Laffey returned to Guadalcanal and saw her first surface action at the Battle of Cape Esperance in October 11-12 often referred to as Second Savo. Sistership Farenholt led Duncan and Laffey followed by San Francisco, Boise, Salt Lake City, Helena, Buchanan, and McCalla into the waters south of Savo Island. Thanks largely to the superior radar on the Helena and Boise, Admiral Scott commander of Task Force 64 succeeded in crossing the "T" of the enemy. The lead destroyers executed what was supposed to be a column turn, but were thrown into disarray when San Francisco executed a simultaneous turn instead of following in the wake of the ship ahead. Going to full speed Lt. Commander Hank was able to get back in the new line as they counter marched in front of the oncoming enemy ships. Farenholt and Duncan were not so lucky and soon found themselves in-between the opposing forces. Admiral Scott was able to overcome the confusion and after a few miscues brought all his guns to bear. When the order to open fire was given Laffey unloaded on the Aoba with three of her four 5" guns. When the smoke cleared Aoba was badly damaged, Furataka was sinking, and destroyer Fubaki had sunk. On the American side the Duncan was sinking, and the Boise and Farenholt were badly damaged. Laffey and the other ships headed for home. Before reaching the safety of the anchorage at Noumea. The undamaged ships were called on to rendezvous with another group of ships sailing with more transports bound for Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. 

 November 11th found the Laffey guarding those transports as they unloaded their troops and supplies on the beach. Thanks to aircover, the US Ships were generally safe during the day. However when night fell, the advantage shifted to the Japanese who would sail down the slot and bombard Henderson field with devastating shellfire on an almost nightly basis. When a Japanese task force with two battleships was spotted steaming for Guadalcanal, the transports were withdrawn with Laffey and the other fighting ships. As they cleared the area Laffey, second in a line of 13 US ships turned to intercept a Japanese task force. Laffey was on a mission against overwhelming odds. Stop the Japanese from bombarding the Marines on Henderson field. The American force consisted of five cruisers, two heavies; San Francisco, and Portland, and three light cruisers Helena, Atlanta, and Juneau. Eight destroyers, the Cushing, Laffey, Sterret, and O'Bannon led the way in the van with the Aaron Ward, Barton, Monssen and Fletcher bringing up the rear. Half of the destroyers present were Benson and Gleaves classes then the workhorses of the war. All of this group would be lost in the waters of Guadalcanal, three in this one battle alone.

 The ships were just executing a turn to the North when out of the blackness two Japanese destroyers raced in front of the formation. As they passed to starboard, the Japanese cruiser Nagara and Battleships Hiei and Kirishima bore down on them flanked by destroyers.  With what was thought to be the Nagara in their sites Lt. Tom Evin's the torpedo officer called out "I request permission to fire.". Lt. Commander Bill Hank, the Laffey's captain replied immediately "Permission NOT granted". There was still no order to open fire. The situation was unfolding so rapidly that Admiral Callaghan must have been overwhelmed by the multiple sightings. At 0150 early Friday the 13th the Japanese searchlights snapped on, illuminating the Atlanta in a blinding bright light and sweeping up and down the American column. There was no need to wait for further orders to fire as instinct took over and all hell broke loose. The Laffey began pumping shells into the Akitsuki. Suddenly her attention was directed towards the massive pagoda mast of the Hiei bearing down on them. It was too late to turn and the only option was to increase speed and try to clear the beast. The collision alarm was sounded and torpedoes were launched although range was probably too close. The Laffey raked the superstructure of the Hiei was ever gun that could bear from the 20 mm to the 5". Although the battleship was well armored in the vital spaces the bridge was not well protected and numerous fires were started.  The shell fragments wounded Admiral Abe and Hiei was fast becoming an ineffective fighting ship. Never the less, machine gun fire from the battleship rained down on the Laffey as she cleared the battleship with barely 20 yards to spare as shown on the stunning box art by Satake. They were so close that the big 14" guns of Hiei were unable to depress low enough to fire on the Laffey. As she sped along away from the massive battleship, the machine guns were no longer able to reach her. However the Hiei now was able to use her 14" guns and she scored direct hits on the Laffey wrecking the destroyers. To add insult to injury, a torpedo slammed into her fantail stopping her dead in the water. The order to abandon ship was given and moments later a massive explosion ripped the destroyer apart and she disappeared under the waters of Iron Bottom sound with heavy loss of life. There would be no bombardment of Henderson field that night. Many sailors on the Laffey and the other ships paid the ultimate price to prevent it. Her point blank fire on the Hiei contributed to the loss of that ship as the sun came up later that morning.

 In 1992 Dr. Robert Ballard of Titanic fame conducted an expedition on the "The Lost Ships of Guadalcanal". One of the ships found was the USS Laffey and her wreck is remarkable intact. Her guns remain pointed out to port as in the dramatic painting above. Laffey was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her gallant performance at Guadalcanal. Three battle stars were awarded for her short World War II service. The first for the battle of Cape Esperance October 11-12, 1942. The second for the Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal November 12th, and the final for her the action on Friday the 13th, 1942.
 

Benson and Gleaves class parts comparison.

A:  The Laffey also had her forward gun tubs moved inboard similar to the early 50 cal. gun placement. 
B:  The deckhouse below the bridge is simplified on this ship and the streamlined rounded front is eliminated to save cost and weight. 
C:  The funnels are rectangular instead of round with their own distinctive styled funnel caps. 
D:  The aft funnel trunking is exposed and not plated over as on most early Gleaves class ships.
E:  Laffey also has a cut down 36" searchlight platform. 
 

Three types of searchlights are provide. Swivel mount versions of the 12" searchlight in a left and right hand version. Two 24" searchlights and a really nice 36" searchlight assembly that can be aimed realistically. Photo etched seats are provided too. This will result in one smart looking assembly when finished. The aft mast on this sprue even includes a hooded truck light. The anchors are two pieces with a separate shank that allows the fluke to pivot just like a real one. A two piece deck winch, Flag bags and life rafts are among the other items on this sprue.

UPDATE: In my review of the Buchanan kit I lamented that the "The stern depth charge racks are well done but unfortunately the seam falls in the middle of the cans where it is noticeable". I was fortunate to meet Mr. Dragon in person at the Dragon 08 Expo. Among other things I expressed my concerns about the weak points of that kit. Well Dragon went back and reworked the mold and the stern depth charges have been greatly improved with the seam of the parts now being relocated to the edge of the can where is can be hid without having to get creative with the putty. This change will be reflected on all future Dragon kits that use this sprue. Thank you Mr. Dragon!

The second fret includes the optional doors. These are nice and are relief etched on both sides. Three types are included 60" 66" and bridge doors. 

Another included part is the shields for the skylookouts. These are pre formed so you wont have to do it yourself.

A second decal sheet is provided for the flags printed on self adhesive vinyl. These include the straight and wavy flags, and a token amount of signal flags. Some different flags not included with the Buchanan are included here.