Subject: SMML04/04/98VOL139 shipmodels@wr.com.au ============================================================================ MODELLERS INDEX 1: Skytrex Kits 2: Rigging 3: Rigging with hair ============================================================================ TRADERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS INDEX 1: HMS Ark Royal FS 2: RE: Heller 1/400 Ship Kits ============================================================================ MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Dimitrios Apostolopoulos Subject: Skytrex Kits Dear SMML Subscribers: Could somebody comment on the quality and fidelity of Skytrex kits? From their advertisement in the latest issue of PSM seems that the kits come assembled and painted. Thanks, Dimi Apostolopoulos ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Alberto Rada Subject: Rigging Hi This subject of rigging, is pretty much the same in Ship modeling as in WW1 Aviation and all the methods mentioned previously are also in use by these Kate modelers, I just finished an FE2b and anyone that knows the plane will understand the problem. First of all I would discourage using wife's hair, for the sole reason that in case of divorce there might be a discussion on property and I am sure you want to keep your kits ( it's about the only thing you will be left with) I discovered in Pacific Front Hobbies a Japanese nylon monofilament that comes .002' up and .002 is thin enough for 1/700 scale, for 1/350 you must go 1 size up , or even 2 , it works well, ties well with Cyano, and I paint it afterwards with Model Master metalizer lacquer gunmetal and the result I find quite good The Japanese nylon is called Dai-Riki For antennas etc. there is a carbon-steel mix that looks kind of very thin piano wire, cuts well and maintains rigidity although you can shape it up with some pliers, I have also used it for masts etc. both items I have used on the HMS Vega that's in Warships, this is sold by a WW1 Aviation mail order called Sopwith Hobbies in Miami mailto:SOPWITHUSA@aol.com, ( No other commercial relation with me other than satisfied customer, decent merchant). Any one wanting a little piece to try it out, give me your snail mail address and I'll be happy to comply. Ps. I also have this little spider that I have been training for some years and does quite a good job, but its no good on ships, once on deck she becomes sea sick . SALUDOS Alberto ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: mitch fisher Subject: Rigging with hair Although I have not had any bad experiences I can see where humidity could affect it. But on the other hand hair is one of the most chemically inert things in the world. Thats why it is so bad for plumbing, it doesn't decompose. Your models will probably crumble to dust long before the rigging deteriorates. An excellent alternaive to nylon thread would be suture thread if you have a source. Mitch ============================================================================ TRADERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: LeadSled58 Subject: HMS Ark Royal FS Airfix 1/600, fairly recent production, opened but complete, $9 plus shipping. Thanks, Tom ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Pacific Front Hobbies Subject: RE: Heller 1/400 Ship Kits There has been a lot of inquiry about various Heller kits, particularly the French BBs and German heavy cruisers. We attempt to stock the Heller kits as best as we can, but supplies are very sporadic, even though we are touch with several distributors who are supposed to carry them. There is word the German CAs will be re-released this year, as the German pocket BBs were last year. Heller doesn't seem to want to make much of an effort to market their products in the U.S., so this adds to the problem. We contacted Heller to see if they would sell to us directly, but their direct purchase requirements were too great to justify the kind of sales we would expect from this product line. We will continue to do our best to stock as much of the Heller line as possible, and to continue to offer pre-owned kits on our UPDATE, as we occasionally get them in collections. If you are in Europe, you might want to contact White Ensign Models for availability. Thanks, Bill Gruner http://www.pacificfront.com ============================================================================ End of Volume