USS Kidd On Deck By David Doyle Squadron/Signal “On Deck” Series
USS Kidd On Deck
By David Doyle
Squadron/Signal “On Deck” Series
The Fletcher-class destroyers became the backbone of the U.S. Navy destroyer force during World War II. Of the 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built, USS Kidd (DD-661) is the only surviving example preserved substantially in WWII configuration, making her an extraordinarily valuable historical and modeling reference.
Named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who was killed aboard USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, USS Kidd served extensively in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters before surviving a kamikaze strike in April 1945.
David Doyle’s USS Kidd On Deck focuses heavily on:
Exterior ship details
Deck fittings
Weapons systems
Bridge and superstructure details
Interior crew spaces
WWII-era restoration details
Close-up color photography
Fletcher-class configuration references
Museum ship preservation
The book contains:
80 pages
Approximately 234 photographs
Large-format pages
Extensive color detail photography
Squadron/Signal “On Deck” format
The book is especially valuable for modelers building:
Tamiya Fletcher-class destroyers
Revell USS Kidd
Dragon Fletcher-class destroyers
1/350 naval ship projects
WWII destroyer dioramas
Museum-ship detailing projects
Modelers and naval historians consistently praise:
Exceptional close-up detail photography
Excellent weathering references
Useful deck equipment coverage
Outstanding anti-aircraft gun references
Helpful camouflage references
Strong detailing inspiration
A ModelWarships review specifically praised the book for covering:
“the USS Kidd, a Fletcher Class destroyer preserved as a museum ship”
The preserved USS Kidd is especially important because:
She retains WWII-era armament
Many original fittings survive
Interior spaces remain accessible
Restoration quality is exceptionally high
She provides rare real-world Fletcher references
Collectors frequently note:
Hardcover editions command higher prices
Original Squadron printings are preferred
Copies used heavily at workbenches often show wear
The large-format photography reproduces very well in hardcover format
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner to Advanced naval historians and ship modelers
Features
Squadron/Signal “On Deck” Series
Written by David Doyle
Hardcover edition available
80 pages
Approximately 234 photographs
Extensive close-up detail coverage
WWII Fletcher destroyer references
Excellent ship-modeling resource
Museum ship photographic documentation
For many naval modelers, USS Kidd On Deck remains one of the finest single-volume Fletcher-class destroyer references because it documents a surviving WWII-configured destroyer in extraordinary photographic detail.
