USS Bennett DD-473 1/96 scale

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
I would like to dedicate my build of the USS Bennett DD-473 to my grandfather Lawrence Henry Francis Barstow. My grandfather was a carpenter whom lived in Walpole Massachusetts with his wife Lillian and their eight children (7 boys and 1 girl). During the great depression he supported his family by building houses on the property he owned in Walpole. He built one house per year by himself with the help of his sons when needed. He did everything from the foundation to the roof and everything in between including the kitchen cabinets. The first house my grandfather built, he even dough out for the foundation by hand.

Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and dragged the United States into WWII. My grandfather was too old to join the service and fight, but his skills as a carpenter were put to use for the war effort. He worked at the Boston Navy Yard (BNY) as a ship fitter throughout the war along with three other men from Walpole MA. They car pooled every day to BNY due to the rationing of gasoline during the war, the four of them took turns each week one of them would drive. We think carpooling began back in the seventy�s during the fuel shortages, those guys were doing it way back in the 1940�s.

There is no way for me to know what ships my grandfather helped build so I chose the Bennett for three reasons. First, I wanted to build a Fletcher that was built at BNY in honor of my grandfather. My grandfather died before I was born. Second, I�m presently building a square bridge Fletcher and I would like to build a round bridge Fletcher. The first five Fletcher's that were built at BNY were of the round bridge type. Third, the Bennett was hit by a kamikaze late in the war like the Haggard, but she was repairable and received the kamikaze upgrade of the two quad 40mm guns and six twin 20mm Oerlikon�s. This is how I came to choose the Bennett.

The Bennett started out like all early round bridge Fletcher Class Destroyers. This Information was copied from the Destroyer History web site: http://destroyerhistory.org/fletchercla ... &pid=47302 with a few corrections made as noted.

Bennett was fitted with the original high, round bridge carried over from the Sims class. Like other 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers completed in 1943, specifications for Bennett, were similar to those published for Strong:
DATA
Name: United States Ship Bennett
Type: Destroyer
Namesake: Warrant Officer Floyd Bennett, USN
Navy Classification: DD 473
Class: DD 445, Fletcher
Builder: Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts
Keel laid: 10 December 1941
Launched: 16 April 1942
Commissioned: 9 February 1943
Disposition: Decommissioned: 18 April 1946. Sold to Brazil: 15 December 1959; renamed Paraiba. Sold for scrap: 1978.
Length Overall: 376' 5�"
Extreme Beam: 39' 8"
Normal Displacement: 2,050 long tons
Draft: Light: 8' 1"; Mean: 13' 5" Deep: 22�8�
Designed Complement: Officers, 34; Enlisted, 295
Designed Shaft Horsepower: 60,000
Designed Speed: 36 knots
Screws: Two
Rudder: One
Stacks: Two
Tactical diameter: 950 yards at 30 knots
Endurance: 4,800 nautical miles at 15 knots.
Bennett�s initial armament was that of a typical high-bridge Fletcher-class destroyer completed in early 1943, with five 5-inch guns in single mounts, six 40mm guns in three twin mounts (two in elevated gun tubs in way of the after stack and one between the 53 and 54 mounts) and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes in quintuple mounts plus 20mm guns both aft and forward (including one on a sponson forward of the bridge on one on the flying bridge) and depth charges.
Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 6 x 40mm Bofors in five twin mounts
Short-range anti-aircraft: 11 x 20mm Oerlikon in single mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 10 x 21-inch in two quintuple mounts
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 �K�-guns for 300-lb. charges
Her electronics were also typical:
Radar: SC (air search) and SG (surface search), Mk 37 (fire control)
Sonar: QC
In late 1944, Bennett was modified at San Francisco to carry the typical 1943-44 arrangement with which all Fletchers were fitted by March 1945: 20mm singles removed from the sponson and flying bridge, 40mm twin mounts replacing the 20mm on either side forward of the bridge:
Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 10 x 40mm Bofors in five twin mounts (Note: It was stated as having three twin and two quad 40mm mounts. This took place in 1945. This is the only correction made to this document.)
Short-range anti-aircraft: 7 x 20mm Oerlikon in twin mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 10 x 21-inch in two quintuple mounts
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 �K�-guns for 300-lb. charges
After she sustained damage from the kamikaze strike on 6 April 1945, Bennett was modified again to carry the emergency anti-aircraft refit, with 40mm quad mounts replacing the 40mm twins abreast of the after stack (which necessitated the removal of the forward bank of torpedo tubes) and 20mm twins replacing the singles: two on the fantail and two on each side at the waist:
Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 14 x 40mm Bofors in three twin and two quad mounts
Short-range anti-aircraft: 12 x 20mm Oerlikon in twin mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 5 x 21-inch in one quintuple mount
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 �K�-guns for 300-lb. charges

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
I purchased items from three sellers to put together the "kit" I'm using. In 1/96 scale the only real kit available is from Deans Marine, but the quality of their kit doesn't compare to the Scale Shipyard, John R. Haynes, and CNC Models.

The hull with plans, 5 inch guns and Mk-37 gun director, cast bridge, aft torpedo launcher, and some of the deck fittings are made by the Scale Shipyard. http://scaleshipyard.com/Main%20Pages/main.html

Lee at the Scale Shipyard makes all of his hulls to order and they take up to eight weeks to receive them. I have already received John�s fittings and today I just received the deck structure set from Charles of CNC Models. I have lots of work to do and the eight week wait will go by before I know it.

The quad and twin 40mm Bofors, twin 20mm Oerilkons, stacks, all of the PE, and most of the metal fittings are made by John R. Haynes https://www.johnrhaynes.com/shop/index.php. I placed my order on John�s site on a Sunday morning and the entire order that cost me $608.00 including S&H was shipped out the next day!!!!!!!!!! Service like John provides is almost unheard of in the ship model industry. I would not hesitate to recommend John's fittings to anyone, his fittings are of the best quality and his turn around time is truly lightning fast.

The deck structures are made by CNC Models http://www.cnc-models.com/. The Fletcher set is not listed online, but is available just contact Charles Huet and he will take good care of you.


Construction on the Bennett started yesterday with a modification to John Haynes stacks. I have many plans for future upgrades to the Bennett. As I build I will incorporate many modifications for ease of adding extras at another time. I'm planning to use a smoke generator and I drilled out the stacks so they will be ready for the refit.

I made the wood jaw inserts from 1 inch thick pine on my table saw to protect the stacks while drilling them on the drill press. They worked great and there is not a scratch on the stacks!!!!!!!!!!!

This is just the tip of the Iceberg lots more to come!!!!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
Lee at the Scale Shipyard offers a very detailed and to scale prop shaft and support set, but after spending $1500.00 I didn't have the money for his set. I'm using Dumas stuffing tubes and their stainless prop shafts. The stuffing tube measures 5/16 O.D. and they are out of scale and not as accurate as the set Lee offers. I will make the prop supports out of tubing and flat stock from K&S. There are a couple things I like about stuffing tubes as opposed to exposed prop shafts. The Dumas tubes have replaceable bronze bushings and the prop shaft inside the tube is one less rotating part that could possibly get caught in the weeds or other debris in the water.

The Props are from none other than Gordon Briggs. He also supplied the props for my 1/125th scale USS Haggard DD-555 on this site. This pair of props cost me $35.00 which includes shipping. Gordon Briggs also has a very fast turn around time like John Haynes. You can contact Gordon at huk_king_dd446@yahoo.com and let him know all of your prop needs!!!!!!!!!

Check back soon for more on the Bennett!!!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hey Everyone,
Here are some pictures of the Bennett that I should have posted after my introduction to the build. Better late that never!!!!!!!!!!

This photo is of the Bennett�s close sister USS Guest DD-472. I don't have an overhead photo of the Bennett and this is as close as I can get!!!!!

This photo is the only one I have of the Bennett after she received the kamikaze refit.

More to come check back soon!!!!!!!!!!!
Roger DD-473/DD-555

[Bill Mall]

Looking forward to this build, as you know I am stalled by home renovations, but starting to lay down superstructure paint on my own tiny DD Fletcher, this big boy will be a great reference.

Keep up the great work.

Bill

[snaphappy321]

Looking forward to this build, as you know I am stalled by home renovations, but starting to lay down superstructure paint on my own tiny DD Fletcher, this big boy will be a great reference.

Keep up the great work.

Bill

Thanks Bill,
This build is really going to help me out on my DD-555. I have all of those awesome John Haynes fittings to use as a guide to scratch build the parts the kit is lacking.

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[jeroen zuiderduin]

Finally had the time to read this and now i am curious too, especially the smoke generator idea.

Jeroen

[snaphappy321]

Finally had the time to read this and now i am curious too, especially the smoke generator idea.

Jeroen

Hi Jeroen,
Gordon Briggs, the man I buy my props from built a 1/48 scale Fletcher the USS Radford. Gordon Briggs build thread on Warship Models Underway http://www.wmunderway.8m.com/cgi/yabb2/ ... 1210826697 he served on her in Vietnam. His Fletcher is almost eight feet long and you can only imagine what you can do with a ship model that big!!!! For one his whole system is powered by 12 volts. He has a smoke generator that runs on 12 volts that he bought at Harbor Models online http://www.harbormodels.com/site08/main ... smoker.htm. When his ship is underway smoke comes out of his stacks in proportion as to the speed its traveling and it looks awesome!!!!!!

But I have been warned that I could fit eight 1/96 scale Fletcher's into his hull. I may not be able to do all I want with this one, but if I don�t try I�ll never know!!!!!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
I was warned to remove as much weight as possible from the Bennett or she will be excessively top heavy and not be sea worthy. I wouldn�t want that to happen, the Bennett will sail again!!!!!!!!!!

Here�s a couple pic�s of hollowing out John Haynes stacks. I drilled some 1/8th inch holes two inches deep.

Then I used my dremel with a round burring bit and connected the dots and after I used a sanding bit to smooth it out.

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[Rick E Davis]

One note about the photos you posted from Navsource ... the fourth one down ... an overhead aerial view ... isn't of BENNETT, it is her sister GUEST (DD-472). I supplied this image to Navsource some time ago and the caption got mixed with one I supplied for BENNETT. I keep forgetting to send in a new caption (and maybe a larger version of the image) to correct the error.

[snaphappy321]

One note about the photos you posted from Navsource ... the fourth one down ... an overhead aerial view ... isn't of BENNETT, it is her sister GUEST (DD-472). I supplied this image to Navsource some time ago and the caption got mixed with one I supplied for BENNETT. I keep forgetting to send in a new caption (and maybe a larger version of the image) to correct the error.

Hi Rick,
Thanks, I will edit the photo, but I will leave it here because I don't have an overhead photo of the Bennett and the Guest is a close sister.

Thanks Again!!!!!!
Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hey Everyone,
This is the 2nd stack; it's always easier to rework the second part after you have figured out how to do it on the first one. I drilled more holes into this stack and got a little closer to the edge as well.

The stacks were not very heavy to begin with, but I could really notice the difference in weight after hollowing out the first one.

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
I was so excited to see the 20mm Twin Oerlikon in the mail today from John R. Haynes. This item is a special order item and you have to E-mail John and ask for it. I have to say that it's a thing of beauty!!!!!! I can't believe how detailed it is. The gun is meant to be assembled in a static position. Being an ex-machinist I put my own spin on it.

I was so inspired that I went and got some 0-80 flat head screws and a couple 0.020 drill bits. I drilled and taped the tripod base 0-80 and I drilled and counter sunk the yoke. Then I took a 0.020 diameter drill and drilled out the yoke at the pivot point. I scaled from a drawing I found online and drilled through the twin guns at the correct pivot point. I slide a piece of 0.020 brass rod through the yoke and gun. I glued the brass rod on one side only then I cut off the excess. The gun rotates on the base and can be elevated throughout its full range of motion. Then I glued on the shoulder brace and hand grip. To assemble the gun as can be seen in the photos only took one and a half hours. If you look close you can see the screw head and the 0.020 brass rod in these photos.

Tomorrow I will attach the shield and the gun sight and It will be complete!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
The past couple weeks have been slow for me. My house needed a few repairs and I had to closely watch the contractors so they would perform the work as I wanted it done. Then on June 18th my daughter finishes the school year and I will be spending more time with my family through the summer months.

Anyway, here's what I have done. I got the remaining twin 20mm Oerlikons in this Tuesday from John Haynes. His service is the best!!!! I only waited about a week from the time I ordered them until they were at my doorstep!!!!!

I modified them just like the first one. First I drilled and taped the tripod base.

Then I drilled and counter sunk the yoke,

then I drilled the yoke so the gun could pivot using a 0.020 drill using a pin vise. Next I filed the gun so it would fit inside the yoke. Last I drilled the 0.020 hole through the gun to mount it in the yoke.

Now I have seven of the twin 20mm Oerlikons. I only need six, but it�s always nice to have an extra one in case one gets damaged. Soon I will be assembling the deck structures from CNC Models. Check back for more on the Bennett.

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[jeroen zuiderduin]

Hey Roger, the guns looks great. You will be adding the shield, right?

Jeroen

[snaphappy321]

Hey Roger, the guns looks great. You will be adding the shield, right?

Jeroen

Hi Jeroen,
Yes, the shields and the Mk-14 gun sight as well!!!!!!!!! Thanks for following my build, I really appreciate it!!!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
On this day June 6, 2012 the 68th Anniversary of D-Day and the 70th Anniversary of the battle of Midway I would like to personally thank the members of the United States Armed Forces and our Allies who served with no regard of their own life�s and personal safety fought to keep the world free of ternary.

I am proud to be a member of this fine group of modelers whom build the ships of our Navy�s as an honor and remembrance of their service to the United States and countries of the free world.

Roger DD-555/DD-473

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
Today I performed a trial assembly of the amidships deck house from CNC Models. I am very happy I didn�t glue it together. I found a few places that need a little adjustment. There is some material to be removed as well as can be seen in the photos.

First I will change the shape of the deck on the forward end.

Then I will remove the deck like cat walk and area at the aft end of the deck where the torpedo launcher mounts and replace it with grating I�ll make from scratch. I will also add the vent on the port side that is missing.

Next I will make this wall even on both sides and make the 40mm deck area the same shape. I will copy a blueprint of the La Vallette DD-448 that Rick E Davis sent me.

The Bennett will not be a fast build. In this scale there�s so much detail that can be added, but I have to be aware of the weight I add to her so she will perform well on the water.

As always check back for more of the Bennett!!!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
After my trial fit, I got to work making the corrections to CNC�s amidships deck structure. I had to modify many of the parts as can be seen in the following photos. Sitting on top of the deck are John Haynes stacks.

This is a section of an original blueprint of the USS Hudson DD-475 built at BNY this is what I based the modifications made to this structure on.

Roger DD-473/DD-555

[snaphappy321]

Hi Everyone,
As I previously mentioned I will be making the grating cat walks for the torpedo crane and the aft torpedo launcher area. One or more of the round bridge Fletcher�s built at BNY had the aft torpedo crane mounted on the port side contrary to what we are used to seeing.

This is a drawing of the USS Fullam DD-474 built at BNY; it looks strange compared to the other Fletcher's we have all seen.

This is another blueprint of the Hudson showing the shape of the amidships 01 deck. Notice the extra cat walk on the port side of the aft torpedo launcher. I believe the Hudson�s torpedo crane was moved to the starboard side and the port side cat walk wasn�t removed.

If you look closely at the Bennett�s port side photo taken at Hunters Point on 12-11-1944 from next to the aft torpedo launcher looking forward this extra cat walk is visible. The real question is was the aft torpedo crane still located on the port side of the Bennett?

A couple days ago Rick E Davis gave me this image of the Bennett taken 7/14/1943; it clearly shows the aft torpedo crane on the port side. This photo is the proof I was looking for!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I greatly appreciate the expert help I have received from Rick. My build of DD-473 will be a reflection of this image except it will have the Anti-Kamikaze upgrade.
As always, check back for more on the Bennett!!!!!

Roger DD-473/DD-555