Getting started . . . how that describes my state lately. I was looking through recent “Getting Started” photos on my phone that serve as a testament to the attention deficit challenge I have been dealing with: Flying Cloud kit (Revell) laid out only to be put away; HMS Bounty kit (Revell) laid out only to be put away; HMS Bounty kit (Airfix) laid out only to be put away; and USS Fletcher kit (Tamiya) laid out only to be put away. And that list doesn’t account for builds in progress . . . still (USS Edson, Royal Sovereign). But I think I have finally found inspiration for the next project to move forward with: USS Rooks (DD-804) from the Lindberg 1/125 scale kit of the USS Melvin (DD-680).
I put this kit together decades ago when in high school - twice. Second time it turned out pretty good, but I gave that model away (and have regretted it ever since). So the idea of building another has been lurking about in the back of my mind until I brought it forward and recently purchased an unopened kit on eBay. And so it begins.
IN THE BOX
GETTING READY TO WORK THE HULL
USS ROOKS (DD-804)
REFERENCES
There is plenty of information in published form and on the web concerning the Fletcher class, but the ones provided above I have found to be most helpful. As for why I decided on the USS Rooks, she had the square bridge and the 10x40mm and 7x20mm AA weapon configuration which is how the Lindberg kit is configured, there are good photos confirming her wartime camouflage pattern, and she had an exemplary career in the US Navy (and later in the Chilean Navy as the destroy Thomas Cochrane). She was eventually scrapped (without twin rudders apparently) in 1983.
As mentioned in a different post on the forum there are plenty of good examples of this kit being turned into some very good and detailed approximations of a Fletcher class destroyer (these are my inspiration). I say approximation because unless you do something about the hull to begin with, it will never be an accurate scale replica. But you can move the kit in the right direction with some after market purchases or some scratch building, and using the correct colors for US Navy camouflage patterns used on the class during WWII. Toward these ends there is Tom’s Model Works for scale photo etch, as well as Model Monkey and Distefan 3D for more detailed printed parts for such components as main guns and turrets, turret ring mounts, 40mm and 20mm AA weapons, depth charge racks and throwers, pilot house (both square and round are available), radar and gun directors, three blade props, and a whole host of other details. If cost is not a factor you can spend quite a bit enhancing this kit (but then maybe it would be better to go with Trumpeter or BlueJacket?). Anyway, I have picked out the details I want to enhance and have received some with others on the way, and I am looking at Squadron.com for the paints needed for the Measure 31/Design 11D camouflage worn by the USS Rooks mid-war.
That’s the build intro. Hopefully in a few weeks I’ll have done more than lay out the kit, and have the photos to prove it, lol.
Cheers,
Eddie
Note: I made edits above based on the clarifying information provided by Rick E. Davis below.
Will be following along! I have a soft spot in my heart for the old Lindberg kits. In some cases, they have been the only scale models of some significant ships. The basic lines are usually manageable, but alot of the superstructures need serious attention and the 3d printing world has saved the day for the details! I have built the LCI into LCI(G)-449, the minesweeper into the USS Pirate (lost after striking a mine in Wosan Harbor, NK during the Korean War), converted the LCU /LCT in to a LCT, Mark 6, and have plans on making the old Tuna Clipper into a YP that was converted from a San Diego Tuna Boat)! Even though the scales are stranger (1/125, 1/160, etc), I find it a much more buildable scale for smaller ships rather than a 1/350 kit.
Speaking of the hull, here are some dimensions I’ve come up with to make the hull more accurate, although I haven’t verified them yet:
Forward perpindicular at the bow: add 5.0 mm.
Centerline #1 5" gun @ frame 32: add 3.0 mm.
Front edge of forward deckhouse @ frame 42: add 1.7 mm.
Front edge of weather bulkead @ frame 73: no change - control elevation.
Forward edge of aft deckhouse @ frame 137: no change - control elevation.
Centerline #5 5" gun @ frame 178: add 1.0 mm.
Aft perpendicular @ stern: add 5.0 mm.
I used the two drawings with mold lines together with an illustration I did a few years ago with the frame layout. The changes are a compromise and another modeler might have a different result. I’m building up a scrap hull to verify them.
Thanks all. I’m excited about this build. I saw elsewhere mention of a fiberglass hull replacement for this kit that is a much closer scale replica but do not recall the source. I’ll make an attempt at bilge keels, aft skeg, shaft braces, and two anchors (which USS Rooks carried), but leave the basic shape alone.
Regarding a replacement hull that’s far more accurately shaped, a company in the UK called “Fleetscale” offers a fiberglass Fletcher-class DD hull in 1/128 scale, very slightly smaller than 1/125 scale (just 2% smaller). It is an attractive alternative to Lindberg’s supertanker-like hull. Link: https://www.fleetscale.com/the-shop/1-128th-usn-fletcher-class-hull/
Disclaimer: we have no relationship with Fleetscale other than as an admirer of their work.
I think we have all been down this path my friend more than once!
Looking forward to seeing progress on this! As for Squadron, Jeff Herne has a line of paints out called Squadron Colors and he has colors USN destroyers!
Happy Modeling,
Mike
Sorry, but NO FLETCHER had twin rudders. How or where that rumor got started I don’t know. But, in my FLETCHER class research, I located dry dock and building ways for various units and none of the “last four” FLETCHER’s (with hull numbers DD-801 through DD-804, or that last four actually completed (DD-594 through DD-597) had twin rudders.
Thanks for the correction. As mentioned on the other post, I came by that understanding from the article posted by Jeff Herne on modelwarships.com. I wonder where he came by his information?
I tackled Lindberg’s “Blue Devil” four years ago- it took me about a year to finish. The wealth of reference material helped me so much- I see you have your own great array of books. I love this kit mainly because of its size- big! And those Fletchers are loaded from stem to stern with every possible kind of gear and gun that make it a really appealing build. I also used the brass kit for railings and ladders and floater net baskets etc. I also used a lot of aftermarket bits from Model Monkey and was very happy with them though I’d never used resin parts before.
I chickened out on modifying the hull, except to cut it down to the waterline. I’m looking forward very much to see what you can do.
My hull doesn’t have the graceful swoop of a Fletcher but after it was all put together, there was so much to look at it didn’t matter so much. I made mine the USS Van Valkenberg. I chose it because it sports a radical dazzle pattern that I wanted to challenge myself with. Once I figure out how to post photos I’ll share. Meanwhile, it sounds like you are going into this project with eyes open, wallet open, and some experience to call on. Happy building - it can be done!
Would love to see your build. I have had good luck using the “upload button” in the tool bar directly above where we type:
It’s the square one in the middle. Of course, that means the picture has to be on the device you are using to make the post, so there may be more steps between camera and upload.
