Greyhound

[seraphim]

so here we are, the one place to find all my mess that will end up being the USS Leutze, a Fletcher Class destroyer used in WW2, made famous by Tom Hanks movie 'Greyhound' - these ships were nicknamed as such for their speed and manoeuvrability when sailing, used primarily for protecting merchant convoys across the atlantic from German U boats. I decided to do this one as it seems to be a great kit by (i believe) 'Card Model' - its a 1/200 scale papercraft kit, that will need a little detailing in the form of railings/antenna etc but overall the kit detail is good. As i started this build while asking a question (lol) ill post where ive got to so far and continue the progress here, so here we go:
As you can see the initial build was pretty quick, the internal hull formers, next the hull plates and deck, then onto the structures. Having had a forced break due to Covid im back at it and have now got it onto its basic display base. Im waiting on some 1/200 anchor chain and working on the railings etc, so ill post my next lots of updates soon.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

You are off to a great start on this project!

Since this is a military vessel, I moved this thread to "Armory & Military".

 

[seraphim]

You are off to a great start on this project!

Since this is a military vessel, I moved this thread to "Armory & Military".

thanks lol, ill add some more updates soon.

 

[Chuffy70]

Great to see it all here in one place... and I always wondered who actually ate the Prawn Cocktail Pringles!!!??? 'Yuk!'

 

[seraphim]

Great to see it all here in one place... and I always wondered who actually ate the Prawn Cocktail Pringles!!!??? 'Yuk!'

not usually a prawn cocktail fan, but Pringles are an exception lol

 

[zathros]

Who doesn't love a "Fletcher Class Destroyer"? Much greebling potential in this model, like the outer hatchways/doors, etc. The model is looking really great. Everything is nice and squared off.

 

[micahrogers]

Fletcher class USS The Sullivans is in upstate New York, and Fletcher class USS Kidd is in Baton Rouge LA. There may be other Fletchers surviving in other places.

 

[seraphim]

Who doesn't love a "Fletcher Class Destroyer"? Much greebling potential in this model, like the outer hatchways/doors, etc. The model is looking really great. Everything is nice and squared off.

my first military/modern type ship in papercraft, much learning going on amidst much colourful language lol

 

[seraphim]

Fletcher class USS The Sullivans is in upstate New York, and Fletcher class USS Kidd is in Baton Rouge LA. There may be other Fletchers surviving in other places.

If im right i found out later that the 'Greyhound' ship may actually be based on the USS Kidd but im not sure - initial info said it was the Leutze but whatever the case the film is a great homage to the ships and their crews of all sides. Mr Hanks certainly makes great wartime media.

 

[seraphim]

so bit more done, the main turrets (5) - replaced the guns as the paper ones were a bit too bulky imo, the fire control system is done and started adding in the smaller calibre weapon systems. The four large search/signal lights were added to their spots on the funnels and also got the life vest baskets added too. I managed to grab a book about the Fletcher class ships and theres a few images of the Leutze that im using to help with the details where possible - still lots to go yet. Onwards slowly

 

[mijob]

Great progress and great looking details, Love the turrets.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

You are making great progress on this project! Everything looks AMAZING!

 

[seraphim]

Great progress and great looking details, Love the turrets.

thanks, alot more to go yet lol

 

[seraphim]

You are making great progress on this project! Everything looks AMAZING!

thankyou - much learning with this one, first time with a modern era warship so if its looking ship like im winning lol

 

[Chuffy70]

Well she certainly looks the part, especially as she's now armed to the teeth... you'll be sailing her on a nearby pond soon enough

 

[seraphim]

Well she certainly looks the part, especially as she's now armed to the teeth... you'll be sailing her on a nearby pond soon enough

Still more armaments to go yet, torpedo launchers, depth charges and twin AA guns then main mast, radar assembly railings ladders........lol i think by the time its finished itll weigh the same as the real thing but float like a submarine lol

 

[seraphim]

little more done, been a bit of a busy week so its been little bits atm, started on the main twin AA 'oerlikon' guns (there are 3) put the depth charges in place at the rear, started on the main mast details and details on the smoke stacks too. Im trying to use reference from the book on Fletcher class destroyers I have to try and get a happy medium ground with detailing - more to come

 

[seraphim]

annnndddd you guessed it: its the latest news on the Greyhound build:
added the central torpedo launchers, one more to go. bit more detailing, a pair of sirens that sit on the top of the forward smoke stack and the 'crows nest' - these are two cylinder like devices that are perched somewhat awkwardly at the front of the stack, one slightly larger than the other. The ships mast has had a small radar added and the mounts for what will be the ships 'combat lighting. At the top of the mast sits the main radar antenna array with what will be 2 more sets of lights. The main radar array is included in this kit and will be built shortly. Then we have a few support struts that go under the bridge and down to the deck (the outer ones have a life raft on each). I had a bit of a disaster when my keyboard slipped and landed directly on the ship, destroying two of the small calibre guns that sit next to the centre (forward facing) main gun. im in two minds as to what to do with this - repairing would be the obvious choice but in the film the 'Greyhound' takes a direct hit in this area from return fire of a U Boat so i may reflect this here Ill soon be on to the main communication cabling that runs from the mast around the ship - this is all rigging The model is a great representation of the real ship, my only niggle is that its a 'general' version - so if you want to get specific youll need to put the detailing yourself - i hope my first attempt at a warship does this some (some) justice - certainly not perfect lol Anyway heres the pics and ill update again soon.

 

[Chuffy70]

More good work - look forward to more updates, rigging will set this model off a treat

 

[micahrogers]

Sorry if already said, but where can this ship be found, the model I mean.

Your doing it a great service with this build, I agree, add the shown battle damage.