USS McClusky - Model for small scale printing Free 3D print model

The Oliver Hazard Perry class was a class of frigates designed and built by the US Navy as well as other nations. Overall 71 units have been built, serving not only in the US, but also under Turkish, Egyptian, Polish, Pakistani, Taiwanese, Bahrain, Australian, Spanish and Chilean flag. The first few units have entered service in 1977 and only 45 have been retired so far. Where as the US pulled the ships out of service in the mid 2010s, some nations aquired the retired these units and put them into their own service. Other nations built their own ships in license also, being Australia, Spain and Taiwan.

Overall the class is quite small compared to other classes, especially considering that the Spruance, Ticonderoga and other classes were much more heavily armed. However, the main task of the class was to escort larger forces, being built in large numbers. Each unit didnt have to be strong in order to protect much more vital assets. Due to this reason, only one MK13 Missile Launcher on the bow, one 76mm OTO Melara main cannon, two triple Mk32 torpedo launchers as well as a single MK15 Phalanx CIWS were carried. Some nations changed the design a bit, for example adding an 8-cell MK41 VLS in the case of the Australian Adelaide-class. To facilitate larger helicopters, the long-hull ships were built, having gotten a 2m longer stern at the flightdeck. The remaining short-hull ships were built like intended, with a slightly smaller displacement.

Despite being a class not designed for large operations and heavy lifting, several nations still prefer using them in regular duty. Taiwan modernized and altered the ships enough to keep them up to date with many foreign threats, Australia retired their frigates only a few years ago, they are now in service in Chile. Spain is also still using their ships, joining the Polish as being the only european nation still doing so. A design not built and intended to last long against any large soviet ship turned out to be a well liked choice of warship which lasts many years. It is expected that some ships of the class will serve until late in the 2020s.

The USS McClusky was laid down in 1981 and entered service in 1983. From the commissioning on, the ship was sent onto several patrols and exercises, spanning up to her decommissioning. Some noteworthy happenings include guarding USS Enterprise, in the Indian Ocean in 1986. In 1988 she took part in an exercise in the middle East, followed by another deployment in 1990 where she would visit Kuwait. Also in 1990, she hosted the visit of three soviet ships in San Diego. As 1991 closed in her homeport was shifted to Yokosuka in Japan, where she would assist in evactuating civillians from the philippines after a vulcano broke out. During her carrer she was awarded the Battle E several times, the last one was awarded in 2013. After a lenghty carreer, it was decided to sell her and USS Curts to the Mexican Navy, that deal failed shortly after. She was decommissioned in 2015 after 31 years of service, being sent into reserve fleet. It was decided to sink her in the RIMPAC 2018 exercise, where she was ultimately sunk 55 nautical miles off Hawaii on the 19th of July.

Note: This model is recommended to be used in the 1/3000 scale. The models itself isnt scaled, the scale table is down below.

1/4000: 3,45cm or 1,35in

1/3000: 4,6cm or 1,81in

1/2000: 6,9cm or 2,71in

1/1000: 13,8cm or 5,43in

For self calculation: The USS McClusky was roughly 138m or 453ft long.

The model is intended to be used with little supports as possible, yet some are recommended below the barrel of the main gun and the main masts. Be carefull when removing the support structures, as the guns and launcher are quite fragile. I recommend using a resin printer for this. Up and Downsclaling might be possible, yet I dont know to what extend.

If you face issues with the model, have questions or want to propose some changes, please reach out to me, I am always happy to help. I am also open for suggetions for new ships which I havent done yet, as I am looking to expand my catalogue of ships.