1:97 Fletcher Model Project

[Teamski]

Hey all,

This is a bit OT, but I am really excited about it. About 8 years ago, I won a 1:97 scale wood fletcher model on E-bay for $70. This thing was REALLY roughly built, in poor shape and mounted on a real navy crate slab, hand painted and all. Lucklily, it was complete with turrets and funnels. I wanted to redo it, but I was (and am not) a fine scale modeler. Well, this is where card modeling is going to be extremely helpful. I have the 1:200 Modelik USS Leutze model that I plan on blowing up to 1:97 scale, and use those parts to complete the model. I wasn't sure how I was going to do this before, even with the floating drydock plans I have, and now I'm set. I don't know when I wil start it, but I have a feeling that once I complete my 1:400 North Carolina, it will be on the scope. Here are a couple pictures of the model....

Anybody know how old this thing would be?

-Ski

 

[wyverns4]

Wow!

What a nice place to start!

The Fletcher class has always been my favorite destroyer. I, too have the Floating Drydock plans book. I have plans to build a 1:72 scale version of the USS Kidd "someday".

I keep waiting for Digital Navy to release a model of the Fletcher class, even if it is only 1:200.

Good luck with your project. I would be keen to see progress photos, if not a build thread. Are you going to use the existing wood parts, and finish out with card model details?

Rick

 

[Teamski]

What a nice place to start!

The Fletcher class has always been my favorite destroyer. I, too have the Floating Drydock plans book. I have plans to build a 1:72 scale version of the USS Kidd "someday".

I keep waiting for Digital Navy to release a model of the Fletcher class, even if it is only 1:200.

Good luck with your project. I would be keen to see progress photos, if not a build thread. Are you going to use the existing wood parts, and finish out with card model details?

Rick

I plan on using all of the parts I got with it. I've already sanded it down. I plan on using strip styrene to replace many of the balsa pieces. The cardstock comes in to refabricate the tubs and detail work like the hatches, torpedo tubes, boxes, vents, etc. that were either ignored or very roughly done. I'll cut out the doors and shutters from the cardstock kit, glue them to the wood pieces and airbrush.

I've never done this before, but I really gained a lot of confidence completing the cardstock models that I have done. It gives me a good idea now of ship layout and build-up. I'm lucky I found this hobby!

-Ski

 

[cmdrted]

Man looking at the ageing of the wood and rust on the nails, assuming it wasn't stored in a high humidity area, and there isn't alot of warpage of the hull, and if my star charts are correct and mercury doesn't rise yet, maybe about 15-20 years? Seriously, maybe at least 15-20 years. I base this from having torn apart and restored some older furnitures of roughly the same age and the innards looked like that.

 

[cdcoyle]

A little OT, but if one is really interested in Fletchers, check out Bob Steinbrunn's USS Kidd at http://www.steelnavy.com/SteinbrunnFletcher.htm. Truly amazing.

Regards,

 

[Bowdenja]

http://www.usskidd.com

If you are near Monroe LA, might be worth a trip!

john