Subject: SMML04/07/98VOL230 Date: Sun, 5 Jul 1998 00:46:40 +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: U-Boat Reference 2: Re; SIns of Lionfish 3: Re:Sub Books 4: CABOT DIFFERENCES 5: Academy Vs Tamiya Bismarck special ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Looking for Cannon Set fo Constitution 2: WANTED: Lindberg "Power Drive Kit" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Damian Pliszka Subject: Re: U-Boat Reference Hi, Polish publisher (AJ Press) started new series consist of four parts (I already have first part covering U-Boats I and II types) about German U-Boats. Next parts will be released in near future (I hope). Text is Polish but consist lot (I mean really lot) of photos and superb drawings. You may contact them at address: aj-press@home.pl for more info or visit their home page: http://aj-press.home.pl Greetings and good hunting Damian Pliszka (Poland) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re; SIns of Lionfish One of the best sources for information on correcting this kit are articles done by the former President of The SubCommittee, Ken Hart. Ken wrote several articles on the rather extensive list of things that need to be done to make a better kit of Lionfish. Contact me for references if interested. As mentioned, the limber hole patterns are a composite, and the size of the holes is wrong. Best strategy is to pick a specific boat and get good photos. During the war, so many modifications had occurred, that almost no two subs were alike in fitting out and details. I am building one of these kits currently as the Balao class USS Blenny on commission for one of her former crewmembers. I am heavily modifiying the kit to late WWII Balao, and had to drastically cut and reshape the conning tower. Limber holes were cut out and filed to Electric Boat config. Guns were replaced with white metal versions that were modified. Added torpedo tube shutters and a lot of small details. It will soon be unnecessary to do most of this work as the Nautilus Models resin upgrade kits become available. These provide high quality replacements for the conning towers and guns of the kit. I have two preproduction resin kits for review purposes (Warships and The SubCommittee Report). Right now, two Gato towers (early and late war) are availabel, but I think a Balao, and possibly later postwar Guppy conversion kits are on the way. These are really outstanding kits, highly detailed and go a long way to correcting the sins of Lionfish. Tom Dougherty ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: Sub Books The Alden book, "Fleet Submarines in the US Navy" is an outstanding reference from USNI. Lots of great fleet boat photographs. Unfortunately, it is long out of print. I saw one recently in the Torpedo Junction online book catalog. It took me a year to find my copy. The two Friedman books are also excellent, but expensive (USNI charges around $64 a piece; can be found for around $40). The first volume covers submarine development through 1945, including the R, S and fleet boats. Second edition covers postwar Guppy modification program, the 50's diesel boats, the SSG programs, and the entire gamut of nuclear boats, both SSN and SSBN. Tom Dougherty ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Baker Subject: CABOT DIFFERENCES In reference to Mr. Oullet's discussion of the differences between the CABOT in Spanish service and the INDEPENDENCE class during WW II, CABOT was one of several units of the class that were in the early 1950s modified for use as ASW carriers, and, as part of the conversion, she received an enlarged island and a new radar suite; the ships also lost two of the four funnel uptakes and all of their 20-mm AA mountings. In Spanish service, the ship lost her bow quadruple 40-mm mounting and toward the end of her active career acquired an SPS-40 air-search radar set. A.D. Baker, III ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Foeth" Subject: Academy Vs Tamiya Bismarck special I sometimes hear people discussing which model is better. Well, they are exactly as bad, because Academy copied Tamiya. Yes, that right, they copied it. Academy added a new and not so impressive instruction manual, and sells the model at a lower price. Need convincing? Open for example the box of the US M60 tank (don't be ashamed, just try to open a military kit). You will notice that "cloth" parts are identical to the last wrinkle. Coincidence? Academy adds a new figure, rearranges the parts in the sprues, and adds the new instructions. According to some people, this is done to avoid losing a lawsuit, because they now have a new model. I bought Tamiya's model anyway. You might have heard that Tirpitz was constructed at a different yard, and is, contrary German 'Grundlichkeit' , COMPLETELY different than the Bismarck. Air filters, engine arrangement, superstructure, Flak, radar, armor, and so on. I know, I know, Tamiya adds another sprue, with a larger funnel, so your GMM funnel part won't fit, but this doesn't help at all. The new parts are useless anyway. Just as Academy copied Tamiya, Tamiya copied itself. Shame on them! Interested in Tirpitz plans, mail me. It needs rescratching and TWO GMM sets (bad for you, good for Mr Perry). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: DaveRiley1@aol.com Subject: Looking for Cannon Set fo Constitution Greetings all. I have a friend in Germany scratchbuilding a 1/96 wooden model of USS Constitution (ex IX-21) from a set of plans I sent him. What he now needs is a set of cannons, gun carriages, etc. Does anyone know where I might obtain a set of these guns in this scale. I have considered purchasing the plastic 1/96 kit for its guns, but I was hoping for something better. Bluejacket sells a 1/96 wooden model for about $450 and when I inquired thru a local hobby shop about purchasing a set of the guns for this model I was quoted a price in the $300s - yikes !!! Any help out there ?? Dave Riley Portsmouth, RI ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Ronnie Hiatt Subject: Re: SMML3/7/98Vol229 WANTED: Lindberg "Power Drive Kit" Part #78000 for R/C 1/32 PT-109 Anyone have one or know of one for sale/trade Thanks! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume