1/350 Fletcher?

I just ordered Tayima's 1/350 Fletcher and Tom's Modelworks conversaion kit. I'll order the GMM PE set later this week.

One more quick question.... when working with PE, should I paint the basecoat first and then put the PE on, or complete the whole model and then paint and weather? Thank you very much.

I'd be interested in seeing some PE work on a Fletcher if that's possible. Just so I can have an idea of what to shoot for. Thanks.

What ship do you want photos of?

J

Please send pics!!

I agree.. the armor forum is great at people showcasing their stuff.

As my earlier post, I am in the middle of a Fletcher. I have built the hull, all superstructures (not fitted), guns and applied as much PE ladders and rails as I can before I need to put it all together. The anti fouling and boot stripe are done and masked off and today painted the decks. Most of the PE so far has been anything but straight forward. Some of the parts are so small that you need 2 pairs of tweezers, one to pick it up and another pair to bend into shape. You then also need a third hand to apply the glue, a fourth to position the part and even a fifth hand to check the positioning . I did the mast last night and today it looked like giant seagulls had visited. As I scraped away the excess glue, most of the parts fell off. I bit the bullet and started again, cleaning off all glue and sanding smooth. I then had a rethink, and used white glue instead of CA. This gives you more positioning time but the fix is not as strong, so you have to be extra careful not to touch.
I have been more successful today and I did the PE radar assembly. This went OK.
I would post some pics of my progress, but there seems to be a reluctance on this forum for pics (unlike the armour forum).
If you would like pics then please reply.

Marin,

It's a great first kit to start with, since the PE is pretty straightforward. Tom's brass is well suited to beginners and those with thick fingers and 5 thumbs like myself. There are other sets out there, but they're finer in detail, making them tougher to work with, and of course, pricier as well.

If you need any help or photos, let me know...I have a *few* (about 4000 at last glance).

Jeff

MarinR00,
I'll add a little to this. The GMM photo-etch is well worth the money. The only difficulty you're likely to have is the radar antenna; that's tricky. Apply superglue sparingly using a piece of fine wire as an applicator. Try straightening out a paper clip; that works pretty good if you can't find anything finer. Good luck!
Paul

Hey Jeff, thanks A LOT. I am going to save this thread.

Do you think the Fletcher is a good kit for a first time PE build? Actually.. a first time ship build in about 10 years?

Tom's Modelworks (www.tomsmodelworks.com) does a square bridge conversion kit, to allow you to modify the Tamiya 1942 into ANY of the 175 ships in the class, from 1942-45.

Your choices are pretty simple...for the round bridge...

Replace the forward 20mm tubs with 40mm Mk 1 tubs and mounts, and build the rest of the ship out of the box...that's good for most of the round-bridge Fletchers through mid-1943. Add in the midship Mk1 40mm sponsons and mounts, and you've got most of the round bridge Fletchers through 1945. Add the Mk2 quad 40mm, replace the forward torpedo tubes with the MK 51 FCD platform, and you've got the 1945 version of the Emergency AA fit Fletchers.

For the square bridge, you can model the early ships by replacing the forward 20mm tubs with the Toms 40mm part. Square Bridge Fletchers never carried 20mm guns in the forward tubs into combat. You can then add the midship MK 1 or MK 2 40mm if you want late war ships.

I recommend my book 'Fletcher, Gearing and Sumner Class Destroyers in WW2' from the Warship Perspectives line...available from White Ensign Models and Hannants in the UK, or from Pacific Front Hobbies or Floating Drydock here in the states.

Tom's set gives you all the necessary parts, and photoetch, for the model...

Regards,

Jeff Herne
(some schlub who knows a little about the Fletchers)

The Tamiya Fletcher is a great kit. The Photo-Etch is a must. You can get a resin "square bridge" for a late model Fletcher, but I don't know off the top of my head who makes it.

It def. does... any tips you have (or discover) about putting on PE, would be much obliged!

As a money saver I think I'll get the Tamiya kit, as opposed to the $100 Resin kit. I'll start off small.

Is the GMM PE set worth it?

I am working on the Tamiya Fletcher with the GMM PE set. Although not my first ship kit, it is my first time with PE and applying the techniques I have heard of from this and the "modelwarships.com" forums.
The kit is a good starting point into the hobby, as it is quite small but well detailed and (being a Tamiya kit) all the parts fit.
My main problem with the build is the application of the tiny amounts of super glue needed to fix the PE parts, and masking of the camo pattern.
I am persevering with it and hopefully will get a good build at the end.
Hope this helps