Model Monkey Sneak Peeks

[David Sandifer]

Not so, MatthewB (26APR post).

Tuscaloosa's bridge was unique among the New Orleans class CAs. She was the first to have the communications bridge level (the level below the navigation bridge) glassed in. That was 1 1/2 levels in height (11' 10") and was glassed in with the windows the conventional height above the existing deck, with empty space above the windows. This half deck is completely missing from 1/350 and 1/700 Classic Warships resin and Trumpeter styrene plastic productions of the class, so you have a 1 1/2 level high open area around the central core of the structure between the comms deck and base of the pilothouse level. Also, the D/F station was one level higher, the flag bags were a half level lower, the light AA gallery was a half level above the comms bridge deck, and the rangefinder was as originally built.

Add the different 5"/.38cal positions with their splinter shields, and the narrower searchlight tower on the intake vent between the funnels (rather than on the deck), and you have significant changes from the New Orleans class ships available.

I join Grandice, Chargerman, and Russ Smith in asking Aptivaboy Bob, ModelMonkey Steve, and 3DModelParts Carl to consider producing a correct 1/350 Tuscaloosa bridge.

R/David

[MatthewB]

Not so, MatthewB (26APR post).

Tuscaloosa's bridge was unique among the New Orleans class CAs. She was the first to have the communications bridge level (the level below the navigation bridge) glassed in. That was 1 1/2 levels in height (11' 10") and was glassed in with the windows the conventional height above the existing deck, with empty space above the windows. This half deck is completely missing from 1/350 and 1/700 Classic Warships resin and Trumpeter styrene plastic productions of the class, so you have a 1 1/2 level high open area around the central core of the structure between the comms deck and base of the pilothouse level. Also, the D/F station was one level higher, the flag bags were a half level lower, the light AA gallery was a half level above the comms bridge deck, and the rangefinder was as originally built.

Add the different 5"/.38cal positions with their splinter shields, and the narrower searchlight tower on the intake vent between the funnels (rather than on the deck), and you have significant changes from the New Orleans class ships available.

I join Grandice, Chargerman, and Russ Smith in asking Aptivaboy Bob, ModelMonkey Steve, and 3DModelParts Carl to consider producing a correct 1/350 Tuscaloosa bridge.

R/David

Got plans for that bridge? Or decent photos?

The Warship Pictorial for the New Orleans-class doesn't have clear enough photos of the Bridge.

MB

[David Sandifer]

No, Matthew, I have neither plans nor decent photos. That's why my CW San Francisco's backdating to an 08DEC1940 (when my Dad was promoted to SGT in the USMC det [and FDR's third Caribbean cruise]) has been on the shelf for years. R/David

[ModelMonkey]

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

You mean these little ol' thangs? Keep in mind that in order for the splinter shielding to be printable by Shapeways, it has to be designed thicker than actual scale without the handhold pipe on the top. But I think this is a very good representation and will look great in 1/350 and 1/700. The rangefinder "bumps" are to-scale on the exterior, but the interior is a bit small due to splinter shield thickness.

[John W.]

Steve -
Yes, those! A little file work if necessary is a whole lot better than grafting those boys in later since the plastic is kinda brittle.

Army pilots, Man your planes!

John

[gberger]

John, don't you mean..."gentlemen, start your checkbooks"!....Mine's already warmed up.

Gene

[John W.]

Gene -
Not really. The Doolittle Raid was in the Pacific. If those pilots and aircrew were breaking out any books, they would have been Chinese books, the Czechs being in the ETO, of course. Anyway, Paypal (or should it be Paysteve?) uses credit cards.
John

[ModelMonkey]

85%. Detailing continues. Next big effort is the fighting top.

[MatthewB]

I have the drawings for that ship but no rib frames.

I have the plans for the hull.

I was just wondering if anyone had plans for the Bridge.

I am pretty much done with the Nagara Bridge, and work continues on the 1942 South Dakota superstructure (to convert the 1943/44 Trumpeter Kit). But being able to get the New Orleans-class ships started would be a bonus.

MB

[MatthewB]

Oh!

And I don't see the Hornet Bridge available in 1/700 yet.

Of course I didn't look for it in 1/350, or 1/200 either.

Is this simply because you have not yet put it into the shop?

Also... The Trumpeter Hornet is the one with the Bow that is too thick, correct?


MB

[TOMLABEL]

85%.

Looks AWESOME!!!! Definitely looking forward to a 700/487/350 versions of these!! Very nice work indeed, Steve!!!

Kelley

[ModelMonkey]

Oh!

And I don't see the Hornet Bridge available in 1/700 yet.

Of course I didn't look for it in 1/350, or 1/200 either.

Is this simply because you have not yet put it into the shop?

Also... The Trumpeter Hornet is the one with the Bow that is too thick, correct?


MB

Thanks Matt and Kelley!

It's not in the shop because the design is only at 85% complete. It's not done yet.

Yep, the Trumpeter Hornet is the one with the bow that is too thick. This island is intended for those with the Merit Yorktown or Enterprise kit who want to convert theirs to Hornet.

Hope this helps!

[ArizonaBB39]

Oh!

And I don't see the Hornet Bridge available in 1/700 yet.

Of course I didn't look for it in 1/350, or 1/200 either.

Is this simply because you have not yet put it into the shop?

Also... The Trumpeter Hornet is the one with the Bow that is too thick, correct?


MB

Thanks Matt and Kelley!

It's not in the shop because the design is only at 85% complete. It's not done yet.

Yep, the Trumpeter Hornet is the one with the bow that is too thick. This island is intended for those with the Merit Yorktown or Enterprise kit who want to convert theirs to Hornet.

Hope this helps!

But if Steve does offer it in 1/700 Tom's model works offers an accurate replacement hull for the Trumpeter Hornet, just FYI.

[ModelMonkey]

The design for Hornet's island as it appeared in 1942 is complete in 1/350 scale. It will be available in other scales soon (thicknesses of certain features have to be adjusted before rescaling the design).

Some adjustments were made and certain features will appear a bit differently than they do in the above renderings.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=162105&p=690209#p690209

[ModelMonkey]

WWII US Navy destroyer fans might like to see what's coming next, highly detailed, perfectly scaled Quintuple Torpedo Mounts.

Here are a couple views of one of the tubes. The design for the whole mount is about 40% complete.

[MatthewB]

If you do the Quint TTs (and some Quads as well, for the earlier 1,500 tonner DDs), then I will need a LOT of those in 1/700 scale (if they work out in that scale) for my Benson/Gleaves ships (which I have 8 I am doing).

MB

[John W.]

Presently designing funnels for Lexington CV-2 and Saratoga CV-3, but thought WWII US Navy destroyer fans might like to see what's coming next, highly detailed, perfectly scaled.

Here are a couple views of one of the tubes. The design for the whole mount is about 40% complete.

Steve -
Since you have far too much time on your hands I will endeavor to help you use up more of it - after the LEX / SARA funnels, of course, since I need one of the former and Martin Quinn would have me shot if I diverted your attention from that project.
Since you are on the torpedo tube clusters, another DD and DE weapon that I have never seen done well (in 1/350th or smaller) would be a Hedgehog launcher. I have seen representations that look like a box of pipes or sticks. I have seen P/E replacements for the sticks, but they become flat sticks in that representation. This was a pretty widely used weapon on USN and RN small boys - because they worked - later in the war. I even remember a Revell box scale FLETCHER class I built as a kid that had one (after a fashion) fitted, I think in place of the #2 5" mount.
If that doesn't bog you down, how about at least the stack for the diesel powered DEs that can be built from the Trumpeter ENGLAND kit - the CANNON, EVARTS, and EDSALL sub-classes?
Need more ideas? You know where to find me . . .

[MartinJQuinn]

Since you have far too much time on your hands I will endeavor to help you use up more of it - after the LEX / SARA funnels, of course, since I need one of the former and Martin Quinn would have me shot if I diverted your attention from that project.

Pistol whipped. Never shot.

[robertmelvin]

Steve, any chance that you could produce twin Oerlikons in 1/350? That is one need that as far as I am aware is not being met in anything but PE, and look terribly one two dimensional at their best. I'm sure there would be a demand for these weapons in other scales as well.

Hoping for a positive response,

Bob M.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks, fellas!

...Since you are on the torpedo tube clusters, another DD and DE weapon that I have never seen done well (in 1/350th or smaller) would be a Hedgehog launcher. I have seen representations that look like a box of pipes or sticks. I have seen P/E replacements for the sticks, but they become flat sticks in that representation...

Unfortunately, 3D-printed versions in 1/350 or smaller are unprintable by Shapeways.

Steve, any chance that you could produce twin Oerlikons in 1/350? That is one need that as far as I am aware is not being met in anything but PE, and look terribly one two dimensional at their best. I'm sure there would be a demand for these weapons in other scales as well...Bob M.

Unfortunately, Shapeways is not able to print Oerlikons or Bofors in 1/350 or smaller. The smallest Shapeways-printable outer diameter of a barrel is 0.6mm, 0.8mm, way overscale.

Since several other 3D designers are already producing Oerlikons and Bofors in large scales, I have abandoned those designs - no market.

The torpedo mounts cannot be printed in 1/350 or smaller.

Now having said all that, you both might try contacting Carl Allsop at 3D Modelparts.com. He uses an entirely different technology and may be able to print these items and be willing to design them.