Subject SMML19/12/99VOL764 Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 00:28:45 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: 54 mm Man 2: TALACRE Coastal Freighter 3: Pursuit of the Seawolf 4: Classic Warships Indy or any other model 5: Re: Japanese translation 6: BPF Pacific Camouflage 7: Kanji characters 8: Re: Resin Kits & CV-6 9: Re: 40mm and 1.1" guns 10: Re: Resin Kits 11: Re: Re Future 72nd scale kits by David Parkin 12: Re: Enterprise Lighting of Hanger deck 13: HMS Rodney 14: U-boats 15: CV-6 in 1942 16: HMCS Ontario/ HMS Swiftsure 17: RN 1960 Cruisers 18: Janes vs Combat Fleets 19: AMT Fiber Optic kit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: GMM PE for Revell Essex kit 2: Alabama Hasegawa & Callahan Skywave 3: 1/500 North Carolina - Revell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Al Superczynski Subject: Re: 54 mm Man >> ...taking out the calculator, 54mm = 2.126" x 32 = 68" (a pretty short man)... << Hey! I resemble that remark........... :-þ Al http://www.up-link.net/~modeleral -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: WAnliker@aol.com Subject: TALACRE Coastal Freighter Has anyone the list build the TALACRE coastal freighter? I have an older model that I am trying to rebuild, and do not have access to the original plans. It came from a widow, and the plans were not included. Another fellow finished it to his ideas, however I have found one picture on the Web, and it is much nicer than the model is now. I basically need a copy of the deck, and rigging plans. Any help would be greatly appreciated Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: TechnoInfidel@webtv.net (John Collins) Subject: Pursuit of the Seawolf Greetings SMMLmates: Several topics. First. I just finished reading PURSUIT OF THE SEAWOLF by Admiral William P. Mack. It is an excellent novel of old four-stack destroyer converted to escort duties in the North Atlantic. Certainly in the same class as Monserat's(?) THE CRUEL SEA and de Hartog's THE CAPTAIN. A good read, as is his SOUTH TO JAVA. I recommend them to all. Second. On a whim, while reviewing older lists, I found and contacted Genraro Giammarino of Lost Aurora Kits and passed on large doses of completely useless input on ship modeling. Surprisingly, he e-mailed me back within hours. stating he has plans to produce high quality ship kits in both resin and plastic at reasonable prices. He also welcomed input from ship modelers concerning subjects for production. Here's our chance to influence a manufacturer about what we want. I suggest that we do it either as a group or individually. E-mail: The_Lost-Aurora_Kits@prodigy.net. Third. I am reworking the masts for my Skywave Spruance Class (oh my, one of those non-existent, yet official and commonly used class designations). While we've discussed making masts before, we really did not cover how to do anything other than simple pole masts. The kit's mast are nice, if somewhat thick, in each of the side views, but lack any cross-bracing fore and aft. I can make the horizontal braces and one diagonal brace, but how does one make a convincing X-shaped brace? I've tried notching the second cross-member, but it doesn't fit flush enough. Dividing the second cross-member in two has only a one in a hundred chance of being acceptably straight across and the chances decrease with each succeeding subassembly. Any suggestions? Finally, I want to extend to everyone my best wishes for a happy and peaceful holiday season and hope that the gods of plastic and resin confer their favor upon everyone with many kits. Take care. John Collins Atlanta, GA, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Russell Smith" Subject: Classic Warships Indy or any other model I have never had a problem with the accuracyof any of Steve's models. Even his first efforts were better than many others. I would say buy one and the book, Steve is being modest, their good. But... from exprience buy from a dealer like Pacific Front or Naval Base or any of the many others but not direct. Four and one half months and waiting... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: Japanese translation Hi guys I have got suggestion for Japanese translation work. Try the local college or community college these schools have foreign language depts and may have retired professors on call for translation work. In my case that is what turned out for me. You'll have to discuss with what you have to have translated because if they're old enough to remember WW2 as with the professor I dealt she didn't want do it because she didn't understand it and told me I lived in Tokyo in 1945. Thank you but thank you. But it is a possible resource for translation. Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: BPF Pacific Camouflage Hi Frank The scheme your referring to is AP507C light grey with a B20 panel on the sides. The horizontal surfaces were the standard dark grey. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: Kanji characters Hi all For the Chinese derived characters consult a mainland Chinese person or Chinese dictionary. They're generally the same or at least very similar. This is especially true for those troublesome technical terms. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: Resin Kits & CV-6 Charlie: Welcome back! As for a book on the subject of building resin kits, I'm unaware of any. You might want to pick up a copy of Mike Ashey's _Building & Detailing Scale Model Ships_ (published by Fine Scale Modeler). While the focus is on plastic kits, many of the techniques would also apply to resin kits. As for CV-6, you've got two choices. Tamiya does a 1/700 plastic kit that can certainly be built into a 1942 rendition. Then there's also a 1/350 resin kit for about $800.... John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: 40mm and 1.1" guns >> What struck me the most however, is that most of the men in these photos did not survive. << If the photos in question show 40mms aboard JUNEAU, then it's the second JUNEAU (CL-119), and not CLAA-52 that was lost in the Guadalcanal campaign. The first JUNEAU never received 40mm, and was lost with 1.1's as her secondary AA armament. John Snyder Snyder & SHort Enterprises The Paint Guys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Mike" Subject: Re: Resin Kits Charlie wrote :- >> I've recently gotten back into building plastic ship models after a hiatus (wife, kids, house, job, etc.), but I've never done a resin kit. Now I've seen one that's caught my eye and I'd like to pick it up and give it a try. I'm not real familiar with the how to's and wherefore's, so I'd like to pick up a how to book on them that covers all the aspects: assembly, adhesives, paints, detailing, etc. Is there a "The Book" on the subject out there, and where could I order it? << Hi Charlie, While not a book, the SMML web site does have a Hints & Tips section - and the first part is all about resin! Try having a look there : just point your browser to: http://www.smml.org.uk and use the menu at the bottom! Mike SMML Webmaster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "margaret keel" Subject: Re: Re Future 72nd scale kits by David Parkin A few days ago someone mentioned new 1/72 scale warships by David Parkin. Vacformed hulls and good detail. Last Wednesday I had a visit from this gent. He brought along some of his prototype hulls and brass etchings etc for future kits. These include a Fairmile D, Fairmile B, 72' H.D.M.L. and a Round Table class trawler minesweeper. The items that I saw were realy first class. The Mark VIII 2Pdr gun was almost a working model. My thoughts were, excellent, give the model makers the option of building a variety of each class with different armament fits. HE STRESSED THAT IT IS EARLY DAYS, BUT HE PLANS TO HAVE THE FIRST IN PRODUCTION BY MARCH /APRIL 2000. He has thoughts on a Castle Class Corvette/Frigate later. His fittings will also greatly enhance the Matchbox Flower. He has purchased a quantity of my detailed drawings to add to his efforts. More power to his elbow. John Lambert. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: Enterprise Lighting of Hanger deck Came across this site in my net wanderings; it is a fiber optic site with material for lighting models, called Tod's House of Fiber (sounds like a breakfast food?!). It's at: http://www.toddsfiber.com/ Tom Dougherty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Richard Foster" Subject: HMS Rodney I have an Airfix 1/600 Nelson but am thinking of converting it into HMS Rodney as it appeared during the sinking of the Bismarck, can anyone tell me the colour scheme or where I can find out? Thanks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Stuart Subject: U-boats Are there any 1/700 scale kits of WW II german U-boats? I have an escort group, I have targets (not a complete convoy though), I just need some U-boats. TIA Stuart Batchelor Norman, Oklahoma Hi Stuart, Hasegawa has some 1/700 U-boats. Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Michael C. Smith" Subject: CV-6 in 1942 Charlie, Michael Eisenstadt and I are comparing notes on a 1942 Enterprise based on the Tamiya kit, and can help you out with what modifications to make to get to a 1942 appearance (including a magazine article Mike has shared with me on a Tamiya kit accurized to the Big E's Midway appearance). My preference is the 1942 appearance - Mike's is the 1945 "ultimate" Enterprise. Drop us a line if you have any questions, Michael Smith Marshall, Texas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Brian Selzler Subject: HMCS Ontario/ HMS Swiftsure Hello Peter, A decade or so ago I did just such a conversion of the Airfix Tiger into HMCS Ontario totally ignorant of any existing articles on how to do it. I just thought it might be an interesting project to do because my father served in her on her initial commissioning cruise to the far east in 1945. She was his first and last ship as he had joined up as a hostilities-only 17 year old prairie bumpkin. Anyway, I left it as a full hull and basically scratchbuilt from the lowest superstructure up including all the armament using Evergreen styrene of assorted thicknesses and shapes. I had "British Cruisers of WW 2" containing a drawing of Swifture and also some DND Curator's plans of Ontario for reference. Now of course if I was doing it again I'd get some WEM resin guns and PE railings and such. It probably wouldn't hurt to track down that Airfix magazine article too. I can't think of any other pointers, just dig in. Brian Kamloops,B.C. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: RN 1960 Cruisers A friend gave me a used copy of "Conway's All the Worlds Fighting Ships, 1947-1982, Part 1: The Western Powers" as an early X-mas present. Thumbing through it this evening, I located simplistic design drawings for four RN gun cruisers, listed as "1960 Medium Cruiser", "1960 Small Cruiser", "1960 Large Cruiser (Missile Armed)" and "1960 Large Cruiser (Gun Armed)" From what I read, these came about from a design study done in 48-49 for a series of ships that could be in service within 10 years. This is the only book I've seen with any refs to these very interesting looking ships (that bear a resembalence to the Tiger cl ships). However, the Large Cruisers remind me of some designs I came up with back in HS for a modern gun cruiser. Does anyone else know of any other books that feature other drawings or historical background on these ships? Dasvidanya! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar2@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org Hi Derek, IIRC, these designs were the options for what eventually became the County class DDGs. There is an article in Conway's Warship which covers this. Unfortunately, the issue in question is back with it's owner, so I can't confirm it. Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Janes vs Combat Fleets Based on what I have seen, I agree to a point that Combat Fleets is a excellent naval annual. My experience has been mainly with JFS, but the one copy of Combat Fleets I owned (76-77 - subsequently lost in a move during the 80s) seemed better organized, had more information, and better drawings than the comparable issue of JFS. However, accuracy is something I can't comment on. I am an amateur naval buff...not an naval officer, professional analyst, author, etc. Therefore anything I have to say about this must be regarded as "limited" and "subjective." Pricewise (per Amazon) $135 for Combat Fleets vs $445 for JFS makes it more palatable for your average amateur naval buff. Unfortunately, JSF became the standard way back when, and locating older copies of Combat Fleets for research purposes is difficult. For instance, the University of North Texas library I use (which is a Federal Depositary) when I need to do research has a number of copies of JFS going back to the 50s, but only one copy of Combat Fleets. Used...forget it. A local used book store does have one copy of the 80-81 Combat Fleets, but at $50 (yeow!) I keep shying away from it. Friedman's US Carriers/Cruisers new via Amazon is cheaper and more useful to what I do. Obviously, I pick up most of my books used, and can't afford to keep up with the joneses when it comes to naval annuals. Other than those in government, military, or commerical naval circles (with a serious need to know the latests and greatest information each and every day), I don't know too many folks (personally) who can afford a new issue each and every year. Boy, wish I could, but [shake head]... Those I have (mostly Jane's with a couple of Ships and Planes of the US Fleet) are terribly outdated and were given to me by friends who were moving out of the area and needed to lighten their load. Of those, two are on the verge of completely falling apart from excessive use, so either I need to find a good rebinding service (that won't charge me an arm and a leg), or seek out used replacements in better condition. Dasvidanya! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar2@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Jens H. Brandal" Subject: AMT Fiber Optic kit >> You might try getting a fiber optic kit, produced by AMT. I saw one at a hobby store yesterday in Nitro, WV. They were selling it for $21.32 and included 1200 inches of fiber as well as a lot of other accessories needed. Looked like a decent deal. << I had an interest in this set too, but apparently, the fiber comes precut to a length rather than on a reel. When I heard that I didn't bother to ask to open the shrinkwrapped box. Check it out for yourself though. Jens -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Loren Perry Subject: GMM PE for Revell Essex kit The GMM photoetched brass detail set for the Revell postwar carriers (GMM Set No. 540-6 @ $40 plus postage) includes parts for the modernized Essex-class vessels such as Lexington. Although no padeyes are provided, the set does furnish all the radars carried by this class (the ones that can be photoetched, that is) all the way through the Vietnam War era. It also provides elevator girders, jet blast deflectors, mast yardarms, LSO platform and flight deck netting, aircraft propellers, rotors, & other details, a Tillie crane boom, and scores of other useful parts. The fully illustrated instructions cover installation of all items. This set can also be used on Revell's Forrestal-class kits (both 1950's and 1980's versions) and Revell's Midway-class kits. By a happy and unplanned accident, the same set will also work with Lindberg's WW2 Essex kit which is almost the same scale as the Revell kits. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Shaya Novak" Subject: Alabama Hasegawa & Callahan Skywave We carry both of these kits and will match any mailorder or web price. Shaya Novak Naval Base Hobbies The Store for The Model Ship Builder www.modelshipbuilding.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Shaya Novak" Subject: 1/500 North Carolina - Revell We have the kit and we have photoetching for it. We also carry the Lindberg LCVP and Airfix LCM Shaya Novak Naval Base Hobbies The Store for The Model Ship Builder www.modelshipbuilding.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume