Midship Models 1/700 USS Dunlap DD-384 - 1938 Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | March 2006 | Manufacturer | Midship Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | USS Dunlap DD-384 | Scale | 1/700 |
| Kit Number | MSM70008 | Primary Media | Styrene/Resin |
| Pros | Nicely molded, excellent instructions | Cons | Minor fit challenges |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $19.99 |
First Look
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The USS Dunlap DD-384 was modified Mahan class destroyer that was launched in April 1936. The Dunlap was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack on 7 Dec 1941.
Her combat record begins about 1 Feb 1942 when operating in the south Pacific, Dunlap sunk one gunboat, forced a second to run aground, damaged several support vessels, and shelled an enemy airfield.
During the Second World War, USS Dunlap accumulated an excellent combat record and survived operations in the south Pacific and Aleutians to accept the surrender of the Japanese commander of the Bonin Islands on 3 Sep 1945.
USS Dunlap was decommissioned in December 1945 and scrapped in December 1947. You can read more about Dunlap's operational record on the link at the end of this review.
This release from Midship Models is another nice kit. The kit is presented on two parts trees, one molded in light gray and containing the hull and superstructure parts while the second tree is molded in white and contains the guns, turrets and various fittings. The kit was designed to support releases of a variety of ships in this class at various times of their operational careers, so there will be parts not used in this project.
Let me first say that these instructions are awesome! They are printed in color on high quality paper. The assembly diagrams are very clearly illustrated and the painting diagrams are equally nice. The paint key is in color and provides equivalent paint numbers from the Testors Model Master and the White Ensign Models Colourcoats paint lines. Other kit manufacturers should take note of the instruction sheet as this is how kit instructions should be done!
The kit is designed as a waterline vessel. The kit comes with the enclosed (turret) 5 inch gun mounts, open 5 inch gun mounts, torpedo tubes, depth charge racks, twin 40mm and single 20mm anti-aircraft guns. There is also a single resin part included that is part of the bridge structure.
A nice sheet of decals is also provided with generic hull numbers, ID numbers, US flags (in-port as well as at sea), and an array of signal pendants.
This is an impressive kit and I can't wait to see what other destroyer classes are coming in this series!
My sincere thanks to Midship Models for this review sample!