I'm building the USS Missoui this winter. I will be using Eduard and Gold Medal Models PE set for it.
The Ship Modeling book is a big help but the Gold Medal Models book, "Photoetching for the Plastic Ship Modeler" is also a must have book. It has helped me a lot on my other ship models PE. By the way, I just got back in the hobby and wanted a Missoui model foever so it will be only my third ship model.
For the bending I bought the Mission Modles Etchmate 3C. It is a BIG help with the complex bends like the catapults and cranes.
It will be after Christmas before I can ever start on it.