Reviews

Taubman Plans are now online

at LoyalHanna Dockyard

One source of plans for modelers has been Taubman plan service. These have always been hard to get a hold of. With no website most modelers had no idea of what was available and how to get them. Loyalhanna Dockyard has recently taken over the entire line and made them available online. Since I had not seen any of their plans, I wanted to see what was available. This is the first of many reviews that I will do in the coming months covering the wide range of subjects available.

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These plans are drawn in 1/384 scale, a curious choice, but a scale is included if you wish to scale them up or down. The plan consists of one page drawn on a legal sized sheet (8-1/2" x 14"). Plan and elevation views with bow on view and basic hull lines are included as well as deck levels. This sheet was drawn by Edward H. Wiswesser. I like the drafters choice of view marks to note the deck level cutout points.

A typical Benhan class ship is represented, with the one shown being USS Rhind DD-404 as in late 1942 or early 43. The drafter must have used censored plans as the gun director and search radar's are left off. Other than that the drawing appears accurate enough. The lines definitely look like the Benham class, but are not as detailed as others I have reviewed. These are more typical of those found in books.

CONCLUSIONS

These are smaller reference plans and are not intended to be used to scratchbuild a model from. They will come in handy when fitting out one of the new MidShip Benham class destroyers. This is Product ID: #108 1/384 BENHAM (DD 397-408 DESTROYER) retailing for $7.00. For additional info check the links section at Loyalhanna Dockyard there is a huge selection of plans on the Taubman Plan service site.