Model Monkey Sneak Peeks

[ModelMonkey]

Here's a great photo of the complex curve of the funnel cap roof. Most plastic model kit manufacturers do not capture this shape.

[Admiral John Byng]

Does that mean that the Lexington funnel would be suitable for Trumpeter's 1/350 Saratoga 1936 kit?

I am still waiting for some money from my mother's will but when it comes I will go to shapeways to deck out my Enterprise, Yorktown and Saratoga!

Thanks for doing these Steve, they will make a big difference to those kits.

[Sephius82]

First post here, so I apologise if this is the wrong thread

First of all. Amazing work!

Secondly a request: Any chance for a Prinz Eugen 1941 conversion set for the Trumpeter kit? Mainly the domeless 3 m. front directors. Not the most dificult conversion to do, but one need to track down spare directors from a Bismarck kit, and that can get a bit expensive. A simple "tub" + director to replace the kit's dome woud be a welcome and really simple piece to do. The remaining modications are fairly covered by existing aftermarket parts I think.

Keep up the good work!

[ModelMonkey]

First post here, so I apologise if this is the wrong thread

First of all. Amazing work!

Secondly a request: Any chance for a Prinz Eugen 1941 conversion set for the Trumpeter kit? Mainly the domeless 3 m. front directors...

DKM designs in the queue for late summer. [edit: domed SL-8 Rangerfinders now ready in many scales including 1/700 and 1/350:
1/700: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Model_Mo ... Radars&s=0
1/350: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Model_Mo ... Radars&s=0]

Does that mean that the Lexington funnel would be suitable for Trumpeter's 1/350 Saratoga 1936 kit?....

There will actually be two prewar funnels designed. Should be done within the next couple weeks. I'll have an early 1930s "tall" funnel suitable for either ship with two prominent searchlight platforms on the starboard side. This is the design you'll want to have for your Sara. A second prewar funnel design will include a late 1930s AA platform specifically for Lex that Sara didn't have. This second design will not have the starboard side searchlight platforms, which were removed about the time Lex got her AA platform.

This is Saratoga in 1932. Note the two prominent searchlight platforms high up on the funnel (also carried by Lexington in the early 1930s but later removed from Lex) and the absence of the AA platform carried by Lexington.

This is Lexington in 1937. Note the AA platform near the top of the funnel. In 1942, Sara's funnel was shortened to the height of this platform. About the time that the AA platform was added, the two searchlight platforms on the starboard side were removed.

....Thanks for doing these Steve, they will make a big difference to those kits.

Thanks, Admiral! It's fun breathing new life into old models and fixing issues with recent releases. Perhaps the new Model Monkey business motto should be "Saving Stashes since 2015".

[ModelMonkey]

95% complete.

[ArizonaBB39]

Well, now that you're getting close on these my LEX build might not be on hold for as long as I thought

[TOMLABEL]

95% complete.

Wow! Looking great, Steve!! Can't wait for Lex!!

Kelley

[ModelMonkey]

The 1944-1945 Saratoga funnel design is now about 98% complete. It just needs some external electrical cabling and some minor tweaking. Heavy structural supports in place, light supports and searchlight servicing platforms omitted (too thin to print), better replicated by PE. To help understand the orientation of the funnel, the circular 40mm gun tub is forward.

The funnel looked a bit different from 1941-1943. For example, at that time there was no deck and splinter shielding aft of the Mk.37 director tower (see photo below). If there is some interest in the funnel for 1941-1943, I can make a design specifically for that time. Just let me know.

[Mark McKinnis]

Wow!

Amazing stuff my friend. But now a real challenge. How about a 1977 1/350 scale USS Midway CVA-41 Island. Now that would be something! I am planning out my scratch build and you are part of that....hopefully.


Great work!!

[potchip]

Erm flogging a dead horse maybe but is there anyway to do 1/700 Nam Era essex islands, by eg making the windows solid if the hollow design doesn't print? Once I know these are available for the korean war version I just can't get past the idea of a replacement island for the ships&co scb125 kit....

[ModelMonkey]

...But now a real challenge. How about a 1977 1/350 scale USS Midway CVA-41 Island. Now that would be something! I am planning out my scratch build and you are part of that....hopefully....

Aye, Cap'n, in the queue, hopefully three designs for three different eras. Forrestal islands, too. These will be available in many scales, and will be great for Revell's classic kits. I can do open bridge windows for 1/350 but don't know about anything smaller (see note below to potchip)

Sara and Lex are technically more challenging because their islands are composed of two structures, bridge tower and separate funnel with its complex, elliptical shape. This is one of the reasons this one has taken a relatively long time to complete. As you know, Midway's island is slab-sided. Should be a rather straight-forward project.

Erm flogging a dead horse maybe but is there anyway to do 1/700 Nam Era essex islands, by eg making the windows solid if the hollow design doesn't print? Once I know these are available for the korean war version I just can't get past the idea of a replacement island for the ships&co scb125 kit....

PM coming your way. Unfortunately, that project is on hold for the moment, pending a redesign of the navigating bridge, flag bridge and PriFly to do exactly as you suggest, fill in the windows. But please be patient, it will come.

[Frank Fowler]

Steve, I would love to see the 1942 Sara funnel if you would do it. I will still be getting the 1944 version.
Thanks

[ModelMonkey]

Steve, I would love to see the 1942 Sara funnel if you would do it. I will still be getting the 1944 version.
Thanks

Thanks, Frank! '42 funnel coming. [edit: done! http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Model_Mo ... ctures&s=0]

Here's some remarks from David Waples who used an air eraser on his 1/700 Arizona parts:

Hi Steve,
Today I tried using the air eraser with baking soda to clean up some of your 1/700 parts. I had a defective printing in FUD of the Arizona bridge to play with. I found that it did a great job cleaning up areas that had that crystalized rough texture. There were some nasty areas under platforms around the support members and that cleaned up nicely. Best of all it smoothed out masts and barrels to the point where I didn't feel like i need to sand or replace these sections. Make no mistake though, if you work an area it will take plastic and not just the frosted area. In one area it really softened the molded in doors. But overall the softening is pleasing and does not detract from the printing. I suppose if you work it long enough it could get ugly. But if you're careful the results are good. This was a good tip. Thank you.
Dave

[Andi@Germany]

Hi Steve,

do you think the round base control housing ( fixable for the RoG 1/144 deck part ) where the Mk.37 Director ( all versions ) sit on is possible to print with a platform/groundplate ( maybe moveable, a pin will work ) to fit in the bottom of the director ?

Only an idea.

cheers Andi

[MartinJQuinn]

If there is some interest in the funnel for 1941-1943, I can make a design specifically for that time. Just let me know.

Yes, please.

Can you 3D print the starboard side blister?

[ModelMonkey]

...do you think the round base control housing ( fixable for the RoG 1/144 deck part ) where the Mk.37 Director ( all versions ) sit on is possible to print with a platform/groundplate ( maybe moveable, a pin will work ) to fit in the bottom of the director ?....

Hi Andi!
Presently, the base is integrated with the Fletcher square bridge pilot house roof. It is possible to design a groundplate for the director. It will be a while before I can get to that. The project queue is very long, now.

Thanks for the interest!

....Can you 3D print the starboard side blister?

Excellent question, Martin, and one that deserves an answer with some explanation.

The short answer is: I'd have to pass on the blister, sadly. David's approach is the best we have for now.

The long answer is: the blister would be a very difficult part to design and produce with present technology due to its size and the complex curvature where the blister meets the hull. Likewise, the sponsons at the forward end of the flight deck.

Firstly, the blister is a really big part, too big to print in one piece, in 1/350. It would have to be broken down into sections that will fit in the printer, and the sections are likely to cost together in excess of $300 (no sales).

By comparison, the funnel design, much smaller than the blister, in 1/350 scale is being adjusted now for product cost reasons. Version 1.0, when uploaded to Shapeways, came in way too expensive. But it can be adjusted some.

For simpler shapes, there are design efficiencies that can be made for some designs such as part thinning to reduce the amount of material being extruded by the printer, the basis for cost. But the more complex the curves, the less adjusting the software will take, and the more the adjustment affects other features, often adversely.

The blister, being very complex, especially aft, would be tough to fit to the curvature of any existing plastic kit's hull. In order to get the blister to fit a hull, it would probably be necessary to design a hull first, then draw the blister over it to ensure the surfaces mate well. Unfortunately, that's a whole heap-a ton o' design work for a part without a lot of market demand.

But the technology is maturing all the time so hope remains.

[MartinJQuinn]

Thanks Steve. I wasn't sure, so I asked.

You need to finish YOUR Sara one of these days...

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks Steve. I wasn't sure, so I asked.

You need to finish YOUR Sara one of these days...

Thanks, Martin!

Yes, I do. That model has been a pure joy.

Sara '44 funnel is done and available in 1/350 and 1/700. The funnel is huge, over 15cm long in 1/350, longer than CV-5 class islands.

[MartinJQuinn]

That looks amazing, Steve. Now, get cracking on that '42 funnel!

[ModelMonkey]

That looks amazing, Steve. Now, get cracking on that '42 funnel!

Done!
See: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=162588

Here's the 1942 design in 1/700 scale: