Should have made Johnston

So much to digest here... The parts listed as Fletcher parts are indicative of how she appeared at launch, with the high gun tub between 3 and 4 turret and 20mm tubs forward of the bridge. Stevens was supposed to be built to an identical standard, but was one of three ships (Pringle, Stevens and Halford) converted to carry a catapult and Kingfisher aircraft. This is indicative of the aft deckhouse parts which you showed in the video, and the reason for only 4 turrets in the Stevens bag of parts. The reason you're not seeing anything pertaining to the catapult is that Trumpeter is probably trying to source information on it (there's little to no information out there). The teardrop-shaped gun tub (28min mark) was a result of the loss of the (proposed) 1.1mm AA gun from the aft deckhouse platform being removed. These were subsequently replaced with 40mm Bofors mounts when 1.1in proved ineffective, however there is some speculation that some of the early ships may have carried 1.1in AA guns into combat. Stevens and Fletcher would have shared 99% of the same parts. Stevens will lack turret #3, her after torpedo tubes, and her aft deckhouse platform. Both ships were otherwise typical round bridge early-war designs. Sullivans is a late-war, Emergency AA Conversion configuration. She will have lost her forward torpedo tubes in lieu of an oval-shaped Mk 51 Fire Control Director platform (24:51min mark, upper right corner) for the Mk2 40mm mounts in revised tubs. This would have replaced the Mk I twin mounts found on the majority of the class leading up to the Emergency AA Refits taking place. She will have also replaced her single 20mm mounts for twins utilizing Mark 14 computing sights. Mark 5 ring sights were common on non-Emergency AA fit ships up to the end of the war. Her EAAF configuration will be twin 40mm MkI mounts forward, twin MkII quad mounts midship, and a MkI in a cut-down, Mare Island AA tub between turret 3 and 4. While on the topic of turrets, the Mk30 Mod30/31 were used for turrets 1 and 5, with the extra roof panel incorporated for addition stress support for turrets 2 and 4 firing directly overhead. Those, 2, 3 and 4, are Mk 30 Mod 18/19. Hull sheer - Trumpeter got the hull lines right - the plans you sent them are incorrect. The forward sheer begins at Frame 146, remains constant until Frame 17 when it levels out slightly. Webb plans got this completely wrong. There's also aft shear, albeit slightly less noticeable, from Frame 146 to 210 facing aft. So yes, Frame 146 has the lowest point of freeboard both fore and aft. I recommend looking at BuShips 416570, or any of the TFW-series, Bu-Series, or Q-series plans from Floating Drydock. Probably a good idea to pick up Floating Drydock's Fletcher Class plan book. Hull plating is also grossly exaggerated. So Trumpeter was convinced to do as an-built (which is okay, but already done in 350th by Tamiya and 1/144 by Revell Germany and only representative of the first 12 ships in the class), a Fletcher unicorn (none of the three took their catapults into combat and all were returned to as-built status), and a late-war (only 34 square-bridge saw this Emergency AA fit). There is no way to convert any of these kits into a standard mid-to-late war configuration, either square-bridge or round bridge, thus eliminating 122 ships from consideration. Technically, it should be 129, but the last four ships in the class DD-800 to 804, were built with a twin-rudder configuration and as such have been removed from the equation. This includes USS Johnston (perhaps the most famous of all the class), USS Kidd (pre-AA), USS Sullivans, (pre-AA), USS Cushing, or any of the 12 square-bridge or 3 round-bridge that were lost in combat. Since you're in contact with Trumpeter... make the forward gun tub positions interchangeable between 20mm and 40mm guns ('42-43 both round and square bridge). Allow for the option of either no 40mm, or twin 40mm tubs amidships on both round and square bridge. Include both Bath and Mare Island style 40mm tubs between turret 3 and 4, and include the 3 different types of 20mm stern gallery tubs. Include the 3 permutations of searchlight platforms on the funnels, include both Mk49 and Mk 51 FCDs, twin and single 20mm, Mk I, III, and IX depth charge racks, and K-gun roller racks, and from there you can have a kit that will effectively allow you to model any of the ships in the class. Oh, the anti-skid is correct only for Fletcher and Stevens as built. The continuous "walkway" was replaced by individual rectangular pieces of anti-skid in early '43. Ships were refit with it from mid 43 onwards. If you need research materials, please feel free to reach out. Jeff Herne Fletcher, Gearing and Sumner Class Destroyers In WW2 - WR Press, 1997

Can't wait to see the 1/200 Fletcher alongside the Missouri, the Titanic, and the Enterprise!

Can't wait! Thank you Trumpeter and thank you Ben for working to get this to happen

Can't wait for this one 15:25

Ben: Congratulations on the successful creation of this kit. I look forward to building one when they become available.

Really looking forward to this kit. Thanks for the update.

I wish I could give you two thumbs up. It’s awesome you took on this project.

Fantastic news! Looking forward to the release of a 1/200 kit that won't break the bank and will fit on the shelf. Like others have commented, I would have really loved to see the Johnston done.

After building 3 1/200 Battleships this looks so teeny tiny. Can't wait to build it

This is great ! I've been hoping for something new in 200. Thanks for Kick-starting this project, Ben.

Will pair very well on the shelf next to my old 1/200 Nichimo Kagero. Looking forward to it.

Looks like this will be an outstanding kit, Ben. Can't wait for this build!

Trumpeter needs to rework their entire line of ships. With the exception of their recent releases, I hope they rework their older stuff like all of the Essex-class carriers, Richelieu, etc. The 1/200 line is still fantastic.

Awesome video as always! Thanks for the review.

I wish it was the Johnston or the Hoel.

I look forward to seeing the final product of the Fletcher class destroyers

I've been waiting for the Fletcher. Dad served on the Fletcher class USS Halsey Powell and I've wanted to do a build for him.

That is awesome that you were able to get a hold of trumpeter and get this project going even though that is a test the details is amazing

Nice review Ben. Looking forward for the release. Served on one for a short time in 66.

A long time coming. Now an FFG7 Frigate please. Include all hull numbers.

I've built the 1/350 scale Flecther by Tamiya twice now. A 1/200 scale version would be awesome to add to my collection of 1/200 ships the Iowa, Mikasa, Nelson, and the Yamato(which I am still working on) Thanks for the review!

Une belle maquette à venir, et que j'achèterai pour mettre sur mes étagère. Merci pour la vidéo. 👍😃❤

Awesome! Crongrats from Brasil!

Great vid

You can tell by the final deck house for the Stevens, they will be doing the catapult version. The mount is there right behind the aft funnel.

Looks like a great job. I've been desperate for someone to do a 200 scale HMS Campbeltown from WWII for ages.

I am nearing the end of my 1/350 scale Fletcher as she would have appeared in transit to Guadalcanal or shortly after arrival depending on who you believe about the paint measures. I've done a huge amount of research and it appears that they have nailed it for the differences between the three ships. Can't wait to see one assembled and painted!

This is amazing. Let me know when you are coming to Buffalo to see The Sullivan's.

Checking it out, thanks

This is exciting for sure, I’ve been wanting to build a 1/200 ship for forever but don’t have space for a capital ship. Have to start clearing my cache. Thanks for the sneak peek!,

Not having the space or funds for a 1/200 battleship or carrier, I can easily do a 1/200 destroyer. Maybe if this kit sells, they'll release a Gearing-class, which the Joseph P Kennedy is (currently on display with Massachusetts and the Balao-class sub Lionfish).

Exciting but as Jeff Herne said a mid war (1943-44) square bridge and round bridge would be really nice.

Let's gooooo!

I will be buying one of these 😁

Interesting that you chose this class to recommend. I think I would have recommended a Perry Class Frigate. That would be a great seller. It has operated in the US Navy, as 9 others. Admittedly, they don't have the same historical significance, nor were as many built, but they are more modern and still serving. I think a 1/200 Perry Class would have larger appeal.

Good to see that they are offering both a round bridge and a square bridge. Only time will tell if the Bethlehem vs Bath stacks will also be modeled.

This is great news! Always wanted a 1/200 scale Fletcher.Thanks for sharing. Great year this year with the Fletcher's coming and we have the first of three Arleigh Burke Class ships in 1/200 scale as well. Can I please have an Essex now in 1/200 scale.

I see , why you went for the 1/200 so you can place this against the BB on the US line. I like what Trumper have done keeping the kit to minium parts count. And I feel your absolutely right about your advice. Why I have the Revell limited edition Fletcher in 1/144 beautiful kit with a ton on PE and brass mast and barrels. However like you were saying it's an epic build and it would put many people of ship building. This is one of the most popular DD of WW2 and also for our on line gaming played across many countries making this very popular for the gamers and first time ship builders thanks for your review and it will be interesting to see how this kit dose.

Cool video Ben, something most of us don't get to see! You know you always have the complainers! Really glad you showed us these! Now will you build these pieces up, I know you don't have instructions! Or, will you wait for complete kits? Just wondering, as always really enjoy your videos!!

Would love to see a 1:200 Prinz Eugen at some point. It would make a great addition to the Bismarck and Hood at that scale. Beautiful ship.

Have you thought about looking at the new 1:200 Arleigh Burkes by I Love Kit? They have Flight I DDG-54, and a new release sometime this year for Flight IIA DDG-112.

If one wants to compare size it's slightly 2+ inches longer than 1/350 scale IJNS Yahagi by Hasegawa.

We want South Dakota and Montana!

I wonder if they will do USS Stevens as she was when she was equipped with an aircraft catapult since there will be 2 other Fletcher kits coming out too.

You will have five gun turrets as all WWII Fletchers had Mounts 51 through 55; 2 forward, and 3 aft.

Do you have plans to 3d print and sell any Kreigsmarine AA guns from your online store ? 1/200 scale of course.

The propeller's spinner cone of Trump's kit looks not pointed enough at 19:29, 19:56. Hope it can be correct when released. Check the detail of propellers from the link: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g5ebhM2QmdWYnZs.html

How does the 1/350 Sullivan compare in accuracy? In many cases do producers scale up or down previous production copies to create new versions?

Part 2 almost ready????

I’m fascinated by how you became an involved with the release of this kit. Who contacted whom first? Secondly, how long after the release of a new kit like this does it typically take for photo-etch detail up sets to become available? Are they developed at the same time?

Overall, I thought you did a good job. I'm guessing you never served aboard ship (i.e. USN/USCG); lacking the knowledge of proper shipboard terminology; but, that's okay; I found it humorous. Again, good job; you inspired me more, to acquire these kits soonest.

I'm still bloody waiting for the Rodney??

Details on the bulkheads are better than the Revell 144 Fletcher. Please tell them to include 100+ crewman.

Why the Fletcher? What is the significance?

From the linguistic perspective, how do you pronounce "hall" and/or "haul"? Even the 9:15 chapter is called "Hall". It is Hull (with a u) according to every English dictionary but I am not a native English speaker. Great review, absolutely love 1/200 scale.

You can tell even in test shots that this offering will not blow chunks.

I'm sorry but if it's considered "slingin' rocks" to contact Trumpeter and complain about missing parts from a kit, they can piss right off. If that's how they roll, it's no wonder they have such a dodgy reputation in the hobby.

You dont even show the box. Talking 10min out of 33min video. I like your video but talk too much.

Totally obscure ship design. Kit will never sell. Don't understand WHAT Trumpeter is thinking.

You lost my interest with the first third of the video that was a pointless lecture. I don't give a damn about the feelings of the employees at Trumpeter. They are in the business of selling models and difficult customers come with the territory.