Does anyone know offhand whether there are any kits out there for the Tacoma-class frigates? I'm interested in building the USS Bayonne (PF-21).

Hi Bill

There's Loose Canon 1/700 resin model:
USS PUEBLO / TACOMA CLASS

Hope this helps
Cheers,
Rui

Iron Shipwright has a 1/350 resin PF.

Frank

Sorry - should have posted the link. Here it is:

http://ironshipwrights.com/pages/burlington.html

Frank

Frank - Apologies if this is a stupid question, but how much more difficult is it to assemble a resin model (vs. a "normal" plastic kit)? The Iron Shipwrights site doesn't provide any sense of the instructions / completion steps.

Bill,

Both the ISW 1/350 and the LC 1/700 that Rui mentioned are resin. I have never done a Loose Canon model (1/700 is kind of small for my liking), but they look GOOD on line. I have built 3 ISW models. All turned out well and I plan to at least 3 more. Resin is different from plastic. Resin only works with superglue and genrates hazardous dust when you grind it. If you have never worked with it you should get a decent write up on working with it. Each modeler develops his own technics and it would take forever for me to explain all mine. I have no problem working with resin and if I can do it anyone can. Fine Scale Modeler magazine has had several "My First Resin Ship" articles and their website is easy to work with. Or post a question on this forum. As for ISW itself, their kits are very good. They come with all PE needed for rails and weapons. Their instructions can be confusing at first but good reference pix help. Again, if I can follow them, anyone can!

Good luck!

Frank