Subject SMML10/10/98VOL328 Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 17:59:54 +1000 (EST) shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: 1/700 40mm Detail parts 2: Paint it blue... 3: Paper Models 4: Re: USS Massachusetts in drydock 5: Re: OLYMPIA 6: "Borrowing" kit parts 7: 1/96 or 1/100 scale-- me too! 8: Re: 1:700 40 MM detail parts 9: Re: Kaiser Class German liners 10: Modern CV's 11: green water and rangefinders 12: Re: 1/350 Planes for ENTERPRISE 13: Copied plastic parts 14: HMAS Sydney (WWII CL) 15: Turret thingies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: 1/700 40mm Detail parts Hi David and any other interested parties.. now the VAT returns are in... yeehahh!.. we can get down to real business.. first of all, thanks to all of you who responded re. the 1/350 Enterprise airwing.... we have looked very carefully at the subject, and are now looking at a range of accessories, including drop tanks for aircraft and, re. aircraft, a Vigilante and Super Hornet for starters. These will have nice etched brass details as have the current FLIGHTDECK 350 range. Re your 40mm enquiry, we have a set of master patterns underway for Twin and Quad 40mm bofors for the PROFESSIONAL 700 series. These will include photoetched brass detail parts and will be by far the finest and most accurate representations ever seen in 1/700 Scale... probably available in 4s and feedback/reservations appreciated a.s.a.p to help us guage interest! The price will be comparable with the current "PROFESSIONAL 700" range. If these go well, we will tackle other US ordnance.. Cheers and Time for The Pub! Caroline Carter White Ensign Models http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Steven Rogers Subject: Paint it blue... There has been some discussion about the SoDak's configuration and paint scheme. She was commissioned on March 20,1942. The Navy's SHIPS-2 paint standards was last revised in September 1941. BB-57 sported Ms.12, hull 5-S, superstructure 5-0, and tops 5-H. SHIPS-2 was again revised in June 1942. Ms. 11 & 12 were discontinued. Washington, working with the British Home fleet, left Scapa Flow on July 14, 1942. Photos show her with Ms. 12 at this time. She entered New York Navy Yard for overhaul on July 23. Refit complete, she sailed for the Pacific on August 23, 1942. BB-56 was now painted in Ms.22. Hull 5-N and all superstructure in 5-O, on both ships the decks were painted 20-B. The scene was now set for the famous battle of November 14-15 with the forces of Adm. Kondo. The question, if the hull of BB-56 was 5-N, and the hull of BB-57 was 5-S, decks of both in 20-B, were the turret tops 20-B? The alternative being SoDak's turrets 5-S and Washington's 5-N? Yet another version would combine 5-O and 5-H on the turrets,such as the case of Tamiya's Fletcher, in the Ms 12 scheme. Here's the real zinger, does anyone have any idea what the speckle pattern and hull demarcation lines are for the South Dakota in Ms.12? SHIPS-2 was again revised in March of 1943 The now famous Ms.21 scheme appeared after her (BB-57) refit and repairs from damages suffered at the hands of the Japanese. I have IJN Kirishima and BB-56 from Classic Warships, and intend to purchase the BWN BB-57. Since all ships will be displayed together, I need accurate information to build the exhibit. At least we know on the night of Nov. 14-15 the turret tops were not yellow. Thanks, Steve Rogers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Felix Bustelo Subject: Paper Models Dear Johan, There is a website with an online catalog of paper models in various scales. I remember seeing some old German liners in there. http://www.ExpressPages.com/p/papermodels/ Good luck, Felix Bustelo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: louellet@uism.bu.edu Subject: Re: USS Massachusetts in drydock somebody wrote: >> Wow. I wonder if the drydock will be open to the public? If so, it'd tie in nicely with my plan to stop in Boston to see the Salem in April enroute to Bath Iron Works for the christening of USS Winston Churchill. << I hope you have an invitation to the Churchill launching. I know someone who works at Bath Iron Works and he is wondering if they will let him attend! BIW is expecting a very large contingent from the UK, and a much larger than usual group of US Navy VIPs. I don't know if the public is going to be restricted, but I can probably find out as the date draws closer. I would hope that the Massachusetts is long out of drydock and back in Fall River by April, especially if she is going in soon. But do stop by Quincy to see the USS Salem. John Sheridan wrote: >> Probably not. But, one end of the drydock in South Boston is right by the street. I got an excellent view of the QE II when she was in the drydock after finding some rocks off Nantucket. << The drydock area is fenced off for safety but as John mentioned, there is an observation gallery on the street end of the dock. It was great to see the QE II up close, but you really couldn't see much below the waterline. The QE II just barely fit in the drydock. I just found out that the man responsible for laying out the keel blocks has been a long time volunteer on the USS Salem. They will most likely call him out of retirement (again) to set up the dock for the Massachusetts. I'm hoping we can arrange at some point to get in closer to the ship, (preferably *under*), while she is there. >> As for the USS Salem, She is going to be drydocked soon for painting the entire hull and superstructure (badly needed). No date has been set yet but it shouldn't take too long once they start on her. << The USS Salem may go into the South Boston dock, or possibly into one right next door (1000 yards) within the Fore River Shipyard. That would depaend on the dock's readiness, the construction schedule for the tankers, and many other factors. It would be significantly less expensive; so more money could be spent on other needed improvements. If the ship must go to South Boston, there may not be enough money to do the superstructure. We can do it again ourselves, as long as we get the correct paint this time. (Salem's port side turned Canadian or French green before flaking off.) >> Myself and a few others on this list are members of the volunteer crew for the USS Salem so let us know when you are coming. It's always nice to meet fellow modelers in person. << Any list members that are going to visit the eastern Massachusetts area should let us know on the list. You could get personal guided tours if you let us know you are coming. I have taken days off from work to meet up with someone I know is coming aboard on a certain day. >> While in the area, you should also visit the USS Casin Young and USS Constitution in Charlestown. You will need to drive right by them on the way to Maine .. << If you can only visit one ship in the Boston area, make it the Constitution! (then come south a few miles and see the SALEM.) John, keep us informed on your progress with the USS Massachusetss kit. That one is on my 'someday' list. Larry Ouellette Quincy, Massacusetts Volunteer, USS Salem (CA 139) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: Re: OLYMPIA >> Oh, NO, not the Lindberg Olympia!! That kit ranks right up there with the "Life-Like-Yeah-Right" Yamato and the Lindberg "1:300-Something" Bismarck as the most useless lumps of plastic in all of model-shipdom. Forget it, get the Revell kit which is "much" better. << Want to build a really good OLYMPIA? Start with the Iron Shipwright's kit. Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: "Borrowing" kit parts >> I agree that the wholesale piracy of major components is theft and should be condemned, but the incidental use of minor components is allowable, especially with the tacit approval of the "injured" party. So, if mine is one of the companies you intend to boycott, Tim, I can respect you for your priciples but pity you for what you'll be missing in future kits. Have fun, anyway. << Mike, I think what you are saying is "it's OK to steal a little but not OK to steal a lot". (my opinion) Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Bill & Kaja Michaels" Subject: 1/96 or 1/100 scale-- me too! Count me in with the 1/96 scale crowd! My current project is a RC 1/96 scale USCG Hamilton-class High Endurance Cutter. Model is 47 inches LOA, based on a Scale Shipyard fiberglas hull. Model is about 40% complete-- the aircastles are done, and the )-1 deck and above is roughed out in plywood and plastic. Model has twin screws, will have 2 speed controls. Model has been on sea trials, it runs nicely. A major issue I'm dealing with is displacement. My model is about the same size as a Fletcher class Destroyer in the same scale. Even at 47 inches, the model will only displace about 5 pounds. That's not a lot of weight to spend on a 4 foot model. I want most of the weight low in the hull, in the form of batteries, so I am exploring methods of lightweight constrution. Part of the superstructure is made from a balsa frame, skinned in .010 inch plastic sheet. It is easy to do the curved shapes, requires no fuilling to hide wood grain, and is very light. Other features include the use of yellow LEDs for inport deck lighting, and red LEDs mounted flush on the flightdeck to mark out the landing area. I also have a 1/100 scale helo with LEDs. I'm particularly proud of this-- it uses a couple of gold plated pins salvaged from a computer cable. The pins plug into a socket in the flight deck. Mini LEDs are in the sponsons and on top of the tail. Below deck, in the circuit with the socket, is a blinking LED. When the helo is plugged in, the blinker hidded below deck is in the circuit, and the helo's LEDs flash. I've rambled enough, hope to see more large warship posts....... Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Rick Heinbaugh Subject: Re: 1:700 40 MM detail parts David Krakow wrote: >> Are there any aftermarket PE sets available which include 1:700 scale splinter shields for USN quad Bofors mounts? I am gearing up to build an Essex class carrier in 1:700, full hull, with complete hangar deck interior. I will be asking more questions as the project progresses. As a Kriegsmarine specialist, I am a bit out of my element here. Thanks << I really like the Eduard set for the USS San Juan CL54 (set #17 009). It has very nice shields and base plates for 4 40mm quad mounts. It also has some very nice side and back doors for the twin 5" mounts you will need. And the radar mountings for the top of the 5" directors are nice, more easily usable than the very complete but too fiddly ones from Tom's Modelworks. Twin 5" mounts? I agree that the Albatross kits included the best shaped mounts, though their gun barrels seemed too thin to me. I looked at the 5" mounts made by Skywave (weapons set and various kits), Fujimi (Missouri class kits), Hasegawa (Massachusetts and Essex class kits), Aoshima (North Carolina class kits) and Revell (various) and I think the gunhouses are all too big, too small, too flat, too curved, or just nasty. Good luck, Rick -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: b29@ix.netcom.com Subject: Re: Kaiser Class German liners In addition to the CM model of K. CECILIE, CM also makes KAISER WILHELM II. Also Mercator makes KW II, KW and KW der GROSSE, the last named both as liner and armed merchant cruiser, all in 1:1250 scale. CM models tend to be better than Mercator, and are less expensive. Paul Jacobs 1250 Editor http://warship.simplenet.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Rob & Heather Weilacher Subject: Modern CV's I recently have become interested in doing a 1/700 or 1/720 scale modern carrier (Independence/America/Nimitz..). I see Italeri has some in 1/720 - which ones are more accurate, or is there another manufacturer in this scale ? Rob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Michael Czibovic" Subject: green water and rangefinders From what I know about the removal of rangefinders, it wasn't a matter of green water but weight savings. I know that for WWII cruisers especially, toward the end of the war the shipyard were piling on so many AA weapons that the topside weight had to be reduced wherever practical. With the increased use of radar direction, rangefinders became redundant and superfluous. Mike Czibovic La Mirada, CA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: khglam@ucdavis.edu Subject: Re: 1/350 Planes for ENTERPRISE How about wing stores for the aircrafts? Is it practical at 1/350 scale? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: khglam@ucdavis.edu Subject: Copied plastic parts Mike Czibovic wrote: >> I agree that the wholesale piracy of major components is theft and should be condemned, but the incidental use of minor components is allowable, especially with the tacit approval of the "injured" party. << These parts are still illegal copies. Skywave is probably not pursuing you because the amount they'll recover won't cover the legal fees (I still recommend people heed Caroline's warning, a hitman comes much cheaper :-). The logical solution for this issue is for you to get a license from Skywave. Given that DML, Revell Germany, and others (AFV?) are already licensed to sell entire kits, I expect Skywave would be willing to grant a license for these parts. Since you already deal with Skywave, why don't you just ask them for permission. If you have to pay a license fee, I suspect that such a fee won't be too expensive. I am an intellectual property attorney who have done extensive license negotiations in Asia. I'll share some of my experience if you are interested (at no charge). Just send email. Chung -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Michael Eisenstadt Subject: HMAS Sydney (WWII CL) Folks: While I was in Germany this past summer I came across a glossy, soft-cover magazine-type publication from France bearing the title "The Battle for the Mediterranean" -- or something to that effect (in French, of course). I think there were several issues which covered different phases of the war in the Mediterranean during WWII. In one of the issues, there was a dockside photo of the HMAS Sydney (I'm not sure the photo identified the ship as such, but I'm sure it was her) in a geometric light gray/dark gray camo pattern. I'm trying to run this picture down. Would anybody have this publication and this photo? I would be grateful for a good quality xerox, and will to be glad to reimburse you for photocopy and postage charges. With many thanks for your help! Yours truly, Michael Eisenstadt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Michael Connelley Subject: Turret thingies Hello: For you who are USN Battleship fans: One my drawings of the USS Arizona there are these thingies on #2 turret barbette, about midway between the deck and the turret itself. One photo of the Arizona shows this and I found a photo of the Arkansas with this thingie too, also on #2 turret. I haven't seen another photo with this on the turrets, which suggests they were temporary items. They are roughy torpedo shaped with a little tail on the back...about 15 feet long. I'm wondering what these things are and what they are for, and if there are any good photos of one? Cheers Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume