Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - HMS Albury
MSW crew-mate Bob Cicconi (BOBCICCONI) gets back into 1/700 ships with the Finewaterline Hunt/Aberdare class built as HMS Albury in this MSW “On Display” Feature.
Feature - S-63 Sindhurakshak
MSW crew-mate Somboon Vongveeranonchai (eddiev200) shares a fine gallery of images of his build of Russian Kilo Class Submarine, S-63 Sindhurakshak in this MSW “On Display” Feature.
Seoul hunted out evidence that Cheonan was torpedoed
Source: Rosbalt
South Korean corvette Cheonan with displacement of 1,200 tons was torpedoed by North Korean submarine on March 26 in the Yellow Sea, reports ITAR-TASS referring to South Korean defense ministry.
According to the ministry's press release, outputs made by investigative board will dispel numerous doubts about reasons of an explosion halved the corvette and caused death of 46 sailors. Fifty eight crewmen were rescued then. According to S Korean 73-man investigative board including experts from Australia, the UK, the U.S., and Sweden, the ship sank because of underwater burst of a torpedo launched by North Korean sub sneaked into South Korean territorial waters.
The major evidence is a torpedo engine picked up at the accident site; there was North Korean-style inscription "No. 1" on the engine. Other fragments of torpedo lifted up were corresponding to Seoul's descriptions of North Korean arsenals. According to the board experts, it was a torpedo contained about 250 kg of explosives made in North Korea.
We recall that 104-man crewed Cheonan was patrolling border territories somewhat 20 km away from North Korean frontier on March 26, 2010. When an explosion occurred in the hull, the corvette ship rapidly went to the bottom. Fifty eight sailors were rescued in the first hours after tragedy; afterwards, rescuers failed to find any survivors.
Norway put up for sale 7 warships
Source: armstrade.org
Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization (NDLO) put up decommissioned ships for sale. The list proposed by foreign orderers includes Horten-type supply ship and six Super Hauk class fast-speed guided missile boats, reports Jane's Defense Weekly.
Commissioned in 1978 supply ship Horten was used as a floating base for submarines and fast-speed boats, and also for training purposes. NDLO appraised the ship's residual value as NOK 45 mln (5.13 mln euro).
According to the NDLO representative, 2,530-ton ship located at Naval Base Hokonsvern will be sold along with spare parts set and technical documentation. NDLO also offers to provide crew training course.
The sell requires approval of Norwegian and the US governments, since some on-board equipment was produced by American companies. A buyer should fulfill American legislation related to arms export control.
Among marketed six Super Hauk class missile boats are Tjeld (P 989), Jo (P 992), Stegg (P 994), Falk (P 995), Ravn (P 996) and Geir (P 998). Fourteen Hauk-type missile boats were commissioned into Norwegian Navy in the period of May 1979 - Sept 1980. Initially, 36.5-meter long boats were classified as PT boats, but in 2000 they were upgraded and re-classified.
Modernization works included installation of Zenit-2000 tactical control system made by DCN, comm equipment Asym 3000, electro-optical guidance system Vigy 20, upgraded antiship missile Penguin, and navigational systems. Armament comprises two Bofors 613 heavy torpedoes, six Penguin Mk.2 Mod.6 antiship missiles, coupled SAM system Simbad with antiaircraft missiles Sadral, and 40-mm gun L/70 made by Bofors.
Each of Super Hauk class boats was appraised NOK 26.5 mln (about 3 mln euro), including engine repairs and arms upgrade. Norway also offers sell of those boats for NOK 18 mln (without arms) or demilitarized variant for NOK 7 mln (without arms, naval navigation, comm equipment and engine upgrade).
In 2003 four boats were deployed in the Mediterranean securing civil shipping in the Strait of Gibraltar under NATO Operation Active Endeavor. Since 2006 till early 2007 four boats participated naval component of UNIFIL II peacekeeping force (Lebanon).
USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
Today’s website is USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1918 - Ensign David S. Ingalls, in a Sopwith Camel, shoots down his fifth enemy aircraft, becoming the first U.S. Navy ace while flying with the British Royal Air Force.
1944 - Fifth Fleet carrier aircraft attack Japanese in Visayas, Philippines.
1960 - First nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), launched at Newport News, Va.
Photo of the Day
Service members embarked aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) swim in the Caribbean waters during a swim call off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. For those building the 1/350 Tarawa, note the rust in the well deck.
Gator
