Pictures of Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates
Stark (FFG-31)
John Hall (FFG-32)
Curts (FFG-38)
Doyle (FFG-39)
Thatch (FFG-43)
Rentz (FFG-46)
Reuben James (FFG-57)
Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58)
Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60)
Nicholas (FFG-47)
McClusky (FFG-41)
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Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG 7)
class frigates are ubiquitous in the modern US Navy. 51 are currently in service
with another 11 serving in the Australian and Spanish navies. Designed to be mass
produced using simple construction techniques, they have proven to be surprisingly robust,
surviving multiple Exocet hits in the Persian gulf. Primary armament consists of 32 SAM
and 4 Harpoon missiles stored in a below-deck magazine. Gun armament consists of a
midship mounted 76mm dual purpose gun and a Vulcan Phalanx 20mm gatling gun (mounted above
the hangar) for close-in defense. Two SH-60b ASW helicopters as well as towed
sonar arrays comprise the anti-submarine capability.
Unlike many modern warships, Perry class frigates have a sleek, purposeful appearance
that I find appealing. At 445' long, 45' feet in the beam and displacing 3,600 tons,
they are not insubstantial ships, and have proven to be well-designed and effective
vessels.
Those of you wishing to model a Perry class frigate have several choices. Skywave
makes an excellent 1/700 Perry class frigate. The kit is also marketed by Dragon and
Revell Europe. In 1/350 scale Blue Water Navy and Gulfstream (soon to be remarketed
under the Classic Warships name) make excellent resin models.
I photographed the USS Rentz (FFG-46) in
October 1996 during San Francisco Fleet Week. |
