Model Monkey Sneak Peeks

[ModelMonkey]

Very pleasant surprise today. It looks like Shapeways will be able to print the 1/350 scale Bismarck/Tirpitz,Gneisenau turrets with open armored rangefinder shutters afterall. Call me a monkey's uncle. Inside the hoods is an accurate rangefinder, thanks to finding some good references.

The hoods will print very thin and therefore are going to be a bit fragile. Careful handling is recommended.

The design should be ready later today pending any "life happens" events.

[Seeadler290]

Very pleasant surprise today. It looks like Shapeways will be able to print the 1/350 scale Bismarck/Tirpitz,Gneisenau turrets with open armored rangefinder shutters afterall. Call me a monkey's uncle. Inside the hoods is an accurate rangefinder, thanks to finding some good references.

The hoods will print very thin and therefore are going to be a bit fragile. Careful handling is recommended.

The design should be ready later today pending any "life happens" events.

Ausgezeichnet! BRAVO Steve!

Though these rangefinders were likely kept closed in combat until his (DKM capital ships are referenced as masculine) final battle when the main fire control was reduced to wreckage, I may just show them open in preparation for engaging HMS Hood anyway,...

Thank you for your research, fabrication resolve and outstanding products!

[ModelMonkey]

Thank you so much!

The turrets are ready: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=163596&p=719479#p719479

[Aop Aur]

Those look really great!

Aop

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, Aop!

[Guest]

Thank you so much!

The turrets are ready: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=163596&p=719479#p719479

Order placed a few days ago.
They look glorious...

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks so much! I hope you'll be delighted with your new turrets!

More designs coming.

[MikeyBugs]

Looking good, Steve! I'm always amazed by the detail you're able to model in.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks so much, Mike!

[litvin70]

Hi Steve,
Very impressive and helpful work!
Any chance the 1/350 Yamato superstructures (for replace on old Tamiya set) ?
Now we have so much information about this ship (and new "Anatomy of the ship" from Janusz Skulski), and uncorrect set from Tamiya..

[ModelMonkey]

Hi Steve,
Very impressive and helpful work!
Any chance the 1/350 Yamato superstructures (for replace on old Tamiya set) ?
Now we have so much information about this ship (and new "Anatomy of the ship" from Janusz Skulski), and uncorrect set from Tamiya..

Thanks for the comments!

PM coming your way.

[Seeadler290]

Thank you so much!

The turrets are ready: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=163596&p=719479#p719479

Order placed a few days ago.
They look glorious...

I failed to login on my previous comment.

Bismarck turrets have arrived and look great.
Under magnification, it appears that a substantial amount of fabrication wax still fills the rangefinder openings obscuring the detail. Will blow these out with some compressed air and am eager to get a little paint in them after cleanup to pick out the optics!

Not looking forward to cutting free the kit turrets that are affixed to the deck.

[ModelMonkey]

Excellent! Thanks so much!

If the wax proves a bit stubborn, try soaking the parts in "Dawn" or "Fairy" in water for a few hours. Milky water indicates that the wax is coming out. Shapeways also reports that mineral oil is also good for removing stubborn wax.

Thanks again!!

[MartinJQuinn]

I recently soaked some parts in vinegar, and then washed them in soapy water, and I could feel no residue on them afterwards.

[Seeadler290]

I recently soaked some parts in vinegar, and then washed them in soapy water, and I could feel no residue on them afterwards.

Thanks Martin. I just might give vinegar a try.

[ModelMonkey]

Arizona fans! Among some designs nearing completion is this fighting tops design, for USS Arizona, USS Pennsylvania, USS Nevada and USS Oklahoma, in 1/426 (1/429 true) scale and larger.

Stiffener and strap details differ between the foretop (right) and maintop (left). Details are not symmetrical. Details are being identified and measured from careful study of several high-resolution photos (see cropped, reduced-size sample at bottom)

[MartinJQuinn]

Nice!

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, Martin!

Here's the fore top at 95% complete. The last feature yet to design is the radar platform.

Colorado class 16" twin turrets are also nearing completion.

[ModelMonkey]

Arizona Fighting Tops complete: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=163596&p=721547#p721547

Another project nearing completion is the design for Colorado class 16"/45 cal. Turrets. Two sets will be made available, one with exterior vent trunks (Maryland at Pearl Harbor and Colorado) and one set without trunks (West Virginia at Pearl Harbor).

Here's the design at 80% complete. The gunhouse has the correct shape and profile. This is not a Tennessee class turret with two 16-inch guns.

[ModelMonkey]

Colorado class turrets are done! See: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=163596&p=721847#p721847

Next design to be completed is an Admiral's Bridge for Tamiya's 1/700 Gneisenau. A short hangar will be offered, too. Here's the bridge design at about 50% complete: