by Bob Cicconi
1/350 USS Apache ATF-67 (Commanders Models)
In another departure from my usual 1/700 scale, I built the USS Apache for my friend Craig Bennett, as he has an aversion to resin modeling. Craig's late dad was on the Apache, a Navajo class fleet tug, during the Korean War. This was my first exposure to Commanders Models resin kits, and it was a nice, fun build. I used a photo supplied by Craig to try and replicate the Apache in the early 50s when his dad was stationed on the ship. Brass rod was used for the masts, tripod, lifeboat davits, and crane booms, and the photo etch parts supplied with the kit were used for the railings and the pulley and cable assemblies. Gold Medal Models anchors and L'Arsenal guns were used. I would like to thank Jacques Druel especially for his help in supplying me with the guns, particularly for sending me some pre-production single 40mm gun assemblies. I did, however, promise Jacques to drink only Jadot Beaujolais Villages while making the boat as a concession for his help. In closing, I would like to point out to RNfanDan that I did, in fact, build a ship with a full hull, and that having done my penance will now return to 1/700-land, at least for a while!
