Model Monkey Sneak Peeks

[chargerman]

It's a shame I was going to ask about the Tuscaloosa also.

[dhenning]

Any chance for the 1/125 or 1/144 20mm Oerlikons? My current project needs 1/125 singles, but will need both singles and twins in 1/144 for the Fletcher kit.

[ModelMonkey]

any chance we might get tuscaloosas Bridge ?

It's a shame I was going to ask about the Tuscaloosa also.

Late last year Bob Morgan "Bob's Starship Shop" and I were sorting out which projects to take on so that our future work would be complimentary rather than competitive. I took on Portland in 1942 and he considered taking on a pre-war Indy (I think) and the Northamptons which would include Tuscaloosa, a ship with a charmed life (no wartime damage). You might check with Bob to be sure. So that's why I'm passing on the design, Bob may make it as we agreed.

Any chance for the 1/125 or 1/144 20mm Oerlikons? My current project needs 1/125 singles, but will need both singles and twins in 1/144 for the Fletcher kit.

Yep, those are in the queue. I started some preliminary work on Bofors mounts, which are intense designs that will take some time. Other designers have had difficulty in designing them in a way that is printable by Shapeways but I'm hoping for the best. Here's a preview:

For those building a large-scale, post-war Fletcher, two designs for Mk.37 directors with Mk.25 radars (open dish or closed dish) are available. Unfortunately, the radars are not printable in small scales, say less than 1/125.

For those building Trumpeter's 1/200 scale USS Iowa or USS Missouri kits, Trumpeter included the wrong 5"/38 twin mounts and there is a noticeable difference in the shape (height, glacis). I offer the correct mounts. Trumpeter erroneously included Mk.32s meant for cruisers and aircraft carriers (lighter weight, thinner armor). Trumpeter is not the only manufacturer to mix the mounts up; it's an easy mistake to make. They should have included Mk.28s meant for battleships. Here are renderings of the difference:

Mark 28 meant for battleships.

Mark 32 meant for cruisers and aircraft carriers.

Some other designs completed this year include highly detailed 16"/50 turrets for Iowa class battlships, among other popular turrets. They include proper slotted screw-heads and hex-head bolts, of the correct number, size and placement. Certainly, the larger the scale, the more of this kind of detail is visible.

[kb466]

Surely hope these 40mm Bofors and 20mm Oerlikons will be available in 1/96 scale. Seeing your available bridge structures, I'm sorely tempted to pull my long delayed 1/96 scale Fletcher class USS Callaghan DD793) off the shelf and resume work on her. Lots of other parts I could suggest-- 5" practice loading machine, stacks, all things related to depth charges, other deck structures, etc. anything that could be used on a 1/96 scale Fletcher-class destroyer would be welcome. Thanks!
Bill M.

[ModelMonkey]

Surely hope these 40mm Bofors and 20mm Oerlikons will be available in 1/96 scale. Seeing your available bridge structures, I'm sorely tempted to pull my long delayed 1/96 scale Fletcher class USS Callaghan DD793) off the shelf and resume work on her. Lots of other parts I could suggest-- 5" practice loading machine, stacks, all things related to depth charges, other deck structures, etc. anything that could be used on a 1/96 scale Fletcher-class destroyer would be welcome. Thanks!
Bill M.

Thanks, Bill!

See:
1/96 superstructures: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Model_Mo ... ctures&s=0
1/96 ships' weapons: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Model_Mo ... eapons&s=0
1/96 ships' directors and radars: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Model_Mo ... Radars&s=0

[ModelMonkey]

The design for the island of USS Hornet CV-8 as it appeared in 1942 is at 60% complete.

This is not a modified CV-5 or CV-6 island; there are enough differences between CV-8 and her sisters that an entirely new design was required, in progress now after much study and consultation with many of you. They all had similar features, but for CV-8, even those features that were similar to those of CV-5 and CV-6 are in slightly different locations. For example, the tripod is further back and the uptake trunk is longer at the aft end. The bridges, platforms, PriFly, decks, portholes and catwalks are entirely different.

The design is being developed from original builder's drawings adjusted to the ship's appearance in 1942. Thus, this island is accurately dimensioned including the precisely scaled, asymmetrical, 8' radius pilot house and curved Flag Bridge with two properly sized porthole types of the correct number and in the correct locations. The features captured in this design are somewhat different in shape than Trumpeter's interpretations in 1/700, 1/350 and 1/200. It is also different than Tamiya's 1/719 and Revell's 1/487 islands. This island will be available in all those scales soon plus 1/600 to help convert Aurora's classic Enterprise to Hornet.

Ignore the exterior cabling, it is not Hornet's, just a place-holder borrowed from Yorktown until Hornet's cabling can be designed.

[SeanF]

Hmm... might you consider doing a Hornet 1941 island?

- Sean F.

[Aop Aur]

Hi Steve,
I am wondering why your Iowa turrets have no bolts across the roof as in the photos and on Tamiya kits. Is that because it would be too small to be printed or anything? I am not a rivet counter, so please don't get me wrong..I'm just curious:)

Regards,
Aop.

[ModelMonkey]

Hmm... might you consider doing a Hornet 1941 island?

- Sean F.

If there is enough market interest to justify the design time, then yes. As you know the island in 1941 is quite a bit different than its 1942 appearance, meaning a significant amount of design time is required to complete it. Thanks for your interest!

Hi Steve,
I am wondering why your Iowa turrets have no bolts across the roof as in the photos and on Tamiya kits. Is that because it would be too small to be printed or anything? I am not a rivet counter, so please don't get me wrong..I'm just curious:)
Regards,
Aop.

I've added them upon your request, properly sized, numbered, and positioned. Be advised that in smaller scales they probably are not visible on the printed product. They should look good in 1/350 and larger. What you see across the real turrets' roofs aren't bolts, they are countersunk screw heads that sit nearly flush with the turret roof. Most plastic kit manufacturers replicate these screws as raised bolts, which is visually interesting but not accurate.

[Russ Smith]

I'm confused. Why would the fact someone else is working on the Northampton's have anything to do with the Tuscaloosa? She was a New Orleans class cruiser. I'll admit I've never found a real good picture of her bridge pre war or early 42 just wondering.

[MatthewB]

I'm confused. Why would the fact someone else is working on the Northampton's have anything to do with the Tuscaloosa? She was a New Orleans class cruiser. I'll admit I've never found a real good picture of her bridge pre war or early 42 just wondering.

I don't know why we need the bridge, when we the Trumpeter Tuscaloosa seems to be pretty accurate.

It is the New Orleans, Quincy, and Vincennes that seem to need work.

MB

[ModelMonkey]

I'm confused. Why would the fact someone else is working on the Northampton's have anything to do with the Tuscaloosa? She was a New Orleans class cruiser. I'll admit I've never found a real good picture of her bridge pre war or early 42 just wondering.

Russ, my mistake. She is indeed a New Orleans class cruiser. Unfortunately, I have no plans presently to produce any more designs for cruisers. They simply don't sell.

More work done on Hornet 1942. Let's call it 70% complete. Sean, I did receive more requests for a 1941 Hornet so I will offer that one, too.

[TOMLABEL]

More work done on Hornet 1942. Let's call it 70% complete. I did receive requests for a 1941 Hornet so I will offer that one, too.

Oh WOW!!! The island is looking fantastic, Steve!!!

Kelley

[John W.]

More work done on Hornet 1942. Let's call it 70% complete. I did receive requests for a 1941 Hornet so I will offer that one, too.

So, Steve, do you actually think you're going to get ME to buy one of these? Really? Don't you think I have any sales resistance?

Well, OK. One. Since you asked nicely by telepathy.
John

[TOMLABEL]

Well, OK. One. Since you asked nicely by telepathy.
John

I like that, John! I think I have found my next "justification"!!!

Kelley

[John W.]

Kelley -
No charge.

Thinking about starting a new service business - "Rationalizations While You Wait".
Know what you want, but can't always take time to come up with a bulletproof supporting reason? Look no further. Can provide tailored specious logic in areas such as economic advantage, manpower savings, product superiority, limited availability time window, (very long term) investment advantages, and so on. Premium service upgrade analyzes your failed efforts in past and synthesizes new responses that don't sound like your pathetic excuses from the past. If it doesn't sound like you said it, it has a far greater chance of sounding definitive, authoritative, and therefore to be accepted without question. Score.
Remember, you only get one good shot to provide a hard-hitting counterblow to dark forces standing between you and your need before the well is permanently poisoned. There is no problem so big that you can't make it even worse. Call in a pro.

John

[TOMLABEL]

"Rationalizations While You Wait".

I'll keep this in mind! You might get a ping soon, John!!

Kelley

[macsparty]

Wow, that Hornet island looks amazing - and exactly what I need. And the possibility of hanger deck items? I better start reevaluating the budget!

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks! Hopefully, this design will be a big help to those modeling Hornet.

More work done on Hornet. Let's say 75% complete. The electrical cabling is more Hornet and less Yorktown, now.

[John W.]

Steve -
Don't forget those little pockets on the front of the Flag Bridge bulwark - I think they are for a portable rangefinder or binoculars. Seen here:

These were added after commissioning, or certainly after the blueprints were drawn. They are hard to scratchbuild, so thanks.