Nautilus Models

1/144 USS Fletcher Photo Etch Brass For the Revell Kit

Reviewed by Les Walden, IPMS #4487

MSRP $100 Website: nautilusmodels.com Contents: Sheet #144-203, 0.010 Brass contains most of the items needed for the structural elements. Sheet #144-204, 0.050 Brass contains most of the fine detail elements. Small package of chain. CD of instructions and references. Set of instruction sheets. Nautilus Models' USS Fletcher Photo Etch Brass set contains two sheets. Sheet #144-203 is etched on brass that is thick enough to make it easy to handle, while providing a lot of relief etching to the parts. Parts are included for the Mk. 37 director, depth charge racks, K-gun racks, the search light platform, 20mm guns and other details. A variety of doors are provided, including open doors and frames. Sheet #144-204 contains smaller details that include stanchions, stanchion netting, stokes litters, hatch wheels, hand wheels, oars, gun sights and more. The ten pages of instructions are printed in an 8½"x11" format. The modeler should be sure to not overlook the first page, as it has important information that will keep them from having problems later. The instructions are well written with clear drawings. With the instructions in a full-page format, they can be inserted into sheet protectors and kept clean while working at the bench. The bonus to the package is the CD. It contains a vast amount of Fletcher pictures with most of them being round bridge Fletchers, and includes a lot of photos of ships in for repairs and refitting. There are also two walking tours of Fletchers. The USS Kidd tour is aimed at the modeler with good detailed photos of the outside of the ship. Also included on the CD are photo etch and kit instructions. The Nautilus Models USS Fletcher photo etch set should have plenty to satisfy the true "Fletcherholic." There are enough parts to satisfy every skill level modeler who wishes to upgrade his Revell Fletcher. Even if you don't think you'll use all the parts, the CD makes the set a worthwhile buy. A few of downsides I noticed are that the photo etch sheets are a bit too long for the backing sheets and the backing sheets could be a little heavier stock. The samples I received had been packed in extra cardboard from IPMS, but our delivery person still managed to bend a couple of the corners on one of the sheets by stuffing it in the mailbox. Perhaps Nautilus will change this to give the photo etch sheets better protection for our mailing system. Also, the handrail stanchions are only attached on one end. I was very careful when handling them for this review, but still managed to snag three of them on something and bend them. I would recommend cutting the whole unit off and putting it into a sheet protector. You might even separate any of the units attached this way before starting work, as it would be easy to lose some of the smaller parts. Nautilus has available a Turret & Whaleboat Set on their website. Also listed, but not available yet, is a 40mm Twin Stern Tub. Nautilus Models should be congratulated on providing this set of the USS Fletcher Photo Etch Brass for a kit that will probably be very popular, may spawn many aftermarket products and hopefully more Revell upgraded Fletcher Class Destroyers. My thanks to Jim Corley and Nautilus Models for the review sample