U.S. Destroyers in Action Part 3

Warship Number 21
By Al Adcock
Squadron/Signal Publications, ©2004
ISBN 0-89747-473-2
Softbound, 50 Pages
Available from Squadron for $8.97

Reviewed By Chris Banyai-Riepl

This third part in Squadron/Signal's coverage of U.S. Destroyers details the Somers Class, McCall Class, Sims Class, Benson Class, Livermore Class, and Ellyson Class of destroyers. After a short introduction to the destroyer type in general, the book jumps right into the various types. Each type gets a textual description of design and fittings, along with a list of ships produced. The photos for each section detail the destroyer from initial deployment through all of World War Two.

In addition to the extensive photo coverage of each type, there are several drawings interspersed throughout the pages. Like other In Action titles, these drawings have no scale listed and are of little use other than general layout and structure. The different turret mounts are a common theme in these drawings, useful for the modeler. The only ship detailed with a full side and top view drawing is the Benson Class, again to no set scale. The color center section has six side profiles of the different destroyer types covered in this book, with each exhibiting a different camouflage.

This is a good introduction to the various destroyer classes in the U.S. Navy and will undoubtedly open up interest in the types. The typical In Action treatment means that each type gets a cursory glance, but there is more than enough information for the casual build.

My thanks to Squadron for the review sample.