Hi!
I am usually over in the winged area but I am currently looking for/wondering if there is a large scale model of a Sumner class destroyer available? My father in law was on the U.S.S. Soley (DD-707) and I was thinking of building a model of it if it exists or convert one into it…
Thanks!
-Ro
The Soley was a Allen M Sumner-class
Please define ‘large scale’ A wartime-appearance Sumner is available in 1:192 scale. It is resin & brass made by Technoart http://www.freetimehobbies.com/TEHN19201.aspx Depending on when your father-in-law was on the Soley, the kit may require some modifications to represent her post-war appearance.
In 1:350 scale, IronShipwright makes a resin & brass post-war Sumner configuration as the Henley http://ironshipwrights.com/pages/Henley.html
Nothing in plastic in 1:350 scale. The closest would be the Dragon Gearing. Take an 11 scale foot plug out of the middle of the hull to get to Sumner length. Then make the specific changes to represent the Soley and your FIL’s time of service
Is the 1:96 scale large enough for you? Scroll to the lower end of this page to see the selection.
Take a look at the fiberglass hulls and resin & PE fittings offered by The Scale Shipyard. They have the SUMNER class in 1:96 and 1:48 scales. The 1:96 scale version has fittings kits for ther 1944, 1946, or 1952 versions. They are fiberglass hulls with plans, fitting are extra; you supply the decks, superstructures, props & shafts, rudders & shafts, etc.
There are two that I know of in 1/96 scale a SUMNER and a FLETCHER . they are by BaD SHIPMODELS in PALOMINOS ,ARIZONA . The BaD ships are wood which is rare itself but you get a whole kit .There are others , BUT it depends on two things and they are , How much work are you willing to do , and second how much money are you willing to spend ? I have a Gearing I bought some years back from the original buyer . It is almost six and one half feet long . He paid quite a bit and got a hull( fiberglass and plans )and that was it ! I would follow your heart and wallet on this .There some good models out there and The DRAGON 1/350 Gearing is a logical ship .The scale is smaller of course but you can do the conversion and get it built in under six months depending on your skill . I would make a recommendation , but , everyone else would say h%$# no ! not that ! The suggestion is the large LINDBERG " BLUE DEVIL destroyer or REVELL,S 1/144 FLETCHER CLASS ship . There are a lot out out there and the choice has to be yours . tankerbuilder
I’d suggest staying away from the Lindberg kit. It looks appealing, but you may never build another ship again! It’s basically just a motorized toy. I’m currently working on the Revell 1/144 Fletcher and it is a peach! BTW, go ahead and invest in the Eduard Big ED PE set. I’d also suggest the Natuilus resin turrets. Much better than the kit turrets.
Bob