See now, this is just a classic example of (my) confusion with modern ship-classifications: OK, so they started calling cruiser-sized hulls - the Spruances - "Destroyers", to sell them to a Congress saying "We won't authorize any more cruisers" - OK, I get that. But then they call the Ticonderogas - built on the very same hulls - "cruisers". Not only that, but with their (primary) difference being improvd AA defenses, as you note - suiting them yet more, not less, for escort duties (and less for independent, "cruising").

Oh, and while they were at it: name them after aircraft carriers as well!

Finally - following with the next cruiser-sized hulls, the Arleigh Burkes, equipped with the same AA defense/combat information system, no less - being named "destroyer", once again!

So, I certainly don't get it - and am by now convinced there simply is no logical, actually honest reason for these redefinitions/classifications. (Just like the Cougar and Panther were both essentially the same F9F, with a change in the wings - while the FJ-1 Fury was fundamentally different from the FJ-2/3 - which, instead, were nearly identical to the F-86 Sabre!)

What I do know - courtesy of your posts, buddy - is that these SkyWave kits and especially their detail parts, appear to be in a class of their own: the latter excellent not only for highlighting details on this model, as you note - but, at true 600-scale, are also ideal for upgrading such larger kits (e.g.: Airfix) as could really use them! So, again: let me know what SkyWave (especially) RN Detail spares you might have for me, buddy.

Meantime I do Thank You - for very nice build submission, and interesting background on the origins of AEGIS, and the Ticos, Don!


Cheers,

- Matt