Release dates for Linberg Boats???

scottrc wrote:

I am puzzled why they have Cougars in the kit.  The Cougar didn't enter the fleet until April of 1953 and the kit is supposed to depict the BHR in 1952.

Actually the time-frame is a bit of a mish-mash.    I think its a closer depiction of the 1951 BHR.  The radars on the MK37 directors in the kit are tme MK12/22 array.  In the instructions step 2D has you assemble two of them.  By step 7 the drawings of the MK37s have morphed into ones with a MK25 radar dish (i.e. correct for 1952).    The box art also shows MK25 radars.   For a '52 BHR you also need to loose the 20mm guns.   I'm not positive it ever had the 4-barrled .50 cal Thunderbolt mount installed (installation included per instructions).

See the pictures from the 1951 cruise book of the BHR at SteelNavy.

http://www.steelnavy.com/CBBonhommeRichard1951.htm

On an associated note, Dragon has indicated that they intend to release their Korean War aircraft sprue as an aftermarket item (a'la Trumpeter).

jtilley wrote:

IFor what it's worth, Squadron Mail Order is advertising the DML Bonhomme Richard.  It's an Essex-class ship in Korean War configuration - no angled deck, and no ultra-modernized island, but with updated anti-aircraft armament and a complement of Panthers, Skyraiders, Corsairs, Cougars (oops, not right for Korea), and Dragonfly helicopters.  Steel Navy has posted a review of it.  Looks like a beautiful kit.

Great timing too, since it came out a month AFTER I did my Oriskany conversion with the Dragon Randolph kit.  Although I could have used was the aircraft from this new kit, it beat trying to modify WEM Cougars, who discontinued these at the time, into Panthers and TBMs into skyraiders.  The kit also has the Banshee, which was type of plane protrayed in the book Bridges at Toko Ri and was a tough plane to scratchbuild in 1/700.  This kit also has the enclosed bridge which would have been a big help to me as well.

I am puzzled why they have Cougars in the kit.  The Cougar didn't enter the fleet until April of 1953 and the kit is supposed to depict the BHR in 1952.

Sorry for going off topic.

Scott

I don't have a clue about when the "new" Lindberg kits may be coming back.  As I understand it, a new firm has taken ownership of the molds and has some ambitious plans.  I welcome that development; there were some grand old kits under that label.  If I had to pick one, I think it would be Fulton's Clermont - complete with motor that made the paddlewheels, scale (well, more or less), gears, and piston move.

For what it's worth, Squadron Mail Order is advertising the DML Bonhomme Richard.  It's an Essex-class ship in Korean War configuration - no angled deck, and no ultra-modernized island, but with updated anti-aircraft armament and a complement of Panthers, Skyraiders, Corsairs, Cougars (oops, not right for Korea), and Dragonfly helicopters.  Steel Navy has posted a review of it.  Looks like a beautiful kit.

Some sites have been listing the Sport Fisherman for about two years now with announcements that this kit will be released in a few months.   Hobby Heaven's annoucement for the Constellation is new news to me.

Like DML and the modernized Essex kits they are claiming to be working on, I'll beleive these stories when I see the kit arriving at my front door.

A agree about the prices of these kits by private sale.  $400.00 on average is a big chunk of change for a mint condition Lindberg kit. However, these kits are an ease to put together and RC so I hope to see them released again at more reasonable prices.

Scott