Based in Central Europe, Kagero Publishing House is the biggest publisher and exporter of English-written publications about military history, releasing nearly 60 titles every year. Founded by Damian Majsak in 1995, Kagero expanded in 1998 to release new publications in English. Illustrator Waldemar Góralski is one of many Kagero contributors, and has authored over twenty five publications.

Kagero’s USS Stevens (DD-479) is one of the latest in their Super Drawings in 3D series. This edition is in their standard 8.25” x 11.75” format softbound publication that is 76 pages (including covers). This volume starts off with four pages of historical text followed by 68 pages of color 3D illustrations. There is also a Centerfold full of line drawings (B2; ~26.8” x 19.0”) that folds up into 16 pages. This sheet features profiles at 1/100^th scale and goes up to 1/25^th scale for the details. I counted 129 color 3D illustrations, 15 line drawings, and two tables. There are no current nor period photographs.

The Fletcher class destroyers consisted of 175 ships. What makes the USS Stevens special is that it was one of six Fletcher Class destroyers planned for conversion to carry the Vought OS2U Kingfisher as a scout. This included replacing the number 3 turret (5” Gun) and the aft torpedo launcher with a catapult, crane, and deckhouse to house the aviation fuel and oil. Anti-aircraft armament also took a hit with a reduction to only one 40mm Bofors twin mount and eight 20mm Oerlikons. In the end only three were built with the remaining three finished as a regular Fletcher Class. Once it was determined that this was not successful operationally, the USS Stevens (DD-479), USS Pringle (DD-476), and USS Helford (DD-480) were refitted back to the standard Fletcher configuration.

The sections include:

• Introduction [Page 4)
• Key Technical Specifications (as Built) [Table] [Page 7}
• Key Specifications of the Vought OS2U Kingfisher [Table]
• DD-479 3D Color Illustrations [Page 21, 34, 78
• Scale Drawings [B2 Centerfold, ~26.8” x 19.0”]
  • 1/200 Scale Port, Starboard, Top, Bow, and Stern Views
  • 1/350 Scale Port, Starboard, Top, Bow, and Stern Views
  • Five Scrap views in an unspecified scale (larger than 1/200)

Model-wise you have quite a few choices for the basic Fletcher Class. Kits can be found from the huge R/C kits in 1/48, 1/72, and 1/96; to the static kits in the smaller scales of 1/125, 1/144, 1/192, 1/200, 1/301, 1/306, 1/350, 1/600. 1/670, 1/700. 1/1200. And 1/1250. There are several modelers on the internet that have already made the modification to the USS Stevens configuration. Of course it’s easy for me to mention, but upgrading to the Kingfisher on the catapult would be simplified by ‘borrowing’ parts from USN Cruisers and Battleships. Thanks to 3D printing, there are oodles and oodles of resin goodies to help with any upgrade and the conversion.

I consider the Kagero Super Drawings in 3D an essential reference for model building. You get angles you can’t really see in other references and they are in full color. This being the seventy-eighth volume, they have managed to cover quite a few ships. While this tome is specific to the USS Stevens, it will certainly support the details for many of the Fletcher Class Destroyers. If you have any of their previous books in the Super Drawings in 3D series, you know how great a value this book is. Highly Recommended!

My thanks to Casemate, Kagero, and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great book.

Highly recommended!