Subject: SMML12/02/99VOL454 Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 23:53:34 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Fairmile 2: WR Press.... proposed upcoming titles 3: C-4 Navy transport 4: In-box review WEM K723 HMS Buttercup 1942 5: Primer (or not) 6: Harusame DD questions 7: Re: Representative Ship for USN 8: Re: Spruance information 9: Re: New Revell kits 10: Re: Representative Ship 11: Re: Best US Representative 12: Re: Spruance superstructure 13: Re: Spruance Destroyers 14: Re: Atlas Editions WARSHIPS 15: 1/35 scale S-boot 16: Re: Fairmile models 17: Re: WR press 18: TANEY information wanted 19: Re: Upcoming titles from WR Press - your input requested 20: Re: Representative Ships 21: Re: Spruance questions 22: Re: WR Press Books Titles 23: C.S.S. Manassas (Lone Star Models) 24: Re: WR Press Books 25: Re: French Carriers 26: USCG Flower Class Corvettes? 27: Re: Linear Coefficient of Expansion 28: Re: Airbrush compressor 29: Re: RN books 30: Box contents review, USS America (CV-66) 31: Re: 1/128 scale ships -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Plastic Ship Modeler magazine #19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: ALROSS2@aol.com Subject: Re: Fairmile >> AFAIK, there have been no Farmille kits put out. You could I suppose, try to convert the Airfix 1/72 Vosper MTB or RAF Rescue launch, but I don't know if that's feasible. << Shane, Shane, Shane......I'm afraid we're going to have to keel haul you, mate.... Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :-) The boat in question is a Fairmile B motor launch, a round bilge, 112' long hull. The Airfix kits are for hard chine, 63' and 73' boats. Bottom line, no chance for a conversion. The is/was a cast metal waterline 1/1200 scale B available from an English manufacturer (the name of which I forget) and The PT Dockyard offers a series of 1/600 scale MTB/MGB/ML types, primarily for wargamers, which I think includes a B. The latter is on the 'net, although I don't have the URL at hand. I have a couple of their offerings and they're quite good for the scale. As for scratch-building, John Lambert did a bunch of his typically wonderful drawings for the A, B, C, D, and H series Fairmiles in our Allied Coastal Forces of WWII, vol. 1, from which a highly detailed model could be built. Al Ross -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Morley, James (London)" Subject: WR Press.... proposed upcoming titles South Dakota's................... yes pleeease ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Kcompany@webtv.net (Marvin Reichman) Subject: C-4 Navy transport Has anyone done a kit of the above mentioned class of ship that was built in 1945 Thanks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Ingebrethsen, Kyrre" Subject: In-box review WEM K723 HMS Buttercup 1942 Hi guys. As some of you may have noted, I posted some questions about the Norwegian Flowers last week. Well, as a follow-up to the answers I received, I placed an order for the 1:700 HMS Buttercup on Thursday, with the well packaged box arriving Wednesday this week. That's equal to Aeroclub's service and must be commended. Fantastic service! And the kit? Equally fantastic. I'm new to resin boat kits, but I do understand I have entered a different league here! I can only say: Whow! The rafts, the reels, the watertight doors, the guns. Take a look at those guns! Only cleanup required are the pouring lugs on the hull parts. Apart from that, the kit will most likely fall together (yeah, in my dreams :-) All I have to do now is work up the courage to get started, as the kit seems to have about 150 parts to be placed within 9 centimeters of hull. Scary. One more question. I would like to build the RNN Nordkyn as configured after Dec '44. Does anybody know how she was painted towards the end of the war? Thanx, Kyrre Harstad, Norway, gloomy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Morley, James (London)" Subject: Primer (or not) Standard model doctrine (see all the posts on the subject) has it that you must use primer after washing the surfaces of the hull (or whatever) with weak detergent solution. There is an alternative (at least for those people airbrushing acrylics). I use Tamiya acrylics, and thin them for airbrushing with cellulose thinners. For those unaquainted with them, cellulose thinners need to be treated with enormous respect. They can eat, melt or dissolve paint jobs and the plastic itself. However, if you thin acrylics with them and spray lightly - not allowing "wet" buildup, then the paint will grip the underlying plastic surface surprisingly well - just like a primer, with one less coat. James Morley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Nowfel Leulliot Subject: Harusame DD questions Hello, I've just picked up a dirt cheap Tamiya 1/700 Harusame destroyer but I know next to nothing about the IJN or this particular destroyer so I have some very basic questions : AA armament: When were the mid-ship 13mm MGs replaced by 25mm guns ? When was the single gun turret landed and replaced by a 25mm AA mounting ? When was the fore AA gun platform added ? My only source ("Destroyers of WW2", M.J. Whitley, Arms and Armour Press, 1988) merely mentions the change but gives no date and the Tamiya history just says "immediately after the beginning of the Pacific War" which isn't very helpful. The reason I ask is because I'd like to backdate the model as much as possible without having to find a single gun turret or to buy another kit. Basically is it possible to leave off the fore AA gun platform while fitting the aft AA guns or was the fore platform fitted before the single gun turret was landed ? Paint: The instructions show overall dark grey for the whole deck but photos of other Japanese destroyers in the Warship Model Gallery (Shikanami and Rob Mackie's Amasukaze) show linoleum areas between the forward turret and bridge and around the rear turret. I know these are different classes but would this apply to Harusame as well ? The box art shows three funnel bands and the painting instruction only one... _If_ these are division markings, which is correct for the 2nd Destroyer Division ? Sea base: Finally, I'd like to base the model once it is completed but I can't really don't want to bother with gels etc. Some time ago, I saw an article by someone who used back-painted light fixture panels with a "crushed ice" texture for sea bases. The results looked effective and simple enough for what I want so I'd like to know if anyone uses this and whether there are any pitfalls to watch out for. Thanks in advance, any help will much appreciated. Nowfel Leulliot -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Katz, Gene S" Subject: Re: Representative Ship for USN OK, since all Submariners know that there are only two types of ships, i.e., Submarines and Targets, I think an SS deserves to be considered for a WW2 representative ship. They sank more tonnage and carried the war further and closer to the Japanese homeland for a long time. They achieved results far in excess of their total number of boats in the Fleet. I know I am an ALASKA class and FLOWER Class fan, but real credit was earned and well deserved by the wartime SS. Can you tell I spent 3 years at Groton, CT?? Gene -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Spruance information For those of you interested in the modern Spruance models and need information, check the Greyhound Navy site. You should find all the answers you need there about armament, electronic capability (radar) and so forth. Their URL is: http://www.inetworld.net/txo/index.html Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Mike.Dunn@dresdner-bank.com Subject: Re: New Revell kits >> I got the new catalog from Revell. They are advertising the following new ship kits: HMS Ark Royal, 1/700, III/99 HMS Manchester, 1/720, I/99 The Manchester Kit is really announced as being in 1/720 scale, but I'd rather think this is a printing error and the scale is in fact 1/700. Ark Royal will probably be a copy of the Invicible kit. The other 1/700 kits should already be known from the Skywave and Dragon range, but they will be considerably cheeper and may also have an underwater hull. << Hmmm - first I've heard of a new Ark - wouldn't they do one of the others? As to the Manchester - if it's out already, I have her (or are they re-releasing an old one?), and she's 1/700 - pretty with it, although there are some flaws. Maybe I do have an old one! Caroline (WEM) - at the Folkstone show, will you be bringing the 1/350 Leander kit? If so, I'll pick one up! Go nice with my (partly scratch-built) semi-scale, once the light gets better & I finish her! Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Satin, Michael N. (SHEP)" Subject: Re: Representative Ship OK, let the battle begin. I was the one who said "Enterprise, hands down, no contest". Talk about administering the Japanese a solid kick where it hurts, talk about tonnage sunk, can anyone else claim 2.5 fleet carriers in one engagement (three if you consider that the Yorktown planes that helped with Hiryu were flying from the Big E)? Enterprise and her aircraft sank 72 ships (many were major warships, though she did her share of commerce destroying) and took out 911 planes in the war. She was in every major carrier action save Coral Sea and engaged 12 of the 14 Japanese carriers, some several times. She was reported sunk by the IJN at least seven times, only to rise again. During Nov. of 1942, Enterprise was the US's ONLY active carrier in the Pacific. She was on the scene literally from day one on. Missouri? Please! A political choice to end the war. Iowa was around longer and did more. But as someone else mentioned, it was a carrier war and regardless of America's industrial might, Enterprise (the only carrier to take all seven major US carrier aircraft into battle at one time or another) has GOT to be it. Confirmed by no less a personage that Secretary of the Navy James Forestall: "The one ship most nearly representative of the US Navy in WWII"! What more can I say? (Gee, hope my bias isn't showing:-)) Michael Satin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: John.Kauck@rrd.com Subject: Re: Best US Representative OK, I'll throw my two cents in. The US fought a carrier war in WWII and still uses the carrier today has her first choice when military options are contemplated and a projection of power is required. Therefore the most representative US ship must be a carrier. While several carriers can claim notoriety for various reasons; Hornet for the Doolittle Raid, the valiant efforts of Yorktown in the Coral Sea and Midway, etc, none can match the USS Enterprise for sheer battle hardened experience. CV6 fought in every carrier battle except Coral Sea. In doing so, she qualified for 20 of 22 possible battle stars in the Pacific theater of battle. She did what carriers are supposed to do, fight battles. And she did it more, and arguably better, than any other carrier. These facts surely qualify her for most representative US ship. Great topic and interesting comments. Thanks Shane. John Kauck -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Rick Heinbaugh Subject: Re: Spruance superstructure Jens Brandal wrote >> Also, the kit gives you the option of two different configurations of the lower radar platform of the main mast (use either part K22 which is "flat", or parts K21 and add a radar - parts K24 and K6), but the instructions don't tell you which one to use. I would guess that even in the early to mid eighties these ships would have the radar installed - right? << The radar didn't show up on the lower, after platform of the after mast until the late '80s. The 13th edition (1984) of Ships & Aircraft of the US Fleet shows that platform empty. A curious note... Even though from the days of the sailing ship, if there were two masts, #1 was foremast & #2 was mainmast, modern US Navy usage describes them as "foremast" and "after mast". No "main" anyplace in the equation. It really made this young Ensign sound stupid when he talked about the TACAN antenna on the top of the mainmast and everybody just said "where??" Rick Seattle, WA Raining again - it's kind of like living in a carwash... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Torgeson Roger A Subject: Re: Spruance Destroyers Jens, Take a look at these two web sites, The Greyhound Navy, Spruance Class Destroyers: http://www.inetworld.net/txo It has lots of information and links you may be able to use. The other is the home page for USS Arthur W. Radford (DD-968). The interesting thing about this ship is the AEM/S mast. AEM/S stands for Advanced Enclosed Mast/Sensor System. What a conversion this would make, if one could get good information on its dimensions. http://www.spear.navy.mil/ships/dd968 Hope this will help Roger Torgeson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Leonard, Michael W" Subject: Re: Atlas Editions WARSHIPS By all means avoid subscribing to this mail order rip-off. It's a typical scheme whereby the longer you "stay and pay" the less you will have to show for it. Caveat emptor... Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Robert Lockie" Subject: 1/35 scale S-boot Al, I saw this kit at a modelling show in the UK last year and a friend (who is scratchbuilding one in 1/72) and I had a good look at it close up. It seemed a bit crude in places (e.g. the weapons) for the scale and he was dubious about some of the detail around the bow. It is a mid-production type with enclosed bow tubes but a conventional bridge. At another show here last year I had a close look at another S-boot by Azimut, a French firm with a good reputation in the resin vehicle field, of a late type boat with the kalotte (skull cap) bridge. I thought the quality and detail level of the Azimut offering was better, particularly the weapons. The price,as I recall, was similar. Azimut also offers the weapons as separate kits and I expect to acquire the 3.7cm at the end of this month (price and storage requirements are rather more reasonable) so should be able to offer some more thoughts then. My expert is due to be at the same show so I will drag him up to look at it as well. It is difficult to assess these big kits from photographs and they tend to cost a couple of arms and legs to risk purchase without looking at the actual kit so have any SMMLies actually bought one that they can review for us? Robert Lockie Cambridge UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Robert Lockie" Subject: Re: Fairmile models John, I know of a chap here in the UK (not the one doing the S-boot) who is building a Fairmile D for a kit in 1/72. I saw him a few days ago and the hull is now built and he is working on the weapons. I do not know what sort of production run he is considering however. He might be amenable to making it more widely available if there is sufficient demand but it is a part time project (although he builds faster than I do, I think the real thing went from concept to service in less time than his model!) as he has a real job as well. In 1/600, Skytrex makes some Fairmiles, although I forget exactly which ones, and the others were (and possibly still are) made by a firm called SDD. They are intended for wargaming but I know Chris Drage has had some good results with some of the other models from the range (photos are in Plastic Ship Modeller). WEM used to stock the Skytrex models and may still do so. Perhaps if we all grovel a bit, they might look favourably on a request for a Fairmile to be added to their own range in 1/350 with PEB etc to add to the Vosper? Robert Lockie Cambridge UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Pieter Cornelissen Subject: Re: WR press >>I am working with WR on future titles and are looking at these two - 1) - Cleveland Class Light Cruisers (CL55 Class) (Jeff Herne is pursuing another idea, so I have undertaken this project)<< Small suggestion: put in some material on the modernized -missile- Clevelands. They were really interesting looking vessels Pieter Cornelissen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Reynaga, Tim@EDD" Subject: TANEY information wanted Hi Guys! I'm building the Revell Coast Guard Cutter Taney as a gift for my father, who served aboard her in the late 1950's. I want it to be a surprise for him, so I don't want to tip my hand by asking him questions about it. I have both the Sheina books on USCG cutters and craft and have contacted the USCG Taney museum and veterans association for assistance, but they haven't turned up much. Can anyone out there help me with information? I am especially interested in photos and plans showing her appearance in the late Fifties. Any help you could provide would be most welcome. Thanks. Tim Reynaga -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: Cadman Subject: Re: Upcoming titles from WR Press - your input requested >> 1) - Cleveland Class Light Cruisers (CL55 Class) (Jeff Herne is pursuing another idea, so I have undertaken this project) 2) - South Dakota Class Fast Battleships << While I like both subjects, my vote is for the Cruiser. We don't have enough info on Cruisers these days anyway. But I would really like to see a book on The Brooklyn Class Light cruisers (including St. Louis and Helena) These cruisers served in all kinds of actions on both oceans and were there from the beginning. mailto:Cadman@kc.net Cadman's Home on the Web http://kc.net/~cadman/index.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Cadman Subject: Re: Representative Ships USA: carrier USS Enterprise "Big E" Instrumental in turning the Japs back in many battles, and a real survivor (at least during the war!) Japan: carrier IJN Akagi Woke us up and helped us to see that the Battleship era was over. Germany: battleship Bismarck Most people will identify with this ship for Germany. I think it represents their failed Naval policies. Britain: Carrier HMS Ark Royal Should have helped Germany realize the value of Naval Aviation. mailto:Cadman@kc.net Cadman's Home on the Web http://kc.net/~cadman/index.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: SWO77@aol.com Subject: Re: Spruance questions For Jens (and those interested), To answer your two questions: 1. The hangar extension (part E11) represents an upgrade feature for Spruance class ships. As built, the ships did not feature this mod. The extension (starboard) houses sonobuoys and helicopter parts. In further upgrades, the port hangar bulkhead was also extended to accomodate two LAMPS MkIII SH-60B Seahawks. With this double helo hangar, some (if not all) ships had the flight deck approach markings changed from the original "X" pattern to a "+" pattern. Also, single or double RAST tracks were incorporated into the deck as well as an "LSO shack" (look at the flight deck part from the 1/350 Ticonderoga kits). If your ship represents a late eighties configuration, you might want to add the starboard extension. If you want a fully upgraded ship, I highly recommend the resin Spruance Upgrade from Fleetline/Gattman of Australia. It contains, among other things, various superstructure upgrades (including the enlarged aft CIWS equipment shack and, soon, the enlarged forward CIWS equipment shack!!) including a *port side* hangar extension. This is to be used along with part E11 to make a hull-width helicopter hangar superstructure representing a fully upgraded ship. 2. The "radar" parts you refer to (K24 and K6) are for the Mk23 TAS (Target Acquisition System). This radar (K6) and its stabilizing mount (K24) are for the NATO Sea Sparrow missile system. The Mk23 TAS tracks incoming targets and directs the missiles to intercept. It went operational for the first time in 1975, but I have seen early pics of Spruances without it. I am not sure when each particular Spruance received this mod, but if your ship represents the mid-late '80s, I would recommend adding it to your model. 3. An **excellent** resource for those who would like to model Spruance/Kidd/Ticonderoga class ships is the outstanding book "Electronic Greyhounds" by CAPT Michael C. Potter. It is published by the Naval Institute Press and is *the* definitive text for all aspects of the Spruance class ships (including the Spruance-based Kidd and Ticonderoga classes). I can't say enough about this book...:) 4. Another excellent resource for those modeling Spruance class destroyers is The Greyhound Navy (TGN) website. The url is: http://www.inetworld.net/txo/index.html GMC(SW) Ray Bales is the webmaster for this site and it is *the absolute best* internet source for info on Spruances, bar none! I highly recommend bookmarking this site and checking it often. It has links and info for every Spruance hull number built, decommissioning updates, class info, ship mailing lists, etc. The above two sources should be able to satisfy all of your Spruance reference needs, or at least help lead you to timely answers. Hope this helps. BTW, if any of you have questions regarding Spruance ships, please ask as I may be able to help. Regards, Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: Felix Bustelo Subject: Re: WR Press Books Titles I would welcome either one, but the Cleveland Class book would be my first pick. Not enough attention is given to cruisers. Felix Bustelo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: JVT7532@aol.com Subject: C.S.S. Manassas (Lone Star Models) Hi, I'm looking for any info on the C.S.S. Manassas. Mostly the color she was painted above and below the water line and if there is a picture available I would like to see a scan of her if it's possible. I picked up the Lone Star kit of her at a closing of a local hobby store (sorry to say). When I got home I opened her up and guess what? All the small parts were missing, I wrote an email to Mike at Lone Star Models explaining what happened and request to buy the missing parts from his company. He responded that day and sent me the parts no charge within 3 days, now that is what I call service above and beyond. Thanks Mike. Now if I can save up some money I'll get that C.S.S. Palmetto State, since I'm an old South Carolina Boy anyway, she sure would look great on my mantle. Any help with this ship or if you know of some good reference material that covers this era of early steel warships would be gratefully received. Thanks for a great place to enjoy a great hobby, I really love reading all the postings. Happy Modelling. Jon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: roberto paredes Subject: Re: WR Press Books Glenn, My vote is for the Cleveland class light cruisers (from WW2 to post-war cool conversions!). There are a lot of info about BB's but when we looking for info about CL, this is very few. Regards, Roberto. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: Baker Subject: Re: French Carriers For M. Cortot: The French government made an unsolicited offer to the UK about three months ago for future cooperation in the design and construction of aircraft carriers--which would, of course, use French airplanes (RAFALE-M) instead of those nasty American Joint Strike Fighters that the Royal Navy is counting on. Like the floundering Project Horizon joint frigate program with the UK and Italy, the advantage of a joint carrier program would be all to the French, who at the moment have no prospect of acquiring a second carrier to join the CHARLES DE GAULLE--or, rather, to spell her when she undergoes what will reportedly be one her her unusually frequent nuclear recorings. Originally, it had been hoped to keep the FOCH in reserve and reactivate her during the DE GUALLE's first two recorings (around 2004 and again in 2010), but the impracticality of that was soon made manifest. FOCH, by the way, is now scheduled to decommission on 1 July 2000, having been extended in service due to the continued delays in completion of the CHARLES DE GAULLE, which now--at best--is due for commissioning in March of 2000. There would be little or no advantage to the British in cooperating with the French on a carrier--and they certainly don't want to be joint owners of one with France, whose foreign policy is frequently at odds with that of Britain (vide the French alliance with Russia and China over Iraq at the moment). Further, numerous reports are coming in that CHARLES DE GAULLE is really not a very successful design: the freeboard is too low, the speed (with a clean bottom) is barely adequate for flight operations with fully-loaded aircraft, the deck arrangement is awkward (preventing simultaneous launch and recovery), and the stabilization system one of the truly Rube Goldberg concepts in naval architectural history. Politically, the Brits would not want to be tied to buying the RAFALE-M (why not a navalized EUROFIGHTER, would be the cry of Britain's partners). Well, they listened politely to the French proposal on how the Brits could help out the French -- but for political and practical reasons, the joint carrier program is VERY unlikely to happen. A.D. Baker, III -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: "Bill & Kaja Michaels" Subject: USCG Flower Class Corvettes? Someone told me that during WW2, USCG crews manned several USN Corvettes. I've looked in my copy of "US Coast Guard Cutters and Craft of WW2", and it just lists the names and hull numbers of USN ships that were manned by USCG crews-- it doesn't give any info as to what type of vessel it was. For example, USCG crews were on the following ships: Haste (PG92), Intensity (PG 93), Might (PG 94), and Pert (PG 95). I don't have any reference books that would tell me what type/class of vessel these PGs were. Can anyone help me out? Bill Check out my listing of USCG kit subjects at: http://www.tiac.net/users/billkaja/kitlist.htm Bill and Kaja Michaels -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: tom Subject: Re: Linear Coefficient of Expansion >> Has anyone had any experience in determining the coefficent of expansion of plywood vs. fiberglass/epoxy resin coatings. We are going to have to deal with a rather long piece of plywood (30+ feet), and do not want to waste a lot time and money with cracking/buckling in hot/cold temperatures. If anyone knows the formulas, etc, that would be great. Otherwise, if you know of a website or other contact where we could get help, that would be just fine too... << Thermal expansion of wood is so minor that it doesn't even register with boat builders... the much greater expansion/contraction due to changes in moisture content is what you have to worry about. That said plywood/epoxy/fiberglass will do just fine since good plywood is wonderfully dimensionally stable and epoxy has more "give" than polyester resins. If your project will be exposed to water or weather make sure that all surfaces (and especially endgrain) are sealed with epoxy to minimize changes in moisture content of the wood. I built a 24' boat with douglas fir marine grade plywood sheathed with epoxy and polypropylene cloth and the hull has been zero maintenance and bulletproof so far after 5 years in salt water. On the other hand I have had to rip out and rebuild the oak strip/epoxy bowsprit twice when it swelled and split! Best regards. Tom Kremer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: Jay Schantzen Subject: Re: Airbrush compressor Airbrush compressor: I'd suggest looking in your local home center to check out the compressors there. They sell small models with tanks and regulators that have advantages: The tank means the compressor will shut off except when filling the tank. -- Some of the small compressors are really noisy. Try to test whichever one you choose for loudness before you buy. The larger compressors are usefull for other thing like filling up tires and airmattresses, blowing out dusty areas in the shop, and running other air powered tools. Smaller models may not have enough power to do anything but airbrush. The disadvantage is that the larger models cost a bit more, and are a bit larger. Just a thought. Jay Schantzen Hastings, MN where it's winter again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: Allan Plumb Subject: Re: RN books I said: >> (Someday I'd like to convert a Repulse into HMS Courageous/Glorious as Large Light Cruisers. Talk about taking the battlecruiser idea to absurdity...) << >> Nah. Taking the battlecruiser idea to absurdity was Fisher's proposal for HMS Incomparable. For those not familiar, she would have been kind of a giant, single-funnelled Repulse, over 1000 feet long with six 20" guns.<< I was thinking more of the "eggshells with hammers" for absurdity (15" guns with a 3" belt), and besides, they actually _built_ my candidates! And the US Lexingtons would have been amusing, with ~half their boilers above the armor. Not as handsome, though, IMNSHO. >> David R. Wells Keeper of the List of Silly British Battlecruiser Names..... << Allan Plumb (plumb@phoenix.net) Contributor to the aforementioned list -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: "Les Dorr" Subject: Box contents review, USS America (CV-66) Thought SMMLies might be interested in a "box contents" review of Italeri's 1:720 USS America (CV-66). I haven't seen any other review. My scanner isn't working after a move, or I'd send this to the Warship website with parts scans. Anyway, here goes: ******************************************************************************** USS America (CV-66) was one of the U.S. Navy's last two non-nuclear fleet aircraft carriers (the other being USS John F. Kennedy, CV-67). During active service from 1965 to 1996, America and its crew sailed mostly in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic, but also flew combat missions during Vietnam, the Gulf War and in Bosnia. America was 1,047 feet long and weighed in at 80,800 tons displacement. Until the Italeri kit came our a couple years ago, there was no accurate model of America. The kit represents CV-66 after a mid-80s refit that included new radars, installation of Phalanx guns and the capability to operate F/A-18s. It can be built as full hull or waterline. The first issue of the kit has erroneous box art, which depicts a hybrid of U.S. carrier features. I believe a later issue shows the correct configuration. Based on the excellent photos in USS America Detail and Scale, the kit looks about 95 percent accurate! Although details are simplified in 1:720, the basic shapes of the island, sponsons, props and shafts look very much like the real thing. The radars, Phalanx units, Sea Sparrow missile launchers and their directors are OK for the scale. The air wing includes F-14s, A-6s, F/A-18s and E-2Cs, of the usual Italeri quality. Problems are minor. The flight deck has Italeri's typical deep troughs for catapult tracks. Fill them in with paint or your filler of choice. The stack is too tall; it should be about level with the adjacent superstructure. The problem can be fixed by chopping out a section. The flight deck number "66" is printed in solid white, markings that best match America in the late 80s, when the ship still carried A-7 Corsair II strike aircraft. In fact, the photo on the front of the D&S book is almost exactly what you get in the kit. Scrounge the A-7s from one of the Italeri Nimitz-class carriers and save the F/A-18s for another project. Italeri's America could be a real jewel with photoetched rails and details. Gold Medal Models' latest supercarrier set has parts specifically designed for this model. Even out of the box, it's a valuable -- and very accurate -- addition to the 1:700-1:720 fleet. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31) From: "Steve Sobieralski" Subject: Re: 1/128 scale ships These are actually produced by a British company called Fleetscale. About eight years ago I built a model of HMS Hood from their hull and used their main armament and funnel set and some fittings, basically scratchbuilding everything else. Quality was pretty good but the fittings were a mixed bag- the searchlighlights in particular had a "toy-like" quality. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: dhjonespsm@juno.com Subject: Plastic Ship Modeler magazine #19 Plastic Ship Modeler #19 is at the printers. We expect delivery in about 10 days. In this issue: Ray Bean's article on building the Jim Shirley ORISKANY kit, part II, with more photos of angle deck ESSEX's and drawings showing the work needed to bring this kit up to standard. It would appear that Jim Shirley is no longer manufacturing 1/700 ship models. The ORISKANY kit may well become a collectors item, but for those who have one, this series is an excellent guide for correcting and improving the kit. Ken Summa builds a couple of small 1/350 scale subkects, the Classic Warships GRIDLEY, and the Atlantic Models HMS PEACOCK, a patrol boat built for the Hong Kong police. Some of this class now serve in the Philippine Navy, having been sold with the Nationalist Chinese takover of Hong Kong. The merchant ship plans (1/700) for this issue are the CALIFORNIAN and CARPATHIA, two ships that were to achieve their only fame by their involvement with the TITANIC disaster. CARPATHIA and her captian were the heroes of the affair and rescued all the survivors, while CALIFORNIAN gained infamy as "the ship that stood still", being within visual range of the distress rockets, and doing nothing to aid the sinking ship. Both ships were built in 1902 and both were lost to U-boats in WW I. A new colume debuts in this issue, Bibliophile - devoted to appraising references both in and out of print. The objective of this colume is to help new collectors in choosing references, particularly out of print titles that are increasingly expensive to purchase. The emphasis is on both their historical value and as modeling references. First subject: the TITANIC. Chris Drage's dioramas are again featured. Channel Sweep, a grouping of the cruiser HMS DIADEM and two Canadian tribal class destroyers, HAIDA and HURON. News: 9 pages of new kit reviews and release announcements from all over the world, plus more 1/350 reviews in Ken Summa's article. Our hobby continues to grow, old companies fall by the wayside and others spring up to take their place. All our usual columes return, Mail Call (letters) - this time featuring several unpublished photos of a T-2 tanker, the SENECA CASTLE, taken in December, 1945 submitted by one of our readers. Navinfotel - news of the real naval world by Ray Bean, One in One Hundred (1/1200-1/1250 news) by Paul Jacobs, Photo Feature - Royal Navy cruisers - four photos reproduced from a rare ONI photo set (8x10 photos issued during the war). HMS BELFAST and HMS NIGERIA. Reviews (three pages of new books reviewed). Plastic Ship Modeler is the ONLY magazine devoted exclusively to static models of engine powered whips, both warships and merchant subjects. If you are a modeler, or just enjoy reading about the ships, PSM is the magazine for you. Get the most out of your hobby, subscribe today! Daniel H. Jones Editor/Publisher Subscriptions: $20.00 USA, Canada, and the Americas. $25.00 Overseas. Sample copies: $5.00 USA $6.00 Overseas Plastic Ship Modeler P. O. Box 2183 Arvada, CO 80001 USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume