The little ship that could.
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: The little ship that could.
Holy Cow!
Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home
RE: The little ship that could.
+1
[&o] The patience that must require... well beyond my skill set. Congratulations!
[&o] The patience that must require... well beyond my skill set. Congratulations!
RE: The little ship that could.
Holy moly! Maybe the US Navy will commission her?
RE: The little ship that could.
[X(]
Can we get something in the picture for scale for us model admirers, perhaps a beer can?
Can we get something in the picture for scale for us model admirers, perhaps a beer can?
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Smoky Stoker
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:34 pm
RE: The little ship that could.
The pages of Battleship Yamato: Anatomy of the Ship are familiar friends.
"Leveling large cities has a tendency to alienate the affections of the inhabitants and does not create an atmosphere of international good will after the war." -Rear Admiral Daniel V. Gallery
RE: The little ship that could.
Thanks for the comments guys, shes just on 14 feet long, thats a roll of packaging tape up near the bow. taken I think 4 years on and off to get to this stage, another three or so to go, I can only work on her about 4 hours a week. 4 individually controlled engines, rudder, and the three main turrets will turn for broadside fire together.
uses two car batteries, though I have room, and an inclination to fit 4.
I am trying to scratchbuild everything in styrene.
Turns from cantona have stopped until 6 August, he has a house full of family visiting new baby.
Nice to know people still following this.
Again, thanks for comments
uses two car batteries, though I have room, and an inclination to fit 4.
I am trying to scratchbuild everything in styrene.
Turns from cantona have stopped until 6 August, he has a house full of family visiting new baby.
Nice to know people still following this.
Again, thanks for comments
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Hiyo steams south, clear of Singapore roads, and now negotiating the fishing fleets and their cursed nets through a calm clear night.
Takeji remains on his bridge, relaxed now, the nerve wracking task of taking a new ship out of harbour successfully completed.
her performance, so far, pleases him.
The Executive officer is more than competent, her navigator too.
His Engineer now stands with him.
Minobe he is not.
LCDR Kato, tall, thin, immaculate.
"They tell me engines, that I can expect 25 knots from the girl, is that correct?"
It is pleasing to see the look of disdain pass over the thin face
"I have squeezed nearly 27 sir, she's a deceptive lass"
Good, very good. He considers the man, the stark white overalls, the row of pencils and pens lined neatly in the top pocket, the goves neatly in the back.
A man, apparently of order.
"Then, all is good below, I was pleased with the response to my orders Engines"
"Thankyou sir, yes, we are in good order, the repairs were good. I am missing two men though"
Two more.
As far as Takeji is aware, Hiyo has sailed nearly 10 men short. Iether Singapore is even more dangerous than he thought, or something even more deeper, more dangerous, threatens the imperial navy........
"Important men?"
"regrettfully yes, skilled."
Takeji nods. "Thankyou Engines, I will try to help". He turns, looks him in the eye "I ask only one thing, hide nothing from me, nothing"
LCDR Kato bows discretely.'Sir"
below, two pilots sleep in hammocks, comfortable, clean, oblivious to the snores about them.
They sleep wrapped in Hiyos vibrations, and the sweet background noise of boiler room fans .
At sea
Home again.
Takeji remains on his bridge, relaxed now, the nerve wracking task of taking a new ship out of harbour successfully completed.
her performance, so far, pleases him.
The Executive officer is more than competent, her navigator too.
His Engineer now stands with him.
Minobe he is not.
LCDR Kato, tall, thin, immaculate.
"They tell me engines, that I can expect 25 knots from the girl, is that correct?"
It is pleasing to see the look of disdain pass over the thin face
"I have squeezed nearly 27 sir, she's a deceptive lass"
Good, very good. He considers the man, the stark white overalls, the row of pencils and pens lined neatly in the top pocket, the goves neatly in the back.
A man, apparently of order.
"Then, all is good below, I was pleased with the response to my orders Engines"
"Thankyou sir, yes, we are in good order, the repairs were good. I am missing two men though"
Two more.
As far as Takeji is aware, Hiyo has sailed nearly 10 men short. Iether Singapore is even more dangerous than he thought, or something even more deeper, more dangerous, threatens the imperial navy........
"Important men?"
"regrettfully yes, skilled."
Takeji nods. "Thankyou Engines, I will try to help". He turns, looks him in the eye "I ask only one thing, hide nothing from me, nothing"
LCDR Kato bows discretely.'Sir"
below, two pilots sleep in hammocks, comfortable, clean, oblivious to the snores about them.
They sleep wrapped in Hiyos vibrations, and the sweet background noise of boiler room fans .
At sea
Home again.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Tension fills Kongos bridge, tension that stiffens mens movements, cuts conversation to short sharp clips
"range?" snaps Tanaka
"10000 yards sir, still closing!"
10000 yards, and still she does not fire...........maybe perhaps she thinks we cannot see her.?
Maybe not, visually..but we have radar too my friends.
But 1000 yards, too close, now too close.
"Starshell.........shoot!"
Secondary guns bark, the 5 inch secondaries..........and abruptly, the horizon becomes day.
A dozen gasps upon the bridge, a dozens expressions of surprise.........all see her, recongnise her immediately, they know this ship, know her well.
Battleship Arizona, she of a similar vintage, someone we can fight.
There on the horizon, bow wave creaming, her guns pointing their way.
And only three destroyers!
"Open fire!"
"order first destroyer squadron to attack!"
Crashing, the guns thundering
pencils roll, clatter from the navigating table, a dozen binoculars glitter
Light, abrupt, bright, high on Arizona's bridge.........remaining, glows of fires!
The two japanes battle ships fire, fire again, Arizona steams on, her presence marked by her guns replying, flash, flash, thunder rolls across the seas
4 japanese destroyers, the Akizukis, peel away, race towards her, and the enemy is turning away, forced to react to the threat
There are bright flashes, again, again, again on the ponderous American, and the flicker of flames.
Kirishima is hit, a glancing blow.
Arizona makes smoke, and vanishes behind it
The guns fall silent
"Navigator!, can we make Koepang in time?"
'Not if you wish to be clear after dawn sir, no chance"
damnation. damnation.
'Make course for Soerabaya........full ahead all!"
We must clear from the Buka's. It is up to the carriers now.
"range?" snaps Tanaka
"10000 yards sir, still closing!"
10000 yards, and still she does not fire...........maybe perhaps she thinks we cannot see her.?
Maybe not, visually..but we have radar too my friends.
But 1000 yards, too close, now too close.
"Starshell.........shoot!"
Secondary guns bark, the 5 inch secondaries..........and abruptly, the horizon becomes day.
A dozen gasps upon the bridge, a dozens expressions of surprise.........all see her, recongnise her immediately, they know this ship, know her well.
Battleship Arizona, she of a similar vintage, someone we can fight.
There on the horizon, bow wave creaming, her guns pointing their way.
And only three destroyers!
"Open fire!"
"order first destroyer squadron to attack!"
Crashing, the guns thundering
pencils roll, clatter from the navigating table, a dozen binoculars glitter
Light, abrupt, bright, high on Arizona's bridge.........remaining, glows of fires!
The two japanes battle ships fire, fire again, Arizona steams on, her presence marked by her guns replying, flash, flash, thunder rolls across the seas
4 japanese destroyers, the Akizukis, peel away, race towards her, and the enemy is turning away, forced to react to the threat
There are bright flashes, again, again, again on the ponderous American, and the flicker of flames.
Kirishima is hit, a glancing blow.
Arizona makes smoke, and vanishes behind it
The guns fall silent
"Navigator!, can we make Koepang in time?"
'Not if you wish to be clear after dawn sir, no chance"
damnation. damnation.
'Make course for Soerabaya........full ahead all!"
We must clear from the Buka's. It is up to the carriers now.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
'extract from falling cherry blossoms, a japanes carrier fighter pilots war"
Even as we slept, our companions were going to work again, showing the allies, showing the world, that we still had teeth
50 plus land based fighters arrived over Koepang at dawn, engaging the Combat air patrol, exhausting ammunition, fuel.
They suffered heavily, losing nearly 30 planes.
But they cleared the way
The japanese carrier strike is but a shadow of once was, but what is lacking in numbers is made up in quality.
The squadrons have been rebuilt, and refilled with only the very best pilots our navy has.
60 zeros, 80 judy, 47 jills
Little opposition.
The strike sinks outright the main targets, 4 CVE, the hits piling one upon another, upon another.
6 LST are sunk, several destroyers, a submarine
The port is left a mess.
Combined fleet may have been reduced, but here, in the waters about Timor, it once again dominates the seas.
Tokyo rose will coin it well this night
Welcome allies, to the tar pit called Timor.
Even as we slept, our companions were going to work again, showing the allies, showing the world, that we still had teeth
50 plus land based fighters arrived over Koepang at dawn, engaging the Combat air patrol, exhausting ammunition, fuel.
They suffered heavily, losing nearly 30 planes.
But they cleared the way
The japanese carrier strike is but a shadow of once was, but what is lacking in numbers is made up in quality.
The squadrons have been rebuilt, and refilled with only the very best pilots our navy has.
60 zeros, 80 judy, 47 jills
Little opposition.
The strike sinks outright the main targets, 4 CVE, the hits piling one upon another, upon another.
6 LST are sunk, several destroyers, a submarine
The port is left a mess.
Combined fleet may have been reduced, but here, in the waters about Timor, it once again dominates the seas.
Tokyo rose will coin it well this night
Welcome allies, to the tar pit called Timor.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
ORIGINAL: Smoky Stoker
The pages of Battleship Yamato: Anatomy of the Ship are familiar friends.
Oh yes, I have that book!
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
18th August 44
Fuchida sits in the circle with the others under the bleached canvas, shirtless, oblivious to the bugs that crawl on sweat streaked skin
He stares at the radio sitting on the crude bench, every sense attuned to the histling, crackling voices of the 22nd.
They are running out of servicable planes, is the 22nd.
The enemy, apparently, are not.
Over Salarjar, the 38's are dancing the dance with the Franks. dancing the dance, and dieing.
There are the occasional murmers in the circle, an audience pleased with the play, exchanging quick glances, smiles, as the toll of kills climbs
6, 7, maybe an eigth.........
"Above us!, T bolts!"
Uneasy shuffling of feet, quiet murmers. Cigerrettes light up nervously.
Groans...........someone has fallen
Silence, as another's screams fills the air
Nods of satisfaction, two more down...but chutes seen
The radio crackles, again
"Bombers.B-29!"
Fuchida shifts uneasily.......they could, he knows, be coming for them........
The sun beats, the men sweat, the canvas flaps listlessly. The hum of insects rises and rises in the silence.
A 100 miles away, men fight, men die.
They return, the survivors of the 22nd, trailing clouds of dust down the strip. The men emerge, grim, drawn.
No smiles.
22nd has 160 kills now, but just 15 planes available.
11th air fleet accept the inevitable, and order them to retire.
Fuchida sits in the circle with the others under the bleached canvas, shirtless, oblivious to the bugs that crawl on sweat streaked skin
He stares at the radio sitting on the crude bench, every sense attuned to the histling, crackling voices of the 22nd.
They are running out of servicable planes, is the 22nd.
The enemy, apparently, are not.
Over Salarjar, the 38's are dancing the dance with the Franks. dancing the dance, and dieing.
There are the occasional murmers in the circle, an audience pleased with the play, exchanging quick glances, smiles, as the toll of kills climbs
6, 7, maybe an eigth.........
"Above us!, T bolts!"
Uneasy shuffling of feet, quiet murmers. Cigerrettes light up nervously.
Groans...........someone has fallen
Silence, as another's screams fills the air
Nods of satisfaction, two more down...but chutes seen
The radio crackles, again
"Bombers.B-29!"
Fuchida shifts uneasily.......they could, he knows, be coming for them........
The sun beats, the men sweat, the canvas flaps listlessly. The hum of insects rises and rises in the silence.
A 100 miles away, men fight, men die.
They return, the survivors of the 22nd, trailing clouds of dust down the strip. The men emerge, grim, drawn.
No smiles.
22nd has 160 kills now, but just 15 planes available.
11th air fleet accept the inevitable, and order them to retire.
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
11th airfleet is evacuated by fast transport to Balikapapan. Salarjar abandoned by the airforce.
Burma army is in full retreat towards bangkok, bombed and straffed nearly on the hour.
Suzuki pokes his head down from the turret, eyes seeking in the gloom Okano and Hirate.
'hey, sleepy heads, wake up!.......report to the gunnery officer..........he is on the quarterdeck!"
Startled the two stokers clamber through the innards of the turret, down the ladder, down the passageway, through the heavy, heavy doors, and out to the base of the rear tower.
The great mass of the aft 18 inch turret is at their shoulder, ahead a veritable desert of timber deck, leading eventually to the concrete and steel of the pete floatplane launching and handling area.
The spy the Gunnery officer, no missing that short stubby shape, and double to him
They are no idiots, the salute, the stiff coming to attention is militarily perfect.
"Sir!, reporting as requested sir!"
The gunnery officer eyes them in silence.
behind him, Yamato's sister towers, behind her, Nagato, Mutsu, on the flank, low down, a carrier.
Destroyers seemingly everywhere complete the picture
"tell me men", he begins "do you remember that bar just down the road from gunnery school in Nagasaki, the one with the 10 yen tuna?"
For a moment, both men cannot answer, confused by the unexpected question
"Sir???"
"Surely you remember", smiles the gunnery officer, "Nagasaki gunnery school, third shop on the left?"
"I may sir............"
The smile vanishes.
"Okano, there is no gunnery school in nagasaki. never was, never will be"
Silence
"You are not gunners, ney?, stokers perhaps?"
Two faces turn various shades, one white, one red.
The gunnery officer's smile returns.........'I hear you are Zuiho refugees, how you got on here is beyond me.......but for your fine work in the turret, i would have you severly disciplined. "
He turns, points to the horizon
'There is a carrier out there, short, apparently, two stokers. pack your kit, you join Hiyo in an hour"
Burma army is in full retreat towards bangkok, bombed and straffed nearly on the hour.
Suzuki pokes his head down from the turret, eyes seeking in the gloom Okano and Hirate.
'hey, sleepy heads, wake up!.......report to the gunnery officer..........he is on the quarterdeck!"
Startled the two stokers clamber through the innards of the turret, down the ladder, down the passageway, through the heavy, heavy doors, and out to the base of the rear tower.
The great mass of the aft 18 inch turret is at their shoulder, ahead a veritable desert of timber deck, leading eventually to the concrete and steel of the pete floatplane launching and handling area.
The spy the Gunnery officer, no missing that short stubby shape, and double to him
They are no idiots, the salute, the stiff coming to attention is militarily perfect.
"Sir!, reporting as requested sir!"
The gunnery officer eyes them in silence.
behind him, Yamato's sister towers, behind her, Nagato, Mutsu, on the flank, low down, a carrier.
Destroyers seemingly everywhere complete the picture
"tell me men", he begins "do you remember that bar just down the road from gunnery school in Nagasaki, the one with the 10 yen tuna?"
For a moment, both men cannot answer, confused by the unexpected question
"Sir???"
"Surely you remember", smiles the gunnery officer, "Nagasaki gunnery school, third shop on the left?"
"I may sir............"
The smile vanishes.
"Okano, there is no gunnery school in nagasaki. never was, never will be"
Silence
"You are not gunners, ney?, stokers perhaps?"
Two faces turn various shades, one white, one red.
The gunnery officer's smile returns.........'I hear you are Zuiho refugees, how you got on here is beyond me.......but for your fine work in the turret, i would have you severly disciplined. "
He turns, points to the horizon
'There is a carrier out there, short, apparently, two stokers. pack your kit, you join Hiyo in an hour"
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Okano is ecstatic 'A carrier!, stokering!, no more bloody paint brushes or upper deck bullpassings!" No more.........
he stops abruptly, shaken by the paleness of Hirates face
"Brother in law, what is wrong?'
'Its Hiyo.........the fire Okano, the fire..........."
he stops abruptly, shaken by the paleness of Hirates face
"Brother in law, what is wrong?'
'Its Hiyo.........the fire Okano, the fire..........."
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Regret to say, until I get another turn, thats it............[:(]
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: The little ship that could.
Caught up once again and, as always, very enjoyable. Am happy with how you have tried to pick-up the pieces from Zuiho's sinking to keep the story moving.
How many CVEs have you now sunk? Must be a fair-sized number!
How many CVEs have you now sunk? Must be a fair-sized number!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
RE: The little ship that could.
ORIGINAL: 1275psi
Regret to say, until I get another turn, thats it............[:(]
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
-
british exil
- Posts: 1686
- Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 6:26 pm
- Location: Lower Saxony Germany
RE: The little ship that could.
What do you mean "Regret to say, until I get another turn, thats it............ "
You can't be serious?
Doesn't Cantona realize there's a war going on?
Mat
You can't be serious?
Doesn't Cantona realize there's a war going on?
Mat
"It is not enough to expect a man to pay for the best, you must also give him what he pays for." Alfred Dunhill
WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS
WitE,UV,AT,ATG,FoF,FPCRS
RE: The little ship that could.
Well, during the hiatus I'll take the opportunity to say thank you for this AAR. Mandrake may have the most amusing, but this one is certainly the most entertaining. Your writing style definitely brings the readers into the action and makes us feel as though we're getting live reports from a real live war.
Now let's hope the time passes quickly. I can't wait to read the next installment in the story of Long Pig Graham!
Now let's hope the time passes quickly. I can't wait to read the next installment in the story of Long Pig Graham!
RE: The little ship that could.
This reminds me of the old radio serials ... you got 15 mins every day ... and the stories spanned years ... used to listen to them every day as a kid.
Pax