1/700 USS Josephus Daniels CG-27 (JAG)
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by Carl Musselman |
JAG has provided just about everything one would need to complete the
USS Belknap CG-26 kit into just about any of the Belknap class ships and
their varying configurations except the USS Belknap, herself. The
kit is intended to depict the ships of the class in their later-in-life
configurations; i.e. early 1990's. The USS Belknap, having collided
with the USS John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1975 and experienced extensive
damage, was rebuilt and re-commissioned with multiple variations to her
superstructure and overall appearance. So, the JAG kit does not reflect
these modifications.
The kit does not, however, include any PE railings so, I used GMM and
Tom's PE 3 and 2 bar rails. I added the double antenna mount on the
fantail along with the other antenna, there. There are no vertical
ladders molded into the parts, which is nice. However, I didn't bother
to add PE vertical ladders to my model. I added homemade DESRON 2
decals to depict the Josephus Daniels in her 1992 appearance.
Vertical surfaces and hull are Model Master Acrylic Neutral Gray and
the decks are Gunship Gray with Engine Gray non-skid patterns. I
added a dusting of tan and olive drab pastel chalk to the helo deck and
the safety nets.
