Model Monkey USN Quintuple 21" Mk.14 & Mk.15 Torpedo Mount

[ModelMonkey]

We're happy to announce the design for an accurate and highly detailed, 3D-printed, US Navy 21" Mk.14 Quintuple Torpedo Mount for larger scale models is complete. The design has been uploaded to Shapeways and has passed Shapeways' design analysis software.

Link: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Model_Monkey

It's ready now in 1/144 scale (for Revell) and 1/125 scale (for Lindberg), 1/96 scale and 1/72 scale. More scales possible, but because of its fine features, Shapeways is not able to print this design in any scale smaller than 1/144 (sorry guys, no 1/350 or 1/700).

Features:
- overall dimensions accurately scaled from official US Navy drawings
- details confirmed from careful study of surviving mounts aboard USS Kidd and USS Cassin Young
- separate base ring stand permitting full rotation
- hex-head bolts and rivets properly sized and accurately located
- detailed torpedo stops, and trainer's and gyro setter's instruments
- barrels completely hollow
- rear loading door is the later "single lever, quick-acting" type (no dogs)
- trainer's and gyro setter's bench seat, and hand rails omitted (too thin to print)

These torpedo mounts were the standard World War II-era US Navy torpedo mounts first fit to destroyers of the Benson/Gleaves class beginning in 1937. They continued to be the standard torpedo mount for the following Fletcher (DD-445) class, Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) class, and Gearing (DD-710) class. These ships mounted either one or two mounts. Check your references to know how many mounts your model needs.

The Mk.14 mount (and it's near-twin Mk.15 mount) launched 21 inch-diameter Mk.15 torpedoes (not included). The Mk.15 Mount carried a drum-shaped blast shield installed to protect the operating crew from the gun blasts of a nearby 5"/38 caliber gun and twin 40mm Bofors. Other than the blast shield, the Mk.14 and Mk.15 Mounts were identical.

From Microworks.com: "In the battles of Vella Gulf and Cape St. George, destroyer attacks using torpedoes [launched from this mount] sank six enemy destroyers without losing a single man, with a fifth (the legendary Shigure) escaping only because a torpedo hitting her rudder failed to explode....U.S. destroyer torpedoes also accounted for the only "dreadnought"-type battleship ever sunk in action by surface launched torpedoes, the Fuso, during the Battle of Surigao Strait."

Some part cleanup will be necessary. The 3D printing process uses a waxy substance to support certain part features during the printing process. Although the parts are cleaned by Shapeways, some waxy residue may remain. It can be safely removed with water and a mild aqueous detergent like "Simple Green" using an old, soft toothbrush, Q-tips or pipe cleaners. Customers report that "Bestine" and "Goo Gone" also work well.

During the printing process, liquid resin is cured by ultraviolet light. Microscopic bits of resin may remain uncured. Let your parts sit in direct sunlight for a few hours to fully cure the resin.

Water-based acrylic paints meant for plastics is strongly recommended. Other paints, especially enamels, may not cure on Frosted Detail 3D-printed plastics.

� Model Monkey Book and Hobby. This 3D-printed item may not be copied or recast.

[hermannsae]

Nice !

Steve, are you planing to have a torpedo mount also with a blast shield? And maybe one with the "spoon extension" separated?

[robertmelvin]

Nothing short of amazing! Your products are truly mind boggling in accuracy and detail. A quantum leap for our hobby. As this is a technology that is, I gather, rather still in its infancy, I can't wait to see how it develops and what wonders may be produced in the future. This is certainly a development on par with the advent of PE. Exciting to be in the hobby as it first emerges and then begins to evolve and expand. Thank you very much for your fantastic offerings and your contribution to our hobby.

Bob M.

[ModelMonkey]

Nothing short of amazing! Your products are truly mind boggling in accuracy and detail. A quantum leap for our hobby....Bob M.

Thanks, Bob!

....Steve, are you planing to have a torpedo mount also with a blast shield? And maybe one with the "spoon extension" separated?

Thanks, Hermann!

Blast hood yes (done), separate spoon extension, no. A separate spoon extension presents some printing problems with the hinge. I would have to thicken the hinge parts too much to look right. But FUD and FED cut easily so the modeler could remove the spoon and fold it back on top, if desired.

The blast hood is available separately. Feast yer eyes:

A note about the circular 3D-printed Base Ring ("turntable"). This part should not be fixed directly to the deck. Fix it to the top of the plastic kit's sloped lower Base Ring Stand. The stand is the part that compensates for deck shear (slope). The Base Ring on the real ship contained a series of roller bearings, visible in the cut-away portion of the drawing below, and was bolted to the top of the Base Ring Stand. See:

[Andi@Germany]

Great stuff Steve.

I throw the RoG parts into the trash after reading this announcement.

I post in your other thread for some 1/144 ideas.

cheers Andi