Getting started . . . how that describes my state lately. I was looking through recent “Getting Started” photos on my phone that serve as a testiment 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 plently 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, that’s easy: she was built with twin rudders, had the 10x40mm and 7x20mm AA weapon confirguration, 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 in 1983, the same year I joined the Marine Corps, although this did not factor in.
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 inspriration). 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
