USS Spruance - Model for small scale printing 3D print model

The Spruance-class is a class of destroyers designed and built by the US Navy in the 1970s and 1980s. Built to replace the aging WW2-era Gearing-class destroyers, they became the main destroyer for the Navy for several decades. Overall 31 units have been built, with only one of them being still in somewhat active service. Their main task was to escort aircraft carriers and their supporting units, monitoring the seas for any threat which could appear. Since they replaced the old FRAM Gearings, the main focus was being laid onto ASW.

During the planning phase it was believed that the ships were underarmed for their size, however that was rectified not long after with a refit. Out of the dock the class featured two Mk 45 5-inch dual purpose guns, one 8 cell ASROC launcher, one 8 cell NSSM launcher for Sea Sparrows, two Phalanx CIWS and two triple Mk32 Torpedo launchers. During the refits however, two quadruple Harpoon launchers and a 61 cell Mk 41 VLS instead of the ASROC launcher were added, making the class quite capable in not only ASW, but also aerial warfare and missile defence. To further enhance the capability of the class, two SH-60 helicopters could be carried.

USS Spruance was laid down as the lead ship of the class in 1972 and entered service in 1975, being the first dstroyer to be powered by a gas turbine propulsion system. Her first deployment alongside USS Saratoga was shortlived though as one of the turbines failed and she was forced to retreat home. After that she was deployed onto a few surveillance missions into the Arabian Sea, as well as training exercises around Europe. In 1985 she recieved the forementioned refit and reentered service soon after. After that she was deployed into the Red Sea, supporting sanctions against Iraq. In 1989 she ran aground off the Bahamas, having to be refloated and costing 1.8 million dollars in damage. In 1994 she assisted in an embargo against Haiti, yet she also had to take on several hundred refugees and transport rhem to the US. Two years later she joined in for the BALTOPS 96 exercise, involving 47 ships in total.

Her last few deployments were made alongside USS John F. Kennedy for several exercises. However, as the 2000s closed in, her last days were counted despite not being an aged unit. She was finally decommissioned in 2005, having been replaced by the much newer and more capable Ticonderoga-class and Arleigh Burke-class of cruisers and destroyers. She was sunk in an exercise by eight aircraft launched Harpoons within the same year.

The hull design and propulsion of the Spruance was reused for the Ticonderoga class, which are still in use under the flag of the US Navy.

Note: This model is recommended to be used in the 1/2000 scale. The models itself isnt scaled, the scale table is down below.

1/4000: 4,3cm or 1.69in

1/3000: 5,7cm or 2.24in

1/2000: 8,6cm or 3.38in

1/1000: 17,3cm or 6.8in

For self calculation: The USS Spruance was roughly 172m or 563ft long.

The model is intended to be used with little supports as possible, yet some are recommended below the barrel of the main guns and the two masts. Be carefull when removing the support structures, as the masts are quite fragile and high in mass. I wouldnt put additional supports within the masts themselves, since they are nearly impossible to remove. I recommend using a resin printer for this. Up and Downsclaling might be possible, yet I dont know to what extend.

If you face issues with the model, have questions or want to propose some changes, please reach out to me, I am always happy to help. I am also open for suggetions for new ships which I havent done yet, as I am looking to expand my catalogue of ships.