Subject: SMML01/07/98VOL227 Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 20:24:03 +1000 (EST) shipmodels@wr.com.au --------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://warship.simplenet.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Airfix News (Hopefully anyway) 2: USS Constitution - Navy Web Site 3: Re: Just jesting 4: Re: U.S. Subs In Action 5: Re: SMML30/6/98Vol226 6: Re: Horror stories 7: Re: Reviews of Painters Guide 8: Revell Gato 9: Re: Submarine references 10: Re: SMML22/6/98Vol218 11: Troopship armament 12: HMS Invincible 13: Book Review 14: Re: Books for sale 15: Note concerning Squadron Sub in action! 16: Re: Paint Chips 17: Modelling Disasters 18: Here we go again and JAG credibility - Mr T? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: robin Subject: Airfix News (Hopefully anyway) Hi SMMLers, I have just got some news from a great model shop Victorian Hobby Center, at 21a Swanston St Melbourne, in their latest Airfix catalog they say they are re-releasing their 1;600 Canberra Liner again, it should be out in Australia in a couple of months, I have ordered it, when & if it shows up only the gods will know, but here's crossed fingers... Other good model shops i have found in Melbourne so far... Hernes Hobbies, in Flinders St (Just behind Flinders St Station, opp. Elizabeth St), & a model shop (I cant think of the name) in Lonsdale st, opp. Myers... Cheers & 73's for now, ordrazz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Ray S. Katzaman" Subject: USS Constitution - Navy Web Site For all "Old Ironsides" fans, here is the U.S. Navy's web site that will lead you to a very memorable visit. Go to http://www.navy.mil then click on Fact File, then click on Surface Ships (or scroll down), click on USS Constitution. You can see a variety of pictures and sketches of Old Ironsides, also, you can order from their site copies of blue prints for those minute details, etc. Hope you'll like it as much as I did. As soon as I finish the Swift by Artesania Latina, I'm going to start on Old Ironsides. Cheers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Dave Carter Subject: Re: Just jesting Hi Douglas... 2 hours kip in 24... NOT good!! We have a caretaking/cat-sitting service in for our furry felines and business although the bizz comes to total standstill for 2 weeks... must rush now, we've got a plane to catch! Colin, you SHOULD get that Sheffield on Wednesday... maybe Thursday, as Aberdeeen is a LONG way from Hereford... Check out our latest baby.... disruptive or what! TTFN CJC and DSC White Ensign Models, http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: LubenLarry@aol.com Subject: Re: U.S. Subs In Action You are not losing it, the lady in the hobby shop is. I have this volume. It has been out for years. Larry B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Rick Heinbaugh" Subject: Re: SMML30/6/98Vol226 Mark, The Squadron/Signal book on U.S. Subs in Action certainly WAS available; I think it has been for ten years ago. But S/S cycles their titles out of print occasionally and it may presently be lost in the ozone. To be certain, if you have a nearby Barnes & Noble, Bookstar or Borders, check with them. I have been surprised to see S/S books on the shelves at these stores and even if they don't have it, they can tell for sure whether the book is currently in print. For the record, according to Sentai Distributors' on-line catalog, the book indeed was dropped from print some time ago and is now listed again as a "Future release". I agree that it is an excellent reference for a motivated 12-13 year old. Alternatively (and this may be a long reach for a 12-13 year old), Floating Drydock prints a similar-format book on Fleet Submarines in WW2 by Thomas Walkowiak. It is a very similar presentation, with perhaps more accuracy than the S/S book. (I have been _very_ unhappy with the attention to detail in captions, etc of S/S's most recent books on Fletchers & CVEs, and I don't remember if the S/S Sub book shared these problems.) Floating Drydock lists the book as presently available for $8.95. They can be found at Good luck, Rick ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Rick Heinbaugh" Subject: Re: Horror stories Why are these things frequently related to travel to/from shows? Shouldn't we learn? My story: 1/600 four-stacker, ready for the trip home. Carefully re-stowed in custom made open topped box, lovingly placed in back seat. Get into driver's seat, mentally prepare for the long drive home. Engage transmission, disengage brain. Toss the ribbons (pig-fair, medallion type ribbons) and the show flyers in the box on the back seat. Have since repaired most of the damage, but many tries have never gotten those w/t antenna spreader bars presentable again. Somebody else's story: IPMS(USA) Nats in Seattle in 1989. Some of the trophies included _large_framed photograhs, and they were on display on large easels behind the model tables. Some unlucky soul decided he needed to move one of them and he tried to slide it. The _very large_ framed photograph toppled onto the 1/700 BB/ CV ships area. Mark Knowlton's Essex class CV was flattened. I missed the awards banquet, but I understand Mark paced with the model anyway. The presenters must have done some fancy dance steps in their apologies. I wish the folks in Santa Clara this weekend better luck, but just think... If we'd keep our models at home and get rid of the cats, how many horror stories would we have left? Rick ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: Reviews of Painters Guide With all due respect to Mr. Baker, if I had intended my post on about the reviews of the Painters' Guide to be taken as nothing more than an adoption of the views of Mr. Jones and Mr. Raven in their review, I would not have gone to the trouble to refer specifically to Mr. Hreachmack's response to their review or to the reviews in Warship International and in Model Ship Builder (incidentally, the January/February 1997 issue in which that review is found is No. 105, not 107, as I said in my post), which are somewhat more favorable to the Painters' Guide than the review by Dan Jones and Alan Raven. In my post, it was simply my intention to let readers of SMML know that there are reviews out there that reveal a difference of opinion about the merits of the Painters' Guide. It was not (and is not) my intention to comment on the merits or demerits of the Painters' Guide; I will leave it to others to decide whether it has only "minor faults" or more major ones. Before closing, I should address two other points. (Actually, I shouldn't, but I will anyway.) First, whatever its merits or demerits, the Painters' Guide does not limit its applicability to 1/2400 scale models, at least not the way I read the introduction, and I did not read the recent posts on the book to SMML to understand it as being limited to that scale. I frankly cannot see how a book on warship camouflage could be limited in applicability to a single scale, but in any case, is the implication that, if the book were limited in applicability only to 1/2400 scale models, that would somehow excuse whatever limitations or faults it has? Second, I sincerely regret to see Mr. Baker adopting the term "paint Nazi," which can be(and I believe has been) applied too easily to anyone who has anything to say about the accuracy of model paint and camouflage, as well as to those who are overly critical of the paint and camouflage used by others. I certainly agree that we should be nicer to one another, as Mr. Baker suggests, but I can't see how condoning the use of the rather inflammatory term "paint Nazi" helps; it does nothing but inhibit the discussion of model paint and camouflage, which I happen to think is a worthwhile topic. Art Nicholson ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Torgeson Roger A Subject: Revell Gato Mark Seitz is wondering if he lost it. No your gray cells are in good working order. The Squadron Signal is out of print at this time. Good news is that it is to be reissued sometime in July. Another option would be getting a copy of The Floating Drydock Gato and Balao Plans Book. Its got more useful information for modelers than any other book I have seen. Roger Torgeson ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Sue & Ben Subject: Re: Submarine references > I recommended the Squadron/Signal "U.S. Subs in action" as it has lots of pictures, and a color plate for painting, Well, the gal behind the counter at the local hobby shop said that it " wasn't available yet". She said that it hadn't been released yet. Now,I'm almost positive that I've seen this thing before.. Am I losing it here? Is it available? Where is it? Any other Gato references suitable for a 12-13 year old? << Hi Mark, Not released yet? Indeed! My copy says 'Copyright 1983'. Be sure to tell that to your counter gal. Now I concede it may be out of print(?) but this is still a case of brain dead ignorance. Be sure to tell the owner about the wonderful service and be ready to take your business elsewhere if it happens again (assuming, of course, that there is an 'elsewhere'). So rest easy, you're not losing it at all. Sadly I don't know of any other similar handy references, but that doesn't mean there aren't any! Cheers Ben Montreal, Canada ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Charles233 Subject: Re: Nichimo Yamato I Believe GMM offers a PE upgrade for Nichimo's Yamato. I'm wondering if these add-ons can result in a significantly improved model. Charles ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Hess1962@aol.com Subject: Troopship armament If there's anyone around who ISN''T frolicking at that convocation on the Left Coast, I could use some advice/help. Current project(s) are Len Jordan's exquisite 1/1200 resin castings of Stirling Castle and Empress of Scotland (nee Japan). I will be finishing them in their WWII battledress and need to know (1) what type of armament each vessel carried and (2) where such weapons were located.; the local library and my own modest collection of reference books are of no help. Thanks, in advance! Dave Hess, Kalamazoo MI USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Roberto Paredes" Subject: HMS Invincible Hello, Is Revell's HMS Invincible available now? Regards, Roberto Paredes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: fleetnut@juno.com (Stephen C Gustafson) Subject: re: Book Review With regard to Mr. Bakers comments regarding the review in PSMQ. I find the comparison to "paint Nazis" going at least "a bridge too far". The point of the review, and the point we must all keep in mind, is accuracy. We must be able to trust that our sources of information have been well researched and are as historically accurate as possible. The publication just isn't accurate and we must be prepared to suffer in silence if we choose to rely on it. Regards, Steve Gustafson ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Bill & Kaja Michaels" Subject: Re: Books for sale >> Submarine Commander by Paul Schratz (1988) (mint cond.) $15.00 << I saw this book on the list-- I have to say, it is a terrific read. It is the memoirs of a US Navy sub Captain, during and after the war. If you like to model subs, you'll like reading this book. Bill, who doesn't know who was selling it, and doesn't really care, 'cause I already have a copy that I'll never sell.........! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Henry Subject: Note concerning Squadron Sub in action! Mark I saw your note regarding the Submarine In Action book from Squadron. That particular book has been out for about 10 years - maybe longer. Obviously the shop you were in has litte knowledge of what is available. By your email address you may be in Tucson. If so I know of a couple of shops, one near the Tucson Mall and the other on the road into the main gate to Davis-Monthan. It sounds like you stopped at the later!! Since you have access to email you may want to try Squadron and find out its availability. If not available try a used book store or any swap meet that may show up in your area. The email address for squadron is mailorder@squadrom.com. On the internet they are at www.squadron.com or call them at 972-242-8663. John Huggins is the mailorder manager. Just remember those 3 little words: Trust but verify!!! HTH v/r HBlecha ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: Paint Chips Set 1 will be unveiled at the IPMS Nationals. It consists of 20 colors, matched directly to Navy Yard-issued chips where available, and to the 1929 Munsell Book of Color where chips were not available. It covers the grays from the immediate pre-war period through the end of 1944, prior to the changeover from the purple-blues to the neutral grays. It includes: Prewar: #5 Standard Navy Gray (1937); #20 Standard Deck Gray. Early 1941 issue: 5-L Light Gray; 5-0 Ocean Gray; 5-D Dark Gray. Late 1941 issue: 5-H Haze Gray; 5-0 Ocean Gray (much lighter than the early '41 issue); Cavite Blue; three chips of 5-S Sea Blue (two matched to two different Yard-issued chips, and one to the Munsell specification); 5-N Navy Blue; 5-B Thayer Blue; 1941 Deck Blue 20B; 1942 Revised Deck Blue 20B; Norfolk 250N Flight Deck Stain; Flight Deck Stain 21; #82 Black; 5-P Pale Gray; and 5-L Light Gray. Set 1 will sell for $12.00, plus 7.75% sales tax for Californians, and $.55 mailing (as appropriate). We'll let you know in the future where (besides mail-order from us) the sets may be available. For now, you can send orders to: Snyder & Short Enterprises, 9175 Kiefer Blvd. #224, Sacramento CA 95826. For future releases, we already have the USN neutral grays matched and on hand, as well as many of the greens. We also have 27 Royal Navy chips on hand ready to match, so stay tuned. John Snyder ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Stuart Robottom Subject: Modelling Disasters Well, I thought I may as well join in. As well as the usual plastic model kits, I also scratchbuild balsa model warships. I have a 1:100 scale model of the HMS Cossack, of WW2 fame, and she was sitting up on a table, with her stern poking out, as I did not have a stand at the time to protect the props and the rudder. My dog came into the room, and put her paws up and rested them on the overhanging stern of the model. The model seemed to fall very, very slowly onto the stern, but there was, to my eyes, quite a lot of damage done. Repairs undertaken included: reconstructed formast, new X and Y turrets, new shorter mainmast. A comprehensive re-rig. Also, more seriously, I had to straighten out the rudder shaft, the prop shafts and attempt to replace the propellors -- being counter rotating, I had to look long and hard to replace them, and for a few months had to operate with one and a half props. The hull had minor damage, a few places that were dented and needed repainting, but I think that is all... She hasn't sunk yet! I used the accident as an excuse to finally getting around to "refitting" the model. I would say that the ship is better now than it was before, as the refit was really a complete overhaul of the model. She is now faster, lighter and looks better. Whenever people comment on how she looks on the water, the dog and I share a glance... Hope this story brings a few laughs. That's all you can do in the face of adversity! Stuart Robottom ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: JGordon262@aol.com Subject: Re: I-400 class (Panama canal busters) >> Does any one know if there is any company on there that makes a good 1/350 scale model of the Sen-toku type submarine A.K.A. the I-400 Class Panama canal busters and to add to this what was the over all color of upper hull and lower hull. << I don't know of any in 1/350 scale, but I have the Aoshima 1/700 kit on the workbench, a truly fecal plastic confection when built "out of the box". The best thing about it is the lovely box art depicting three I-400 class subs sailing along with their Serrian (?) floatplanes performing a flyover. The box art shows a dark grey, maybe black, upper hull and a red bottom below the waterline. The deck is wood color according to the painting instructions. JG ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From : Greg Lee (Listmaster - SMML) Subject : Here we go again and JAG credibility - Mr T? Hi all, 1: In the interest of list harmony, I would like to suggest we end the "Paint Nazis" thread - we have all seen this and its results before. 2: Just been watching JAG, boy, how about a little consistency? Its the episode where a Tomcat dissappears over the Bermuda Triangle, So Rab and the gang fly out to the USS Coral Sea (via a timewarp I expect), and throughout the course of the show I have seen them on Big E, Forrestal, America, Nimitz, just to name a few, and this show is meant to be about the Navy? MMMM? 3. Here's a really unusual site - http://www.ece.utexas.edu/~jriley/tship.html Enjoy Greg (Listmaster - SMML) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume