Subject SMML18/11/98VOL367 Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 20:42:55 +1100 (EST) shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: HMS Buttercup (corvette) Pennant Number 2: Re: Need some help! 3: SMS Emden (secret) 4: David vs Goliath 5: Wash colors for wooden U-boat decking 6: Streaming the Paravane 7: Naval Camouflage pics 8: 1/72 Scale Flower Class Detail Set? 9: Re: CV Deck Colors 10: USS Arizona 11: Re: Canadian Pacific Steamships (CP SHIPS) 12: Re: US CV Deck colors 13: Re: CV deck colors 14: Re: Clear 1/700 Aircraft 15: 1/700 Arizona models 16: Re: The V in CV 17: Re: Modern Iowa Class + Canberra 18: Aircraft Canopies 19: Re: 1/72 Scale Flower Class Detail Set? 20: Re: 1/72 Scale Flower Class Detail Set? 21: Dutch and ex-Dutch destroyers 22: USN carrier deck colours 23: Juno 24: 1/700 Aircraft Canopies. 25: USN O'Bannon paint scheme 26: Re:1/72 Flower deail set 27: Man O' War and Ensign series books 28: Re: Battle of Sunda Strait 29: 1/700 A/C canopies 30: Janusz Skulski -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: ATTN - ??? - KM Destroyers and E-Boats 2: Cleaning House -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: HMS Buttercup (corvette) Pennant Number Hi John, Thanks for your valuable input. You are quite right in that the photographs of Buttercup in Belfast Lough are those that have led me to leave off the penant number. This is because in these photographs, she is flying the White Ensign indicating that she is probably on actual work-up rather than builders trials. It is of course quite possible that the number was painted on before she commenced operational duties. What I think I will probably do is show the pennant number in place on the colour guide so customers know it's position and size and include in the notes the caveat that the only photographs that we have show no pennant number. Cheers Dave Carter White Ensign Models http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Les Pickstock (Les Pickstock) Subject: Re: Need some help! 1/144th is equivelent to 'N' gauge, one of the popular Europian model railway scales. A good model or hobby shop should carry loads of little plastic guys. Les Pickstock -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: SMS Emden (secret) Hello Just got word about a movie that is in the planning stages here in Germany. It will be an action/adventure film about the SMS Emden and is scheduled for completion by 2002. Star of the movie is to be a 1:1 scale replica of the SMS Emden herself! News came to me on Saturday via Gunther Huff, who was contacted by the production company to be technical advisor. Gunther is the world expert on the Emden, author and modelbuilder. Take a look at his 1:100 scale Emden at the Warship website! This is classified information, you are all sworn to secrecy. Cheers David Krakow Frankfurt Germany -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: David vs Goliath When I was reading around in my books this weekend, I came upon another David vs Goliath story: On May 21, 1941 the Germans sent a flotilla of some 20 motor sailing vessels with 2331 troops on a night run to Crete to reinforce their airborne invaders. They were escorted by the Italian torpedoboat LUPO of the SPICA class. Towards midnight the British Force D, consisting of the cruisers DIDO, ORION and AJAX and the destroyers JANUS, KIMBERLEY, HASTY and HEREWARD attacked this convoy. The motor sailing vessels scattered while LUPO counterattacked. Thanks to her courageous action the British could only sink 10 convoy vessels and only 297 troops were lost. Although outnumbered by all means, LUPO herself survived this action. The usual confusion of a night action and the British fear of the Stukas which might appear with daylight might have helped the result. Nevertheless I consider this an outstanding example of successful convoy defence of the David vs Goliath kind. Falk Pletscher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: Wash colors for wooden U-boat decking Hi As for wash colors for the wooden deck of a german Sub, I think its right to start with flat black. I think the final result should show a lot of brown, as I noticed that in the color photos and contemporary paitings that are available, the decks of well weatered boats are distinctly brown. Presumably this is the result of the paint wearing away, exposing the wood underneath and fading. I am not an expert on washes, but I think a burnt sienna oil wash would work, as well as dry brushing with a dark brown, to simulate worn away paint. Cheers Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Tom Eisenhour Subject: Streaming the Paravane Hello all, The discussion about paravanes reminds me of one of my favorite passages from Herman Wouk's _The Caine Mutiny_: "That was the lousiest launching I've ever seen, " said De Vriess. "Hey Steve, what in the Christ took you forty-five minutes?" Maryk smiled up at him. "Hello, Captain. Why, I didn't think the boys did too bad, for a four-month layoff. Look, sir, none of the other ships have even started to launch." "Who cares about those snafu buckets? We streamed at Noumea in thirty-eight." "Sir, that was after four days practice - - " "Well, I want it done in thirty tomorrow." "Yes sir." "Sir, it was my fault," spoke up the boatswain's mate. He began an alibi which sounded to Willie like this: "The port bandersnatch got fouled in the starboard rath when we tried to galumph the cutting cable so as not to trip the snozzle again. I had to unshackle the doppelganger and bend on two snarks instead so we could launch in a hurry." "Well," said De Vries, "couldn't you have vorpaled the sillabub or taken a turn on the chortlewart? That way the jaxo would be clear of the varse and you could forget about the dudelsak. It would have done the same thing." "Yes, sir," said Bellison. "That might work okay. I'll try it tomorrow." For a full description of launching paravanes, see Chapter 10. Happy days, Tom -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Sheridan, John" Subject: Naval Camouflage pics Someone on SMML asked if there are any drawings of various camouflage schemes applied to ships. I am working on a website right now that will devoted to camouflage of Naval Warships. The site is: http://home.earthlink.net/~jrsheridan/ and right now, it only contains the title graphic. I, an a few others are working on the drawings and data for camouflage information for all navies past and present. We hope to have more information online as soon as possible. We need the help of anyone who has drawings or data on warship camougflage and would be interested in helping us put together this site! I especially need drawings and data on foreign navies (Caroline are you listening ?) to add to the site. Please email me with any data you might have. I will be more than happy to credit anyone who contributes. John Sheridan @ Microscale Decals http://www.microscale.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Chris Davenport" Subject: 1/72 Scale Flower Class Detail Set? Hi all, Regarding the 1/72 scale Flower class kit, there have been two after market detail sets that I know about. The first was a resin set produced by Sirmar in England, and was actually three sets of different fittings to replace kit parts. Unfortunately Paul at Sirmar has not had the time to renew the moulds, so if they are still available, then the quality may be a little lacking now. The other set was photoetched by a company called Flightpath, from Wales. Again, this set is no longer available, but I have heard that there may be a new set to be released soon (months?). However, I first heard of this a couple of years ago and it still hasn't arrived on the scene. When I last spoke to David Parkins of Flightpath, he was still working on the drawings and didn't know when the set would be released. He did say that practically everything on the original model would be replaced by etch, and this includes new deck overlays, so I imagine from that it will be very expensive. If you would like me to get more info on these then plese let me know off-list and I'll try and contact the people again. Unless of course Caroline knows David Parkins? Chris Davenport -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: CV Deck Colors American CVs started carrying deck blue decks when hostilities broke out. Depending on the time frame you want to show Hornet or Enterprise could have natural wood color decks. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Millen, Alan R." Subject: USS Arizona In going through your archives, I noticed that the question of the molded on lines on the Revell Arizona was not finally addressed. As I understand it, the lines running from the bow are supposed to be degausing wires, for demagnetizing the ship against the use of magnetic mines. The Pennsylvania got them in her 1942 refit, during which the Arizona was to receive them, but events in December prevented her refit. The kit was marketed as both the Arizona and Pennsylvania. At least that was my understanding from the resources I had at my disposal. Alan R. Millen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Dave Swindell Subject: Re: Canadian Pacific Steamships (CP SHIPS) >> 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. << Hi Harry, Miniature Merchant Ships by John Bowen has description, photos and 1:1200 plans of Empress of Asia and Russia (1913) and Empress of Britain (1956) Plans of the same Empress of Britain are available from Model Boats to 1:200 Scale. I'm part way through building this model for R/C, basic structure is complete, just all the details to do! I don't know of any model kits of CP ships, there's probably some in the range of 1:1250 waterline models, there are several books about CP ships I've seen, try a specialist bookshop such as Midland Counties. HTH, Dave Swindell IPMS(UK) 5687/3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "FERNANDO, YOHAN" Subject: Re: US CV Deck colors Stanley, I also made the same mistake a while back the the Hasegawa 1/700 Hancock. I spent a great deal of time with the dazzle camo scheme and (later found out) incorrectly painted the flight deck as unpainted wood. I just recently got fed up with my mistake and removed all the planes, re-painted the deck blue, replaced all the planes (in a better arrangement) and now am very pleased. While it seems as if most of the Essex-class carriers would probably have had their decks stained blue, the very first ones (i.e. Essex) *might* have had a period early in their careers where the deck was still wood colored. This is only a guess. I actaually saw a color photo of a weather-beaten Essex class ship circa 1944 whose blue stained decks had been worn down to such a degree that the deck appreared more grey-brown than blue, so you could always decide to portray the ship in that state... Hornet (CV-6) had wooden colored decks up until the Doolitte raid. At that time, her deck was painted a dark grey. Most representations of the Hornet at that time incorrectly portray her with wooden colored decks. As for a Tamiya paint mix for Deck Blue, I tend to use different shades between different models. Due to weather and paint batches, I think that two ships next to each other might appear to have slightly different shades of the same paint on them. It also makes the models more interesting when viewed together if they are of *slightly* different shades. The mixes I use are made from Field Blue with a various amounts of Flat Blue added for color. (go easy on the Blue as Field blue is pretty blue to begin with). I've used Field Blue straight out of the bottle a couple of times also with success. BTW- don't feel 'stuck' with Tamiya paints. I use them for 90% of my paints. They are easy to work with (mix and cleanup), come in large bottles, and have some nice 'scale' colors that don't need to be lightened up to look in-scale. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: CV deck colors Stanley: By the time ESSEX entered service, her flight deck would have been stained blue (either Norfolk 250N Flight Deck Stain or Flight Deck Stain 21) with her metal decks painted 1942 Revised Deck Blue 20B. I haven't got a specific Tamiya mix for you, but you could mix your own based on our USN Paint Chip Set, which includes both those colors and 18 others. John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Jens H. Brandal" Subject: Subject: Re: Clear 1/700 Aircraft >> From: "Caroline Carter" Re. Rusty's last message, << Hmm, sounds rather dramatic, don't you think? Could we substitute with "latest"?:) Anyway, I ordered a few sets of these clear US carrier aircraft from Hobby Link Japan a while back, and I haven't used them yet because I haven't finished a carrier to put them on :( I had a chat with Paolo Pizzi regarding these clear aircraft, and he weren't quite happy with the way they looked. I don't know what he did or didn't do to paint them. I would think that in order to get the best from them you'd need to paint the aircraft black (except the canopy of course) before putting on the final grey coats. Painting the "solid" items, I would use a dark grey paint for the canopies - straight black would be too "hard" considering the scale distance. These are just my theories though, and may work differently in practice. I must say I enjoyed the thread on uses for small scale aircraft, so I may find out for myself though. Jens -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "FERNANDO, YOHAN" Subject: 1/700 Arizona models Hello, I'm planning on converting one of two 1/700 Arizona injection kits to the post-refit Pennsylvania in 1943. The two candidates for a starting place are the 1/720 Revell and the 1/720 Matchbox kits. I already built the Revell kit as the Arizona and am wondering if the Matchbox kit is any better? Since I will be replacing most if not all of the small fittings and guns, I don't care about the quality of those parts. But in terms of the hull, superstructure, 14" turrets etc. which is better? Pricewise they are the same. Also, does anyone know who has the best set of plans for the 1943 Pennsylvania? Thanks in advance. Yohan Fernando -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: louellet@uism.bu.edu Subject: Re: The V in CV >> 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. << James, (and a few others) got it right: The ORIGIN of CV was Cruiser, aViation The first few aircraft carriers were built on Cruiser hulls. CL - Cruiser, Light CA - Cruiser, Heavy (originally Armored) CB - Cruiser, Battle CV - Cruiser, aViation later on .. CG - Cruiser, Guided missle CGN - Cruiser, Guided missle, Nuclear powered As many people stated, the V is used to designate heavier than air, fixed wing aircraft and their squadrons, and H is used for helicopters. See the military FAQ's at the USS Salem site: http://www.uss-salem.org for definitions of just about every designation the US and other navies have used through the years. Larry Ouellette Quincy, Massachusetts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: drwells@hogpa.ho.att.com (David R Wells) Subject: Re: Modern Iowa Class + Canberra Donald Bridge wrote: >> I'm looking to build a modern fit Iowa class in 1/700 or thereabouts and am therefore looking for a good start kit and availability of conversion parts. << Consider the Revell 1/720 New Jersey, kit 5012. It's not perfect, but it's cheap. You can fix many of its problems with Skywave parts. The hull is pretty nice, but the guns need some work. The 16 inchers need some fixing up, the 5 inchers are tolerable. The Harpoon launchers are atrocious. The Tomahawks could stand to be replaced as well. Fortunately, both Harpoon & Tomahawk launchers are available from Skywave. Some other plastic surgery will be required on the superstructure. The forward communications antenna is completely missing, and will have to be scratch-built. Overall, it's quite salvageable. >> I've also heard of modern kits of the Iowa and NJ by a company called Nichimo. I Have never heard of this company before and I am wondering what these kits are like. They are said to be motorised which does not give me a good feeling. << Be VERY cautious. I don't know everything in Nichimo's line, but they sell a Phase II conversion (including Harriers & VLS) which is completely wrong. It's one of their "30 cm" series, so it's about 1/900 scale. It's way too wide. In fact, the lower hull seems to be identical to that of their 30cm Yamato. Avoid this one! Other Nichimos are a mixed bag: Some good, some not-so-good. Caveat emptor. David R. Wells -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: Duane Fowler Subject: Aircraft Canopies Hello David, On the question of aircraft canopies, I have used clear epoxy. Once I have carfed out the cockpits and added the detail, I then fill it with thin epoxy to the level of the top of the metal. THen I build the canopy up with thicker epoxy. The hard part is to keep bubles out. It takes a bit of practice but gives a good appearance. I've only done it on 1/350, not 1/700. Regards, Duane Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) Subject: Re: 1/72 Scale Flower Class Detail Set? From: Erwin Van Deynze >> 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! << I have this set, or rather sets, I've ordered them at Midway Models (Leicester UK) they're made by Sirmar and they consist of four sets. I've ordered them all four together, so I can't remember that good which set had what in it. They had the following parts in them : A. bridge set :Several lockers, search lights, gratings, voice pipes, binnacle. All in resin B. Anchor Windlass set : Anchor windlass, hedgehog launcher, both in resin, some metal chain, anchors and hedgehog projectiles in white metal. C. Weapons set : 4 inch gun, with both square and rounded shield, 4 Mk IV depth charge throwers, R/U lockers, 2 Oerlikons (white metal, mounts in resin), 2 twin Lewis gun mounts (White metal), 2 pdr QF gun. Both the 2 pdr and the 4 inch gun have additional parts in white metal and PE (sights) D. Carley Floats : 6 carley floats with moulded in paddles. Although the sets are certainly an improvement over the kits original parts, they are far from perfect. All the details are blurred, especially the 4 inch gun mount is awful, some of the white metal hand wheels of the guns are simply unusable. The sets were also rather pricey (at least for my budget). I've payed 78.91 £ for it (including P&P). Also I've had to wait about three months before delivery. I have a lot of work on the sets, removing flash, filling up bubbles, removing mould bubbles, some parts are made with double moulds and show bad alingement. Certain parts I am completely rebuilding. On the whole, the sets give the impression that the moulds are just worn out, seems reasonably though, as the kit itself is also rather old. I don't have the address of Midway Models lying around anymore, but I'm certain someone on the group has it somewhere. Sirmar can be contacted at: Sirmar PO box 127 Stourbridge West Midlands DY8 5XY There was also an PE set available by flightpath, I've mailed them, but never got any reply. As I understand it is out of production now, but now and then I hear rumours of reissues. I you hear of this PE set, please let us Flower-addicts know, will you? Erwin Van Deynze (desperately trying to get those depth charge throwers correct) ;-) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: 1/72 Scale Flower Class Detail Set? Hi Kurt, As far as I am aware, this is the story.. When the F****r Class was in production, David Parkin at Flightpath set about, with the assistance of Paul Beckley of Surmar, making a set of etch and resin conversion parts.. however, David then gave up the project for 2 reasons... 1. His dad died, and 2. He took over some smaller operations.. Dartmoor Productions and Firing Line... with his time being swallowed up by increasing commitments elsewhere, together with the discontinuation of the kit's production, when we last spoke to him in February this year, he said that until the kit is re-released by Matchbox/Revell or whoever, all work has been discontinued, so there you have it... I THINK that Surmar may have produced some resin parts at some time for the Flower, but I have never met anyone who got these.. Maybe someone out there can offer some info? Cheers, Caroline Carter White Ensign Models http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models/index.htm http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/avenue/xdt22/index.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Jeffrey Roberts" Subject: Dutch and ex-Dutch destroyers I'm interested in modeling the Dutch destroyer Isaac Sweers (as completed with British armament) and her German sister-ship ZH1 (ex-Dutch Gerard Callenburgh) and was wondering if anyone on the list can point me in the direction of any plans or other related information on these two ships and the Callenburgh class destroyers in general. Right now all I have is a set of drawings of the original design (which appears to differ from both ships as they were completed) and 2 photos of each ship. The two shots of ZH1 in particular leave alot to be desired so any additional info would be appreciated. Thanks. Jeff Roberts North Hollywood CA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: "Robert Lockie" Subject: USN carrier deck colours A blue stain for flight decks was first introduced in early 1942. A standardised colour (No. 21) blue stain was introduced in 1943 and issued to all shipyards. A darker stain 20-B was issued in 1944. Stain was used in preference to paint as it did not affect the friction of the deck (paint made it more slippery). Given that the first Essex was commissioned on 31/12/42, it seems pretty likely that all ships of the class would have had blue-stained decks. My information on the first Hornet is rather thin, but I would suspect that its decks were coloured with the red-mahogany stain used before he blue stain was introduced, rather than plain wood colour. Source for all the above is Camouflage 2 (Fleet carriers of the WW2 era), published by Floating Drydock. By the way, I hear some pretty worrying things about the Hasegawa Essex, particularly as regards hull length - apparently the waterline length and overall length were confused and as a consequence, the hull is about an inch too short. Sorry if this ruins anyone's day but I heard it from someone who seemed to know his stuff on this subject and it was enough to put me off it. Has anyone else out there had a good look at the kit's accuracy? Robert Lockie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: Vimieraa@aol.com Subject: Juno Does anybody know of any views taken of the J class destroyer Juno between October 1940 and May 1941. Also, any views of the cruisers Emerald and Enterprise in 1941 and or 1942. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: "Lester Abbey" Subject: Re: 1/700 Aircraft Canopies. I have the Skywave S8s Clear plastic set but havent assembled them yet. I have heard from an experienced modeller who has assembled them that the clear plastic canopy is not entirely satisfactory - there is a "Fishbowl" effect and the cockpit looks as if it is full of water. I am waiting for some manufacturer to produce 1/700 photoetch canopy frames which can then be painted with a clear film of something like krystal kleer. I think that it is do-able and that I would be able to assemble and use it. I am a useful benchmark for assembly difficulty - If I can do it almost anybody can. Regards Lester Abbey Wellington New Zealand -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: Cadman Subject: USN O'Bannon paint scheme I am building Tamiya's 1/700 Fletcher as the O'Bannon in her 1942 colors. Is this "dapple" paint scheme the same as the Fletcher's as depicted on the box? Go 88 Cadman's Home page at http://www.kc.net/~cadman/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re:1/72 Flower deail 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! << HI Kurt: FlightPath made it, and no it is no longer available from them, however, they plan on releasing a new set in 1999, actually 4 new sets. The first 3 sets will completely refit a matchbox kit with new parts to replace almost everything including the decks on up. The 4th set is supposed to be a short forecastle version. Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: khglam@ucdavis.edu Subject: Man O' War and Ensign series books I recently acquired a couple of the Man O' War series and Ensign Series books. Can someone please list the different volumes in these sets? Thanks, Chung -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: "Ray Lagomasino" Subject: Re: Battle of Sunda Strait Regarding the accounts of The Battle of Sunda Strait and Japanese friendly fire/damage, Arjun Sarup states: >> There ought to have been some survivors off the Japanese ships, so maybe a Japanese account exists somewhere. << In addition to Joe Boeke's excellent quotes from "The Ghost That Died at Sunda Strait", I'd like to recommend "A Battle History of The Imperial Japanese Navy (1941-1945)" by Paul S. Dull. Dr. Dull does specifically attribute the sinking of Minesweeper No.2 and Sakura Maru to torpedoes fired by the destroyer Fubuki at Perth and Houston. The footnote source is the War History Section (Boeicho Kenshujo Senshishitsu) of the Japanese Defense Agency. The WWII historical series is titled "Senshi sosho" (sorry, I do not know the English translation). According to the book, the material in the Senshi sosho is based primarily on originial Japanese sources. Getting Dull's book may be an easier bet--its still available from USNI, ISBN 0-87021-097-1. Hope this helps, Arjun. Ray Lagomasino -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: JGordon262@aol.com Subject: 1/700 A/C canopies Interesting thread about the clear cast or molded planes. The concept of clear A/C is intriguing, I must admit. However, I'm not sure it is really necessary to have clear canopies in this scale. I know a top shipmodeler who represents his canopies with built up layers of white glue (actually Krystal Kleer) and then shapes them. They look really good, must be difficult to do, but the funny thing is, he does not add canopy framing. Go figure. I've been keenly observing other modelers' work on these tiny planes, and of course the majority of guys paint their canopies. Of these, I pay particular attention to the choice of color. White or light grey is popular, and does work well, it stands out the most. Others go the other route with black colored canopies, and when glossed, look good too. My thinking , and personal preference, is to use a light blueish color. I like to think that this color represents a sky reflection on the glazed panels. You know, you could even add little dots of white, and these could be cloud reflections, hmm... At any rate, it is a good contrast color to the drab hues of most warplanes. With a nice gloss, and careful fine brushing of canopy framing, many different colors will give very acceptable results. This thread got me building last week- in this case a 1/700 Me 323 D Gigant transport plane, which I converted to the E-2/Waffenträger gunship. This 3" span white metal kit by Pit Road was sold to me by Bill Gruener (Pacific Front Models) at the last IMPS Nats show. Six photoetched props by Tom's Modelworks, and 31 other scratched parts such as guns, turrets, struts, spinners, antennae made for a very rewarding modeling week in which I had very little spare time (point being they build fast). I look at this thing, shake my head and grin. Any ideas on how I can incorporate this model into a ship diorama? ;-o Jim -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: Bob Pearson Subject: Janusz Skulski Greetings all, I have been asked by a fellow working on a book on the Japanese dreadnoughts who wishes to compare notes with Mr. Skulksi (author of THE BATTLESHIP FUSO and THE BATTLESHIP YAMATO) if I have any idea how to reach him? Can anyone help? Regards, Bob Pearson Managing Editor / Internet Modeler http://www.internetmodeler.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: ATTN - ??? - KM Destroyers and E-Boats Hi Would the two people working on books on KM Zerstorers and Schnellboote please e-mail me. I have some info about archival photos and contacts; forgot who you were! David Krakow -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Jeff Herne" Subject: Cleaning House Hi gang, Am cleaning house, thinning out the 1/700 collection... $7.00 ea. Tamiya IJN DD Shiratuyu Tamiya IJN DD Matsu Tamiya IJN DD Harusame Hasegawa IJN DD Arashio Hasegawa IJN DD Mikazuke Fujimi IJN DD Sakura $12.00 ea. Tamiya IJN CL Agano Aoshima Liner Kasuga Maru Hasegawa Liner Hikawa Maru Hasegawa CA Haguro Aoshima CL Kashima $20.00 ea. Aoshima IJN BB Nagato Aoshima IJN CV Katsuragi Fujimi CV Ark Royal (postwar) For you aircraft types, I also have about 300 1/72 WWII kits, lots of old stuff. Drop me note if you're looking for something in particular. Jeff Herne Archivist-at-Large -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume