with practice. The GMM set is well worth getting and totally transforms the kit.
Awesome, I can’t wait for mine to get here. I got the Tamiya kit, the GMM Fletcher Kit, the GMM 20mm/40mm kit and Tom’s square bridge conversion kit on the way.
Guess I’ll have to get some good sets of tweezers! Anymore tips from anyone would be greatly appracited.
Thanks again Daveash. Good luck with yours. Can’t wait to see some pics when its done.
Done a few more bits tonight, cut off and replaced the moulded railing on the 2nd funnel with PE, fitted the bridge railing, brush painted the camo on the hull (needs a second coat) and cleaned up some excess glue from my earlier attempts.
I will post some more pics tomorrow.
MarinR00 - If you want I can e-mail the pics direct.
Before you apply any brass to the model…soak the part in acetone or paint thinner.
The creation of PE parts involves spraying photoresist and sensitizer on the sheet, exposing it to a light source, then soaking it in ferric chloride. In the end, the frets are dipped in water to stop the chemical process (etching), but there’s still residual chemicals on the brass…this inhibits things like glue from sticking…same holds true for plastic parts, wash them in warm soapy water to get the mold release off…and everything will stick better…
I don’t have many photos of Fletchers in-progress, but I’ll see what I can come up with for you. Also, the Squadron Signal book is okay if you want a general overview of the ships with some photos, but you really need my book if you want details.
http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/books-plans/wrpress/fletcher/wr-fletcher.html
Jeff Herne