Ahoy mates and welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Let’s see what going on today.



Forgotten Sisters Best In Show Vote
Ahoy, ye maties!
Voting for the "Best in Show" will run one full week from the start date of this thread (8/12-8-19)...have you voted? Remember, ALL MSW members are entitled to cast your vote for your choice!!!
Click on the "Link to Item" in the beginning post of this thread to be transported to the voting gallery, and place your vote before it's too late!!!!
Best In Show Vote

2008 IPMS-USA National Convention
Join Mark Smith (Gunny) in a photo walk-about gallery of this years IPMS USA National Convention, held in Virginia Beach, Virginia!
IPMS USA National Convention




More 1/350 Figures From Fujimi
Fujimi has announced the latest release of their fine injected plastic figures. The 1/350 Imperial Japanese Navy Seaman Figure Set #2 (234 figures) will be available in September of 2008.



New Releases from Trumpeter
1/350 USS Lassen DDG-82 Arleigh Burke Class Flight IIa Guided Missile Destroyer
This long-awaited release is finally coming in December! The Arleigh Burke destroyers are now the only class of active destroyers in the US Navy. They employ the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. They are the largest and most powerful destroyers ever built, larger and more heavily armed than previous destroyers. The Lassen was launched on October 1999. Kit consists of 487 parts on 13 sprues, photo etched handrails and markings for the US Navy. Additional features:
Separate sonar, waterline plate included for optional full or waterline construction, hangar door can be assembled open or closed, 2 SeaHawk helicopters and display stand.



1/700 USS Tuscaloosa CA-37 New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser
The Tuscaloosa was commissioned in 1933, and patrolled the Caribbean and Panama Canal waters. As WWII approached she was summoned to the East Coast of the USA to protect the waters to the East. As the war in Europe expanded, she was summoned to the North Atlantic assisting the British in their pursuit of German vessels and in ferrying supplies to various strategic locations. By the end of the war, Tuscaloosa had served by nearly every coast in Europe from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.
Kit consists of 188 parts on 9 sprues plus optional waterline plate & markings for MS12 camouflage 1942. Includes 1 SOC Seagull aircraft.






This Day in U.S. Naval History

1845 - The U.S. Naval Academy is established at Annapolis, Md., on former site of Fort Severn.
1895 - Commissioning of USS Texas, the first American steel-hulled battleship. Texas served off Cuba during the Spanish-American War and took part in the naval battle of Santiago. Under the name of San Marcos, she was sunk in weapon effects tests in Chesapeake Bay in 1911. Her hulk continued in use as a gunnery target through World War II.
1908 - First Navy post offices established in Navy ships.
1944 - Operation Dragoon, Allied invasion of Southern France.
1953 - First naval officer appointed Chairman, Joints Chiefs of Staff, Adm. William Radford.
1958 - USS Lexington (CVA 16) arrives in vicinity of Taiwan during Taiwan Straits crisis.

Indian sub crossed Barents Sea

On August, 11 the Indian submarine Sindhuvijay arrived in the Norwegian port of Tromsø for a four-day visit. The Russian-made submarine comes from Severodvinsk (Arkhangelsk Oblast) where it has undergone upgrades at the Zvezdochka plant.



The four-day visit is unprecedented, NRK reports.

The Sindhuvijay has been docked far longer than first expected at the Russian yard, following the Indian Navy’s discontent with the Russian weapon systems installed. According to the Indian admirals, the Klab-2 missile system works insufficiently. Following the discontent, the Indian Navy earlier this year, ordered the whole submarine crew home to India, leaving the vessel in Russian hands.

The problems with the submarine come in addition to the troubled Indian-Russian negotiations over the takeover of the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov), currently upgraded at the Sevmash plant, also in Severodvinsk.

Despite the current problems in Severodvinsk, however, Russia continues to support India’s bids for a nuclear-powered sub. India is reportedly in negotiations with Russian authorities about the possible acquisition of two Russian Typhoon-type submarines. The country is also working with the construction of its own nuclear-powered sub. In late 1980s, India leased a nuclear sub from the Soviet Union.




Boeing's 1st P-8A Poseidon Moves From Final Assembly to Preflight

Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) and Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) employees gathered today in Renton, Wash., to celebrate the completion of final assembly on the first P-8A Poseidon for the U.S. Navy and its move to preflight work.



IDS and BCA are building the P-8A, a military derivative of the 737-800, on a third final assembly production line in Renton. The third line takes advantage of the proven efficiencies, manufacturing processes and performance of the highly reliable Next-Generation 737.

"We're proud to have completed final assembly on the first P-8A Poseidon," said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and P-8 program manager for BCA. "Our objective on the P-8 program is to provide the Navy with the world's most advanced maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. BCA and IDS working together as one team will be able to do just that."

IDS will now focus on calibrating the flight-test instrumentation onboard the aircraft before moving it to Boeing Field in Seattle early next year for systems integration and additional testing.

"Program milestones, both big and small, are met daily thanks to our outstanding Poseidon team," said Bob Feldmann, vice president and P-8 program manager. "Since the start of final assembly in late March, the team has met all assembly milestones, including wing-to-body-join and start of the moving line in May, completion of full-power testing and engine installation in June and, most recently, engine run."

The Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8As to replace its fleet of P-3C aircraft. Initial operational capability is slated for 2013.


Photo of the Day



Quartermaster 1st Class Tony Sasser, assigned to Afloat Training Group, Middle Pacific (ATGMIDPAC), simulates a nine-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) terrorist attack during an anti-terrorism exercise.

Gator