WWII Fletcher Class Destroyer USS Heermann DD-532
About this creation
USS Heermann DD-532
History:
The USS Heermann was a Fletcher-Class Destroyer commissioned on July 6, 1943, and is most famous for the engagement off Samar Island on October 25, 1944. On that day, Taffy" 3, comprised of three destroyers, four smaller 'destroyer escorts' and six escort carriers (mostly equipped with ground attack weapons)successfully repelled an attack by Admiral Kurita's 'Center Force' consisting of four battleships (including the Yamato), six heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and eleven destroyers. Two of the three destroyers (the Hoel and the Johnston), and one destroyer escort (Samuel B Roberts), were destroyed, but only one of the escort carriers was lost to enemy gunfire. The heroic resistance offered in the face of overwhelming firepower misled Admiral Kurita into assuming he had encountered a much larger force than was present, and he eventually withdrew.
MOC Construction Notes
This model is in honor of and inspired by, a friend of mine who served on the Heermann during the battle off of Samar. It is the second version of a Fletcher-Class Destroyer that I've attempted, this time with different construction techniques for the hull, and greater accuracy. The black, dark grey and light grey sections are intentional, designed to mimic one of the standard camouflage patterns the US Navy used in WWII.
The model is over 8' long, and roughly minifig scale. The hull disassembles into three sections (to make it somewhat transportable). The hull is built past the waterline, but not to the keel. Railing for the ship was provided by my wife, who chain-stitched quilting thread with a crochet hook for several hours to provide a much more realistic look to the model(!!)
External Links:
Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Heermann_(DD-532)
Fletcher Class Destroyers: http://www.destroyerhistory.org/fletcherclass/
The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: http://www.tincansailorsbook.com/
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5" Gun turret, note the 40mm anti-aircraft guns behind it.
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aft torpedoes and the 5" gun batteries. Three 20mm anti-aircraft guns and three depth-charge launchers line this side of the main deck.
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Full side shot of the destroyer. I need a bigger table :)
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note the rear depth charge racks and three 20mm anti-aircraft guns facing aft.
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The rudder moves -- although the propellers don't have enough clearance to fully turn
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Comments
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I like it |
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May 12, 2013 |
WOOOOOW THE WORK IS AMAZING AND THE DETAILS ARE EXCELLENT ..WELL DONE
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Dont forget to add Bill Carver, Exec Officer during the battle off Samar. His nephew, Franklin Cox lives in Atlanta and is author of Lullaby for Lietenants, history of a forward marine lt. observer in Vietnam and book on history of Marist football. Mr. Cox is a member of our WW II Roundtable in Atlanta of which I am incoming Commander. All of the veterans of the battle deserve our support and thanks and their heroics need to communicated to the younger generations for whom the WW II veterans' sacrifices insured all of our freedoms. Best to this group, Lee |
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I made it |
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June 15, 2012 |
Hi Matthew,
No doubt that the hull was the most challenging part of the build. I assume that you've got good pictures or even a model to look at to get the sense of what the actual hull looks like in 3d. The two main ways of trying to emulate that would be bricks (what I did) or plates, lots and lots of plates used to build the sides of the hull. Best advice, look for other ship models and get an idea of what works with the materials you have to work with. Good luck! |
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I like it |
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June 14, 2012 |
Beautiful MOC. i love the paint scheme and everything. im trying to make a mini-fig scale fletcher too, and your models have been a great help. one thing i am stuck on is making the hull, and if you could, post something on one of my mocs that could possibly help me. Great job, again! (anyone else who could help youre welcome to do the same) |
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I like it |
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November 23, 2011 |
Great job. One of the best creations I've seen in a while. It's cool that you knew someone on this ship. Keep up the awesome work!!! |
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I like it |
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October 27, 2011 |
A GREAT and DETAILED item to honor the WWII Vets. I know there must be a Destroyer US Navy site out there. I served in Naval Aviation 1961-1969. Ray Frazer EX AT1. A friend of ANNA. Keep up the great art work. My son made a 5 foot long fire truck for fire prevention week I think he was in 1st grade at that time. Happy sailing Ray |
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I like it |
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October 16, 2011 |
Just awesome. |
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I like it |
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September 30, 2011 |
awsome |
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I like it |
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February 22, 2011 |
This model is amazing. Its a tribute to the brave men who risked it all even againts the odds. Well done |
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I like it |
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April 23, 2010 |
My Girlfriends father in law served on the USS Heermann 532. if anyone has any stories or knows about anyone who served on her during WW2, please send me an Email hearsejr@yahoo.com
Thanks
Bill |
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My father-in-Law served on the Heermann from commishion to the end of the war. His name, Oscar Lowell Weaver. I also have the book of the Heermann and all the day by day accounts. |
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I like it |
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September 6, 2009 |
This is so good I feel any praise I give will detract from it. It would take four builders at the LEGO company months to build this... amazing. |
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This moc is insane my moc is nothing compared to this |
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I like it |
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Skullivan 123 June 1, 2009 |
That is frikin awesome
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I like it |
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May 27, 2009 |
Hi Brian,
I just happen to run across your site and your model of the Heermann is fantastic. My Grandfather Jimmy Bowen grew up in Wellington, Texas and was a gunners mate on the Heermann from the day it left dry dock in San Diego until the end of WWII. He rarely talked about his experiences during the war but would sometimes share stories especially the battle of Leyte Gulf. He passed away a couple of years ago and a day does not go by I don't miss him. My Mother has his book that contains all the photos and the ships log of the war. Thank you again for making this model of the Heermann my Pop Bear would very impressed indeed! |
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I like it |
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May 25, 2009 |
wwwwwooooowwwww biggest,coolest,and best lego destroyer my eyes have ever seen! |
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I made it |
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May 19, 2009 |
Quoting Gerry Miller
Brian: I have forwared this to every member of
the USS Heermann Association that I have E-Mail
addresses for. Outstanding, fabulous job by you. I'm sure that all of us that served on the Heermann have a sense of pride that you
chose to honor the DD-532. You said you had a
friend who was aboard at Leyte Gulf and we are
wondering who that friend was and if we can contact him. Can you please advise? Thank you.
Hi Gerry, thank you so much for your kind comments; truly you guys are the ones I look up to. My friend's name was Art Strutz, and sadly, he passed away from cancer about five years ago. If you would like contact information for his family, I'd be happy to help; just email me at: bmhastings AT juno.com All the best,
-Brian |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
It's so detailed it's insane.
So I had to add you as favorite builder... |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
WOW!!!! That is an outstanding build! Is it still together by chance? |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Really amazing work. Truly awe inspiring. |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
!!!!! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Awsome the cannons are great and I like all parts of the ship. The super structure is realy cool! You shud make a crew to the ship. That would look good. But I am sure you haven't the ship still in one piece, or have you? |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Oh my, very nice indeed!
-Bill
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Is this beaut' minifig scal? b/c if it would be awesome to have a crew for it i also love those turret guns |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
this moc is on a scale of 1 to 10 it wolud be a 100000%. excellent job
;-) |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
this is the best moc iv ever seen |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Incredible! I am a huge fan of anything World War 2 and this has to be the best US Navy ship on MOCpages! Great work I hope to see something else like this in the future! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Awesome man! I just have to ask..... HOW MANY PIECES DID YOU USE!! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
No words can capture the breathtaking detail and awesome size of this honor to the sailors of WWII |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
have you ever seen that 5 foot lego aircraft carrier? if so, this would go great with it. nice work! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Best lego destroyer ever made. ~ Ghostman :) |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
This is way to reallisitic! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
HOLY BANANA PANTS! That is amazing! Great job! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Wow, that looks so real it would destroy a real one, great job. |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
This is amazing, the detail is superb, and th overall build is just incredible, it all comes together to form a fantastic MOC, which really deserves MOC of the day. Great work! ~T |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Wow... Talk about attention to detail... Amaziing! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
absolutley amazing |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Epic. It could be a display in a museum. Breathtaking detail. |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Wow I can't believe I didn't see this before. The sheer size of this thing is mind boggling. The details are incredible! Your decision to show the studs also works well, it gives the ship a nice rough texture. I wish moc of the days would be like this more often! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
We often get so caught up in SCi-Fi and Fantasy that we forget how amazing our own history is.
What a fantastic testament to the past. Great build... |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
No detail spared. Awesome. |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2009 |
Yamato had 18 inch main batteries
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I like it |
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February 8, 2009 |
Brian: I have forwared this to every member of
the USS Heermann Association that I have E-Mail
addresses for. Outstanding, fabulous job by you. I'm sure that all of us that served on the Heermann have a sense of pride that you
chose to honor the DD-532. You said you had a
friend who was aboard at Leyte Gulf and we are
wondering who that friend was and if we can contact him. Can you please advise? Thank you. |
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I like it |
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February 7, 2009 |
Nice work!=) |
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I like it |
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January 20, 2009 |
AMAZING!!! I could not hope to be as good of a builder as you! I work in the shadow of a master! Your respect for WWII veterans is inspirational. You are a true patriotic citizen. Did I mention I am amazed by this ship? I shouldn't be amazed/surprised. I should have expected this job from an amazing builder like you! 5/5! |
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I like it |
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August 11, 2008 |
five and mor nice heads very well. I like both oh your warships. |
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I like it |
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June 12, 2008 |
do you have any minifigs to operate the ship? |
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I like it |
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June 11, 2008 |
I had a friend who built model ships and all I can say is you have captured an amazing amount of detail here. exellent work. |
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I like it |
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June 8, 2008 |
AWSOME!!!!! |
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I like it |
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April 14, 2008 |
Love it! The Fletcher class Destroyer is one of my favorite ship classes of all time. So many of them fought so well and they often go unnoticed, eclipsed by the more glamorous Carriers and Battleships. This is a truely awsome model of a great ship. :) |
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I like it |
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April 12, 2008 |
Oh my god this is amazing by the way dilan is wrong and ignore him. |
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I like it |
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April 12, 2008 |
Oh my god this is amazing! |
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I like it |
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March 31, 2008 |
Oh man... this is GREAT!! And I thought your fletcher class destroyer blew me away! This is like... nothing else. I'm speechless. Totaly incredible.
P.S...Please review my mocs...and keep up the awesomely amazing work. |
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I like it |
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February 15, 2008 |
Awesome! Great job on the details and large scale. |
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I like it |
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January 4, 2008 |
I'm speechless. That is the best destroyer I've seen. |
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I like it |
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March 23, 2007 |
Nothing short of stunning! Amidst of flood of creations, there are a few select MOC's that are unforgettable...this is one! |
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I like it |
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February 2, 2007 |
Wow!!!! How did you do that? You are probably a great builder. |
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I like it |
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December 13, 2006 |
Omg! Very nice! But the propelors are small.
However very nice! |
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I like it |
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September 21, 2006 |
Very nice detailing. Keep building. |
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I like it |
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September 21, 2006 |
Beats every ship I have seen on MOCpages so far. Very realistic. I'll invite the guys from Steelnavy.com to see this. |
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I like it |
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September 20, 2006 |
This MOC speaks for itself. Simply fantastic. |
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I like it |
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September 19, 2006 |
This MOC rocks!!!!!!!!! Its more realistic than the first one. |
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I like it |
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September 19, 2006 |
HO-LY SH----aving Cream! That is unreal. I-I... I'm speachless. Incredible, I have never seen so much detail and effort put into one MOC as this ship here. It's people like you that make MOC-er's like me look like a joke. Bravo. Instructions? Haha, just kidding. That's crazy, hats off to you! |
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