I’d like to do one for my girlfriend’s father who was on the USS Sarsfield. The only kit I could find is in 1/700. I thought it was too small but started to build it anyway. Now I know it’s too small. Is there a larger Gearing Class or is there another class that can be converted without too much trouble? And lastly, if not, I might consider venturing into a scratchbuilding project. In this case, where could I find the plans? And for those of you that scratchbuild ships, is there a good reference for a novice scratchbuilder, as I’ve only done small projects before. Thanks.
Blue Water Navy (MB Models) makes a 1/350 Resin kit (rollmodels.com) has it listed. Problem is they are like $90 a kit.
a Local shop has many of those kits but not the gearing and I was actually hoping for a larger scale too. 1/350 for a destroyer is still small.
I can’t find any kits in a larger scale. You might try Mike Ashey’s books (published by Kalmbach) on modelshipbuilding. I have both, great books, and he makes scratchbuilding look almost easy. You can get plans from www.floatingdrydock.com
Thanks for the info. I just have to decide if I’m up to that big of a project.
I built the Blue Water 1/350 gearing. (Actually, I kit-bashed it into a sumner) It’s a beautiful kit and has very cool railings with the safety netting etched right in there. It made up into a beautiful model with less hassle than I expected. Good luck
You have a couple of options, depending on how big you want your Gearing to be…
BWN is no longer in business, but you can still find his kits around. His molds have been bought by Yankee Modelworks and will be back in production soon…they produce a 1/350 kit. If you REALLY can’t find one, let me know and I have one I may be willing to part with.
There’s a company called BaD ship models (Bill and Doug or something like that) that makes a WW2 version and a Fram I Gearing in 1/96 scale…here’s the Maryland Silver website that carries their line:
http://www.marylandsilver.com/badship.htm
This is a big model 49" and is not a beginner project.
As for plans and details, let me recommend my book, Fletcher, Gearing and Sumner Class Destroyers in WW2 from the Warship Perspectives line…available just about everywhere. For plans, you can contact the Floating Drydock, Tom carries all sorts of plans for Gearings in their various configurations.
Let me know if you need any further help.
Regards,
Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com
Very cool, thanks for the info. FYI, I hope to do the Sarsfield ca. 1964.
She would be a FRAM I then…
Jeff
I feel that the 1/350 is too small and the 1/96 is too big, so… I think I’ll go with too big and have a good time with it. Again, thanks for the great site and info. If I can actually get this done he’ll love it!
Supposing I came to my senses and decided to do the Blue Water/Yankee Gearing insted of the huge Badship one. What’s the best place to get info on the Fram 1 changes? Also I haven’t been able to find good pics of gearing class destroyers.
I needed the same information, thanks everyone. I want to do the USS Bordelon since thats my wifes maiden name and finding kits and PE details has been tough.
Scott
Trident Hobbies should have Gearings in stock… www.tridenthobbies.com
Otherwise, you can post up on Modelwarships.com or Hyperscale’s ship forum (or here) looking for someone who has a kit for sale. Keep an eye on Ebay too, BWN kits are usually all over the place there.
From there, goto the Naval Institute Press website and order the book Sumner-Gearing Class Destroyers by Bob Sumerall, ISBN 0-85177-657-4. It covers EVERYTHING you need to know about the class. It’s pricey, but invaluable. Hardcover, 288 pages, covers design, weapons, equipment, mods, FRAMs, etc…
Hope this helps,
Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com
Jeff, you are a gold mine. Thanks.
You’re welcome…It’s good to know all this useless trivial information is coming in handy…now if I could only remember the important things, like the procedure for a kidney transplant, I could do the world some good! 
J
I bought the Blue Water Navy model. Now research time! At least I have 11 months until his birthday!
Get the book…use it to build the model, then give it to him WITH the model…
Jeff
Don’t forget the Photo-etch. Tom’s modelworks makes a set for destroyers.
Tim,
Tom’s set is for WW2 era ships, and the BWN kit comes with PE anyway.
J
OK, I’ve never done a resin kit before.