re: TAMIYA,S FLETCHER CLASS DESTROYER

I once spoke with someone who worked for Tamiya USA regarding the Fletcher and options for it.   The sprue layout indicates that a future square-bridge version was considered.  He said that non other than Mr Tamiya himself, nixed any future work on follow-on kits of the Fletcher.    The kit was met with initial poor sales numbers and did not warrant additional kits.  [Hey, it is only a destroyer why don't we do another release of the Bismarck/Iowa/Yamato, thats where the money is!]   Remember that to us this is a hobby.  To Tamiya and their investors, this is a business. 

Then too, you are looking at the molding and injection capabilities of a decade ago.   That is almost ancient history when it comes to the current state of the art.   If Tamiya were to "fix" their round-bridge kit they would have to cut new molds which were more up to date.   That is an expense which will likely not happen.

Trumpeter has stolen the march on Tamiya.

In my own humble opinion,

The Tamiya kit is superior.  We all know both companies make some great kits.  However, it seems like Trumpeter cut quite a few corners with thier USS The Sullivans.  The walkway moldings on the main deck were rediculously huge, and the details (hatches, gun mounts, etc) were blocky and unrealistic.  Compared with the Tamiya parts, they were blocky.  The Tamiya kit had some really fine detail.  It would stand well without PE or aftermarket parts. 

I made a rendition of a '43 Square bridge Fletcher about a year ago.  It was my great-uncle's ship, DD-670 USS Dortch.  It had to be right.  In the end I used Tamiya's USS Fletcher for as much as I could, Trumpeter's USS The Sulivans for most of the superstructure, Le'Arsenal for the 5 inch turrets, Tom's Modelworks PE (RIP Tom, you will be missed), and Gold Medal Models PE.  It was a real monster of a project.  However, if you use the Best of Both kits, You're starting off well. 

If your decision is a USS Fletcher from Tamiya, or a USS The Sullivans from Trumpeter, go with Tamiya.  It just looks better.

 Semper Fi,

Chris

ridleusmc wrote:

In my own humble opinion, The Tamiya kit is superior.  We all know both companies make some great kits.  However, it seems like Trumpeter cut quite a few corners with thier USS The Sullivans.  The walkway moldings on the main deck were rediculously huge, and the details (hatches, gun mounts, etc) were blocky and unrealistic.  Compared with the Tamiya parts, they were blocky.  The Tamiya kit had some really fine detail.  It would stand well without PE or aftermarket parts.  I made a rendition of a '43 Square bridge Fletcher about a year ago.  It was my great-uncle's ship, DD-670 USS Dortch.  It had to be right.  In the end I used Tamiya's USS Fletcher for as much as I could, Trumpeter's USS The Sulivans for most of the superstructure, Le'Arsenal for the 5 inch turrets, Tom's Modelworks PE (RIP Tom, you will be missed), and Gold Medal Models PE.  It was a real monster of a project.  However, if you use the Best of Both kits, You're starting off well.  If your decision is a USS Fletcher from Tamiya, or a USS The Sullivans from Trumpeter, go with Tamiya.  It just looks better.  Semper Fi, Chris

I agree, and your approach is probably the best way to get to a square-bridge Fletcher in injected plastic.   The other source for is the now OOP square-bridge conversion set from Tom's (I agree, Tom is and will continue to be missed).

But, by the time you have bought the two plastic kits and all the aftermarket HOOHAHs necessary to do the conversion you are in the same price ballpark as a resin kit which comes complete with everything you would need from the get-go.   There is nothing mystical or scary about resin.  It is just another medium in our hobby.