Subject: SMML14/04/99VOL515 Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 00:09:13 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: small piece replacements? 2: USS Denver - flag call sign 3: Re: MB Perry class frigate kit 4: ASROC launcher 5: Re: MB Yorktown 6: Re: US Dockyard workers 7: Re: Yardbirds 8: Re: Nat'l Geographic Midway special 9: Waveline West Virginia 10: USS Sea Tiger -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Reynaga, Tim@EDD" Subject: Re: small piece replacements? >> I've been working on a Shanghai Dragon 1/350 scale Ohio-class SSBN, and my dog ate a very small piece (a hinge for one of the SLBM hatches) that my wife accidentally knocked off of the table. I know this sounds silly, but does anyone know of a way of replacing small pieces like that without buying an entire replacement kit? << Scott, If you send me your address I can mail you the part. I have had the thing in my garage for so long I doubt it'll ever get built. This way at least some of the parts may make it on to a completed model! Ps. I hope your dog is okay... Tim Reynaga Sacramento, CA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Grace, Paul" Subject: USS Denver - flag call sign I have been told that every ship in the USN during WWII would have something called a 4 letter call sign made up of 4 international semaphore flags flown vertically when entering or departing a port so as to identifying her. I am specifically looking for the USS DENVER CL-58, and no crew members I have asked have been able to help me or know what I am talking about. So, if anyone first knows what I am referring to and can explain how this system would work and then possibly give me a few examples, that would be great. PG -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: ironship@usit.net (Jon Warneke) Subject: Re: MB Perry class frigate kit Hi Everyone, Rusty White mentioned this in his posting on the Perry: >> I would check Iron Shipwright's Perry class as well. I haven't seen one yet but I remember the price is competitive with MB. << Unfortunately, we offer no Perry class FFG. The kit we were selling was a Gulfstream kit, and these patterns have been acquired by Classic Warships. For this kit, as well as the old Gulfstream Miami (we're still getting requests for this kit too), you'll need to contact Steve Wiper to purchase one. Jon Warneke Commander Series Models, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Jens H. Brandal" Subject: ASROC launcher Dear SMMLies, Since my Spruance needs an ASROC launcher, some of you came ot the rescue by offering resin copies, and for that I thank you. The launcher is of a fairly simple shape, so I decided to have a go at scrathcbuilding it, and all the main parts are done. There seem to be some details - a pair of ladders perhaps - on the front of the base that my references don't show clearly, so does anybody have any closeups of these areas? Scans are welcome. Thanks in advance, Jens -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: MB Yorktown >> anyone have any experience with the BWN Yorktown kit to make a recommendation? I've been thinking about that one since I first heard it was coming out but for $900 I would like someone to hold my hand before I plunk down the money. << I have the kit but I haven't had time to begin on it yet. The first thing I noticed is it was BIG. The casting is absolutely superb and it includes a PE flight deck! A full hull option is also included. To be honest I am having some concerns about the big metal deck expanding and contracting due to temperature changes. I've had the same problem with lengths of rails that were too long. Lot and lots of parts. I ordered two extra A/C sets to really fill the deck and hangar bay. The aircraft are super! The canvas control surfaces have noticeable different texture! The A/C also come with a really nice decal sheet that MB now markets separately. However, (according to Mike) the A/C will not be sold separately. If you want more A/C you have to buy the Yorktown first. That's a shame because those A/C are absolutely superb! I was hoping to have my Yorktown done in time the Nats. this year but I guess it will have to wait for 2000. If the model looks half as good built up as it does in the box, it'll be a killer model. This is MB's best kit yet. Five stars on a four star list. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: US Dockyard workers Dear Caroline: Concerning the request on US shipyard workers or yard birds. The situation that exists between the regular navy crews and it's shipyard crews is caused by an out look from the shipyard workers view that because they (or perhaps many are ex-navy) and are now rights given civilians who openly express themselves at active military. I personally was on the receiving end when a family member and I were loading a couple packages into their car at a base post office. This doesn't mean that all shipyard workers are arrogant. Many go out on newly commissioned ships and help get them operational or work many hours repairing, maintaining, or upgrading ships that come in. Probably it balances out on an individual basis. Then again it could be a tradition. Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: NAVYDAZE@aol.com Subject: Re: Yardbirds Having served aboard the USS KITTY HAWK while she was in drydock during Vietnam, we also called them "Yardbirds". Granted they did a valuable service to us in making all the necessary repairs and so on. But we called the "Yardbirds" usually when referring to the less likable qualities such as throwing trash on the deck or having no respect for what compartment they might be working in - even if it was the Quarter Deck. In those cases the word "Yardbirds" was used and not as a compliment. Mike Donegan (NAVYDAZE) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: Re: Nat'l Geographic Midway special In a previous issue Burl wrote: >> One note -- later in the special SBD pilot Dick Best talks about his surprise when he first saw the Japanese carriers, because the decks were "painted bright yellow" plus the red hinomaru made for a great aiming point. << If the IJN experts here can confirm that Japanese carrier decks were never painted bright yellow, this would add more circumstantial evidence to the Bismarck Yellow Turret Debate: If Best's observation was erronous, then the RN observer's transmission stating the Bismarck had yellow turret tops and gun shields may also be in error. As I previously speculated, the apparent yellow color may have been the effect of sunlight reflecting on a light grey flat vertical surface. I noticed this myself on slate rooftops while flying over New York City. Cheers Dave Krakow Frankfurt, Germany -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Alan Lindstrom" Subject: Waveline West Virginia I am considering purchasing the Waveline/HiMold Maryland or West Virginia, and before I spend $110 or so, I wanted to know if someone could tell me whether they do a good job of handling the cage masts? Alan Danville, CA PS Has anyone seen the Airfix 1/600 releases in a U.S. hobby shop yet? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Shane Subject: USS Sea Tiger Hi gang, After being "forced" to watch Operation Petticoat yet again this evening by Lorna (she put it on). I've dragged out my half completed model(Revell USS Lionfish) from a couple of years ago :-((. Does anyone know which submarine they used in the film. Also are there any good pics of her floating around the net? The only thing to do now is decide whether to model her as the film or as a generic Gato would have looked at the time, in pink off course ;->. Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume