Subject: SMML17/11/98VOL366 Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 20:16:11 +1100 (EST) shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: V? 2: The "V" in CVE, CVA, etc. 3: Re: CVE-6? 4: Re: Two Things; Meaning of "V" in CV etc. 5: Buttercup (Corvette) 6: Re: Two Things 7: US CV Deck colors 8: Re: CAP Garcia 9: Re: Battle of Sunda St. 10: Re: CVE 11: Re: Two Things 12: KM Flett Torpedo Boats 13: Re: German Ships' Sterns 14: 1/700 Clear Aircraft 15: Re: CAP Garcia etc. 16: Re: Canadian Pacific Steamships (CP SHIPS) 17: Re: Clear 1/700 Aircraft 18: Re: CAP Garcia etc. 19: Re:1/72 corvette 20: Re: V? 21: need some help 22: 1/72 Scale Flower Class Detail Set? 23: Scharnhorst upper deck colors? 24: Model ship supplies vendors 25: clear plastic 1/700 a/c 26: Vosper RN colors 27: Re: The V in CV 28: Clear aircraft canopies 29: Lexington Armament 30: Bismarck Aircraft Codes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Happy Birthday SMML 2: Re: Heller Strasbourg for Sale -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: James Corley Subject: Re: V? From: Michael Connelley >> Does anyone know what the V stands for in CV or CVA or CVE or CVN? It's the same V in VF-1 or VMFA-333. It relates to ships or squadrons operating fixed wing aircraft. << The designation CV originally meant Aviation Cruiser. The desired nomenclature (CA) was already being used for Armored Cruisers and later kept for the new Heavy Cruiser. The intended role of the aircraft carrier, given the maturity of a/c in 1920, was to act as a scouting force for the battle line.....a traditional cruiser role. This mentality continued through the thirties and had begun to wane when it was obliterated in Dec 1941. The V does indeed mean the same for both ships and units. The Navy Department had to aircraft classifications in the 20s and 30s V Aviation-heavier than air Z Zeppelins-lighter than air To this end, the LTA fleet was further subdivided into ZR (rigid), ZN (non-rigid/blimps) and ZK (kites & balloons) The large rigids were all ZRS (rigid, scout) and as such futher illustrates the mindset of the battleship admirals concerning the use of airpower. The USN also had plans for a CZ, but only got as far as an auxilliary for use with the USS Los Angeles. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: BSteinIPMS@aol.com Subject: The "V" in CVE, CVA, etc. In a message dated 11/15/98 06:13:36, Mike Connelley wrote: >> Does anyone know what the V stands for in CV or CVA or CVE or CVN? It's the same V in VF-1 or VMFA-333. It relates to ships or squadrons operating fixed wing aircraft. << Back when the U.S. Navy operated both lighter-than-air (airships & blimps) and heavier-than-air squadrons (airplanes), it utilized different aircraft type designators to distinguish between the types of squadrons. "Z" was used for lighter-than-air squadrons, as in Blimp Patrol Squadron thirty-three (ZP-33), and "V" was used for heavier-than-air squadrons, as in Fighting Squadron seventeen (VF-17). Squadrons flying attack aircraft are "VA", bomber squadrons are "VB", patrol squadrons are "VP", and so on. In this vein, a ship designed to carry heavier-than-air aircraft (airplanes) would, under this system, be logically called a "CV". Bob Steinbrunn Minneapolis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Uwe Besken Subject: Re: CVE-6? I'm just reading the book "Aircraftcarrier of the USN part 2" from Terzibaschitsch and found something what might help to identify the CVE. In 1944 the CVE-66 White Plains was at Saipan, but no mention of P-47 onboard. As for the other CVE-6x Saipan was not mentioned in the short history. I hope that you can get some more information of the SMMLies. Uwe Besken ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: b29@ix.netcom.com Subject: Re: Two Things; Meaning of "V" in CV etc. Prior to the adoption of standard abbreviations such as BB, CA, CL, DD etc. the Navy had no formal system. ACR was used for Armored cruisers, C for cruiser etc. In many instances there were no abbreviations at all. In the early 1920's, when the Navy went to a uniform system of nomeclature, and the abbreviations for different ships were adopted such a BB, etc., a system still in use today. This system generally used a two letter code: BB, DD etc. Auxiliary ships used the letter A for their first letter to indicate "auxiliary" and a different letter such as D to indicate the type of service for the second. Thus AO denoted an oiler, AD a destroyer tender, AS a submarine tender, AE an ammunition ship, AK a cargo ship. Prior to final adoption of the system aircraft carriers were considered auxiliary ships and given the abbreviation AC, but with the adoption of the system, "AC" went to colliers, ships which were still in service in the '20's. For all aviation related ships, "V" was adopted to designate that branch. Battleships were designated BB's and battlecruisers CC's, ( much later CB, hence the ALASKA's had a CB designation, while the planned CONSTELLATION Class were denoted CC's). The "C" emphasized that they were cruisers, NOT battleships. And since the LEX and SARA were converted from CC hulls they got the designation "CV". It stuck. Carriers since have had the CV designation. All Navy squadrons land based or aboard carriers, BB's, cruisers etc. got "V" designations, hence: VT: torpedo squadron, VB bombing, VS scouting, VF fighting, VO observation, VP patrol, etc. Marine squadrons got an M in the middle, hence VMF, etc. After WW II many of these designations changed as functions changed. VT, VS, VB disappeared, and were replaced by VA attack squadrons, VAH heavy attack, VS became anti-submarine, VT training etc. Seaplane tenders, being auxiliary ships were designated AV. When Escort carriers were first introduced, they were given the designation ACV since they were considered "auxiliary" carriers, intended at first to deliver planes to the front, and not act in combat. But when it became clear that they could be useful for convoy escort and anti-sub work, the designation became CVE. And this introduced the concept of three letter designation, and differentiating among types of carriers. The CVL was next. The MIDWAY's were designated CVB because of their enormous size. CVA was adopted in the early 50's to recognize the "attack" carrier concept, as different from the CVS anti-submarine carriers, etc. The N was added for nuclear carriers, hence ENTERPRISE became CVAN 65. When the "attack" role was finally dropped and we got back to the multi-function carrier concept in the 1980's, there was no longer the need for so many codes. The CVS disappeared and carriers became simply CV's or CVN's depending upon their power plants. Once the conventionally powered CV's are gone, perhaps the CVN's may revert to simply CV. That is up to the Navy to decide. Normally they retain the N to recognize that difference. Paul Jacobs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "lamkeel@email.msn.com" Subject: Buttercup (Corvette) Hi Smellies and in particular Dave and Caroline. I hate to say this, but H.M.S. Buttercup DID, as far as I'm aware, carry her pendent No. K 193. I have checked my photographs of other similar Corvette Minesweeping conversions, that is those units modified for "LL" (Magnetic) and with the "A" frame over the bows for Acoustic as Buttercup, and each one has her "numbers painted up. Just to add to the confusion, The ships Cover held at the N.M.M. Greenwich shows:- Proposal to fit "LL" sweeps dated 9/7/40. = Name Builder Projected completion date. 1) Peony Harland & Wolff. 25th July. 2) Erica Harland & Wolff 6th August 3) Primula Simons 15th August 4) Gloxinia Harland & Wolff 20th August 5) Delphinium Robb 30th August 6) Salvia Simons 30th August 7) Snapdragon Simons 15th September 8) Dianthus Robb 21st September Builders drawings show that there were plans to stow the rubber "LL" cable in troughs around the upper deck, but good sense prevailed and a 7 Ft 9 inch dia reel was fitted aft, like a huge cotton reel, onto which the cable was wound. Photographs show that Lotus, (K 93), Borage (K 120), Pink (K 137), Bryony (K 192), Hyderabad (K 212), all so modified, carried full Pendent numbers painted on the ships side. On reflection, this error may have been caused by the photograph of H.M.S. Buttercup undergoing trials on Belfast Lough soon after her completion. No numbers are shown, and even under a magnifying glass, I can see no brush marks of the censers "paintout" on my original. The bad news is that I have photographs of other Harland and Wolff built units at the same location. They too do not show any pendent numbers. Thus, I assume that these were added on acceptance after trials, as photographs taken later do show them. The late Peter Elliott's "Allied Escort Ships of W.W.II" (An excellent publication now out of print) states that in July 1940 - Delphinium, Erica, Gloxinia, Hyacinth, Peony, Primula, Salvia, Snapdragon and Lotus. (8 units) and in November 1940, Borage, Bryony, Buttercup, Hyderabad, Phlox, Pink, Pennywort and Poppy were to be fitted with Mark IV "LL" sweep gear. In 1941, due to the shortage of minesweepers it was approved that "LL" fitted Corvettes should also be fitted with SA gear Type A. (The "A " frame which hinged down the bows). G/A's of both Buttercup, and her similar sister, Bryony, will be shown in part II of F....... C...... C.......'s. Yours "aye" John Lambert. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: ECammeron@aol.com Subject: Re: Two Things V stands for Heavier Than Air - in the Navy's Classification System from the 1920's or so. L stood for Lighter Than Air and Helicopters got H. So VF converts to Heavier Than Air Fighter (Squadron or Aircraft) and CV converts to Carrier, Heavier Than Air. Eugene Cammeron -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Stanley Stephen S. Suarez" Subject: US CV Deck colors Earlier this year, I stared building my Hasegawa 1/700 Essex. I had followed the manual and painted the flight deck with the usual deck brown color I use. However, much much later when I started gathering references(which I should have done in the first place!) I noticed that the majority of ESSEX class carrier pictures, video footages and model kits that I have seen have the BLUE flight deck. I therefore would like to know, if it would be appropriate to use the BROWN deck for a short hulled ESSEX class carrier? Did she ever steam into action *without* the deck painted blue or was this painted on even before she went into harms way. When did the USN start painting carrier decks BLUE? Would the USS HORNET(1st one) sport wooden colored decks during her career? For those of you stuck with TAMIYA paints(as I am), which blue/mix would you recommend for US CV flight decks? Thanks in adv. Stanley Davao City, Philippines -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Michael Quan" Subject: Re: CAP Garcia John Fox wrote: >> Does anyone know how Corsiar Armada's USS Garcia kit is. Does it come with PE? Does it include parts to model the FFG version? << The CAP Garcia represents (correctly) the ten ships of this class in either DASH or LAMPS configuration, and does not provide the additional parts required for the (follow-on) six ships of the Brooke FFG class of ships. There is no PE included with the kit, but the very nicely done resin components of this kit are supplemented by two lengths of large and small diameter plastic rod used to scratch-buld the derrick and masts. Perhaps Mike C. can be persuaded to come out next with a resin FFG Brooke? >> Also, does anyone make kits of a Coontz class DDG or a Newport class LST in 1/700? << As far as I can ascertain, there are no kits for these classes in 700th scale by anyone. cheers ..... Mike Quan, Garland, Texas, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Arjun Sarup" Subject: Re: Battle of Sunda St. Hello Joe, Thanks for the reply. I think your quote does indeed sum up Japanese losses quite well; directly or not, the Japanese losses were as a result of USS Houston & HMAS Perth being in the area. However, with no disrespect meant towards the fighting record of the USS Houston, certainly a gallant ship, I thought the second account I quoted tended to over-glorify the Houston's achievements. I guess I'd agree with your opinion that most of the Japanese losses were as a result of their own torpedoes. Best wishes, Arjun Sarup -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: CVE Well, looking in Terzibaschitsch's _Escort Carriers and Aviation Support Ships of the US Navy_, there are some interesting pix: USS CARD as an a/c transport during Vietnam with a deckload of F-102s; USS ALTAMAHA (CVE-18) with a deckload of P-51s; USS KASAAN BAY (CVE-69) with a deckload of P-38s; USS FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70) with a deckload of A-20s and what appear to be P-47s; USS TULAGI (CVE-72) carrying P-38s, P-51s, and perhaps P-47s; USS NEHENTA BAY (CVE-74) with a B-26 Marauder, PBYs, Venturas, and the fuselage of a C-47; a Korean-era shot of USS SITKOH BAY (AVG-86) with a C-47, A-26s, Beech Bugsmashers, and some Navy a/c. Kenneth Poolman's _Allied Escort Carriers of WWw In Action_ has photos of P-40s on the flight deck HMS ARCHER and hangar deck of USS CHENANGO during Torch. John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: Two Things V, in US Navy nomenclature, stands for "heavier-than-air". John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: John Clements Subject: KM Fleet Torpedo Boats Lenton's German Surface Warships lists the only one of the class to go to the US as T35. T22, 24 and 25 were sunk in action and T23 went to the French - hence the Heller kit of the class representing T23. John Clements -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: KoopmaFS@utrc.utc.com Subject: Re: German Ships' Sterns Hello SMMLr's Most of the German capital ships of the time (such as Bismark, Tirpits, Prinz Eugen (sp?)) had triple keels. One went from stem to stern at the centerline. The other two were outboard in line with the outer propeller shafts, starting around station four or six, and running back to just ahead or abaft the rudder stocks. I have, or have seen, several different photos of some of the ships that lost their sterns, and they always seem to shear off cleanly right at the point. It's only a theory of mine, but I believe that the sudden change in structural support resulted in a lot of stress build-up in that area, even under normal loading circumstances. The end result would be that if any additional load was applied in that area (say...a torpedo), it would do a fair job of ripping it clean off. Just a theory.... Fritz -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Ralph E. Batykefer, Jr." Subject: 1/700 Clear Aircraft Concerning the Skywave clear aircraft question, "Skywave has put out some aircraft in 1/700 scale that are cast in clear plastic. I'm not sure which ones they are.." The stock number is (S-12s Modern US Navy Aircraft). If someone has actually used them, I would like to hear their opinion as to using them. Ralph Batykefer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Malcolm Batchelor" Subject: Re: CAP Garcia etc. >> Does anyone know how Corsiar Armada' s USS Garcia kit is. Does it come with PE? Does it include parts to model the FFG version? << John, I recently purchased Corsair Armada's USS Garcia kit from Bill Gruner @ Pacific Front Hobbies, although it hasn't made it on to my shipbuilding ways yet. As I recall (I'm at work and the kit is at home), there is no PE included (I plan on getting mine from Rusty White @ Flagship Models) and it is a straight gun armed DE, with the option of either a DASH or LAMPS hanger. In comparing it to Freidmans Destroyers book, everything appears correct. When I got mine I was missing a tree of resin parts, I wrote Mike a letter, and within a week recieved a box with two of missing trees. About two weeks later I recieved a phone call from Mike asking if I had got the missing parts ok (hows that for customer service). During the converstaion I mentioned that I was planing on getting another one and converting it to a Brooke class FFG, Mike mentioned that he was working on a conversion story, I believe for Plastic Ship Modeler Magazine. I'm sure others will jump in on this, but to convert it to a FFG should be fairly simple, a change in radar (from 2-D to 3-D), add an target illuminator, replace the aft 5"/38 with the appropiate missle launcher and some minor changes to the deckhouse. As I said earlier, I'm at work and the kit with my notes are at home so all the above is as best as I can remember. Good Luck, Stuart Batchelor Norman, OK, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "HARRY GARLAND" Subject: Re: Canadian Pacific Steamships (CP SHIPS) Hi, I wonder if any one can tell me if there are any Books, pictures and models of any CP ships in existence. I was an engineer with them and would like any information I can get regarding the above. Cheers. Harry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: Clear 1/700 Aircraft Re. Rusty's last message, The Skywave IJN aircraft set S-8 has been released as S-8S and is in clear plastic, with the addition of 1 x White Metal Kawanishi H6K5 Mavis. The plastic aircraft are Francis, Betty, Emily, Peggy and Nells. A while back, their S12 US carrier aircraft set was released in clear plastic as S-12S. This is now back to the regular grey. At WEM, we have been experimenting with clear resin... early results had tiny air bubbles suspended in the finished product.. we HAVE now found the perfect resin for the purpose. Some of the 1/700 Seasprites are moulded in this material, and, no kidding, this stuff is as clear as glass.. Cheers Caroline Carter White Ensign Models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: CAP Garcia etc. Hi John, Re your CAP USS Garcia enquiry, the kit is nicely moulded resin, up to Mike's usual high standards. You wouldn't be disappointed with your purchase. There is no PE brass with the kit though.. you would have to add this from one of the aftermarket sets. From what I can ascertain from the instructions, you can build either the DE or FF versions from the kit. BTW, glad you liked your WEM purchase.... did you get one of the bags of clear resin Seasprites? Cheers! Caroline Carter White Ensign Models http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: Ron or Julie Hillsden Subject: Re:1/72 corvette >> Anyone know where I can find a 1/72 Flower Class Corevette? I know someone who really wants one. << Go to: http://www.bcshaver.com/index.html BC Shaver and Hobbies-Your scale models source. Saw one there recently Ron in Victoria BC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Donna Ogilvie Subject: Re: V? Dear Mike The "V" stands for heavier than air, and while I have forgotten the origin of the v it was started in the days when the Navy operated both ligter than air craft and the heavier than air types. Greg Ogilvie Aliso Viejo,Ca. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Dublindogs@aol.com Subject: need some help anyone have a source for 1/144 scale figures? thanks, michael -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: SeaPhoto@aol.com Subject: 1/72 Scale Flower Class Detail Set? In the dim, dark recesses of my memory, I recall hearing about an after-market maker of detail parts for the classic Matchbox/Revell kit. Does anyone know if this set is still available, if so, have a source for it? Thanks in advance! Kurt SeaPhoto -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: SeaPhoto@aol.com Subject: Scharnhorst upper deck colors? Hello everyone, I read with interest the discussion of the Graf Spee's deck colors, and hope to start a similar thread on the Scharnhorst. Does anyone know if she had linoleum on her decks as well? If so, which levels? I will be building a 1/100 scale Gneisenau next year, and have a friend who is building the Scharnhorst in the same scale, so your information would be both helpful and appreciated! Also, to Mr. Snyder, do you have a timeframe on the availability of Kriegsmarine color chips? Thanks in advance. Kurt SeaPhoto -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: BSteinIPMS@aol.com Subject: Model ship supplies vendors The question comes up freguently on this list of "Where can I find.........."? For those of you who wonder where you can find this or that, or live outside the U.S. and perhaps have difficulty locating that particular item or raw material, this listing may be useful to you. These addresses are current, to the best of my knowledge, and while few of these firms are in the model ship business per se, they do manufacture useful products for the model ship builder. Bob Steinbrunn Minneapolis Nautical Research Guild (http://www.Naut-Res-Guild.org) Louisiana Naval War Memorial - U.S.S. KIDD http://www.premier.net/~uss_kidd/home.html PHOTO-ETCHED STAINLESS STEEL WALKWAY IN SEVERAL PATTERNS, IN MODEL RAILROAD "N" SCALE, SUITABLE FOR LARGE SCALE SHIP MODELS (1/192 AND LARGER, AND OTHER ETCHED BRASS PRODUCTS: Plano Model Products 2701 W. 15th St., Suite 113 Plano, TX 75075 U.S.A. PHOTO-ETCHED BRASS SHIP PARTS AND FITTINGS IN 1/96 AND 1/192 SCALE: Masterpieces in Miniature P.O. Box 387 Medford, MA 02155 U.S.A. PHOTO-ETCHED KITS AND PARTS, AS WELL AS CUSTOM ETCHING: Fred Hultberg Fotocut Labs, Inc. Erieville Rd., Box 120 Erieville, NY 13061 U.S.A. BRASS, ALUMINUM, AND COPPER TUBING, SHEET, AND STRIP IN VARIOUS DIAMETERS AND THICKNESSES: K & S Engineering 6917 W. 59th. Chicago, IL 60638 U.S.A. SHEET, STRIP, AND ROD STYRENE IN WHITE AND CLEAR, IN A BEWILDERING ARRAY OF SIZES, THICKNESSES, PATTERNS, AND DIAMETERS,: Evergreen Scale Models 12808 N.E. 125th Way Kirkland, WA 98034 MODEL CAR ACCESSORIES: PHOTO-ETCHED STAINLESS STEEL PARTS, TURNED ALUMINUM PARTS & FITTINGS, AND WIRING. THE WIRING IS AVAILABLE IN MANY COLORS, BLACK AND WHITE BEING MOST USEFUL TO THE SHIP MODELER, AND IS AVAILABLE IN DIAMETERS DOWN TO .0075". Detail Master P.O. Box 1465 Sterling, VA 20167 U.S.A. PUNCH AND DIE SET, USEFUL FOR PUNCHING OUT DISKS IN SIX SIZES FOR HATCHES AND FITTINGS FROM STYRENE AND THIN GAUGE BRASS, ALUMINUM, AND COPPER. Waldron Model Products P.O. Box 431 Merlin, OR 97532 U.S.A. BRASS WIRE IN VARIOUS DIAMETERS, DOWN TO AT LEAST .006", PACKAGED IN 12 INCH LENGTHS, USUALLY 12 IN EACH POLY PACK, INDISPENSIBLE TO THE PLASTIC, RESIN, OR WOODEN WARSHIP MODELER. Detail Associates Box 197 Santa Maria, CA 93454 U.S.A. LENSES: CLEAR, RED, GREEN, BLUE, AND AMBER LENSES WITH A SILVERED BACKING, JUST THE THING FOR SEARCHLIGHTS AND NAVIGATION LIGHTS. M. V. Products P.O. Box 6622 Orange, CA 92613-6622 BRONZE PAINT AND POLISHING POWDER FOR SHIPS' PROPELLERS, AIRBRUSHABLE ONLY. SnJ Model Products P.O. Box 292713 Sacramento, CA 95829 PLASTIC NUTS, BOLTS, WASHERS, TURNBUCKLES, AND OTHER FITTINGS. Grandt Line Products, Inc. 1040B Shary Court Concord, CA 94518 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: Denis and Marilyn Campbell Subject: clear plastic 1/700 a/c David, Skywave did make quite an extensive selection of naval aircraft molded in clear plasrtic and I believe White Ensign Models carries (or used to carry) them. I seem to remember seeing them in WEM's catalog. Also, anyone making 1/350 carriers (especially Tamiya's Enterprise), Gold Medal Models now has decals for markings - and canopies. Denis Campbell Avon MA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Vosper RN colors A friend of mine is reviewing the WEM little Vosper MTB and he had some questions about RN colors. Can anyone tell me a color that is close to Light Admiralty Gray and Dark Admiralty Gray? Nothing precise, just close. How about an FS number that we can use as a match? How about a Model Master (FS number) color that is close? If there are no close matches, how about a mixing formula using Model Master colors? Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: Jowfx@webtv.net (John Fox) Subject: Re: The V in CV When USS Langley was commissioned, she was given the designation CV-1. The C indicated a carrier and the V was an arbitrarily chosen letter representing heavier-than-air aircraft. This was back in the days when the Navy operated blimps. Today it's the indicator for fixed-wing aircraft as opposed to rotary-wing aircraft which are indicated by H. John Fox -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: "Morley, James (London)" Subject: Clear aircraft canopies David Krakow was asking about aircraft moulded in clear plastic. Skywave have begun to reissue some of their 1/700 WWII sets in clear plastic to aid canopy representation. They have also issued one of the modern USN sets (the special edition USS Independence one) in clear as well. I can't speak for the quality or usefulness of them, because I'm still waiting for the USN one to turn up. For a more accurate guide to what's available, try looking at the Skywave list at HobbyLink Japan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: Lexington Armament LEXINGTON's 8" guns were replaced by 1.1 quads, 2 in positions A, B and Z each and 1 in position Y. 4 further 1.1 quads were placed in the sponsons at the four quarters of the ship and 1 between funnel and bridge. LEX also had received 28 - 20mm Oerlikon singles in May 1942, which were placed as follows: 2 in the lower platform at the rear of the funnel, 2 at the aft corners of the floght deck, 5 in a gallery in the starboard boat reset, 6 in the gallery on 01 level at the starboard side of the funnel, 4 on a platform in the foremost port boat reset, 3 on a platform in the third port boat reset. Further there were 24 - 0.5 MGs 2 in each of the platforms at the four quarters of the ship, 6 on each side of the gallery around the funnel top, 4 in the gallery on 01 level at the starboard side of the funnel ( 2 front and 2 aft of the Oerlikons). LEX also still carried her 5" when she finally went down. Falk Pletscher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: Bismarck Aircraft Codes Bismarck's Arados had the following codes: T3 + IH T3 + AK T3 + DL T3 + MK Falk Pletscher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Greg Lee (Listmaster - SMML) Subject: Happy Birthday SMML Hi All, Just a short note to wish everybody a Happy First SMML Birthday. I had some other garbage to deal with last night, and it slipped my mind. But I spent a lot of time thinking about it today, and it amazes me what we have achieved, how the list has grown in just one year. We have really covered some ground - and we have all learned a lot of stuff. Thank you one and all - If it wasn't for you - the reader - there would be no SMML. Greg Lee (Listmaster - SMML) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: Heller Strasbourg for Sale Hi, For sale: Heller 1/400 Strasbourg for $45.00 plus shipping (or best offer). Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume