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Matchbox Fletcher Class Destroyer

Ettienne

Ettienne

Joined
May 31, 2021
Messages
367
Points
168

Location
Kommetjie, Western Cape, South Africa
After some severe procastrination I have started on a shipmodel. The topic this time is the 1/700 Matchbox Fletcher Class destroyer. So ... construction has started! I do not have much to say about the quality of the kit other than, hey it is a Matchbox kit. It works. Fit is not perfect, but not too bad either.

I do prefer the simple colour schemes on ships and will not attempt the camo-pattern on the box art ( I can appreciate the more dazzling schemes, but not for my ladies). Now to check this with my more experienced fellow modellers.

I am thinking of a post-WWII scheme. What I have is a reasonably light or medium overall grey tone plus deck gray (a darker grey) for the horizontal parts? I could keep the small numbers as many of the ships in post-WWII navy kept the smaller numbers until replaced (1947?)

So here we go ...

1772884694071.png
 
Some more work was done today. I am currently working on the parts that will make up the suoer structure. There are some irritating small gaps where the parts will be joined to the hull.. Some of the gaps are filled with white glue, which I do hope work as getting filler in there is quite a task as the parts are so small.

I just have a love for destroyers, the grey hounds of the seas ...

Any advise would be very welcome.

Fletcher class Destroyer B.jpg
 
Ettienne said:
After some severe procastrination I have started on a shipmodel. The topic this time is the 1/700 Matchbox Fletcher Class destroyer. So ... construction has started! I do not have much to say about the quality of the kit other than, hey it is a Matchbox kit. It works. Fit is not perfect, but not too bad either.

I do prefer the simple colour schemes on ships and will not attempt the camo-pattern on the box art ( I can appreciate the more dazzling schemes, but not for my ladies). Now to check this with my more experienced fellow modellers.

I am thinking of a post-WWII scheme. What I have is a reasonably light or medium overall grey tone plus deck gray (a darker grey) for the horizontal parts? I could keep the small numbers as many of the ships in post-WWII navy kept the smaller numbers until replaced (1947?)

So here we go ...

View attachment 582984
Click to expand...
You may want to consider the measure 21 ship colors used later during WWll they were just gray and dark blue. Used by the Johnson and other destroyers in the battle at Lete Gulf.


Rob
 
Thank you Rob... I have opted for two greys, circa 1947. A dark grey for horisontal surfaces and a ligt grey for the rest. The deck came out much "browner" than I intende toafter a wash of grey and burnt umber.
 
There are many you tube videos of modelers using all kind of things such as plaster or stiff acrylic gel to simulate the ocean. That can be worth a look.

For rigging I could consider fine E-Z line, which stretches so you can get some nice tension.

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Rob
 
When I look back at the history of this log, this little project was started in March 2026. Well I suppose things (at least some of them) get done eventually. As said before, this Fletcher class is depicted as a ship post 1945 pottering around in the Pacific. This is my first serious attempt to do a sea base. Still room for a lot of improvement, but it was imense fun and a lovely adventure. And I added some rigging. It still looks bit "toy-like" but I believe it will improve as I go along. Now for today ... going into the garage and reduce the stash to only maritime and naval subjects. Will keep the figures and the 1/72 AFV's though. and on the working table is an old (1987) Academy Lockheed Ventura. But more on her later.

Fletcher A.jpg

Fletcher B.jpg
 
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