GOLD MEDAL MODELS
1/350 World War II Fletcher-Class Destroyer Photo-Etch Set


 
Reviewed October 2025
by Martin J Quinn

Squadron Hobbies, the new owners of the iconic Gold Medal Ship Model Photo Etch Fittings line, have re-released the 1/350 World War II Fletcher-class destroyer photo-etch set.  The set dates back to 1996, was updated in 2006 to include parts for the Trumpeter The Sullivans kit, and has been slightly tweaked for it's 2025 re-release. 

There is one photo-etch fret included in set.  The photo comes in all new packaging.  Instead of the former standard business envelope, it now comes in a much large clear plastic envelope, with the Gold Medal Models logo prominently displayed on the cardboard insert.  The photo-etch set itself is taped to the cardboard, and placed in its own plastic envelope, and also covered on both sides in thin, clear plastic. 

The fret contains plenty of main deck railings, bridge roof rails, depth charge and K-gun racks, watertight doors, 20mm gun shields, twin and quad 40mm gun parts, parts for the Mk37 director and radar, SC and SC-2 radars, life raft racks, funnel gap grilles, propeller guards, parts for the ships boat, parts for the ships masts and both vertical and inclined ladders. 

Some differences between the 2006 release and the 2025 release include the omission of the etched parts descriptions on the fret (I assume this makes it less expensive to produce), a reduction in the number of main deck railings that have netting on them, the elimination of the bridge roof rails that were etched to appear that they had canvas dodgers, and changes to the watertight doors - gone are the doors with portholes in them. 

Personally, I miss the etched names on the fret. I found that really useful, but understand why they omitted them. 

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are on a large, double-sided piece of paper.  They are no longer in the classic "GMM Yellow", and much larger than before.  Otherwise, they are unchanged. 

CONCLUSIONS
Almost 30 years since it was first released, this classic Gold Medal photo-etch set still stands the test of time.  It's very well done, and has everything you need to upgrade your classic Tamiya Fletcher or the newer Trumpeter The Sullivans kit, other than 3D printed parts - but those are also coming as Squadron expands the Gold Medal Models line of products. My only nit-pick with this set would be the inclined ladders, which are a bit dated, and in need of a refresher. Otherwise, this set has you covered, at a very reasonable price point. Highly recommended. 

This is Gold Medal Models 1/350 World War 2 Fletcher-class Destroyer set. It retails for $29.99, and is available from Squadron Hobbies, who I'd like to thank for this review sample.