Calling all Charles F. Adams-class DDG fans

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Hi Nikos,
At this point, we'll be grateful to get a single DDG kit ready for the IPMS Nats in August. In other words, no export DDG kits or conversion sets.................yet. A German version is planned and the Aussie and Greek ships are all being considered. Additionally, there is the possibility of a 1/700 DDG kit; even though Dragon's kit is still outy there. If we do a 1/700 DDG, it will be sweet!
It was a special favor from Jacques to me when last year he said, " I want you to pick next years' IPMS National Convention special project". I thought about it for a few seconds, and I told Jacques, "how about an Adams class guided missile destroyer"? The rest, (as they say), is history. I had at my disposal a plethora of 48th and 96th scale docking plans, deck plan drawings, hull contour lines and complete book of general plans. So, the accuracy of the future L'Arsenal DDG kits would not be in question. Furthermore, the photographs I had access to of USS Benjamin Stoddert in particular raqnging from 1968-1973 was enough to guarantee a period-accurate model. The next release of a DDG-2 class kit from L'Arsenal in 1/350 scale is still up in the air, but I'd like to think that DDG-24 would be easiest to do, as Ben, (Jacques' son, L'Arsenal's CAD artist), had DDG-24 drawings to do the original CAD from, and he saved all of the CAD progress before making the DDG-22/Specific changes I was calling out as we moved along. I'll bet anything that Ben was cursing my name as I seemed to find more and more changes to the CAD before we finally agreed on what will be a, "Hyper-Accurate", DDG-22.
Erik,
The hull is in an upper and lower half coinfiguration, so a waterline build will be a snap. The hull is so sweet!
Gotta go, Tony (from work)

[s4usea]

Hi Guys,
The next release of a DDG-2 class kit from L'Arsenal in 1/350 scale is still up in the air, but I'd like to think that DDG-24 would be easiest to do, as Ben, (Jacques' son, L'Arsenal's CAD artist), had DDG-24 drawings to do the original CAD from, and he saved all of the CAD progress before making the DDG-22/Specific changes I was calling out as we moved along.

Now you're just teasing me.

~Scott Allen

[Joe Ellias]

Hi Tony,

What's the status of the L'Arsenal CF Adams Kit?

Joe

[GTDEATH13]

Carl Musselman (aka Nukemm) has provided some photos of the kit from the IPMS nationals...

http://www.modelwarships.com/features/s ... /index.htm

[Joe Ellias]

Thank you.

I had not seen those photos.

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Joe,
In stock and ready to ship. The full hull kit sells for $150.00 plus shipping and the w/l version sells for $140.00.
Please contact me at larsenal_usa@att.net when you're ready to order, and please give me your zip code to calculate the shipping cost.
Sweet kit!
Thanks, Tony

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
First off, I want to give a shout out to our fellow ship modeler friends from Greece; in particular, Nikos. Tonight, I attended a ships re-union here in San Diego. A fellow IPMS San Diego member and a good friend, Mr. Rex McCoy served as the gun director officer aboard USS Berkeley, DDG-15 from 1971-73. As his guest tonight, I brought along some of my DDG build-ups. I told Rex that I had no build ups of DDG-15, and he said, "that's okay, they'll still love seeing your models, and the models themselves will invite converstion. Anyway, I came home with a video CD made by one of the crew-members on the ships' last voyage. I watched some of it and I loved it!
If any of you DDG fans are interested in a copy of this DVD, let me know. I paid $8.50 for one, and I have not even got to the dry-dock walk around yet. In my opinion, the hull bottom walk around is worth it alone. I re-painted my 96 DDG over the last three days, and she really shined up like a new penny! My models will remain in the Hilton Harbor Island's secured meeting room until Saturday eve; when I'll collect up my stuff in hopefully the same condition. While sitting at, "the model table", I cringed as I watched a former MM1 carelessly pick up my DDG-14/BB62 dio. I did not say anyhing as nothing bad happened. The problem is the p/e railings, the radars and the micro-fine rigging is prctically invisible. Also, if you manage to touch the rigging etc, you've probably already done some damage. Yes, I offered to leave my models there, and I swear on a stack of bibles that I had no alcohol in my system today!
Fingers crossed!
Reminder: If any of you want one of these picture CD's, let me know. Of course, these CD's are available on the ships own website's gift store year-round.
I feel blessed this evening to participate and witness sailors from 50-75 years of age. Sailors whom loved the Navy and loved the USS Berkeley.
Tonight, I was a guest of a former USS Berkeley officer. Tonight I was particularly proud to be an American!
Take care, Tony
Nikos, as you know DDG-15 came your way!!

[Seasick]

The CF Adams ships with the Mk11 guided missile launch system should to be accurate have hydrolic fluide leaking from all over the Mk11 launcher. A friend on another board who used to be on one says it was standard practice to wear a raincoat and hat inside of the Mk11 while working on it. The Mk11 was a big fluid squirting monster. The Mk13 launcher had a single arm but was faster and didn't have an major leaks in it. The fluid should be seen where the arms attach to the launcher. Its nearly clear and very shiney.

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Just a note. I have sent a review sample of the new DDG-22 kit to Tim Dike for an in-depth, no-nonsense kit review. It was to be posted tonight, but I blew it and forgot to include the decal sheet, (from Hawke Graphics), when I sent it last week. I'll be shipping the decals, 3"-4" of 40lpi anchor chain and some special made DesRon33 markings, (also from Hawke Graphics), so it'll be soon, but it's up to Tim to determine the exact date.
At any rate, I figured you guys would like to know.
Best wishes from a pretty hot SoCal, Tony

[gtbred]

I'm still in drydock at the hospital. In plan English get the DDG you won't be sorry.se ya when I'm better.

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Mardis,
Do you need anything? I can send a modeling magazine or something. How much longer in the hospital?
PM your address at the hospital if you'd like. Can you read French?
Hang in there bucka-roo!
Hot down here today! 98 in Santee today.
See ya, Tony

[gtbred]

have stay here awhile longer,docs didn't like what they saw on the MRI and CAT scans. don't read French,but French kissing that is ALRIGHT. 88 in the city and Fleet Week starts tomorrow. All I need is to get my hands on my MODELS!!!!!!!

[alexint]

hi there. i am a big fan of cfa class, one sister was the only lady who took me out for a ride on the sea...

anyway, is the review already out there? have searched but could not find anything...

@GTDEATH13: i have seen at least one of your adams that time in 2002 in souda bay... i was there also with an adam


ddg moelders in 2002 in west med.







pictures taken from her sister luetjens, same date/place:

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Here's a little factoid.
ALL ships built for export to both Australia and Germany were of the, "later version", of the CF Adams class; meaning they all has 440' hulls, more sheer forward and a bow mounted sonar dome. This is not necessarily the case with the ships that went to Greece. The USS Waddell, was a later ship, (actually the last ship in class for USN), but both the USS Berkeley, DDG-15 and the USS Joseph Strauss were not.
Take care guys!
Tony

[gtbred]

have two 1/350 waterline CFA's. one is L'Arsenal CFA. the other ISW CFA. feeling better and need to work on these both at the same time this weekend.

[Robin]

I got the DDG-22 kit from USA L'Arsenal. So far it looks like a pretty good kit, just need to finish off some other projects before start work on the kit. Thanks Tony! Now all I need is an 1/350 USS Mahan DDG-42 kit from you guys!

[gtbred]

[gtbred]

best looking DD's ever! just my lousy two cents.

[Robin]

gtbred,

Great pic! Thanks!

[gtbred]

your welcome Robin!