The Ship Model Forum

Here is what I'm going with as far as that molding error goes on the aft port superstructure and the walkway that used to be from the boat deck to the helo deck.




Here is the rest of the model after the finish coat of hull color and black on the masts.

NukeMM wrote: Nektarios........

You've probably built a lot of Spruance class DDs, right? Any Skywave / Dragon ones?

Have you ever noticed, dealt with, or modified this feature on this kit? I'm building the Skywave USS Merrill DD-976 kit which I believe has a major flaw. The port side superstructure aft of the boat deck is wrong. The Merrill never had (as far as I can tell) a walkway from the boat deck to the helo deck, nor the "jet-out" section of bulkhead below the walkway. I haven't come across any other SPRUCANs with this feature, either.

Yes i have noticed this mistake as well as other mistakes in this and other early skywave kits . In the early 90s it was one of the best kits around but now it is not. However it still is the best choice for an early Spruance class kit.

I added the towed sonar cable openings (I'm assuming that's what they are.)

Those openings are not for VDS�s, but for the Nixies. You know, towed torpedo decoys.

Very nice build, as always, by the way.

Sparrow wrote:

I added the towed sonar cable openings (I'm assuming that's what they are.)

Those openings are not for VDS�s, but for the Nixies. You know, towed torpedo decoys.

Very nice build, as always, by the way.

Thanks, Sparrow! Towed Torpedo Decoys, got it! Does that mean they were noise makers or counter measures for defense against torpedos coming at the ship?

The build has come a long way, this weekend. Hull paint, deck paint, detail paint. I found a cool color for the masts and top of the stacks. "Grimey Black" by Polly Scale. I think I'll use that, from now on, on these areas of the models. I also used it on the vent louvers. With this shade of black on the outside of the stacks, a touch of Flat Black inside the stack makes the stacks look like they're actually hollow.

Carl,
Here is your answer, The Torpedo Countermeasures Transmitting Set AN/SLQ-25A, commonly referred to as Nixie, is a passive, electro-acoustic decoy system used to provide deceptive countermeasures against acoustic homing torpedoes. The AN/SLQ-25A employs an underwater acoustic projector housed in a streamlined body which is towed astern on a combination tow/signal-transfer coaxial cable. An onboard generated signal is used by the towed body to produce an acoustic signal to decoy the hostile torpedo away from the ship. The AN/SLQ-25A includes improved deceptive countermeasures capabilities. The AN/SLQ-25B includes improved deceptive countermeasures capabilities, a fiber optic display LAN, a torpedo alertment capability and a towed array sensor.

Hope that helps explain it

Happy modeling

John

John,
Thanks for the technical info on the towed torpedoe decoy system.

Here is the progress on the USS Merrill DD-976 from Skywave. Ready for hull and deck decals, weapons, and railings.

looks great NukeMM..

Nektarios wrote:

NukeMM wrote: Nektarios........

You've probably built a lot of Spruance class DDs, right? Any Skywave / Dragon ones?

Have you ever noticed, dealt with, or modified this feature on this kit? I'm building the Skywave USS Merrill DD-976 kit which I believe has a major flaw. The port side superstructure aft of the boat deck is wrong. The Merrill never had (as far as I can tell) a walkway from the boat deck to the helo deck, nor the "jet-out" section of bulkhead below the walkway. I haven't come across any other SPRUCANs with this feature, either.

Yes i have noticed this mistake as well as other mistakes in this and other early skywave kits . In the early 90s it was one of the best kits around but now it is not. However it still is the best choice for an early Spruance class kit.

IIRC Fujimi has the best SpruCan. I'm looking at building one soon, anything I should watch out for?

Avery-too lazy to log in-Boyer wrote:

Nektarios wrote: Yes i have noticed this mistake as well as other mistakes in this and other early skywave kits . In the early 90s it was one of the best kits around but now it is not. However it still is the best choice for an early Spruance class kit.

IIRC Fujimi has the best SpruCan. I'm looking at building one soon, anything I should watch out for?

I'll have to try a Fujimi SpruCan, myself. I'm dissatisfied with that whole port side flaw thing on the Skywave USS Merrill. The aft CIWS seemed to be in the wrong place, too, and the little round things on the aft missile deck. Not accurate for the Merrill in any time period it seems. Probably a mix of various time periods, I'd say. They seemed to have cheated by swapping out Aegis CG and SpruCan parts in the kits.

Avery-too lazy to log in-Boyer that is a way to log in...

Carl the way you are going, your fleet is going to be the size of Nektarios. Nice job as usually.

John

Thanks Pere and thanks John.

Just one of each class, not all ships of every class. There's no catching up with Nektarios, now!

I'm working on my current goal of a 1/700 post war / modern USN collection of surface combatants. (less CVs, Amphib, and Aux.)

So far, I have built: Aegis CG, CFA DD, Knox FF, OHP FFG, McCloy DE, and a Pegasus PHM.

I have in the works: BB-61; Spruance DD, and AB DDG IIA.

Soon after, I'd like to make a Garcia, Coontz, Leahy, Belknap, and Forrest Sherman.

When I grow up I want to be an aircraft carrier builder.

NukeMM wrote:

Avery-too lazy to log in-Boyer wrote:
IIRC Fujimi has the best SpruCan. I'm looking at building one soon, anything I should watch out for?

I'll have to try a Fujimi SpruCan, myself. I'm dissatisfied with that whole port side flaw thing on the Skywave USS Merrill. The aft CIWS seemed to be in the wrong place, too, and the little round things on the aft missile deck. Not accurate for the Merrill in any time period it seems. Probably a mix of various time periods, I'd say. They seemed to have cheated by swapping out Aegis CG and SpruCan parts in the kits.

Yep, they share an identical hull and that feature is necesary for the Tico class superstructure. Looks like it may be simple to simply cut it away, though I understand not wanting to go that far at this point in construction.

Excellent work on your build btw. (Sorry I'm a bit slow on the uptake today)

I figured I would post some WIP of the AO 178. So here goes, John

looking good, could we see some closer shots?

simon b wrote:looking good, could we see some closer shots?

Yes John. Please some closer shots.

I have added PE nets to my AGB-5002 and its now finished.

Guys

Here are some more close ups -- Regards John

John,
Your AO looks really nice! Thanks for the close ups! I may have to add one of these to my to-build list.

Nektarios,

I like the AGB, but what exactly is an AGB? What nationality is it? It beautiful, no matter what!

J Goodacre wrote:Guys

Here are some more close ups -- Regards John

Looks really nice John

NukeMM wrote:John,
Your AO looks really nice! Thanks for the close ups! I may have to add one of these to my to-build list.

Nektarios,

I like the AGB, but what exactly is an AGB? What nationality is it? It beautiful, no matter what!

Its the icebreaker Shirase used by JMSDF for Antarctic missions. Very recently it made its last Antarctic mission and decommissioned.

Except for the rigging, antennas, and the round Satcom array antennas, this is the progress on my USS Merrill DD-976 by Skywave/Pit-Road.

I'll work on the display base, this weekend.