Model Monkey News

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks so much!

[ModelMonkey]

Several new nameplates have been added to the catalog, including these:

[ModelMonkey]

Another recent print, Iowa class 16"/50 cal. turrets with barrels in 1/200 scale.

These are suitable for Trumpeter and GPM 1/200 scale Iowa class kits, as well as Montana class models. A set is also available in 1/192 scale for the The Scale Shipyard hull and classic Sterling kit.

[ModelMonkey]

1/350 scale 8"/55 cal. Turrets for aircraft carriers USS Lexington CV-2 and USS Saratoga CV-3 have been updated to include extensive rivet detail.

Several new nameplates have been added to the catalog, including two Ethan Allen class ballistic missile submarines and many more aircraft:
- USS Ethan Allen SSBN-608
- USS Thomas Jefferson SSN-618 (reclassified as an attack submarine)
- P-8A Poseidon
- Poseidon MRA1
- S-3A Viking
- S-3B Viking
- Lysander Mk.III
- Beaufort Mk.I
- Lightning F.2a
- Lightning F.6
- Felixstowe F.2a
- Pfalz D.XII
- OV-1A Mohawk
- OV-1D Mohawk

[ModelMonkey]

And three new nameplates, one for each of the three types of Fubuki class destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

The Hibiki nameplate can complement either the WWII-era destroyer or modern ocean surveillance vessel. The Ushio nameplate can complement the new Fine Molds 1/350 scale Ushio kit. Fubuki, a Midway veteran, was destroyed at Guadalcanal by US cruiser and destroyer gunfire. Ushio and Hibiki survived WWII, the only two ships of the 24-ship class to do so. Ushio, a veteran of Coral Sea, Midway, and Leyte Gulf, helped destroy Porpoise class submarine USS Perch SS-176, and was scrapped in 1948. Hibiki survived being torpedoed by Gato class submarine USS Hake SS-256, and went on to serve the Soviet Union, sunk in the 1970s for target practice near Vladivostok, and now a popular dive location.

[ModelMonkey]

Joining the already available nameplate for USS Independence LCS-2, ten more nameplates for Independence class littoral combat ships have been added to the catalog. This set represents all 11 commissioned ships of the class. Nameplates for all 10 commissioned Freedom class littoral combat ships plus the 2 presently fitting out are also available.

[ModelMonkey]

More nameplates: USS Ward DD-139, all five Imperial Japanese Navy Kuma class light cruisers, three more US Navy SSBNs and several more aircraft including,
- USS Andrew Jackson SSBN-619
- USS Daniel Webster SSBN-626
- USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641
- AV-8B Harrier II
- Harrier GR.1
- Harrier GR.3
- Sea Harrier FRS.1
- Sea Harrier FA2
- Do 17Z-2
- Do 215B-5

[ModelMonkey]

Six more Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer nameplates have been added to the catalog as well as nameplates for all four Russian Borei class SSBNs currently in service. The Borei class nameplates are available in either Cyrillic or Latin text.
- USS Stethem DDG-63
- USS Gonzalez DDG-66
- USS Roosevelt DDG-80
- USS Chung-Hoon DDG-93
- USS Kidd DDG-100
- USS Daniel Inouye DDG-118

- Alexander Nevsky / ????????? ???????
- Knyaz Vladimir / ????? ????????
- Vladimir Monomakh / ???????? ???????
- Yuri Dolgorukiy / ???? ??????????

[ModelMonkey]

More nameplates:
France
- Gu�pratte

Germany
- SMS Moltke
- SMS Goeben
- SMS Von der Tann
- Deutschland

India
- INS Delhi

Saudi Arabia
- Al Dammam ???????
- Al Riyadh ??????
- Makkah ??? ???????

Singapore
- RSS Formidable
- RSS Intrepid
- RSS Steadfast

United Kingdom
- HMS Achilles

United States
- USS Charleston C-2
- USS Barry DDG-52
- USS Curtis Wilbur DDG-54
- USS Stout DDG-55
- USS Mitscher DDG-57
- USS Laboon DDG-58
- USS Russell DDG-59
- USS Paul Hamilton DDG-60
- USS Ramage DDG-61
- USS Fitzgerald DDG-62
- F-100F Super Sabre

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce a set of 1/24 scale P-51 Mustang rudder pedals is available for Airfix kits.

[ModelMonkey]

Newly obtained references from research conducted at the National Archives prior to Covid-19 have permitted improvements to our 1/350 scale and 1/426 scale USS Arizona BB-39 superstructures for 1941 and 1936. We are happy to announce the 1941 superstructure is complete and the 1936 superstructure will be within the week. These are entirely new designs, based on scans of shipyard blueprints.

One of the most common comments from customers was that the Banner/Mini Hobby model kits' forward tripod was very difficult to align properly so that the fighting top was straight and level. Our original 3D superstructures, designed 6 years ago, did little to help. So the new design helps solve that problem by including the entire tripod and associated platforms, already aligned. New features include rooftop periscopes, peloruses, binnacle, drum-shaped RDF antenna cover, improved deck support structure, and much more accurate doors of 3 different sizes (48" x 26" - AA station, 56" x 26" - flag bridge weather enclosure, and 66" x 26" - all the rest, all "pressed panel"-type, all with dogs and hinge detail).

The new parts breakdown is such that the break between parts is at the foot of the bulkheads rather than at the overhead so deck painting is made much easier. Paint the parts before assembly and you'll have a clean, sharp demarcation where bulkheads meet decks.

Below are some photos of the new 1941 design in 1/350 scale. The 1/426 scale model is identical, just smaller.

[ModelMonkey]

As with the improved 1941 model shown in the post above, the 1931-1940 USS Arizona BB-39 superstructure model is also improved. Below are some renderings of the 1/350 scale 1936 model at about 90% complete. Photos of the actual model will be posted after test prints have been made later this week. The renderings show a 1941 fighting top as a placeholder. The 1931-1940 fighting top, available separately, does not have a radar platform.

[reigels]

Any chance of seeing lifeboats for Titanic, Olympic, etc? I need some 1/700 scale 30 foot BOT lifeboats for a scratchbuild project, and Titanic boats would be perfect.

Thinking they would be great to RMS Olympic conversions, etc. as well since the boat count was increased after the big disaster.

Thanks

[ModelMonkey]

Hi Scott,

I regret to say that there are no plans for Titanic/Olympic/Britannic lifeboats.

Thanks and kind regards!

[Seeadler290]

As with the improved 1941 model shown in the post above, the 1936 USS Arizona BB-39 superstructure model is also improved. Below are some renderings of the 1/350 scale 1936 model at about 90% complete. Photos of the actual model will be posted after test prints have been made later this week. The renderings show a 1941 fighting top as a placeholder. The 1936 fighting top, available separately, does not have a radar platform.

Your earlier version was gorgeous. My Arizona project has stalled for a few years, so I am eager to upgrade to the new version. Keep up the good work, it just keeps getting better.

[ModelMonkey]

Thank you so much, M. A.! I hope you will be even more pleased with the improved Arizona design.

For World War I-era model aircraft enthusiasts, a Vickers machinegun is in design, intended for 1/32 scale models and larger, including the classic Revell 1/28 scale Sopwith Camel.

Happy to announce many new nameplates have been added to the catalog, including:

Australia:
- HMAS Napier
- HMAS Nepal
- HMAS Nestor
- HMAS Nizam
- HMAS Norman
- SS Oriana

Canada:
- HMCS Moncton
- HMCS Prince David

- Canso-A
- CC-130H Hercules
- CC-130J Hercules
- CC-177 Globemaster III
- CF-18A Hornet
- CF-101B Voodoo
- CF-104 Starfighter

Egypt:
- Tahya Misr ???? ???

France:
- Bois Belleau

- Rafale B
- Rafale C
- Rafale M

Greece:
- ?/? ???? (F/G Hydra)
- ?/? ??????? (F/G Salamis)
- ?/? ??????? (F/G Spetsai)

Germany:
- SMS Deutschland
- SMS Helgoland
- SMS Oldenburg
- SMS Ostfriesland
- SMS Pommern
- SMS Th�ringen

- Bf 109 G-10
- Gotha G.IV
- Rumpler C.IV

Ireland:
- SS Nomadic

Netherlands:
- Zr.Ms. Rotterdam

Poland:
MS Batory

Singapore:
- RSS Stalwart
- RSS Supreme
- RSS Tenacious

Spain:
- Castilla L52
- D�dalo
- Pr�ncipe de Asturias

Sweden:
- Stridsvagn 102
- Stridsvagn 103
- Stridsvagn 104

United Kingdom:
- HMS Ambush
- HMS Artful
- HMS Prince 1670
- SS Oriana

- H.P. 42 Heracles
- Whirlwind Mk.I

United States:
- USS Belleau Wood CVL-24
- USS Cowpens CVL-25 (previously available)
- USS Monterey CVL-26
- USS Langley CVL-27
- USS Cabot CVL-28
- USS Bataan CVL-29
- USS San Jacinto CVL-30

- USS Laboon DDG-58
- USS Russell DDG-59
- USS Paul Hamilton DDG-60
- USS Ramage DDG-61
- USS Carney DDG-64
- USS Benfold DDG-65
- USS Milius DDG-69
- USS Ross DDG-71
- USS Mahan DDG-72
- USS Decatur DDG-73
- USS McFaul DDG-74
- USS Donald Cook DDG-75
- USS Higgins DDG-76
- USS O'Kane DDG-77
- USS Porter DDG-78
- USS Oscar Austin DDG-79
- USS Roosevelt DDG-80 (previously available)
- USS Winston S. Churchill DDG-81 (previously available)
- USS Lassen DDG-82 (larger size)
- USS Howard DDG-83
- USS Bulkeley DDG-84
- USS McCampbell DDG-85
- USS Shoup DDG-86
- USS Mason DDG-87
- USS Preble DDG-88
- USS Mustin DDG-89
- USS Chafee DDG-90
- USS Pinckney DDG-91
- USS Bainbridge DDG-96
- USS Halsey DDG-97
- USS Farragut DDG-99
- USS Kidd DDG-100 (previously available)
- SS Brasil
- SS President Wilson

- B-1B Lancer
- B-2 Spirit
- B-36 Peacemaker
- B-58A Hustler
- C-130E Hercules
- F-5E Tiger II
- F-105F Thunderchief
- F-105G Wild Weasel
- F-111C Aardvark
- F-111F Aardvark

Nameplates are available in inexpensive, paintable acrylic plastic or several different real metals, including brass, bronze, silver, 14k and 18k gold, rose-gold, and rhodium (platinum). Below are examples of 10 of the new nameplates in polished bronze.

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce the updated 1931-1940 USS Arizona BB-39 superstructure is ready in 1/350 and 1/426 scales.

Below are some photos of the 1/350 scale model.

This model kit superstructure is intended as a more accurate and much better detailed option for modelers building a 1/350 scale USS Arizona BB-39 model kit as the ship appeared throughout the 1930s, after her major 1929-1931�reconstruction at Norfolk, Virginia, until�further modifications were made in late 1940-January 1941 at Puget Sound Navy Yard.

The superstructure was in this configuration during the March, 1934 filming of "Here Comes the Navy" starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien and Gloria Stuart.

[ModelMonkey]

Here is the Model Monkey 1-350 scale USS Arizona BB-39 superstructure in 1/350 scale, with parts dry-fit, next to corresponding superstructure parts of an injection-molded plastic kit.

[ModelMonkey]

Happy to announce sets of 1/350 scale 203 mm/53 cal. (8"/53 cal.) turrets are now available for the Italian Regia Marina Zara class heavy cruisers RN Zara, RN Pola, RN Fiume and RN Gorizia as well as the unique heavy cruiser RN Bolzano.

Features:
- Turrets 2 and 3 include accurate rooftop rangefinders.
- Armored rangefinder hoods include accurate bolthead detail and closed shutters with slide detail.
- Circular turret bases feature raised rivet detail.
- Separate 203 mm/53 cal. "Ansaldo" cannon barrels are fixed to a trunnion properly located within the gunhouse providing a correct center of rotation. Plastic kits often have the center of rotation much too far to the rear of the gunhouse limiting barrel elevation.
- The modeler can set the cannon barrels to any realistic elevation from -5 degrees to +45 degrees, just like the real weapons.
- Accurate cannon barrel spacing.
- Accurate cannon barrel length with accurate muzzle detail.
- Barrel ports feature subtle, raised blastbag/bloomer attachment rings.
- Glacis (frontal armor plate) viewfinder ports include raised rain-deflecting rigols ("eyebrows"), curved for Pola, angular for Zara.
- Rooftop treadplates and bolts.

And best of all:
- Zara's turret 4 features the ship's motto "TENACEMENTE" ("Tenaciously") emblazoned in readable raised lettering on the sides.
- Pola's turret 3 features the ship's motto "ARDISCO AD OGNI IMPRESA" ("I dare to every undertaking", or "Courage in every undertaking") in readable raised lettering on the sides.
- Fiume's turret 3 features the ship's motto "INDEFICIENTER" ("Unfailingly") in readable raised lettering on the sides.

[Kraken Hobbies]

Beautiful work as always Steve! Nice touch on the ships motto's

Matt