USS READY PGM 87--Nemesis of the Soviet Navy

[superchief]

As a result of the Cuban Missile Crisis the US Navy found itself with little in the way of small, maneuverable patrol craft. To remedy this, the ASHVILLE Class patrol boat was designed to fill that need. Designed of aluminium construction, the Ashvilles were 164 feet in length at 245 tons. Powered by 2 Cummins diesels and a GE gas turbine engine the patrol boat's top speed was 40 knots. Initially the ships armament was a 3" gun, four 50cal and one 40mm bofors. All the boats participated in operation "Market Time" in Vietnam's coastal waters, three of them receiving damage from shore gun emplacements. After Vietnam most of the patrol boats were decommissioned as the operation tempo took a toll on the boats propulsion machinery. The Navy felt that investing more money would be best spent on new craft. The USN did retain four boats and replaced the Bofors with RIM missile launchers and MK 87 radar. These craft spent their time as part of the 6th fleet in the Eastern Mediterranean shadowing Soviet warships that were in turn trailing a carrier group. In case of war, the plan was to launch missiles at the Soviet ship before the Russians could launch an attack on the carrier.

My model is a Dumas kit from the 1980s, constructed of plank on frame wood. It measures 51 inches long and is equipped with two electric motors as well as radio gear for R/C operation. Since most boats are built out of the box I opted to make mine a little different. I scratch built the RIM launchers and the radar "Egg" on top of the bridge. It's a basic kit so there was a lot of detail added to give it a more prototypical look. The scale of the model is close to 1:35 so I added a few "swabbies" to make it interesting.

The USS READY was decommissioned in 1977 and served as a training ship at the Mass Maritime Academy.

[superchief]

Starboard side view.

[superchief]

Port side view.

[superchief]

Port side view.

[superchief]

I added an anchor pocket and anchor as most ships of this class had the anchor stowed on deck.

[superchief]

I used a few commercial parts on this model but I scratch built things like the Ammo service boxes , searchlights, signal lamps, ventilators, and life line rails. The radio antennas, flag boxes and fire fighting gear were all built from brass rod or plastic stock. The ships markings and numbers were made on my computer.

[superchief]

The ready service lockers were built from plastic sheets. I added some brass 3" shells in the open locker, but like the bridge interior its difficult to see.

[superchief]

The 3" gun was built from wood, plastic, and brass.

[468abnarm]

Very nice work, Thanks for sharing

[Patchcollector]

That is a magnificent model that you have made.Have you put her in the water?

[Proud Kraut]

Thanks for sharing another excellent model. Very detailed construction and, as usual, a superb paintjob. How many hours did you spend for this kit?

 

Lars

[ArtyScout]

Very nice. i look at those close up pictures and I feel like I'm on an actual ship.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

[superchief]

Thank you all for the nice comments. In answer to Patchcollector and Lars.... I finished the model a few weeks ago and with winter on the way it won't get a "shakedown cruise" until next spring. As for the hours spent building this kit, that's a military secret : ) ! Only kidding, I've attempted to account for the hours spent building a model. Usually the first few "work bench sessions" are kept as a diary, then you think you have a few minutes to spare and "get a small piece built". The next thing I know those minutes turn into 2 hours (or more) with the wife yelling at me to come to bed...then I forget to "log" the hours and then I give up keeping track all together. Six to eight hours per work session is not uncommon with a wooden ship model. Six months is the norm, 40 hours a week, maybe 1000 hours, seems like a lot but ask the sailing ship guys how long it takes to rig a man-of-war or Spanish galleon, years!

[superchief]

Here's a photo of the actual ship, the missile launchers were kept closed unless a launch was planned.

[zsmith]

The detail is incredible. The only way you can tell the photos are of a model and not an actual ship is the lack of rust.

[Salvage Sailor]

USS READY (PG-87) Welcome Aboard

 

Outstanding model superchief, BZ on the workmanship

[superchief]

Salvage Sailor

 

Thank you for the nice comments, I really enjoy building small naval craft and patrol boats (except PT boats, they've been "overdone" in the marketplace while other boats have been ignored) . Also many thanks for posting the Welcome Aboard pamphlets for the READY, I wish I could find an example of one to go with my model, it adds a lot to the visual appearance along with a ship's patch. I'll keep an eye out on the auction for a patch and ship related paraphernalia.