Subject: SMML24/05/99VOL555 Date: Tue, 25 May 1999 00:07:44 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Operation Petticoat Sub 2: Wrecks 3: LPH's and Gaator's 4: KGV Scheme 5: Re: OP Petticoat Sub Class 6: Re: USS Montana 7: Pearl Harbor Feb-March 1944 8: Re: SMML Across America 9: H M S Venus 10: Re: Operation Petticoat Submarine 11: Re: US Ship's names 12: Re: Sub used in "Operation Petticoat" 13: Re: Research 14: Anatomy of the Ship series 15: TURRET AIRCRAFT 16: 1/700 Shinano 17: New Aoshima 1/700 Scale Nagato and Mutsu at Shizuoka Hobby Show 18: Things stumbled upon 19: "More on original research". 20: 1/540 USN aircraft 21: KGV early camouflage 22: Re: Pinks 23: Re: IJN wrecks 24: Re: Imperial Model Productions/Montana -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Charging for email 2: Skywave OI & Kitakami kits 3: WEM website update 4: Warship Update -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: NAVYDAZE@aol.com Subject: Re: Operation Petticoat Sub Not sure about the movie, but if anyone is interested the brief TV series was done by the USS RONCADOR - she was going to become a museum in LA Harbor/Long Beach area - but as usual with a lot of want-to-be museums no one would allow her to be docked in their city - so she was scrapped shortly after the TV series was canceled. Mike Donegan Navydaze Naval & Aviation Art -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Alan Lindstrom" Subject: Wrecks While we're on the subject of wrecks, does anyone know anything about the wrecks of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse? Alan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "mkrumrey" Subject: LPH's and Gaator's Dear List: I just scoped out the ICM Web page. There is a tile that allows the reader to send an email. I would encourage all to send them one. (And buy the product when released). I read Mr. Mackies post about the LHD's, and LPH's. It would be neat if someone would come out with a "Serious" kit in plastic. I have an old Aurora LPH, but it is quite pathetic. I will probably build it SOB with photo etch, and call it a "Classic". A few comments for those interested. I have been part of the Landing Force aboard an LPH, LHA, LHD, LPD, & LST. Sitting next to one another in Norfolk the USS Nassau, LHA 4, and the USS Kearsarge LHD 3, are both pretty much the same size. The LPH is noticabley smaller. The only LPH currently in commissioned is really not an LPH anymore, but an MCM. The USS Inchon is currently MCM 12. It was converted to a Mine Counter Measure Command ship. It's forward gun mount and Sea Sparrow have been removed and some of the Marine berthing spaces have been updated and converted into crews quarters. Deck Markings are totally different too, as there is no Landing Force to be launched, only spots for the Anit Mine Warfare Helo's. Not being into specifics, I can't be any more helpful than that. I was on the Inchon across the Atlantic in the T.R. Battlegroup in 88, and was on it again for a quick tour in 96. It has gone through some changes. A lot of the spaces have the "Poured Tile" floors vice the laid tile. It had the Gold Anchor Award too for retention I believe. Hope someone does a model of this class in any scale. Mark Krumrey New Richmond WI -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: KGV Scheme Martin There's a good photo of the starboard side pattern in British Battleships of World War II by Raven and Roberts (see Page 397). They also have the overhead drydock shot and 2 photos of what I assume is this scheme being painted out. If you can't find it contact me off list and I'll scan and send it. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Lisa and Bill Wiseman Subject: Re: OP Petticoat Sub Class Bjorn, The Film version depicted a Gato class. The TV series version was what appeared to be a Balao class. (Probably a soundstage mock up.) Question for all you "Sub Guys". Side rails on Gato class boats: two rail or three rail? My rather grainy photos show both types on different boats, is that possible? Second question, I recently purchased Academy's Type IXB U-Boat in 1/150 scale. Does any body know if White Ensign or Flagship has P/E sets in this scale. Checked w/ Tom's and GMM but no luck. If not, anybody know where I can get the Chemicals to Photo Etch my own. I know how to do it just can't find the chemicals (mainly the photo emulsions) etchant I can get at Radio Shack. Thanks, Doc Wiseman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: USS Montana Yes, I've seen the Montana kit originally it was made in the early 90's. Mike Bartel displayed it at a model contest. It comes very close to the Breyer Book Battleships and Battle cruisers 1905-1970 drawings. Now I have a question is it me or has the plastic industry going from waterline to full hull models? I like water line my self. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Jeff Herne" Subject: Pearl Harbor Feb-March 1944 Here's a good one for all those motivated by the 'original research' thread... Having spent the last 6 hours reading DANFS (my eyes are falling out), I've determined that the following major combatants were in Pearl during the last week of February - first week of March 1944. The next step is to verify these with alternate sources/and or photos, we know DANFS isn't always 100%... Does anyone know of a harbormaster's log of Pearl? Did they log ships coming in and out of the facility? THIS IS THE DOCUMENT I NEED, should it exist. Anyway, here's what I've managed to find thus far: Indiana - Arrived Feb 13th Washington - Arrived Feb 22nd (estimated) Intrepid - Arrived Feb 24th San Francisco - Arrived Feb 25th (TG 58.2) Wichita - Arrived March 4th (from Aleutians) New Orleans and San Jacinto are also possibilities, I can't pin down exactly when they were in and out. I want to try and avoid putting a ship into this dio that wasn't there on the date I put on the plaque, especially if it's a major vessel. DDs and DEs are a little easier, since there were so many...but I intend to go throgh their DANFS records eventually...I wonder if I'll ever get to build... This will make a nice complement of ships for the dio, but I'd like to be able to include a Cleveland and Atlanta Class if I could. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like any of them were in Pearl at that time...any comments? I still haven't ruled out doing Mare Island instead, it depends upon what ships were where... Jeff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SeaPhoto@aol.com Subject: Re: SMML Across America Hi Everyone, Well, I am home! 36 days, 11,400 miles, 30 states and the District of Columbia. Been there, done that, got the refrigerator magnet to prove it! At Chicago, I visited the Musuem of Science and Industry on the shores of Lake Michigan, where the U-505 resides. If you are planning on seeing the submarine, and are interested in her external appearence, you should contact the museum ahead of time as the courtyard where she is located is no longer open to the public. You can still tour the inside as part of the normal museum display. Luckily, I found a sympathetic soul who arranged for a quick escorted viewing of the outside of the submarine, or I would have been very disappointed. Just north of Chicago, in the town of Skokie is the Articles of War bookstore. I highly recommed a visit if you are anywhere in the area, as they have an extensive collection of new books on all military subjects. The modern Naval section covers two large bookcases, stacked two deep on some shelves. Their stock goes beyond the normal Naval Institute titles, encompassing foreign language refereences from Germany, France and Italy, to name a few. For those out of the area, they have a web presence at: http://209.204.134.2/cgi-bin/foxweb.exe/articles/home Once I left Skokie, I drove to Council Bluffs, Iowa (I was going to see Freedom Park in Nebraska where there are some museum ships but a series of thunderstorms intervened). From there, a quick 1000 mile drive to Salt Lake City, and the next day, 760 miles and home to sleep in my own bed, and rescue my dog from the clutches of my best friend's children So there you have it - from sunset on the rim of the Grand Canyon to the interior of a fully automatic 8 inch gun turret, crawling through an ex-Soviet submarine on the West Coast, to an ex-East German corvette on the East, I saw a lot of ships and logged a lot of miles. Hope you enjoyed my observations, and I look forward to future travelogs from other members, especially those who visit overseas destinations. Happy Trails! Kurt Hi Kurt, Thanks for starting a most enjoyable thread. I hope you enjoyed yourself, taunting the rest of us with stories of all these lovely bookshops, museums, ships etc ;-)). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Vimieraa@aol.com Subject: H M S Venus Of the ships that sunk the Haguro, the Venus is interesting in that she was fitted in the spring of 1945 with NINE 40mm guns; one twin mounting and seven singles. Two of the singles were arranged on the upper deck port and starboard, at the fore end of the aft deckhouse.She was the only destroyer in the navy with this fit. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: Operation Petticoat Submarine It was a Balao class Fleet submarine. I used to even know the name of the submarine used for the filming, but can't dredge it up out of memory...... Tom -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: Re: US Ship's names On the thread of naming US Ships. A few years ago I was delivering a model to the Submarine Force Museum at Grotton, Ct. and the commander who was in charge of the museum at the time was giving me a personal tour. I asked him why the navy stopped naming submarines after fish and whithout the slightest thought he answered, "Fish don't vote". Cheers, Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: JohnVCP@aol.com Subject: Re: Sub used in "Operation Petticoat" It was the USS BATFISH (SS310) then stationed at Key West, Fla. where the film was made. I had several trips on her while stationed at NAS Boca Chica (just up the road from Key West) while serving with VX-1 in the 1950s. John Heasel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Marc Flake Subject: Re: Research Okay SMMLers, I have to throw in my two bits worth (opinions are more expensive here). I, too, have noticed that the nature of the postings has changed. I've also noticed that people asking for help aren't getting it. And, I have to plead guilty to that. I could have participated in several threads the past few days since this "Research" thing got going. But I didn't. And I'm one of the ones who always note where I'm getting my information. I found out about a month ago that Almark's books aren't all that hot when it comes to accurately placing pom-poms on British crusier decks. Of course, the fellow that disagreed didn't bother to mention his source. That didn't bother me as much as the "It's called research, do it." remark, which I thought was uncalled for in its harshness. So when someone asked about paint removal, I didn't tell them how easy Easy-Off worked for me. When someone asked about flying-off platforms, I didn't respond with information that a Sopwith Camel was flown off the USS Texas in 1919 and that other aircraft used this way, on other ships, included Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutters and Hanroit H.D. 1s ("USS Texas," Hugh Power, Texas A&M Univeristy Press). When someone asked how 40mm gun directors worked, I didn't draw from my knowledge and tell him. When someone asked when we apply dazzle camouflage, I didn't provide my technique. I suppose I could have responded off-line. I hope some did. But, I think that defeats the purpose of this list. We can all benefit from the give and take on this list. I think there is a hesitancy to post information now. And I hope we all get over it. It took a lot for me to do this, wondering if I'll get bashed. I say, if someone asks for info, we all try to provide it. Let's give references if possible -- if it's personal experience, say so. Let us evaluate the reference ourselves and make our decisions as we build our models. That's just my opinion, take it or leave it. Marc in Mansfield (TX) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Bob Pearson" Subject: Anatomy of the Ship series Greetings all, Would anyone have a listing of all the books in the Anatomy of the Ship series? I have nine of them and it is time to start getting some more. Regards, Bob Pearson Managing Editor / Internet Modeler http://www.internetmodeler.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Baker Subject: TURRET AIRCRAFT A couple of days ago a question was asked on SMML about what aircraft may have been flown from U.S. Navy battleships. The platforms were installed only for a brief period post-WW I. According to two reliable publications, UNITED STATES NAVAL AIRCRAFT SINCE 1911, 2ND EDITION,by Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers (USNI Press, 1976) and BATTLESHIP AND CRUISER AIRCRAFT OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, 1910-1949, by William T. Larkins (Schiffer Military/Aviation History, 1996) 12 Nieuport 28, 6 Sopwith Camels, and 10 Hanriot HD-2 (converted to HD-1, wheeled,configuration) fighters and some of the 21 Sopwith 1 1/2-Strutter two-seat observation aircraft were employed in turret platform trials that took place from February 1919 and into 1921, largely at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Swanborough and Bowers add to that a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E-5A, but Larkins asserts that the aircraft was only transported to Guantanamoe Bay atop turret two on the MISSISSIPPI and did not fly from the ship. Battleships listed by Larkins as involved in turret platform trials included the OKLAHOMA, ARIZONA, IDAHO,NEVADA,NEW MEXICO, PENNSYLVANIA, TEXAS, and MISSISSIPPI. Larkins provides the serial numbers for all of the aircraft involved and lists the ships they were assigned to on page 10. In addition, Larkins discusses a single prototype light aircraft designed to take off from and LAND aboard battleships, the Naval Aircraft Factory SA-1 "Ships Airplane";its gross weight was only 695 lbs, and two of them were delivered in 1919 (the SA-1 looked a bit like a modern ultralight). Both of these books are extremely well-researched, and Larkins work benfits from an extensive bibliography (showing his research in original sources) and superbly reproduced photography of aircraft and a few ships as well. There's nothing wrong with citing a reputable source, by the way. All three of the authors listed above have impeccable reputations in the field of aviation history. Best/Dave Baker -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Mau Cat Subject: 1/700 Shinano I found this at the Tamiya (Japan) web site today. Information on their new tooling for the 1/700 scale Shinano (including 3d CAD drawings and some test shots). 1/700 Waterline Series No.215 (ITEM 31215) Japanese Aircraft Carrier "Shinano"-Under Construction! Scheduled for release in early summer Originally planned to be the third installment of the Yamato class battleships, the construction of the Shinano was changed mid-way to that of an aircraft carrier. It became the biggest aircraft carrier of WWII, and Japan's last aircraft carrier to be produced. This massive ship had an overall length of 266m and a displacement of 62000t. After the basic construction was completed, it was on its way to be fitted out when it was attacked and sunk by an American submarine. After only ten days in commission, this massive ship disappeared into the waters off Shionomisaki. This kit recreates the phantom aircraft carrier, Shinano, in 1/700 scale. Even after being scaled down, it still measures 383mm length! The hull features a totally new molding and the hanger is visible through the ventilation, even after completion. Sneak Peek at the 3-D CAD DATA! Click to enlarge the images. Almost no data is available on the Shinano, which was sunk only ten days after being put into commission. Since many of its parts resembled those of other warships, inferences about its shape could be made. The shape of the hull, the position of the bridge, as well as many other parts relied heavily on estimation. This massive, phantom aircraft carrier is currently being painstakingly recreated to provide maximum modeling enjoyment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Mau Cat Subject: New Aoshima 1/700 Scale Nagato and Mutsu at Shizuoka Hobby Show From Aoshima's Shizuoka Hobby Show section at their web site. There were no captions, but these look like build-ups of test shots from their new 1/700 scale IJN Nagato and Mutsu kits. http://hobbyworld.aoshima-bk.co.jp/hobbyworld/99hobby/abk15.jpg -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: John Snyder Subject: Things stumbled upon Regarding research, sometimes one stumbles upon bits and pieces of hints. I was just reading a pair of books by Captain William J. Ruhe, USN (Ret.). In _Slow Dance to Pearl Harbor: A Tin Can Ensign in Prewar America_, Ruhe recounts his service in USS ROE (DD-418) in 1940-41. In December 1940, ROE was among the ships keeping watch on French warships at Martinique. Ruhe writes: "On the 14th of December the ROE left San Juan, stopped at St. Thomas for two hours to take on twenty thousand gallons of fuel oil, and then headed south. Off Rollo's Head, Guadeloupe, the ROE passed the BUCK on an opposite course. As before, there was no exchange of messages. The BUCK was now painted a startling dark slate gray color as an experiment for decreasing the visibility of destroyers at night." Note that Ruhe says dark slate gray, not black. Sounds as if BUCK was wearing Measure 1 in late 1940. In February 1941, ROE had shifted to the Pacific and out to Hawaii. "At night, we carried out visibility tests of the light-gray painted MORRIS versus the BUCK's dark-gray paint job. But it was no contest. The light-gray MORRIS proved much harder to see at all ranges than the almost black BUCK." BUCK is still Ms.1, and it sounds as if MORRIS is in Measure 3. Then, "[O]n 10 March, the ROE was issued one hundred gallons of paint to change her exterior completely to a gray-blue color--a new shad of camouflage paint to be tested for its visibility under varying light conditions. Hence we conducted more visibility tests comparing the ROE to the customary Navy gray-painted destroyers." Sounds like perhaps one of the Sapphire Blues, or perhaps more likely overall Sea Blue, Measure 11. Early May 1941: "On Sunday the other destroyers of Destroyer Division 17 joined up with the LEXINGTON and soon the division commander was in a plane testing the visibility of his four ships with their different colors. The ROE was still painted a gray blue." "On 13 May the ports on the ROE were welded shut. Then the glass of each porthole was painted black." In his other book, _WAR IN THE BOATS_, chronicling his wartime service in submarines, Ruhe recounts how one of the officers on CREVALLE developed a homemade camo scheme that Ruhe had the crew paint while at sea on patrol, consisting of black stripes over the existing overall gray. No detailed description, but there's one for somebody to apply to a model.... John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "LAMKEEL" Subject: "More on original research". On occasion, I have seen good class ship models in some museums which lack accurate armament detail. Many guns are simply brass tubes, and unpainted. Thus I have always been on the lookout for authentic material. 20 or more years ago I visited the Royal Navy Armament Museum at Priddy's Hard, Gosport. This had been an armament depot since Nelsons time, and the whole area is of historical listed buildings. A bonus being that it holds a unique collection of R.N. Armament, in particular W.W.II and post war weapons, Torpedoes and many missiles. When I visited it also held a mass of B.R's (Books of Reference) or gunnery manuals. Here was a source of official pull out drawings available to be copied, redrawn and added to. I had always wanted to include the quad. and 8 barrelled Pom Pom. (The 40mm calibre 2 Pdr. Mark VIII A Gun). And the 2 Pdr. Rolls Royce gun. Any manuals found are of interest, but none has a general arrangement views, just details of the training , elevation, power, firing systems etc. Thus I was never able to contemplate drawing such a complex weapon system. I had written to the M.O.D.(Navy), Vickers Barrow and everywhere I could think of, but none were able to assist with any G/A drawings. In 1993 I had an inspired thought. (It happens about twice in a good year). If Vickers Barrow, the original designers do not have the information, where has it gone. Why not try the Cumbria County Records. On 22/7/93 I drove north overnight. I arrived at 9 am and I found gold. About 40 rolls of original blue linen drawings. They had layed undisturbed since about 1973 and were covered in dust, but what joy. Original V.A. drawings for virtually everything I wanted. I stayed three days, unrolling drawings and in my element. The staff could not have been more helpful. (I have since revisited on a further four occasions). I was given the name of a local researcher who worked then at the new, Barrow Museum. I wrote to one David Tull, who by chance, was an ex- Chief Stoker on British Nuclear Submarines. (We have the same warped sense of Naval humour). He had access to the reserve collection for the museum. I found more "gold". Box after box of original Vickers glass plate negatives, going back to the Great war. No index as to what they were, but I managed to identify all round views of gun mountings in the erecting shop. A bonus being that all the background was blanked out by brown paper, so just the gun and its mounting were shown. An added bonus was that each plate has a negative number. Frequently the weapon is shown without its splinter shield. While there is no master list available now, (it must have existed some time) I was able to collate the subjects from a book of Gun Mounting photographs held at Priddy's Hard. (Now held in that Collection at the Hampshire County Record Office at Winchester). It helped that I had earlier recorded all the negative numbers, and with some effort I was able to identify most of the W.W.II. mounting. It is now possible to purchase copies of those photographs from the Barrow Museum. I now have detailed G/A drawings of both the quad. and eight barrelled pom pom in my collection of R.N. Warship Weapons lists. (And there's more..........) Yours "aye". John Lambert. P.S. The white coat requires washing! (I'm a messy eater). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: "Neklason" Subject: 1/540 USN aircraft I'm looking for 1/540 (or thereabout) scale USN aircraft from the Vietnam War. Specifically, I'm looking for A-1 Skyraiders, A-3 Skywarriors, A-4 Skyhawks & F-8 Crusaders. Any hints/tips/clues? Thanks, Glenn E. Neklason -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Robert Lockie" Subject: KGV early camouflage There was a good series on the KGVs in the Conway journal 'Warship' issues 9-11. Issue 11 has several IWM photos of KGV in her initial scheme and a starboard side drawing dated October 1940, which shows the scheme. The author, Robert Dumas, states that the port side pattern was believed to be the same as that of the starboard. Colours are AP507A blue grey and 507B medium grey. It was changed in December 1940 to a three-colour scheme, for which further drawings are provided. Let me know off-list if you need copies. Robert Lockie Cambridge UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: "Cooper, Mike" Subject: Re: Pinks Hiya I don't want to get us sucked into AFV colours, but since they get a mention I thought I'd better pass on the latest gen. I note any comments on fading - given the way USAF Olive Darb and Luftwaffe Braunviolet fade purple, but the British jeeps in "pink" most probably started off that way. In October 1942 the Brits introduced Standard Camouflage Colour (SCC) 11B, known unofficially as Desert Pink. 11B was used as the base tone on freshly painted vehicles in N.Africa from El alamein until Tunisia, offering a very good match for the surroundings in Western Libya and Tunisia. 11B is matchable with Humbrol 94, lightened with white and then warmed up slightly with (I think) 175. Standard camouflage tone over this was SCC7, a dark olive green, with Black or SCC1a (a very dark braown) as alternatives. Seen on Valentines, Shermans, Grants, Stuarts and various other things. If you have an insatiable urge to chat about AFV colours, can I suggest you tackle me, rather than SMML, unless there is a demand! Mike Cooper (In most un-Pink Reading - its grey and chilly!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: Tom Eisenhour Subject: Re: IJN wrecks Jonathan Parshall wrote: >> Musashi is likely to be in better shape overall than Yamato, although her bow was in a pretty bad way before she went down--Dulin and Garzke cite a "break in sheer" forward of the breakwater in front of Turret #1 (in other words, her bow was beginning to break off.) . . . << With all due respect, I think they mean that the sheer changes at this point. Tom Eisenhour Hot and humid in Austin, Texas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: John Philip Downing Subject: Re: Imperial Model Productions/Montana >> Just wondering if anybody has seen/built Imperial Hobby Productions 1/700 USS Montana? << I have this kit, and rather like the looks of it. (It is still unbuilt, though). Only the major parts are there.... Hull, Superstructure, funnels, 16" and 5"/54 guns. You must supply the small parts. I would get a Hasegawa Alabama (about $13), but those with deeper pockets might prefer the Skywave sets or photoetch. I thought the hull was very nicely done. I think it would be a lot of fun to build this mode, particularily if you opt for a late WW2 configuration (with a zillion small AA) or even a Vietnam or Gulf War look. I haven't checked the accuracy of any dimensions, etc. It LOOKS right, and the hull is very nicely done. And it's BIG. This is all from memory, as I don't have the kit in front of me. If you have any more questions, let me know. John Downing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Charging for email Shane, This is a little off the subject of the list, but I think everyone should be aware of this. It is, of course, your option to print it. Do you recall my warning everyone that the US government was trying to get in our pockets via the Internet? Read on McDuff. I received this today. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ Another example of Big Brother trying to bilk us and perpetuate that dinosaur, the US Postal Service. Read the following and pass it on to everyone you know: Dear Internet Subscriber: Please read the following carefully if you intend to stay online and continue using email: The last few months have revealed an alarming trend in the Government of the United States attempting to quietly push through legislation that will affect your use of the Internet. Under proposed legislation the US Postal Service will be attempting to bilk email users out of "alternate postage fees". Bill 602P will permit the Federal Govt to charge a 5 cent surcharge on every email delivered, by billing Internet Service Providers at source. The consumer would then be billed in turn by the ISP. Washington D.C. lawyer Richard Stepp is working without pay to prevent this legislation from becoming law. The U.S. Postal Service is claiming that lost revenue due to the proliferation of email is costing nearly $230,000,000 in revenue per year. You may have noticed their recent ad campaign "There is nothing like a letter". Since the average citizen received about 10 pieces of email per day in 1998, the cost to the typical individual would be an additional 50 cents per day, or over $180 dollars per year, above and beyond their regular Internet costs. Note that this would be money paid directly to the U.S. Postal Service for a service they do not even provide. The whole point of the Internet is democracy and noninterference. If the federal government is permitted to tamper with our liberties by adding a surcharge to email, who knows where it will end. You are already paying an exorbitant price for snail mail because of bureaucratic efficiency. It currently takes up to 6 days for a letter to be delivered from New York to Buffalo. If the U.S. Postal Service is allowed to tinker with email, it will mark the end of the "free" Internet in the United States. One congressman, Tony Schnell (R) has even suggested a "twenty to forty dollar per month surcharge on all Internet service" above and beyond the government's proposed email charges. Note that most of the major newspapers have ignored the story, the only exception being the Washingtonian which called the idea of email surcharge "a useful concept who's time has come" March 6th 1999 Editorial) Don't sit by and watch your freedoms erode away! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: dhjonespsm@juno.com Subject: Skywave OI & Kitakami kits I am in need of some information if anyone on the list has purchased both of these kits. I have one of them, but I have just been informed by my source that the other one has been back ordered. Apparently they sold out quickly and are waiting for restock. Since this cound take a week or a month, it will probably be too late for the magazine deadline. What I need to know is - what ,if any, differences there are between these two kits. Can anyone help? Daniel Jones Plastic Ship Modeler magazine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: WEM website update Hi SMMLlies After a very pleasant visit yesterday afternoon by Tim Stoneman (one of our SMMLlie experts on RN destroyers..... particularly O Class.... Shane? ), I buckled down to some photography and some webpage updates. Please go to http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/avenue/xdt22/pro600.htm and enjoy photos of the WEM PRO 600 stuff (get ready to tie that Mr Bustelo down somebody, he's getting too excited at the prospect..). Talking of which, what would YOU like to see next in 1/600 (we're talking resin upgrades again) .... ?torpedo tubes?, decent boats? We'll run with the most popular suggestions. Also an update on the 1/700 Dockyard Mateys to include photos of castings of most of the US subjects that I have been hassled mercilessly for (Many, many thanks to our old friend Loren Perry of Gold Medal Models for invaluable assistance given to us on this project) and new pics on some of the "generic" stuff I never got round to before, like dockyard sections and winding capstans . http://whiteensignmodels.simplenet.com/dock/dock.htm Also, I updated the AIRSTRIKE 700 range with a huge number of forthcoming subjects and current production status. http://whiteensignmodels.simplenet.com/700air/air700.htm Finally I updated the WEM "own range" pages to reflect a number of new items.... details now on the new Quad, Twin and Single bofors.. (no pics of these though!) Tim saw them yesterday, and even with the x10 on that Sony Mavica, or a flatbed scanner at max magnification, I cannot pick up the fineness of detail of these castings. Brian Fawcett has done an awesome job on this lot! Thanks Brian.... also more details of the Invincible upgrades for the Dragon/Revell kits. You will notice that the aircraft have been removed from this listing.. it was too big and added considerably to the download time, so they are being kept on their own special pages. Also, Peter Hall and I have been chatting and we have decided he is going to do an etched brass set for us for the Airfix Ark Royal. Oh no.. Felix wet his draws again!!! Thanks for stopping by! Alternatively, all is listed on http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models/news.htm Best Regards, Caroline Carter http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models/index.htm White Ensign Models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Rob Mackie" Subject: Warship Update I have updated the 1250 scale portion of the Warship (http://warship.simplenet.com) site. Of special interest is the publication of the entire Comet/Authenticast 1945 catalog, a fascinating period piece. This update includes the following new items: Updated New Releases and Developments in 1250 Scale The Complete Comet/Authenticast 1945 Catalog on line! Added 4 models to the Reader Gallery of 1250 scale models: USS New York CA-2 armoured cruiser by Cy Broman IJN cruiser Tone by Cy Broman Provence circa 1925 USS Indianapolis by Cy Broman Rob Mackie Warship http://warship.simplenet.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume