Well awhile ago I built 2 of these Porter Class ships for a Dr. Friend of mine one for him and one for his father and unfortunately his wife mailed this one without telling him and needless to say it arrived with some assembly required! So have been impressed to resurrect the ship from it's damaged state.

As I had built both of them as the USS Balch as she appeared in the beginning of the war I decided to repair her as she appeared after her 1943 Refit. Eliminating one rear turret as well as some of the aft cabin structure and installing more AA guns and gun tubs.


Here is the project so far.

Insights are as always welcome

Hi Probuilder

Could you state scale and maker?
My guess would be 1/350...

If so (and having a change of making a mistake) I would sugest:
- drilling the barrels (a little bit)
- making some glass windows to the brige
- the painting scheme for her 1943 refit would be MS21 Navy Blue System

Skipper

NAH Skipper
I think it is 700...look at the size of the scissors next to it.. Squadron puts out several Destroyer in Action books, just find the one that covers the Porter class They usually have super pictures and go to some length of modifications / differenes.

It is the Blue Water Navy 1/350 scale resin kit, I did drill out the barrels (sorry, crappy Photo) The scissors are Surgical Small Iris scissors(4in). This was the color the 1st go around and thanks for the Color Number, As for the Windows I had to tear out the old ones as that entire superstructure had to be rebuilt from what parts that weren't destroyed and some scratch building . Aft guns and gun tubs are scratchbuilt as well. A new brass fret sheet had to be purchased because all the railings and super structure brass detail was ruined.

Hi Probuilder!

Thanks for the enlightment
So... the only point is the measure painting scheme
Check snyder & sort webpage if needed further references

Skipper

Need help there, I am not up to date on Snyder& sort? Any help would be great! I have only seen one or two color pictures in the Blue scheme but they were not very clear shots.

Thanks


She is all in primer now

Hey PB,

I like the photo etch for it. The depth charge racks look really delicate. How was it working with it?

Hi Probuilder

Here are a few links:
Porter Class DD's

Measure 21
Don't take it all from the picture, read the description of MS21

Ship Camouflage Instructions - United States Navy . Ships - 2.Revision 2 - Bureau of Ships - June 1942
An exact description of the colours included in the MS21


Pictures:
Navsource USS Balch entry see the last two pics

Another source, a different view

Skipper

When it comes to accurate naval colors, White Ensign MOdels has the best. Check with Trident and I think great models or Roll carries them as well.

Yep

You're 100% right Steve!
WEM and their colourcoats is second to none
I like them a lot and they are worth every cent

Skipper

Bravo, the photo etch is great! the racks are 2 pieces with the top and sides being one piece that you fold and the bottom piece has little tabs that correspond to holes in the rack sides plus you get white metal depth charges but you have to trim them to get them to fit in the racks.

It never occured to me that 1/350th for a destroyer was that small. I guess I had it in my mind it would be close to the size ( a wee smaller) as a battleship. See, this is what happens when you're landlocked like me and have no reference point.

I'd like to latch onto a destroyer to add to my collection. I've never built a resin ship before, is it difficult?

Do you use automotive primer or is that glazing putty on the hull?

I had a similar "revelation" when I put my LA Class USS Boise next to the Tamiya 1/350 Enterprise in my display cabinet!! At 300' it's less than 1/3 the length of a carrier, but it looks even smaller.

Tom

This is sort related, I downloaded Google Earth to my computer and while I was looking at the sattelite images of Norfolk, I noticed these objects tied along the pier near some destroyers. The sun was just right and by the shadow, you could tell they were subs! Man they looked pretty small next to all the other ships!