by Bob Nandell
1/600 USS William V. Pratt DDG-44 (Scratchbuilt)
Graceful hull lines were a highlight of the nine-ship Farragut Class Destroyer Leaders that came out of the late 1950's, all of which were converted to DLG guided missile ships, and some of which, like the Pratt, served on until the early 1990's. The 5,600 ton Pratt was built in 1958. During later rebuilds some of the class picked up Phalanx mounts on their sterns. Basic armament was 1 5"54ca. mt., 1 Terrier/Standard launcher, and six ASW torpedo tubes. My model is made of balsa hull plug with sheet plastic cladding, and sheet plastic and note-card paper upper works, with broom bristle to construct the masts, and a few pieces out of the parts box, such as the 5" mount on the bow.
