Some time ago I was asked by a close friend if I could build a model of this particular ship for him, a John Butler Class Destroyer Escort. He was a former sailor and served on FFGs in the 80’s and early 90’s, but this ship was before his time. Why did he want a build of this particular ship? It was one of many of the class built, participated in no major engagements, and was mothballed shortly after WWII. Just another small ship with a small part in a big war. But.... the man for which the ship was named was his great uncle, Lance Corporal USMC, Silver Star recipient, killed in action on Guadalcanal. My friend has the paperwork, medal and champagne bottle top from the ships commissioning to back it all up. He wanted a model to display along with his uncles medal, citation, and ship stuff in his home. How do you say no to that?
So since then I have been slowly researching the Butler Class, and gathering the items I would need to make this happen, and make it happen properly. A 1/350 DE is a tad bit too small to display with the medal, citation, and photos. But 1/300 is a bit bigger and would look ok. Lindberg makes a Rudderow Class DE kit in 1/300. The Rudderow Class and Butler Class were visually identical, but had different power plants. And the old Linberg kit, well it needs help. Quite a bit of help. 3-D printed items from Shapeways and a 1/300 PE set for the Revell USCG Roger B Taney will help. As for anything else that comes up along the way, modeling skills required.
So here is the real thing....
And here is my starting point kit
Last night I began construction...
USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project- progress update 4/4 p.6
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USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project- progress update 4/4 p.6
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
FLSM
FLSM
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Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
The hull had some very pronounced weld lines, as do the decks and bulkheads.
So I sanded them down a bit. In photos of Butler Class DEs, the weld lines are visible, so I just toned them down a bit by sanding
And again after examining every photo on Navsource of Butler and Rudderow Class DEs, and finding none visible, I decided to sand off the deck weld seam lines, and thin down the thickness on some of the deck fittings. I also sanded off the anchor chains, drilled out their openings, and filed the slots where the anchors sit on the deck. All your Navy types please forgive me for not knowing the proper terms.
It looks a bit rough now, but I’m sure that it will look better after primer and paint later on...
So I sanded them down a bit. In photos of Butler Class DEs, the weld lines are visible, so I just toned them down a bit by sanding
And again after examining every photo on Navsource of Butler and Rudderow Class DEs, and finding none visible, I decided to sand off the deck weld seam lines, and thin down the thickness on some of the deck fittings. I also sanded off the anchor chains, drilled out their openings, and filed the slots where the anchors sit on the deck. All your Navy types please forgive me for not knowing the proper terms.
It looks a bit rough now, but I’m sure that it will look better after primer and paint later on...
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
FLSM
FLSM
Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
Can't wait to see what you do with this old thing.
March as one, Don't look back
Odin's sons... Attack!
Unleash hell! Do not repent! Warfare grants us no lament
Let your weapons slash and tear This is no place for fear
Hold the lines! Move as one! In unity our victory's won
Our shields will form a mighty wall
United we shall never fall
Odin's sons... Attack!
Unleash hell! Do not repent! Warfare grants us no lament
Let your weapons slash and tear This is no place for fear
Hold the lines! Move as one! In unity our victory's won
Our shields will form a mighty wall
United we shall never fall
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Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
Thank you. The bug is starting to bite me on this one and I’m really wanting to push forward.
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
FLSM
FLSM
- speedgraflex
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Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
Hi Carlos! What an incredible project! If you have not read through this RC build, I would give it your attention. There's gold in here!
http://geneberger-models.com/uss-kendall-c-campbell/
http://geneberger-models.com/uss-kendall-c-campbell/
Bruce / SPEEDGRAFLEX
Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
Uh, wow....somehow, that doesn't do it justice. Simply amazing.speedgraflex wrote:Hi Carlos! What an incredible project! If you have not read through this RC build, I would give it your attention. There's gold in here!
http://geneberger-models.com/uss-kendall-c-campbell/
To make each build less crappy than the last one. Or, put another way, "Better than the last one, not as good as the next one!"..
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Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
Bruce, thank you! The detail here is what has been lacking in what I have found so far. Now any question that I had are answered. Although I have noticed some differences in the bridge areas in this one and others. I would guess due to mods made in the class due to wartime experience. Being smaller scale, I won’t be able to pull off all of those details as here, but this helps me fill in on what I needed. Thanks again!speedgraflex wrote:Hi Carlos! What an incredible project! If you have not read through this RC build, I would give it your attention. There's gold in here!
http://geneberger-models.com/uss-kendall-c-campbell/
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
FLSM
FLSM
Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
This is some pretty great building on this guy, Carlos.
To make each build less crappy than the last one. Or, put another way, "Better than the last one, not as good as the next one!"..
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Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
Lyle, he did some incredible work. Very inspirational and useful for my project. 1/96 scale can be detailed up beautifully. Like he did here.
As for me, I spent some time raiding my spares bin and other kits for excess parts to make up shortfalls that Bruce’s link revealed to me. Now I’m just wondering, do I have it in me to solder up a mast like he did with brass tubing...
As for me, I spent some time raiding my spares bin and other kits for excess parts to make up shortfalls that Bruce’s link revealed to me. Now I’m just wondering, do I have it in me to solder up a mast like he did with brass tubing...
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
FLSM
FLSM
- speedgraflex
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Re: USS Edwin A Howard DE 346 project
Of course you can! Or styrene? I am glad you found that useful. I thought the whole methodology was incredible—chapter by chapter. I need to write the builder to thank him. He put a lot into that and it shows.
Bruce / SPEEDGRAFLEX