Subject: SMML8/6/98VOL204 shipmodels@wr.com.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Mission Capistrano 2: USS Essex/Hornet Conversion 3: Re: BISMARCK (long) 4: Re: Smuggling 5: Re: Smuggling 6: Bismarck queries 7: Alpha Weapon 8: Re: Matchbox Flower class Corvettes 9: USN colours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS INDEX 1: Warship Update ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "David P. Judy III" Subject: Mission Capistrano Doug, One way is to paint all the vertical, then, using a 005 pen (Micron Pigma, these are available in any craft store) outline all the deck furnishings with this pen. then paint (brush) the deck up to the penned line. The neat part is you don't have to go right up any vert. surfaces with your deck paint! just to the drawn line. After your done a clear overcoat will smooth things out, the black line will appear as a shadow! Dave Judy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Michael Eisenstadt Subject: USS Essex/Hornet Conversion Bjorn: The best reference for what you're interested is an article by Larry Gertner that was published in IPMS Journal (USA) years ago, entitled: "Building a Better Essex." It has templates and drawing of all the modifications you'll need to accurize and superdetail the Essex kit. Refer to some of the standard references on the Essex class ships (Anatomy of the Ship, etc.) to make the necessary changes to model the Hornet. Send me your address and I'll send you a photocopy of the Gertner article. Best wishes, Mike Eisenstadt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: BISMARCK (long) David Krakow asked about the yellow turret top question. I believe I have the answer, and recently had the following letter published in _Plastic Ship Modeler_ (and sent it to _Navis_ as well). I repeat it here in its entirety: "One of the long standing (if obscure) debates of WWII revolves around the question of the color of the turret tops of BISMARCK. They are known to have been Weinrot (wine-red) during her working up period in the Baltic. This was a common coloration of all heavy Kreigsmarine units in the Baltic. But, what about during her sortie? Some sources have stated the turret tops were yellow. Others, relying on Mulleheim-Rechberg's _Battleship Bismarck_ contend that they were grey. After all, he was there, talks about the Baltic scheme being painted, and never mentions yellow turret tops. Some question why, when the ship's company have gone to the trouble of fabricating a false funnel to disguise the ship, they would have done something so obvious as painting the turret tops yellow. "Based on my work in historic preservation and in developing guidance for the use of historic black and white photos in interpreting color, I have long been of the opinion that, in fact, BISMARCK's turret tops were painted yellow during her final sortie (as depicted in Robert Stern's _Kreigsmarine: A Pictorial History of the German Navy 1935-1945_. Until now however, it has remained just that, an opinion. Now, the answer seems in hand. In September 1940, then-LCDR Joseph H. Wellings, USN, was serving in a staff position in Washington, D.C. under RADM Leary and CAPT Willis A. Lee (later of Guadalcanal fame in command of WASHINGTON and SOUTH DAKOTA when they sank the KIRISHIMA). Wellings was about to take command of a Pacific Fleet DD when he was recalled and sent to England, ostensibly to serve with the Naval Attache in London. In fact, he was deputed to share technical information with the RN and upon arrival was posted to Scapa Flow. He served in a variety of ships from DDs to BBs, including the HOOD. He was finally returning home in May 1941 aboard the BB NELSON when the BISMARCK breakout occurred, and thus he was a witness to the kill of the German battleship. In 1983 the Naval War College published _On His Majecty's Service_, an account of Wellings' experiences based on his official and personal diaries, and on his letters home to his wife. All of it is very interesting reading. It is his account of the BISMARCK sinking however, that proved of greatest interest to me. "Remember that during the first strike from ARK ROYAL the Swordfish crews mistakenly attacked SHEFFIELD. Remember too, that BISMARCK expected to be within range of Luftwaffe support the next day, and that the Luftwaffe was know to be not too good on ship identification. Thus, both sides had concerns about accurate aerial identification. On page 231 of his book, Wellings records 'Naval Messages received in HMS RODNEY, 0900-2400 27 May 1941'. And here lies the answer to the debate, for at 0920 GMT that date, the Admiralty transmitted the following message to Commander in Chief, Home Fleet: 'Roof of BISMARCK turrets and gun shields painted bright yellow.' That message could only have been based on eyewitness information, either from Swordfish pilots who had hit her, or from the Catalina crew that had found her. The Admiralty, knowing that the area would be full of ships, obviously wanted no recurrence of the SHEFFIELD incident. "For the research who wants to track this further, there is probably a signal TO the Admiralty from ARK ROYAL, or a sighting report from the Catalina, that would give the basis of the Admiralty signal. In my mind the matter is settled. The tops of main battery turrets, and secondary gun houses were painted in bright yellow, just as I have always intended to model her. I trust this information will be of interest to other readers." John Snyder ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: James Corley Subject: Smuggling >> I've been a divorce lawyer for over 21 years so I know something about marriage. Here's my advice: 3. Tell your spouse that you need a hobby to maintain your sanity. She has a choice of which diversions she'd like you to engage in: a. You can collect and build "toy" ships etc. b. You can spend your nights and money down with the guys at the local bar. c. You can start a collection of pornographic material. d. You can acquire a mistress. << I have used the "it's cheaper than drugs or hookers" line with good success. Now, she will nag when she gets to looking at the monthly Visa bill, and wonders why we are spending $$ per month. But she doesn't suggest I do anything other than "slow down" It also helps that we have enough to not worry about where the next meal is coming from....not like it was ten years ago. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Greg Lee (Listmaster - SMML) Subject: Re: Smuggling I managed the most devious of all ways to get "Mrs" to agree to letting me use her credit card to order this Massive Nichimo 1/200 Yamato I have been harping about lately. I have wanted this kit for a long time but managed to strike while the iron was hot, she has been trying to quiet smoking, and during one of those "I NEED A CIGARETTE OR IM GONNA DIE" moments, I simply suggested that I could help her - for a price :-) Hobbylink say it will be here in 3-5 days :-) Greg (Listmaster - SMML) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Shane & Lorna Jenkins Subject: Bismarck queries >> Ballard's book "Discovery of the Bismarck" also has quite a few good photos in it. (Just be careful with the overhead and side views, the artist has made a few errors.) You can probably get a copy at a local bookstore. It's been published in German, too! << Hi David, Great reply to the Bismarck request. My question to you is, could you be a bit more specific on the errors in the views you mentioned? Also can anyone give me a review on the Matchbox KMS Bismarck as I think Revell is re-releasing it later on in the year & I will most proberly be starting mine in the near future. Shane Jenkins ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Ralph E. Batykefer, Jr." Subject: Alpha Weapon I am looking for information on the Weapon Alpha Mk 108 Anti Submarine Rocket Launcher found on the Fletcher Class destroyers. I already have the Squadron/Signal book with a basic view, but was wondering if there were photos/3 view drawings? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Les Pickstock (Les Pickstock) Subject: Re: Matchbox Flower class Corvettes Having recently become the proud owner of this kit I can assure you that you can still get them but you'll have to work at it. The original Matchbox versions can be bought second hand (as I did). Try an inquiry on the newsgroups Rec.model. scale and model. rc as many were bought for conversion to radio-control. Keep an eye on the modelling press. The moulds for this kit became the property of Revell/Germany and they have or intend to re-release it. So watch the hobby shops for green Revell boxes the size of a small dining room table. (Trust me you'll not sneak this one in the house un-noticed) Be warned though I waited the best part of 20 years to acquire this kit so don't be disappointed if you don't succeed at once. " Snorkers! Good oh!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: TORELLI Subject: USN colours Hi everybody: I'm looking for information about getting USN colours from Tamiya acrilyc paints. Any help ? Thanks, Cataldo Torelli Spain ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Rob Mackie" Subject: Warship Update This week's Warship (http://warship.simplenet.com) update includes the following new items: Kit Review: Regia Marina 1:700 Vittorio Veneto Kit Review: Classic Warships 1:350 IJN Destroyer Kagero Kit Review: Skywave 1:700 IJN Carrier Submarine I-13/14 Kit Review: White Ensign Models 1:700 HMS Chester Opened Photo Archive: this week's featured ship is BB USS Tennessee Box Contents: Classic Warships 1:700 USS Arizona & 1/700 SMS Seydlitz Box Contents: White Ensign Models 1:700 Flower Class Corvette Box Contents: Iron Shipwright 1:700 Great Lakes Ore Carrier Edmund Fitzgerald 11 new models in Photo Gallery, including two 1:200 scratchbuilds by Paul Eisenberg Book Review: Regia Marina: Italian Battleships of World War Two Book Review: Fletcher, Gearing and Sumner Class Destroyers of WW II New Product Announcements from Tom's Modelworks Opened Classic Warships Catalog Opened Iron Shipwright Catalog Five new sites on Links page Rob Mackie Warship http://warship.simplenet.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume