Here's a crew shot from MAS E MEZZI9 D'ASSALTO DI SUPERFICIE ITALIANI.

[quote A photo of MAS 536 in I MAS shows the same pattern and what appears to be the same patch below the cockpit.
Al Ross[/quote]

Nope, I'm wrong; it's not a patch nor a flipped negative. I went back and looked at more photos in MAS E MEZZI... and discovered this photo:



Although it doesn''t appear on the drawings nor photos of most of the other boats in this group, MAS 536 has a rub-strake and, for some reason, they stopped the pattern at the strake in that location.

The rub strake application is a bit of a mystery. I thought it might be associated with a particular builder, but found examples of boats with and without the strake from the same builders. Although a Baglietto design, 536 was built by Pinchiotti; 539, also built by Pinchiotti, does not show a strake. 540, built by Celli has one.

It would be interesting to see if there are any photos of a given boat with and without the strake.

Al Ross

Does anyone know of any online retailers who are selling this kit?

Thanks.

Brian

Among others www.whiteensignmodels.com

Al Ross

Thanks Al . . . I was hoping for a U.S. retailer though.

Brian

Morning Al and GArth,

Thanks for the replies folks and the informaion.

These camo schemes should make for some interesting finishes.

Al

I was just going by what I was told by the Italian Navy's historical archives, take what I said whichever way you'd like Mr. Ross. I just offered my comment as a helpful hint - no more than that, I was not setting it in stone as gospel as others do.

One of the more prominent items on these boats was the 20/65 BREDA. If you're looking to super-detail the one in the kit, there is a detailed 1/25 scale drawing of the unit in MAS E MEZZI D'ASSALTO DE SUPERFICIE ITALIANI.

Al Ross

Thanks again Al. I've built the Italeri 20mm for a LRDG truck, it's quite a nice little kit. I'd like to go OOB as much as possible, but will wait a while to see what AM stuff becomes available.

My limited exerience of PE tells me that sometimes it can add a lot to a kit and others it just replaces perfectly good plastic parts.

Al

The April and May 2004 issues of "Storia Militare" have an article by Bqagnasco on the MAS 500 series with lots of photos and profile drawings. Well worth a look.

Al Ross

Thanks Al,

Can you access these on Line by any chance?

Al

I don't know; haven't tried. A google search for Erminio Bagnasco may be fruitful.

Al

Hi Al,

Yes, good point.

Al

Happy New year to you all! I am new to this post but I have found it very intresting and informative on historic as well as technical subjects.
As far as the newest Italeri MAS boat and all things" Italian" I can offer my ability to translate fromr/to italian into english... Have a great Day.
Mark

I wish I had known about you and your ability about two years ago Marco. It would have made my task a heck of a lot more easier.

Garth

Hi Marco,

Thank you for your kind offer, appreciated.

Al

Hello everyone, Still waiting for my kit, but found a nice in-box review and build-up on the IPMS web site to whet my appetite for now. Does anybody know the purpose of the two strange pole-like objects on either side of the fore-deck? It looks to me as if they are in a stowed position. Hope someone can shed a little light on this. I miss the old days when instruction sheets identified parts by name and not just numbers. Al

they are used as depth meters for a more accurate position of submerged objects like.....subs!when in use theyre extended right and left.

They're hydrophones and functioned much like a stethoscope. The end by the charthouse has a pivot on a slide. The shaft would be put overboard and the operator would swivel the shaft with the two handles on the upper end, listening through earpieces for sounds.



Al Ross

Thanks Al and Al

Al

Edit.

Al I see the review for the ELCO but not the MAS.

Thanks for the info Al and Billy, it was a puzzlement. Hello Alan, I just googled MAS 568 and the review came up, being a dinosaur I don't know how to post the direct link. Al

Hi Al,

Nope, nothing related to PMMS either on Google or the site.

Al

Go here: web.ipmsusa3.org/content/italian-regia-marina-motor-torpedo-boat-mas-568-4a-serie

Al Ross

Hello Alan, that article was on the IPMS website, not PMMS. Al (PS) I see Al Ross has posted the link now, thank's Al.

Ah, thanks folks, obviously need new glasses !!!

Al