Subject: SMML11/12/99VOL756 Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999 00:12:50 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: RN Destroyers in 1/400 Scale 2: Re: 1/192 USS MISSOURI 3: Model Engineering Exhibition, Alexandra Palace, London 4: Re: 1/500 Resin A/C 5: Re: 1/500 USN planes 6: Re: Iron Shipwright USS PANAY 7: Re: Painting Wood Decks 8: Making wood decks look like metal 9: RN "S" class Submarines 10: Sealing balsa wood 11: RN Destroyers in 1/400 - disclaimer 12: S-boot or E-boat? 13: Ship photos/histories 14: Re: 1/192 Missouri by Sterling 15: Re: 1/192 Missouri by Sterling 16: Re: Wooden Decks 17: Fighting Lights 18: Re: Early Christmas presents....to myself... 19: 110' Subchaser 20: Re: 1/192 Missouri by Sterling 21: Re: Painting wood decks 22: Clipping room -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Re: Replacement aircraft 2: FS/T 1/1250 models 3: Model Expo Has Snyder & Short Chip Sets -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Felix Bustelo" Subject: Re: RN Destroyers in 1/400 Scale Hi Filipe, They only kits that I know of are those produced by Mirage Models, the Polish firm. They have models of several ships that served in the Polish Navy and some of them were ex-RN ships. The Poles had a G class (Garland), an N class (Piorun ex-Nerissa) and an M class (Orkan II ex-Myrmidon). I am not certain which kits are available, but you can check with WEM, The Naval Base and Pacific Front Hobbies. Mirage also has a D class light cruiser, which is one that I would like very much to get a hold of. I cannot speak to the quality of the kits, but I have heard some positive feedback about their Grom and Blyskawica kits. Good luck, Felix Bustelo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: John Philip Downing Subject: Re: 1/192 USS MISSOURI >> Does anyone know where a person can find Sterlings 1/192 scale model of the Missouri at? I thought another company picked up the rights to Sterlings models, but I am not for sure of who did or where to reach them at. << Try: http://obiwan.microtec.net/~hobbywld/woodship34.html and I have seen this kit in various ordinary hobby shops, but can't remember where. I built this 20+ years ago and still have it. Will keep you busy for quite a while. The prow and stern need to be modified if you are interested in accuracy, and detailing is a challenge with a wood kit. I have mine proudly displayed next to a 1/200 Yamato, and the do look good together. I am currently building a 1/200 multimedia kit of the Bismarck, which will someday join them. If anyone knows of any other 1/200 battleships, I would be very interested. Good luck, John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Mike Dunn" Subject: Model Engineering Exhibition, Alexandra Palace, London Hi, Just in case those in/around London haven't heard, the medel Engineering Exibition is now on, closing Sunday. If you go by public transport, save your ticket - it gets you £1 off the £8 entrance fee - well worth the money. Things to see : model railways, from tiny to 1/4 size; vehicles; militaria; space fact & fiction (including props from Dr Who and Blake's 7 - inc ships); aircraft from WW1 to modern day; and ships, of course, inc. a 15-foot model of the WWII HMS Sheffield - impressive! I'll be putting a little write-up onto the website, and will do a better one when my photos come back! Mike SMML Webmaster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: 1/500 Resin A/C >> Does anybody know if there any manufacturers that make replacement aircraft in the 1/500 scale range? << I believe White Ensign Models makes some aircraft in 1/500 scale. I'm not certain though. Check out their web site at: http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/avenue/xdt22/ Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Shaya Novak" Subject: Re: 1/500 USN planes I believe White Ensign makes them. USN Planes 1/500 Shaya Novak Naval Base Hobbies The Store for The Model Ship Builder www.modelshipbuilding.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: Re: Iron Shipwright USS PANAY A while back there was a short string on the subject kit. I have just finished one, and while I did do a bit of extra work and detailing, the kit produces a FANTASTIC model. I have yet to make a model "river" for it to live in and will start that today. For any of you Photo Etch people out there, a real big addition to this kit would be a photo etch set of radio antennas. I make mine out of .005 stainless steel wire and they are not quite 100% accurate (although the "look" is really nice) but a PE set would have really made my day!! Cheers, Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: Painting Wood Decks Get thee hence to thy local hobby shop that carries supplies for ye builders of balsa models and get several bottles of sanding sealer. Apply and sand, apply and sand, repeat until achieving ye smoothe finishe. That said, I remember that my cousin--a builder of flying models--used to mix talcum powder with clear dope to achieve the same thing. John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys (Who have the last two colors for RN Set 2 being matched & mixed even as this is written....) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Kurt Van Dahm Subject: Making wood decks look like metal Ken Perry asked how to make a wooden deck on an r/c boat look like a metal deck as his wood has very open grain. First, I use styrene sheet plastic for "metal" decks and superstructures to avoid this problem. However, if you have the wood in place already, get some auto body filler meant to fill in the scratches from body work sanding. It's called Glazing & Spot Putty and Bondo and others make similar stuff. Spread it out over the wood deck and force it into the open grain with a spatula maded from plastic milk bottle material or use a putty knife. Sand after drying and prime the surface. If you still see some cracks, open grain, etc. refill those areas, sand and re-prime. This will give you a smooth deck that will accept paints well. Take care, Kurt Van Dahm Westmont, IL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "FCR" Subject: RN "S" class Submarines Hello to all Does anyone know of models of the Royal Navy "S" class Submarines (WWII). At any scale. Thanks in advance. Filipe Ramires PORTUGAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: GrafSpee34@aol.com Subject: Sealing balsa wood >> I have a question pertaining to wooden decks on radio controlled ships. I'd like to know what's recommended for sealing/ painting balsa/ plywood decks so they appear smooth like metal with no wood grain. The wood deck for the ship I'm building has pretty deep grain in it. << Unless you dont mind painting with sanding sealer waiting for it to dry, then sanding it down, and repeating the process about 30 times until you have a smooth surface, I recommend coating with fiberglass as used on radio controlled balsa model airplanes. The glass you need is a thin veil like material. Its placed on the model and then resin is brushed over it. (If the wood grain is really deep, use a coarse balsa wood filler on it like "micro baloons" before applying glass.) When the resin dries you sand it down smooth. The result is a plastic-like strong, smooth, waterproof surface. Small dings and dents can be filled in with putty before painting. Downside: it stinks and its toxic so do it with adequate ventilation and a respirator. Also the sanding dust is nasty so sand it wet if possible, if not wear the respirator. For more information, check books on building RC airplane models. If you plank the decks of your ship and want to waterproof them, you can apply a layer of fine grade fiberglass over them. When done properly the glass becomes crystal clear, and the wood shows through as if it were merely varnished. Cheers Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Felix Bustelo" Subject: RN Destroyers in 1/400 - disclaimer Filipe, My info is based on planned kit releases for Mirage Models that appeared in an issue of Fine Scale Modeler magazine earlier this year. Not all of the kits may actually been released, but I do remember the that Dragon and Conrad (both D class light cruisers) were to be released. I haven't seen them yet, but the Burza (an ex German WW1 torpedo boat) was released as promised in FSM. Also, a excellent site on the Polish Navy in WW2 is: http://www.fuw.edu.pl/~janbart/AB/Pln/Pln.html This site is in English and there are links to other sites (most in Polish) that have photos and info. Regards, Felix Bustelo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Robert Lockie" Subject: S-boot or E-boat? The question of why S-boote are referred to in much of the English language literature as E-boats is one which has been addressed by several authors, given that the origins of the term are seemingly lost in obscurity. The usual explanation is a variation on 'enemy boat'. However, I have been catching up on my reading of recently acquired secondhand books, on eof which is by A Cecil Hampshire, called Undercover Sailors - Secret Operations of World War Two. The book covers the activities of a number of irregular raiding and reconnaissance units which operated in a variety of theatres of the war. One of the accounts is of a group of commandos who landed in Norway to carry out various sabotage activities but who were unfortunately captured. In the course of investigating their disappearance (it transpired eventually that all the men had been killed in accordance with Hitler's Kommandobefehl order), the Director of Naval Intelligence received a statement from a German who had been a prisoner in Sachsenhausen camp with the men. A translation of his deposition is included in the book and it incorporates the words: "All came from the crew of an E-boat or S-boat which landed in Norway." This indicates to me that both terms were in use in Germany, so I venture to suggest that the 'enemy boat' definition is illogical, given that the Germans used it as well. I suspect that it is not a translational effect as the term 'S-boat' is used as well and if the Germans referred to all such crafty as schnellboote, there would be no point putting both terms in the translation. Any thoughts from the experten? Robert Lockie Cambridge UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: mprager@juno.com Subject: Ship photos/histories Hello, here is a web site I found the other day. It is a comprehensive site on USN ships with histories and photos. www.navsource.org/Archives/home.html Matt Prager, Ingleside, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Denis & Marilyn Campbell Subject: Re: 1/192 Missouri by Sterling David Turner is looking for this kit. A few months ago I saw an advertisment for Sterling Models in FSM and called them, looking for another kit (no web site or e-mail). At that time, the story was that someone had purchased the name Sterling and was still producing an 'improved-updated' version of the Missouri. Try going to FSM's website to see if they can give you the address/phone no. of Sterling Models (they are using the name still). My late father in law built the original and it was quite impressive. Denis Campbell Avon MA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: SeaPhoto@aol.com Subject: Re: 1/192 Missouri by Sterling David Turner wrote: >> Does anyone know where a person can find Sterlings 1/192 scale model of the Missouri at? I thought another company picked up the rights to Sterlings models, but I am not for sure of who did or where to reach them at. Thanks for any information on this. << I would certainly check eBay from time to time, and perhaps post a wanted notice in the relevant newsgroups (rec.models.rc.water and rec.models.scale). This is a kit that I suspect lurks in many a closet! If you do build it, consider using the fiberglass hull from the Scale Shipyard to make your life a bit easier. Sure saves a lot of work. They also have some replacement parts, including the main turrets and 5" DP mounts that will save you time over carving them yourself using the blocks provided in the kit. Scale Shipyard also have a few other hulls in 1/192 scale to go with the Missouri Hull. You can reach them at Scalshpyrd@aol.com Kurt Greiner SeaPhoto Maritime Photography -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: SeaPhoto@aol.com Subject: Re: Wooden Decks >> I have a question pertaining to wooden decks on radio controlled ships. I'd like to know what's recommended for sealing/ painting balsa/ plywood decks so they appear smooth like metal with no wood grain. The wood deck for the ship I'm building has pretty deep grain in it. << Two ways to approach this, Ken. One is to seal your wooden deck - fiberglass is probably your best bet here, though any waterproof finish will work. A better way would be to use Plexiglas or Lexan for the deck in the first place. I never use wood in a structural area on my models. A fiberglass hull and plastic deck will eliminate the problem of moisture infiltrating a wood part, causing swelling and inevitable cracking. This is a real problem with a working model since they often touch bottom in normal operation, which can damage the integrity of the finish. Once moisture gets into the wood structure, you have big problems. Kurt SeaPhoto -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Alan Simon Subject: Fighting Lights Can anyone explain how to select colors for bulbs/lenses on late WWII DD fighting lights, which were arrayed vertically three flashing bulbs per light. DD557 Class Outboard Profile No. Q-19 (Floating Drydock) shows three pairs of fighting lights, located P/S (1) at mast top, (2) on mast outriggers just below mast mid-height and (3) at pilothouse level. Color photos of Jean-Louis Couston's diorama entitled "Kamikaze," featuring modified and super-detailed Lindberg 1/125 Blue Devil Destroyer, show following: Location (1) - Red (top), white? (middle); red (bottom) (S); unknown (P) Location (2) - Red (top), white (middle); red (bottom) (P/S) Location (3) - Red (top), white (middle); red (bottom) (P); red (top), green (middle); red (bottom) (S) Is Couston's selection representative? Did color arrangements change? Thanks in advance for your help. Alan Simon Atlanta, Ga. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: Dave Judy Subject: Re: Early Christmas presents....to myself... Just a note to say I bought myself 2 presents.........one was the ISW SMS Seydlitz, a WWI German battlecruiser, 1/350.This kit is very nice and a great kit for a beginner( in resin ) who wants to start with a larger, model, than a destroyer. At 22in. long this is a very simple kit to build! Second, was the ISW 1/350 LST, this kit is well done w/ a slick idea, the main deck is a separate piece so you may leave it off to show a well deck crammed full of vehicles and open bow doors! The jewels of this kit are the vehicles, included are M-4 Shermans, M-7 Preist, 2.5 ton trucks. Duwks, Alligators, jeeps W/trailers, 1.25ton munitions carriers. This is some of the finest casting I have ever seen in resin! For a neat diorama.....just add sand and water! Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Phil Lord" Subject: 110' Subchaser Does anyone know if the World War I 110' wooden subchaser was ever issued as a wooden kit, perhaps at about 1/65 scale? (equalling about 20" model.) Any information would be appreciated. Phil "I don't think she was sunk." Captain Ericson in "The Cruel Sea" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: "Bill & Kaja Michaels" Subject: Re: 1/192 Missouri by Sterling Estes, (the model rocket people) bought Sterling a couple of years ago. They're re-worked some of the old Sterling kits, and released others under the name "Sterling, by Estes". I'm pretty sure the Misouri is still available, and the American Scout Freighter is not. Bill Also, when it comes to wood decks for my RC ships, I use sheet styrene. I'm tired of trying to get the grain to fill on wood, and I don't have to worry about plastic swelling and warping the wood can if water gets in the endgrain...... Bill and Kaja Michaels -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Kenneth H. Goldman" Subject: Re: Painting wood decks Since the question asked was about filling wood grain to obliterate it for painting instead of preparing it for varnish, the techniques are fairly simple. If the area to be treated is small, smear a coating od mid cure CA over it and sand smooth when dry. For larger areas, you can use any two-part waterproof glue that has a thick consistency or even Bondo auto body filler. Following up with as many coats as it takes of a sandable primer will finish the job. The secret is to make such each coat of primer is completely dry - no odor even when you press your nose to it - before you lightly sand it between coats. Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER http://www.wman.com/~khgold/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: Darek Lipinski Subject: Clipping room Hi Everybody, I'd like to thank you guys for taking your time to answer my inquiry. I appreciate it. Darek -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: Replacement aircraft Hi Rod, Well, we at WEM certainly had both our 1/400 and 1/500 Scale aircraft at the 1998 US IPMS Nationals, and there are dealers who regularly carry our gear over there. However, we only have Trackers (and Tracers, Skyraiders, etc) in 1/400 scale, together with Douglas EA-3B Skywarriors, rather than 1/500 Scale, where we have 1/500 Dauntless, 1/500 Avenger, 1/500 Wildcat, 1/500 Devastator, 1/500 Hellcat. We can supply these.. alternatively, Pacific Front Hobbies just bought a shed-load. I believe that an American company, tho' I can't remember who... was also planning on some aircraft in 1/500 scalle a while back. Maybe someone else might give you a fuller answer. However, if any of the above are of interest, please contact me. All The Best Caroline Carter White Ensign Models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: GHE101@aol.com Subject: FS/T 1/1250 models I have several brand new 1/1250 Neptun models that I am willing to trade for Navis Japanese, Italian, Austrian, French and US WWI or preDreadnought era ships. Please drop me an e-mail if interested at ghe101@aol.com Dr. George H. Elder White River Junction, VT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Conan35@aol.com Subject: Model Expo Has Snyder & Short Chip Sets We have begun carrying Snyder & Short Chip Sets, and they can be purchased directly from our web site at http://www.modelexpoinc.com. We have also started our own line of World War II Paints, based on those chip sets. We have finished Royal Navy, and will be adding US Navy colors to our web site next week. Paints are 1 oz. for only $1.69 each. Best Regards Rob Finley Web Site Mgr. Model Expo, Inc. Serving hobby enthusiasts everywhere since 1974. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume