1/350 USS Bainbridge DD-1 (Blue Ridge Models)
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by Richard Sliwka |
1/350 USS Bainbridge DD-1 (Blue Ridge Models)
This is one of Blue Ridge Models Heritage Series model kits--basically enhanced and improved previous Yankee Modelworks/Blue Water Navy kits--none of those white metal parts, all resin now. I saw this kit on Freetimes' table at the 2014 IPMS Nationals in Hampton, Virginia and decided to purchase it. The look of these early steel navy ships interest me so upon my return home I decided to build it. I decided to build it as launched.
This is an excellent kit. The castings are outstanding. I think I had to fill 2-3 pin holes and one corner void in a storage locker. However, the lower hull was about 1/8" shorter in length and 1/32"+ in width (not unexpected in resin hulls). This was not difficult to correct. I cut the lower hull just forward of the bilge keels, matched the bow and stern, super glued the lower pieces to the upper hull, filled the 1/8" void with scrap resin/super glue/filler, and sanded. The width difference was resolved by simple sanding of the upper hull sides.
The rest of the construction was accomplished without any problems--there aren't too many pieces. I did modify the gun mounts by replacing the barrels and adding training/elevation wheels and sights. I used Master Models 3" barrels and modified Master Models 40mm barrels (cut off the flash hiders) for the 6-pounder guns. The kit provides two machined brass masts--I only used one as this was the as launched configuration. I used a piece of brass for the aft flag staff. One thing the kit did not provide or have casted-on were the numerous coaling hatches (about 20-22 each)--this was a coal-burning ship. I made these by gluing L'Arsenal hatches to pieces of .020" plastic(for height). I did enhance the single torpedo tubes by adding sighting devices/training wheels. The small boats/torpedo tubes are excellent castings.
The photo-etch is excellent and user-friendly. The PE engine-room hatch covers can be either closed or open. The railings with awning supports are outstanding--just make sure the port and starboard match or else the upper canvas supports will not be straight. The port mid-ship railing/awning support have one section that peaked (like a roof). I tried to confirm if this was prototypical or a PE designers mistake; but, couldn't determine the configuration from photos so just used it as provided.
I did add rigging and painted the model "bottle green" using Poly Scales' railroad CNW Green.
This is an overall excellent kit. I would rate it as a 9+ on a scale
of 10. It would also be a good kit for a first-time resin ship build project.
