Kit: No. 31902
Scale: 1/700
Manufacturer: Tamiya, imported by Tamiya America, 2 Orion, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-4200, phone 800-826-4922
Price: $13
Comments: Injection molded, 77 parts, decals.
In 1941, the U.S. needed improved destroyers to keep up with the Japanese. The Fletcher-class ships, with their increased beam and flush decks, became the backbone of the Pacific Fleet. Of more than 200 Fletchers built, only nine were lost during World War II.
Tamiya's small-scale Fletcher represents the early rounded-bridge destroyer. It's an easy build, once you've cleaned up the mold-separation lines on nearly every part. The level of detail is average for a kit this size and looks OK from a distance. But once in close, the featureless 20mm and 40mm guns are disappointing. Splinter shields are overscale, and there isn't much detail on the bulkheads and decks. My sample's one-piece funnels had sink holes that I filled with putty.
The kit's instructions are easy to follow. Tamiya suggests stretched sprue for flagstaffs and radio masts, but I prefer fine brass wire for strength.
I painted the kit as per the box art, a modified Measure 12 pattern. I used Floquil Marine Colors: Navy blue (5-N) for all decks, ocean gray (5-0), haze gray (5-H), and a 1:1 mix of Navy blue (5-N) and ocean gray for the camouflage pattern on all vertical surfaces.
The finished model scales right on the money with the dimensions in Squadron/Signal's Fletcher DDs in Action. The model is small, only 6 3/8" long and not quite 3/4" wide. It took a mere nine hours to complete. If you have experience cleaning parts, it shouldn't take you much longer. Experienced modelers will find plenty of opportunity to add aftermarket photoetched details.
David E. Ligman