Subject: SMML24/12/98VOL404 Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 23:57:38 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Incling article: update 2: Happy Holidays! 3: Re: Weapon Alpha 4: Re: "Navy Log" 5: Re: "Navy log" 6: TARAWA CHANGES 7: Re: NAVY LOG 8: Re: Navy Log 9: Re: Better FUSO 10: NAVY LOG 11: Happy Holidays 12: HMS Hood 13: Recent Heller Kits 14: TITANIC exhibition/memorabilia 15: Re: Navy Log 16: Re: Konishi Kits? 17: Re: Navy Log 18: Internet Mail Order -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Re: Kojinsha/Maru books on Imperial Japanese Warships -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Foeth" Subject: Incling article: update I have nearly completed a first chapter, on centres of gravity, locating that centre, rule of shifting weights, and I explained the meaning of the mathematical signs sigma, and the integration sign. This is off course a tool-building chapter. My request to you: I need some testers, to see if this chapter is coherent and clear! I would like to have some non-engineers to test it too, as it is directed at modelers without a technical background. I tested it on family, and they lived through it. I have typed it in Wp 6/7/8 format. I could convert it for Word users. If you're interested, mail me. It will probably be completed in two days. Evert Jan Foeth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Sheridan, John" Subject: Happy Holidays! We at Microscale Decals would like to wish everyone on the SMML list a Happy Holidays, to all Good Luck in the New Year. John Sheridan @ Microscale Decals http://www.microscale.com If I'm talking Decals, then i'm talking for Microscale, Otherwise I am speaking for myself. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "FERNANDO, YOHAN" Subject: Re: Weapon Alpha Ralph, I built the Skywave Callaghan kit a few months ago to a 1944 configuration and have all of the post-war parts including the weapon alpha left over. As I don't build post-war subjects, I can send you any of those parts that you might want. Let me know if you are interested. Yohan Fernando -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Les Dorr Jr." Subject: Re: "Navy Log" >> Does anybody remember a T.V. show from the '50's called "Navy Log"? << I do, kind of. I was very young when it was on. I'm pretty sure that it covered not only WWII but Korea. I can remember one episode where the pilot was wearing one of those gold-poainted football-type helmets. Wish it was on video. Probably some excellent stock footage. Les -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: rickl@riconnect.com Subject: Re: "Navy log" I remember Navy Log very well as a kid (third grade). It was on at 8:30 on ABC, long past my bedtime but I managed to sneak in a few episodes just the same. It was a half hour program that dealt with both the WWII and post war Navy. I don't remember the specific episode but I do remember "Eternal Father Strong to Save" known to every veteran of the U.S. Navy as the "Navy Hymn". No former sailor, no matter how old, can ever hear that hymn with a dry eye. Revell marketed a Navy Log gift set that consisted of the (then) most exciting ships in the Navy: the Boston (CAG-1), Norton Sound (AVM-1) and Nautilus (SSN-571) all armed with guided missles. Us older modellers remember those ships very well. A scan of that kit boxtop can be found at the International Kit Collector's Corner page at: http://members.aol.com/billbayer/kcchome.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Baker Subject: TARAWA CHANGES For Mr. Dorr: The principal change in the outward appearance of the TARAWA class in recent years has been the deletion of the three 127-mm Mk 45 guns; the associated fire-control radars (AN/SPQ-9 and AN/SPG-60) have thus far been retained. You really need to obtain recent photos, however, or look at the photos of the altered ships in a copy of COMBAT FLEETS OF THE WORLD, 1998-99 at what I hope is your well-equipped local library, for all manner of smaller additions of various radomes for SATCOM systems, plus other antenna changes have also been made, such as replacement of the original TACAN radome, AN/SLQ-32 EW system replacing AN/WLR-1, etc. I don't know whether your kit shows the addition of RAM surface-to-air missile launchers (atop the pilothouse and to starboard on the platform below the aft end of the flightdeck) and the deletion of the SEA SPARROW SAM systems, but that change should also be made to the model. Dave Baker -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Katz, Gene S" Subject: Re: NAVY LOG Yes, I too remember the show. It was one of my favorites.However, I can't recall that particular episode. Too bad they don't have reruns on PBS TV. While it probably can't compare to the glitz and glamor of the current shows (e.g., JAG, Wings of Gold, etc), it had a message and to me it was that there was no place finer to serve than in the United States Navy (with apologies to our RN, RCN, RAN, RNZN, etc., etc comrades). Happy holidays and a healthy, prosperous 1999 to all. "AR" Gene Katz -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: Navy Log I watched that show faithfully every week. Your recollections are correct about its length and general subject matter, though I don't specifically remember the episode in question (the one that sticks in my mind had to do with a DD on picket station at Okinawa, under attack by multiple kamikazes--have wondered since if it was supposed to depict LAFFEY or HAZELWOOD). The show opened and closed sometimes with its rousing theme music, and sometimes opened with the theme and closed with "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" (sometimes referred to as the Navy Hymn by the USN). I too have wondered whether these shows were canned and saved somewhere, and whether they'll ever see the light of day again. They wove a good bit of combat footage into the productions. John Snyder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: Better FUSO Obviously, we should all gather together our wishes for kits to be produced and send the list to Lester for him to begin work scratchbuilding or kitbashing.... John Snyder Sacramento, California OK, I'll start off by requesting HMAS Sydney I, II & III in 1/700 :-). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: John Burch Subject: NAVY LOG I remember NAVY LOG, also. My best guesstimate is that it was on about 1953/54. The only episode that has remained in my memory involved the YORKTOWN at Midway; a small party had been trapped below decks and while communications (probably sound powered phone circuits) remained with other DC parties, the ship was sinking, and the party below decks could not be rescued. The episode dealt with the way both groups handled this situation. I also seem to remember that the beginning or end of the show included film footage of a GUPPY surfacing at something like 60 degrees from the horizontal! The beginning of the show included the announcer saying something like "...Stories of the ships, the planes, and the men who man them". This stroll down memory lane reminds me of something that occurred to me a couple of weeks ago in the thread about the Revell FDR kit. That kit was the first ship model I ever built. My Mom gave it to me for my 12th birthday which dates it precisely to Oct. '54. What had occurred to me was that, at the time, I had seen what I believe were factory built kits by Revell displayed at a hobby shop and a large pharmacy/retail store. Colors and finish at the two different locations were identical. The kits were of the four ship models Revell then marketed; the FDR, the MISSOURI; the BALTIMORE; and THE SULLIVANS. All four ships were fully painted with what I now think would have been an airbrush. Subsequently, I remember seeing the fully built-up kit of the Revell kit of the NEW JERSEY (which I now know was the MISSOURI in "dazzle" camouflage). I also remember a beautiful little diorama of the Revell Icebreaker bashing it's way through styrofoam icebergs. My questions are: does anyone else, around at that time, remember seeing such professionally made Revell ship models? Were they, in fact, factory built kits, and if so, did Revell have a team of builders assembling and painting display models for their retailers? What might have become of such display models? At the time I lived in the Tacoma Park suburb of Washington D.C., in case that jogs the memory of anyone living in the same area at that time. Happy Holidays and a Prosperous 1999 to all, John A. Burch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Jeff Herne Subject: Happy Holidays Hi gang, Just wanted to wish everyone out there in SMML-land a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks to everyone who has helped make 1998 a great year for ship modelers. Look at how far we've come in a year... Personal thanks to: Greg Lee (for keeping us all together with SMML) Shane & Lorna Jenkins (for giving our fearless leader time to build) Dan Jones (Plastic Ship Modeler) Tom Harrison (Tom's Modelworks) Jon Warneke & Ted Paris (Iron Shipwright) Rob Mackie & the Warship gang Bill Gruner (Pacific Front Hobbies) Randy Short & John Snyder (the 'new' Color Police) Dave Krakow (my partner-in-crime in Frankfurt, yo' Hutch!) Alan Raven (I have a good bottle of Scotch with our names on it) Glen Arnold (when IS your Atlanta book coming out, hmmm???) I'd especially like to thank all those who bought my book, and everyone has supported Accurate Image Models. During this holiday break, I promise to get the SMML archives completed...I'm adding it to my New Year's resolutions... Peace & Happiness, Jeff Herne Accurate Image Models, etc. etc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: HMS Hood I was just wondering, why was the Hood named Hood? Is that a town or a person or what? Why name the pride of the fleet Hood? Why not something that everyone would recognize, even us Yanks? Cheers Dave Hi Dave, The Hood was named after Admiral Hood who was killed on HMS Invicible at Jutland. Also to commemorate the Hood family after centuries (?) of service to the Royal Navy. As for the last part of your question, I'm not going to touch that one with a 10 ft barge pole :-)). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Jean-Paul Binot" Subject: Recent Heller Kits Hi all SMMLers, Thanks for the details for L'Arsenal. I will contact them and see what I can get from them. I saw in a shop here in Paris three Heller kits I thought were out of production: Bismark Tirpitz Indomitable (or was it Illustrious?) (It was Illustrious: Shane) I think the first two might be recent re-isssues (they have the typical artwork on the box), but the Britich CV is clearly a survivor of a previous batch. Can anyone confirm my guess? Merry Xmas to all. Jean-Paul Binot -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: BSteinIPMS@aol.com Subject: TITANIC exhibition/memorabilia One of the benefits (?) of living in sub-zero (on both temperature scales) Minneapolis is the great amount of cultural diversions available. Today, at the Mall of America, I came across a store devoted to nothing but TITANIC giftware, mugs, ship model kits, jewelry, plans, videos, books, research material, and so on. This store is associated with the "TITANIC - The Exhibition" display in St. Paul (Minnesota, U.S.A.) at the Union Depot which runs from 1 January 99 through 30 April 99. Sadly, the store closes Monday 27 Dec 98 after the Christmas rush, but all this material is still available from the source listed below. Of the many recovered artifacts on display is a 20 ton section of the bow. (!!) Interested ship modelers desiring further information can write: The Promenade Saint Paul Union Depot 214 East Fourth Street St. Paul, MN 55101 or call: (651) 224-0007 Bob Steinbrunn Putting another log on the fire in Minneapolis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: Navy Log Concerning the request for the Navy Log show. It actually ran longer than a year. In a book called The Complete Directory to Prime-time Network TV SHOWS 1946-present (1984) lists the show as a Military Anthology by CBS-TV from Sept, 1955 to Sept-1958. It was a half-hour show. It's description reads as The filmed dramas aired in this series were all reenactments of incidents that actually happened to U.S.Navy personnel. The focus was on individual sailors and airmen, often in a battle setting but sometimes in their private lives, as in the story of a mentally disturbed veteran, or a romance disrupted by a sailor's transfer. Most of the subjects were ordinary servicemen, but some famous incidents were dramatized, such as the plan to ambush Admiral Yamamoto and the sinking of John F. Kennedy's PT-109 in the South Pacific. A Senator then(1950's) Kennedy appeared as a special guest on this telecast. Lesser known actors and actresses were featured, although famous personalities sometimes served as host. The stories were all based on official navy files and produced with the cooperation of the Navy Department. Considering it's age that's why no one heard of it. I think I saw it as a child in the mid 60's once, maybe. I hope this helps and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all SMMLers Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Steve Sobieralski" Subject: Re: Konishi Kits? At the Warship site in the photo gallery is a beautifull 1/200 model of the Takeo by Alan McGivern. It is listed as a "Konishi kit". Are these kits available and if so from whom? Are you out there Alan, what's the story? Steve Sobieralski -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: b29@ix.netcom.com Subject: Re: Navy Log I remember watching NAVY LOG when I was a kid. I don't remember any particular episodes tho. Also watched VICTORY AT SEA, still a classic, and THE SILENT SERVICE which was about the U.S. submarine service in WW II. Paul Jacobs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "James Morley" Subject: Internet Mail Order Anybody out there who remembers my post a month or so ago about the possibilities of shopping abroad "on-line" to get around some of the local price management that is engaged in by some of the larger plastic manufacturers (read "Tamiya" here in the UK) will remember that I conducted a little experiment. The Tamiya 1/350 USS Enterprise retails in the UK for GBP 150 or so (about $250). Even so, not many stores actually stock this on their shelves as it is so difficult to shift - so you may have to order it specially. I ordered this kit from the ModelExpo website a month ago for $118, which came to $133 with post and packing. I had some hopes of avoiding customs here because of the Christmas parcel rush - but alas not. As Caroline at WEM had warned me, they wacked on a hefty GBP 25 ($40). Even so, the whole exercise cost about $175 - a saving of $75. I suspect that the margins only work with very expensive Tamiya kits, but it can be done. Merry Christmas all ! James Morley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Pacific Front Hobbies Subject: Re: Kojinsha/Maru books on Imperial Japanese Warships After 2 years of vainly trying to get Kojinsha publications, we have just received news that Kojinsha/Maru Ship has been publishing a new series of books that will be basically a re-print, in a new format, of the old Maru Special Series, and the Maru Hardbounds. There will be about 14 volumes, all softbounds, and the ones we are ordering will have ENGLISH translation pamphlets included. Other good news is that it apprears they will will have retail cost under $20.00. Bill Gruner http://www.pacificfont.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume