Subject SMML19/12/98VOL399 Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 22:29:28 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: HMS Invincible 2: Airfix RMS Queen Elizabeth model 3: Re: USS Enterprise & US PT boats 4: Re: Enterprise model built up 5: Re: A different kind of model 6: Fram Conversion 7: Re: Metallic Rings on Barrels 8: Graf Spee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Tom's Modelworks: Fletcher US Nats deal 2: For Sale: Book -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: HMS Invincible Hallo there, >> Does anyone know what happened to the 1/350 WEM release of the Invincible Class Carrier? I remember seeing photos of an almost complete master and promises of coming availability. Thanks! << Well, the master patterns are here, the etched brass is designed and ready to go, the huge decal sheet has been designed... however, since the master was finished in October 1997, we have had only 4 people express an interest... MDC's minimum production run is 10, so, basically, the project is suspended at that time (even with several thousand quid tied up in it already!). I hope that the release of the Shanghai Dragon 1/700 Invincible may promote an increased interest in this subject.. shame she's not down the Gulf at this time really!! it WOULD be nice to get a release for 1999! Regards Caroline Carter White Ensign Models http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models Ps: BTW, if you like em big... forget Viagra, Peter Hall's mastered a 1/350 Kirov for Atlantic Models for a 1999 release!! Those who have seen his lovely HMS Peacock, and many of the WEM 1/350 kits, and all our etched brass, will know what standards Peter is capable of! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Way, David L" Subject: Airfix RMS Queen Elizabeth model During one of my recent visits to the liner Queen Mary in Long Beach, I heard a interesting comment I though I would pass along. On Promenade Deck there is a shop which specializes in ocean liner memorabilia and some liner models( I won't give you the frame number on Prom Deck, I worked with the QM project for 11 years). While discussing models, the sales person commented that one of Airfix's RMS Queen Elizabeth, (the liner) models, which they were biding for on the net, was auctioned off for $800! If that is true, Wow! ( and, let's face it, good subject, but a very so-so kit, especially compared to today's standards). Which brings me to some more comments. While my first love is battleships and cruisers, the great liners are a close second. What has and still continues to be disappointing, is the lack of ocean liner kits to select, from a subject matter that is rich with potential liner candidates. The 1/1350 Titanic and Lusitania kits were a great addition and step forward. I believe there is a market out there for many other ocean liner kits. It would certainly appear that way, if people are willing to pay $800 for old plastic. I applaud WEM for their efforts to kick off some interest with an 1/700 Aquitania. I would prefer some 1/350 kits, but I know these would get expensive. Hey, Caroline, how about a Normandie? (yes, I know she was French) On the back burner, I am planning to do a WW2 Queen Mary troopship using Revell's old kit(Gee, just think, quite the buy at around $30). I did one years ago, before the age of photo-etch, and it was displayed in the QM's hobby store for many years. With WEM and Gold Medal accessories, it should be a fun project. Dave Way Long Beach, California -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: USS Enterprise & US PT boats For Colin Ratite and Al Millen I have this for ya's The Detail and Scale No. 39-USS ENTERPRISE is loaded with photos of the ship after her 1979-82 rebuild and 1990-3 rebuild with photos of aircraft. Some time in the 1980s the USN began to paint their planes in low visibility camouflage so the colorful markings began to disappear. For Al Millen try getting the Naval Institute Press US Small Combatants. On Vospers There's Pt's 368-371,384-449,661-730 that were U.S built. Most were for lend lease. One last thing PT-694 became a famous pt-boat -PT-73- of McHales Navy as many of these were completed at the war's end. She survived as a sea scout boat until her loss in 1994 due to a storm that broke her away from the moorings. Sincerly Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Enterprise model built up >> PS The names of any good house builders would also appreciated, I can see the need for at least one additional room added to the house to hold this beast and the rest of the 350th Fleet! << I built the Enterprise some years back. I would encourage you to add several of the extra aircraft kits to the model as well. I had a total of more than 45 A/C covering the deck. I had all the crewmen with the proper colored jerseys performing their tasks like on the real ship. I even had one small group of "grapes" (fuel handlers wearing purple jerseys) refueling an aircraft with tiny diameter fuel hose. I built mine as a waterline model and every person who saw it just stared and stared. I would take it to mall displays and there was a constant crowd of people around it looking at the tiny crewmen on and the many details on the model. To this day when our club decides to do a display of any kind the big "E" must be there. I have built lots of models that I believe are of superior quality and construction but none of them attract crowds like the big "E". I never saw the amazement in non-modelers eyes as I do when they look over my Enterprise. So build it well and watch the crowds form and the amazement in viewers eyes. Rusty White Flagship Models inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "John S. Platt" Subject: Re: A different kind of model Listees, Now then, this really is a request for information about a model ship, albeit somewhat out of the norm and it isn't make from plastic but it does qualify for entry into the list. The best film ever on U-Boats was Das-Boot, a German film lasting 5-1/4 hours. To make to film they used 3 x 38 foot models of a U-Boat one of which was operated by 3 men and could submerge. I will hopefully be going to Germany in the new year and I have an overwhelming desire to see these models. So the question is a) do the models still exist?, b) where are they?, c) who do I contact to get permission to see them? I know that's 3 questions but I cheated. Over to you. Regards. John S. Platt. Brasted, Kent, UK. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Fram Conversion Question; I have read references to the Fram conversion to destroyers, particularly Fletchers. What exactly was the Fram Conversion?? What did it add or how did it alter the base ship? Regards, Bradford Chaucer Note from Shane: FRAM stood for Fleet Rehabilitaion And Modernisation, which was a ship life extension program. This is a huge topic of which I know little. But if you have access to issues of Warship International, try & find No 3, 1975, this has a good overview, also check out the links on naval modelling sites, there is a site called Warships1 at: http://warships1.com/default.htm which also should help. FRAM basicaly added better radars, new weapons ie: Weapon Alpha on the USS Jenkins (sorry couldn't resist that one :-)) ), added helicopter platforms & changed the superstructure eg: bridges etc. I'm now awaiting a flood of info from the list :-). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: Metallic Rings on Barrels Hi SMML, Ever ready to show my ignorance, I ask this. I've noticed that on many photographs of naval guns (such as the US 5"/38) there is a metallic-looking ring around the barrel at the base. What is this ring? Is that where the barrel enters a recoil mechanism? In any event, should the ring be painted in a bare steel color (as opposed to a bronze or brass color)? Thanks in advance, Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "roger torgeson" Subject: Graf Spee I have seen a number of inquires and comments on the Graf Spee after its scuttling over the last few weeks. I finally have a little time to do what I enjoy, and have found two articles that talk about the remains of the Graf Spee. The first is in the Fall 1967 issue of Warship International. What it shows is a series of 10 photographs taken after the ship was scuttled. Most of the have been seen before. What I found reading the captions again after all these years was the comment that the pictures were taken by the US navy after the scuttling in 1939. Two photos do show US sailors on a 5.9" secondary battery director and the open bridge. The ship appears to have a slight list. The second article is in Warship 1993. The article is about early German seaborne radar, particular the set fitted to the Graf Spee. What is interesting in the article are the photos showing the ship with over a 50 degree list due to settling in the mud. This picture, taken in April 1940 shows at that time the radar was still in place. Another photo taken later in April 1940, after a severe storm, shows that the rangefinder tower, radar hut and antenna had fallen into the estuary. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Tom & Carolyn Harrison Subject: Tom's Modelworks Fletcher Nats deal To all the SMML members involved with the 1999 IPMS Convention Fletcher Destroyer project. We would like to contribute to the project by offering the first 30 SMML members that send $2.50 and their ship to address, our brass set #701 US Destroyer set. This set includes rails, 20mm guns & shields, depth charge racks, storage racks, prop guards, radar's and more. Happy Modeling and Holidays. Tom -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Katz, Gene S" Subject: For Sale: Book One last chance for the last "HM Submarine Alliance of the Anatomy of the Ship Series", USNI Edition. Excellent condition with dust jacket. Only $19 including shipping to US or Canada or Mexico. Merry Xmas and a Happy 1999 to all SMMLies wherever they are homeported! Gene S. Katz -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume