USS Slater DE-766
Hey All, Here’s my 1/700, DE-766, USS Slater.
The USS SLATER, is a Cannon class Destroyer Escort (DE), named for Frank O. Slater of Alabama, a sailor killed aboard the USS San Francisco during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. In 2012 I visited the restored Slater docked in Albany, Ny. If you are ever in the Albany area, take the time to visit this ship. You may come away, as I did, with an awe inspired respect for the sailors who served aboard these tiny but aggressive combat vessels. Check it out at http://www.ussslater.org/
So, in keeping with modeling the ships I visit or vice-versa, I recently completed the Pit-Road/Skywave, 1/700, Destroyer Escort kit. This kit has enough parts to build three ships of either the Cannon or Buckley Class DE’s. And enough decals to build a specific vessel. Of course I chose to build mine representing the Slater. She was built pretty much “out of box”. But to add more detail I used the Tom’s Modelworks, WW2 Us Navy DE, photo etch set #713. It was a quick but pleasurable build with no major problems. One word of advice, keep the optivisor close at hand. As far as warships go, DE’s are small ships and at 1/700 scale, TINY. The water base is tinted clear epoxy resin while the waves and wakes were built up with 5min epoxy, painted with shades of blues, greens and white. Hope you enjoy. Keep on modeling and keep it fun!
7 additional images. Click to enlarge.
paul teixeira said on August 18, 2018
Great looking little ship! Lots of detail packed into a small subject...wow! Love the Under-Way presentation. Good info provided.
Craig Abrahamson said on August 18, 2018
Haven't seen a "floaty thing" in a while - I like it (I could never get the 'water' to look right). Nice job.
david leigh-smith said on August 18, 2018
Terrific work on this, Gary - stands up in comparison to the real shot brilliantly. Great piece of detail work that has to have taken a lot of patience and focus.
Peter Hausamann said on August 18, 2018
What a little beauty. Well done indeed.
Also liked how you made the display stand.
Dirk Derks said on August 19, 2018
Hello Gary,
Excellent diorama. My compliments, especially taking the scale in mind.
I have heard from Naval personnel, that you need to have "sea legs".
Regards, Dirk
Robert Royes said on August 19, 2018
Great job! I believe the Slater is one of the few preserved DE's, nice to see it.
gary sausmikat said on August 19, 2018
Hey Robert. thanks. You are correct. The Slater is the last floating DE in the US. The folks who restored her did a magnificent job. I hope to visit her again someday soon.
Robert Royes said on August 19, 2018
I think they brought her back from Europe.
gary sausmikat said on August 19, 2018
Yes. I believe she served with the Greek navy after WW2 and then brought back for restoration.
Robert Royes said on August 19, 2018
Than I know of a former crewman who served on her in WWII, He's a fellow volunteer at The Cradle of Aviation museum.
Greg Kittinger said on August 21, 2018
A nice build and well-done wave effects. Looks great!
Sebastijan Videc said on August 23, 2018
Very nice destroyer, Gary! Love that you included the story behind its name, as well!
I was a bit taken back by the photos, though, as they were quite underexposed. I took the liberty of correcting them a bit, revealling details of your work. I hope you don't mind?
6 attached images. Click to enlarge.