Calling all Charles F. Adams-class DDG fans

[Guido]

Amen!
This promises to be a merry Christmas already now!
(Grandpa will be happy, too!)#
Double Cheers,
Guido

[DDG220]

GREETINGS FROM GREECE...

I SERVED AT THREE C.F. ADAMS CLASS DESTROYERS THAT WERE LENT TO THE HELLENIC NAVY BY THE US NAVY.
THE WERE DDG 220 H.S. FORMION EX USS JOSEPH STRAUSS DDG 16
HS KIMON DDG218 EX USS DDG 18
AND HS NEARCHOS DDG 219 EX USS WADELL DDG 25
THESE ALONG WITH THE FORTH DDG 221 THEMISTOCLES EX DDG 21 WERE THE FOUR OF THE CLASS THAT BEARED THE GREEK FLAG FOR 12 YEARS.
I HAVE MANY PICTURES AT MY DISPOSAL BUT I CANNOT REGISTER, BECAUSE ANY DATA I SEND IS RECOGNISED AS SPAMBOT ATTEMPT TO REGISTER.
FEEL FREE TO E-MEIL ME AT DDG220@PATHFINDER.GR

[/img]

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Here is my next project: I started it today!
I'm going to build DDG-22 as she was in 1972; just like my 1/700 kit from Dragon. I have a lot of study material and I'm ready to build a 1/350 DDG!
I've nearly finished the WEM Knox FF and this experience will help me with this second WEM resin ship build.
I spent today sanding the upper hull bottom and the two superstructure pieces on a surface plate. They are now straight. level and mate together perfectly. Lesson learned on the WEM Knox kit; don't do a bunch of work and then find the hull bottom, (for a w/l build), still needs to be "trued up".
Here is the future 1/350 DDG-22 still naked!

This model wil require a completely scratchbuilt foremast, so I'm looking to buy some soldering accessories soon. I also noticed quite a few of what look just like WWII era 20mm ready ammo lockers. I don't know what they're doing on this model! I'll be looking this thing over to see what may need to be removed to backdate the DDG-22 to its 1972 condition. This will be part of the fun! I already have the bag/basket life rafts and a pair of BMK brass 5"54 barrels. I also have the DDG photo CD from Ray Bean and the brand new CF Adams decal sheet from Resin Shipyard. I'm ready to rock n' roll!
more to come......
Tony
Adams Class Fan

[Devin]

Tony,

The "ammunition lockers" you see are multi-use. They could hold flares, paint, small arms ammo, etc. Anything they wanted to be safely stored but not necessarily inside the skin of the ship.

-Devin

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Devin,
I have a great o-head pic of DDG-22 from the early 80's, (from DVIC website..high res image), and that'll probably be my, "basis",for the deck configuration when I can find no other info to the contrary from 1972.
Are these lockers supposed to be IDENTICAL to the 20mm ready lockers from WWII?
I spent 3 hours today, "cleaning", the hull casting. I also sanded the sides of the hull smooth.
BTW, what have you guys used for a cleaner and primer for your resin builds?
Thanks, Tony

[Dirk Mennigke]

Hi Folks
Hi Tony!
For cleaning I used 99% Ethanol. I bought it in a pharmacy.
I didn`t use any primer and I had no problems with my paintwork

-Dirk

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Dirk,
Thank you. Did you then pour the remaining ethanol into your vehicle that uses alternative fuels?
I'll do it! I posted a message on the main forum a month or so ago about my search for alternatives to my previous preparation methods, as I had patches of paint coming off after masking; was'nt pretty!
I'm pumped up on this project. It's going to be hard to try to work on anything else; including finishing the 1/350 Knox FF.
Thanks Guys, Tony

[Dirk Mennigke]

Fuel?????
It�s better to make a drink
Ok, before cleaning I sanded the surface of all parts. I dont�t know
the correct word in english, I didn�t use sandpaper its just more than a fleece
with a very fine grain of 4000 and not details will be lost. Now there was enough grip on all parts
and the paint didn�t came off.
For masking I used Revells masking tape

Dirk

[Devin]

Tony,

I'm not sure if they're identical to WWII lockers as I've never seen one of those. What I can say is that the lockers were rectangular and solid. The white part that you see is a thin sheet of metal that sticks out from the surface of the rectangular body, stood off with rod for a few inches, and painted white to help reflect light and heat.

This is, of course, all from memory, and with the stomach bug that's been playing havoc with my intestines these past 72 hours, all subject to clarification.

-Devin

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Devin,
Get well soon.
I'll post some extreme close ups soon. Then we'll see.
Take care, Tony

[GTDEATH13]

THIS IS HS THEMISTOCLES EX DDG 21...

[GTDEATH13]

THIS IS HS FORMION , EX DDG16 USS JOSEPH STRAUSS

[GTDEATH13]

THIS IS A PHOTO DURING THE RETURN TRIP FROM USA TO GREECE, WHILE LEAVING SAN DIEGO

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
GTDEATH13,
Very cool to see these ships still in use!
Are these three still active today?
When were you in San Diego?
Will you ever come back?
I live in San Diego.
Thanks for sharing!
Tony

[GTDEATH13]

Hi Guys,
GTDEATH13,
Very cool to see these ships still in use!
Are these three still active today?
When were you in San Diego?
Will you ever come back?
I live in San Diego.
Thanks for sharing!
Tony

UNFORTUNATELLY THE LAST OF THE GREEK DESTROYERS WAS PUT IN RESERVE IN OCTOBER 2004.

I WAS NOT IN SAN DIEGO DURING THE COMISSIONING UNDER GREEK COMMAND OF THE SHIPS, BUT I HAVE SERVED ABOARD THREE OF THEM.

I DO NOT THINK I WILL EVER COME TO SAN DIEGO, UNLESS THE GREEK NAVY DECIDES TO PURCHASE AMERICAN SHIPS AGAIN AND I AM GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BE A MEMBER OF THEIR CREW.

I THINK THE LAST ADAMS CLASS DESTROYER IS IN SEMI RESERVE BY THE GERMANS. BUT THEY HAVE MADE MANE ALTERATIONS, INCLUDING MAIN ENGINES AND PROPULSION MACHINERY, AS WELL AS WEAPON AND CIMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.

I HAD THE OPPURTUNITY TO VISIT ONE OF THE GERMAN DESTROYERS WHEN TWO OF THEM CAME TO GREECE. REALLY ASTONISHING WHAT THEY MANAGED TO DO TO THEIR SHIPS. I AM THINKING OF MAKING THRRE DIFFERENT MODELS OF THIS CLASS. ONE AS IT WAS UNDER AMERICAN COMMAND, ONE AS IT WAS UNDER GREEK COMMAND AND ONE AS THE GERMANS ALTERED THEM.

REALLY MAGNIFICENT SHIPS AND VERY VERY SEAWORTHY. AH.. GOOD OLD TIMES (NOT VERY OLD BUT STILL IN THE PAST)

[Dirk Mennigke]

Hi GTDEATH13,
all of the German Adams are out of service.
D 186 M�lders is a museem ship and can be visit in Wilhelmshaven.

Dirk

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
I have been working piecemeal on the 1/350 WEM DDG this past week.
I have been, "cleaning up", the hull, the superstructure pieces, the 5" mounts, the gun director, the missile launcher, the small boats...pretty much all of the resin pieces. I have removed the, "20mm ammo boxes", and I'll re-attach where these storage boxes went on DDG-22.
I drilled the center hawespipe for the bow mounted anchor though to the deck for the anchor chain. I need some pics of the forecastle/anchor chain path for the late DDG's specifically, as it appears the molded-in deck detail inlcudes the anchor chain path for ALL DDG's.
DDG-22 had a bow mounted sonar dome; therefore a bow/center anchor. Still has a Danforth anchor on the stbd side of the forecastle, but no hull side mounted anchors. Some of you already know this.
I would like to replace:
Mk68 director
5"54 Mk42 gun mounts and barrels
ASROC launcher
Mk32 triple torpedo tubes
ships' boats
SPG-51 missile directors.....

I AM able to replace:
5"54 barrels with brass from BMK..nice!

ASROC launcher with a Veteran Models ASROC set...sectional assembly on this item allows the builder to have a separate tube section elevated. I broke one of the bases, so I've used two of the three ASROC bases. Fragile! The separate missile tube(s) sections have side detail that needs to be sanded away to more uniformly attach one another. You then need to through drill all sections and attach to the base with a small dowel or rod. Pretty cool!

MK32 triple torpedo tubes from Veteran Models are part of a Mk36????? torpedo tubes and chain gun set; also includes small signal light, mounted binocuars..and one other item....I forget! These look like Mk32's, and I'm not sure if there is such a thing as a Mk36???? triple torpedo tube weapon.
The Mk36????? torpedo launcher is identical in appearence to the Mk32's. I think the package is mis-identified. I am not positive of this, but a friend of mine..much more knowlegable than I; has only heard of Mk32 TT, (tired of typingttttt's). BTW, the Veteran models tubes are 2/3 the size of the kit supplied Mk32's. The Veteran tubes have more external detail, but are smaller. I'll decide which ones to use after I find out which ones are closer to 1/350 scale.

I thought I saw some Veteran Models SPG-51's, but now I'm not sure.....if they make these, I'm in!

I have a few different ISW 1/350 ships of the same era; maybe I'll find a suitable missile director.

I'm almost ready to paint!
Once I've determined the anchor chain path for DDG-22; I'll correct it and start painting!
Pics when worthwhile, Tony
Super Sunday is not so super as the Chargers' won't be playing!!!

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Instead of building anything today, I chose to share some interesting differences between:
WEM's DDG kit's specific parts (in common)
ISW's Mitcsher DDG kit specific parts (in common)
Veteran Models Accessories, (where applicable)

Have a look:
1) Captains boat: ISW's (green) and WEM's (grey) Note the similarities..look familiar? Dragon's 1/350 Tico kit!


2) Mk13 Tartar Missile Launcher: ISW's (green) and WEM's (grey) Not so different!


3) Mk68 Director: ISW's (green) and WEM's (grey) Very close in quality!


4) SPG-51 Missile Director: ISW's (green) and WEM's (grey) WEM's ain't loking so bad now!


5) ASROC Launcher's: ISW's (green), WEM's (grey) and Veteran Models' (assembled). Some of you might think the $10 for this item is worth the money, (3 per pkg).


6) Mk32 Triple Torpedo Tubes: ISW's (green) , WEM's (grey) and Veteran Models (dark grey). Notice the significant size differences.....who's correct? I intend to find out!


7) 5"54 cal Mk42 Single Gun Mount: ISW's (dk tan, lt tan and green) and WEM's (grey)
Notice the differences!

I can not say any more about the gun mount differences, as I only know what the CF Adams DDG's mounts looked like, (of what pics I've seen). I can say the Knox FF's had the same mount.
The Adams DDG's Mt's 51 and 52 both had two, "bug-eyes", as commissioned. Later, the rt side "bug-eye" was removed on both mounts. Also, the Mt51 had a 35' antenna atop, and Mt52 had a "bloomin onion" antenna atop. "Bloomin onion" is a name given by OutBack Steak houses' favorite appetizer where the fried onions are arranged in a circle; available with a special dippin' sauce!NOT ALL DDG's Mt52 had this antenna. I spotted a 1972 pic of DDG-22 and there WAS NO antenna on Mt52. As a result, my DDG project will NOT have this antenna.

Food for thought!
Tony

[Charles Landrum]

Tony, the Dragon Gig and Motor Whaleboats (and the knockoffs) are both atrocious. The Gig has way too much beam. The gig from the Monogram Halsey and Brooke are much better in shape. I like the L'Arsenal MWB, which with a little work can be updated.

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Charles,
First off; it was nice to meet you!
I'll see you in August; unless you happen to come to SD again sooner!
There's a thought I'd not considered; L'Arsenal 26' boat.
I have reduced the beam of the kit provided cap's gig by a measurable amount; as I did with the previous Knox FF project.
Thanks for the suggestion. How about for the second launch?
I've decided to sand away all of the forecastle mounted anchor chain path detail, and add on my own. With some good o-head shots, (which I have some of), I'll duplicate the late CFA DDG's fore-deck detail.
Tony