Subject SMML16/10/99VOL700 Date: Sat, 16 Oct 1999 23:53:10 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Iowa Gun Barrels 2: Re: Scale hose/cable 3: Re: APD 4: Re: Kirov 5: Demise of Hood 6: Re: Photos 7: Bretagne 8: Re: Fine lead wire 9: Heller Admiral Scheer 10: Re: Copying parts 11: Pacific Front Info. 12: Trivia email problems 13: Liberty Ship 14: Re: John Frohock's Ship Trip 15: Re: WR PRESS FLOWER CLASS CORVETTES 16: R/N Camouflage 17: Shane, Lorna and Chris 18: Re: Minesweeper 19: Re: Fujimi 1/700 Iowas 20: Re: Scale Hose/Cable 21: Re: USS Honolulu and Savannah 22: Re: Horror Story 23: Re: Bretagne and York 24: Rocky Mountain Shipyard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Pacific Front Hobbies 2: Re: DD808 3: Maritime Modeler Magazine update -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Joe Costanzo Subject: Iowa Gun Barrels Since my Tamiya Missouri was trashed last year in an unfortunate 'capsizing off the desk' incident, I've been doing a total rebuild on the ship (now USS Iowa). At my current stage, I am wondering about the barrels of the main guns, and I'd like to know the best way to add 'depth' the business end of these guns. Should I drill them out? Assuming I can find a bit small enough, I'm not particularly confident in my ability to do this correctly (I cringe at the thought of slipping just an eensy bit) What about replacing them with brass tubing? Again, an issue for me is if I can do this justice i.e. not glue the damn things on crooked and off-center. Any suggestions on doing either of these, or other methods? Thanks in advance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Fritz Koopman Subject: Re: Scale hose/cable Hi Mark: Usually I never worry about these as I usually represent them in their natural (i.e. covered) state. However the once or twice I've tried to represent them uncovered, I replace the midsection with a piece of plastic dowell, sized slightly less than the endplates. Then I simply wrap this with a single layer of sewing thread. Tack it down with thined Cyano or white glue. Be shure to thin these alot or you will lose detail. Then I paint the wraps light khaki/canvas for hose, dirty white for docking lines, iron black with a tinge of rust for metal cable (sometimes grey with a tinge of rust for "painted" metal cable). This is by no means elaborate, but it works for me. As for the fittings on the Bismark, If you are willing to wait untill Monday (I'm at work, and then I go to CT for the weekend) I could try to scan you a So-So photo of one of her reels. In the lower corner the connection fitting is just visible protruding up from the deck. I can see the valve post (without removable wheel sticking up from the 90 degree valve. The photo is just out of enough focus to make it difficult to tell what the actual fitting was (threadded or quick disconnect). I'm not sure just when quick disconnects started to come in to common practice on ships. Someone else on the list will probably have an answer to that one. Anyways, If you want the photo e-mailed or posted to the SMML website, just drop me line. Best Regards Fritz Koopman Suddenly Freezing in Massachussetts, where sailing season is over unless I can find a boat to Frostbite on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Ernst-Bernhard Kayser Subject: Re: APD Dear Derek, I'm afraid I have bad news for you. There were two classes of US navy destroyer escorts converted to fast transports. Buckley class DE's were converted to Charles Lawrence class APD's and Rudderow class DE's changed into Crosley class APD's (See the literature recommended by Marc Flake). Why is this bad news? Your father's ship APD-135 Weiss was not a Buckley conversion but a Crosley class ship, see: http://www.syix.com/fletcher/Weiss%20folder/weissstory.html To my knowledge, there is no kit available for this class of ships. Unfortunately all the kits out there are for Charles Lawrence's (eg. Accurate Image Models, now sold by Commander Series Models: APD-63 Lloyd, scale 1/350; Classic Warships: APD destroyer escort, scale 1/700). While the hulls and engines of Crosley and Charles Lawrence ships are very similar (identical?) the superstructures are not. The most conspicuous differences are that Crosley's superstructure is moved aft and sports a much lower bridge. Furthermore the cargo loading derrick comes with a tripod rather than a lattice mast. If you want to convert a Charles Lawrence kit, fixing the derrick shouldn't pose too much of a problem, however the forward superstructure requires a lot of plastic surgery. To do it right you need a set of plans (the literature recommended so far does not provide a plan view). If I remember correctly "The Floating Drydock" sells a plan for a Crosley class APD; I forgot the name of the ship; plans are kind of blurry and incomplete, but provides at least the plan view missing in the other sources. As you see your project is not as straightforward as you might have hoped for - sorry! Bernhard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Pieter Cornelissen Subject: Re: Kirov I'm not sure what was wrong with the 'old' HP kits, but I did build a HP Kirov about a year ago. The basic hull shape (except for the lack of a 'knuckle') and most of the ships' superstructure conform to most photographs of the ship. I have my doubts about the accuracy of the main missile control systems but used them anyway. Every level of the superstructure was in its own resin 'wafer'. The lower levels were warped, and I spent quite some time correcting this. Small parts like the 100mm mounts and the Gatlings were hardly usable. I replaced them with Skywave parts. The masts and radars were replaced with GMM parts and a lot of scratchbuilding. I think the model is not bad, but it takes a lot of time to build. Unfortunately I'm not sure if it is still possible tot get hold of one. I bought mine with WEM as soon as it apppeared on their list. It has disappeared since then (any news about HP, Caroline?). If you really want tot build a Kirov I think you'd better rob a bank and wait for Peter Hall to come out with his version in 1/350, which is what I'll be doing. Waiting for the 1/350 Kirov that is, not rob a bank-:) Pieter Cornelissen, Delft, The Netherlands -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: DurlingK@aol.com Subject: Demise of Hood >> There I was just finishing the Hood's rigging and my clip on the table light/magnifier decided to fall over on to the Hood. << Oh, man, my heart goes out to you. That screw-clamp type of mounting that a lot of work lamps come with is so bad that somebody ought to be sued. At least they could have designed it so the forces are parallel. Mine has fallen over more than once, and yes, one time it took a model with it. I'm switching to a weighted base or SOMEthing. I hate to hear stories like yours. Hang in there man. Ken D -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: Photos Thank you for the references, I will chase them up. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: Bretagne Hi Sami I've got the Delphis Bretagne and have just started building it. It is an all resin model (no white metal, etched brass or any other media) and comes well packed but some of the parts in mine were broken so I had to get them replaced. The firm was happy to do this but slow to respond. However, they sent me considerably more than I requested. The kit is extremely accurate. Detail wise its spot on. Like me, you may want to replace some of the resin parts with etched brass particularly the steps and ladders. There is some cleaning up to do and some of the barrels and masts were bent but straightening is not a problem and they can always be replaced by brass rods if you feel that way inclined (its not really necessary). The hull in particular needs sanding so that it sits correctly but my example was not warped The model represents Bretagne in 1940 at the time of Mers-El-Kebir and so was painted in French Mediterranean colours. This was extremely light (so light it appears white in some photos) and you need to paint the hull a very light colour (Humbrol 147 is probably a good approximation for this). Photos are quite rare in published sources but easliy obtainable from the Musee de la Marine in Paris. There is quite a selection covering the life of the ship and they do provide a fair amount of detail. Plans could also be obtained but Delphis provide reasonable plans. Overall, this is an excellent kit, it needs some work but not a lot and will build into an interesting model. I'd definitley recommend buying it. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Fine lead wire >> I don't think you can beat fine lead wire. It wraps well and stays put (does not spring back when shaped). Available in many sizes at fishing tackle stores and a few hobby outlets too. << Where do you get this stuff and what is it used for in the real world? Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Peter Mispelkamp" Subject: Heller Admiral Scheer Someone asked about Heller's Admiral Scheer the other day. My quick comments: overall a very good kit, and if you update it with PE it could be a very outstanding model. Construction notes: Like Heller's Lützow, the Scheer is depicted without her de-gausing strip but with with her post 1940 refit hull and superstructure. When I built mine, I simply used dragged a long piece of sewing thread through a glob of white glue and pressed it against the hull. Once dry, I sprayed painted the whole hull, and well over 20 years later, it is still in place. Perhaps the biggest problem you are going to have is deciding whether to build her for her 1940 or post early 1941 fit. For 1940 - you will have add a few 20mm singles (bring the total up to 12), and replace the funnel cap with one that is shorter but still inclined. You will also have to add a radar mattress and mounting on the top of the rear gunnery director as well. Note that making this modification will interfere slightly with the positioning of the Ar 196 on the catapult. Post 1941 - keep the funnel cap, but you will have to modify the funnel ring so that it more triaangular in shape and reduce the SL's to three. You will still have to add the radar to the top of the aft diector, and a smaller radar antenia on the opposite face of the radar mounting on the battle top. You will also have to widen the left and right sides of the main rear superstructure as well. I simply cut them off just aft of the rear 37mm twins, and moved them outwards, added plastic stips to the main deck, and angled off the ends where they are suppoposed to meet the origional structure. The boats will also have to be repostioned so that the fit at a slight angle towards the catapult tower. Also, you will have to augment her AAA - mine carries 4 37mm twins, 6 40mm singles, 4 20mm quads, 4 20mm twins, and 4 20mm singles. Use Bryer, Battleships and Battlecruisers 1905-1970 as a source for the exact nature of these changes. Hope this helps Peter K. H. Mispelkamp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Copying parts >> As for your claim, I think I know how I could, if I wanted, copy any part by anybody without them being able to prove a thing. << I suppose anything's possible, but I doubt it. The program automatically records every single line's beginning and end (each line has 2 points, beginning and ending). Since I have all my parts on computer. The program uses this as a database for comparison to scanned or photographed images. I don't want to go into the particulars of the program any more but it has been tested. I scanned in over 100 competitors parts to compare to mine (some close but no copies) and the program picked up the differences every time. I then made computer drawings of 10 parts from my files and. Some with VERY minute differences, just to see how sensitive the program was. Not only did it identify the copies, but it told me who the manufacturer was of the copied parts. Beat that! As far as Viking is concerned, I already have 78 confirmed (I have the paperwork from the companies that bought them) CIWS infringements on file. So I'm not concerned about building a case against them. However, if they try to carve up my parts to create a new set, that will prove criminal intent and my attorney tells me we can stick it to them big for that. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Pacific Front Info. I hope I'm not jumping the gun on Bill, but here goes. I just got a check from PFH for an order they placed. I noticed it has PFH new address and phone number, so thought it would put everybody at ease knowing PFH is alive and well. I'll hold off on the new location address and phone number for now. I'm sure Bill will make it known when he's set up and ready for business. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Jeff Herne" Subject: Trivia email problems Gang, I've just received 5 emails all dated at least 3 days old, some as far back as the 6th. Since they've arrived from the Hotmail server with original header info and matching dates, I am going to add these points to the totals and adjust accordingly. Off the top of my head, I received emails from the following that have not been credited to my knowledge. Falk Plestcher John Rule Art Nicholson Dan Jones I have sent a nasty-gram to Hotmail regarding the later delivery of these emails. I will try to get this straightened out ASAP. Jeff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: David Fisher Subject: Liberty Ship Can anyone suggest a good (detailed)plastic model kit for the WWII Liberty Ship? Dave Fisher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: John Frohock's Ship Trip Hi Guys, I LOVED John's review of his trip to England.. it made me want to rush out and see everything again! Thanks John! Chris is quite right in pointing out the "missed" bits of heritage though, for anyone else considering a visit. Chris referred to "Warships at Birkenhead" which is near to Liverpool, and worth a visit. They have HMS Plymouth, a Rothesay Class frigate, Falklands vintage, preserved, more or less as it was the day the crew left it (see the article I wrote for NAVIS way back in the archives, now re-published on my own website at http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models/plymouth/plymo.htm Also, HMS Onyx, one of the post war diesel O Class submarines. There is a lovely Trinity House lightship, the former "Channel" lightvessel. You can clamber over everything... it's great! There is also the Type (IXB??) U-Boat that was sank after the German surrender, and raised by, I believe, a wealthy Swede, who was convinced that it was full of Nazi gold and trying to escape to South America.. however, none was found, so it became a museum ship... impressive! The exhibition of stuff from this boat is quite incredible.... all the artifecats were preserved in silt... uniforms, for example, were simply thrown into a washing machine, and came out as new! Even the charts were in a perfect state of preservation, with the original pencilled-in route clearly visible. Most of the lightbulbs still work! Worth that detour off the M6 North! Chris's "review" of Chatham was great... although I think that, for me, as well as the excitment of seeing HMS Cavalier, was seeing the lovingly preserved (and working) steam trains, steam cranes, and rolling stock that really sent shivers down MY spine! The original old buildings add an incredible atmosphere,,, Also, the fabulous vaulted timber roofs of the rows of old drydocks, which, we were told, date from the late 18th Century.. hard to believe! You just breathe history and atmosphere at this place. However, rumour has it that the "management" are intent on turning the place into more of a theme park in the future.. this could be a bad move I fear.... Probably one of the best museums I have ever visited is the Hartlepool Maritime Museum which boasts the SECOND oldest warship still afloat in the world, HMS Tricomalee. The immense job of restoration will finally result in a ship that is 50% original...this compares very favourably with the USS Constitutions 5% original and Victory's 20% of original materials! Many folks don't know that Hartlepool was also responsible for the restoration of HMS Warrior. If you are interested in reading a bit more and seeing some photos of ) Hartlepool, I have re-published an article I wrote for NAVIS a couple of years ago, on my own website, at the following address. Please stop by! http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models/trinco/trinco.htm I also have a few other "museum" projects on the go, such as the SS Great Britain at Bristol docks (a "MUST-SEE" for anyone heading west!), and a feature on Warrior. Stay tuned. Regards Caroline WEM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: WR PRESS FLOWER CLASS CORVETTES Good Day SMMLlie folk, After my post, I had a telephone from Mr WR Press, who was getting his wings into a little bit of a flap about my post yesterday. Well, if the original E-Mail had been written in legible English in the first place, I MIGHT have stood a chance of getting it right (!!). So... to illuminate and correct... first off, the Flower Class corvettes book by John Lambert will be OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR!! That's good news for Mr Lambert's retirement fund, as I've been told to sell a million of this title... In fact, it will have 2 dozen camouflage piccies and an awful LOT of drawings. Also, around 60 photographs, with a load of onboard shots. 96 pages in all... The "160 pieces of artwork" referred, in fact to RN Camouflage Part One.... 8 pages in full colour, 56 in all. I have been told that this title will be "better than sex". Well, I reserve judgement on that one....... however, I am sure that the Maestro is absolutely right and I look forward to donating my right hand for the First (signed of course....) Copy!! All My Best Caroline WEM http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: R/N Camouflage Let me begin by thanking those persons who have helped in various ways in pointing to pieces of data that otherwise I may not have found. The first volume (1939-41) is very nearly finished in terms of preparation of artwork of which there is approximately onehundred and sixty pieces. Coverage is from battleships down to corvettes. The book has an emphasis on the cruisers, simply because the greatest number of patterns were applied to these ships in the 1939-41 time frame. There are of course gaps in the coverage, because the historical record is incomplete, especially when linked with the prolification of unofficial schemes. Among the missing is the visual record of the original Peter Scott scheme as worn by the destroyer Broke in 1940. I fear that this information has been lost to history. Work on the layout will begin in January 2000 and publication should be around March/April 2000. ALL errors and omissions (and there will be some) will be mine. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Keith Butterley Subject: Shane, Lorna and Chris Hi all, I wish to thank our beloved Listmaster/Mistress and Chris Drage for their very kind words. I feel just a little silly over your most public pronouncements. Thank you none the less though. As for the vacuuming, its just part of the household duties. I handle the downstairs rec room, laundry, computer area and shipyard. Lets face it, would any of us want our wives cleaning anywhere near our models when they are not happy with us? Happy modeling Keith Butterley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "David N. Lombard" Subject: Re: Minesweeper From: CA139JOHNF@aol.com >> Anybody know of any kits ever being available for a YMS or a BYMS? << Gosh, if you ever find one, puhlease let me know. Abe Taubman has plans. The closest I know of is the CALYPSO kit. There is a paper model of an AMS available online at: http://www.digitalnavy.com/html/card_models.html David N. Lombard Rossmoor, Orange County, CA. It said "Requires Windows 95 or better", so I installed Linux... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: Derek "Tiger" Wakefield Subject: Re: Fujimi 1/700 Iowas >> The New Jersey kit (which I have) claims to be a Korean war version yet has 20 mm guns. I thought they were removed. << According to Friedman's US BBs (p390) "In 1951 each Iowa was assigned a total of thirty-two twin mounts. The name ship carried none, the Missouri had all of them, and the other two had sixteen each. By October, the ultimate battery included no 20mm guns, and within a year all of them were gone." So for awhile during the Korean War, the NJ would've had 20mm's. Dasvidanya! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar2@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Derek "Tiger" Wakefield Subject: Re: Scale Hose/Cable >> What I used to use for such purposes in detailing HO scale model railroad equipment was small-diameter solder. It wraps nicely around hose reels, takes paint, and looks great. These days, there's probably even smaller diameter stuff available than what I used to use. << >> I don't think you can beat fine lead wire. It wraps well and stays put (does not spring back when shaped). Available in many sizes at fishing tackle stores and a few hobby outlets too. << I've heard of potential corrosion problems related to using lead products in modeling. That's the only pitfall I see in this. In Gary Frisch's write up in FSM (May 93) of the Tamiya 1/350 Enterprise (CVN-65) - for which he used used GSM reels - he said he used thread. How accurate looking this is I can't say, but it might be safer in the long run than using anything that might corrode and spoil the area surrounding the reel over time. . Dasvidanya! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar2@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Derek "Tiger" Wakefield Subject: Re: USS Honolulu and Savannah >> Have you checked Friedmans book "US Cruisers an Illustrated Design History" It has a few pictures of the Honolulu. You might also order a set of plans from the Floating drydock. I have the set for the Helena and Honolulu in 1/192 and the 1/96 set for the Nashville, these are a must have if you are doing any of these ships. Also there are plans for USS BROOKLYN in 1945, USS PHILADELPHIA in 1944, USS SAVANNAH in 1945. I'll dig around and see if I have any other photo sources. << I was going to order US Cruisers this last payday, but then I found the IS Tennesee and it was pushed back on the priority list. I've got some photocopies of part of the chapter on the Brooklyn a friend sent me years ago. The only pic of the Lulu there is a close up of her aft superstructure looking forward when she was at Mare Island in 42. I hope to get the Floating drydock 1/192 plans before I start work on any of these kits. I'm sure the 1/96th ones are more detailed and easier to read, but I have to budget my costs somewhere with four 1/350th scale kits on the must have list. >> I bought one of each about 6 months ago from Bill Gruner at Pacific Front Hobbies, give him a call he should at least still have the Corsair Armada Honolulu kit, The JS kits is out of production as JS is no longer in the ship business, but you might still be able to find one. Out of the two kits the Corsair Armada kit is superior, being more cleanly cast and with much better instructions. As much as I like the CA kit I would have to say that the JS kit might be closer to what you want, as it already has the right bridge. However be warned that my kit required a lot of rework fix some casting problems. << I've been browsing the web looking for these and found the CA Honolulu at RMS. Based on this report, that would probably be the most likely one I'd consider at the moment. Probably easier to fabricate the differences than deal with problematic casting probs. >> The Classic Warships Helena is a great kit, I'm adding PE to mine now and hope to have some photo's soon. Though I don't build 1/350 (yet!?!) I'm going to make an exception for the CW Helena kit for a friend who's father severed aboard her. << Kudos to you! I've never ventured into 1/350 waters either, but I'm looking forward to it. >> If you are going to do the USS SAVANNAH CL42 get the plan set #G-CL42 1/192 as mentioned above it depicts her in 6/45. You will need them because you are going to be doing a lot of fabrication. << Thanks for the tip! Because of the degree of modifications required, Savannah isn't high on my list right now. Dasvidanya! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar2@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: Derek "Tiger" Wakefield Subject: Re: Horror Story >> There I was just finishing the Hood's rigging and my clip on the table light/magnifier decided to fall over on to the Hood. << Graham... Not to diminish the pain of your loss (ye-aahggg), but have you given any thought to slapping a name plate on the base of your light/magnifier that reads "Bismarck" ? Dasvidanya! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar2@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: Mark Sloan Subject: Re: Bretagne and York Sami, I've purchased both of the kits that you mentioned and can strongly recommend both. The Bretagne is indeed by Delphis, and as with all the kits by that manufacturer (and by Regia Marina) set the standard in resin casting. The fittings are very finely made; it's a very impressive kit, and a very welcome one as the French Navy is greatly neglected in 1/700th scale. If you love brass, you'll be disappointed; there is none. That's fine with me, since I hate working with the stuff, but I understand that many modelers love it. The York is also a good kit, the casting quality of which is well above average, even if it doesn't approach Delphis/Regia Marina quality. There is a small brass sheet done by Eduard which is fairly easy to work with. I recommend both of these and hope that you enjoy them. If only more manufacturers would move beyond the all too familiar subjects of the IJN/USN/DKM. Mark Sloan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: Mark Sloan Subject: Rocky Mountain Shipyard I received some bad news by mail yesterday, namely that Rocky Mountain Shipyard will be closing soon. I'm sorry to hear it because RMS has set the standard in customer service for kit retailers, closely followed by WEM. I've purchased from just about every retailer, world wide, and for lots of reasons I've considered RMS to be the best (and Hobbylink Japan to be by far the worst). One RMS policy that I've always appreciated is the free shipping. When you see a price in their catalog, you know that that is what you are actually going to pay. I don't know if others share my frustration which excessive profits tucked away in shipping and handling charges. For me, I'd much rather have the cost of doing business included in the retail price, so that comparing costs between retailers would be much easier. My inquiries to RMS were always promptly answered, and my orders were never forgotten, mispackaged or double charged. There are lots of other great retailers out there which I will continue to enjoy doing business with. But I, for one, will miss RMS. Mark Sloan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Loren Perry Subject: Pacific Front Hobbies Bill Gruner and Pacific Front Hobbies are coming back on line after a few weeks off to make his big move to Oregon. After this period of inactivitiy, he has resumed placing very large orders for Gold Medal Models products, so I assume he's shipping once again or is about to. His address is: Pacific Front Hobbies, P.O. Box 2098, Roseburg, OR 97470 USA. Loren Perry/GMM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: DD808 The volume on Fletcher/Sumner and Gearing Class Destroyers published by W R PRESS inc will give you most of what you need in the way of references for the Gearing pickets as in late WWII, including plans. Written by J Herne. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Victor Baca" Subject: Maritime Modeler Magazine update Maritime Modeler Magazine is currently in production with enough good material to cover the first quarter of 2000. We are devoting the next two weeks to making a four color mail-out flyer showing our first and second issue contents and giving full subscription information. As soon as our descriptive literature is ready, it will be mailed to everyone on our list and potential advertisers as well. I can't stress strongly enough that you pick up the phone right away and get your name on the list or order a subscription (800) 810-7660. We still intend to concurrently print the magazine in Europe so our subscribers "across the pond" will take advantage of better subscription rates and good delivery times. To be successful in our European endeavor, we will need about 7,000 suscribers to make it financially feasable. If you are interested in a European subscription, please call: 011-1-425-743-2607. If you require an overseas operator for assistance, the local area number is (425) 743-2607 in the Western United States. We are approximately -9 hours from your local time if calling from the European continent. Please note that we are now planning on an early spring 2000 release for Maritime Modeler due to technical considerations such as stochastic printing which will greatly enhance the photo presentation and our intention to go direct to plate, bypassing the normal pre-press operation. Stochastic printing allows for a random pattern photographic dot screen with ultra tiny dots measured in microns. The result is photography that appears as continuous tone images with the capability of being magnified up to 10X without any dot pattern. Great for picking out details! The delay in getting out the first issue will also allow our advertisers some extra breathing room as we have still to firm up our ad rates. They can rest assured that our rates will be very competitive compared to other magazines in the field. Our hobby/avocation is built on a bedrock of small enterprises bringing materials to all of us that would normally be unavailable if large companies were involved. These small business people deserve our support and Hundman Publishing intends to give them a place to display their products at a reasonable advertising rate. If you are a model ship product producer, contact me ASAP with your marketing materials, specs, photos etc. so we can get you in our New Products Update section in Issue #1 of Maritime Modeler. Of course, this is a free service to the industry to effectively show our readers what's available out there. I've been receiving some really outstanding material lately and am incorporating the best work of the contributors in our first bi-monthly issue, requiring some last minute improvements in the magazine. For instance, we just received a beautiful set of plans for the Polish Naval frigate ORP KASZUB with outstanding prototype photos from a well placed source. This is great stuff and we're sure it will be worth the additional time it takes to make sure Maritime Modeler is THE top notch ship modeler's magazine. Expect to see lots of plans, archival ship photos and the work of some of the world's best modelers and historians in our pages. Next week, I will advise you on the contents of the Premiere Issue of Maritime Modeler. If you have any questions or comments, please call either myself (360-371-0290) or the publisher, Bob Hundman (425-743-2607) any time during business hours. Best Regards, Victor M. Baca, Editor MARITIME MODELER MAGAZINE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume