Official Discussion Thread: Bancroft 1/72 scale Fletcher WW2 Destroyer -RTR

[quitcherbitchen]

Correction: My fault . Not the O' Bannon, Steinaker a Gearing Class that was docked across from us. Looks similar. Not a Fletcher. I had to go back into my archives of the DG group from my files.

[Spinny Testaverde]

USS Fletcher GIF Test!

[Beeg]

An Easter Egg? Whats the one indicated with 4 stacks?

[Davy101]

Beeg,
That looks to be either the SMS Scharnhorst or Gneisenau!

[Beeg]

Beeg,
That looks to be either the SMS Scharnhorst or Gneisenau!

Thanks, was looking all over for photo references..

[Elbee]

An Easter Egg? Whats the one indicated with 4 stacks?

Beeg, Great call on an Easter Egg. If so, I'm thinkin' RMS Titanic/Britannica. Hmmm. Best, LB

[Elbee]

Beeg, just noticed that your arrow is pointed to the left and not to the right where I thought I saw a liner. Well DUH. I should see an optometrist. LB

[Beeg]

Beeg, Great call on an Easter Egg. If so, I'm thinkin' RMS Titanic/Britannica. Hmmm. Best, LB

Here's another photo Alpha slid in another thread..... Aegis missle cruiser appeared in a couple as well... They talked about a number of different models. Curious what the current full lineup already is not counting the requests for new ones.

[patmat2350]

quitcherbitchen Which vessel had the missiles? I'm looking through all my notes and references and can't find a Fletcher in the '80s with missiles... I agree it would be a cool mod and would love to design one for 3DP, I just need references if anyone has some to share.

Maybe a later series. GYATT was a Gearing class converted to carry missiles:

[patmat2350]

In 1:72, this model will show lots of detail, and can serve as the base for additional superdetailing. There are some excellent references out there, but here's another for inspiration: One of Gary Koh's (who recently passed) 1:48 models from Fine Art Models in Michigan. I saw this model of the first Fletcher (yes actually), the round bridge USS Nicholas, freshly uncrated from its specialist builders in Europe... about 7 feet long!
.

[RCGuy83]

DD-450 USS O'Bannon was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1970. DD-987 USS O'Bannon is a Spruance -class destroyer launched in 1978 and decommissioned in 2005. It carried a whole host of missiles and 2X helicopters.

In searching information about the WW2 USS O'Bannon I found this really good read written by a sailor that served on her throughout the war. It's a really interesting read and keeps you on the edge of your seat at times with the stories from the many battles she was involved in. Check it out:

http://www.angelfire.com/ak5/combat/PersonalStory.htm

[Egghead]

When the Ship is in stock get James to do a live stream on You Tube on where to place the ballest and setting it up to put it into water.

[Alpha]

Egghead Welcome to Hobby Squawk! The ballast goes in the forward compartment, and the battery goes in the rear compartment. We'll post clearer photos of this when the goods arrive.

As far as "setup", it's almost non-existent. The radio is already bound to the pre-installed receiver.

1) Remove boat from box and pop in the turrets, etc
2) Add and secure ballast (I add a velcro strap)
3) Charge the included battery then secure it in the hull with included velcro strap
4) Insert AA batteries into the radio, then turn it on
5) Plug in the battery
6) Turn on the power switch in the hull and put the superstructure cover back on the deck
7) Put the boat in the water and go!

The left stick is throttle up/down, and the right stick is rudder left/right.

It's a good idea to plug in a Low Voltage Alarm into the battery's balance port, to remind you when to come back to shore if you're having too much fun and lose track of time.

[RCjetdude]

One word, Greyhound...

[twodawgs]

So I got tired of waiting for the 1/72 Fletcher to come in and took matters into my own hands.... TiredIronGRB and his work on his Patrol Boat inspired me to admit to my insanity. She floats a bit deep on her waterline and has had extensive work done with a dremil to cut weight but she floats and goes foward.... Rudder turns but is too small to do much and she shoots forward (didn't get one of the shafts quite lined up so it sticks at low power) But with a 13in hull and 1.22in beam she floats upright and is watertight-ish. Main deck just sits in the hull and most water just runs off.

[RCjetdude]

Welcome to HobbySquawk twodawgs! Nice job with your Fletcher! Looks like quite the project. 1/350th, wow that looks tight.

[twodawgs]

WOW dem fletchers jumped out of the shipment fast I just took them from 6 to 5 left... Then a darned Yammy jumped into the cart on me too.... Had to kick the Buisy back out... For now.

[patmat2350]

Sweet... I signed up for email notification on the Fletcher. Got no email, and after months of waiting, already sold out.
Harumph.

[Alpha]

patmat2350 I'm really, really sorry to hear that, Pat. The Fletchers flew off the shelves in a matter of a couple hours. Our email system notifies people in the order they were received and hundreds of emails were sent out already, yet the models already sold out before the complete email list could be notified. The good news is that we have more shipping soon, and the notifications will continue to be sent.

[Sekhet]

Well poo... Just like Patmat, I signed up for notification for the Fletcher. When I checked my email this morning I got the note that the Fletcher was in and when I clicked the buy now button it was not in stock!

Alpha When is the next shipment due to arrive? I only ask as this was to be a gift for my son's birthday (September 30th) and he was dead set on the Fletcher.
I wish we had been able to pre-order.

[twodawgs]

Just got my Fletcher home and opened her up right away.... She's GORGEOUS.

Little bit of minor shipping damage but nothing I'd count as show stopping. And a few of those loose parts looked to be loose on purpose to clear some packing.

Fwd Superstructure was pushed to one side but no major damage done looks like an easy fix and if anything helpful for a repaint As 797 USS Cushing in measure 31.

I do recommend labeling the packing so you can puzzle it back together if you need to store or move her it's fairly simple but....
EDIT she did just survive a overseas shipment and ground shipping from Motion. Kicked myself afterwards when i realized i was close enough to have maybe picked her up yesterday. My own fault there.