Man Battlestations Forum

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Landlubber on January 13, 2013, 08:51:26 pm

Title: U.S. Navy K-class blimp
Post by: Landlubber on January 13, 2013, 08:51:26 pm

Went to my favorite local modeling store yesterday and found an interesting kit:  a Glencoe Models U.S. Navy K-class Blimp.  The model is 1/330 scale, so it's about 11 inches long.  Detail is decent, the kit is pretty simple--pretty much the two halves of the envelope, two pieces for the gondola (plus some window inserts), and the drive propellers.  The kit also comes with ground crew and the apparatus that the blimp would dock to.

While doing a little research on the K-class blimps, I came across this picture:

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/3c33c549676f90c632b3e36f44d2ccf3.jpg)

Not sure what the ship is, but I thought it was a cool picture.  Figured you all would enjoy it.

I'll post pics of the model when I'm done, although it may be a while due to the upcoming move.

Title: Re: U.S. Navy K-class blimp
Post by: Pendrake on January 15, 2013, 02:29:08 am

USS Mindoro - (CVE-120) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CVE-120)

The number's painted on the deck.

Here is a link to another picture of the same event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kemon01/6970143580/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kemon01/6970143580/)

Title: Re: U.S. Navy K-class blimp
Post by: Landlubber on January 15, 2013, 10:37:05 pm

I like the other picture, that's a good angle.  I got to thinking that this might be a good subject for a diorama, so I went looking for models of escort carriers in that scale.  Best I can find is a Hasegawa kit of the USS Gambier Bay in 1/350 scale (which is probably close enough).  The Gambier Bay is a Casablanca-class escort carrier, while the Mindoro is a Commencement Bay-class ship, which succeeded the Casablanca-class.  It's at least a hundred dollar kit, and I'm not sure if a hobby store could order one.

But it would be darn cool!

Title: Re: U.S. Navy K-class blimp
Post by: Ruckdog on January 27, 2013, 04:52:45 pm

Yeah, it would be! I'm a little surprised at the high cost of a plastic CVE. I guess it just isn't that popular of a subject!

Title: Re: U.S. Navy K-class blimp
Post by: Landlubber on January 28, 2013, 11:35:28 pm

I think the cost has to do with the scarcity of the kit, and the size.  Any 1/350 naval model, if the subject is any bigger than a destroyer, is going to be a large model.  So it's probably a decent bit of styrene.

At least it isn't a GW model.  Would probably be a $600 kit...

But the diorama is just a pipe dream.  I WILL get the blimp done, but I don't have the time or patience or skill to do a carrier in that scale.

Title: Re: U.S. Navy K-class blimp
Post by: Camthalion on February 01, 2013, 01:58:51 am

that certainly would  make a nice dio.  I have two of those blimps.  A number of airships actually.

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/rowdy75/Airships/Kclassblimp2-1.jpg)
(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/rowdy75/Airships/Blimps3.jpg)

And a Goodyear one with two signs
(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/rowdy75/Airships/Blimps1-1.jpg)
(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/rowdy75/Airships/Blimps-1.jpg)

Geoff

Title: Re: U.S. Navy K-class blimp
Post by: Ruckdog on February 01, 2013, 11:27:09 pm

Nice airship collection! I must admit to having a fascination with airships; it was one of the reasons I went with the PE in DW ;).

Title: Re: U.S. Navy K-class blimp
Post by: Landlubber on February 03, 2013, 11:28:22 am

Those look great, Cam.  Makes me want to get started on mine!