¹⁄350

Dragon Models have announced the released of their 1/350th U.S.S. Laffey DD-459 Smart Kit . As with most of the recent Smart Kits releases this kit will incorporate many innovative features including photoetch and the latest in slide mould technology. The most exciting news is that this kit will be released in December 2008. The retail price has yet to be announced

This kit is based on the previously released USS Buchanan Smart Kit. This new model has received the necessary changes to transform it into the famous U.S.S Laffey. It has newly tooled flat-sided funnels and a forward superstructure bridge that is designed to accurately depict the appearance of the U.S.S. Laffey in its final days. Making widespread use of slide mould technology, the kit also includes a generous helping of photo-etched parts together with a set of six figures.

Kit features:

• One-piece slide moulded upper hull with undercut details realistically represented;
  
• Bilge keels are represented on lower hull by slide mould technology;
  
• Deck has realistically reproduced chamber;
  
• Waterline or full hull version can be assembled;
  
• Rudder is movable;
  
• True-to-scale ultra thin propellers reproduced;
  
• Newly tooled flat-sided funnels for Benson class destroyers like USS Laffey;
  
• Realistically detailed gun barrels are slide moulded with hollow ends;
  
• Optional barrels with blast bags provided for gun turrets;
  
• 20mm AA guns finely reproduced with plastic or photo-etched shields;
  
• Watertight doors (with optional photo-etched parts) can be assembled open or closed;
  
• Photo etched parts finely reproduced for radar and antennas;
  
• Bridge supports finely represented with photo-etched or plastic parts;
  
• A special device included to bend specific photo-etched parts to correct angle;
  
• Whale boats with photo etched parts finely reproduced;
  
• Newly tooled flat-sided funnels for Benson class destroyers like USS Laffey;
  
• Realistic photo etch funnel caps gills;
  
• Realistic photo etch funnel platform;
  
• 4 new superstructure mounted K-gun cranes represented by photo-etched parts;
  
• Extremely fine detailed parts like davits for 26’ whale boats;
  
• Funnels provided with option of moulded on ladders or add on photo-etched ladders;
  
• New separate piping on rear of funnel;
  
• Extra-thin shield walls on superstructure reproduced for accurate 1/350th appearance;
  
• Extra-fine detail on superstructure walls like hose, ladder patterns delicately reproduced;
  
• 12-inch, 24-inch and 36-inch searchlights provided;
  
• Option of superstructure walls to protect searchlights;
  
• Movable structure for 36-inch searchlight with clear lens included;
  
• Sky-lookout shield finely represented with photo etched parts;
  
• Forward superstructure deck retooled for close mounted 20 mm gun tubs;
  
• Flat faced superstructure deckhouse for Benson class is newly tooled;
  
• New lower profile platform for 36-inch searchlight;
  
• 6 realistic 1/350 scale figures;
  
• New self adhesive flexible material for signal flags;
  
• Cartograf decal, including the deck walkway anti-skid texture.
  

Ship History
The USS Laffey (DD-459) was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named after Bartlett Laffey.
The Laffey was laid down the13th of January 1941 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company, San Francisco, California; launched the 30th of October 1941; sponsored by Miss Eleanor G. Forgerty, granddaughter of Seaman Laffey; and commissioned the 31st of March 1942, Lieutenant Commander William E. Hank in command.
After shakedown off the West Coast, Laffey headed for the war zone via Pearl Harbor, arriving at Efate on the 28th of August 1942. She steamed in antisubmarine screen until she joined Task Force 18 on the 6th of September. When Wasp (CV-7), her flagship, was sunk on the 15th of September, Laffey rescued survivors and returned them to Espiritu Santo. She sailed with Task Force 64 and touched at Noumea, New Caledonia, on the18th of September.
Laffey saw her first fleet action in the Battle of Cape Esperance (also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island) on the 11th and 12th of October 1942. The destroyer operated with Admiral Norman Scott's cruiser group, guarding against enemy attempts to reinforce Guadalcanal. On the 11th of October, when the group formed into single column, Laffey joined two other destroyers in the van. About an hour later sailors ran to their battle stations, steel doors clanged shut, and all made ready for battle. When the engagement began, Laffey raked the Aoba with three of her 5-inch guns. The furious gunfire roared on through the night. At dawn, destroyer Duncan (DD-485) was sinking, destroyer Farenholt (DD-491) was badly damaged, and cruiser Boise (CL-47), though hard hit, had weathered several powerful blows. On the other hand, the Japanese losses were even greater. Cruiser Furutaka was sinking, cruiser Aoba was badly damaged, and destroyer Fubuki had sunk.
After the battle, Laffey rendezvoused with a group escorting transports from Noumea the 11th of November, and sailed to Lunga Point, arriving the next day. The disembarking operations were interrupted by a heavy air attack. On Friday the 13th of November 1942 Laffey was placed in the van of a column of eight destroyers and five cruisers under Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan. Early in the mid-watch the radar operator reported contact with the enemy. The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal was just about to begin when the Japanese force, a group of two battleships, one light cruiser and 14 destroyers, under Vice-Admiral Hiroaki Abe, appeared on the horizon. Laffey lashed out at the enemy with gunfire and torpedoes. At the height of the violent battle, the Japanese battleship Hiei came through the darkness and both ships headed at full speed for the same spot. They missed colliding by 20 feet. The Laffey unleashed her torpedoes and, using all her firepower, raked the battleship’s bridge, wounding Admiral Abe. With a battleship on her stern, a second on her port beam, and two destroyers on her port bow, Laffey fought the Japanese ships with the three remaining main battery guns in a no-quarter duel at point-blank range. She was hit by a 14-inch shell from the Hiei. Then a torpedo in her fantail put Laffey out of action. As the order to abandon ship was passed, a violent explosion ripped the destroyer apart and she sank immediately with heavy loss of lives.
Laffey was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her performance in the South Pacific and three battle stars for World War II service.

Based on an extract from Wikipedia

Image courtesy of Dragon USA