by Mike Cavel
1/350 USS Jenkins DD-447 (Tamiya)
This is the beautiful Tamiya model of the early Fletchers done as the Jenkins. A fellow modeler pointed out that this kit included a teardrop-shaped gun tub for placement at the stern as was carried by three Fletchers, Jenkins being one of them. In addition to using the Gold Medal Models photo-etch set, I used some parts given to me by a friend and ship modeler (and the photographer who took these pictures), Carl Musselman, himself a contributor to this site. These parts include the twin 40's, the ammo racks used with each, and the anchor chain.
I made a few little changes, such as using railing around the searchlight platform, then moving the forward torpedo tubes 3/32" forward in order to drop a ladder from the platform. I also made some flag bags, using those from the Dragon kit of the Buchanan as a guide. I used monofilament for the halyards, then invisible thread for the other two lines, much preferring the thread.
This is my first effort at ship building since my early teens (I'm in my 60's) though I spent many years building aircraft. I love the change and am currently enjoying Trumpeter's San Francisco. I must add that the models displayed by others at this site were both an inspiration and something to imitate.
This model was recently cut down to waterline and mounted on a water base. Click here to see the results.
