May 2026 ship club meeting.  

Here's a LINK to the meeting recording.  

We took a break to attend CoMMiESFest which took place April 4, 2026.  We had a vendor table there in which four of us participated.  Brian Hatak and I (David Waples) entered models and were awarded for our efforts.  

This month I shared ship models from three different shows.  HeritageCon, AtlantaCon, and CoMMiESFest.  At each show ships were well represented.  I'm not going to copy all the ship models to this recap.  To view them watch the link to the live meeting above.  If you want me to send you a photo of something specific, let me know.

Okay, so here we go...

We started with some club business.  Our July meeting is scheduled for July 4th and the library is closed.  So we either skip July or pick a different day.  Most seemed to be interested in picking a different day.  I'll check and see what days in July makes sense.  

This is a follow-up from our March meeting.  Markings on the edge of the flight deck are part of the camouflage.  Sam commented that it was bad luck for a ship to have its name changed.  This carrier changed its name three times.  The photo below shows her as the Midway.  It was then changed to St. Lo.  She was sunk at the Battle of Samar  at Leyte Gulf.  Bad luck indeed!  But here's a breakdown of the camo scheme.

Not sure why the image was so poor during the meeting.  This is a clearer view of the drawing Sam provided showing Measure 32.  The colors are identified in the drawing.  

Here's a color drawing of how this paint measure should look.  This is the USS Gambier Bay, also lost at the Battle of Samar.  Thanks for following up on this, Sam!

Tool time!  We spotlighted a new electric hand drill from a favorite tool maker, Dspiae.  

Here's a LINK to a Dspiae video outlining the features of this drill.  Looks like a useful tool!  If interested you can find these at various places in China.  I'm not seeing any available in the US yet.  

Let's take a look at what we're building.  

Rob Weilacher showed off his recently finished Flower Class Corvette in 1/700 scale from Black Cat Models.  90 pieces in 3 inches.  Great work, Rob!  That kit is a real gem.  

Rob referenced this book which is available at many places online.  

Black Cat Models offers five different 1/700 Flower Class Corvettes.  Check out their web site for details.  You can find them HERE

Rob also challenged us to identify his next project.  It was correctly identified by Richard (and not by me) as Scharnhorst.  We'll look forward to this one coming together.

David Angelo shared a photo of his recent build of his White Ensign Models, HMS Warspite.  David has a few things to finish up before calling it complete.  Great work, David.

David referenced this book.  Only available used.  If interested I found it on Biblio for $23.  

 "The Battleship Warspite" 

Ross Watton

Naval Institute Press  1986

120 pages, the usual format

Covers from birth to death.

Greg Hauser shared his 1/350 Fujimi Kongo with the Flyhawk photo etch set.  I was not smart enough to show it to you during the meeting.  Nice work, Greg!

When I went to HeritageCon I planned some time at museums in Buffalo.  I started with the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.  Unfortunately the museum was closed beyond their planned opening date.  That would have been good to know!  I'm told they are great museum ships, but check before you go.. then check again! I was still able to take some photos of the USS Sullivans, and guided missile cruiser, USS Little Rock.   

While there I also caught the USCGC Bristol Bay.  She's operational and looked to be in great condition.  Unfortunately no tours available.  

While in Canada, Harvey Low took me out to see the HMCS Haida which looks to be a fabulous museum ship.  She is really well looked after.  Hopefully I can make it up there another time when she's open.  

She really has some nice lines!

We took a look at some new kits on the market.  First up was a ship class that Roger Schafer served on during Vietnam.  It was the USS Borie which was an Allen M. Sumner Class FRAM II destroyer.  This is a full hull, 3D printed model available in either 1/700 or 1/350 scales.  These are available from Hellenic Ship Model in Greece.  A little pricey to get here but the kit looks exceptional.

New from 3D Wild is the USS Nevada in 1/350 scale.  Observations from the group were favorable.

3D-Wild is also releasing a computer mat with the USS Nevada.  It will be autographed in some way by the last remaining survivor of Nevada, Richard Ramsey.  

Triumph Models has announced a bunch of new ship kits.  

They will be releasing a 1/350 Flower Class Corvette.  At least the CAD drawings look great.  If interested you can probably find it when released at Hobby Easy.  They carry the full range of Triumph Models kits and accessories.  

Also coming from Triumph Models is a full hull 1/700 Nagato.

They have announced a 1/350 Sumner Class in WWII configuration.  

Again, the CAD work looks amazing

Next from Triumph is a 1/350 IJN Destroyer, Yugumo.

This one looks close to being released.  This will give you an idea of what's involved with this kit.

Announced is a 1/700 HMS Courageous.

Another IJN Destroyer announced is the 1/350 Matsu in 1944 configuration.

This one also looks ready to hit the market

Something a little different is this T6 Sherman Tank floatation device.  

We were wondering if this was actually used and it was.  As you can see the tracks are exposed under the floatation device so it can drive itself onto the beach.  

Another unique model announced is the Moskva Class Aviation Cruiser from Takom.  It's 1/350 scale and includes lower deck details.  Notice the elevator in the aft deck to lower helicopters to the hangar bay.  

Coming from Very Fire is the USS North Carolina.  Not much information available yet.  

Again, the CAD work looks exceptional.  Expect a basic and advanced version of this one.

I 💖 Kit is releasing another early Burke Class Destroyer in 1/200 scale.  This one will include the hangar bay on the fantail.  

Back to 1/700 Snowman Italian Battleship Andrea Doria in 1941 configuration.  As you can see there is a ton of 3D parts included with this model, along with photo etch.  Also included is the Italian lighthouse.

Here's a finished model displayed on a sheet of black acrylic, which I think looks quite nice.

Snowman is also releasing again their 1/700 Gearing Class destroyer, this time with some 3D printed parts.

This was interesting.  This model was placed into an image using Artificial Intelligence.  Pretty remarkable way to display your work!  I'm sure we'll be seeing more of this!

Last I came across this 1/35 late war Elco PT Boat from Italeri.  One of the best renditions of this kit I've seen.

We'll see you next time!