Subject: SMML05/04/98VOL140 shipmodels@wr.com.au ============================================================================ MODELLERS INDEX 1: Italian cruisers 1/400 2: Display bases 3: Re: 1/400 Italian Cruisers 4: Skytrex 5: Rigging wire 6: Keeping Humour in the SMML Page...YES, YES, YES!! 7: rigging ============================================================================ TRADERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS INDEX 1: Canadian Source For Heller 1/400th Kits.... 2: Tamiya 1/700 O Class Destroyer Kit ============================================================================ MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: DHJonesPSM Subject: Re: Italian cruisers 1/400 The Tauro kits were originally marketed by a company called Modelcraft (out of business). Modelcraft had announced battleship kits of the Roma type, but these were never made. No tooling was started. Rumor had it (about 3 years ago) that Tauro would continue this plan, but I am sure that this is not true. No official announcements have been made. Dan Jones ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Jessica Rondeau Subject: Display bases Hi all, I have tried the base outlined in the Dec 96 FSM and it turned out very well IMHO. I do agree that the way it is done in the article it is to asymetric, the next time I do one it will be a little more freehand. It is certainly an inexpensive way of displaying your ships and the effect is very impressive. In fact it is so impressive, at last falls IPMS Vancouver show, my base drew a lot of praise from my fellow ship builders, but the Ark Royal that was sitting on it didn't draw flies. Go figure:) Regards, Keith ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Lito626 Subject: Re: 1/400 Italian Cruisers I have the Tauro Zara. It looks like it will build up into a very nice model. The question I'm struggling with is how to paint the red and white barber pole scheme on the fore deck. The molded deck details will make masking very difficult. I've considered sanding/grinding away the deck and saving the details to replace on a sheet styrene deck that has been painted, but that seems like a ton of work. Does anyone have any words of wisdom on this? Thanks in advance for any input. Larry Litoborski ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Chris Drage Subject: Skytrex Hi Dimi, Apart from the armour boys, I am probably one of the few people in the world who has actually detailed and 'kit bashed' a Skytrex casting. HMS Black Prince (modified Dido Class) is the only 1:700 ship in Skytrex's new range thus far but they intend to do a lot more. I was given one to see what I could do with it and I have to say, a very good HMS Diadem (1944) emerged after some hacking, filing and detailing with plasticard and WEM etch brass. If you want to see the results, its featured on Paolo's (Navis) model showcase for the Feb or March issue. The full diorama featuring Diadem with Haida/Huron will be in the April issue of Navis. As it comes, you get a one piece metal casting in mat grey undercoat. There are some bits which are way over scale but a bit of judicious slicing and filing can work wonders! The casting is expensive for what it is. I got mine as a complimentary. If I had to pay I think I would wait for WEM's future modified Dido kit. Regards, Chris ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: genenrg@Naut-Res-Guild.org Subject: Rigging wire I note the discussions on rigging materials. I have some wire that I obtained from a copy machine service man. One roll is .003", but I am not sure of the material. The other is .0015" and is gold plated tungsten. The wire is stretched across the output area of the copier to create the heat to "fix" the toner. You can't get much finer than that. Gene Larson, Alexandria, Virginia mailto:Genenrg@Naut-Res-Guild.org Nautical Research Guild, Inc. http://www.Naut-Res-Guild.org "A non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization with international membership, dedicated to maritime research and accurate ship model building." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Michelle Roth" Subject: Keeping Humour in the SMML Page...YES, YES, YES!! >> 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) p.s. 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. << Alberto. Love your sense of humour!! Try and spike that spider's flies with some Dramamine. It should help her seasickness!! As for the wife, divorce, property settlement etc. etc. etc. REMEMBER, it's CHEAPER TO KEEP HER!!!!! AMEN! Eric Roth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: b29@ix.netcom.com Subject: rigging Dear SMML: I've been reading the dialog about rigging with interest, and finally decided to weigh in. I can't provide much of value for modelers in larger scales. I model in 1:1200/1250 scale. I learned from a friend that nylon paint bruch bristles provide a wealth of material for rigging, funnel stays, etc. for a very cheap price. And the best thing is that they are sufficiently rigid that stretching, heating etc. is unnecessary. I have fully rigged Ships of the Line using them. I just buy a large paint brush at the hardware store and cut the bristles off as I need them. There's only one draw back: about the longest length that you can get is maybe 2 inches. That's fine for my scale, but not for large scales, except for funnel stays, and shorter rigging on yardarms etc. As for human hair, I found it so thin that it was hard to see and harder to work with. Paul Jacobs 1200/1250 Editor Warship.Simplenet.com ============================================================================ TRADERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Michelle Roth" Subject: Canadian Source For Heller 1/400th 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. << Hello folks, With apologies to Bill Gruner at Pacific Front Hobbies for publishing another source for collectable models.... (this store is in Toronto, Ontario, CANADA.) I'm sure Bill won't mind!! Anyone interested in a fairly steady selection of Heller kits, both ship and aircraft as well as many old Airfix, Revell, Monogram..ETC. plastic models you should try: Collector's Lane 3454 Kingston Road, Scarborough, Ontario, CANADA M1M 1R5 PHONE # (416) 264 4941 Mon.-Wed. 11-6 Thurs.-Fri. 11-9 Sat. 10-6 They are good people and I have no affiliation with them other than a satisfied customer. They are supposed to be on line soon with their own web page. Good hunting as Charlie at APC says! Eric Roth P.S. Greg... Great job with the page.. I second Joe Reyna's remarks...'tis a great hobby we all share and this page makes it even better. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Michael Eisenstadt Subject: Tamiya 1/700 O Class Destroyer Kit Folks: I know this is an unusual request. I have the old Skywave 1/700 British O Class destroyer which was recently re-released by Tamiya. The box art on the Tamiy re-release is awesome. I would love a copy for the wall of my workshop. Is there anyone out there who has purchased the Tamiya kit and is willing to dispense with the box (or at least the front of the box with the beautiful artwork)? I will of course pay for the postage, and will be glad to pay a nominal fee of a buck or two for the box art as well. Thanks! Mike Eisenstadt ============================================================================ End of Volume