Hello to all, I would really like to trade, puchase or steal a Gearing Class Destroyer Model. I would prefer 1/350, but could settle for a 1/700. I want to do this for my Uncle, who served aboard the USS RICHARD B ANDERSON - FRAM II in the late 60’s in Vietnam. I am a Disabled Veteran and my funds are very limited, but I do have a NIB Revell 1/72 Gato Sub to trade, if you like. I would even take a partial kit, but I’m not a very experienced scratchbuilder. Feel free to email me at : writer6193@yahoo.com, Thanks.
The former Yankee modelworks (or is it the current) makes a nice kit in resin and white metal and PE. It is available from Squadron. I built it as a Sumner that I cut 15 scale feet from the mid section and FRAM’ed it for a 1959 Sumner that I am mostly done with. It is a nice kit. I recomment it.
And it is in 1/350 scale. The model is about 15 inches long.
The Yankee Modelworks Gearing represents her in her WWII guise. You would have to do the FRAM yourself.
In 1:350 scale, you might want to look at the Iron Shipwright FRAM I Gearing as the USS Johnston (DD821).
Better yet for you might be the FRAM I Gearing by JAG Collective in 1:700 scale
The MSRP is 40 dollars, less expensive than either the Yankee or ISW kits
Share this with your uncle.
The Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA) spent several days in the last operating WWII destroyer, a FRAMed Gearing. She is the ex-USS Steinaker (DD-863), now ARM Netzahualcoyotl (D-102, “Netza”). http://www.hnsa.org/sound/mexico/index.htm
There is a photo section which shows some of the external details as well as some interior spaces which might jog your uncle’s memory.