Calling all Knox-class and Spanish Baleares-class FF fans

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Kazec,
Nic job!
It's nice to see this class of ship getting its' due!
Tony

[QM1Wool]

One more comment:

Before FF-1066 went over for Desert Shield/Desert Storm, we repainted the top of the mast from the black to the haze grey color. Had something to do with enemy missle systems having the capability to detect variances in colors. Here's a picture of us at the Portland Rose Festival the same year. You will notice that FF-1058 still has the black top mast. http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/im ... 105816.jpg

Brian

[QM1Wool]

Gentlemen,

As a former Quartermaster on FF-1066 from early 1989 to decommissioning and having to do daily comparisons between the forward binnacle and the aft binnacle, I seem to recall those boxes were used primarily for "pyro" storage for flares. And for the times that we were patrolling the Persian Gulf they were used for munitions storage for the 50 cal. mounts they put on the 03 level aft of the bridge. In retrospect, the number of boxes does seem excessive. I remember, it seems that the GM's had the keys for the boxes though.

I've asked a former Knox class collegue for his input.

Brian

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Brian,
I toured the FF-1066 in 1989. My friend was the CICO, ( I believe..that's the markings on the back of the ball cap he gave me), and is a good friend. Do you recall a Lt. Hagenlocher?
Big guy; you would not miss him.
My guess, he was well respected and admired. He is a straight shooter if there ever was one.
Welcome to this thread and thanks for the hands on reports. This information is much more useful than non-sailor speculation, (speaking of myself only).
Tony

[QM1Wool]

Hi Tony,

Of course I remember Mr. Hagenlocher. If I recall correctly he was one of the few "O's" onboard that went to the Academy. And your description of him is very accurate.

If you know of anyone that would be interested in doing a model of FF-1066, I'd like to know. I'd like to buy one to have as a keepsake. brianwool@gmail.com is my contact email. The last time I did any ship models was before I went into the Nav and personally I wouldn't want to screw up something so special.

Thanks and take care,
Brian

[QM1Wool]

Hi All,

I was checking out the link for the picture that shows the differences in colors between the masts in the FF class. Seemed to be an error, but if you search starting from the www.navsource.org page, and click on the Destroyer Escort and Frigates link, they list the Marvin Shields as DE-1066. (As you know the designations changed in 1975) The last photo on the USS Marvin Shields page shows the difference between FF-1066 and FF-1058.

Brian

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Brian,
Mark Hagenlocher was an ensign when we met. I was working at "The Command Post", a former hobby shop in San Diego, and he was kind of lonely. That was 1989. We started going out on weekends and hanging out. I was NOT a good influence on him, as I was a party animal 7 days a week. I must emphasize that I "WAS" a party animal.
1993 October 30, I attended Marks wedding to the lovely Amy Hutto; the place was a small church in Asheville, NC.
Coincidence; as I was married October 30 1999. Mark was gone then and could not return the favor of attending my wedding.
I have not spoken with Mark in a year now, as his e-mail address has changed. Lost contact.
I remember while touring Marvin Shields, sitting inside Mt51 with a Chief Gunner's Mate listening to his "Gun dialog", and how interested I was. I'm not so sure how interested the girl who came along with me was though........Mark attended to her as a friend would.
Mark is supposed to finish his career as an instructor at the Naval Academy. I think his last command was as an ASW instructor in Norfolk.
Build the Marvin Shields yourself, we'll talk you through it!
Start out cheap; get the 1/700 AFV Club offering, and work your way up to a 1/350 ISW or WEM resin kit. I'll help you.
Oh, BTW.........

FF-1086 Brewton got 3rd in the expanded category 402b at the IPMS National Convention. You bet I'm proud!
Tony

[Devin]

That was a well deserved win, Tony. A beautiful build and great precursor to your DDG.

[Miguel]

Amazing ship Tony ,congratulations ,well deserved,hope You can post more pictures of her

[Scupper3]

Hi every one, I served on 2 Knox Class DE's, that is what they were originally designated as. USS Trippe 1075 was the first to have BPDMS in the early 70's. Most of the Knox class were built without that mod until they went in for there first or second dry dock period. Those built after the Marvin Shields may have had it, but I doubt it. Check with Destroyers on Line for more info.

[onemorehobby]

Yes - AFV Club makes a nice Knox class kit in 1/700. It has been out about 10-15 years, so it's not up to the latest standards, but I like it.

I served on USS Stein FF-1065 and have big plans of doing a wonderful build of the ship as she looked in 1978.



Good luck,
Rick Heinbaugh

Rich I was on the Hepburn in 79 in San Dog small world eh?

[onemorehobby]

Having spent time on both Hepburn and Gray I found myself sitting looking at the pics of what once was,and then it all came back, you all have done outstanding work but I must ask that my membership be deleted,it's to much for me to go thur again I wish you fair winds and following seas. Carry on Haze gray and underway!!

[NukeMM]

Did the Knox class FFs get helo deck extensions or is my AFV Club's helo deck too, short? The superstructure under the helo deck may be correct but, the pics that I've seen of Knox class FFs show an overhang towards the stern over this superstructure.

The Corsair Armada resin kit has a longer helo deck but the superstructure beneath it is extended, as well, having almost no overhang.

[Cliffy B]

Just from a shear comparison I'd say the AFV kit's deck is too short. Doesn't look big enough to land a helo, even a small SH-2. Might want to compare the kit helos to the decks.

Just a thought, but could have something to do with BPDMS and CIWS? The former needing more room possibly? Again its just a thought.

[gtbred]

Now that i had seen everybodys Knox on this thread. I WANT ONE! But my idea is to put it next to Sara while Sara is doing a combat launch against the North Vietnam. Did a Knox class escort with Sara during that time? A Big thumbs up on everyones models.

[Garry71]

Hi, Guys!
Who can help Me - I need drawing of frames of Knox-class ships!

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
It's been a while!
I'm currently working on the future FF-1086 in 1/96 scale. I got the hull, drawings and fittings a long while ago, but never really got started. Quite recently, a guy living on the other end of our country started to manufacture pre-made assemble yourself superstructure sets made of 2mm, "sintra"; a type of lightweight plastic. CNC Models now offers more than a dozen different s/s sets to be used on certain ships in 1/96 scale. My renewed interest in this project has now become a viable project; being given my best effort the last 3 weeks. With an upcoming 1/96 scale, "Fleet run", on the 10th of December at nearby Santee Lakes, I intend to have a second R/C ship to run and display; along with my 96 scale DDG-22 project.
I think that I started a thread on this project way back when on the R/C Scratch-Build forum, so that is where I'll be posting progress pics of this project.
No pics to share right now, but I'll get something going on the Scratch-build forum sooner or later. I have to say one thing for Knox class FF's, they're fun to build as scale models, and are appealing in their own interesting way. Many sailors have memories of serving on these ships, and it's always interesting to hear their sea stories!
Happy Thanksgiving, Tony

[Rick_H]

Tony,
That sounds good. What ever is driving you to want to build Brewton instead of one of the San Diego-based ships? (And why didn't I take any pictures of Stein when I was there?)

Good luck to you. If you are aiming at Dec 10th of this year, must be you are putting some pretty good focus on this project.
Rick

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
Rick,
I did the Brewton in 1/350 scale a few years back, so I have much research material already. Plus, the Brewton was in DesRon33; same as another 1/96 project I'm doing; USS Benjamin Stoddert DDG-22. I thought it would be cool to have two R/C models wearing the same DesRon, "shield".
Best wishes from SoCal, Tony

[madrob]

Anyone know of any large scale plans for a knox?