Model Monkey News

[ModelMonkey]

The designs for the USS Saratoga CV-60 island as it appeared from 1957 to mid 1958 are now available in all intended scales. The designs for the island as it appeared in the 1970s and 1990s will be released soon.

[ModelMonkey]

Very happy to announce a Vietnam War-era island is now being released for USS Saratoga CV-60. Scales available include 1/542 for the classic Revell kits, and 1/600 for the classic Heller, Airfix, Aurora, Monogram and MPC kits, 1/700 to help convert from the Fujimi 1/700 scale Kitty Hawk class kits, and 1/720.

To help you know which aircraft are correct for this period, SeaForces.org reports that during 1970-1975, "Super Sara" embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 composed of:

June 17, 1970 - November 11, 1970 (Mediterranean Sea) aboard USS Saratoga (CVA 60)
Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) �Tomcatters� - F-4J Phantom II
Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103) �Sluggers� - F-4J Phantom II
Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37) �Bulls� - A-7A Corsair II
Attack Squadron 105 (VA-105) �Gunslingers� - A-7A Corsair II
Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) �Sunday Punchers� - A-6A Intruder
Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 9 (RVAH-9) �Hoot Owls� - RA-5C Vigilante
Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130 (VAQ-130) �Zappers� - EKA-3B Skywarrior
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-123) �Screwtops� - E-2B Hawkeye
Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC-2) �Fleet Angels� - HH-2D Seasprite

June 7, 1971 - October 31, 1971 (Mediterranean Sea) aboard USS Saratoga (CVA 60)
Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) �Tomcatters� - F-4J Phantom II
Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103) �Sluggers� - F-4J Phantom II
Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37) �Bulls� - A-7A Corsair II
Attack Squadron 105 (VA-105) �Gunslingers� - A-7A Corsair II
Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) �Sunday Punchers� - A-6A/B & KA-6D Intruder
Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 9 (RVAH-9) �Hoot Owls� - RA-5C Vigilante
Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (VMCJ-2) �Playboys� - EA-6A Electric Intruder
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-123) �Screwtops� - E-2B Hawkeye
Carrier Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 28 (VS-28) �Hukkers� - S-2E Tracker
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 7 (HS-7) �Dusty Dogs� - SH-3D Sea King

April 11, 1972 - February 13, 1973 (Vietnam War) aboard USS Saratoga (CVA 60)
Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) �Tomcatters� - F-4J Phantom II
Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103) �Sluggers� - F-4J Phantom II
Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37) �Bulls� - A-7A Corsair II
Attack Squadron 105 (VA-105) �Gunslingers� - A-7A Corsair II
Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) �Sunday Punchers� - A-6A & KA-6D Intruder
Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 1 (RVAH-1) �Tigers� - RA-5C Vigilante
Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (VMCJ-2) �Playboys� - EA-6A Electric Intruder
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-123) �Screwtops� - E-2B Hawkeye
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 7 (HS-7) �Dusty Dogs� - SH-3D Sea King

September 27, 1974 - March 19, 1975 (Mediterranean Sea) aboard USS Saratoga (CVA 60)
Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) �Tomcatters� - F-4J Phantom II
Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103) �Sluggers� - F-4J Phantom II
Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37) �Bulls� - A-7E Corsair II
Attack Squadron 105 (VA-105) �Gunslingers� - A-7E Corsair II
Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) �Sunday Punchers� - A-6E & KA-6D Intruder
Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 11 (RVAH-11) �Checkertails� - RA-5C Vigilante
Carrier Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 24 (VS-24) �Duty Cats� - S-2G Tracker
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 7 (HS-7) �Dusty Dogs� - SH-3H Sea King
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-123) �Screwtops� - E-2C Hawkeye


Boxart: Scalemates.com

[ModelMonkey]

Sets of Phasor 90 paired-cone antennas are available for your 1970s, Vietnam War-era appearance Essex class (e.g. USS Intrepid), Forrestal class, USS Kitty Hawk, USS Constellation, USS Enterprise, USS John F. Kennedy and USS Nimitz kits.

The models are available in several popular scales.

[ModelMonkey]

Large scale Fletcher class fans! A pair of forward twin Bofors tubs is now available. The set includes 40mm ammunition racks with external stiffener detailing based on USS Kidd's 1945 appearance and the tubs retrofit to some "round bridge" ships at Hunters Point Navy Yard.

The models are available in several popular scales.

Thanks to Rick E. Davis for references used to design these models.

[ModelMonkey]

Very happy to announce 1/700 and 1/720 scale Vietnam War-era USS Independence CV-62 islands are now available. These designs are intended to help convert your 1/700 Fujimi Kitty Hawk class kits to a Forrestal class ship, and to help build much more accurate Italeri, Revell and Testors Forrestal class kits.

Box art: Scalemates.com.

[ModelMonkey]

Very pleased to announce a new batch of Essex class SCB-125 islands are now being released. First design complete is USS Hornet CVS-12 as it appeared in 1968 during the Vietnam War.

The model is available in several popular scales, 1/530 and larger.

The next Essex island design released will be USS Yorktown CVS-10 as it appeared circa 1970. It was in this configuration that Yorktown starred as Akagi in the film "Tora Tora Tora". Yorktown '70 will be available in 3 popular scales, 1/350 for Gallery Models, 1/530 for Revell and hopefully 1/700 for Jim Shirley Productions.

[R32WA]

Looking close to a late 60's Hornet island

[jpeeler]

The next Essex island design released will be USS Yorktown CVS-10 as it appeared circa 1970. It was in this configuration that Yorktown starred as Akagi in the film "Tora Tora Tora". Yorktown '70 will be available in 3 popular scales, 1/350 for Gallery Models, 1/530 for Revell and hopefully 1/700 for Jim Shirley Productions.

YES! Thank you, Steve! I'm looking forward to finally being able to build an accurate model of my old friend Yorktown. Thank you not only for this, but for all the other really cool (and really needed) stuff you're designing for us.

Jodie Peeler

[ModelMonkey]

Thank you RW32A and Jodie! Jodie, I know you have been patiently waiting for Yorktown, thanks! More designs coming, including, yes indeed, an island for Hornet CVS-12.

Today marks the availability of the 1000th Model Monkey 3D-printed design. Thanks to all those who made continuing work possible!

[gtbred]

going to order 3 sets of 1/350 anchors. frog eyes 5inch guns also. hope your 1/350 Indy island comes out before Xmas. great work as always!

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, Mardis!

I hope to have Indy done by Halloween, pending any "life happens" events. [edit: not going to make Halloween, but it will be ready soon.]

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce that highly detailed and very accurate islands for USS Yorktown CVS-10 as she appeared circa 1968-1970 are being released this week. It's features are considerably different in detail than all preceding Model Monkey Essex class designs, including Yorktown-specific bridge window configuration, wedge-shaped SPS-30 radar platform, deck and catwalk shape, deck houses, and exterior piping.

Based on several customer requests, this Essex class model island has most doors open, with 5-bar door fixed to bulkhead (no need to add photo-etch doors).

First scales ready are 1/530 for Revell and 1/500 for Renwal.

[ModelMonkey]

The island for USS Yorktown CVS-10 is now ready in 1/350 scale. This is meant as a help to build USS Yorktown from your Gallery Models USS Intrepid CVS-11 kit. Link: http://shpws.me/P76I

In the renderings below, compare the island for Yorktown and Intrepid. You can see some of the significant differences between the two islands, circa 1968, captured in the 3D-printed designs.

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce sets of late Cold War-era US Navy Life Raft Canisters are now available in two differ sizes. The larger size is for supercarrier and amphibious assault ship (Wasp and Iwo Jima) kits. The smaller size is for cruisers and destroyers. These models are intended as direct replacements for the various kits' inaccurately shaped canisters.

The models are available in several popular scales.

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce a set of 4 Scharnhorst class 15cm (5.9") twin-gun turrets with barrels and blast bags is now available in several popular scales for your Scharnhorst and Gneisenau models.

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce a set of 36 Ready Service Ammunition Lockers for 20mm Oerlikon cannons is now available in 1/350 scale.

Although there were many variations, the kind modeled here is one of the most common of the larger types: 62" (~158cm) long x 24" (~61cm) wide x 26.5" (~67cm) high, not including stand.

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce a modernized SCB-125A island for the Essex class aircraft carrier USS Oriskany CVA-34 as it appeared circa 1968, during the latter half of the Vietnam War, is now available in 1/700 scale.

During this period, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 19, tail code NM, was embarked aboard the ship which included Vought F8U Crusaders, Vought A-7 Corsair IIs and Grumman E-1 Tracers, among other types.

[Mark McKinnis]

Holy Buckets!

Nice work Steve and some unexpected Carrier goodies as well. How close is the Oriskany Island to Intrepid? I am trying to save a Ships & Company Intrepid from the scrap pile. It is a terrible kit!!! I have mostly fixed everything but the Island. That is a hopeless aboration so even an Oriskany Island would be a vast improvement.

Thanks for everything. Your work is just awesome!!

Mark

[Christoph Mentzel]

Hi Steve,

The island looks awesome I�m very impressed!
I have placed my order for two of them

Thanks a lot for that work Steve good to have you

Best regards

Chris

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks so much! I hope you all will be nothing less than thrilled with the island.