November 2008 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 5.
BLUEJACKETS RELEASES MODEL OF AEGIS DESTROYER
SEARSPORT – One of my favourite places to Ross said, “Everything is either 10 or 12
stop on the coast of Maine is at Bluejackets, degrees off vertical. The after superstructure
opposite Hamilton Marine in Searsport. This is simply laser cut that you tab and slot
is a ship model company, which over the together. Stacks are made the same way.
years has turned out a number of great ship That is all easy. The forward superstructure,
model kits. This past summer they released which is where all the angle changes occur,
their newest model, DDG-51 ARLEIGH is laminated from different pieces of bass
BURKE, which is an AEGIS destroyer built at wood at varying thicknesses. In order to get
Bath Iron Works. that properly angled, I gave them two
The model came about when one of the gauges, one 10 and one 12 degrees. Essen-
owners saw one of these destroyers and tially what you do is laminate different por-
wanted to make it a kit. Al Ross developed tions of the forward superstructure together,
the kit and said that getting all the informa- flip them upside down, and run them on a
tion to build the model was not very difficult. sander with a table and that automatically
He said, “We lucked out. I got the lines from puts in all the proper angles.”
Boat & Drydock. Then one day we had a Ross added, “Like most of the kits that
fellow come in, a model builder, and he was I have developed over the last few years,
and Susie Marger, have
buying some kits and saw I was working on there are over 600 pieces of photo-etched
been kicking around some
the BURKE. He started asking a few ques- brass. I also used a bit more resin on this one
ideas, but they are not let- SURVEYORS FOR
tions and it turns out he was the project than I have in the past. This is just easier to
ting on what.
MAINE'S MARINE COMMUNITY
manager on the original program. So he said use than metal or wood. In some cases, like
As for Ross, he is
“hey, how would you like a set of NAVSEA the sonar bulb on the bow, that is cast resin.
building models of a 310-
drawings for 1991, when she entered the I could have just given them a block of wood
foot seaplane tender and
fleet?” So he sent me those and from there on and say carve it, but most customers today
destroyer/minesweeper
ASSOCIATED
in it was just using those and photographs do not want to do that.”
for two different custom-
to create the right configuration.” It is all about making it as easy as pos-
ers. He is also gathering
MARINE SURVEYORS
Ross built the model of the ARLEIGH sible for the builders of today. Over the last
material for three books.
BURKE just as she was when commissioned several kits there is a real indepth instruction
He said, “I want to finish up
in 1991. He explained, “The primary reason book with exploded parts diagrams. They
volume three of the “Allied
for that is if you build her to a certain date and also include a separate CD showing how the
Coastal Forces.” I also
voice 207 846 4900
you build a specific vessel, and then some- original was constructed from start to finish.
want to do one on crash
body wants to build something else, they Ross added, “We have gotten good com-
boats and another on Viet- fax 207 846 4700
have at least the basis for a different boat. ments on the previous models, like the
nam period riverine craft.”
Even now the BURKE doesn’t quite look like MAINE and the OLYMPIA, where they
So are you bored and
what she was when she was built.” could see three dimensionally what was go-
looking for a great project
There was other major changes made, ing on.”
this winter? If you can read
Lower Falls Landing
from Flight I to Flight II and then Flight IIA, To date this model has sold well, espe-
instructions and you have
which the sterns are very different on. The cially since it is not even in the catalog yet.
some talent and patience 106 Lafayette Street
Flight II and Flight IIA have helo hangers, Almost everyone found out about it on the
this may be just what the
Yarmouth, Maine 04096
where as Flight I had just the landing area. Internet. Ross actually set up a pre-products
doctor ordered!
Ross added, “You’ve got to add about five website dedicated just to its construction.
scale feet to the hull length and actually Now that site is open for people once they
everything above the main deck is different.” start building this kit to start talking with
Great Island Boat Yard
This is a challenging model to build, each other.
especially because of the angular structures. What is new in the pipeline? Owners Jeff
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A view of the forward superstructure of DDG 51 ARLEIGH BURKE.
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spots on the Maine Coast, and only an hour drive
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and sail beautifully.
419 Harpswell Islands Road (Rt. 24)
Harpswell, Maine 04079
POB 214, 285 Main St. 207.729.1639
Jonesport, ME 04649
www.greatislandboatyard.com
207-497-2701
jshipyard@mgemaine.com
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