Subject: SMML16/07/98VOL242 Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 18:32:43 +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: USS San Francisco again... 2: Re: Classic Warships USS Tennessee and Samek Models USS Alaska 3: re: 1:1250 Metal Ship Miniatures 4: Re: Resin Kit instructions & decals 5: Krivak/Russian plans 6: Re: USS Winslow 7: 1:1 Scale ? 8: Resin Kit instructions & decals 9: Re: USS Laws Model ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Warship Update 2: Photo coverage of the 98 Nats on Navismagazine.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Damian Pliszka Subject: USS San Francisco again... HELP! I'm in desperation. I'm looking for hull lines for Frisco to compare with others (these one which I already have differs in important details) or even drawings how was placed armour plate on boards. Greetings Damian Pliszka (POLAND) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Rob Mackie" Subject: Re: Classic Warships USS Tennessee and Samek Models USS Alaska In response to the interest expressed in these two kits I've put up in-the-box-reviews and pictures of the Classic Warships USS Tennessee BB-43 and the Samek USS Alaska CB-1. You can view these features at Warship: http://warship.simplenet.com ) Rob Mackie Warship http://warship.simplenet.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "FERNANDO, YOHAN" Subject: Re: 1:1250 Metal Ship Miniatures There is a mail-order store here in the United States called 'Alnavco' which specializes in metal ship miniatures. Here is the info I pulled from their website http://www.alnavco.com e-mail: alnavco@esva.net phone: 1 (757) 442-2323 fax: 1 (757) 442-4343 address: ALNAVCO P.O. Box 9 Bellehaven, VA 23306 Hope this helps! Yohan Fernando ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: ironship@usit.net (Jon Warneke) Subject: Re: Resin Kit instructions & decals Rand100@aol.com wrote: >> I second Duane Fowlers comments about the sad lack of instructions included with some resin kits. I have purchased kits from three manufactures now (I'm new to this). White Ensign Models has the best instructions with Classic Warships a close second. Iron Shipwright is another matter. I received the 1/350 Olympia and Maine and was very disappointed with the instructions. The Olympia consists of 1 page which does't even show all the parts let along where they go. The Maine is about the same. I can't afford to buy books on these ships so I'm going to have to find the time to go to the library and see what I can find. I don't know about any of the other manufactures but I'm no longer going to buy a kit without seeing a copy of the instructions. << I for one am going to totally agree with Rand's assessment of the instructions that are at present included in these two kits. They do suck, and that is also the opinion of the principle in this matter, Ted Paris. Right now, he is working on revising these sets of instructions, as well as others, since this is also a learning process for him. His background is one of an armor modeler, and thus his instruction experience has been with simpler, less complex kits. As Iron Shipwrights continues to expand our line of kits, our instructions have become more detailed as we've learned what is needed by the modeler to construct these kits. As a pattern maker, it's had for me to see it since I'm used to working from plans, and Ted's lack of ship knowledge causes him the same problems. However, we will be glad to replace all of the old instructions with the new ones when they are complete, which should be in the next couple of weeks. Just send Ted or I your snail mail address, and we'll get them to you. Oh, and one last thing. This isn't meant to be an excuse, but rather an explaination. We realize that you as a modeler have invested a lot of money in these kits, and basically all you have right now is a pile of resin without proper instructions. WE blew it, and we'll make it right. On behalf of Ted, I sincerely apologize to all of you who've purchased these kits, and I assure you that this will be rectified as soon as possible. Also, if any of you have suggestions on how to make the instructions, or anything else, better on these or any of our kits, feel free to contact us and let us know what it is. That way we can be sure that we're providing the best possible product to you. Thanks for the time. Jon Warneke Iron Shipwrights ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Fredrik T" Subject: Krivak/Russian plans Thank you for your reply Mr Baker. Do you know where I might turn to purchase/subscribe to the periodicals you mentioned? >> Reliable plans for various versions of the class have also appeared in a number of Russian periodicals, including SUDOSTROYENIYE and the English language RUSSIAN MILITARY PARADE. << Best regards Fredrik Tholander ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Burl Burlingame / Pacific Monograph Subject: Re: USS Winslow >> Lone Star Models (www.lonestarmodels.com) makes a kit of the Spanish American War era Torpedo Boat USS Winslow in 1/192 scale. The Winslow was commissioned in January 1898, just before the start of the Spanish American War. She participated in the reconissance and mine sweeping raid on Cardenas harbor Cuba. During that operation she came under fire from elements of the Spanish fleet and from harbor defenses. The steering gear and one engine were destroyed. Three crew members received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their efforts in saving her. The Winslow also holds the distinction of having the only officer killed in the line of duty in the War. He too would have won the Medal of Honor if it were available to officers at this time. << Does anyone have a set of plans for the Winslow? I like this boat a lot. Burl Pacific Monograph, 1124 Kahili Street, Kailua HI 96734 A historical interpretation company. Visit our web site at http://www.PacificHistory.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Johnston" Subject: 1:1 Scale ? Royal navy WWII portholes for destroyers? Can someone tell me what internal diameter they were? What about anchor chain links? Many thanks Raynor Johnston ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Tim Perry Subject: Resin Kit instructions & decals The various comments on kit instructions reminds me, in that sitting-bolt-upright-at-night-screaming sort of way, of the efforts we used to put into the instructions for our PP Aeroparts aircraft kits. I was lucky, my father was prepared to use his 40-odd years aeronautical draughting experience to prepare the illustrations, as well as proof-read the text. Several friends made up test shots and give comments and suggestions before we finalised things, and again were prepared to do this work for a kit or credit. And there lies the root of the problem. Unless the proprietor of a cottage/garage outfit has access to these skills in himself or close friends and family, it is very unlikely he will be able to afford to buy them in from professional illustrators and tech authors. Customers complain about the 'high' price of resin kits as it is! There are so many other important production values, quality of casting, masters, original research and so on, us enthusiasts will always have to accept some less-than-perfect aspects in these types of products. Part of the character of the hobby, one might say. I'd far rather have a kit of a subject I want to model from these guys than no kit at all! That is not an excuse for slapdash work on what is provided however. With modern PCs used for word processing and Desk Top Publishing, there is little excuse for bad spelling or naff layout. Instructions ought to list the parts that should be in the kit, give a few clean sketches of where the parts go, even if this is side elevation and plan rather than perspective, rigging guide and colour notes, that should be enough for the majority of enthusiast modellers. What really should be included though is a list of reference material so that modellers can search out extra information if they need it. Finally of course, all instructions should include details of how to subscribe to SMML, then any queries can be asked and solved by fellow members! (How many creep points is that worth, Greg? :-) Decals are a similar problem; they are another cost to add to the kit, more time to design and get printed, once of course you have found a printer able to do the work. Dry rub-down images can be done by many print or graphics shops, so try your Yellow Pages. While the cost for one image will be silly, perhaps several modellers could gang their next few projects on to one sheet and spread the cost? Just an idea.... Tim Perry PS If any one wants anything proof-read........ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Re: USS Laws Model A.D.Baker III pointed out: >> It would take a good deal of surgery to transform either of Tamiya's FLETCHERs into LAWS in the 1950s, but the older (and fundamentally less accurate) Skywave FLETCHER in 1/700 at least depicts the correct bridge shape. << An alternative would be to get the Tom's Modelworks resin set for the 1/350 Fletcher. Contains square bridge and gun tubs for the late-WW2 and postwar variants. A nice conversion kit. Mike ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Rob Mackie" Subject: Warship Update This week's Warship (http://warship.simplenet.com) update includes the following items: - Review of Classic Warships 1:700 USS Tennessee BB-43 - Review of Samek Models 1:700 Battlecruiser USS Alaska CB-1 - Tom's Modelworks 1:350 Essex Class Carrier (Preview) - Pic of the Week: USS Olympia 1898 Rob Mackie Warship http://warship.simplenet.com More fun than a day at the beach And it's Free !!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Paolo Pizzi Subject: Photo coverage of the 98 Nats on Navismagazine.com Navismagazine.com has a complete photo coverage of the aircraft and ship categories in the 1998 Nationals. Free to everyone, just jump in and enjoy!! http://navismagazine.com The First E-Magazine for Air & Sea enthusiasts and modelers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume