Model Monkey News

[ModelMonkey]

Hi Mark,

Yes, the 1958 Saratoga island is more similar to Ranger and Independence than Forrestal up to about 1964 and could be used for models of those ships, too, during those early years. Arguably, the most noticeable difference between the three islands during those years is the shape and extent of the forward battle lookout station above the navigating bridge, forward of the funnel cap. Other differences are much less noticeable. Sometime about 1964-1965, the islands received modifications that begin to make them very noticeably different.

Sponsons are still a possibility for early 2018. Thanks for loaning me the Italeri kit parts for study!

[ModelMonkey]

Mardis Hall, today is your day:

Happy to announce an island for the Forrestal class aircraft carrier USS Independence CVA-62 as it appeared circa 1965-1971 is now available in 1/350 scale.

[gtbred]

Tonkin Gulf Fleet has gotten Bigger!

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce sets of cannons for 19th century warships are being designed. First design complete is the Royal Navy Blomefield 32-pounder long-pattern Cannon. This weapon was fit to ships-of-the-line such as 104-gun HMS Victory and 74-gun HMS Bellona. Victory carried 30 of these weapons at Trafalgar. Bellona carried 28.

The design features King George monograms.

The models are available in several popular scales.

[ModelMonkey]

The second 19th Century cannon design is complete. Happy to announce Columbia Iron Works 1808-pattern 32-pounder Carronades are now available for your USS Constitution kits.

The models are available in several popular scales.

These accurate, 1805-pattern models are intended to replace the incorrect 1840s-pattern carronade (actually an erroneous "gunnade") type often found in model kits which have a different shape, most noticeably, the shape of the breech (more properly called the "cascabel"). Even the carronades that appear on the real USS Constitution today are actually 1840-pattern "gunnades"!* It is likely that US Navy warships built prior to the War of 1812, such as USS Constitution, had carronades that were indistinguishable from the British "Carron 1805-pattern" guns. These 3D-printed models accurately capture the features and dimensions of the Carron 1805-pattern carronade including its unusual stepped bore.

*Gunnades and 1840-pattern American-made cannonades have a semi-spherical breech (cascobel).

[ModelMonkey]

Here's the Carron 1805-pattern 32-pounder Carronade with King George monogram, appropriate for many Royal Navy warships and merchantman, too. (But not Victory, her carronades were whopping 68-pounders).

The models are available in several popular scales.

[ModelMonkey]

Okay, all Old Ironsides fans! A set of US Navy 24-pounder Cecil Iron Works long guns is now available.

The models are available in several popular scales.

[ModelMonkey]

Pleased to announce custom nameplates in real metal are now being updated to include a decorative nautical rope border. Requests for custom names are gladly accepted. Various font types may be printable. Here's how the nameplate for USS Enterprise CV-6 looks in brass with lettering in arial font:

Nameplates are available in acrylic plastic or the following real metals:
Brass
Silver
Bronze
14k Gold plated
14k Rose-gold plated
18k Gold plated
Rhodium plated (Rhodium is a member of the platinum group of metals. Rhodium does not tarnish.)

Basic design measures 71.2 mm x 11.25 mm (2.8" x 0.44") and can be enlarged upon request.

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce a 1/700 scale early "short-bridge" USS Essex CV-9 island is now available for your 1943-1944 Essex class models.

Features:
- fully assembled
- scaled dimensions match official US Navy Booklet of General Plans drawings for USS Antietam CV-36 with details adjusted to match 1943-1944 photos of USS Essex CV-9, as well as scaled drawings by John Roberts appearing in "Anatomy of the Ship: The Aircraft Carrier Intrepid"
- accurately shaped, detailed and positioned doors of three different types with chevron-shaped rain deflector detail (most doors are positioned open)
- accurately sized and positioned open portholes with rigol ("eyebrow") details
- accurately shaped decks and catwalks
- deck supporting structure details accurately positioned as confirmed by photos of the real ships
- open battle lookouts
- subtly curved funnel caps
- open uptakes completely through the island, with correct bend in rear uptake
- open flag lockers
- accurate exterior cabling detail
- Bofors tubs spent shell casing chutes
- formation lights on searchlight platform splinter shield
- funnel access scuttle
- exterior steam pipes for ship's whistles
- starboard-side incinerator pipe
- venturi (wind deflector) on air defense deck splinter shield
- subtle, raised locator discs on decks and platforms to aid on the placement of 40mm Bofors mounts, 20mm Oerlikon guns and searchlights (Bofors, Oerlikons and searchlights are not included)
- integrated tripod mast with ship's bell

[ModelMonkey]

For those that prefer a late-war "long bridge" Essex class ship, I am happy to announce a USS Yorktown CV-10 island, 1944-1945, is available.

The model is available in several popular scales.

[ModelMonkey]

Very happy to announce that designs for Quadruped Main Masts for post-war Iowa class battleships are now available in 1/350 scale.

For USS Iowa BB-61 and USS Wisconsin BB-64 (late configuration): http://shpws.me/PjqV
For USS New Jersey BB-62, USS Missouri BB-63 and USS Wisconsin BB-64 (early configuration): http://shpws.me/PjqZ

Thanks to Rick E. Davis and Hank Strub for their research efforts making these designs possible. And thanks to all those patiently waiting for this design to be made printable in 1/350. It took awhile!

Here's the mast for New Jersey, Missouri and early Wisconsin:

Here's the mast and boat booms for Iowa and late Wisconsin:

[/b]

[Miguel]

Hello Steve , one question please.

In your add on Shapeways about the USS West Virginia Superstructure 1941 ,You said that is designed for the BWN/YMW ships. want to know if it can be used in the ISW Wee Vee without tons of surgery?

Thanks Steve

[ModelMonkey]

Hi Miguel!

I don't know if the superstructure will fit the ISW kit. If someone with the ISW kit in hand can give us the 01 level dimensions, we can compare those dimensions to the dimensions of the 3D superstructure. If the ISW kit is a little bit smaller than scale, the 3D superstructure may fit the ISW kit well.

When I began the design for the BWN/YMW kit, Martin Quinn graciously sent me a BWN/YMW kit to make sure the 3D design would fit. As you know, because of the nature of the resin in resin kits, many factors affect them as the resin cures which can affect their final dimensions, especially noticeable in larger kits. (Designing products for them is high adventure!)

When I compared Martin's BMW/YMW kit to Booklet of General Plans drawings, the kit's 01 level came out a tad bit shorter and narrower than scale, a very common characteristic of large resin kits, probably due to shrinkage when curing. The barbette is smaller than scale, too.* So the superstructure I designed accounts for those two differences.

---------

*This can be a problem if you use 1/350 true-scale Model Monkey Colorado class turrets on the Model Monkey 3D superstructure. The true-scale Model Monkey turrets are precisely 1/350 scale so when you put a MM turret on the smaller-than-scale BWN/YMW-sized barbette, turret #2 will rub up against the conning tower. A separate set of turrets and barrels specifically scaled to fit the BWN/YMW kits and Model Monkey superstructure is now available. Link: http://shpws.me/PknV

[Miguel]

Hello Steve

Thanks for such a nice and comprehensive explanation, the problem is that now the BWN/YMW USS West Virginia is out of production and finding one is very hard, the only available kits of the Colorado Class 1941 are the 2 models from ISW, which my favorite is the Wee Vee, .
Your superstructure for the BWN West Virginia is an absolute gem, but I wish if I can use it on the ISW WV, I think the best way is to get the model and if somebody can scan the base of the 3D part and then compare with it, then I can figure if it can be adapted to the ISW kit.

Thanks again Steve for bringing such wonderful parts for those magnificent Battle Wagons

[ModelMonkey]

If it helps, here are the dimensions of the 3D superstructure:

Maximum width (bulkhead-to-bulkhead, not including splinter shielding): 69.9 mm
Overall length (including barbette): 162.15 mm
Barbette diameter (outer): 27.0 mm

[Miguel]

If it helps, here are the dimensions of the 3D superstructure:

Maximum width (bulkhead-to-bulkhead, not including splinter shielding): 69.9 mm
Overall length (including barbette): 162.15 mm
Barbette diameter (outer): 27.0 mm

PERFECTO!!!!!



Thanks Steve

[Miguel]

Miguel, in your no whine policy, you forgot "it" in #2.

You are totally right David, need to modify the signature

Miguel, if nothing added to the deck's of that model then scan it inverted with a ruler beside it & send it to Steve as he would be able to say yes or no on the use of his superstructure.

This is an excellent idea, Thanks for the tip ,I will do so ,just need to buy first the ISW Wee Vee

[ModelMonkey]

Miguel, I hope this gives you some better options in case the ISW kit is a bit small: Happy to announce a set of Colorado class 16"/45 cal. turrets and barrels designed specifically to fit the 1/350 scale Blue Water Navy and Yankee Modelworks USS West Virginia BB-48 kits. These turrets will also fit the Model Monkey 1/350 scale USS West Virginia 1941 Superstructure.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks to Dick J., Martin Quinn, Rick Davis and Tracy White who graciously contributed references and advice, designs for 1/700 scale World War Two Essex class aircraft carrier islands continues, joining SCB-27 and SCB-125 designs already available. Each design is unique, capturing features of the specific ship. Differences between similar designs include splinter shield shape, deck shape, Oerlikon platform shape (larger for those with positions for Mk.51 directors), venturi (wind deflector) configuration and extents, mast type, exterior cabling, etc.

New Essex class designs:

USS Essex CV-9 Island, 1942-1944 - early "short bridge"
USS Yorktown CV-10 Island, 1943-1944 - early "short-bridge"
USS Yorktown CV-10 Island, 1944-1945 - "long bridge" Yamato sinking
USS Intrepid CV-11 Island, 1943-1944 - early "short-bridge"
USS Hornet CV-12 Island, 1943-1944 - early "short-bridge"
USS Lexington CV-16 Island, 1943 - early "short-bridge"
USS Lexington CV-16 Island, 1944-1945 - modified "short bridge" - "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot"
USS Wasp CV-18 Island 1943-1944 - "short bridge" - "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot"

Happy Holidays![/b]

[MartinJQuinn]

Impressive!

Beginning in January, I'll pause on the Essex islands for a short while in order to design superstructures for USS Pennsylvania BB-38 (1944), USS Oklahoma BB-37 (1941) and USS North Carolina BB-55 (1944-1945 - for Revell), then resume work on carrier islands and products for destroyers.

Looking forward to see what you come up with for the Oklahoma!