by Dave Becker
1/350 USS Fletcher DDE-445 (Tamiya)
DDE-445 USS Fletcher - 1968
Model started out as the Tamiya 1/350 Fletcher kit. However the only thing remaining of the original kit is the hull. Almost everything above the main deck is scratch built. The two gun turrets and MK. 32 T.T.'s are resin, left over from some resin kit.
Model shows the Fletcher as converted to DDE status. Fletcher carried two 5"/38 Turrets, two Twin 3"/50 Auto guns, one "Weapon Alpha" rocket propelled depth charge thrower, two Mark 11 Hedge Hogs, two triple tube Mark 32 torpedo launchers, Depth Charge rack on stern, SQS-4 Sonar, SPS-6 Air Search, SPS-10 Surface Search radar, Mark 37 and Mark 56 Directors,
Model shows the FLETCHER as she appeared in 1968 in the Gulf of Tonkin. FLETCHER operated on Piraz Station with USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9). FLETCHER arrived on station on 1 June and operated with USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9) and USS BIDDLE (DLG-34) until 10 June at which time she again joined task group 77.6 on Yankee Station screening USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-14 as she launched air strikes on North Viet Nam.
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