θωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυι οπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγη ϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβ νµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνSMA SMA µθωερτψ υιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφ γηϕκτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνNewsletterNewsletterµθωερτψυι οπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνVolume 46, Numberµθωερτψυιοπασδφγη 08, August 2019 ϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβ νµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψ υιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνContactsµθωερτψυιοπασδφ President: Jean-Philippe Dal Gobbe – [email protected] Vice President: Brian Stein – [email protected] γηϕκλζξχϖβνSecretary: Paul Payne: (310) 544µθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχ-1461 Treasurer: Larry Van Es: (714) 936-0389 – [email protected] ϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνEditor: Don Dressel: (909) 949-6931 – [email protected]. µθωε Web Manager: Doug Tolbert: (949) 644-5416 ρτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνSMA mail address: 21520 Yorba Linda Blvd, Suite G234, Yorba Linda, Ca. µρτψυιοπασδφ 92887 www.shipmodelersassociation.org. γηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχ Meeting – Wed., August 21, 7 PM, Red Cross Building, 1207 N. Lemon, ϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνFullerton, CA. 92832 µθωε ρτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπα σδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλ ζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβν µθ ωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβν µθωερτψυιο1 πασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕ κλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβν WORK IN PROGRESS June 19, 2019 Reporter: Dave Yotter WWII Japanese Seaplanes – David T. Okamura The Nakajima A6M2-N (Navy Type 2 Interceptor/Fighter-Bomber) was a single-crew floatplane based on the Mitsubishi A6M Zero Model 11. The Allied reporting name for the aircraft was Rufe. The A6M2-N floatplane was developed from the Mitsubishi A6M type O, mainly to support amphibious operations and defend remote bases. It was based on the A6M-2 Model 11 fuselage, with a modified tail and added floats. A total of 327 were built, including the original prototype. The aircraft was deployed in 1942, referred to as the ‘Suisen 2” (“Hydro fighter type 2”), and was only utilized in defensive actions in the Aleutians and Solomon Islands operations. Such seaplanes were effective in harassing American PT boats at night. They could also drop flares to illuminate the PTs that were vulnerable to destroyer gunfire, and depended on cover of darkness. The seaplane also served as an interceptor for protecting fueling depots in Balikpapan and Avon Bases (Dutch East Indies) and reinforced the Shumshu base (North Kuriles) in the same period. Such fighters served aboard seaplane carriers Kamikawa Maru in the Solomon’s and Kuriles areas and aboard Japanese raiders Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru in Indian Ocean raids. In the Aleutian Campaign this fighter engaged with RCAF Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Lockheed P- d8 Lightning and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses. Later in the conflict the Otsu Air Group utilized the A6M2-N as an interceptor alongside Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu (“Rex”) aircraft based in Biwa Lake in the Honshû area. (Wikipedia) The Kawanishi N1K Kyõfü)”strong wind”, allied reporting name “Rex”) was an Imperial Japanese Navy floatplane fighter. The Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden (“Violet Lightning”) was an Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service land-based version of the N1K. Assigned the reporting name “George”, the N1K-J was considered by both its pilots and opponents to be one of the finest land-based fighters flown by the Japanese during World War II. The Shiden Kai possessed heavy armament as well as surprisingly good maneuverability, due to a mercury switch that automatically extended the flaps during turns. These “combat” flaps 2 created more lift, thereby allowing tighter turns. Unlike the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Shiden Kai could compete against the best late-war Allied fighters, such as the F6F Hellcat, F4U Corsair, and P-51 Mustang. Kawanishi’s N1K was originally built as a single pontoon floatplane fighter to support forward offensive operations where no airstrips were available but by 1943 when the aircraft entered service Japan was firmly on the defensive and there was no longer a need for a fighter to fulfill this role. It was powered by the Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13 14-cylinder radial engine. The requirement to carry a bulky, heavy float essentially crippled the N1K against contemporary American fighters. However, Kawanishi engineers had proposed in late 1941 that the N1K would also be the basis for a formidable land-based fighter and the company produced a land-based version as a private venture. This version flew on 27 December 1942 powered by a Nakajima NK9A Homare 11 18- cylinder radial engine, replacing the less powerful MC4C Kasei 13 of the N1K-1. The aircraft retained the mid-mounted wing of the floatplane and combined with the large propeller this necessitated a long, stalky main landing gear. A unique feature was the aircraft’s combat flaps that automatically adjusted in response to acceleration, freeing up the pilot’s concentration and reducing the chance of stalling in combat. The N1K did have temperamental flight characteristics, however, that required an experienced touch at the controls. (Wikipedia) David’s cardstock model of the Nakajima A6M2-N is done in 1:33 scale and Howe Modele provided the model kit. The Kawanishi N1K1 is in 1:48 scale and the kit came from phobby.com. Japanese Destroyer Yüdachi – Bob Penikas Yüdachi (“Sudden Evening Shower”) was the fourth of ten Shiratsuyu-class destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the “Circle One” Program (Maru Ichi Keikaku). The Shiratsuyu-class destroyers were modified versions of the Hatsuharu class, and were designed to accompany the Japanese main striking force and to conduct both day and night torpedo attacks against the United States Navy as it advanced across the Pacific Ocean, according to Japanese naval strategic projections. Despite being one of the most powerful classes of destroyers in the world at the time of their completion, none survived the Pacific War. Yüdachi, built at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal, was laid down on 16 October 1934, launched on 21 June 1936 and commissioned on 7 January 1937. At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Yüdachi was assigned to Destroyer Division 2 of the Destroyer Squadron of the IJN 2nd Fleet together with her sister ships Murasame, Harusame and Samidare. They sortied from Mako Guard District as part of the “Operation M” (the invasion of the Philippines). From January 1942, Yüdachi participated in operations in the Netherlands East Indies, including the invasions of Tarakan, Balikpapan and Eastern Java. During the battle of the Java Sea, Yüdachi engaged a group of Allied destroyers and cruisers. Returning to Subic Bay in the Philippines on 16 March, Yüdachi 3 assisted in the blockade of Manila Bay and the invasion of Cebu, returning to Yokosuka for repairs in early May. During the Battle of Midway on 4-6 June, Yüdachi was part of the Midway Occupation Force under the overall command of Admiral Nobutake Kondõ. From mid-June, Yüdachi deployed from Kure via Singapore and Mergui for raiding operations in the Indian Ocean, but the operation was cancelled due to reverses suffered by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Solomon Islands. Yüdachi arrived at Shortland Island on 30 August and was immediately assigned to “Tokyo Express” high-speed transport runs to Guadalcanal. During one such mission from 4-5 September, Yüdachi assisted in the sinking of the destroyers USS Gregory and USS Little. Yüdachi continued making missions to Guadalcanal through November, participating briefly in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October under Admiral Takeo Kurita. On the night of 12-13 November 1942, in the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Yüdachi escorted the Bombardment Force of Rear Admiral Abe Hiroaki. The lead ship in the formation at the beginning of the battle, Yüdachi had to swerve to avoid U.S. ships, and then torpedoed the cruiser USS Portland. Yüdachi then mistook the destroyer USS Sterett for a friendly ship and flashed its recognition signals. Sterett fired back, hitting Yüdachi’s boiler room, leaving the ship dead in the water. After Yüdachi was disabled, 207 survivors were removed by Samidare, which then failed to scuttle her with three torpedoes. The abandoned hulk was later sunk by the gunfire of USS Portland, southeast of Savo Island at position (09° 14’S 159° 52’E Coordinates: 09° 14’S 159° 52’ E). According to James Hornfischer, Yüdachi was showing a white flag before USS Portland fired, but this was deliberately ignored by the American captain, who directed his gunnery officer to “sink the S.O.B. “ (Wikipedia). Class and type: Shiratsuyu-class destroyer, Displacement: 1,685 long tons, Length: 340 ft pp, 352 ft 8 in waterline, Beam: 32 ft 6 in, Draft: 11 ft 6 in, Propulsion: 2 shaft Kampon geared turbines, 3 boilers, 42,000 hp, Speed: 34 knots, Range: 4,000 nmi at 18 kn, Complement: 226, Armament: 5 x 12.7 cm/50 type 3 naval guns, 2 x 13.2 mm AA guns, 8 x 24 in torpedo tubes, 16 x depth charges. Bob’s model kit of Yüdachi was downloaded free on the Internet from http://www.papermodelers.com/. Yüdachi was selected from three offered, the other two being Shiratsuy and Shihgure. The parts were printed on Wausau Acid Free Hyper White Color Copy Card Stock 60 lb. Some parts were printed and cut out of 20 lb. letter paper. All parts were given a Krylon Acrylic Clear Gloss protective coat. Aleens Tacky Glue and cyanoacrylate glues were used to build the model. The gun barrels and masts were made from wire. Bob thinks the scale of the model is around 1:600. HMS Sovereign of the Seas – Craig Coleman Don Dressel brought in a beginning model of the Sovereign of the Seas originally started by friend and mentor Craig Coleman a number of years ago just prior to his succumbing to cancer. There are a number of reasons why Don brought the model in, the first one being the fact that Craig started the model with a “new” wood – “bendy beech”. Don does not know exactly what this wood is and has never used it himself, but Craig, at first, praised its 4 great properties of easily bending into shape, which made the first layer of planking of the model very easy to do. Unfortunately, it is also apparently very susceptible to moisture.