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1/125 Fletcher class USS Gregory DD-802 (1944)
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Author:  ModelMonkey [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:00 pm ]
Post subject:  1/125 Fletcher class USS Gregory DD-802 (1944)

Scratchbuilding the Fletcher class destroyer
USS Gregory DD-802, 1944 in 1/125 scale.


This build was inspired by, but is NOT the classic Lindberg "Blue
Devil Destroyer" kit.
It will contain some parts from that kit.

When complete, she'll be built to represent USS Gregory DD-802,
as she appeared in 1944-45 wearing the dramatic MS 31/11d scheme.

Of the 175 Fletchers built, USS Gregory DD-802 was one of 21 Fletchers built
at Seattle-Tacoma.

Inspired by, but definitely not, the Lindberg model.
As you know, Lindberg makes a popular, fun, motorized model of the
Fletcher
. It is big and pond-worthy. But it is not a very accurate
representation of a real Fletcher. There are noticeable hull, bridge
and turret shape inaccuracies with the Lindberg kit. Like many other
modelers I like the size and scale of the Lindberg kit but wanted better
accuracy. So I chose to make a new, more accurate model from scratch
using whatever Lindberg kit parts that were reasonably accurate.

1/96 scale plans obtained from Floating Drydock were reduced to 1/125
scale. The plans showed what, if anything, was accurate with the Lindberg
kit and could be used on my model. Aftermarket white-metal 1/125th
scale Bofors and Oerlikons are available from HR Products so I bought
sets of those. They are not yet installed.

More to follow!

Attachments:
802gregory 01.jpg
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802gregory.02.jpg
802gregory.02.jpg [ 38.57 KiB | Viewed 7059 times ]
File comment: My hull next to the Lindberg USS Melvin "Blue Devil Destoryer" hull. First item to build was the hull. A real Fletcher has a very gracefully shaped hull. A new, properly shaped hull was carved from a solid balsa block and sanded to shape then fiberglassed for strength. The real ship's hull plates were made from 1/4-inch thick steel, pretty thin in 1/125 scale. So the hull plating was replicated by simply painting on thicker layers of
primer for the overlapping strakes.

IM001052.jpg
IM001052.jpg [ 84.92 KiB | Viewed 7059 times ]
File comment: Next items to replace were the deckhouses. The plans indicated that
generally the kit deckhouses were accurate in dimension and layout but not in detail. For example, the pilot house has four portholes (airports) on its face but a real "square-bridge" Fletcher has five. So I replaced the deckhouses. Let's begin with the foreward deckhouse and bridge.

IM001053.jpg
IM001053.jpg [ 145.61 KiB | Viewed 7058 times ]
IM002388a.jpg
IM002388a.jpg [ 113.86 KiB | Viewed 7058 times ]
IM002342a.jpg
IM002342a.jpg [ 86.15 KiB | Viewed 7058 times ]

Author:  johndon [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:22 pm ]
Post subject: 

Great work Steve, how long is she?

John

Author:  ModelMonkey [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:45 pm ]
Post subject: 

She is 36.14 inches (91.8cm) long x 3.81 inches (9.68cm) wide. I like the big size a lot.

Author:  Timmy C [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 5:25 pm ]
Post subject: 

Cool! Couldn't you have saved the old bridge and made a second Fletcher for it?

Author:  Bill Waldorf [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 5:28 pm ]
Post subject: 

Excellent styrene work!! I am impressed. Another great build on the way! :thumbs_up_1: :eyebrows: :thumbs_up_1:

Author:  Dave Wooley [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:26 pm ]
Post subject: 

Hi Steve Good to see you posting more on your superb builds and as Bill says a nice piece of styrene work. :thumbs_up_1:
Dave Wooley

Author:  bwross11 [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:35 pm ]
Post subject: 

Hey Stephen
From one Fletcher builder to another; excellent work, that superstructure looks great! Keep up the good work she's going to be a beauty.

Bruce
USS Stevens DD479

Author:  coberg1 [ Mon Jan 16, 2006 10:37 am ]
Post subject: 

Steve that thing looks incredible. Right down to the "I" in the little structural I-beams. Truly a work of art!

Author:  ModelMonkey [ Sun Jan 22, 2006 5:48 pm ]
Post subject: 

Thanks, gentlemen!

Timmy C wrote:
Cool! Couldn't you have saved the old bridge and made a second Fletcher for it?


Great question. Don't want to since the original bridge is inaccurate. I'll explain in more detail later in this thread.

If you haven't seen Bruce's USS Stevens, also in the "RC and Scratchbuilding" forum, you are missing a real treat. His styrene work is superb. And check out the hull plating detail.


Work continues...

Photos from "Destroyer History" http://www.destroyerhistory.org/ were very helpful in determining how features and structures appeared on USS Gregory.

Attachments:
File comment: Reinforcing strips have been added to the interior of the forward twin Bofors tubs. The Venturi was tricky to make. On real ships, the device deflects wind and spray from bridge personnel. You can see it on the forward edge of the bridge splinter shielding. Research indicates real Fletchers' splinter shielding varied greatly.
IM002380a.jpg
IM002380a.jpg [ 194.9 KiB | Viewed 7054 times ]
File comment: Supporting "I-beam" structural members have been added to the undersides of the Bofors tubs:
IM002382a.jpg
IM002382a.jpg [ 130.24 KiB | Viewed 7054 times ]
File comment: Roughing out the aft deckhouse and aft-most twin Bofors position. The bulkheads and decks are cut from .040 Evergreen styrene. Stiff .040 sheet is good for structural components resisting any tendency to warp. The splinter shields are cut from .020 sheet. The corners of the upper structure are rounded on the real ship at the joint. The model's will be rounded later. The small styrene piece is one of the splinter shield reinforcements not yet installed. The locations for the reinforcements are marked in pencil on the shield before the shield is glued in position. The open end of the Bofors position will be filled by a cylindrical Mk-51 Director platform.
IM002378a.jpg
IM002378a.jpg [ 185.82 KiB | Viewed 7054 times ]

Author:  coberg1 [ Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:14 pm ]
Post subject: 

Steve that's some AWESOMELY clean work. What is the technique for forming those radii? It must be heat and bend? Such smoothe looking rounds!
I still haven't decided if my next large scale model will be a 16th pt-boat or a 96th Fletcher, but this thread has me leaning this way!

Author:  ModelMonkey [ Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:23 pm ]
Post subject: 

Thanks, Chuck!

To make thin sheet curve I simply pull the sheet across the handle of a small file, the diameter of which is about half that of a standard pencil. Pull it hard and quickly. By drawing it quickly across the handle the sheet curls right up in a pretty uniform curve. I then glue the piece down to marks on the deck. This technique works very well for thin sheet.

For thicker sheet, I place the sheet in very hot water to soften it then press it to the proper shape by hand sometimes using another object as a form.

PT Boats are very cool but Fletcher's rock.

Author:  ArizonaBB39 [ Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:27 pm ]
Post subject: 

Steve, loking beautiful so far, keep us updated. I hope my Arizona will turn out that nice once I can start working on it again.

Author:  bwross11 [ Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:47 pm ]
Post subject: 

Steve, the detail work is coming along very nicely. If you need more pictures of square-bridge Fletchers let me know; I've probably got 70-80 pictures of the USS Kidd that might help you.

Best,
Bruce

Author:  ModelMonkey [ Sun Jan 22, 2006 9:58 pm ]
Post subject: 

Thanks, Abe and Bruce!

Bruce, if you have any pictures showing any overhead areas or bulkhead details I would appreciate them immensely! I'd like to get the details right. Finding good photos of the overhead areas has been particularly tough!

Author:  johndon [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 7:54 am ]
Post subject: 

Stephen,

Looking good...

Don't know if you've seen them or if they would be of any use to you but Fine Art Models large scale Fletcher models. There are a few pics of their version here: http://www.fineartmodels.com/pages/prod ... uct_id=190

I've been using them a lot for my build of the Tamiya Fletcher (albeit I haven't been that concerned with being accurate for a particular ship).

John

Author:  coberg1 [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:37 am ]
Post subject: 

Beautiful models, only seven thousand dollars eh?

Author:  Francisco P. de Nanclares [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:16 am ]
Post subject: 

Wow! What a great job on that superstructure. Really clean and crisp! :thumbs_up_1: :thumbs_up_1: :thumbs_up_1:

Author:  Victorious [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:12 pm ]
Post subject: 

Nice work there Steve, it's nice to see more builds on the scratchbuilding forum, and for a change, a smaller class of ship. I am not really an American ship fan, but I do like the Fletcher's.
Look forward to more pictures, as you progress. :thumbs_up_1: :thumbs_up_1: :thumbs_up_1:

Author:  ModelMonkey [ Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:16 pm ]
Post subject: 

Thanks for all the kind comments and helpful suggestions!!

Slowly but surely...

A little more work done on the aft deckhouse and Bofors platform.
Splinter shield reinforcing ribs and the base of the Mk-51 Director
platform are now installed. An open-topped, circular splinter shield will be
added to the top of the director base later. The penciled circles on the
deck indicate the positions of two of the 5"/38 single mounts.

Attachments:
IM002390a.jpg
IM002390a.jpg [ 185.83 KiB | Viewed 7062 times ]

Author:  bwross11 [ Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:12 pm ]
Post subject: 

She's looking good Steve; keep up the good work.

Bruce

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