Model Monkey Sneak Peeks

[ModelMonkey]

Hi John, thanks for the interest!

Hard to know for sure, probably middle February. When I get to it, I'll be using scans of original builder's blueprints to design it (see reduced-size sample of the shelf plate drawings below). It'll be very accurate.

Hope that's good news!

Regarding the Baltimore designs, I'm just about done designing the Mk.34 directors for them. There will be two distinct Mk.34 designs representing two types commonly seen on various ships (rangefinders and rooftop details differ). The radar antenna will not be included, just the director (antenna and supporting framework omitted in favor of photo-etch). They will also be available separately in sets in various popular scales. Here are the designs at 80% complete showing a bit of the supporting turntable below them:

Different rangefinders.

[johnhmartin]

Steve, Yes that is VERY good news. I'm currently building the 1/350 Trumpeter and the turrets are terrible! I will definately be picking a set up! Any chance on including blast bags with the turrets?

[SeanF]

Question about that Mk. 34 director:
I get leaving the framework to photoetch, but why not produce the solid airfoil-shaped Mk. 13 radar enclosure? The earlier Mk. 8 radar is available in photoetch, but if you want to do the Mk. 13 (as seen in the red-circled photo) you'd have to scratch-build it.

- Sean F.

[ModelMonkey]

Question about that Mk. 34 director:
I get leaving the framework to photoetch, but why not produce the solid airfoil-shaped Mk. 13 radar enclosure? The earlier Mk. 8 radar is available in photoetch, but if you want to do the Mk. 13 (as seen in the red-circled photo) you'd have to scratch-build it.

- Sean F.

Designing it is easy. But there are some cost, efficiency and printability concerns that have to be overcome to make the whole project viable.

PM coming your way.

[maxim]

That is a good idea - perhaps print it in way that it can be easy removed and attached with PE parts again.

[ModelMonkey]

Alrighty, then...the Mk.34 designs are complete.

It is not yet known if the antennas will be printable. It is the fine aft edge that is problematic. Easy to design, not so easy to print in small scales.

These two images below are directors with the proper configuration for Vietnam War-era USS Saint Paul and USS Los Angeles:

These two images below are for World War Two-era Baltimores, Clevelands as well as rebuilt pre-war battleships (Tennessee, etc.)

I'll try to have some sets available this weekend in 1/700, 1/500 and 1/350. The sets can be a big set of say, 6 or 8 directors, with an equal mix of both types. The big set will likely be the most economical.

[SeanF]

That is a good idea - perhaps print it in way that it can be easy removed and attached with PE parts again.

A discardable "sprue" arm (or pair of arms) connecting as one printed part with the director... that could help keep the part count down.

A part of why I suggested this is that I've built the Tamiya 1:350 Missouri a couple times, and if you want to do a late-war fit and need those Mk. 13s it's a pain to shape them, and get them to match - so the market wouldn't be limited to just cruisers (set of two. printed with the connecting "sprues" so it's "one part"?)

- Sean F.

[ModelMonkey]

Good to know. I'll have a separate set of four Mk.13 Antennas ready in 1/350 tomorrow. [edit: done]

1/700 Mk.34 directors with Mk.13 antennas are ready now. https://www.shapeways.com/product/QCLA8 ... -13-radars

[ModelMonkey]

The design for USS Saint Paul CA-73 should be available beginning in a day or two. Decks will be separate to allow access for painting. Please be advised that radar antennas will not be printable in 1/700 (sorry, guys).

The drum-shaped object, according to Navy drawings, is an AN/URN-3 TACAN beacon which goes on the very top of the mast. Hopefully, the beacon will be printable in all scales.

[maxim]

That looks really promising!

Can you add the Mk 13 radar? Perhaps together with the TACAN antenna on a "sprue" "fixed" e.g. to the rear deckhouse?

[ModelMonkey]

That looks really promising!

Can you add the Mk 13 radar? Perhaps together with the TACAN antenna on a "sprue" "fixed" e.g. to the rear deckhouse?

Yes.

Effort continues to try to make a design for Mk.56 directors that's printable in 1/700. Because of their geometry and extremely fine features, they have proven very resistant to 1/700 printability.

[tko24]

Thanks, Aop!

Framing designed. Saint Paul and Los Angeles were a bit different. The enclosed bridges for Los Angeles extended farther aft.

USS Saint Paul CA-73:

1-192 Baltimore class Enclosed Bridges at 80% complete.d.jpg

USS Los Angeles CA-135:

1-192 Baltimore class Enclosed Bridges at 80% complete.e.jpg

Looking good so far! I will definitely get the 1/700 and 1/350 versions, I've been hoping for a conversion to do a Vietnam Version of a Baltimore Class CA for a very long time. Thank you! I wish someone would also do a conversion for HMS Belfast to her post 1959 modernization bridge for the 1/350 Trumpy kit.

[ModelMonkey]

Thanks so much!

A set of Mk.56 directors in 1/700 scale is ready: https://www.shapeways.com/product/CDBWE ... d=61839392

Shapeways has added a new material for printing. It's called "Black High Definition Acrylate" (aka "HDA"): https://www.shapeways.com/product/G64YS ... d=61840264

Only some of my designs can be printed in this new material, generally those that do not have significant overhanging features. Here are two examples of Model Monkey designs that are available in the new material:
- Dummy torpedo warhead inserts for Revell's 1/72 scale PT Boats: https://www.shapeways.com/product/55HCH ... r-pt-boats
- 1/700 Kriegsmarine SL-8 Rangefinders: https://www.shapeways.com/product/DRRHJ ... d=61841596

HDA has some attractive characteristics. For those interested in it, here's what Shapeways has to say, video included: https://www.shapeways.com/materials/hig ... n-acrylate

Here's an example of what can be printed in HDA (photo of a real, 3D-printed locomotive, not a rendering):

[ModelMonkey]

The design for USS St. Paul in 1/700 and 1/490 scales has been uploaded to Shapeways.

1/700: https://www.shapeways.com/product/5WASF ... ed-bridges

1/490: https://www.shapeways.com/product/5ZFSS ... d=61852852

[Mark McKinnis]

Awesome work Steve!


I thought that I needed a 1/700 scale Island for a 1/700 Ships & Co Intrepid but it is going to be the Hancock now. So I would like to put a bug in your ear for a 1/700 scale Hancock CVA-19 Island 1972 ish era. I know that the Essex Class Islands are in the que...... ........ just was looking for an update as to when.

Thanks,

Mark

[ModelMonkey]

Mark, received your references, thanks!

1/600 St. Paul is ready: https://www.shapeways.com/product/LKAZR ... ed-bridges

[Paul Peterson]

Steve,
A little while ago I requested that you make Mk-56 directors in 1/600 scale to upgrade the Airfix Forrestal class carriers. You said you couldn't make them that small. It looks like you figured out a way, which is great. Could you market the Mk-56 directors as a separate item?

[ModelMonkey]

Steve,
A little while ago I requested that you make Mk-56 directors in 1/600 scale to upgrade the Airfix Forrestal class carriers. You said you couldn't make them that small. It looks like you figured out a way, which is great. Could you market the Mk-56 directors as a separate item?

Indeed, after much head-scratching and hair pulling, and many attempts, Shapeways has accepted a Mk.56 design in 1/700 and has accepted the design as part of 1/600 Baltimore enclosed bridge sets. The antenna dishes will print thicker than designed but should look reasonably accurate. The director mount itself should print very well.

I'll have them ready for you today, Paul!

Do you see anything else in the catalog you'd like me to try to re-scale to 1/600?

Mk.38 directors will be ready today, pending any "life happens" events.

[ModelMonkey]

Paul, the Mk.56 Directors are now available in 1/600 scale.

Link: https://www.shapeways.com/product/BU4P3 ... -directors

Please be advised that a set is already included with the Baltimore class enclosed bridge sets, as you know, so this is a separate set as you requested.

[bioshock73]

I have a question about your Mk.34 directors and MK.13 radar set. What is the length of the Mk. 34 part and length of the Mk. 13 antenna? The base for the Mk. 8 antenna PE by Tom's Modelworks which goes on top of the Mk. 34 director, appears to be too large for Trumpeter's kit parts. Or maybe the kit part might be too small.