Subject SMML11/11/99VOL726 Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 23:56:30 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: SMS Konig 2: Calif & Virgnia Class Cruisers 3: Multiple - Ohsumi model, Classic Warships books, Aurora's rebirth 4: Camouflage measure for the USS Iowa BB-61 in early 1944, Please Help !! 5: Another Wreck Model 6: Aurora Graf Spee to Admiral Scheer 7: Blue Water Navy 8: Re: JSP Oriskany 9: Re: Banana Boat 10: Pennsylvania Update 11: Veterans Day 12: U.S.S. Erie PG-50 13: Re: Pine Island, and pics 14: Wahoo (SS-238) scheme and modifications 15: Re: Aurora Re-birth 16: SMMLies 17: Re: JMSDF LST-4001 OHSUMI 18: Aircraft Carriers 19: 1:350 Iowa 20: Welcome Michael 21: Re: Haze gray 22: Re: SMML Planning Meeting 23: Re: Expensive resin kits 24: Re: USS Arizona kits. 25: Re: Modern Haze Gray 26: Re: MURDER!!!!! 27: Re: Texas book 28: Fiberglass molds 29: Incredible RN Model Website (Japanese) 30: Re: Gakken books 31: Re: Plastic Vs Resin 32: Re: Gathering of SMMLies 33: Re: Reissues 34: Re: Caroline's Philosophy 35: ________ of SMMLies 36: Resin/plastic etc 37: Shoes and ships and sealing wax 38: SUBSCRIBE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Wanted: Campbell's Naval Weapons of World War 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS Welcome to the Rememberance, Armistice & Veterans Day Edition of SMML 81 years ago, on the 11th month, 11th day & 11th hour the guns fell silent on the Western Front. This issue is dedicated to the soldiers of ALL Nations who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. "They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun, and in the morning" "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM." "LEST WE FORGET" Our thoughts also go out to the soldiers of various nations involved in UN Peacekeeping forces around the world, East Timor, Middle East, The Balkans etc Shane & Lorna Jenkins -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Bill Code" Subject: SMS Konig hello list,, I'm still pluging away on HMS Victory,,,about to close the 1st gun deck,,,adding gun crews as they might be viewed through were the boats sit ...then on to the main deck! Anyway awhile back there was some decussion about a 1/350 scale SMS Konig becoming availble this month,,,any news on this? regards, Bill Code -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Shaya Novak" Subject: Calif & Virgnia Class Cruisers Is there anything out there in 1/700 Shaya Novak Naval Base Hobbies The Store for The Model Ship Builder www.modelshipbuilding.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Joseph Poutre Subject: Multiple - Ohsumi model, Classic Warships books, Aurora's rebirth >> While checking out those pictures of the sunken Yamato on Tamiya's website, I found that they have a large collection of photos of the JMSDFs new Ohsumi assault/heli carrier at: http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/31003ohsumi_p/ohsumi_p.htm It also implies that there will be a model: "We are proud to present a series of photographs used in the reproduction of Ohsumi..." reproduction = model? << If you go up to the Tamiya site, then to the English page, it lists just such a model in production, including photos. It's not on the Tamiya America site, but I'm going to visit my local hobby shop and pre-order it. It'll make an interesting companion to the Tarawa class LHA. GMM, Tom's or Flagship - will there be a PE set? >> Benson/Gleaves class: I will be publishing a book on this type of USN destroyer this next summer. The Gleaves type was a round funneled version of the flat side funneled Bensons, designed by Gibbs & Cox. << Thank you! I'll be building the Edison (DD439) and your book will top my list. Also, thank you for the book on the Omaha CLs - I'll be picking one up at my local store as soon as they get it. Finally, hooray for the rebirth of Aurora! No more multi-hundred dollar Hartfords or Seaviews or Bainbridges on Ebay. WOO-HOO! Joe Poutre -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Courtney Regan" Subject: Camouflage measure for the USS Iowa BB-61 in early 1944, Please Help !! Hello; Well I was wondering if you or some of the ship modelers out there could help me out. Soon I will start construction of a kit of the USS IOWA, BB-61 as she appeared in Jan. 1944. I'm doing this by converting the 1/350 scale Tamiya kit of the Missouri BB-63 into the USS Iowa BB-61, by using a resin conversion kit sold by Classic Warships. The resin kit converts the Iowa Class Battleships late WW II appearance, with it's enclosed bridge, into the USS Iowa's early open-air bridge and other significant superstructure changes. Besides some other modifications to make, I have pretty much all of the necessary reference information culled from different books and other sources about the USS Iowa to start my model building. But there is one potentially large problem to deal with, and this concerns the colors used in the Iowa's camouflage scheme she had in Jan. 1944. The Iowa had a unique and short-lived camouflage measure in the first half of 1944 and this measure has unofficially been referred to as Measure 32: Design 1 B. I've seen about 2 color pictures of this scheme on-line, but only two pictures really isn't enough to do the Iowa proper justice when I paint her. In the different books I've read concerning the Measure 32: Design 1B, there are only three paints used above the waterline to achieve this measure; Light Gray 5-L, Navy Blue 5-N, and Deck Blue 20-B. But in the pictures I've seen of the Iowa when she had this measure, it looks like there were about 4 or 5 different colors used, not just the three mentioned above. Is there anyone out there who could give me a definite answer to my problem of Iowa's colors. Basically how many colors were used in this Camouflage scheme, and what were the colors? It would also be of great help if anyone knows where I could obtain some color photos of the Iowa when she had this Camo. Measure, from Jan. 1944 to mid-1944. Thanks a lot Courtney Regan Boston, MA P.S. I've included some pics of the Iowa when she had this camo. measure so you can get a better idea of what I'm talking about. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Torgeson Roger A KPWA" Subject: Another Wreck Model Dr. Ballard's book and video on Return to Midway are available from the National Geographic Holiday Catalog for 1999. If you are a member you can save almost $10.00 on the book, regular price listed is $40.00 but members can get it for $29.95. The video is going for $19.95 and is approximately 82 minuets long. If I remember right the television program was just under one hour. I placed my order for both I was told I should have the book in 7 to 10 days, and that the video was out of stock, but I should have it by December 15th. Now were did I place that e-mail address for Nautilus Models? Yorktown update set, plus Dr. Ballard's book, I think I see a nice little winter project. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: John_Impenna@hyperion.com Subject: Aurora Graf Spee to Admiral Scheer Hi Folks, I was wondering if anyone can tell me how difficult or easy or insane! it might be to convert the Aurora Graf Spee to the Admiral Scheer. I haven't attempted very many conversions, but on the surface anyway, this one doesn't look that difficult. I am still in the process of collecting good reference on the subject, so I'm sure this will change. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Courtney Regan" Subject: Blue Water Navy I've been trying to find a web-page or e-mail address for Blue Water Navy Models (a.k.a. MB Models, a.k.a. Mike Bishop Models). Do you have any address or phone number (or web page address or e-mail address) that you know of so I could ask some questions to someone at that company. I spent almost an hour searching the net trying to find a phone number or web address, but no luck. Well hope you can help, as I have no other place or person I can turn too, to get this info. Thanks a lot. Courtney Regan Boston, MA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Growlrr@aol.com Subject: Re: JSP Oriskany Rusty Writes >> For some reason, I just couldn't locate the parts in my kit. After fighting with this damn thing for several hours, it occurred to me that the photos were reversed! Apparently these guys reversed the negative either at the developers or during the paste up process. This turns construction into a virtual nightmare << Rusty, you're a bright fellow and computer literate to boot...Couldn't you have scanned the instruction sheet, flipped the file to mirror image and re-printed it? The verbiage would have been reversed as well, but at least the parts would have been recognizable...Perhaps all those resin fumes? :o) Glenn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Erhardtsen" Subject: Re: Banana Boat >> I recently took delivery of a rather bent 1/700 resin SMS Seydlitz. Any tips on how to straighten it out without doing too much structural damage? When the bow is flat the stern is raised by 6mm. << I usually boil the battleship - fiks it to a pice of metal, and heat it in waterbath - let the water get cold slowly, and it will keep the shape. Erik Erhardtsen P.S. I have put some pictures of some of my models on: http://home13.inet.tele.dk/Erhardts/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Jean-Paul Binot" Subject: Pennsylvania Update Hi gang, here is an update, plus a question. First the update. I have started applying PE fittings to the kit: both catapults and the shields for the 5/25" AA guns (how lovely they look). That required slimming down the gun mounts and also replacing the gun tube by Evergreen plastic rods. The end result is very pleasing, and a definite improvement over the Revell part, which looks more like a fire hose to me anyway ... I have discovered (only after filling and smooting the gaps in the main turret walls, alas) that the rangefinders were the wrong shape and positionned too low. So I removed them and am in the process of repositioning them (all eight of them in fact). I have cut to shape from Evergreen sheets new platforms and bulkheads for all four bridge levels since Pennsylvania differed significantly from Arizona in that area. The challenge is to preserve the height of the original bridge structure because the foremast tripod must be integrated to it. Both tripod masts fit remarkably well, by the way, a tribute to the quality of the kit. The next steps will be to scratchbuild 5/51" guns to fit in the casemates in replacement for the even bigger firehoses provided by Revell. I have now been working on this project for about three weeks, and I have so little to show for it yet!!! A lot of time has been devoted to researching the best possible information for the kit, anyway. And now to the question: I am struggling with the paint scheme. I assumed that Pennsylvania was painted in Ms21 during her post-Pearl Harbor refit in Jan-Feb 42. In Myron J.Smith's book, there is a (very nice) color drawing of the ship in her February 42 configuration in a Blue scheme (looking more like Sea Blue rather than Navy Blue, I should say), but the author states that the ship was in Ms14 (Ocean gray). Go figure... The photographs I have of the ship on Feb. 28, 1942 (the date in on the pic) do show the ship in what I think is a gray color, significantly lighter than the uniforms of the sailors that are all over the decks (and that I assume were dark blue). Now it could be that the pics were taken before the ship was repainted in Navy Blue. But then it should be Dark Gray (Ms1) as at Pearl Harbor, which would be darker. Moreover, the paint job looks fresh (the portholes have been sealed off). Finally, I have read somewhere that Ms 21 did not even exist in early 1942! So I conclude that Pennsylvania might well have been painted Ms14 while at Mare Island in early 1942. That would mean all vertical surfaces Ocean Gray 5-O. All horizontal surfaces would still be Deck Blue 20-B I guess. Myron J.Smith suggests pale-gray masttops, but he might be mistaken in that, refering to the Ms1 scheme instead. At that point, having done all the research I could, I ask my question: does anybody have an idea about what scheme was applied to Pennsylvania in Feb 1942? Many thanks in advance for the help. Jean-Paul -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Lisa and Bill Wiseman Subject: Veterans Day This isn't exactly model related but I wanted to say it anyway. Here in the US, November 11 is Veterans Day. Now it's mostly an excuse to have a sale at the Department Stores. I'm not even sure if the local school kids get the day off and if they do, I doubt many of them know why. I just wanted to say to all my fellow modelers who served their Countries with honor and pride. THANK YOU Happy Veterans Day Bill "Doc" Wiseman HM2 USN Ret. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: LBart73@aol.com Subject: U.S.S. Erie PG-50 Does anyone know where I might be able to find a set of hull lines for this ship? Floating Drydock has a plans set, but no hull lines. These WW II era gunboats were handsome ships and I'd like to build one. Thanks in advance. Larry Bartlett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Bruce Burden Subject: Re: Pine Island, and pics >> Stefan Terzibaschitsch's book Escort Carriers and AV support ships of the US Navy has 3 pics of the Pine Island, as well as 10 or so pics of her sisters. This is a great book if you can find a copy get one. << Several of these books are listed on the Advanced Book Exchange web site: http://www.abebooks.com/ simply enter "Escort Carriers" at the search page. Bruce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: LUCASNER@aol.com Subject: Wahoo (SS-238) scheme and modifications I'm thinking about building Revell's Lionfish into the USS Wahoo (SS-238) as she appeared prior to her final patrol in September of '43. Does anyone have any information on her final configuration/scheme? I have a photo of her supposedly prior to this patrol (her 7th) with the 'cut-down' fairwater, and Ms 9 paint scheme, with a 4" gun fwd and 3x 20mm mounts, and radar. Was this her final config? Does anyone know when she first received the cut-down sail? Did Ms 9 include below the waterline also? I just 'wanna build her as she was, a tribute to this sub which I read about when I was little and inspired my love of all submarines big and small. "DESTROYER GUNNING. WAHOO RUNNING." USS. Wahoo report to Pearl Harbor January 1943 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: Aurora Re-birth Dear Shane: The correct address for the Aurora Corporation is The_Lost_Aurora_kits@prodigy.net You missed spelled it, thank you for reprinting . Craig Bennett Hi Craig, Apologies for that. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "John Rule" Subject: SMMLies Rusty......It's not a murder of geese, it's a gaggle of geese and a murder of crows. But I think that a flatulence of SMMLies has a certain air to it. Kidding aside I just received a prompt package from White Ensign Models, thanks Caroline, and noted in their list of planned kits not one but two Victorian battleships. Wow!!! I for one can't wait. John Rule -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Hughes Family" Subject: Re: JMSDF LST-4001 OHSUMI It looks as if they have just released the kit (October 1999), check out the web page listed below. http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/31003ohsumi/ohsumi.htm Jeff Hughes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: Chris.Evenden@agso.gov.au Subject: Aircraft Carriers I was wondering if anyone out there is a member of an aircraft carrier SIG? Apart from ships I also build aircraft. As such have a Hasegawa 1/48 FG.1 Phantom which I want to put on a diorama on Ark Royal in the 1970's. I am after some detail on deck tie downs on Ark Royal, such as design, dimensions and spacing. Same details for Invincible and Hermes would be good as well! Thanks, Chris Evenden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: Joe Costanzo Subject: 1:350 Iowa While I'm at college, my current project USS Iowa ex-missouri is on hiatus at home. Of course, I haven't been resting on my laurels, doing a some scrounging on the net and planning my next move, so to speak. I had a dialogue with Mike Connely (who has been very helpful with this project) and there are a couple of accuracy issues I'm not sure how to address. 1) the 20mm gun tub at the bow is of incorrect shape, this part is actually accurate for New Jersey. Is there any fix short of scratchbuilding a new part? 2) and this is the biggie: According to Mike's assesment of the plans (I am too poor after ordering 20 new Bofors AAA and more brass than a tuba to buy any!) The superstructure is fifteen scale feet too far aft. Would this flaw be noticible? (noting that yours truely is not aiming for an IMPS winner!) How would I correct it? If I can move the entire superstructure component forward including the base for turret 2, perhaps with some creative cutting, could an acceptable job be done? Or is it not worth the trouble? (since the ship isn't in front of me, I can't really evaluate this for myself) 3) The tubs for the 40mm guns are too large. I've got most of them taken care of but the grouping of 6 amidships poses a problem, any creative solutions? 4) Minor note, what Radar did Iowa have in 1943? I believe it was SK but I can't find any clear pictures. Whew that's a lot of questions! Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: "Peter Mispelkamp" Subject: Welcome Michael Hey Mike: Welcome to the club. I can't speak for the rest of the guys on the list but I also enjoy modeling aviation subjects - truth be told I have built and own more aircraft then I ever will ships! But I do find that there is something special about the naval aspect of this hobby and I have made a serious attempt to be as well informed as possible about every aspect of ships. So far as I am concerned, I am far more willing to research the most obscure detail about ships then I ever aircraft. Peter k. H. Mispelkamp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Haze gray Bob, You didn't mention what kind of paint (lacquer, enamel or acrylic) you use. I'll tell you what works well for me. I use Testor Model Master paints exclusively and I have found a perfect match for Haze Gray. Mix 2 parts MM Medium Gray mixed with 1 part MM Camouflage Gray. Since Medium Gray has the characteristic blue tint it's a very close match. Hope this helps. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: Duane Fowler Subject: Re: SMML Planning Meeting Hello John, Is there any way that us "out-of-towners" (read west coast) can be a part or lend a hand in the planning? Let us know. Best regards, Duane (If I was any further west I'd need a snorkle) Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Expensive resin kits Lots of griping goin on about the price of the resin stuff. It's true, you can easily drop $75.00 to $80.00 on a 1/700 battleship. The average battleship kit takes me about 130 hours to do right. Where else can you enjoy a hobby for about .65 per hour! It's all in how you look at it. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Re: USS Arizona kits. >> Curious, though, we have a large scale Tamiya model of the battleship on which the Japanese surrendered! << And one of a British Battleship sent to defend Singapore too. Yeah, I conceed to your logic. Other than the small Lindberg's, I haven't seen too many Japanese warships produced by US companies. All things considered, there's probably not enough interest in Japan for a Arizona kit. Still, it would be interesting to see what a Tamiya, Hasegawa, or Fujimi Arizona/Pennsylvania would be like. First and foremost, I mean no offense or disrespect to those at Tom's, CW, and anyone else who has created resin kits of the Arizona for what I'm about to say here. However, that said...there's apparently been a LOT of discussion here about how to properly convert the old Revell 1/426th kit of the ship, and both Tom and Lorren (that I know of) have both produced brass kits to perform the modification. The question that keeps cropping up in my mind though is that given the popularity and longevity of this kit, has anyone ever given any thought of putting together and offering an all in one package kit that includes not only the Revell kit itself, but all the parts needed to do a proper build up (resin, brass, etc) with a "how to" book explaining how it can be done. Yeah, I know...would never work because somebody's toes would be stepped on when it came time to pick who's brass, who's resin, who's techniques, etc. On the surface though, the idea intriques me, and it's probably as close as we'd ever get to seeing a "pro modeler" release of that kit. Awaiting all the nasty mail to come. Dasvidanya! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar2@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: Modern Haze Gray According to my trusty partner, Randy Short: Haze Gray: FS 36270 (26270 for scale effect) Deck Gray: FS 36008 (26176 for scale effect) John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: MURDER!!!!! >> It's a gaggle of geese, a murder of crows. << All right, how many crows in a murder????? Waiting with bated breath so I better brush my teeth. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" Hi Rusty, One would have to assume more than one. Which BTW, is far too many AFL Collingwood supporters ;-))). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Texas book I was checking out the Classic Warships site and saw a photo of the new Texas book. Steve has added a dramatic full color painting of the Texas firing full broadside on the cover. It looks really nice. I like this much better than the technical style illustrations on the earlier books. I haven't bought one yet, but I'll certainly add it to my collection. For what it's worth. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://warship.simplenet.com/Flagship.htm "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: Douglas Bauer Subject: Fiberglass molds In SMML Vol 724 Mr. Victor Baca extols the virtues and benefits of scratchbuilding, and I wholeheartedly agree with him. He mentioned producing a rough hull, then casting a mold in fiberglass, for posterity. I wonder if he (or someone else) could enlighten me on how to make these fiberglass molds. Thank you Doug Bauer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: Michael Eisenstadt Subject: Incredible RN Model Website (Japanese) Folks: Royal Navy and Airfix fans are going to love this: want to see a conversion of the 1:600 Airfix HMS Belfast to HMS Sheffield? Airfix HMS Repulse to HMS Renown (post refit!); Airfix HMS Suffolk to HMAS Canberra (can you believe this?); and a superdetailed Airfix HMS Warspite (1944-45 fit!), as well as many 1:700 scale RN subjects? Check out "H.M. Dockyard Takiyama N. Ave" (only in Japan!) at: http://www.hig.tocolo.or.jp/hmdock/index.html This guy is an awesome craftsman! And while you're at it, check out another new Japanese ship model website, "The Naval Vessel" at: http://village.infoweb.ne.jp/~vessels Enjoy! Mike Eisenstadt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: Gakken books Gakken books can be found at Pacific Front Hobbies. I have bought many, they are a wealth of information. I highly recommend them. Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: Plastic Vs Resin For all you guys dreaming about new plastic ship models, DREAM ON ! Its so expensive just to cut the molds, its cost prohibitive. Example: I put out a bid to do a plastic 1/700 USN destroyer and the least expensive was going to run $21,000.00 just for the tooling. Then you have to pay for production cost, packaging, shipping, marketing, etc., etc. By that time you have about $36,000.00 invested for the first 5000 kits, thats $7.20 per kit, which (now I give away business secrets) sets the retail price at $36.00 per kit. Thats more than a resin kit cost! Thats why plastic kit manufacturers have to be able to sell very large numbers of kits, and have more than one kit to offer. Lets face the facts. Ship kits are not the best sellers, so plastic kit manufacturers look at what is. I have learned that model railroading is, by far, the largest selling market, world wide. So when company like ICM brings out a W.W.I German dreadnought, we should all help the hobby grow by purchasing one of these models. A dose of reality, Steve Wiper Hi Steve, et al, A couple of points here. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't injection moulds(tools) last a helluva lot longer then resin moulds. Therefore the mfr has more time to make back their money & so that could also equals more profits - just spread over a longer time. While I'm all for supporting the hobby, I, personally am not going to buy any new kits that are either in the wrong scale(ie: too big, too small), too expensive or not in my sphere of interest. To suggest otherwise, is a waste of my money. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: Re: Gathering of SMMLies >> How about a "scent" of SMMLies, "yellowturret" of SMMLies, or from the Mistress - a "lunacy" of SMMLies ;->> << NO! NO! NO! IT`S A "NOSEGAY" OF SMMLIE`S!! Chuck Duggie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33) From: Donald Bridge Subject: Re: Reissues Hi Chaps & Chapesses With Carolines comments on the Dragon reissues of Skywave kits and Dragons completion of the Invincible kit, I was wondering about the possibility of Dragon completing/taking over the Italieri Charles De Gaulle. I believe that there has been collaboration between these two firms in the past with the Tawara/Saipan. This I would really like to see. I know that there is the Heller kit available but I'm one of those lost souls with a 1/700 fixation (with occasional 1/600, don't kill me Felix) Mike Dunn wrote >> As to Iowa - don't do that! Croatia is the worst place we send people, Iowa is just too bad! << Croatia bad, that's where we go on our time off for a break!! Don Bridge Sarajevo, Bosnia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34) From: "John Sutherland" Subject: Re: Caroline's Philosophy Hi Caroline >> Shane! You deserve a brow-beating from every Kiwi out there.. << We would oblige you, but it's becoming too boring ... (besides, the retribution from Lorna would probably make it not worth while...) .... besides, we Kiwis believe in fair play - we give him some lattitude (after all, he is an Aussie) and to his credit - he does a GREAT job with SMML! >> actually, this is the ONE country that I intend to see before I die! << Good for you. Just make sure you bring plenty of WEM "goodies" with you (and a massive film stock for your cameras). You will need to so as to fill out the extra suitcases for all the touristy things you will want to take back so you might as well use the space profitably! And please, 1. make it soon, and 2. give yourselves PLENTY of time - Kiwiland is a lot larger than most people realise - like twice the size of UK! Maybe we could even organise a Kiwi-Aussie SMMLie get together to celebrate it? What do you reckon Shane - would the Aussies come over the big ditch to meet Caroline and Dave (and fellow SMMLies, of course)? Regards John Sutherland Hi John, Umm, not too sure whether I should be insulted or not ;-)). As for a Kiwi get together with the WEMblies, well lets wait & see - could be a go. Or they could cross the "ditch" & come over here ;-)). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35) From: Suvoroff@aol.com Subject: ________ of SMMLies The solution is obvious; a Quarrel of SMMLies. Yours, James D. Gray -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36) From: "John Clements" Subject: Resin/plastic etc An interesting discussion so far, and there's probably little original to say, but I am always struck by the tiny number of people who seem to be involved at the resin end of the market, as illustrated by Caroline's comments. It seems amazing that in a country which prides itself, rightly, on its maritime heritage and traditions, only 50 or 60 people (and some of these are presumably exports) buy a decent kit of a famous ship. However, dismal though these figures seem, someone is buying plastic kits as they do disappear from the model shops I regularly visit. From experience of other hobbies, I would imagine that we only ever see 10% of shipmodellers. The other 90% don't go to shows, don't subscribe to newsgroups, don't join clubs, but they are out there somewhere. If only we could somehow make them aware of what is available in the wider market! Other branches of modelling also show the same phenomenon that only a minority look further than the kit instructions and work in true scale (railway modelling in the UK is a good example of the latter), but then again didn't we all start out there? I for one have a cupboard full of made up 1/700 ships which are gradually being replaced by better plastic or resin. It's not just that there are better models available but also that one's skills advance as well - hopefully. I therefore wouldn't knock inaccurate kits; they can always be improved, and it's instructive to compare an old kit made up twenty years ago to one with scratchbuilt/PE/Skywave additions (and good for one's ego). Finally, looking at the advances in accuracy of plastic and resin in recent years, and the pace of change in miniature manufacturing technology generally, is it not possible to imagine that the two will converge at some stage to produce truly mixed media kits at an accessible price? John Clements -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37) From: "FRED E. KENNAMER" Subject: Shoes and ships and sealing wax Breaking my silence as a reader for the past few months, I must say I truly enjoy this daily chat. Just bought the Commanders' SMS Seydlitz and it's great. What is the color scheme? Is it lighter grey upper with darker lower or just a uniform grey? What would be the actual hues of these and also the deck? About resin vs. plastic: yes, we are a minority in the modelling world, and need to vote with our wallets, so let's all buy lots of Konigs and Grosser Kurfursts so we can sucker manufacturers into providing for my niche needs of World War 1 ships in 1/350th. I never thought these subjects would materialize, in fact, even the Revell Emden was a shock. Why are there no WW1 u-boats? They sank almost twice as many ships as WW2 u-boats did. There were something like 365 of them commissioned, and this doesn't even count the Austrians. Okay, the BWN u-35, but a proper scale for smaller submarines would be more like 1/192. The Combat Models vac kits are scratchbuilding exercises. As for threads like prettiest/ugliest ships and such: they're fun; if you hate 'em, skip 'em. As for warnings about retailers: this gets sticky, but we should keep our community informed. Please remember to pay out some slack here; it's a difficult business and we should appreciate their efforts. I rarely haggle at kit collectors shows (like the one this coming Sunday in Buena Park CA) so that people don't just do this at a massive loss. Remember how many hobby retailers there were a couple of decades ago? On the other hand, the word should go out. Uniformity of scale: Please! Howzabout 1/192, 1/350, 1/700? It's nice to actually see displays in common scale, if only for historical curiosity. Happy crafting, and watch those fingers... Fred -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38) From: MetroLimo@aol.com Subject: SUBSCRIBE DEAR SIR: I JUST DISCOVERED YOUR IMM WEB PAGE AND FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING. PLEASE ENTER MY SUBSCRIPTION TO THE "SMML" THANK YOU REGARDS, BARRY RUDD PS: REGARDING THE ARTICLE ON THE AIRFIX MODEL OF THE "QUEEN ELIZABETH": I HAVE THE AIRFIX MODEL OF THE "QUEEN ELIZABETH." IT'S BEEN SITTING AROUND IN MY WORKSHOP FOR YEARS. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT IT WAS SO VALUABLE. I HAD ALWAYS BEEN MEANING TO BUILD IT, BUT NEVER GOT AROUND TO DOING SO. NOW I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS MORE VALUABLE AS A COMPLETED MODEL OR JUST LEFT UNFINISHED IN IT'S BOX. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION? Hi Barry, I actually don't run IMM, that's run by Felix Bustelo. Although I agree it's a very nice page. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Sean D. Hert" Subject: Wanted: Campbell's Naval Weapons of World War 2 Hello, I am looking to acquire a copy of John Campbell's Naval Weapons of World War 2. Anyone who has an idea of where I can purchase a copy, please contact me off-list. Thanks! Sean D. Hert Webmeister, MBG Site: http://www.netwalk.com/~popev/bg/ Ringmaster, Big Gun R/C Warship Combat Ring "History doesn't always repeat itself... sometimes it just screams 'Why don't you listen when I'm talking to you?' and lets fly with a club." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume