USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752), 1/350 scale, Heavily Modified Yankee Model Works USS Shea Kit

My fifth post-retirement model ship project is U.S.S. Andrew A. Cunningham (DD-752), an Allen M. Sumner class destroyer.  One of my friend's Dad served onboard this ship in World War II.   

There are no Allen M. Sumner class models in 1/350 scale currently on the market.   I ended up purchasing  a Yankee Model Works USS destroyer minelayer resin kit for the U.S.S. Shea (DM- 30) on eBay. The Shea was converted from an Allen M. Sumner class destroyer (same class as U.S.S. Aaron Ward).   I will convert the kit back into a Sumner class destroyer.

The conversion concept is to remove the mine rail foundations and mine winch off of the main deck and add/modify the weaponry to reflect a late flight Sumner class.   I will use as many 3D printed parts as possible to replace the kit’s white metal parts as well as the photo-etched brass 20mm guns.   I am also upgrading much of the brass photo-etched parts to take advantage of more modern products.   I want to minimize the use of white metal parts, poorly formed resin parts and substandard photo-etched brass.  These new parts will update the kit from its late 1990’s design.   Essentially, I’m using the kit for the hull and superstructure.

All of the weaponry and most of the small fittings are are 3D printed plastic parts from Black Models.   I used Infini Models photo-etched brass for the radars and the main deck life rails.   The Mark 37 GFCS director is a resin and photo-etched brass add on from L'Arsenal.   Bitts and chocks are 3d printed by Shapeways.com.   The aft 20mm gun tub was designed by a modeling friend and 3D printed by Shapeways.com.