Description

Model kit of a John C.Butler class Destroyer Escort (late career version). Kit contains resin, 3D printed and PE parts, decals included with a comprehensive instruction notice. AAA version of the ship with extra 40mm guns.

The John C. Butler class of destroyer escorts consisted of 85 ships. Originally 295 were planned, but 210 were ultimately cancelled. Destroyer escorts fulfilled the primary role of convoy protection and fleet screening and proved more economical when compared to full-fledged destroyers. The Butler class utilized the 306 foot long hull common to most US Navy destroyer escorts. The design included the low, enclosed bridge planned for the Rudderow class. The main armament consisted of two single 5-inch/38 caliber dual purpose guns in enclosed turrets. Secondary armament consisted of 10 single 20mm Oerlikons and two twin 40mm Bofors. The ships were fitted with a triple 21-inch torpedo tubes and anti-submarine weapons consisted 8 K-gun depth charge projectors, two roll-off depth charge racks and a Hedgehog ASW mortar. Some units had their torpedo tubes replaced with two twin 40mm Bofors with the aft twin Bofors replace with a quad mount.

The most famous Butler class destroyer escort was USS Samuel B. Roberts. During the Battle of Samar in 1966, she was among several ships who engaged Japanese cruisers and battleships in a torpedo attack. She scored one torpedo hit and several shell hits before she was sunk. Two other Butler class ships were lost to Japanese submarines during the war. The remaining ships in the class were either scrapped or sunk as targets. Two were sold to Portugal and those were also eventually scrapped.