Calling all Sims-class DD fans

marijn van gils · Post by **marijn van gils** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:03 pm

EDIT BY TRACY WHITE
This thread has been split out of the CASF Lexington CV-2 thread after this post started a good discussion of SIMS class info.

Thanks a lot Michel, Tom and Bob! This is a very helpful forum indeed!
Now my search for a 1/700 Sims class kit can start. Otherwise scratchbuilding it will be...

With this project I'm returning to a childhood passion of mine, as I have since then mostly built AFV-dioramas and figures. So I'm feeling my biggest difficulties will be the research and finding the right kits and accessories.

So, I have another question. While the link above makes a very compelling read and gives great information (thanks a lot Bob!), due to not being familiar with the ship-specific terminology and the fact that English is not my first language, I couldn't figure out where these two bombs hit the ship exactly:
"Another bomb estimated 500 lbs. hit the gig boat pocket on the port side, and one 100 lb. hit the stacks and exploded inside."

I would be very grateful if someone could point out the port side "gig boat pocket" and the "stacks".

Sorry to be such an ignoramus, thanks again and best wishes,

Marijn

Post by **Cadman** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:15 pm

If you need a Sims in 700 scale. There is also the IHP kits. They are a bit large for the scale, but pretty nice overall.

USS Sims DD-409 Early war (1940-42)

USS Walke DD-413 Mid war (1942-43)

Post by **Cadman** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:18 pm

There is also the old Naval Works kit

I might have an extra one that I can part with. I stocked up on these kit a long time ago and will probably never build them anyway. Not unless someone wants to try to buy me out as webmaster and then I would have a lot of building time.

Dick J · Post by **Dick J** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:27 pm

Another possibility for a Sims is to convert a Pit-Road Benson/Gleaves kit. The major external differences were in the superstructure, between the back of the bridge and the original #3 5" position.

Devin · Post by **Devin** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:46 pm

Dick J wrote:Another possibility for a Sims is to convert a Pit-Road Benson/Gleaves kit. The major external differences were in the superstructure, between the back of the bridge and the original #3 5" position.

I had no idea they were closely related. I always saw the single stack on the Sims opposed to the dual stacks on the Benson's and thought they were totally different. Interesting.

-Devin

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:18 pm

Thanks a lot for the quick help!

Thanks for the damage-related info Bob! This makes everything much clearer. Those navsource pics where not unimportant in stimulating me to tell this story in a diorama. It will be a nice challenge to replicate this damage, together with all the firehoses, rubble and other stuff on the flight deck by the time of abandonment.
Do you think the bomb exploding inside the smokestocks would have caused any exterior damage, besides the grill at the top it must have passed through?
Very nice model by the way!

Thanks Cadman and Dick for the kit info! I have found that also classic warships make a resin 1/700 kit.
Cadman, thanks for the offer! I am tempted by it, but maybe first the following question (to anybody):
Which of these kits is the best quality? The medium or ease of construction is not too important to me, only the finesse of the detail really matters. Being in scale is also a plus since it will be right next to the Lex in a diorama, but I don't care if it's just a little off.
Maybe I better ask this in another tread or even subforum?

Thanks again and best wishes,

Marijn

Ship Model Gallery · Post by **MartinJQuinn** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:22 pm

Anonymous wrote: Which of these kits is the best quality? The medium or ease of construction is not too important to me, only the finesse of the detail really matters. Being in scale is also a plus since it will be right next to the Lex in a diorama, but I don't care if it's just a little off.
Maybe I better ask this in another tread or even subforum?

Thanks again and best wishes,

Marijn

Marijn,

Please post that question in the main forum, so we don't get off topic in this Lexington-specific thread!

Thanks

Tracy White · Post by **Tracy White** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:48 pm

MartinJQuinn wrote:Marijn,

Please post that question in the main forum, so we don't get off topic in this Lexington-specific thread!

And of course, I just superseeded you!

As mentioned above, this is a SIMs-specific thread. Here are some items that may be of use to modelers of the SIMS class:

DestroyerHHistory.org SIMS page

Gallery
1/350 DD-411 USS Anderson by Walt Plucinski (Tamiya Conversion)
1/350th DD-417 USS Morris by Dave Becker (Iron Shipwright)
1/350th DD-410 USS Hughes by Robert Swan (Iron Shipwright)

Dick J · Post by **Dick J** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:14 pm

Marijn wrote: I have found that also classic warships make a resin 1/700 kit.
Cadman, thanks for the offer! I am tempted by it, but maybe first the following question (to anybody):
Which of these kits is the best quality? The medium or ease of construction is not too important to me, only the finesse of the detail really matters. Being in scale is also a plus since it will be right next to the Lex in a diorama, but I don't care if it's just a little off.

The IHP kit is metal, and I find that very difficult to work with. I can't do any significant corrections, nor can I do ship-specific modifications. I also found scale and accuracy problems. (Close, but still enough inaccuracies to annoy me.)

The Naval Works kit has detail and accuracy problems. A few years ago, I did one of these and another resin Sims (I think Kobo Hiryu), and had to do major surgery to get them close to the Sims, and to each other. The back of the upper bridge levels is chopped off, and the funnel isn't even close.

I am currently converting the Pit-Road Benson kit, and am molding resin replacement parts. (masters not yet done) However, the masters are predicated on raising the quarterdeck by .020 inches, something I am also doing on my Benson/Gleaves kits. It's a lot of work, but I think this method will produce a satisfactory Sims. I have also mastered a "rag-top" 5" mount - the open-topped Midships mount doesn't look right without the canvas cover.

Elvis965 · Post by **Elvis965** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:33 pm

Thanks for the damage-related info Bob! This makes everything much clearer. Those navsource pics where not unimportant in stimulating me to tell this story in a diorama. It will be a nice challenge to replicate this damage, together with all the firehoses, rubble and other stuff on the flight deck by the time of abandonment.
Do you think the bomb exploding inside the smokestocks would have caused any exterior damage, besides the grill at the top it must have passed through?

marijn, I posted a reply over in the Lex thread!

Bob

marijn van gils · Post by **marijn van gils** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:29 am

Thanks Tracy for splitting the post, and for the very usefull ino!

Thanks a lot Dick! Sounds like there is no easy solution...
Does anyone have experience with the classic warships model, or any appreciation on their "usual" level of quality?
Otherwise I might try correcting the IHP kit, as I have some experience with metal and don't mind it too much.

Best wishes,

Marijn

Dick J · Post by **Dick J** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 6:03 pm

marijn van gils wrote:Does anyone have experience with the classic warships model, or any appreciation on their "usual" level of quality?

I have no experience with the kit, but availability might be an issue. Classic was bought out by Midships, who plans to release them under their label. However, I don't think the Sims is scheduled any time soon. (There are other issues about the initial former-Classic kit releases, which are way behind schedule.) However, you might be able to find an unbuilt original kit someplace.

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:14 am

Just want to thank Tracy for making this thread. The Sims class were very attractive ships, and when you consider their war careers they were among the most important, especially in 1942. I have been in love with them since I saw Morris in Silverstone's book back in 1967.

Tracy White · Post by **Tracy White** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:22 am

Naw, thanks to the posters who took the time to get enough material on board to make it worthwhile! We could start a CASF thread for any ship out there but it seems that there needs to be a little bit of magic to get them started right.

marijn van gils · Post by **marijn van gils** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:02 am

Thanks Dick!

You are very right, I'm having no luck finding one available. The same goes in fact for any of the other kits too...

So Timothy, I'm certainly interrested in buying one of the IHP kits, or the Naval Works one if you prefer not to sell an IHP kit. You can email me on marijn_vangils@yahoo.com.

Maybe another question that could benefit potential builders: what photo-etch sets would be best suited to this class?

Best wishes,

Marijn

Ship Model Gallery · Post by **MartinJQuinn** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:49 am

Found this while surfing today...what a cool picture!

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/imag ... g01671.jpg

nick · Post by **nick** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 12:56 am

Wow

It's like the plane is a gigantic floating model next to the Mustin

cool!

REALLY!

Nick

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:26 pm

I'm so glad after reading through this that Niko have done the USS Hughes in 1/700! Its a lovely kit (well looks it anyway) and I can't wait to build it. It will be going with my USS Hornet as she was in the same TF at Santa Cruz. Can anyone tell me if the other Sims class DD's escorting Hornet were in the same config as Hughes? It would be so much easier if they were!
Cheers Mike

GERARD · Post by **GERARD** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:56 pm

Mike I just want you to know I recieved this kit from Pac front last week its a jewel of a kit you will not bre sorry if you buy it

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:27 pm

I did buy it! I picked it up at the IPMS show at Telford last Saturday. John from WEM fished it out for me as I couldn't see one on display. Your right its a great looking kit - I just wish it was a bit less money as i need another 4 for what I'm doing!
cheers Mike

The Ship Model Forum

Calling all Sims-class DD fans

Calling all Sims-class DD fans

Cool Photo from the Naval Historical Center

Niko

Niko Hughes

I already did!