Subject: SMML26/06/99VOL589 Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 00:43:21 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: SMML website update 2: Re: HELVETIA 3: Flotilla "X" 4: Re: Old Friends - New Enemies 5: Re: Turrets ports 6: Re: TF 58 7: Re: Kilo 8: Re: .ch 9: Re: The Hole in the KGV's 10: Re: Old Friends, New Enemies 11: Re: Sharnhorst questions 12: IPMS(USA)Nationals destroyer build 13: Re: Blue Ribband 14: Re: TF-58 Jan. 1944 15: Good service 16: Removing old paint 17: KGV "hole" 18: Holes in KGV HACS tower 19: Re: Blue Riband -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Shane Subject: SMML website update Hi gang, Well I'm back on the job of trying to get the backissues up to date & getting picpost back on track. So, to get things going, I'll be taking the "Hearne BB" of the site within the next day or so, plus some other pics as well. Now if you'll point your browser to: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/4712/pics/ You'll find some jpgs of Hunt class corvettes, US Battleships & some Town class CA shots. These also will be coming off the site in the next day or so to allow me some space to upload some more pics, as well I hope some more backissues. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: HGYL@aol.com Subject: Re: HELVETIA This is the official name of Switzerland Harold Lincoln -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Vimieraa@aol.com Subject: Flotilla "X" Can anyone tell me what flotilla is represented by one red over one black? Thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: dhjonespsm@juno.com Subject: Re: Old Friends - New Enemies >> I'm looking to purchase a two-volume set of books by Arthur Marder entitled "Old Friends, New Enemies: The Royal Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy." Volume 1 is subtitled "Strategic Illusions 1936-1941" and Volume 2 is "The Pacific War 1942-1945." The second volume seems particularly difficult to find on the Internet, but help with finding/buying either volume would be appreciated. << I cannot stear you to a source, but the reason the second volume is so hard to find is that it was published only a few years ago after Prof. Marder's death (completed by his associates) and was produced in a limited edition and sold for the princely sum of $75.00. You might try ordering it though a new book outlet - there may still be a few unsold copies out there. Sorry I cannot provide an ISBN nmber - I did not get Vol. 2. As for Volume 1, I have seen copies for sale on the net in the 35-40 dollar range. The best place to search is on abebooks.com. Daniel Jones Plastic Ship Modeler magazine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Pieter Cornelissen Subject: Re: Turrets ports >> There are 3 raised sections on all British battleships, apparent from Neptune onwards up to at least the Royal Sovereigns, which should be 'sighting hoods' or ports. << I think some people are confusing the structure of the armoured hood of the barbette (technically, all british battleship main gun turrets built after 1895 are hooded barbettes) and the sighting ports. The tops of the 'turrets' were made of heavy armoured plates with overlapping joints which accounts for the '3 part relief' on Airfix' Iron Duke. After Jutland some of these plates (on battlecruisers in particular) were reinforced with extra plates, which were simply bolted on. John Roberts' new book on battlecruisers has a nice photograph of this on page 118. The sighting hoods is another story. The 'traditional' hooded barbettes (post 1895) had small sighting hoods on the roof of the turrets. These were very important for the operation of the armament (there was no centralised fire control untill 1911, the Grand Fleet started the great war with only 8 ships having fire control). The superposition of heavy turrets, which would result in really efficient all big gun battleships, would mean that the officers manning the sighting hoods of the lower would get concussed every time a superfiring big gun was fired. This problem had a big effect on the layout of 1st generation dreadnoughts of most nations building dreadnoughts in that superfiring was not adopted (the US and France did not seem to care but did restrict forward and aft fire). The sighting hoods of 2nd generation dreadnoughts like Iron Duke were armoured in such a way that the problems were supposed to be over, but direct superfiring (directly forward and aft) was still avoided. The problem was finally solved by putting sighting ports in the forward plates, next to the gun ports. This information can be found in the aforementioned book by John Roberts, but also in Anthony Preston's 'Battleships'. Pieter Cornelissen Delft, the Netherlands Where the year 1999 seems to have a summer (1998 didn't) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: TF 58 Here is a list of TF 58 -JAN 1944 TF58.1 TF58.2 ENTERPRISE CV-6 YORKTOWN CV-10 BELLEAU WOOD CVL-24 WASHINGTON BB-56 MASSACHUSETTS BB-59 INDIANA BB-58 OAKLAND CL-95 BRONSON DD-668 COTTEN DD-669 DORTCH DD670 GATLING DD671 HEALY DD-672 COGSWELL DD-651 CAPERTON 650 INGERSOLL DD-652 TF 58.2 ESSEX CV-9 INTREPID CV-11 CABOT CVL-28 SOUTH DAKOTA BB-57 ALABAMA BB-60 NORTH CAROLINA BB-55 SANDEIGO CL-53 OWENS DD-536 MILLER DD-535 THE SULLIVANS DD-537 STEPHAN POTTER DD-538 HICKOK DD-673 HUNT DD-674 LEWIS HANCOCK DD-675 STERRETT DD-407 STACK DD-406 TF 58.3 BUNKER HILL CV-17 MONTERREY CVL-26 COWPENS CVL-25 IOWA BB-61 NEW JERSEY BB-62 WICHITA CA-45 IZARD DD-589 CHARRETTE DD-581 CONNERDD-582 BELL DD-587 BURNS DD-588 BRADFORD DD545 BROWN DD-546 COWELL -DD-547 WILSON DD407 TF 58.4 SARATOGA CV-3 PRINCETON CVL-23 LANGLEY CVL-27 BOSTON CA-69 BALTIMORE CA-68 SANJUAN CL-54 MAURY DD-401 CRAVEN DD-382 GRIDLEY DD380 MC CALL DD-400 DUNLAP DD-384 FANNING DD-385 CASE DD-370 CUMMINGS DD-365 Well i hope this helps your project out Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: Kilo Dear Tom: About six months ago I was looking at 1998/9 Dragon catalogue and the Kilo sub was listed in 1/350 scale but it wasn't going to be released in the West only China released maybe they changed their minds. Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: .ch Hi, I think that ".ch" at the end of an e-mail address or URL stands for "Confederation Helvetique," a variation of Helvetia. I think you see the CH designator on cars from Switzerland as well. Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: The Hole in the KGV's Hi, Regarding the "hole" that's been discussed in the KGV's, I assume this means the perfectly circular hole in the middle of the tower-like structure at the rear of the forward superstructure that supports, to port and starboard, the two HACS directors for the forward 5.25" guns and, on the centerline, the UP director (in the KGV and PoW as built) or the Type 271/273 surface warning radar in all the ships. I've looked at Ensign No. 1 on the KGV's and Raven & Roberts' book on British battleships, and this hole seems to be in all five of the ships of the class. In some, you can seemingly see through the hole, and in others (the KGV or PoW as built) it seems that there is some structure inside the hole). There also seems to be railing at the bottom of the hole, whose function I do not know unless it is to lighten the structure. Hope this helps.... Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: Old Friends, New Enemies Hi again, I saw three listings for the first volume of Old Friends, New Enemies on: http://www.abebooks.com and none for the second volume. I have seen the second volume listed in various catalogues in the past few months, so if I were you I would continue searching for it in various places in the USA and UK. Only the first volume was written solely by Arthur Marder; the second volume was completed after his death by Mark Jacobsen and John Horsfield, though I think part of it was already written by Marder before his death and most of the research had already been done by him. The second volume is certainly interesting (not that I've read it cover to cover yet), but the first one is truly momumental. Good luck! Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: kenny_II Subject: Re: Sharnhorst questions Thanks to everyone that responded to my Sharnhorst questions, I appreciate the good info. Tim -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: IPMS(USA)Nationals destroyer build I asked before about this and heard no response. Does anyone know if the destroyer build for the US Nationals is still on? The last I heard Steve Wiper was going to donate awards and that a number of people were working on models. I would really like to know. Rusty White Head Ship Judge IPMS(USA) National Contest Committee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Gene Larson Subject: Re: Blue Ribband I picked up a card while at the South Street Seaport Museum in NY last week on this subject. I will copy the text here: QUOTE BLUE RIBBAND The Quest For Speed Across The Atlantic An exhibition saluting the world's fastest ocean liners, in the United States Courthouse Gallery, 500 Pearl Street, in Manhattan, just northeast of City Hall Open daily through Labor Day from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. For details, call The Ocean Liner Museum at (212)717-6251 An exhibition presented by the Ocean Liner Museum with the Maritime Law Association and the Federal Bar Council. END QUOTE I saw the trophy while visiting the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, a few years ago. It was located in their excellent maritime museum. Perhaps it has been moved to this exhibition. I would put the image of the trophy on our web site, but I do not yet have the capability to scan slides. My computer is only 2 years old, but the new slide scanners require a USB, and it was not available. The equipment is outdated the day you purchase it. Gene Larson, Alexandria, Virginia mailto:genenrg@Naut-Res-Guild.org Nautical Research Guild, Inc. http://www.Naut-Res-Guild.org "A non-profit, tax exempt, charitable, educational organization with international membership, dedicated to maritime research and accurate ship model building." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: PulligS@aol.com Subject: Re: TF-58 Jan. 1944 Per Reynolds FAST CARRIERS on page 127-128 on 1/13/44 TF 58 Rear Admiral Mitscher 58.1 J.W. Reeves ENTERPRISE, YORKTOWN,BELLEAU WOOD. 58.2 A. E. Momtgomery ESSEX, INTREPID, CABOT. 58.3 Sherman BUNKER HILL, MONTEREY,COWPENS. 58.4 Grinder SARATOGA,PRINCETON,LANGLEY.Would have to work a little for the support ships. I have missed a few days where are we going with this? Sam Pullig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Alan Lindstrom Subject: Good service Wanted to add my own recent good service experience. My Waveline Maryland arrived without a number of white metal parts. Bill Gruener gave me Pit Road's fax number and I sent an english fax to them and in about 3 weeks I had the parts. I also had a good experience with Tamiya when my 1/700 Gneisenau came without the hull of all things. I called them, sent a follow-up letter, and had the hull in about 2 weeks. On the other hand, it has been over a month since I requested some missing parts from a European manufacturer with a reputation for good service and I am still waiting. Alan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Philip Morgan" Subject: Removing old paint I have had great help from you all so far, I am happy to return the favour. I find that most acrylics will come off after soaking a cotton ball in Isocol (rubbing alcohol for the North Americans) or most ethanol-based substances and then rubbing the model down vigorously. Metho seems to work OK too. I have also tried soaking the model in brake fluid - if you can place the model on its side and coat with brake fluid rather than immersing the whole thing, you'll save a lot of brake fluid. I learned the hard way not to use Turps - unless you are modelling chewing gum!! MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone, we use it as solvent, plumbers use it as PVC Pipe Cleaner) will strip brass beautifully. Finally, if all else fails, Caustic Soda will strip just about anything (also known as Sodium Hydroxide - the main ingredient in oven cleaner). The problem here is that safety is 100% vital: rubber glovers are an absolute must, eye goggles and face mask or respirator as well. It is dangerous, but if handled properly and with respect, it will work fine. Used the flake version and remember to add the NaNo2 (no, that isn't Mork from Ork, I think it's the right formula for Sodium Hydroxide) SLOWLY to WARM water (the hotter, the better) but BEWARE: whatever the temperature, the chemical reaction causes the water to boil. Do NOT add the water to the flakes, it could prove diastrous. Let the model soak, and every hour or so give it a rub with an old tooth brush. I have used this method with a lot of my models and never had any problems, as long as the precautions I mentioned are followed. Trust that this helps. By the way, with all the fantastic feedback lately on modelling hints (especially on my decalling request!!), why don't we compile all our thoughts into some form of beginners' guide, a sort of expanded FAQ? And by the way Shane, the money for the SRN4 came from the money we were saving for Olympics tickets!!!!!!!!!! Well. maybe we'll have to settle for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne!!! Warmest regards to all, Philip Morgan. Hi Philip, The FAQ is still in the making & it's coming along fine. But the main hassle is that only three guys working on it & combing thru nearly 600 issues of SMML takes a while, especially when a silly things called work, family & modelling get in the way. So if anyone else would like to volounteer to help, I'm sure you'll be met with open arms :-). Shane - who's busy saving up to go to the Year 2000 IPMS(UK) Nats & to get out of the country BEFORE the Olympics start ;-)). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Martin Short" Subject: KGV "hole" Hi Chris, Doug, and everyone. To chuck in my two cents worth, and just catching up on the last few postings, so forgive me if this now redundant. The hole in the forward HACS tower for the KGV class was probably present in all ships of the class. Anson is the only ship of the class where this is not clearly shown in photos. There are shots of the rest of the class where this is cleary visible. In the case of the DOY shot (Garke/Dulin Allied battleships p219) some of the internal structure is just discernable. This hole is exists as a gesture to top weight reduction no doubt. Anyway, it is visible in some late war shots of KGV (1944), so go ahead and build!! Contact me off list if you need a bit more info... cheers, Martin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Robert Lockie" Subject: Holes in KGV HACS tower I failed to respond to this one first time as the reference I had next to me at the time showed nothing of the area. However, I subsequently remembered that I also have the Raven book on KGVs (Ensign 1), and a quick look revealed a photo on page 9 (well actually they are un-numbered) captioned as being of KGV in February 1946. A large circular hole is clearly visible in the front of the tower. From other photos in the book, Anson, Howe and DoY also still had them in 1946, as, I imagine, did PoW if anyone had checked at the time.... Incidentally, there is a similar hole in the rear of the HACS tower - although daylight is visible through it, the support for the surface radar (271, then 275) mounted between the two directors is also visible through the hole. Robert Lockie Cambridge UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: Blue Riband >> What is the origin of the Blue Riband? What is a Riband anyway? Ribbon I can understand but Riband? << Well, riband is merely an archaic spelling of ribbon, now rare except in heraldic and sporting terminology. Holders of the Blue Riband hold the rights to sport a blue pennant, hence the term. >> I always thought that Blue Riband was a Chocolate Biscuitor as you North Americans would say a chocolate covered cookie. << It still is... a standard ingredient in many a kiddy's school lunchbox! Best Regards, Caroline Carter http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models/index.htm White Ensign Models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume