Subject: SMML20/04/99VOL521 Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 00:03:28 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: USS Cimmeron Oiler kit 2: Interest Survey for new 1/700 or 1/350 3: Re: Upcoming MIRAGE Kits 4: Paravanes (more info.) 5: Re: HMS Campbeltown 6: USS John F Kennedy 7: Book Requests 8: Re: Hornblower and Titanic 9: Re: Models of liners in "1:250" 10: Mystery Revell tanker kit 11: British Naval Officer Fitness Reports 12: Eagle's Altmark 13: The USS Enterprise Detail & Scale, Vol. 39 14: Looking for 1/42x straight boat cranes 15: QE2 Trivia Question 16: Re: Scale colour 17: Re: Perry model 18: Re: Steve Wipers attack. 19: 1/350 Prince of Wales 20: Krivak & paravanes 21: Re: Horatio Hornblower and Titanic 22: Re: Normandie Model 23: Re: Paravanes "Otters" 24: Benson class DD kits 25: Re: R.M.S. and S.S. 26: Krivak article -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Price list correction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS Hi gang, Well it seems the webtv fiasco is over for the moment. As such I would like to extend my thanks to all those who offered to help out. I would like to thank Tim aka "cadman", who for the last few weeks has been fwding SMML on to all the webtv subscribers. It is very much appreciated. I'll lift a glass of single malt to you, after tonights issue goes out (gives me an excuse for any blunders I may make in tomorrows SMML ;->). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: USS Cimmeron Oiler kit >> Does anyway remember a model of the Cimmaron class oil tanker of W.W.II. I don't remember the manufacturer or the scale but I saw it hanging on a wall at hobby shop perhaps 30 yrs ago. But the box was equal in size to the Revell Fire Boat FIRE FIGHTER kit. << The company that made the Cimmaron kit was Jim Shirley Productions and unfortunately is now out of business. I saw a Cimmaron kit just this weekend at the Region 6 convention in New Orleans. George Lewis at Village Hobby Shop had one and if you can find him he would be happy to sell it. He's located in Austin Texas I believe. He has an email address so if you contact me off post I'll let you have it. His address is under another screen name so I would have to shut down this one to get to it. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Joseph Reyna" Subject: Interest Survey for new 1/700 or 1/350 Fellow SMML'ers, I'd like to canvass the group to determine your interest in the following possible Submarine resin/multimedia kit subjects in either 1/700 or 1/350 scale: * CHINA PLA XIA, HAN, ROMEO * USS SEAWOLF, STURGEON * CIS KILO, AKULA * AUSTRALIA COLLINS * TAIWAN HAI LUNG * NETHERLANDS WALRUS * CANADA OBERON The price range would be in-common with submarine subjects currently on the market in 1/700 and 1/350 scales. If sufficient positive response can be accrued, I have a good friend who may choose to develop and issue kits of these "boats". Your feedback is urgently needed, and much appreciated. Cheers to all, Joe Reyna Joe Reyna, CPMS Certified Plastic Model Shipwright mailto:jreyna@home.com http://members.home.com/jreyna/Forsale/KitSale.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "joseph w. reyna" Subject: Re: Upcoming MIRAGE Kits Art, PLEASE let me know when these new 1/400 scale ships are issued, and where they may be purchased!! Thanks. Joe Reyna mailto:jreyna@home.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Edward F Grune" Subject: Paravanes (more info.) Hello all I had a chance to examine the paravanes on the USS TEXAS during a recent visit onboard her. There is a diagram placed nearby which explains the operation of the mine sweeping gear. The paravanes have fixed control fins which cause the body of the paravane to fly through the water away from the ship at a set distance/depth for speed and length of tow. The paravanes pull taut a sweep cable which is attached to the ship's stem. This cable snags the mine's mooring cable. The mine/cable then bumps down the tow cable toward the paravane. Just inboard of the towing shackle on the paravane is a deep serrated V-notch which catches and cuts the mine's cable. If the mine blows up the paravane -- well, they're expendable. With the mooring cable cut, the floating mine can be avoided by trailing ships or detonated by gunfire. If the towing ship were to hit the mine directly on the stem, then the mine sweep gear wouldn't work too well. So lookouts were posted to warn of the presence of mines directly ahead. On the TEXAS the paravanes are stored on each side of the the "B" turret casemate. On the order to stream paravanes, the sweep cable and deploy/recovery cables would be attached at the shackle points. The paravanes would then be lowered overboard using a temporary davit which was rigged at the deck edge in the vicinity "B" turret. Ed Ps: The TEXAS looked mighty pretty in her wartime blue coat. IMO all war-era museum ships should be presented similarly, in the colors they wore instead of a common navy grey. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Ernst-Bernhard Kayser Subject: Re: HMS Campbeltown Dear Mike, You might be interested to know that I stumbled across a source for Al Ross's book "The Destroyer Campeltown" from the series "Anatomy of the Ship". It is Bookfinder, at search engine searching a couple of bookseller's databases for all sorts of books. Here is the web address: http://www.bookfinder.com/ This morning a search located the Campbeltown book at at least 4 different dealers. Check it out. (Needless to say, I have no commercial interst in this enterprise; I'm just a satisfied customer.) Bernhard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: LT Grimm / Dental Subject: USS John F Kennedy Anyone know of a 1/700 or larger model of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). I'm stationed onboard and have been trying to find one with no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks LT Keith Grimm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Kenneth H. Goldman" Subject: Book Requests Rick Savel's TORPEDO JUNCTION http://www.sonic.net/~books/navy.html is an excellent source of books nautical. I have been very happy with all I have ordered from him. I would also suggest ALIBRIS http://www2.alibris.com/cgi-bin/texis/bookstore. This is a search engine/clearinghouse for many out-of -print and antiquarian booksellers. Find what you want and order directly from ALIBRIS. That's where I found my copy of SUBMARINE WARFARE IN THE AGE OF SAIL among other non-nautical volumes. Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER http://www.wman.com/~khgold/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Growlrr@aol.com Subject: Re: Hornblower and Titanic Yes, Horatio and the the Titanic crewmember who saved the lovely Rose (but arrived too late to save Leonardo Di Caprio thankfully) was the same person. His name is Ioan Gruffud (sp?), pronounced Yo-han Griffith and he is a native actor from Wales I believe. Apparently he is generating quite a young female fan club type following and there are a couple of web pages on him if you want to run a web search..... Glenn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Bill Gruner Subject: Re: Models of liners in "1:250" In reply to the subscriber's statement that 1:250 scale models of liners such as "Normandie, by Carlo Marquardt in 1:250" and others by "Albatros in 1:250" exist....they do NOT. These models are available in 1:1250, not 1:250, and are pictured as such on our website, and on the WARSHIP website. Bill Gruner Pacific Front Hobbies http://www.pacificfront.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Loren Perry Subject: Mystery Revell tanker kit In response to Dan Jones' post concerning plastic model tankers, here's some info on that rare Revell kit from Brazil: I have a sample of this particular kit in my collection. It is Revell No. H465 and it represents the S.S. British Sovereign, a vessel built in 1954 by Vickers-Armstrong LTD of Barrow-In-Furness, UK. The kit's hull measures 15.75 inches long (about 40 cm) which, when compared to the prototype's overall length of 202.69 meters, yields a scale of about 1/507. The kit is molded in two colors: a very light gray plastic for the hull, main deck, poop deck, and uppermost aft superstructure deck, and white plastic for all the rest. The decal sheet provides markings for the S.S. British Sovereign in its British Petroleum colors, complete with flags, funnel bands, and underwater draft marks. The model has a two-piece full hull with integral bilge keels and separate 4-blade screw and rudder. A second screw is provided for on-deck stowage as per standard British merchant practice. Hull plating and portholes are delicately rendered with petite raised lines. Construction is typical Revell of the late 1950's: "wedding cake" type superstructure assembly with half-round portholes in mating sections that provide full-round portholes when assembled. All deck piping is molded integrally with the deck, and catwalks are separate pieces. Masts, cargo booms, cowl vents, anchors, davits, and boats are all nicely executed as separate parts. Solid Revell-type railing is molded onto all parts having rails. Although Revell/USA normally engraved a copyright date somewhere on one part of their kits during this period, there is no evidence of any such mark on this one. The two-sided instruction sheet and box art have all text printed in Spanish. Assembly artwork is typical of late 1950's or early 1960's Revell practice. Overall, my opinion is this kit is that it's equal to, or slightly superior in quality and detail to any other Revell tanker including the J.L. Hanna and the Mission Capistrano. I am not aware of this kit ever being made available in North America. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: aaron.bishop@anstec.com Subject: British Naval Officer Fitness Reports Thought you might enjoy these.... EXCERPTS FROM BRITISH NAVAL OFFICER FITNESS REPORTS 1. His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of curiosity. 2. I would not breed from this officer. 3. This officer is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definitely won't-be. 4. When she opens her mouth, it seems that this is only to change whichever foot was previously in there. 5. He has carried out each and every one of his duties to his entire satisfaction. 6. He would be out of his depth in a car-park puddle. 7. Technically sound but socially impossible. 8. This officer reminds me very much of a gyroscope, always spinning around at a frantic pace but not really going anywhere. 9. This young lady has delusions of adequacy. 10. When he joined my ship, this officer was something of a granny; since then, he has aged considerably. 11. This medical officer has used my ship to carry his genitals from port to port, and my officers to carry him from bar to bar. 12. Since my last report, he has reached rock bottom, and has started to dig. 13. She sets low personal standards, and then consistently fails to achieve them. 14. He has the wisdom of youth and the energy of old age. 15. This officer should go far - and the sooner he starts, the better. 16. In my opinion, this pilot should not be authorized to fly below 250 feet. 17. The only ship I would recommend this officer for is citizenship. 18. Works well under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap. 19. This man is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot. 20. Only occasionally wets himself under pressure. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: jmaine@golden.net Subject: Eagle's Altmark Hi all, Just a brief note in response to Daniel Jones' query about the Eaglewall 1/1200 scale kit of the Altmark. It was indeed issued by the company in question, as one half of their "Battle Series #2" entitled "Capture of the Altmark" (the other half being of course HMS Cossack). I recall building this kit back in the early 60's and, as it happens, I still possess an unbuilt sample. I think it's quite a nice little kit, although offering nothing like the detail and accuracy available in the best metal, 1/1200 scale models from Europe today. Incidentally, Eagle, following that age-old practice of issuing the same kit in different boxes, also apparently made their Altmark kit available as "British Oil Tanker" in their "Battle Series #4", called "The Battle of the Atlantic". As if this weren't enough, they may also have issued the same kit as the Nordmark in "Battle Series #7" which had the dramatic title of "Fighting Merchantmen of World War Two". Sadly for those of us who were, and are, real fans of the Eagle Waterline Series, the company went out of business around 1965 and the kits have become extremely rare and quite expensive. Too bad, because some of the kits (there were about thirty or so in all) were really extraordinary in terms of the detail and the quality of research about the ship that was on the instruction sheets. A question: did the Eagle kits ever make it to the States, or elsewhere, back in the early 60's? At that time they were all over the place here in Canada (at least in Ontario anyways); it seemed that practically every variety and gift shop carried some of them, but by the mid-60's they were totally gone from the shelves. Anybody out there remember building them? John Maine Kitchener, Ontario . . .who is thinking of converting his Airfix HMS Campbeltown to the equally (or ought-to-be-equally) famous HMCS St. Croix. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Duane Fowler Subject: The USS Enterprise Detail & Scale, Vol. 39 The book"The USS Enterprise, Detail & Scale, Vol. 39" is on the current Enterprise, not the WWII version, I believe. Regards, Duane Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Bruce Burden" Subject: Looking for 1/42x straight boat cranes Hi folks, I am looking for some suitable straight cranes to replace what Revell provides in their "USS Pine Island" seaplane tender. Revell claims the kit is 1/424 scale. I have a couple of 1/42x USS Arizona PE sets for the railing and perhaps some other odds and ends, but the Arizona's boat cranes are kinked. Thanks, Bruce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Dave Swindell Subject: QE2 Trivia Question >> Chris Langtree Answer to trivia question QE2 - Queen Elizabeth the Second << One incorrect answer - any other guesses as to who the QE2 was named after? Dave Swindell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Dave Swindell Subject: Re: Scale colour >> I fit your numbers to a hyperbola that approximately reproduces your data and extrapolates to 84% white at 1/700. The formula is % = (-197.941 * scale + 100.0844 )/(135.9512 * scale + 1), where "%" is the percentage of white to add. Scale Actual % Pred. % 1 0 -1 1/32 16 18 1/48 25 25 1/72 35 34 1/350 72 1/700 84 1/1200 90 0 100 100 << Having just re-read Ian Huntley's article on scale colour in Scale Aircraft Modelling, I find these percentages a little on the high side. The article reproduces a chart published by Aerocam which goes up to a scale of about 1:300, the curves are indeed hyperbolic, but flatten out a lot earlier than you suggest. As the article was aimed predominantly at 72nd scale, i'll give the percentages for this and the end scale of about 1:300. New paint 1:72 15% 1:300 28% Av Weathered 1:72 24% 1:300 39% Extreme fade 1:72 35% 1:300 52% Extrapolating these curves for 1:700 would give between 5% and 10% more than that quoted for 1:300, and another 3-5% for 1:1200. Another factor to consider is how these percentages are used to mix the paint. The article gives a mixing guide which goes against my idea of percentage, stating for a 50% mix use one part tint to 2 parts colour: I would call that a 33% mix, 50% being 1 part tint to one part colour. The theory behind the article was that the model should appear to be the same colour as the real thing when viewed at the same size, which for 1:72 scale equates to holding the model about 1ft away whilst viewing the subject from 60 feet. If we extend this theory to 1:1200 model ships, they should all be painted a neutral grey from what I see from the observation lounge! Moving up to 1:700 just a hint of the brighter colours should be added, but this would make for very boring models. Personally, I would adjust colour predominantly for weathering and fade, but not really for scale with the possible exception of black and very dark colours which I would lighten a touch. Scale colour is very subjective, there's no correct answer; and the old addage If it looks right, it is right usually holds true. Whatever you do, enjoy it! Dave Swindell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: James Corley Subject: Re: Perry model >> I'm operating from memory 4 or 5 years back but as I recall, you could also build the MB Perry class model as an earlier (shorter) version or the longer version using an extension provided with the kit. The extenuation was added to accommodate the larger helicopters of the day for antisubmarine warfare. (LAMPS: Shane) << Got Shane on something! (hee, hee!) Both helos involved were LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi Purpose System) The "Short-hull" OHPs were and are capable of operating the LAMPS I SH-2 helo, whilst the "Long-hull" OHPs are capable of operating the much larger LAMPS III SH-60 helo. Does anybody remember what the cancelled LAMPS II was? JZ Hey James, Give me a break, I'm going on what I remember from 15 years ago, when I worked at Garden Is ;->>. And the next person to catch me out (not a hard thing to do) will win a free copy of the latest SMML ;-þ. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: dhjonespsm@juno.com Subject: Re: Steve Wipers attack. Steve Wiper writes: Subject: Reply to Dan Jones >> Once again Mr. Jones is wrong. The Classic Warships kits of any of the US DD's is a rework and upgrade of the Kobo-Hiryu kit, which means it is NOT a copy, as Jones states. << I find this very interesting... when Delphis released their ZARA kit Steve called me to insist that I "expose" their copying of his model. He was furious about it and stated he was considering legal action. If anyone has seen these two kits and compared them - they are very different. The Delphis pattern for the ZARA did indeed use the Classic Warships hull as a basis for a complete reconstruction with added detailing and new parts for superstructure and armament. Maurizio Maggi originally only planned on reconstructing the model for his own collection but then felt that the changes were so extensive that he was justified in marketing a kit. However, I pointed out to Steve that I could not understand why HE should be so upset about this - since he had copied the Kobo-Hiryu kits for his 1/700 American destroyer line. The exception is the WARD, which is original. His response was... "Well... you're right, I probably shouldn't have done that".. Now he denies it? Compare the kits! Unless they have changed a lot since I saw them three years ago, about the only significant difference that I noticed was the use of white metal for the small parts. I stand by my statement. >> People really need to be careful what they read from Plastic Ship Modeler, or hear from Jones, because often, he is human like the rest of us and makes mistakes, but also I find his opinion on subjects to be way off and negative. << I do indeed make mistakes, and I admit them quite frequently in print, which is more than I can say for many other writers in this hobby. As for my opinions being consistently negative, I invite all SMML members who have copies of my magazine to go back and read all my reviews of Steve's products. You will find more positive reviews than negative ones. I do not allow personalities to influence my stated opinions in the magazine. The reviews represent my honest opinion at the time. Steve has taken me to task on numerous occasions for alleged negativity - his stated (to me) feeling is that ALL my reviews should be positive and that I should be helping the cottage industry. I do not see this as my job, to be a cheerleader for the manufacturers. These kits are very expensive and most people do not have a opportunity to examine them first hand. I therefore feel it is my job to give an unbiased impression so that my readers will have some idea of what they are getting for their money. >> People should not just rely on one persons view on something. If a manufacturer has a kit out and you want it, but are not sure about specific details, do yourself a huge favor, get more than one opinion, and try to view the kit for yourself, you can always return it. << I would certainly agree with this, and almost all of the manufacturers are willing to refund money if you are not satisfied with their product. >> Many people have contacted me to tell me that have never ordered any kits from my product line because of what Jones has said in his magazine. Once they had received one of my kits they were happy and wondered what Jones was thinking. Others have also stated that they thought he seemed to really try to find something wrong with my kits, more so than on other manufacturers. << I have heard this many times from Steve - but not from anyone else. >> This may be true, there is definitely no love lost between us, probably because I tend to have a different opinion, something other than his. << Actually, the hostility is a one way street. I have no personal animosity towards Steve, and in fact, I have tried twice in the last two weeks to contact him about purchasing a product from him. He did not answer my e-mails. So I say to him, you are free to dislike me all you wish Steve, it will make no difference in the way that I review your products. For anyone seeking proof, see my reviews of the Classic Warships 1/350 KIRISHIMA and 1/700 HELENA kits (in PSM 1997/4). >> Basically, what I am saying is, don't let other people make decisions for you, educate yourself, make your own choices. << Again, I totally agree. Like a movie critic, I am simply stating my opinions in all the reviews I write. I don't expect everyone (or anyone) to always agree with me. However, EVERY review I write is subject to the same standards as regards the criteria I use in forming those opinions. Since I have no desire to engage in a flame war I will not respond again on this matter. Daniel Jones Plastic Ship Modeler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: CAFlyboy@aol.com Subject: 1/350 Prince of Wales Dear Sir: I am having a model builders dilemma. I have a Tamiya 1/350th scale Prince of Wales kit. I want to configure the kit as the ship was during its battle with the Bismarck. I must find a way to make or purchase two UP (Unrotatable Rocket Projectile Launchers) for B and Y turrets on the kit. Can anyone help me!! Sincerely, Charles J. Adams -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: "F J Hueso" Subject: Krivak & paravanes Believe me Shane: I downloaded your article when you announced it, but it has been necessary your reminder so that I read it. It's a nice model and it's a good detail to offer the building variations one can encounter. It's encouraging to know about other never-filled-deck-joints. After many failed attempts with ordinary putty (Tamiya) I use superglue and/or two part epoxy putty, which at least it's easiest to work with,and cleanest. So maybe you'll attain I build someday one of those strange looking Russian ships (me also stopped at 50's, but Russian ships of any era never were much appealing to me) As for paravanes, they were towed from the bow on big ships(either from deck or from fairleads in the very stem, as in Hood or Iowas). If someone is interested in diagrams about how they operate, I can send it from an Swedish book (The Lore of Ships, Spanish version) One only must change the towing point from the stern to specially fitted bow fairleads. Regards Javier Madrid Thanks Javier. As for future Russian ships, well I could drag out my wargaming ships (1/2400 modern USN & USSR) & work on them I suppose. I think in this particular case, the next modern Russian ship I do will depend on what references I have readily avaiable. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Colin Ritchie Subject: Re: Horatio Hornblower and Titanic >> Tonight, HBO broadcasted Titanic (3 hrs-15minutes long). At the point when one of the earlier lifeboats was being loaded, the screen flashed for a split second the face of an officer that seemed familiar. Later, after the Titanic had sunk, only one lifeboat came back to search for survivors. The actor playing the officer on that lifeboat was none other than the same actor playing Horatio Hornblower on the A&E Series, then playing simultaneously on its own channel. I failed to catch the actor's name for either effort. Who is he and does he have any other credits? << The Actors name is, and please pardon the spelling, Innon Griffith, (or their about). In titanic he plays the 4th officer, (sorry no name), who returned to the debris field, after the ship sank to recover bodies, (inc Ms. Winslet's). Apparently it was his experience on titanic, that got him the part of Hornblower, (the director wanted to know what it was like to work with Jim Cameron) In the UK he's just appears in a new version of "Great Expectations". I know all this simply because my wife(bless her), seems to think he's just a tad cuter than me, AH well,.,,,,,,,,,, Colin Ritchie Aberdeen , (where we're expecting 2-3 inches of snow....... AARG.....) Hi Colin, Don't worry all wives are the same. Just ask Lorna about Sean Connery & Harrison Ford :-((. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: ordrazz@ne.com.au Subject: Re: Normandie Model Hi all, Paul Jacobs could be right, because the thumbnails I have are pretty crap for a large model (No Insult intended about 1200 - 1250), I myself have never heard of those companies before, until I came across that page (which I can not find, may have had the 404 disease), but it did state that the models were 1;250, the page could have mistaken 1250 for 1/250 I spose..... I hope I didnt cause a flame Thanks for the input... I wish our dollar would gain against the sterling, there are so many models I want to get from England!!! 8-( Cheers & 73's for now, ordrazz Web Page: http://www.ne.com.au/~ordrazz/frames.html Couldn't have put that last paragraph any better myself. Shane - who's watching the steady rise & fall of the Aussie dollar(peso). Standing firm at 40p to the dollar at the moment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: DKrakow105@aol.com Subject: Re: Paravanes "Otters" Re the recent dicussion on the towing of paravanes, it is of course correct that a towed paravane is only able to sweep mines behind the point of towing. The German solution to this problem was to extend a spear from the bottom of the hull at the bow. The spear retracted into a socket inside the "bulb" at the lower bow. This socket is not always visible in photos of drydocked, or pre-launched, ships. This does not necessarily mean that the particluar ship did not have such a device. Since the paravane spear was considered secret, the socket was often eliminated from the photos by retouching. The paravane (called an "Otter" in the KM vernacular) was secured to the tip of the spear. Method of securing the otter to the spear differed from ship to ship; on some ships, the otter cable fitting travelled down a metal rail welded to the bow. I do not know of any self-propelled versions of this device, although it would have been possible given the technology of the day. Cheers David Krakow -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: "Alan Lindstrom" Subject: Benson class DD kits I own both the Classic Warships (CW)and Bureau of Small Warships (BSW) 1/700 Benson class DDs, and I would not automatically say that the BSW kit is better. In my opinion, 1) the CW kit represents a late Benson (late Bristol) with a square bridge, the BSW is an early Benson with a round bridge, (neither represents the Benson-Gleaves (Livermore) subgroup which had round rather than square funnels, I believe that BSW does make a Livermore, and Skywave is supposed to be coming out with one this year) 2) the BSW kit is more "crisply" cast than the CW kit, but is not necessarily as detailed, 3) the CW kit is more dimensionally accurate, especially with respect to the position of the forecastle break and the forward superstructure. Both kits will require some "accurizing" to be perfect, in this particular case I believe the BSW kit would take more work. The choice of kits should depend on whether you want an early or late Benson. However, the CW kit is out of production and I do not know about the availability of Kobe-Hiryu kits. Finally, at least in my experience, the price of BSW kits is $26 plus $2.50 shipping, unless you buy 4 or more at a time in which case there is no charge for shipping. Alan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: "Les Case" Subject: Re: R.M.S. and S.S. >> Trivia Question - Who is QE2 named after? << Answer: RMS Queen Elizabeth, c.1940 (at least that's what I've read). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: "mkrumrey" Subject: Krivak article Shane: Read your article per your request. I enjoyed it. I don't usually model in 1/700, but, am thinking of getting an LHA, as I was on the Bellau Wood in 93 as a Marine Advisor for Team Spirit, and your article has piqued my interest, as during my deployment to Norway in '88 had a couple following our ship, USS INCHON, during our Blue Nose Initiation whilst crossing the Arctic Circle. So, if and when I get some new glasses, and a high powered magnifying glass, just might do one. Thanks for the info. Also, just got back from a week in San Diego, and saw a lot of ships. Almost all of the FFG's, Arleigh Burkes, and Spruances, have the hull numbers in the new subdued markings, and all top hamper is haze grey, which to my eye, Testors Model Master Dark Ghost Grey is a good match in 1/350. I didn't have a paint chip with me, but from "Wrack of Eye", it "had the look", and like you wrote in your article, "it looks like a Krivak......" Best Mark Krumrey New RIchmond WI Thanks Mark for the kind comments. Glad to see it's inspired you to tackle one, that's about the best compliment I could have hoped for. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Price list correction For those of you who have asked for information and catalogues from Flagship Models I am truly thankful. However, I discovered a typo on the mailing charges. THE FORM STATES ADD 75% FOR EACH SET ORDERED (a little high). Obviously this is bogus. THE CORRECT CHARGE IS .75 FOR EACH SET ORDERED. Please make this change on your order form if you have one. About twenty were sent before the typo was discovered so if you want a replacement contact me off post with your name and address and I'll happily replace it postage free. Apparently my keyboard is to blame. Sometimes it capitalizes letters and sometimes it doesn't. I'll get a new keyboard tonight. Sorry for the inconvenience. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume