¹⁄40

USS READY PGM 87

The USS READY was designed in the 1960's as a gunboat to fulfill the USN's need for a fast maneuverable ship. Powered by two Cummings diesels and a General Electric gas turbine, the READY could top 40 knots. Originally the ship was armed with a 3" gun, four 50cal MG and a 40mm Bofors AA gun. After service in Vietnam the USN decommissioned most of this class but four of the gunboats were upgraded with RIM missile launchers in lieu of the Bofors gun. Assigned to the Navy's 6th fleet these tough little ships spent their time shadowing the Soviet warship that was trailing the American carrier group in the Med. Finally in 1977 the USS READY was stricken from the Navy's inventory and for a time became the Massachusetts Maritime training vessel. The model started out as the Dumas wooden kit of the USS CROCKETT. At 51" long, it's a basic kit, short on detail and having thick metal fittings. Checking the internet I found every example of the kit was built as per the instructions. At that point I decided to construct mine a little different, as a missile boat. I didn't use the metal fittings and scratch built my own from brass and plastic. The missile launchers took the longest, I couldn't find any info on these weapons. I added detail to the bridge but it's difficult to see unless up close. As it's radio controlled, I plan on a shake down cruise next spring in the warmer weather. It was a "fun" build.