Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.



On Display – “What If” HMS Hood 1942

Join MSW Crewmember Peter Fulgoney (peterf) shares another one of his miniature works of art. This time the HMS Hood as she would have looked in 1942.




Increased Capability for New Malaysian Frigates
Source: Forecast International

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia --- The second batch of MEKO-A100 class ships being built for the Malaysian Navy will have greatly increased combat capabilities compared with the first group of six ships. They will be equipped with improved command and control systems, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, a three-dimensional radar, surface and air warfare missiles, and a torpedo defense system. As a result of this added capability, the ships will be classed as Littoral Combat Ships rather than offshore patrol vessels.

News of the added capabilities was released in response to accusations by Malaysian Member of Parliament Tony Pua that the six new ships would cost 870 percent more than equivalents purchased by other countries. He arrived at that figure by comparing the MYR6 billion ($1,975 million) cost of the six new ships with the MYR211 million ($69.5 million) per ship paid by New Zealand for its OPVs. However, his figures do not add up. The Malaysian Navy will be paying roughly $330 million per ship for its new acquisitions. While this is a bit less than five times the cost paid by New Zealand, the ships are dramatically different in power and capability.

The six new Malaysian Littoral Combat Ships will be built by Boustead Naval Shipyard and funded under the 10th and 11th five-year Malaysian plans.


Yantar shipyard to complete landing ship Ivan Gren in 2012
Source: AbNews.ru

Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad) plans to deliver Project 11711 large landing ship Ivan Gren to Russian Navy in 2012, reports press service of JSC Armalit-1 which produces pipeline accessories for the ship. As for now, 89 per cent items have been already supplied in accordance with the contract, says the press release. The ship's completion will last throughout 2011.



The ship is designed for landing operations, transportation of combat vehicles and equipment. Ivan Gren is capable to carry 13 main battle tanks (up to 60 tons each), or armored personnel carriers/infantry fighting vehicles (up to 36), or 300 marines.




Sinking of USS Maine

Today’s is the anniversary of the Sinking of USS Maine.




The Nelson Society

Today’s website is the The Nelson Society. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1856 - USS Supply, commanded by Lt. David Dixon Porter, sails from Smyrna, Syria, bound for Indianola, Texas, with a load of 21 camels intended for experimental use in the American desert west of the Rockies.
1898 - The battleship USS Maine "mysteriously" blows up in Havana Harbor in Cuba, killing more than 260 Sailors and Marines while injuring scores more. The tragedy sparks the Spanish-American War.


Diorama Idea of the Day



Sailors assigned to the supply department aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) run to safety.

Gator