JAG Collective 1/700 scale USS Forrest Sherman

Kit: No. JAG003
Scale: 1/700
Manufacturer: JAG Collective, 407- 812-1710, www.jagcollective.com
Price: $55.00
Comments: Mixed media, 90 parts (58 resin, 30 photoetched, 2 whitemetal), decals
Pros: Crisp casting detail throughout, great subject, accurate dimensions, parts for alternate versions
Cons: Many small, fragile parts; no railings

The Forrest Sherman-class of destroyers was the last of the standard destroyers built for the U.S. Navy after World War II. Designed in the late 1940s and accumulating the wartime experiences of previous classes, the Forrest Sherman-class served into the 1980s.

JAG Collective has offered a wide variety of Cold War-era ship models since 1999. The Forrest Sherman is a cast-resin, waterline model.

The kit is packaged in a heavy-duty mailing tube instead of the usual box, one of JAG's trademarks. Construction is straightforward and simple, although, as with most resin kits, parts must be carefully cut from the pour sprues. JAG provides three options for bridge structures, so modelers can build any of the ships in the class. The instructions are well-written and offer detailed, exploded views for parts placement.

Before I added the detail parts to the model, I cleaned the hull with hot, soapy water to remove any mold-release agents. When the model was dry, I sprayed the horizontal surfaces with Vallejo sky gray and the decks with Vallejo dark gray. These colors matched the prescribed Federal Standard colors of FS 36270 and 36008, respectively.

The photoetched parts are excellent. Although the use of a parts-bending tool is recommended, it's not required. Assembly of the two fragile tripod masts require some patience. The balance of the photoetched parts offers a choice of radar arrays, inclined ladders, antisubmarine depth-charge racks, and the midship bulwarks.

The only downside to the kit is a lack of rails, so aftermarket photoetched rails should be on your shopping list (if not in your spares box).

I finished my Forrest Sherman as DD- 942, the USS Bigelow. I attached the model to a small base with acrylic gel medium, and sculpted the waves and wake in the gel. The whitecaps were dry-brushed with Vallejo off-white.

This is a fine kit, nicely detailed, and anyone with average modeling skills will find it easy to build. With the addition of aftermarket rails, JAG's Forrest Sherman will make a fine escort for your Cold War Navy.

- Jeff Herne