Dragon Models 1/350 U.S.S. Chevalier DD-805, 1945, Gearing Class Destroyer Smart Kit
Dragon has come up with another exciting subject in its 1/350 scale warship range this time of U.S.S. Chevalier (DD-805). This is Dragon’s second Gearing-class destroyer following the earlier release of U.S.S. Gearing DD-710. This destroyer was commissioned into the US Navy late in WWII, on 9 January 1945 to be exact. After sailing into the Pacific, U.S.S. Chevalier arrived in time for the bombardment of Wake Island on 1 August, before steaming into Tokyo Bay on 26 August. Reclassified as a radar picket destroyer (DDR-805) in March 1949, she served successive combat tours during the Korean War. In 1962 U.S.S. Chevalier reverted to her original DD-805 classification. In 1972 a change of ownership occurred when she was transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy and was renamed ROKS Chung Buk. The 3,460-ton destroyer was eventually scrapped in 2000 after a long service life. Dragon’s 1/350 scale kit of U.S.S. Chevalier builds on the success of the earlier release (U.S.S. Gearing). Taking the best and most fully detailed plastic parts from the preceding kit, Dragon has combined them with brand new components especially created for this model. Thus, new toolings are provided for the gun platform and radar tower. For unparalleled accuracy, the kit utilizes a one-piece hull that can be presented as either a waterline or full-hull version. As well as slide-molded parts, there is also a generous complement of photo-etched metal parts to add extra-fine detail. This kit provides the highest possible standard of parts to ensure a pleasurable and straightforward build for modelers of all skill levels.