From The Bay Stater: A Publication of Friends of Battleship Massachusetts,      Vol. 24,   No. 1,   Spring 1997

The armada on display at Battleship Cove has grown by six ships...all 1/96th scale models generously donated by Lou and Mary Durso, owners of BaD Ship Models of Westford, NY. Each ship is a museum quality accurate depiction of the real thing.

Each of the six new models donated represents a class of destroyer type ships. They will be placed on exhibit after construction of suitable display cases. They are (as shown from left to right in the photo):

• USS Weeden (DE 797), Buckley Class
• USS Butler (DE 339), John C. Butler Class
• USS Blue (DD 744), Allen M. Sumner Class
• USS Decatur (DD 936), Forrest Sherman Class
• USS Charles F. Adams (DDG 2), Charles F. Adams Class
• USS Moosebrugger (DD 980), Spruance Class

Lou and Mary durso earlier donated a model of USS Joseph P. Kennedy (DD850), which was featured in the Fall 1996 edition of The Bay Stater. It now is on proud display aboard her namesake.

Master model builder Lou Durso began making ship models as a boy. After once purchasing a kit costing more than $500 he decided to form his own ship model construction business. Mary, his wife, who joined him in that venture as business manager, also doubles as a shipping clerk.

Starting with three classes of frigates, the business has grown whereby BaD now offers more than 15 different ships and classes. The models are formed from plans Durso acquires from naval archives and from shipbuilders. The plank on frame kits are hand made of wood, plastic and [styrene]. Items such as gun mounts, directors, missile systems, ladders, hatches, and other hardware are also included to finish the models for display. They may also be operated in the water with radio-controlled motors.