Hello all...this is my first post so if I don't get it exactly right, mea culpa!

I am new to ship modeling (I built a plastic model of the Graf Spee eons ago so I guess that doesn't really count). I have been looking at BaD's Destroyer Escort - The J.C. Butler Class. From what I can tell it looks like a pretty good kit - any comments or suggestions any of you might have would be very helpful before I commit some $200 for the model.

The reason I want to make the Butler Class is kind of convoluted. The DE 413 is the Samuel B. Roberts (The "Sammy B") and is a Butler Class DE. She was named for a Navy coxswain who was involved in the attempted rescue of the Marines involved in the Goettge Patrol on Guadalcanal during WWII. Roberts was mortally wounded during the rescue attempt. The "Roberts" kind of ties together the fact that I am a former US Marine who wants to build a US Navy ship - make sense? And yes, to all of you US Navy types, the US Marine Corps IS a department of the Navy - it is the men's department!

I thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Semper Fi!

Hi James,

I don't know too much about BaD Models but I have built the Zellars DD-777 from scratch and will be glad to help out if I can. I would recommend you stop by The Floating Drydock, they have a number of books on destroyers and some e-books specifically geared toward model makers.

Don

Don...thank you for the welcome, the information and the offer to help...I will figure out a way to put you into my "buddy" list so I can keep in touch. I appreciate your help.