I had finished reading “Ordeal by the Sea” by Thomas Helm and it is a wonderful book that talked about the ordeal that the survivors of the USS Indianapolis had to survive. After I had read the book, I want to build a model of it in 1/350 scale. I have seen Tamiya’s Indy in 1/700, but I want by Indy in 350 (People call be stuborn). I was hoping for a model that has fairly good details and not costing around $150 or more (I’m just a teen, man!). Thanks
There’s rumors that Trumpeter is planning one, but lately, all of the inside information I’ve been getting from them has dried up. I think they’re starting to keep their cards hidden.
However, I did get news from Steven’s International (the Trumpeter distributor) that the Nimitz is on pre-order from Stevens…no firm idea of a release date, but when the distributors (not the hobby shops) start offering pre-orders to the shops, it’s not too far off.
Wow! Thanks for all the feedback! I was wondering if anyone knew if there are any reviews online of any of the kits? I don’t want to shell out $185 bucks for a modle that needs alot of sanding, preping, and etc… (I’m a beginner). I also thought I saw an article in FS along time ago…
Here’s some stuff on the resin Iron Shipwright stuff http://www.steelnavy.com/ISWIndianapolisMT.htm http://www.steelnavy.com/IS%20Indianapolis.htm
The kit’s expensive so I’m waiting on the Trumpeter kit. Those links do have neat stuff though.
I’d like the USS Indianapolis, 2 USS Indiana’s and The USS Munsee in scale with each other. Any other ships w/ IN connections??
Isn’t the Trumpeter USS San Francisco pretty similar? Is San Francisco same class, Portland, as Indy? I sould know, but I don’t take notes every time I surf the net. I want to build a model of Indy too, maybe the sinking. My late father was on Indy for 44 months and got off in San Francisco as they were loading the bomb. He was sent back to the National War College in the east. He lost a lot of friends when she went down. Never talked about it though. Lots of the crew did change during the war. Captain Mc Vay had only had command for a short time if I remember right. The Trumpeter kit isn’t cheap at over 50 bucks, but I’ll bet it makes an impressive ship. I think she had ten battle stars for her service. Good luck, Paul Venne
The San Francisco and Indianapolis are totally different ships.
In addition to the Iron ShipWright 1/350 there is also coming soon if not already on the market a 1/350 Indianapolis from Yankee Modelworks. Bear in mind when buying resin that those types of kits come complete with photo etch, some even come with machined brass or aluminum main battery guns, although I don’t know if either of these offerings do. Several of the battleships that I have bought in resin came with brass barrels as well. WS
There is interred in the Jerome Cemetery, a survivor of the tragic sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis. Even though we both live in the same town, I never met Mr. Shaffer or his family. I think he would be reluctant to talk about his nightmarish experience of floating for four days and nights in shark infested waters without fresh water or food, facing exposure and dehydration. His ship sank in 12 minutes after being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on the Philippine Sea. Of the 1,196 crewmen aboard, about 300 went down with the ship. The remaining 900 floated in absolute horror until discovered by accident 4 days later. Only Mr Schaffer and 315 of his shipmates were saved. The U.S.S. Indianapolis was the last U.S . surface ship sunk in the Pacific conflict.
Montani semper liberi ! Happy modeling to all and every one of you.