Hello everyone. I've been a fan of the site for a long time now and a modeller since I was a kid. My builds are usually WWII aircraft and armor but every once and a while I like to build a ship. I've been wanting to build the USS Kidd since it first arrived in Louisiana when I was as a young kid. As soon as I saw the Revell kit I wanted to build it but due to the fact I've never done any serious scratchbuilding or any serious modification of a kit I was reluctant to try it. Well, I finally got up the nerve to give it a shot for my first attempt.
I'll be converting the kit to the the Kidd's 1945 appearance after being refitted due to the kamikaze attack. So far I've done some hull work and built up the front funnel with the search light platform scratch built for the late war configuration. I'll try keep updates coming when I get significant work done on it. I hope you all enjoy.
The last couple of days I worked on the forward gun tubs to house the twin bofers. The early tubs were completely removed and the new tubs were built from scratch. So far I'm having a good time converting the although I haven't gotten to far in yet . I am learning as I go but I can see how it can get addictive.
ingura wrote:Looks good and I got the impression, that you know your stuff and the how-to's very well.
Thanks for sharing your build.
Peter.
Thanks Peter. It's definitely a learning process. It is nice to have access to sites such as this one where modelers share their tips and techniques. It makes a first time project like this a lot smoother.
Got some more work done on the build. I reworked the rear twin bofer housing with the lower profile and added the tub for the stern 20mm guns. Once that was done I finished up the quad bofer mounts I had been working on the last few days. I was quite happy with the way they all turned out so far. In between a couple problems I came across I put together the K-gun racks. Next up I'll probably start working on building the new depth charge racks and the housing for the quad bofer's directors. Hope you all enjoy.
Neil
Looks great so far Neil ...like your scratched gun tubs!...what's your source for the quad 40's?...as far as I know there are only twin 40's in 1/144 scale....looking forward to more updates!
Dave
"There is no problem which cannot be solved through suitable application of naval artillery."
Dave Hill wrote:Looks great so far Neil ...like your scratched gun tubs!...what's your source for the quad 40's?...as far as I know there are only twin 40's in 1/144 scale....looking forward to more updates!
Dave
Hey Dave, thanks for the compliment. I found some quad 40's from HR fittings. They are good but I will probably switch them out once the WEM quads are released since they come with the PE to really detail them good.
You are off to a good start, but I have noticed something you may want to consider changing at this scale. The bulwarks for the quad mounts had a different type of storage for the ammo clips. Initially they had bays with three "bins", which were then increased to four bins. KIDD had four bins per quad mount. The bays were formed by extending the bulwarks outward following the same arc as the bulwark to accept the the bins. I suspect that these "bins" were made as standard and common standalone units and were installed on the ship
I discussed these earlier and included images on these pages on the "Calling all FLETCHER Class Fans".
Hey Rick thanks for the advice on the quad tubs. I reworked them according to the photo you supplied. I was able to get three bins in but four did work out right. It will be a little off on accuracy but I do think it looks more like the photo. I'll try and remember to get some photos up when I do my next update.
I've gotten a good bit of of work done the last several days. I've built up most of the superstructure and added the railings to each part. I still need to build the last two depth charge racks and will probably work on that tomorrow.
Here are the two main depth charge racks built up and ready for to paint.
The housing for the quad 40 gun directors
Built up the 5" guns and sculpted the gun bloomers with milliput. I'm quite happy with the way they turned out as I don't do much sculpting.
Neil that is an excellent job thus far. Keep up the good work.
I would like to make an observation, in addition to Rick's; the waist 40mm mounts had clipping rooms under them. In the one picture of that area it doesn't look like the main deck bulkheads extend far enough toward the centerline. Look real close at that area in the top picture Rick attached.
Good modeling,
Bruce
Bruce
OSC USN-Ret
Currently on the building ways:
1/144 USS Stevens DD-479
1/144 USS Cook Inlet AVP-36
1/144 USS Walke DD-416
1/144 USS Preble DDG-46
Hey Rick, thanks a lot for those photos. I had not come across these before. I managed to get the gun director redone without any problems at all. Just had to be a little patient working the glue loose but it came off fine. Funny thing is I kept looking at it and something seemed off I just didn't figure it out.
The USS Kidd Field Day is coming up in Oct. You can go down and stay on her four four days and three nights. It's a great time and you can photograph to your heart's content. I urge anyone that's Fletcher nut to go. It's a chance to talk to some of the guys that served on her. Check out their website for details.
Any ship larger than a Destroyer is a waste of metal.
. I am learning as I go but I can see how it can get addictive. 
