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KIDD CLASS DESTROYER
The
Kidd-class destroyers were a series of four guided
missile destroyers (DDGs) based on the Spruance class.
In contrast to their predecessor's focus on
anti-submarine warfare, the Kidds were designed as more
advanced multipurpose ships with the addition of
considerably enhanced anti-aircraft capabilities. Kidd
class ships were
the 20th century’s heaviest destroyers.
The keel for the lead ship in the class, USS Kidd
(DDG-993), was laid by Ingalls Shipbuilding in June
1978. It was launched in August 1979 and commissioned in
June 1981. USS Callaghan (DDG-994) was launched in
December 1979 and commissioned in August 1981. USS Scott
(DDG-995) was launched in March 1980 and commissioned in
October 1981. The last ship in the class, USS Chandler
(DDG-996), was commissioned in March 1982.
Originally ordered for the
former Imperial Iranian Navy, the contracts were
canceled when the 1979 Iranian Revolution began, and the
ships were completed for the United States Navy. Derived from the Spruance-class, these vessels were
designed for air defense in hot weather.
Accordingly, they received four air
conditioning plants rather than the Spruances’
three, additional dust separators on their gas turbines’
air intakes and increased water distillation capacity.
Besides anti-submarine
capabilities, the Kidd class ships were given two
anti-aircraft
Tartar-D missile launchers—modifications
that increased displacement by 700 tons but also earned
them contemporary acclaim as the
US Navy’s best destroyers ever.
In 1988–90, the Kidds’ air
defenses were enhanced with a “New Threat Upgrade.” This
included a new superstructure and heavier mainmast that
enabled cooperative engagement with Aegis cruisers and
the soon-to-arrive Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyers,
which could control the Kidds’ surface-to-air missiles
while they remained electronically silent.
The more cost-effective
Arleigh Burkes shortened the Kidds’ US Navy careers.
They were decommissioned in 1997–99. Following
Congressional authorization in 2001, the four Kidds were
upgraded, overhauled, and
transferred to Taiwan for
$732m. They
were
recommissioned in 2006 as Kee Lung class: Kee Lung
(ex-Scott), Su Ao (ex-Callaghan), Tso Ying (ex-Kidd) and
Ma Kong (ex-Chandler). They remain in commission today.
The photos
depict the USS Callaghan. It was commissioned in 2021 by an ex
sailor who stationed on the ship
for three years as
GSM2 in the engineering department. The model's rear
mast and some other details reflect the Kidd class after
modification. If you'd like a model before modification,
just let us know. We have very good info/pictures on
both configurations.
34" L x 12" T x 6" W
$3,500
Shipping and insurance in the USA included.
18" long (1/350 scale)
$2,700
Shipping and
insurance in the USA included.
For other sizes, email
us for a quote. We also build the KIDD DDG-993, SCOTT
DDG-995, CHANDLER DDG-996.
Models are built per commission only. We require only a
small deposit to start the process $500  The
remaining balance won't be due until the model is
completed, in less than six months.
Click to learn
how to choose a warship model.
Learn more about
the Kidd class here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidd-class_destroyer
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