Model Monkey News

[ModelMonkey]

Fans of US Navy battleships on "Battleship Row", Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941! We are pleased to announce an accurate and highly detailed superstructure for the 1/350 scale Blue Water Navy and 1/350 scale Yankee Modelworks USS West Virginia BB-48 kits has been added to the catalog.

Link: http://shpws.me/OpkI

Features:
- dimensions scaled directly from official US Navy Booklet of General Plans (BoGP) drawings for USS West Virginia BB-48, revised 30 November 1939, adjusted to fit the Blue Water Navy and Yankee Modelworks 1/350 scale kits (lowest level slightly narrowed to match the width of the kits' hull)
- details and deck shapes benefit from study of high-resolution photos of USS West Virginia released by the US Navy in 2016
- accurately shaped splinter shielding for December 7th, 1941
- accurately shaped gun tubs on the "emergency platform" level below the bridge
- fully planked boat deck with recessed grooves (boats not included)
- deck-edge waterway in proper locations
- open casemate 5"/51 gun positions (5"/51 casemate guns not included)
- interior bulkheads properly located and shaped, visible through the casemate gun openings
- communications room located at the base of the forward cage mast, missing from the BWN kit (cage mast not included)
- superstructure platforms (deckhouses supporting the bridge) shaped to better match BoGP drawings
- subtle, raised locator tabs to aid in part alignment during assembly (tabs will be hidden within deckhouses once assembled)
- raised locator discs perfectly sized to received a set of two Model Monkey-designed Mk.19 Directors available separately (Link: http://shpws.me/Ohf5)
- open armored conning tower view slits, accurately sized and positioned
- open portholes, bridge windows and armored conning tower viewports
- portholes accurately sized and properly located, positioned at the correct height
- splinter shielding around the armored conning tower accurately and correctly slopes downward toward the front ( the deck itself, however, is accurately flat)
- heavy under-deck supports
- detailed doors with dogs, rub-plates and condition "Z" placards, correctly positioned
- accurately shaped, sized and detailed 5" ready service ammunition lockers properly positioned
- fresh water gravity tanks properly sized and located (missing from the BWN kit)
- accurately sized and shaped "mushroom" vents, of the correct height
- accurately shaped, sized, and detailed boat deck skylights properly positioned
- accurately positioned openings for funnel "smoke pipes" and boat cranes
- accurately sized, shaped and positioned deck openings for ladders to the main deck below (photoetch ladders not included)
- integrated barbette for 16" twin turret #2, interior diameter is 25.4mm, slightly larger than the casting plug of the kits' turrets, allowing the turret to rotate freely (turret not included)

[MartinJQuinn]

Sweet Mother of Pearl, that is amazing.

[PetrolGator]

Damnit, Steve...

[MatthewB]

Something that I noticed from the Booklet of General Plans, of the Turret and Mount booklet, is that the Cruiser 5"/38 Twin-Turret looks to have been a bit shorter than the BB Twin-Turret.

In adding up the heights, it looks to be about a foot shorter (I don't recall the specific measurements.

I should not be lazy, and post the actual links...

Here is the BB Turret (Mk. 28 Mod 0):

http://archive.hnsa.org/doc/guncat/cat-0248.htm


And here is the CA Turret (Mk. 29 Mod0):

http://archive.hnsa.org/doc/guncat/cat-0256.htm

If you look at the height difference, you can see that The Mk. 29 is around 17" difference

Mk. 28 Mod 0: 120.75" height

Mk. 29 Mod 0: 103" height


And the Mk. 32 Mount is roughly the same dimensions as the Mk. 28 Mount, just that the forward facing, lower, vertical portion of the shield is slightly shorter (but still taller than the Mk. 29 Mount.

I don't suppose that you have a Mk. 29 Mount done, do you? As the Early-War St. Louis-class CLs were supposed to have these.


MB

[ModelMonkey]

Something that I noticed from the Booklet of General Plans, of the Turret and Mount booklet, is that the Cruiser 5"/38 Twin-Turret looks to have been a bit shorter than the BB Twin-Turret....I don't suppose that you have a Mk. 29 Mount done, do you? As the Early-War St. Louis-class CLs were supposed to have these.


MB

Hi Matt,

I don't have a Mk.29 design but I do offer Mk.28s, Mk.32s and Mk.38s. They are all differently shaped and sized, designed accoording to the dimensions published in the Turret and Mount catalog. The Model Monkey Mk.28 dimensions were confirmed from measurements taken from a real mount on USS North Carolina. The Model Monkey Mk.38's dimensions were confirmed from measurements taken several years ago from a mount on USS Laffey. All-in-all, the Turret and Mount Catalog's dimensions were consistent with the dimensions taken from actual mounts.

The Mk.32 cruiser/aircraft carrier mount is shorter in height than the Mk.28 battleship mount but by very little. The Mk.32 cruiser mount is also longer than the Mk.28, front-to-back. The easiest way to tell them apart is the shape of the vertical glacis (forward armor plate). The Mk.28 vertical glacis is noticeably taller.

The Mk.38 for Sumners and Gearings is much shorter in height and wider by a tad (1 inch) than the other two, and has different rangefinder hoods and was of a different construction with bolt-heads all over it.

IIRC (I may be wrong), David is correct, the 5"/38 cal. Mk.29 mount was fit to early Atlanta class light cruisers, and externally looks exactly like a Mk.28. St. Louis and Helena had a different kind of 5" twin mount entirely. It was single-purpose mount, not intended for AA work. I haven't yet designed that mount.

[ModelMonkey]

Pre-modernization, Cold War-era Iowa class battleship fans! Very happy to announce a 1/200 scale Quadruped Main Mast is now available in 1/200 scale and has been added to the catalog.

Link: http://shpws.me/OqGb

This 3D-printed main mast is intended to help convert any 1/200 scale World War Two configuration Iowa class battleship model kit to the early 1950s-era appearance of some ships of the class. USS New Jersey BB-62 had this configuration through at least 1982. USS Missouri BB-63 had this configuration as late as 1984.

A 3D-printed model representing the late 1950s configuration with two heavy kingposts and boat booms will be available soon. Small details and antenna differed between various Iowa class ships and from year-to-year. Please consult your references to accurately further detail your new 3D-printed mast.

This 3D design is based on 2D plans drawn by Mr. Henry Strub using the latest National Archives research conducted by him as well as exhaustive research conducted by Mr. Rick E. Davis.

[MatthewB]

Something that I noticed from the Booklet of General Plans, of the Turret and Mount booklet, is that the Cruiser 5"/38 Twin-Turret looks to have been a bit shorter than the BB Twin-Turret....I don't suppose that you have a Mk. 29 Mount done, do you? As the Early-War St. Louis-class CLs were supposed to have these.


MB

Hi Matt,

I don't have a Mk.29 design but I do offer Mk.28s, Mk.32s and Mk.38s. They are all differently shaped and sized, designed accoording to the dimensions published in the Turret and Mount catalog. The Model Monkey Mk.28 dimensions were confirmed from measurements taken from a real mount on USS North Carolina. The Model Monkey Mk.38's dimensions were confirmed from measurements taken several years ago from a mount on USS Laffey. All-in-all, the Turret and Mount Catalog's dimensions were consistent with the dimensions taken from actual mounts.

The Mk.32 cruiser/aircraft carrier mount is shorter in height than the Mk.28 battleship mount but by very little. The Mk.32 cruiser mount is also longer than the Mk.28, front-to-back. The easiest way to tell them apart is the shape of the vertical glacis (forward armor plate). The Mk.28 vertical glacis is noticeably taller.

The Mk.38 for Sumners and Gearings is much shorter in height and wider by a tad (1 inch) than the other two, and has different rangefinder hoods and was of a different construction with bolt-heads all over it.

IIRC (I may be wrong), David is correct, the 5"/38 cal. Mk.29 mount was fit to early Atlanta class light cruisers, and externally looks exactly like a Mk.28. St. Louis and Helena had a different kind of 5" twin mount entirely. It was single-purpose mount, not intended for AA work. I haven't yet designed that mount.

The Mk. 29 Mount is listed as being a DP mount.

It is the Mk. 22 mount that is the Single-Purpose Mount.

The Mk. 29 is nearly Identical to the Mk. 28/32/38, save for the height:

http://archive.hnsa.org/doc/guncat/cat-0256.htm

I think you were thinking of the Mk. 22 mount as being the SP, longer 5"/38 mount:

http://archive.hnsa.org/doc/guncat/cat-0220.htm

MB

[ModelMonkey]

Makes sense. It would seem that St. Louis and Helena had Mk.22 mounts (or something similar), as their mounts were not DP.

In summary then, the mounts I have available are:

Mk.28 for fast battleships
Mk.32 for cruisers and aircraft carriers
Mk.38 for Sumners and Gearings

They are all differently shaped designs.

I do not offer Mk.22 or Mk.29 mounts.

And released today is the quadruped main mast for USS Missouri and USS New Jersey in 1/200 scale.

[tko24]

Pre-modernization, Cold War-era Iowa class battleship fans! Very happy to announce a 1/200 scale Quadruped Main Mast is now available in 1/200 scale and has been added to the catalog.

Model Monkey 1-200 Iowa Class Quadruped Main Mast.early.jpg

Link: http://shpws.me/OqGb

This 3D-printed main mast is intended to help convert any 1/200 scale World War Two configuration Iowa class battleship model kit to the early 1950s-era appearance of some ships of the class. USS New Jersey BB-62 had this configuration through at least 1982. USS Missouri BB-63 had this configuration as late as 1984.

A 3D-printed model representing the late 1950s configuration with two heavy kingposts and boat booms will be available soon. Small details and antenna differed between various Iowa class ships and from year-to-year. Please consult your references to accurately further detail your new 3D-printed mast.

This 3D design is based on 2D plans drawn by Mr. Henry Strub using the latest National Archives research conducted by him as well as exhaustive research conducted by Mr. Rick E. Davis.

Yes! What a pleasant surprise to see this post. I apologize for being a pest about these 1/200 1950's Iowa class parts, especially since I'm probably the only one that's been requesting them. I can't wait for the late 50's version I need. Many thanks to you Steve, Rick and Hank! BZ

[ModelMonkey]

...I can't wait for the late 50's version I need. Many thanks to you Steve, Rick and Hank! BZ

Coming very soon! The late 1950s "Kingpost Configuration" is good for USS Iowa and USS Wisconsin. Here's the mast on Wisconsin in 1956:

[Frank Fowler]

Steve, concerning the St. Louis/Helena 5"/38 turrets, they were DP. There is a very well know photo of Helena at Tulagi prior to her loss at Kula Gulf showing one of the forward 5" turrets with the two barrels elevated at 75 degrees or greater. The leeward publications about the loss of the Helena lists the 5" as DP. but does not give a Mk number for the turret. Only the twin 5" turrets on the Porter/Somers classes were not DP. Looking at the two turret types on these classes, they do look similar, but the cut outs for the gun elevation extends into the roof top of the Helena/St. Louis turrets, but does not on the big DDs.

[ModelMonkey]

Thank you, Frank, good to know that the 5" mounts for St. Louis and Helena were indeed DP. The shape of the "roomy", rounded-roofed gunhouse had me convinced they were similar, if not identical, to those of the Porters.

Tom (tko24), today is your day.

I am very happy to announce that a Cold War-era, pre-modernization Quadruped Main Mast for USS Iowa and USS Wisconsin BB-64 is available in 1/200 scale and has been added to the catalog. This mast features large kingposts and includes 2 boat booms.

Link: http://shpws.me/Or5P

Like the main mast for sisterships USS New Jersey and USS Iowa, this design is based on research by Henry Strub and Rick E. Davis.

[Frank Fowler]

You are welcome Steve. It is confusing sometimes concerning all the different versions. In Friedman's US Cruisers An Illustrated Design History Page 207 he states that CNO proposed that the Wichita, Helena and St Louis would have 5"/38 rather than 5"/25 and that they would be in four MK 29 mounts, the first US twin dual purpose 5" mounts. The Wichita had weight problems and received the mix of 5"/38 single enclosed mounts and single open mounts. I believe the Porter/Somers twin 5"/38 single purpose twin mounts are MK 22. The rounded tops really stand out on the MK 29 and MK 22 mounts.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks again.

In catalog news today, the newly designed Quadruped Main Mast for USS Iowa and USS Wisconsin is ready in 1/200 scale!

Link: http://shpws.me/Or5P

[ModelMonkey]

Modernized Iowa class battleships fans! The design for a set of modernized Mk.38 Directors for your modernized Iowa class model ship is complete and has been added to the catalog.

The models are now available in most popular scales.

Features:
- open director captain hatch (slid forward)
- accurately shaped viewfinder covers with hinge and hinge motor detail
- accurately shaped and located defroster covers with hinge detail
- accurately sized, numbered and located bolt-head details
- accurate director arm end detailing, specific to modernized directors
- raised bases for handrails (handrails not included - use small diameter wire)

A set of Mk.38 directors in their earlier World War Two through Cold War-era configuration is also available.

[ModelMonkey]

Fans of 1/96 scale US Navy, World War Two-era warships! A set of four accurately sized, shaped and highly detailed 20mm Oerlikon Ready Service Ammunition Lockers has been added to the catalog.

The models are available in most popular scales, 1/350 and larger.

[MatthewB]

You are welcome Steve. It is confusing sometimes concerning all the different versions. In Friedman's US Cruisers An Illustrated Design History Page 207 he states that CNO proposed that the Wichita, Helena and St Louis would have 5"/38 rather than 5"/25 and that they would be in four MK 29 mounts, the first US twin dual purpose 5" mounts. The Wichita had weight problems and received the mix of 5"/38 single enclosed mounts and single open mounts. I believe the Porter/Somers twin 5"/38 single purpose twin mounts are MK 22. The rounded tops really stand out on the MK 29 and MK 22 mounts.

Dick J (I believe) also confirmed this on the USS Brooklyn/St. Louis-Class CASF thread.

That the Mk.29 had the edges of the roof rounded, similar to the Mk.22, but that it was an actual DP mount.

And that one of these ships kept them all through the war, with the re-fit Brooklyns getting the Mk. 32 Mounts (and one of either Helena or St. Louis getting these as well).

I would have to open another window on my iPad to look at the thread.


It will be a while before I am ready to put the 5"/38 mounts on either the St. Louis or Helena for 1942. But it would be nice to have these for the occasion.

MB

[ModelMonkey]

Fans of 1/350 scale Benson and Gleaves class destroyers! A set of two canvas-topped 5"/38 mounts is now available for your Dragon, Cyber Hobby and Blue Water Navy kits. These mounts can help you build other ships of these two distinguished destroyer classes from your favorite Benson/Gleaves kit. The "soft tops" have distinctive yet subtle "sag" and supporting framework detail, perfectly complementing your kit's "hard top" mounts.

Noted naval historian Rick E. Davis, a member of the MSW community right here, reports that this mount is correct for "BENSON, LIVERMORE, GWIN, any of the original BENSON-GLEAVES class units (basically any destroyer between DD-421 through DD-444)." Please check your references to know whether this mount is correct for the ship you are modeling.

Special thanks to Rick E. Davis who provided references needed to complete the design.

[ModelMonkey]

Bismarck, Tirpitz and re-built Gneisenau fans! Sets of 3D-printed 38cm (15") turrets with integrated barrels and blast bags or trunnions have been added to the catalog.

The models are available in most popular scales.

[ModelMonkey]

Sets of 3 twin-gun 38 cm (15") turrets and barrels are being made available in popular scales to help you convert your Scharnhorst kit to sistership Gneisenau as that ship would likely have appeared following her proposed reconstruction.

The models are available in most popular scales.