Hello-I am starting a build of the USS Johnston DD-557, a Fletcher class destroyer, which was sunk at The Battle of Samar in October 1944. I am using the 1/350 Trumpeter USS The Sullivans as a donor kit. Here is my start.
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This is the ship after it’s commissioning in 1943 and my start showing the hull with propellor shafts and scratch built sonar dome.
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Welcome aboard John.
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Welcome! Nice choice of subject, a true Hero ship if there ever was one.
Later,
Lee
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Hard to believe they found this wreck, it is in very deep water. For those who haven’t read ‘The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors’, I highly recommend it. No hesitation to engage a much superior force, I can’t tell you how many times this retired CPO had to pause to wipe tears.
Later,
Lee
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My nephew is a CPO in the “silent service”, about to retire soon. My Dad’s best friend and guy who taught me everything about carpentry was on the “black gang” of the USS Idaho in WWII, my uncle was on the USS New Jersey off N. Korean coast during Korean War bombarding rail cars that had giant artillery pieces firing back. The Navy has my utmost respect. The build progresses, hull has the deck and stand added.
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Making good progress John.
Thought I’d share my build of USS Hoel from a few years ago, built to depict her at the time of the battle. I also used the Trumpeter Sullivans kit but I used the L’Arsenal PE and resin upgrade set on mine. Some of the resin corrects the gun houses as the kit ones are the wrong shape.
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NICE build! My big beef with Trumpeter is the the 5 inch gun turrets are missing the triangular piece on the “back wall”. I still have to order PE rails and stripe decals to do the boot on the hull. I have a liking for the Buckley, DE-51. Have built the Trumpeter 1/350 and Revell 1/249 kits. Here is Trumpeter one. Have been eyeing up the old Arizona by Revell lately…..always liked that kit.
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Following with great interest ! Couldn’t agree more with the assessment of the men in Last Stand .
Three Tin Can sailors in my family - all gone now but my father in law was on the Maddox and survived the kamikaze hit that killed 7 ( IIRC ) of his shipmates and also survived Typhoon Cobra .
My Uncle Robert was on Maddox’s sister ship Mansfield and my brother in law was on the Laffey.
Thanks for sharing your efforts.
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Indeed! The only wreck that has been located is in a deeper spot is her fellow ship from Taffy 3, USS Samuel B Roberts. The condition of both wrecks is mute testimony to the ferocity of their engagement.
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Looking good. What paints are you using?
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Tamiya rattle cans.
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I broke down and bought this. The good old not so accurate but nice Revell USS Arizona. I started one many years ago and wanted to better the early one I had built this time with PE. I never finished it and have no reason why. So I will try again, not sure if I will use PE , I would like to replace the foremast and scout planes. I guess those items were on the Arizona in the ‘30s, would like to get it closer to 1941.
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