Tamiya's 1-350 USS Fletcher OOB

Thanks for the comments Gents. I only did her OOB for a Comp as I usually work with P/E. It is sometimes good to get back to basics and build a Kit without the addons. I wanted a break also because I am going to have fun with the next Build that I have already started on here with. I am doing Aoshima's 1-350 Takao with 2 GMM Sets, Resin replacement Turrets and Brass Barrels for the Guns. This one is going to take a while.  The last major Build that  you may remember from earlier this Year, posted on here also, was Trumpy's HMS Hood with White Ensign P/E. That took the best part of 12 Months so I think I will be in for the same here........Cheers Mark

Looks good, and very nice for a first effort. I do agree with the others about the white lifeboats. I know the Tamiya directions call for that, but as it ruins the camouflage scheme from the air, the boat covers or the uncoverd interior would usually be covered over with one of the camo colors.

Don't be in a hurry to add to many photoetch bits and railings and such. Work up to it. The Dragon destroyers are a good choice for that, as while they include etch, they usually omit some or all of what many consider the toughest part, the railings. So you could have a more detailed radar or depth charge racks, say.

A couple of websites I can recommend if you are not familiar with theme already -

www.navsource.org  has a database of basically every US Navy ship since the American Civil War, organized by type and hull number. Most entries have at least a few photos, some a lot more.

www.shipcamouflage.com Hosted by Snyder & Short retailers, has info and databases on USN camouflage measures and info on individual ships. It shows the Fletcher did wear measure 22 camo in 1945, but a lot of the smaller equipment would have changed by then as opposed to what is given in the kit, which depicts the ship as commisioned in 1942.

Anyway, hope it helps some. Good luck, and I hope you keep building...

She is good looking. Railings and better radar, rigging and some linoleum would finish her well

Nice finish on her. I just think that some attention to her rigging is in order. And also to the interior of her boats, they should be the same color of her deck camoflauge.

Fletch is now finished and am very happy with the results. Lots of Washes and drybrushinf has brought her Detail very well. Any C and C's are most welcome.....Cheers Mark

Thanks for the comments Gents. She is a good Kit to cut your Teeth on for First Time Shippy. I agree that the Dragon Kits are very good but for someone who has not used P/E before, it is a great starting Point.....Cheers Mark

ww2psycho

Very nice! Ive been debating on getting this kit for my first ship build.

If you can find it cheap somewhere, it is a good choice. I say that because while it is a good first build, the kit is kind of pricey for what you get with it. Which is not a lot compared, to say Dragon's 1/350 destroyers that are better detailed, have some photoetch and such with the kit. I'm not saying the Tamiya Fletcher is a horrible kit or anything. Just that is kind of overpriced compared to the rest of what is out there these days. 

Very nice! Ive been debating on getting this kit for my first ship build.