Has this kit been released yet? (plastic not resin kit) I was checking out Freetime hobbies and they showed pre-order. I was thinking of puttin it on my list for Christmas. I did pre-order the Fuso. It is actually cheaper (with shipping) than the base price that HLJ lists. Next will be the small fortune to get main gun tubes, wooden deck and a couple of PE sets.

I do not think iy has been.

Steve, I'm lusting over this kit. I've always been fascinated by the Battle Off Samar and the story of Taffey III. I live in hope that somebody will kit some of the DD's and DE's involved in this action. I haven't done much scratch building yet, but I'm very tempted to give it a try to see if I can convert a Fletcher, maybe Revell's new 1/144 into a U.S.S. Johnston or a U.S.S. Hoel. I don't know of any 1/350 DE kits, but if you anybody does I'd love to know about it.

Bob

Think it will make it out in time for Christmas?

It's out; I know of a guy who ordered one from Hobbysearch; I think it just hasn't hit the US distribution fully yet. So my guess is that it should be out in time for Christmas.

Thanks Tracy !! I'll put ity on my wish list

Guys, there is a review of the kit over on ModelWarships.com. You might want to check it out. No vices reported to speak of. Looks like a great kit. Now, about that U.S.S. Johnson and U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts .....

Bob

the Johnston is a Fletcher class DD (as are the Hoel and Heerman). It is available in 350 in both the round bridge and square bridge confgurations. So that one is taken care of. I think they pretty much have all the capital ships for the IJN done. Now if only they would pop out 3 or 4 more DD classes like the Fubuki, Asashio, Akitsuki, and Yugumo