MidShip 1/700 scale USS Cassin DD-372

Kit: No. MPK710
Scale: 1/700
Manufacturer: MidShip Models, www.midshipmodels.com
Price: $21.99
Comments: Injection-molded, 195 parts (1 resin), decals
Pros: Dimensionally accurate, small parts have in-scale appearance, complete weapons sprue included
Cons: Built according to the instructions, the ship has a mix of 1941 and 1944 details

Commissioned in 1936, destroyer USS Cassin's claim to fame was being sunk in dry-dock at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Cassin was re-floated and completely rebuilt with a new hull, then recommissioned in 1944. She served the remainder of the war in Pacific.

MidShip Models' 1/700 scale Cassin is molded in gray styrene with one tan resin part. Castings are crisp with little flash and light mold-parting lines. Even with two sprues of weapons and auxiliary parts included, there are few suitable options; the kit represents the 1944 rebuild and most of the extra parts end up in the spares box.

The two-page, 14-step instructions are clearly illustrated using part numbers for locations, with inset illustrations for details. Painting and marking diagrams are included listing both White Ensign Models Color Coats and Model Master paints. The Microscale decals are thin, in register, and color appears accurate. The single sheet contains signal and national ensign flags, and hull numbers to build any ship of the class.

Construction was straightforward - and quick! I spent only four hours spread over four evenings in construction. There weren't any building problems; parts fit was excellent; the only gap that needed filling was at the bridge.

I built the kit in subassemblies. Leaving off all the deck structures and equipment until after the painting was complete. In step 12, a notch needs to be cut into the aft bridge platform to support the mast. There are no locating pins or edges in the decks to aid in alignment, so you need to carefully square substructure parts to the deck.

I painted the Measure 21 scheme with Polly Scale USN acrylic paints, using Navy Blue 5N for all the vertical surfaces and weather deck Blue 20B for the decks. The hull number decals lay down nicely with Micro-Sol.

I spent seven hours building and painting my Cassin. Dimensionally, the kit scales well to my main reference, www.Navsource.org. The model ends up with some pre-rebuild details, such as the stacks, forward fire-control director, and the lack of bridge-wing bulkheads. The 1944 version's 20mm aft stack guns are omitted, too.

It was a fun, quick build. The kit's design makes it easy for beginners, and more experienced builders shouldn't have problems overcoming the inaccuracies.

- Phil Kirchmeier