by Bob Dedmon
1/700 USS Downes DD-375 (Midship Models)
This was my first experience with this manufacturer and I was disappointed. The kit was incomplete in it's research and supplied parts/details. The spray shield around the forward gun mount is not provided neither were the torpedo cranes, anchors, the torpedo servicing deck around the funnel and various support structures, all of which were added or scratch built. I scratch built a replacement for the masts and added inclined and vertical ladders. I modified the torpedo launchers by folding the outer tips back over the mount. I replaced the screw guards with photo etch parts and surrounded the depth charge racks with photo etch frames. I painted the ship with ModelMaster ocean gray per the colors noted in the U.S. Destroyers in Action Part 2 with black hull numbers in an experimental paint scheme in 1941. My water is made with ultramarine blue acrylic jell paint dry brushed for some aeration then over painted with Mr. Color clear blue lacquer and dry brushed again to re-emphasize the wake. The bow wave is made by spreading the acrylic jell paint on parchment paper, then peeling it up and trimming it for shape and gluing it down to represent the ship at speed.
