Subject SMML25/11/98VOL374 Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1998 21:31:54 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Tirpitz PE 2: Airbrushing ships 3: Re: Prinz Eugen 4: Re: Fletcher PE sets 5: Re: Scharnhorst and Spee Deck Colors 6: Re: Leander Thanks 7: KM Turret colors / Air recognition 8: Stern hits on KM ships 9: Re: Cod War Frigates 10: RN numbers to FS numbers 11: Removing Molded Ladders 12: Re: Shanghai Dragon Invincible 13: Re: 1/350 Sea Sparrow 14: KGV Class Battleships 15: Re: 1/72 Flower Class Corvette Detail sets 16: USS Idaho, Texas, New York 17: Re: missing persons 18: 1/700 HMS Invincible -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: For Sale, Anatomy of the Ship:" HM S/M Alliance" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Keith Butterley Subject: Tirpitz PE Hi all What do you guys reccommend in the way of PE for the Academy 350 scale Tirpitz. It seems my evil influences have rubbed off on my father and he wants to build a ship model instead of those bloody annoying airplanes :-) Keith Butterley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Morley, James (London)" Subject: Airbrushing ships I'd like to present an alternative to Rusty's method. I'm building (fairly badly!!) a 1/350 Tamiya Iowa conversion. The ship carried a Light Grey (5L) and Navy Blue (5N) disruptive scheme until 1944. Decks were 20B Deck Blue. It is difficult (I think) to use the "angled spraying" method for multi-coloured patterns that need masking. Most resin and plastic kits appear to include the deck/hull and the level 1 superstructure as 1 piece (I wish they wouldn't - it would make all of this unnecessary). So, I attached the deck pieces to the hull, and sprayed all vertical surfaces (including the hull down to and a little past the waterline) with the 5L - not worrying about overspray. After this was cured I masked off the intended pattern on the hull and the 1 level of superstructure for the 5N - again not worrying about overspray. When this has dried, use masking tape around the top of the hull, ensuring that it forms a "lip" above the deck level all the way around, and that there are no gaps at the edge of the deck. Carefully mask the vertical surfaces of the lower superstructure with masking tape, making sure the lower edge of the tape is exactly at deck level, and use a soft pointer (I used a cocktail stick) to force the tape right into all those awkward right angles. Check that the tape is firmly stuck to the surface all the way around, take a deep breath, and spray the deck colour straight down onto the deck (as if dive-bombing, this may involve tipping up the ship to near-vertical). After this is all set, you can pick out the deck details by hand if necessary. Some people have recommended pre-masking of deck details (which will be the correct grey colour after all that overspray) before doing the deck, with Humbrol paint-on Maskol (or similar). I tried this and got into the most horrendous mess with the wretched stuff not coming out of all the nooks and crannies - although this may be due to my own incompetence - I personally would not try that again. After all this is done, then you can do the waterline, the hull etc etc. I would add that this method evolved after several botched attempts (including two seperate tear-jerking sessions in the bath stripping the entire paint job off with oven cleaner). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: Re: Prinz Eugen There seems to be some controversey as to the current state of the Prinz Eugen. Concerning radioactivity of the hulk, a USN study of the ship in the early 1970s declared that the ship was "safe" and no longer radio active. The results of the study were published in "Proceedings". Concerning rust and structual strength, the German organization interested in salvaging the ship looked closely at the situation. Their dive team, which included an engineer, presented numerous photos of their expedition to the ship's former First Engineer and other naval engineers. They all concluded that the ship can be saved using normal salvage techniques, and is not presently in danger of collapse. The dive team's tests of radioactivity showed that the hull and interior were at the same level as a "normal environment." Perhaps salt water immersion washed it clean. They say its just a matter of collecting the money and resources. I have seen some of these photos myself. The ship is rusted through in spots, in many other spots the original paint is still visible. There is a crust of biological material over much of the ship. When it is removed with a hammer, bare metal shows through, without a trace of rust. I cannot comment on the feasability of the project, but I do note that older, less substantial ships have been salvaged from deeper waters, eg the Swedish man o war, Vasa. I have been meaning to get back in touch with "Projekt Prinz Eugen" organization. Will keep you informed. Cheers David Krakow Frankfurt Germany -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Les Pickstock (Les Pickstock) Subject: Re: Fletcher PE sets There are at least 2 sets available designed for the Tamiya Fletcher. I built mine using the Gold Medal Model set and was very happy with the results. The parts are well etched and suitably delicate. My only gripe with the set was the large number of redundant parts. There are bit provided for most incarnations of the Fletchers, so you don't use some of the bits. On the up side this is good news for scratchbuilders as the leftover parts are all usefull. I think Toms Modelworks make the other set but I haven't seen it so can't comment on its quality but I have heard that its pretty good. The GMM set contains: 2 complete sets of rails (one with snake netting and one without) ladders,(incline and vertical) DC rails and stowage racks, AA gun details (sights,etc) Yardarm and radars. It also has a lot of smaller stuff various handwheels and Stokes litters etc. I also feel that the instruction could be improved but what couldn't! Les Pickstock -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: Re: Scharnhorst and Spee Deck Colors Concerning Kurt's question about the use of linoleum on Scharnhorst, I conclude that it was not used. At this point, I caution that this is an educated guess. Although I do not have photo coverage for each deck level, I note that the areas where linolem was often used on earlier KM ships were covered with skid-proof steel plate or wood gratings on the Scharnhorst. So for example, the center first superstructure level deck was grey steel on the Scharnhorst. The bridge and observation stand areas were covered with wood grating. Incidentally, the brown KM linoleum can be recognized in BW photos by the brass strips used to cover the joints where lino sheets butt against each other. Steel decks are recognized by their unique skid-proof pattern of alternating horizontal and vertical dashes. Just an update on the Spee's deck, I now have info that all the searchlight platforms on the bridge were lino covered, (early and late configurations) as was the very top platform (contrary to Klemm's initial statement). Cheers David Krakow -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Les Pickstock (Les Pickstock) Subject: Re: Leander Thanks Many Thanks to everyone for the useful info on the cod war Leanders (this project can now advance). Les Pickstock -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: KM Turret colors / Air recognition I just came across a photo of the afterdeck of the Prinz Eugen. The stern swastika is covered over with a large canvas panel. Also evident in the photo is a canvas sheet affixed over the horizontal plate of turret D. I also have seen photos which clearly show sailors brush-painting over both the deck swastikas and turret tops. Concerning the colors in use as air recognition measures, I was informed by one Prinz Eugen veteran that the colors varied according to whatever orders were given. He also told me at one point the Eugen carried an RAF red-white and blue roundel on her turret tops. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: Stern hits on KM ships I had an interesting discussion with a friend about German ships losing their sterns. He mentioned something very interesting, that perhaps it was no coincidence that the sterns of three large German ships were hit by torpedos. Could the Royal Navy have been using a sound-guided homing system in their torpedos? Is it at all feasable given the technology of the day? Cheers Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Arjun Sarup" Subject: Re: Cod War Frigates While on the subject of Cod War Leander frigates, the Andromeda was sold off to the Indian Navy, and was duly reincarnated as the INS Krishna (F46). She now serves as a training ship with the 1st Training Sqn. If anyone would like a photograph of her from a recent trip to Mauritius, please let me know. Best wishes, Arjun -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Satin, Michael N. (SHEP)" Subject: Re: RN numbers to FS numbers I would like to add a question to John Snyder's concerning German naval colors. What about British? I've got some instructions for some British WWII dazzle schemes but have nothing to relate the letter/number references used. Does anyone have paint chips or, better yet, a translation from the RN numbers to FS numbers (or closest possible)? Or a spot on the net to access? Thanks! And, thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about German turret colors and Bismarck Arado codes. Cheerio! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Felix Bustelo Subject: Removing Molded Ladders Hello SMMLers, How would one remove the molded inclined ladders (actually they look more like stairs) from a kit. I want to replace them with PE inclined ladders. Any help would be appreciated. Felix Bustelo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: drwells@hogpa.ho.att.com (David R Wells) Subject: Re: Shanghai Dragon Invincible Caroline wrote: >> The story is this on the Invincible... I was chatting with the Revell rep. at the 98 UK IPMS Nats.. partially completed ex-Skywave tooling was acquired by the Shanghai Dragon/Revell bunch, with the intention of completion of tooling and release of an injected kit.. [much deleted] << So, is Dragon planning on going forward with the project anyway, without Revell? Or are they going to wait until Revell comes up with some more money? Also, is this kit a full-hull or waterline model? >> Interesting to see what happened to the ex-Skywave partially-completed Kirov tooling........ << Caroline, if you don't tell us what happened to the Kirov tooling, you will be marked forever as a shameless tease. ;-) David R. Wells -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: ECammeron@aol.com Subject: Re: 1/350 Sea Sparrow There were two Sea Sparrow launchers produced - Mk 25 and Mk 29. Tamiya used the original (Mk 25) which was a modified ASROC launcher. Enterprise got a couple in the late 60's when Sea Sparrow was first deployed. DML put the Mk 29 launcher on its Spruance. Enterprise got the Mk 29 during its overhaul in the late 70's at Puget Sound. See Friedman's U.S. Naval Weapons for descriptions. Best solution would be to copy the DML launcher for a correct Enterprise installation. Eugene Cammeron -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Duane Fowler Subject: KGV Class Battleships Warship Volume III (Conway or Naval Institute Press) has a four part article on the KGV Class battleships. It is quite good and includes drawings and painting diagrams for all the ships. Best regards, Duane Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ 15) From: Dave Swindell Subject: Re: 1/72 Flower Class Corvette Detail sets I've just received the current catalogue from Flightpath, and the 1/72 ship stuff is as follows:- For release "sometime in 1999" 3 interconnecting detail sets for the Matchbox kit Set 1 Deck Set 2 Bridge Set 3 Weapons set After these comes a short Fo'c'sle Minesweeper conversion, Then two detail sets for the Airfix Vosper MTB with different weapons fits. Then a detail set for the Airfix Whaleback rescue launch. Full kits are to follow, under developement are Fairmile B & Fairmile D MGBs/MTBs'Grey Goose' Steam Gun Boat 'Round Table' Minesweeper 72’ Harbour Defence Motor Launch Dave Swindell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Rob & Heather Weilacher Subject: USS Idaho, Texas, New York I have recently noticed the following kits and wonder if anyone has seen/built/ or heard any reviews of the following: Classic Warships 1/700 USS Idaho (1945) Viking Models 1/700 USS New York Viking Models 1/700 USS Texas Thanks, Rob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: dhjonespsm@juno.com (Daniel H. Jones) Subject: Re: missing persons Calling all SMML members in the San Diego (USA) area - I am trying to contact either of the following two subscribers to my magazine. (Have tried telephone directory assistance - no luck). Peter Glor Christopher Culp If anyone knows the current address of these folks, (or if either of you gentlemen are on line) please contact me off line. The last issue (PSM 18) was returned as undeliverable and with no forwarding address. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: 1/700 HMS Invincible I talked to Revell last week and was told that the INVINCIBLE kit will be out in Germany early December. Falk Pletscher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Katz, Gene S" Subject: For Sale, Anatomy of the Ship:" HM S/M Alliance" HM S/M Alliance of the Anatomy of the Ship series; excellent condition with dust jacket; $13.00 includes mailing to US addresses, foreign extra. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume