I built the O’Brian kit and it is a fine kit with no serious flaws. If you are willing to tackle photo-etch, Tom’s Modelworks has a fine set for the kit.
Stenscience,
I’m no expert model builder but I am starting to get the hang of it. I’m currently working on the Trumpeter 1/350 S.S. John W. Brown and converting it (not too hard - most Liberty Ships just differed in their armament other more or less minor details) to the S.S. Stephen Hopkins for a friend of mine whose dad served aboard her and was one of the 15 survivors of her sinking.
Anyhow I’m using the Gold Medal Models PE and find that it’s mostly very, very good. Of course it would be better if I were a bit more skilled in its application but here’s the link to my current thread with some pictures that include some of the PE I’ve used.
http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/7/t/167898.aspx?page=2
Mike
Oops, I just realized that this thread is 6 years old! [:$]