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USS STARK FFG-31


superchief
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Commissioned in 1982 the USS Stark was the 23rd ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry Class of fast frigates. Designed as a low cost escort, the 445 foot ship, capable of 30 knots, carried both Harpoon missiles as well as anti aircraft missiles. It was equipped with a Oto Melita 76mm rapid firing gun and 2 banks of ASW torpedo tubes for use against submarines. The ship carried the latest state-of-the-art sensors, radar, ASW detection gear as well as satellite navigation and communication electronics. A large hanger and flight deck could accommodate two ASW helicopters.

On May 19th 1987, while on patrol in the Persian Gulf, the STARK was struck by two Exocet missiles launched by an Iraqi jet at a distance of 22 miles. The missiles slammed in the ship causing an explosion and fire that severely crippled the vessel, killing 37 of it's crew. Owing to quick action and sound damage control training the crew extinguished the fire and the STARK was able to make it's own way to a local port for repairs. Eventually the ship returned to the US for a complete overhaul and returned to it's duties. The ship was decommissioned in 1999 and was scrapped in 2006.

 

The Model: built in 1/96 scale the model is a wood kit that measures 51 inches in length by BaD models (yes, that's the real name of the company and it tells the quality of the kit!). Although designed for radio control, I built it as a "shelf queen", a display model. The kit, purchased in 1998 was really a poor kit as wood ship models go. The directions were run off on a copy machine and I had to send away for blueprint drawings in order to finish the model. I purchased photoetch for the railings and radar antenna as well as resin doors, hatches, missile launcher, CWIS, and deck gear. The radar masts were scratch built as well as many of the deck fittings. I found the H-60 helicopter kit at a model show and painted it the WWII aircraft tri colors of the USN aviation centennial. Anyway, I finally finished the model recently, as it sat on a work bench for almost 19 years half built. As I always say, building a ship model of wood is like the building of the pyramids, it's a "long term" project.

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Salvage Sailor

BZ Superchief,

 

Excellent detailed work. Looks like she's ready for her Great Lakes cruise

FFG 31 USS STARK Great Lakes Cruise 1985 Swiss Tex 002.jpg

FFG 31 USS STARK Swiss Tex 001.jpg

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Wow, I do not know "BaD Models" but you really converted their kit it into a gem. VERY IMPRESSIVE! I wonder if there are any 1/96 Navy figures out there? Thanks very much for sharing anouther high-end project, extraordinary!

 

Lars

 

P.S.: Very interesting as well to see all the other kits sitting on your shelf!

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Beautiful model. By the detail, are many, or all, of the models at the Cape Cod Coast Guard Museum in Barnstable,yours ??

 

Just wondering, in the back ground is there a future 210' WMEC there and possibly a Flower class corvette ??

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Hi Lars

 

Your request is noted, enjoy!

 

The models are of wood construction, all are kits except the large scratch built lifeboat on the right and the nuke sub on the floor. The USAF rescue boat is the oldest kit from 1955, powered by a gas motor. The other boats are electric battery powered. They represent a lot of years of building and memories.

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MastersMate, Lars and Salvage Sailor

 

Thanks for the kind words, it turned out better than I originally thought. A box full of wood strips and some vacuform details cause modelers to lose faith in their building abilities, at least for me....19 years later finished.

 

MastersMate

 

Yes very observant...the 210 has been sitting around for as long as the STARK, its a solid wood hull and scratch built....if I live long enough maybe it will get done. The flower class corvette is the old Matchbox kit from 1980 which is the year I purchased it! I plan to build the corvette next but still have 2 other projects on the work bench, a light tank with parachutes and a lcvp used during the Guadalcanal campaign, Douglas Monroe's boat (for a display at the Barnstable museum). And yes a lot of my ship/boat models are on display (most of the aircraft collection too) at the CG Heritage museum.

I build a lot of models, most wouldn't find a home on this site as some are cars and trucks, some SCI FI.

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FWIW, there were about 6 Canada built flower class corvettes that were CG manned during WW2 The USN classified them as gunboats (PG) The numbers were up around PG 83 PG 87 sh

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Thanks Manny for the kind words.

It's a 1:48 scale model of the USS SUNFISH attack sub. It was radio controlled at one time but now it has been decommissioned, the model is of wood construction covered with a rubber coating done by a good friend that actually built nuke subs at Electric Boat.

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Superchief, thanks very much for adding these additional pictures. Awesome collection, this topic is getting better and better...

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Thanks Manny for the kind words.

It's a 1:48 scale model of the USS SUNFISH attack sub. It was radio controlled at one time but now it has been decommissioned, the model is of wood construction covered with a rubber coating done by a good friend that actually built nuke subs at Electric Boat.

The USS Sunfish; is that a Los Angeles class attack sub?

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

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  • 2 years later...
Jack Daniels FFG-36

I have this exact BaD model still in the unopened box that I purchased in 2006.  I served on USS Underwood FFG-36 in the early 90's.  After looking at your finished product, I am blown away!  Amazing detail and workmanship.  Any advice on who may be able to build my model? I do not have the tools / know how to even begin.  Thank You

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