November 13th 1942, thirteen Ships are sent in to the hold the line, and prevent another devastating bombardment of the Marines defending Henderson Field. Up against an enemy fleet that included two Japanese Battleships. The American fleet included just two Heavy Cruisers, three Light Cruisers and eight Destroyers. Two of the Light Cruisers, the USS Atlanta and USS Juneau were designed to fight enemy aircraft not surface ships. Besides the five Cruisers there were eight Destroyers including the brand new USS Fletcher and USS O'Bannon, both equipped with the best radar then available to the USN. Also with the Fleet now called Task Group 67.4, were four Benson/Livermoore Class Destroyers, the USS Laffey, USS Aaron Ward, USS Barton, and the USS Monssen. The USS Sterrett, a Benham Class DD, and the old USS Cushing, a Mahan Class DD, that were all hastily assembled to hold off an enemy fleet of two Battleships, one Light Cruiser, and eleven Destroyers.

Most of the kits necessary to do this are available now, hopefully by the time we finish this series, we will have all the kits back in production. Classic Warships has some old Destroyers that may be back on the market soon. Pitroad is also planning a Benson Class DD for later this year. DML/Dragon has the USS Oakland that can be used to build both the USS Atlanta and the USS Juneau. Classic Warships excellent USS Helena kit as she was in late 42. The Tamiya Fletcher can be used to build the Fletcher and O'Bannon. Classic Warships has an old resin kit of the USS Portland that is ideal or with much work we can turn the old Matchbox Indianapolis into a close facsimile. Kobo-Hiryu, a relatively unknown resin kit producer has offered a Mahan class, a Benham class and even a Benson class Destroyer. Kobo-Hiryu kits can be obtained from Pacific Front Hobbies, but be forewarned they are very hard to get. For additional kit availability check the quick reference guide.