Model Monkey 3D-printed Scale Models

Fletcher-class destroyer fans! A valued customer in Texas is converting his 1/144 scale Revell "Round-bridge" Fletcher into a "Square-bridge" ship. To help complete the conversion, he chose to install a Model Monkey square bridge pilot house, a recently updated square bridge deck and combat information center, and a quintuple torpedo mount. Here are some photos of the models we sent to him.

The update to the bridge deck model includes the addition of a helm with ship's wheel, compass, and engine order telegraph. These details can be seen through the open pilot house doors and portholes (more properly called "airports").

The models are available in other popular scales including 1/350, 1/200, 1/125 and 1/96.

We offer two different Fletcher square bridge pilot house versions. The difference between them is the door configuration. To honor two major Fletcher-class builders, we call one pilot house type the "Bath Iron Works" version, and the other we call the "Bethlehem Steel" version. The real pilot houses were not named. The model you see here is a "Bethlehem Steel" version with door on the aft bulkhead. The "Bath Iron Works" version has a door on the starboard side, aft. To help identify which pilot house is correct for your model, we list ships known to have one version or the other in our catalog on the pilot house product webpages.

We also offer a "Round Bridge" in most popular larger scales.

The 2,050-ton Fletcher-class was one of the most successful wartime and post-war destroyer classes of the US Navy and arguably the most significant class in the Pacific war. 175 ships of the class were produced over a 32-month period during World War II. They were produced in two groups: 58 were built with a high, "Round Bridge" and 117 (two-thirds of the class) were completed with a low, "Square Bridge" which afforded better visibility for anti-aircraft defense.

Several Fletchers served in foreign navies. The last in service was Mexico's Cuitláhuac, the former USS John Rodgers DD-574, retired in 2001.

And, of course, we can print nameplates for any ship of the class in US or foreign service.

See these models and many more at:
https://www.model-monkey.com/

Have fun. Monkey around.™