USS Ward (DD-139) Destroyer: Scale Model Build Guide & Complete Detail Sets – 1/72, 1/96 & 1/125 Scale

The Ship That Fired the First Shot: USS Ward (DD-139)

USS Ward (DD-139) holds a unique and sobering place in American naval history. At 06:37 on the morning of 7 December 1941 - more than an hour before the aerial attack on Pearl Harbor began - Ward's crew detected and sank a Japanese Type A midget submarine attempting to enter the harbor. It was the first American shot fired in anger in World War II. The report was delayed and disbelieved, and the attack came anyway. Ward went on to serve throughout the Pacific War, and was ultimately sunk by a Japanese kamikaze on 7 December 1944 - exactly three years to the day after her historic first shot.

This guide covers all three available scales - 1/72, 1/96, and 1/125 - with dedicated product links and photos for each.

Ship Overview

USS Ward was a Wickes-class destroyer (flush-deck type), commissioned on 24 July 1921. She displaced 1,247 tons standard and measured 314 feet 4 inches (95.8m) overall, with a beam of 30 feet 11 inches (9.4m). Powered by two Westinghouse geared turbines producing 26,900 shaft horsepower, she could make 35 knots. Her armament in December 1941 included four 4-inch/50 caliber guns, twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes, and depth charge equipment. The four funnels are her most visually distinctive feature.

Choosing Your Scale

At 1/72, Ward measures approximately 133cm (52 inches) - a large, highly detailed build ideal for display cases. At 1/96, she comes in at around 100cm (39 inches) — commanding but more manageable. At 1/125, she is approximately 77cm (30 inches) - a great choice for shelf display or diorama work. All three scales have complete 3D-printed detail sets available.

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1/72 Scale - Complete Detail Sets

Hull & Propulsion

• 1/72 USS Ward Shaft Set

• 1/72 USS Ward Rudder

• 1/72 USS Ward Props Set

Funnels

• 1/72 USS Ward Smokestack Set (4pcs)

Superstructure & Deckhouses

• 1/72 USS Ward Navigation Bridge

• 1/72 USS Ward Mid Deckhouse

• 1/72 USS Ward Aft Deck House

• 1/72 USS Ward Aft Deck House Stairs

Masts & Fire Control

• 1/72 USS Ward Forward Mast Kit

• 1/72 USS Ward Searchlight Tower

Armament

• 1/72 USN 4-inch/50 (10.2 cm) Sub Deck Gun

• 1/72 USS Ward Depth Charge Loaded Set

• 1/72 USS Ward In Racks Set (7pcs)

Boat Handling & Deck Accessories

• 1/72 USS Ward Boat Skids (Port)

• 1/72 USS Ward Boat Skids (Starboard)

• 1/72 USS Ward Vegetable Box

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1/96 Scale - Complete Detail Sets

Hull & Propulsion

• 1/96 USS Ward (DD-139) Hull Set

• 1/96 USS Ward Shaft Set

• 1/96 USS Ward Rudder

• 1/96 USS Ward Props Guard Set

Funnels

• 1/96 USS Ward Smokestack Set (4pcs)

Superstructure & Deckhouses

• 1/96 USS Ward Navigation Bridge

• 1/96 USS Ward Mid Deckhouse

• 1/96 USS Ward Aft Deck House

• 1/96 USS Ward Deck Stairs Set (4pcs)

Masts & Fire Control

• 1/96 USS Ward Forward Mast Kit

• 1/96 USS Ward Forward Mast Platform

• 1/96 USS Ward Searchlight Tower

• 1/96 USS Ward Director Scope

Armament

• 1/96 USN 4-inch/50 (10.2 cm) Sub Deck Gun v2

• 1/96 USN 21-inch Triple Torpedo Tubes

• 1/96 USS Ward Depth Charge Loaded Set

• 1/96 USS Ward In Racks Set (7pcs)

Boat Handling & Deck Accessories

• 1/96 USS Ward Boat Skids (Port)

• 1/96 USS Ward Boat Skids (Starboard)

• 1/96 USS Ward Vegetable Box

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1/125 Scale - Complete Detail Sets

Hull & Propulsion

• 1/125 USS Ward (DD-139) Hull

• 1/125 USS Ward Shaft Set

• 1/125 USS Ward Rudder

• 1/125 USS Ward Props Set

• 1/125 USS Ward Props Guard Set

Funnels

• 1/125 USS Ward Smokestack Set (4pcs)

Superstructure & Deckhouses

• 1/125 USS Ward Navigation Bridge

• 1/125 USS Ward Mid Deckhouse

• 1/125 USS Ward Aft Deck House

• 1/125 USS Ward Deck Stairs Set (4pcs)

Masts & Fire Control

• 1/125 USS Ward Forward Mast Kit

• 1/125 USS Ward Searchlight Tower

Armament

• 1/125 USN 4-inch/50 Cal. (10.2 cm) Deck Gun w/ Shield

• 1/125 USN 4-inch/50 (10.2 cm) Sub Deck Gun v1

• 1/125 USN 21-inch Triple Torpedo Tubes

• 1/125 USS Ward Depth Charge Loaded Set

• 1/125 USS Ward In Racks Set (7pcs)

Boat Handling & Deck Accessories

• 1/125 USS Ward Boat Skids (Port)

• 1/125 USS Ward Boat Skids (Starboard)

• 1/125 USS Ward Vegetable Box

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Painting Guide

For the historically significant December 1941 configuration:

• Hull & topsides: Measure 1 - Light Gray (5-L) overall. Vallejo 70.990 Light Grey or Tamiya XF-19 Sky Grey are close matches.
• Boot topping: Black band at the waterline.
• Underwater hull: Red-brown anti-fouling paint (Vallejo 70.985 Hull Red).
• Funnels: Light Gray overall with black caps. The four funnels are Ward's most distinctive feature - take care with alignment and rake angle.
• Decks: Deck Gray (5-D). Tamiya XF-53 Neutral Grey is a good match.
• Gun barrels & torpedo tubes: Dark metallic gray with a black wash to bring out detail.

For a later-war configuration (1943–44), Ward would have worn Measure 21 (Navy Blue overall) or Measure 22 (Navy Blue hull, Haze Gray topsides).

Step-by-Step Build Sequence

1. Hull preparation: Sand all surfaces, fill any imperfections, and prime with grey automotive primer.
2. Lower hull & propulsion: Install the Shaft Set, Rudder, and Props Set / Props Guard Set before closing up the hull. Paint the underwater hull red-brown before assembly.
3. Main deck painting: Mask and paint the boot topping black, then apply Deck Gray to all horizontal deck surfaces.
4. Funnels: Build and paint the four Smokestacks as separate sub-assemblies - Light Gray overall with black caps.
5. Superstructure: Assemble the Navigation Bridge, Mid Deckhouse, and Aft Deck House as sub-assemblies. Paint before joining to the hull. Add the Deck Stairs.
6. Masts & fire control: Install the Forward Mast Kit, Searchlight Tower, and Director Scope (1/96).
7. Armament: Mount the 4-inch/50 guns fore and aft, then the Triple Torpedo Tubes amidships. Add the Depth Charge Loaded Set and In Racks Set at the stern.
8. Boat handling: Install the Boat Skids (Port and Starboard) amidships. Add the Vegetable Box and remaining small fittings.
9. Weathering: Apply a light gray panel line wash. Add subtle rust streaks from the anchor hawse and exhaust staining on the funnels.

Display Ideas

The most dramatic display option is a Pearl Harbor dawn scene — Ward at battle stations with the first light of 7 December 1941 on the horizon. A waterline base with calm harbor water and a subtle wake from Ward's bow adds to the atmosphere. Alternatively, a Pacific convoy escort scene with open ocean and a grey wartime sky evokes her later service.

Reference Sources

• Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) photo archive — nhhc.navy.mil
• NavSource Online - navsource.org (USS Ward DD-139 photo gallery)
• Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS) - USS Ward entry
• National Archives - USS Ward deck logs and action reports, December 1941

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