Subject: SMML07/06/99VOL569 Date: Tue, 08 Jun 1999 00:14:03 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: U-99 2: Squadrom/Signal on deck series No1 3: Re: U.S.S. Gambier Bay (BlueJacket) 4: Plastic Ship Modeler 5: Re: Anchor Buoys 6: Re: USS Boise 688I sub 7: Re: U-99 8: Going to the IPMSA(USA) Nationals 9: Lindberg LST kit 10: Blind Man's Bluff 11: Re: Potemkin colors 12: Re: U-99 13: Re: Modelling, what's it all about -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Re: Events 2: Dahlgren Guns -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Jean-Cyrille WAAG" Subject: Re: U-99 Hello, The emblem for U-99 was a pair of horseshoes: The famous horsehoes on U-99 came to be just before its first patrol in June 1940. When the anchor was raised one time a set of horseshoes were attached to it. Taking this as a sign of good luck Kptlt. Otto Krestchmer had them welded to the tower on each side. The colours of U-99 were standard Kriegsmarine. The best site to get informations on U-boats is: http://uboat.net/ Hope this helps Jean-Cyrille -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "foeth" Subject: Squadrom/Signal on deck series No1 I just bought it as I saw it lie helpless in the bookstore. It looks like a new series to mr, called the on-deck series. This is volume one, dealing with the BB60-Alabama, released 1999. It's around $15, and full with pictures, much alike the phototour on the warship page (more of them) and some historical pictures. Also, there are a few colourscemes (Achtung FarbenPolizei!) showing among others the dazzle painting MS10 or some other number sceme (very nice). There are also many colourpictures of the ship back in the second world war. There's a small general arrangement plan, although one of the 5" turrets went astray, and is sitting twice as large on number 7 turret. Nicely enough, there is a small sceme showing how the paravanes were towed! Just too late. Well, it's just a waterline plus two lines at the bow, and some circles (mines). The volume is very short on text, as usual for this publisher, but hey, who cares! A wealth of pics, for a small amount of dollarbills. The Alabama in her dazzle painting sceme would make a handsome scratchbuild project, after I finish my Bismarck and Tirpitz and Hood and Fletcher and Emden and my King Tigers and my T-72 and... ah hell, you get it. EJ Foeth "Help, Help, I can't stop the buying!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Alpaslan Ertungealp" Subject: Re: U.S.S. Gambier Bay (BlueJacket) >> If anyone on this list has built the 1/16" scale Gambier Bay model, or has the kit and is planning to build it, please email me off-list. I have a few questions about the kit I'd like to ask before I purchase one. << I guess you thought of BlueJacket Shipcrafters' kit. I am intending to purchase Gambier Bay as well and like to know its pros and contras. The same goes for their 1/16" Liberty Ship and 1/8" U.S.S. Ward. Please post any info on SMML. My information on their kits are a 3 part construction article on 1/4" Elco PT Boat in Ships in Scale magazine Vol. 7, No. 6 and Vol. 8, Nos. 1,2 a review of the Gambier Bay in Ships in Scale Vol.9, No.2 and a two part conversion/construction article of Fletcher in Ships in Scale Vol.9, Nos. 1,2 Alp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Mike Settle Subject: Plastic Ship Modeler Hi, All, Has anyone seen an issue of PSM lately? The last issue I received was volume # 18. I know Daniel Jones posted an update a while back on problems he was having with the new printer, but I am having withdrawal symptoms from not having a recent issue. Does anyone know the status of Vol. # 19? Thanks. Mike Settle Hi Mike, No 19 has been out for a while now. I'd suggest you check with whoever you get PSM from & go from there. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Rick Heinbaugh Subject: Re: Anchor Buoys >> I'm going to anchor my Salem to a buoy. Does anyone remember if a CA used anchor chain or rope tying up to a buoy? On my DD we used rope if we were staying 3 or 4 days. << Small ships (older DDs & smaller), use line (rope) to moor to a bouy. Bigger ships (today's DDs & CGs, and certainly a biggie like SALEM) use their anchor chain. Disconnect the anchor at the last part of chain (the anchor shot), secure the anchor shot to one of those flat fitings on the foc's'le (a frog), and let the regular anchor chain out to the waterline, then make it up to the bouy. Rick -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: USS Boise 688I sub >> The external size differences between the standard L.A. class boat andthe improved are negligible. Both are 360 ft (109.7m) LOA, 33 ft (10.0m) beam and draft 32 ft (9.75m). The differences are in displacement 7147 tons submerged for the improved vs 6927 for the standard. The only real external differences would be the cruise missile doors on the bow two rows of 4 on the mid line and two pair out board (one pair each side). << Uhh, no the sails are different, too. Early 688s had the planes on the sail, later boats (688I) such as Boise had the planes moved to the bow area. There are also a set of screened ballast vents near the VLS tubes on either side that are found only with the VLS carrying boats. A subtle difference (for a diorama display) is that both the Flight 2 and 688I boats sit level in the water, the early 688s without VLS sit slightly bow high. Tom Dougherty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: U-99 >> A friend has asked our help in locatining information on U-Boat 99. He needs the colors for the hull, deck, conning tower and so forth. He also needs information on any special markings the ship had. If you have any information please let me know. << There is a lively discussion of U-boat paint jobs in progress right now over on the SubCommittee website (message boards). We are at: http://www.wolfsong.com/SubCommittee/ Tom Dougherty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Procladius@aol.com Subject: Going to the IPMSA(USA) Nationals Barring disaster, I am planning to go to the US Nationals in Orlando. I am looking forward to it & hoping to meet other ship modelers there, especially any IJN enthusiasts. Charles Watson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Tim Perry" Subject: Lindberg LST kit Hi All, I am trying to locate an unmade Lindberg LST2 kit, which I understand is 285th scale. Anyone want to raid their 'loft insulation' and turn it into dosh? Or swaps? I'd like to model LST 289, which survived a torpedo attack from E-Boats, during rehersals for the Normandy landings. Thanks in advance, Tim Perry Bristol, UK, where our summer weather has been lashing down for a week.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Chris Evenden" Subject: Blind Man's Bluff Thanks to all those who replied to my request wrt details of author and publisher of the book: Blind Man's Bluff. Chris Evenden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Gabor Hopocky Subject: Re: Potemkin colors Hi Everybody, Thank you for the informations on the Potemkin colors. Yes, I'd like to see the photo of Rusty White's model, if possible. My email is: hopocky@elender.hu, thanks in advance. I'm going to see the pictures on the web too. It seems to me it'll be a very interesting piece of my collection. Regards, Gabor Hopocky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Gabor Hopocky Subject: Re: U-99 Hi David, >> A friend has asked our help in locatining information on U-Boat 99. << If he wants to build the Revell AG kit, it will not represent the U-99, or he'll have to almost completely rebuild the kit. I wanted to use it as a base for a scratch-builded model with interior, but I think I rather will convert it for a VIIC/41, or U-Flak instead of building U-99 -- less work. (See the review by Roger B. Besaw at Navis!) >> He needs the colors for the hull, deck, conning tower and so forth. He also needs information on any special markings the ship had. << She had a golden horse shoe as special marking. I haven't got any reference on the colors, but I think the colors of U-995 that can be seen at uboat.net, in the gallery section will do. The hull is darkgrey below the waterline, and a lighter (middle) grey above it overall. It seems to me that the U-96 had the same color scheme in the film "Das Boot". Regards, Gabor Hopocky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "John S. Platt" Subject: Re: Modelling, what's it all about Good evening all I was a little surprised that the thread on model electric's petered out so soon. I feel that the question asked regarding judging warranted more discussion as it does address a fundamental issue about modelling. So, whilst trying not to be provocative, here are some thoughts. I have asked myself what am I trying to achieve by spending several years making a model. First, I must have some enjoyment along the way and then be pleased with the final result. The definition of "result" now has to be looked at further. The end product of all my hours is a representation of something that appeals to me. I am my own judge in this case, as I do not enter models in competitions. For those of you who do, different rules apply. What are you trying to achieve? To build a replica is not possible on most of the complex subjects chosen by you lot, so it will be an interpretation, a mimic, an illusion, a representation of the original. The more accurate, the closer you are to the original. So you've spent 2 years making your latest model, taken it to the show and glanced at the model next to yours. It's the same ship, same size, same everything except you have forgotten to put the anchor on yours. The model next to yours will get more marks, because it is closer to the original than yours. The next year you enter your model again complete with the anchor and glance at the model next to yours. Its the same in every possible detail, everything except that its gun turrets rotate. Which should get more marks? I think the one next to yours, it is closer to the original. OK, third time lucky. Your beautiful model has turrets that rotate, they even fire puffs of smoke and the toilet works and your next door neighbours model is the same, except he has running lights. I could go on and on but all we are talking about is building more and more accurate models, the closer to the original the more marks you should get. By way of an aside, I made the catapults on a carrier work. It was brilliant, the little aircraft took off at about Mach 7, frightened the hell out of the dog. Back to the subject. The use of electric's allows us to get closer to the real ship we are modelling. One earlier comment on the subject was that a model would look like a Christmas tree, some are meant to look like that. A cruise liner has hundreds of lights on it, so the model with accurate lighting should be the winner between two otherwise identical models. As modellers we should use what ever is available to get closer to the original. I had the fortune to meet the person who made the large spaceship in the opening scene of the first Star Wars film. Apparently it is a tradition amongst professional modellers to include out of character objects in a model which only they know are there. On the big spaceship, as it passes, you should be able to Elvis waving out of a window and a toothbrush on the side. That's if you can find them. They are creating an illusion and so are we. OK, I am ready for the flack. Best wishes from the underground bunker in Brasted where it is still sunny, well outside the bunker it is. John S. Platt. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Cooper, Mike" Subject: Re: Events Dear All I can't offer any replacement for belfast having gone walkies (sailies, towies or whatever), but a really fun show at Salisbury (Wilts, UK) on Saturday has reminded me that SMMLies-land may be interested in some up-coming shows July 4th - Fort Newhaven, Newhaven Sussex - Fort Full of Models. Nice Palmestonian Fort, full of models August 7th (I think) - Feltham - only just got details, but I can provide a contact. August 15th - Bath with IPMS Avon at the Pavilion Leisure Centre. Love this show to bits! And there is usually some cricket going on just over the road. My so-called club Berkshire Scale Replicas will be there, so if you come, please turn up and heckle (or even say Hi). We always have some 1/700 ships - my Algerine won't be finished in time, but she should be well advanced. September - Colours September 18th-19th at the hexagon, Reading (sort of the left over sprue of the Thames Valley!) BIG, BIG wargames do, with usually some naval wargames to look at and lots of traders - Skytrex, Navwar and others. Bershire Scale Replicas have 36ft tucked way in the "Choir Gallery" doing 2000 years of Britains armed forces, this year. 6ft of the 36 will be naval, covering 1/3000th up to 54mm figures. Small highlights of this are in 1/3000th the monitors and pontoon from the 1917 Great Landing, and my mate Georges' 54mm Royal Marines. WW2 will be covered in 1/700th - I've just edited the list down, and the plan is to do Cruisers and above in 1/3000 with destroyers and escorts in 1/700th. There will be a base of 1/700 coastal forces too. If you're in town seek it, and us out Meanwhile, if you're in Berkshire or environs, Berks Scale Replicas meet on the first Wednesday of every month, on the fringes of Reading. Its a quiet club, with a big aircraft following and neither as many bodies or models on the tables as we'd like, but do come and make faces! Mike Cooper (Reading UK - when they said sun and showers did they ever mean showers!!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "John Harloe" Subject: Dahlgren Guns I was lurking the list and noticed some conversation about Cottage Industry Models Ltd. new resin model kit of (The Keokuk) 11" Dalhgren Gun. It can be seen and purchased on the web site http://www.cottage-industries.com . The gun was measured and modeled from the Keokuk gun which sits on the battery here in Charleston S.C. After the Keokuk was sunk, Confederate engineers working at night took both guns out of the casemates of the Keokuk. At that time they were the most powerful guns defending the city. Confirmation of our measurements also exits in Wayne Starks book, "The Big Guns". Based upon an advertisement photo of the Verlinden gun, our gun differs in one significant respect from theirs. Their barrel is flared at the mouth, ours is not. That is all I can offer from seeing their kit only from a picture. I am sure they make a very good kit and this comment is not intended to slight competition or slander; just to answer a question which was posed to the list which I have some insite and knowledge . Hope that helps. John Harloe Charleston Distributors http://www.cottage-industries.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume