Ahoy mates and welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Let’s see what going on today.
Community Build Contest
THREE days and counting, Community Builders, until the close of Build Session 2 of our "Community Build Contest", make sure your images are uploaded (or ready to upload) and in your "BLOG" thread by the end of the day on July 31, to be eligible for this months points to be added to your total....Keep modeling!
2008 IPMS/USA Nationals MSW Roll Call
MSW Managing Editor Mark Smith (Gunny) is looking to put together a "face to callsign" session, MSW group photo, and just an all around BS opportunity. Sound off here if you plan to attend.
MSW Roll Call
On Display ~ Soviet Typhoon vs. USS.Dallas
MSW crew-mate Somboon Vongveeranonchai (eddiev200) sends us an interesting display of an OOP DML kit in this MSW "On Display" feature!
Reference Site
Aoshima Announces Future Plan
In the newest Model Art Magazine, Aoshima announced in an advertisement their plan to release a 1/350 IJN 5,500 ton Class CL Nagara and Kuma, and CA Myoko Class cruisers. The release schedule will be winter of 2008 (5,500 ton CL) and the spring of next year(CA Myoko). The price is not yet know.
New IJN Cable Ship from Kobo-Hiryu
Kobo-Hiryu announces the release of their 1/700 WW2 IJN Cable Ship Hatsushima. This resin offering of the Imperial Japanese 1700 ton cable-laying ship will retail for $35.00. The HIJMS Hatsushima was launched 1940 and sunk by US Navy submarine Sennet on 28 April 1945.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1846 - Sailors and Marines from U.S. sloop Cyane capture San Diego.
1918 - Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, visits Queenstown, Ireland.
1945 - U.S. warships bombard Hamamatsu, Japan.
Northrop Grumman-Built Coast Guard Cutter Waesche Christened
More than 1,000 guests attended the christening of the Northrop Grumman Corporation-built U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) here today.
Waesche is named for Adm. Russell R. Waesche, who was the first Coast Guard commandant to achieve the rank of admiral. He led the Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, which is the longest tenure of any USCG commandant. Adm. Waesche's granddaughter Marilla Waesche Pivonka broke a bottle across the ship's bow to a rousing ovation, and also performed a song to honor the ship and her grandfather.
“Our nation, like many others, is a maritime nation with intricate transportation networks,'' said keynote speaker U.S. Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. “The nation needs a greater awareness and effective understanding of this maritime activity. This National Security Cutter directly contributes to the Coast Guard's ability to achieve this maritime domain awareness and, in turn, this helps protect America.''
Waesche is the second ship in the new Legend-class of highly capable, technologically advanced, multi-mission cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security.
“Shipbuilders take great pride in what they do,'' said Mike Petters, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. “A shipbuilder knows that with each weld, each pipe detail, each engineering drawing, he or she is building a platform that will serve as a home to a Sailor, Soldier or Marine. A ship that will also, if called upon, be ready to protect America.''
“The construction of this ship has required a great deal of skill, labor, and tenacity by the Northrop Grumman shipbuilders here in Pascagoula,'' said Paul Schneider, deputy secretary of Department of Homeland Security. “Waesche highlights the essential cooperation between the government and private industry. Waesche is a tangible reflection of our commitment to protect national security and modernize the United States Coast Guard fleet.''
The National Security Cutter (NSC) is a 418-foot ship with a 4,300-ton displacement at full load. Powered by a twin screw combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant, the NSC is designed to travel at 28 knots maximum speed. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircrafts, and state-of-the-art command and control electronics.
“I followed Adm. Waesche's career my entire career,'' said Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. “While I did not know him directly, I know him from his deeds and actions and what has been written about him. He was an extraordinary and towering figure in the Coast Guard, one to be emulated by anyone who will follow him.''
Production of the second National Security Cutter at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding represents a new approach to the design and construction of surface ships. In partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, the joint venture partners of Integrated Coast Guard Systems, have been working side-by-side to build a class of ships that is not only capable and flexible, but also an economical and enduring platform.
New ships for the Russian Navy
Russia started the development of a series of new ships for its Navy. According to Head Commander of the Russian Navy, Vladimir Vysotskii, Russia is currently in the process of building new strategic nuclear-engine cruisers, multipurpose submarines, frigates and corvettes, while the development of a series of other vessels, among them new aircraft carriers, has started.
In an interview with Praim-Tass the Navy admiral said that Russia intends to hold five or six aircraft carriers, which are to operate from its Northern and Pacific Fleets. – The Navy considers it absolutely necessary in the have 5-6 aircraft carriers in combat condition, Mr. Vysotskii said.
Currently, Russia only has one aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov in operation.
Photo of the Day
U.S. Coast Guard Motor Life Boat (47268) brakes a wave during a rescue at sea exercise off the coast of Yaquina Bay State Park.
Gator
