Subject: SMML14/6/98VOL210 shipmodels@wr.com.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: "new yamato" 2: Re: Academy vs. Tamiya Bismark and Tirpitz 3: Sunken Ships 4: Re: Yamato 5: Yamato scuttling theories. 6: Re: OS2U Kingfisher 7: Re: Range Clocks 8: Japanese Ships and References ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS INDEX 1: ex-Heller Potemkin..... and Russian torpedo boat 2: WTD - Lusitania 3: Warship Update ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Stanley Stephen S. Suarez" Subject: "new yamato" I just ordered the "new" Tamiya Yamato in 1/700 which is supposed to be the most accurate rendition of the ship thus far. I was wondering what "new find" did Tamiya get it's hands on to be able to remodel this kit? Would this happen to be a direct result of the original blueprints of the 1:1 Yamato that were found in Japan? Are there any duplicates of these blueprints available for sale to scale modelers? If not, could somebody point out some references which would be as accurate. And finally, which P.E. set(s) would you recommend for this kit. Thanks in advance. Stanley Stephen S. Suarez Davao City, Philippines ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: jim burt Subject: Re: Academy vs. Tamiya Bismark and Tirpitz Hello, I have seen pictures of both of these kits, & know that they are both high on detail. I don't think that there is much difference between the kits. Academy has produced kits for other companies, like they produced a 1/350 scale "Lusitania" model & sold some of them to Gunze Sanyo. You can view picsof the models at http://www.globaloutlet.com go to the hobbies section, & a list will appear. Contact someone at customer service for more info..... Steve ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Graham Holmes Subject: Sunken Ships I know this is a bit off topic, but with all these queries on sunken ships, I was hoping someone may have an answer to a question that has always intrigued me. Has anyone ever found the wreck of HMS Ark Royal. I believe she sank in fairly shallow water, compared to Titanic, Bismarck and Yamato, and because she sank due to poor counter flooding and insufficient pumping capacity and not her back breaking, she should be fairly complete. The position is well documented and ought to be easy to find. Graham Holmes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Senkan@aol.com Subject: Re: Yamato To all the Yamato-aholics out there. Yatta! I first got my introduction to Yamato when I was 12. There was an animated show from Japan that had the ship being secretly modified and used as a space battleship. In America the show is named Star Blazers. In Japan it is called Uchu Senkan Yamato. I highly recommend this show to everyone. Another Japanese animated show that is Yamato related is Super Aragon. It involves a secret ship built in WW2. The ships looks like Yamato but has quadruple turrets. It's always good to see Yamato set sail! In regards to the Nichimo 1/200 Yamato. I bought it for $100 back in '87. It took me awhile to put this monster together. But I like the way it turned out. I am more of a Yamato-aholic than a modeler. Things such as alot of flash, incorrect turret size, not enough detail and so on matter to me. But this is Yamato. I will take what I can get. Do any of you guys out there have any parts from the Nichimo 1/200 Yamato? I need the radar enclosure above the bridge (between the 2 radar antenna), the crane, any 25mm gun mounts/guns (single and triple), 5 inch guns, deck railing,and search lights. I have seen that Tamiya has come out with a remolded 1/700 Yamato with updated bow and superstructure. I was thinking about buying a Tamiya 1/350 Yamato but don't know if I should wait to see is they re-release the updated version of Yamato. What do you guys think? Are they going to redo the 1/350 Yamato? I don't know if anyone has done this before but I am going to give it a shot. Since I am going to eventually get the detailed and hopely updated Tamiya 1/350 Yamato, I am going to turn my 1/200 Nichimo Yamato into a waterline model. Do you guys have any suggestions on how I should do this? Well..take care everyone. Glad to see others have similar Yamato desires as myself. Jya Matane! Ken "Senkan" Hamilton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Sue & Ben Subject: Yamato scuttling theories. Hi Robert, >> This is my first posting to the group, so forgive me if I seem out of touch. << Don't worry, as someone else already posted, there are no stupid questions on this list. >> On the subject of the Yamato, I have heard stories that the Yamato was still seaworthy (although slightly) and that in order to keep her out of the hands of the enemy ( Us ) the crew scuttled her and blew the magazines themselves. << Unless someone brings forth irrefutable evidence to the contrary I'll go on believing this is nothing but an unfounded (and very likely untrue) rumour, much as in the Bismark's case. Both these ships, despite their reputation as unsinkable and impregnable behemoths, had their weaknesses and shortcomings. I could site numerous technical analisys by various authors that point to these. And before someone claims bias, let me remind them that these same authors also point out the weaknesses and shortcomings of allied vesels. I could also launch into a diatribe of my own technical reasons against such scuttling theories. But I won't (unless goaded). Let me instead concentrate on the psychological reasons. Both Bismark and Yamato (and their sisters) had larger than life reputations (amusingly based on not one iota of historical fact). These were fueled both by the Axis and the Allies, each for their own reasons. During the war the Axis powers wanted us convinced of their invincibility so we would just give up and let them roam freely. The Allied reasons are possibly a little more involved. We weren't doing terribly well early in the war which fostered an inferiority complex amongst us. Both government and military leaders were likely interested in preparing us for any eventual defeat (ie. -"Of course we lost the battle; haven't we been telling you their ships are indestructible?"). After the fact both sides kept up these reputations, again each for their own reasons. For the vanquished it became a case of -"Sure we're better than they are, they were just lucky" to soothe the national psyche. For the victors (especially the British regarding the Bismark affair) it became a rationalisation of why so much resources were devoted to the chase and so many lives were lost. I don't buy the scuttling idea for an instant. I also find it amusing that no one's come forth with a scuttling theory for say the Hood, the PoW or the Arizona. But if indeed these rumours were true and these two giant ships were scuttled, ask yourself why. They were scuttled (if) because enemy (us) action had rendered them unfightable and unrescueable. A kill is a kill is a kill. At least, that's my opinion. :-) Cheers Ben ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Uwe Besken Subject: Re: OS2U Kingfisher Mike Leonard wrote (SMML 12/6/98Vol208): >> I think the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola has a real Kingfisher in its collection. << You are right Mike. The Kingfisher was obtained in 1971 from the Uraguayan Navy. The museum is worth a visit and if you are in the area don't forget to drive to Mobile,AL to see the USS Alabama. Uwe Besken Muenster (Hessen), Germany ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Re: Range Clocks A comment here: I recently bought a large photo of a line of five destroyers laying down a smokescreen, circa mid-1930s off of San Diego. The lead ship has a square range clock mounted just above the bridge. First time I saw one on anything other than a battleship... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Dave Pluth Subject: Japanese Ships and References Hi all, While I've been a subscriber here for quite some time, I'm not a frequent poster, mainly because I do mostly aircraft. Well, as they say, variety is the spice of life and I've acquired several 1/700 Japanese Ships over the past year or so. Now my problem. I've got tons (literally I think) of Japanese Aircraft reference, but almost no Japanese Ship references. My question is, are they out there? What's still available? What should I put on my "must have" list for references? I'd appreciate all help in reforming this aircraft modeler! Dave Japanese Aircraft Web Page http://www.j-aircraft.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Dave Carter Subject: ex-Heller Potemkin..... and Russian torpedo boat The Potemkin has been re-issued, as has the Aurora, by Ogonek. They are both available from us as a boxed kit at 11.02. Intetestingly, Graham Holmes referred to a WWI torpedo boat.. we have just acquired stocks of a WW2 Russian torpedo boat, Tupolev G5, in 1/72 Scale... limited run injection hull, white metal small parts (pretty nice quality), and an extremely nice photoetched brass set... and is priced at a very reasonable 15.31 pounds, around the figure in dollars that Graham referred to... the G5 is of antiquated appearance with turtle deck and stern-launching torpedo trough, looking very much like a British WWI MTB, so we wonder if we are talking about one and the same... or is there another rather nice kit out there that we don't know about! The manufacturer on the box appears to be "Interavia", and G5 is clearly marked on the box. Cheers Caroline Carter http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Jacob Groby Subject: Re: WTD - Lusitania Hello, I get the SMML update to comments, but I dont know how to send questions. Would some one send me email to leran how to fix this. I looking for a 1/350th. scale plastic model of the "Lusitania" does any one have one they want to sell, trade or barter for. Jake Groby ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Rob Mackie" Subject: Warship Update Today's Warship ( http://warship.simplenet.com ) update includes the following new items: Etched Brass Review: Gold Medal Models set for Revell USN Carriers Box Contents: Classic Warships 1:700 SMS Emden & 1:700 SMS Nurnberg First look at two new Iron Shipwright 1:350 Royal Navy Destroyer kits, HMS Lance and HMS Hesperus. Rob Mackie Warship http://warship.simplenet.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume