1/350 USS Spence, DD-512 (Tamiya)

The Spence was a highly decorated destroyer, winning the Presidential Unit Citation for its service in Guadalcanal with DesRon 23, the famed "Little Beavers". It was Spence's boiler problems that led to the squadron's reduced speed the night before the Battle of Cape St George, earning Arleigh Burke his legendary epithet, "31-knot Burke".

Spence was lost in a violent typhoon on the night of 17-18 December 1944, barely two months after an extensive refit and modernization with the latest radar, ECM and AA armament. She was one of three destroyers lost as a result of the storm, which practically dismantled the invincible Third Fleet and claimed the lives of over 800 US sailors (including all but 24 of Spence's crew).

Spence makes an interesting modeling subject for its striking dazzle painted color scheme (only 5 Fletcher's carried this scheme, intended for light cruisers) and the fact that it was a heavily modernized, round bridge example which means it fits the Tamiya kit quite well without needing extensive remodeling.
 
Tamiya 1/350 kit with Gold Medal Models PE set
L'Arsenal 40mm Bofors, 20mm Oerlikons, Mk51 AA directors (excellent pieces all!)
Scratchbuilt ECM mast, fwd funnel siren and searchlight platform, midships gun sponsons, bridge equipment, 5" practice loader
Trumpeter "Sullivans" kit donated fwd 40mm tubs, aft deckhouse and fantail 20mm gun tub
Rigged with Uni-Caenis thread and 0.16mm monofilament fishing line
Seascape built from wood & polystyrene base, acrylic artist paint, clear silicone sealant, acrylic gloss gel.

I'm really proud of this result, only the second ship I've built in 1/350. And I couldn't have hoped for a better result with the sea base, although the presentation could be better if I was a bit more proficient in woodwork!!
 

Gallery updated 2012

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