Building on the recent popularity of 1/350 IJN subjects, Veteran Models announces the upcoming release of five new upgrade kits for 1/350 IJN ships. First is the VTW35032 IJN 6cm, 8cm and 12cm Binocular Set. Next up is the VTW35033 IJN Type 96 25mm Triple AA Guns. Next is the VTW35034 IJN Type 96 25mm Twin AA Guns and then the VTW35035 IJN Type 96 25mm Single AA Gun. Last but not least is the VTW35036 IJN Regular Search Light Set. No release date or price on any of these fine kits has been announced.

Expanding the capability of their Flip-R5 photo etch bending tool, RB Productions announces the upcoming release of three new accessories for their handy photo etch tool. First is the RB-T003 designed for tapered bends such as mast and crane arms. Next up is the RB-T004 for parallel bends such as channels, stairs, armor shields and catapults. Last but not least is the RB-T005 for handles, ladders, etc. Each one of these attachments retail for $3.85 each. RB Productions also announces that similar accessories will be available soon for their Flip-R10 too.

Available at the end of May, Pit-Road Models will release two 1/700 Nimitiz class aircraft carriers packed full of detail. First up is the US Navy Aircraft Carrier Theodore Roosevelt w/ photo etch. Included in this set is sixteen F-14D, two E-2C, four each of the S-3B and EA-6B and a SH=60F. Retail price will be $93.18.
Next up is the US Navy Aircraft Carrier Nimitz w/ clear deck. The Nimitz is in her 2005 fir and will include six each of the F/A-18E, F/A-18F, and F/A-18C, four EA-6B, and two each of the E-2C, SH-60F, and MH-60S. Retail price will be $76.07.

Giving the modeler the opportunity to build an early war boat, Nautilus Models announces their upcoming 1/72 USS Wahoo 1942 Conversion Set for Revell’s 1/72 USS Gato kit. Packed full of detail, this kit will build one of the most famous submarines from the early years of the war. Available now, this conversion set will retail for $80.00

Staying on the forefront of ship modeling world, Gold Medal Models announces their newest photo etch set. The San Francisco (1/350) Ship Set is intended to fit the Trumpeter 1/350 scale kit of the U.S. Navy WW2 heavy cruiser USS San Francisco and her sister ships. This new PE set should be available towards the end of May. Price will be $42.00 plus the usual postage and PayPal fees.

Saturday, May 3, the United States Navy will commission their newest Virginia class attack submarine, the USS North Carolina SSN777. The ceremony will take place at the Port of Wilmington in Wilmington, North Carolina at 10:00 am, Eastern Time. The submarine will be the fourth USN vessel to carry the name that honors the Tar Heel state.

Hot off the press from our overseas news desk, Tamiya announces their upcoming 1/700 IJN Aircraft Carrier Premium Set . Details of this kit are sketchy right now, but it appears that Tamiya will offer this set Japanese aircraft carriers as they did with their Battle of Malaya and Pearl Harbor Raiders sets. For those fans of Kido Butai and the ships that followed, this set is a must. More details to follow as the become available.

Building on the anticipation of Dragon’s upcoming USS Buchanan release, Cyber-Hobby.com announces their upcoming 1/350 U.S.S. Buchanan Upgrade Set. Available now from Dragon USA, this upgrade set will retail for $10.52.

The Type 123 Brandenburg Class frigates were ordered in June 1989 to replace the Hamburg Class.

The frigates are primarily tasked with anti-submarine operations, but they also contribute to anti-air defence, the tactical command of group forces and surface operations. The ships form part of the Wilhelmshaven-based 6th frigate squadron.

Our mate master machinist Burkhardt Masch, of Germany's BMK, has just sent in NEWS of his latest addition to his line of precision turned brass barrels, this time, for Hasegawa's new 1/350 scale Nagato!

Continuing to expand their selection of naval subjects, Osprey Publishing announces their upcoming “New Vanguard” release, Imperial Japanese Navy Battleships 1941-45. This history of the IJN battlewagons in World War II is set to release July of 2008 and will also retail for $17.95.

NEWS in from FUJIMI Models of three very interesting mid-summer releases in 1/700 scale plastic injection mold!

As a follow on to the earlier news report of Kenny Loup in February 2008 Dragon Models have released some more detailed information on the 1/350 USS Buchanan. As with most of the recent Smart Kits releases this kit will incorporate many innovative features including photoetch, pliant paper fiber for flags and decals representing the deck walkway texture. The most exciting news is that this kit will be released in May 2008. The retail price has yet to be announced.

It's Monday Morning in Japan mates, and NEWS (and a first drawing/image) has just been released from Hasegawa Models of their next "Famous Vessels" series 1/350 scale offering, Japanese Nagato Class battleship "Mutsu"!

Continuing to build on its fine range of Photoetch sets Flyhawk Photoetched has announced the eagerly awaited 1/350 super detail set for the IJN Takao.This set will be released shortly and the retail price has yet to be confirmed.

In conjunction with Trumpeter Models, Pit-Road Models has produced a magnificent 1/700 HMS Hood battlecruiser. Join me in taking a closer look at what this kit has to offer.

Staying in step with other kit manufactures, Pit Road Models announces the upcoming Photo Etch set for French Battle Ship Richelieu Class and 1/700 Photo Etch set for WWII HMS Hood. A release date has yet to be announced. These kits will retail for $12.84.

Continuing to build on its fine range of 1/700 Photoetch accessories Lion Roar announced the release four sets of name plates a short while back, one each for the USN, German Navy, Royal Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Lion Roar set LE700070 is for the IJN, and the subject of this MSW News Update.

This kit is now available for purchase.

Airfix Models dives back in to the model ship scene with their announcement of two new upcoming releases. Hot on the heals of Mirage Models new destroyer releases, Aifix is releasing the 1/400 HMS Montgomery and 1/400 HMS St Albans. A release date has yet to be announced. These kits will retail for $11.86.

NIKO Models sends us NEWS and images of their next 1/700 scale full resin offering, the USS Iowa, 1898

NEWS in from aftermarket upgrade producer BMK of their new brass barrel set, staged for an early spring release and availability.