Hey! Im wanting to build a Gearing class destroyer. I'd like to know if there are any models of gearing destoyers, and if so which is the best. Scale doesnt matter. Thanks, Reece

Hi Reece

First of all, Welcome Aboard Armorama Warships Area!

As for your request, here are a few good choices:
1:700
Jag Collective Gearing

Skywave Gearing

1/350
Yankee Model Works Gearing

Commander Series (Ironshipwright) Gearing

I would choose the Jag one - although in resin, the quality and level of detail, the PE set that it includes and the perfection of their models make it a winner (just my 2 cts)

Hope this helps
Skipper

Skipper has laid out all the kits for you, but one question you have to answer is: What period do you want your Gearing-class DD to portray? If WW2, then you can only build the YMW kit in 1/350 and the Skywave kit in 1/700. The others are post war.

YMW also makes a 1/350 radar picket Gearing-class, this is the modification with torpedo tubes removed and a mast midships to mount the more powerful radar on (the designation escapes me at the moment).

I've got the YMW Gearing about 80% completed. It's a decent, but not great, kit, with some fit problems. Most glaring is the fit of the brass sheilds for the 40mm quads and the brass used for the splinter sheilding around the bridge. Also, "B" turrets sits too far forward. You have to move it back a few millimeters if you want to be able to add the PE railings in that area.

Hi Martin!

Good questions you posted
I still think that the 1/700 models (either Skywave or JAG) are the best representations, although small

Any pictures of your progress, by any chance?
It's a real pain when we spent a lot of cash in some model only to find out that we have to make a lot of "extra" to correct it (and I am not speaking of just adding PE)!
But when it's the "only one available"...
Keep up

Skipper

What about a FRAM 2 version????? (in 1/700 preferably)

My Dad was on DD-829 USS Miles C. Fox

might be nice to build one for him......

Hi Matt

Gearings that were subject of FRAM II convertion became Frank Know Class DDR...
When FRAM I and II conversions began to occur in 1960, the radar antenna (s) were again displaced; this time they were removed and replaced with new antennas on top of a new main mast forward of the number 1 stack that replaced the original tri-pod mast the ship had originally; this occurred on all 36 vessels of the FRANK KNOX class. On the new main mast was the AN/SPS-10 and AN/SPS-40 radar sweep antennas. On top of the DASH Hangar (except for the 6 remaining DDRs) were installed the new ECM antennas. Of special note, 3 of the remaining DDRs received the very large SPS-30 height finding radar- a radar with a 200+ mile range.

Copied from:
http://www.gyrodynehelicopters.com/frank_Knox_class.htm

I wasn't able to find any model of this class, any scale...
But with apropriate reference material perhaps you could make the FRAM I to FRAM II convertion...
Just at tought

Skipper

Maybe FRAM 1 it is then......

Matt,

I don't know for sure (and forgive me, if I put my foot in my mouth) but perhaps a Gearing, plus a Allen M. Sumner FRAM II model and some plans of the Frank Knox Class could do the trick - it would be a little more expensive, but I think you would give a big surprise to your Father (even if the model is small)

Just check your references

Skipper

LOL.... sometimes it seems like he's babbling.....

I'll double check his Dates of Service vs the FRAM Refits...... and go from there......

I do know that she was Decommed as a Gearing and sold to Greece..........



Update..... Only upgraded to FRAM 1 according to the USN.........

FRAM I only applies to Gearing class ships. FRAM II only applies to Sumner class ships. DDR's were both Gearings and Sumners, and had nothing to do with the FRAM programs. DD-829 was a Gearing FRAM I conversion.

Sure...



I haven't worked on it for awhile...I should really finish it.

Morning all:

To 1.90E_31:
Thanks for the enligtment
If this "discussion" was over subs, than I wouldn't have made such a mistake - but tank you for your explanation!

To Martin:
She's looking good, and I know she will turn out a real beauty
Thank you for sharing

Skipper