Subject: SMML VOL 829 Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 00:09:35 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: 1/2400 Models: 2: HMAS Canberra 3: 1:700 & an appeal to reason 4: Re: True story (an answer) 5: Australia and Canberra 6: Nelson and Rodney 7: Quotes 8: Mobile crane on CV's 9: Re: quotes 10: ICM 1/350 Hood to be followed up by 1/350 Nelson 11: Heller Richelieu and World Nationals 12: Re: The First Destroyers by David Lyon 13: R/Cing the Tamiya Yamato 14: Re: SM Schwabenland 15: Scale Chain and Chinese Junks 16: HMS Victorious camouflage pattern 17: Re: HMS Tiger C-20 18: Re: True story 19: County class cruisers 20: Trumpter 1/500 Nimitz & 1/144 Type 33 (Romeo) sub 21: Re: Finnish navy, Svent Istvan 22: Contacting Skywave 23: Re: Why 700? 24: Oriskany CV in resin ? 25: Re: Why 700? 26: Re: Midway print. 27: Re: HMS Tiger C-20 28: Quotes 29: Re: Dupicates 30: SZENT ISTVAN References 31: Re: Schwabenland 32: Re: 1:2400 Models 33: Re: Why 700? 34: Heads Up - UK Only I'm afraid -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Re: Chain for 1:700 2: S&S Website 3: "Pre-Dreadnought Enthusiasts List" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: GHE101@aol.com Subject: Re: 1/2400 Models: I read Falk's posting, and am also wondering what Tumbling Dice and Check Six 1/2400 scale models are like. There must be someone on this board who knows, but not many insights have been offered. So why don't you wiser souls gives us a hand here. Are Check Six and TD products well detailed, complete with life boats, anchor chains, etc.? I can't even find an on-line site for either of these concerns, so I'm getting frustrated. As for other companies, I cannot quite agree that Viking Forge doesn't offer detailed products. The quality of their products varies greatly, but the company owns the SB molds and produces some wonderfully detailed warships and auxiliary vessels. I have all of them that are available, although the producer is going to release another 20-30 that have been in dry-dock for several years. I too am looking for warships of 1880 to 1920 vintage, and Panzershiffes just don't cut it. One can do a lot of detail work and get the models somewhat up to snuff, but it isn't easy working with the resin. I understand Hallmark is going to make some 1/2400 warships of the 1880-1910 era, but the wait is driving me crazy. They keep focusing on 1/6000 scale, and they're too tiny. Granted, they are very nicely done, but I'm not sure one could call them a collector's item. They are fine for war-gaming, and at least as well detailed as some of the 1/3000 products. However, they strain my eyes, and I just don't know if I want to invest in them. I run a small mail-order concern, and I'm always trying to find new items. I considered the 1/3000 lines, but didn't like the over-all detail. Heck, I'd be as well off trying to sell 1/6000 as far as detail goes, although the market for these items isn't that large in America. So here I am, seeking products in the 1/2400 range, and I'm getting shut out. It's a bloody nuisance! Well, I'm sure some of the enlightened will help us out. But I can't see continuing with 1/1250. They are wonderful items, but who can mortgage a house to buy them? Dr. George H. Elder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Michael Eisenstadt Subject: HMAS Canberra Folks: Concerning the query about converting the WEM HMS Sussex to the HMAS Canberra, there is a nice article on exactly this by Lester Abbey in the December 1999 (if I recall correctly) Navismagazine. Check it out if you subscribe. In addition, there is another article (partially completed) on converting the Airfix 1/600 scale HMS Suffolk to the HMAS Canberra which is simply unbelievable and has to be seen to be believed. The article is in Japanese, but the pictures more or less tell the story. The model is simply superb. Go to: http://www.hig.tocolo.or.jp/hmdock/index.html and click on the link to the article. The gentleman who did that model is I believe a subscriber to SMML. Hope this helps. Best wishes, Mike Eisenstadt Hi Mike, Thanks for the info. A very nice site & model of the Canberra. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: GrafSpee34@aol.com Subject: 1:700 & an appeal to reason >> ...The 'Modeller' types are more interested in reproducing every little detail and feature of their chosen subject. They go more for the larger scales such as 1:350, 1:48, 1:35... I collect lots of Projects, but rarely finish any of them.....To wrap up, 1:700 appeals to modellers who build to collect, 1:350 appeals to modellers who model. << Tim, Get out of your bunker, go to an optomitrist, get some glasses and take a look at some 1:700 models built by "modellers who model". Then try finishing a model yourself. Guys, Lets share information, and keep the negative opinions to ourselves. US vs THEM crap is NOT productive and only spoils the great fraternity of ship modelling in general and this list in particular. Anybody who just can't resist the urge to grind an axe, spout opinions, muddy the waters and pick fights should go to law school where you will find plenty of company. Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: True story (an answer) >> Your the head ship judge? Should the entries be made of Kryptonite? << Are you saying I'm SUPERMAN? I told my wife that before we married, but she never bought it. Especially after the honeymoon (sigh). Let's keep this in perspective. The models should be coated with Titanium. I'll have to admit, after reading that story, it did bring visions of 3 stooges and Laurel and Hardy to mind. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: Australia and Canberra Hi Shane Ed is right and I have egg on my face (I'm trying to think how I messed that one up). Sussex was a London not a Kent and this would mean a very difficult conversion. It's not one I would attempt. Some years back Bill Grunner of Pacific Front was planning a model of the Canberra which seems to have disappeared. Apologies Chris Langtree Hi Chris, No worries mate. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: Nelson and Rodney Hi Michael I would have thought they were equipment stores. The Nelson and Rodney websites might be able to give you a definitive answer though. These are at Rodney: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/4433/index and Nelson: http://www.homestead.com/nelson1/hms1.html Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: Quotes My favourite is Admiral Sir Bruce Fraiser on being asked to give an interview by the BBC and sampling the contents of a bottle thoughtfully provided for him exclaiming "Good God! They've given me water!" Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Cataldo Torelli Subject: Mobile crane on CV's Hi all, Going on with my 1/700 USS Enterprise (CV-6) I'm looking for info, drawings, photos, technical data, etc. about the mobile crane that used to be aboard the CV's. I think it has a female name. I'm planning to scratchbuild it unless there is a kit ......... Thanks in advance, Cataldo Torelli. PS. Sorry if my English is not quite clear on the subject. Hi Cataldo, Don't worry, your english is quite good. Far better than my spanish ;-). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Bob Pearson" Subject: Re: quotes My favourite signal is from when the first Canadian built corvettes were headed to England they carried no 4" gun due to a shortage of such weapons here, instead they had wooden dummies. Canada's Flowers (Thomas G. Lynch) contains the following from Terence Robertson "She was Canadian-built, Canadian-manned and named Windflower. When the destroyer in which I was serving met this newcomer to the Atlantic battlefleet in January 1941, we not unnaturally approached for a closer look. We saw on the foredeck a wooden 4-inch gun with a wooden barrel that drooped. Then we were warned to keep clear of her stern with the immortal signal, "If you touch me there, I'll scream." Regards, Bob Pearson Managing Editor / Internet Modeler http://www.internetmodeler.com Waiting on the WR Press volume on the Flowers ... HAHAHHAHHA I said the 'F' word ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: AllenFW2@aol.com Subject: ICM 1/350 Hood to be followed up by 1/350 Nelson Hi Folks I'm sure many of you already know this, but ICM of the Ukraine is also in the process of creating a 1/350 full hull styrene kit of HMS Nelson. It will be released sometime after their Hood model. No word on the timeframe the model represents (I'm guessing late war). BTW- They've posted the box art for the Hood kit online at: http://www.icm.com.ua/enov.htm Frank Allen Battle Cruiser Hood Member, HMS Hood Association -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Graham Holmes" Subject: Heller Richelieu and World Nationals Fellow Ship Modellers. First, I need some help. I am in the midst of a kit bash/scratchbuild of a certain naval vessel. This shall remain nameless ATM, because as soon as I mention its name, an injection or resin kit will magically appear on the market. This has happened to every other project I have tried. Suffice to say, that I need some spare parts from the Heller Richelieu in 1/400 scale. I don't need too many parts, and will cast if necessary, however, rather than spending $40 for the copy in my local shop I was wondering if anyone in SMML land has one that maybe is on the slipway but will never see a launching and can be sold for scrap. If so please contact me offline. Second. In October this year there will be the World IPMS Nationals in Telford. I was wondering what would be the most suitable ship model for such a contest. My suggestion would be HMS/HMAS Shropshire. Served all over the world, belonged to two navies either side of the globe, and is named after where the contest will be held. After Shane's excellent synopsis of the County classes, we all now know what is required to make her. Any other suggestions? Graham Holmes A warm sunny mid-winter day in Ohio, USA. Hi Graham, Much as I would like to take the credit for that very nice synopsis, the credit actually goes to Edward Brown. I also came across a nice site on Cruisers at: http://www.world-war.co.uk/index.htm Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Kenneth H. Goldman" Subject: Re: The First Destroyers by David Lyon I haven't yet seen the book, but I just returned from spending a week with David Lyon and his wife Eleanor Sharpston, QC (and other people) aboard the 360 foot, 4-masted barque SEA CLOUD sailing the Caribbean. What a wonderful couple! His credentials are impeccable, and his major area of interest is the age of sail, then the RN in general (though his knowledge is broad), in which he served before his 30 years at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. The book focuses on RN destroyers. She, in addition to her extremely high legal credentials, is an accomplished square-rig sailor. Their presence made some great sailing even better. Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER http://www.wman.com/~khgold/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Mike" Subject: R/Cing the Tamiya Yamato Guys, Unless you want to spend a LOT of time - it's not recommended. The kit is (allegedly) said to be not R/C-able - same with the Big E. After saying that, I have seen both rigged, & will post some imagery when & get the film developed. The modeller spend a VERY long tiome getting them trimmed, and did wide turns only. Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: URUDOFSKY@aol.com Subject: Re: SM Schwabenland Schwabenland was an airplane tender. See this detailed web site for more Flugzeugtender http://www.home4.net.inet.tele.dk/mholm/catapult.htm The Antarctic colonization by Nazi Germany is a recurring science fiction theme. The real Schwabenland could have never made it! Schwabenland Building Yard Deutsche Werke, Kiel Launched 14.3.25 Completed 16.7.25 Weight 8188 BRT, 16200 tons Dimensions 147,0 x 18,41 x 9,95 m Engines Two DWK 6-cyl diesels, 2 shafts, 3600 hp, 11 knots Range, nautical miles ?, 1600-tons oil Armament Eight 20/37 mm AA Catapult equipment One 15-ton crane, One 14-ton Heinkel catapult. Crew 65 Career: Into service as S/S Schwarzenfeld (DDG Hansa, Bremen); Sold to Deutsche Lufthansa AG in 1934, and was converted to catapult ship Schwabenland, completed 1934; Taken over by the Luftwaffe in 12.10.39, and served under Luftzeuggruppe See in Kiel; 9.42 to Tromsö; On 24.3.44 torpedoed by the Bristish submarine HMS Terrapin, near Egersund and was beached; Towed free May/June 1944, but was never fully repaired; 7.2.45 stores hulk, MAST Oslofjord; 1.46 accommodation hulk at Oslo-Sandvika; Scuttled 31.12.46 in Skagerrak with gasmunitions. Ulrich H. Rudofsky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "John Rule" Subject: Scale Chain and Chinese Junks I would like to thank everyone who supplied references following my request for info on the above subjects. I guess I'll file the replies under Junk Mail and Chain Mail................... OK Shane another groan is warranted. John Hi John, Well if you insist - groan ;-). But be warned that's your second "groan" a third means I start telling puns ;-ž Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: =?windows-1250?B?VG9t4ZogSGFsdXph?= Subject: HMS Victorious camouflage pattern I need help with camouflage pattern at HMS Vicotrious in 1941-43. I would like to know the shape, location and qualification of camouflage colours on Starboard and port side including flight deck. Thank you Petr Haluza -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: HMS Tiger C-20 Dear Falk: In regard to your request on H.M.S. Tiger C-20 I have the following that maybe of help to use. Try to get the following books - British Cruisers of W.W.II by Alan Raven and John Roberts, Cruisers An Illustrated History 1880-1980 by Anthony Preston. These books do have some good photos that are closed up as well to an early H.M.S. Tiger unfortunately I don't have any access to any for 1/700 scale drawings. The decks seem to metal plated and at the 2 twin 3-inch AA guns are mounted on a 3 layer mount that starts with the smallest layer on the bottom with the widest on the top. The photos are in B&W. Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: True story >> My story doesn't involve any destruction, but is amusing nonetheless. I was working on a model one day and dropped a small part. Looked all over, on the bench, on the floor, in my clothes, etc. I couldn't find it anywhere. Later that day, my wife and I went to bed. She was rubbing my stomach (I can't imagine why, blush blush) and she found the lost part imbedded in by belly button. << For all of you who have not figured this story out yet, it means James does model building in the NUDE! OH MY GOD! Please, no more stories like this! We should all try to model in our most civil clothing, as in the outfit my wife and I are in, pictured on the White Ensign Web page, under "What's New" Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Jeffrey Roberts" Subject: County class cruisers I'll second what Ed Brown says about converting an existing County class hull into an Australia or Canberra. When all is said and done, you'll have to be prepared to do a lot of scratchbuilding even to convert, say a B-Resina Suffolk into one of the Australian Counties... I've been contemplating a conversion of Suffolk to Canberra for some time, but the work entailed has led me to pursue other projects. I did see a beautiful model of HMAS Canberra converted from an Airfix Suffolk kit on a Japanese website some months ago and that would probably be an easier go as a conversion project instead of a resin kit. If you're not set on 1/700 scale, its certainly it's a cheaper investment than a resin kit where you'll pay $60-80 USD for a kit where only the main battery guns and funnels aren't going to require some extra effort. With a conversion of the WEM Sussex to the London, you're also looking at a lot of scratchbuilding...You could use the hull and the main battery guns but that is about it. Secondary and antiaircraft guns would have to be scratchbuilt or you could use WEM Professional pieces. Superstructure and funnels would be completely different since after reconstruction the London bore more resemblance to the Colony class light cruisers than to her original County class sisters. The Countys a certainly a great variety of subjects, though, and one which I find very engaging. You could easily come up with over a dozen interesting variations. My personal favorite County class variant is probably the Spanish Canarias with it's streamlined tower bridge and single massive funnel casing atop the basic County class hull - certainly one of the most distinctive looking warships of the interwar period. Best wishes, Jeffrey Roberts North Hollywood, California (where we've gone from a threat of drought warnings to flood warnings in a week's time!) Hi Jeff, Thanks for the info. It looks like that if I do go that route with the WEM Sussex, I'll be in for some fun times. Mind you, with no other real option on the horizon in 1/700 for the RAN Counties AFAIK, it may be my only hope, apart from scratchbuilding the whole thing. I might just chicken out & do HMS/HMAS Shropshire. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: James Corley Subject: Trumpter 1/500 Nimitz & 1/144 Type 33 (Romeo) sub Well, the kits have arrived. First the good news: The sub is excellent! The amount of detail there is high, and the details themselves are generally good. Having never seen a Romeo/Type 33 sub up close (from the air, been on a Foxtrot) it looks good. The hull is a 2 piece (P/S) with two deckplates. The sail looks great on the tree and the halves went together well. I am about 1/3 the way through the construction, taking pictures as I go. Rob, I'd like to post the review either on Warship or linked to it through my own page. So far I have found only 1 major fit problem and a minor engineering problem. Provisional **** (4 stars) The not-so-good news: The Nimitz class ships are here. A quick look through the box leaves on wondering what they wanted to do. I haven't scale it out yet, but it generally looks like the Nimitz class (mine is Johnny Reb). The island details are close, the hull lines look right. Remember, I haven't done anything with it but look at it in the bags. The flight deck comes in 3 pieces, but there is a reason ... the hull includes motors (pre-mounted)!! The propulsion unit is molded in a twin-skeg arrangement more akin to the Iowa/SoDak Battleships than any carrier. The decals are very plain, just giving hull numbers IN THE WRONG SHAPE (They look more like Nascar markings) The flight deck details are raised to guide you in marking them, they are mostly right, though. Provisional ** (2 stars ... hey, at least it's better than the Revell Midway CV) The aircraft look like barely recognizable blobs. The wings are about 4 scale feet thick and the shapes just aren't there. The air wing includes F-14s, E-2s, A-6 & EA-6, A-7, F-8?, A-4, H-3 (looks more like a Hind!) ... stick with the newer Revell aircraft from the Sara kit. The bright spot in all this is that I think the kit is doable. With the GMM 1/540 Carrier and 1/500 Warship sets, I should be able to get almost all of the radars and railings, but I don't know about the specific sizes yet, haven't compared them to the kit. In any event, the kit LOOKS like a CVN. Now their 1/144 Su-34 & 1/72 F-5E kits that came in today look superb! As do some of their other airplane & ship kits. I think the line is drawn along Chinese and foreign subjects. I will, in a day or two, have reviews of both available to Rob for the Warship page. JZ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Jorma Huuhtanen" Subject: Re: Finnish navy, Svent Istvan Hello SMMLies! I write for the first time on this list. Mike Cooper needed a reference on the Finnish navy in WW2. "Suomen laivasto sodassa 1939-1945" by Kalevi Keskinen & Jorma Mäntykoski would be a good one ISBN 951-8919-05-4(it“s a pictorial history of Finnish navy in WW2). Lots of clear pictures of ships&details (also some german vessels which operated in the Gulf of Finland). Photo captions are in english as also is a 7 pages summary of the Finnish navy at WW2. The bad news is that the book is probably out of print. It was printed in 1991. I couldn“t find it from http://www.akateeminen.com (biggest bookstore in Finland). I found one from the library, so Mike if you need a certain bit of information feel free to email me off the list. If you are interested of Finnish coastal armoured ships (WW2) there is a book of them still available. Shane, about Svent Istvan. There is an article in Warship No 6 ( 1978 April) of Viribus Unitis class by Friedrich Prasky. A photo of Tegethoff, detail photos of Prinz Eugen and a plan, profile and both ends & armour plan. ( Prasky writes the name Szent Istvan ). Warship International has also had articles of Austro-Hungarian battleships in 1/65, 1,3&4/73, 1,2&4/74 and 4/80. Jorma Huuhtanen Lahti, Finland Hi Jorma, Thanks for the info on the Svent Istvan. Much appreciated. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: Robert & Rose Brown Subject: Contacting Skywave Does anyone out there know how to contact Skywave Customer Service for replacement kit parts? Thanks....Rob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: Mike Settle Subject: Re: Why 700? >> So, which one are YOU? As for me, I am neither. I collect lots of Projects, but rarely finish any of them, whatever scale or subject. Now what does that make me?! To wrap up, 1:700 appeals to modellers who build to collect, 1:350 appeals to modellers who model. I am now retreating to a deep bunker......... Tim Perry Bristol, UK << No, Tim, you've got it all wrong. 1/350th scale appeals to us middle aged guys whose eyesight is shot. We can no longer see well enough to work in the smaller scales. :-) As for finishing a project, well, I have that problem, too. I guess that makes us procrastinators! Mike Settle I am not agent #1908 of the non-existent Lumber Cartel (tinlc)tm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: SJantscher@aol.com Subject: Oriskany CV in resin ? Hi All, Since my friend knows I build model ships he sent me the following e-mail. I'm not sure of his estimation as to the scale. Is there an Oriskany out there? Was it a Jim Shirley 1/700th? Thanks Steve Jantscher His post is below, >> I was recently out in Vegas on a layover and saw a Resin USS Oriskany. Was like 400th scale i think... I almost bought it....the planes sucked though. The resin was pretty nice however. I forget who makes it, just wondering if you have seen/heard of this kit. It was about 150$ Jim << -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: "Ralph Nardone" Subject: Re: Why 700? Hello, gang! Tim Perry wrote: >> Just a thought about this question of scale. So, which one are YOU? As for me, I am neither. I collect lots of Projects, but rarely finish any of them, whatever scale or subject. Now what does that make me?! << I build ships in 1/350, 1/400 and a very few in 1/700--I guess that makes me a modeling collector--or maybe a collecting modeler? :) >> To wrap up, 1:700 appeals to modellers who build to collect, 1:350 appeals to modellers who model. << Also, 1/700 appeals to folks like me who like to model CV's every now and then without breaking the bank on a resin kit or having to build an addition to the display room! Cheers! Ralph If you aren't having fun, you must be doing something wrong! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: NAVYDAZE@aol.com Subject: Re: Midway print. Actually I have a Midway painting on my site - but no prints as of yet - it is of the Yorktown when she got hit in the stack and she had smoke and what not coming out of the hanger bay. It is at: http://members.aol.com/navydaze2/index.html Sorry the picture is so small. Enjoy, Michael Donegan Navydaze -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: HMS Tiger C-20 Hi Guys I just noticed something that strikes me as funny. What strikes me as funny is that the old Renewal kit which was sold as a Farragut class DDG(King,Farrragut,Dewey), is actually a Mitscher class in it's original form with a twin missile launcher instead of a gun mount on the stern. When I was researching the out the HMS Tiger I came across a photo and drawing of the ships and it made me curious, I have one of these old kits that I bought at a sale. Well, anyway I have found that some public libraries have collections of Jane's or Combat Fleets that photocopies can be made from and if they they have enough years to work with you could photocopy a ship class existence like say the HMS Tiger and I meant to add that with the tiger. Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: cfrieden@calpoly.edu Subject: Quotes >> My favorite: SIGHTED SUB, SANK SAME"--- unidentified US Navy pilot << This is also one of my favorites. The pilot's name was Don Mason- his PV-1 Ventura had just sunk U-503. Chris Friedenbach -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: "James Johnson" Subject: Re: Dupicates After wondering why we have so many duplicate models a week ago, I have had several interesting answers. One was posted on the SMML by Caroline Carter of White Ensign Models and the other was from Jon Warneke of Iron Shipwright. I confirmed some things that I suspected and found out some things that I hadn't thought about. Both responses (actually I had several from both sources) were very friendly and tried to answer my questions as best they could. There were several points in my original message that need to be cleared up. I mentioned that there were two Warspites announced. What I meant was that there were two Queen Elizabeth class ships. The QE by Iron Shipwright/Commanders and the Warspite by White Ensign. I will probably buy both if they show up, but I would rather have one QE class and one R class instead of two QE's. I did hear that someone is looking at a 1/350 R class however. That brings up another point. Since I sent my first message, I received the latest Fine Scale Modeler with the 2000 kit releases in it. There are four of the prime 1/350 resin kit producers in it. Between White Ensign, Commanders, Classic and Tom's there are no fewer than 33 1/350 ship kits announced for 2000! I only counted ships of Destroyer size and larger. I never ever throw any magazines away so I will be able to see how many of these actually show on the market this year. As Jon Warneke pointed out, just because someone puts a ship on a future release list does not give him exclusive rights to model that ship. Could these expansive lists be an attempt to do that? Probably a little, plus a continuation of ongoing projects plus a little two much optimism on what can be accomplished. It will be interesting to see how much of these lists get released in the year. I only see 4 duplicates among the lists and one of them are two versions of the same ship(early and late Navadas) and one duplicate is a pair of sister ships (Baltimore and Pittsburgh). There are several reasons for the duplications. Caroline pointed out the masters that are passed from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some times duplicates happen because there are parallel development projects and when one learns about the other, it is too late to stop. To much has been invested to be abandoned and besides, as we have seen, just because a kit is in development, it doesn't mean that it will appear soon. Hearing both sides of several duplicates was interesting in that both side had kind of the same story but with just a slightly different twist. The Hood duplication was a question of who announced first, who started first, and who released first, with both manufactures having done some of them first, but not all. Some duplication is due to rivalry between the manufactures. "They beat me on that one so I'll beat them on this one" type of thing. This is good for the modeling public as it tends to increase the competition. We get better models faster. This is fine as long as it doesn't get out of hand. If the lists in FSM are any indication, it looks to be under control. One thing that struck me that I hadn't thought about is who does what part of the production. As Caroline mentioned in her reply, they have a number of masters at the casters waiting to be produced. Commanders/Iron Shipwright do their own casting. This gives them a definite advantage over the others. My understanding is that Jim Shirely Productions farmed out all their work, master making,casting, photo etch etc. and perhaps that is why they are no longer in business. I was impressed with the people I have been in contact with. They were very honest and friendly. I have had contact with five of the 1/350 resin producers and have not had a bad experience with any of them, even those who have not gotten the best customer service reviews in this forum. If everyone does at least a third of their releases this year, I will be happy. Broke, but happy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: SZENT ISTVAN References Shane The chief reference is a book from 1981, Aichelburg/Baumgartner/Bilzer/Pavlik/Prosny/Sieche: Die "Tegetthoff"-Klasse. It was published by Bernard & Graefe, Munich and is completely in German language (except for the lots of photos which are international). The only English-languaged book I know of which deals in some extent with the TEGETTHOFF class is Paul J. Kemp, Austro-Hungarian Battleships, published 1991 by Iso Publications, London. Another good refernce is Erwin Sieche, Die Schlachtschiffe der k.u.k. Marine. It was issued as Vol. 34 of the Marine-Arsenal series. Some books of this series have been translated and published in English language, yet I don't know if this was also the case with this one. There was also an article by Erich Sieche, S.M.S. Szent Istvan - Hungaria's Only and Ill-Fated Dreadnought in Warship International No.2, 1991. Further there must have been some more articles on Austro-Hungarian battleships in Warship International in the 1960s and early 1970s. Hope this helps a little Falk Pletscher Hi Falk, Thanks, it helps a lot. That coupled with your article in PSM on A-H naval colours, should get me going. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: Re: Schwabenland >> I am searching fro informations, photos, plans etc of the german SM Schwabenland (former SM Schwarzenfels) which was built as catapult ship for Dornier DO 15 Wal airplanes to enable the Lufthansa to explore the antarctic in the late 30ties. Any kind of information would be helpful. << Hi Lars; Are you reading _Ice Reich_ also? Just started it last night, about 50-60 pages in. How about doing a diorama with the Norwegian whale catcher? What scale will you be doing? Where are you getting the Wals? Scratch build? Post some pics when it`s finished. Chuck Duggie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: Re: 1:2400 Models Hi Falk; I am a naval wargamer, and 99.9% of my modelling is wargame related. A good place to find contact info for all the manufacturers is The Miniature Page`s manufacturer`s directory: http://theminiaturespage.com Generally goes down hill from GHQ. Add Superior and Panzerschiffe to your search list. Avoid anything 1:3000, not very detailed. Some of the firms you list only make pre 20th century 1:2400ships. Hallmark makes post 1900 ships in 1:6000!! Pre 1900 ships are 1:2400. Contact me off list with questions, I have a garage full of the things. Chuck Duggie Wargamer, Historian, Ship Modeller -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33) From: "Martin Short" Subject: Re: Why 700? O'kay, O'kay, O'kay, I confess....... I must be a collector.... either that or April 1st has come early! Tim, You Stirrer!. Tch,tch, you've got it ALL wrong: Collectors are those who buy kits, hoard them, and then try and extort large sums of money from us REAL modellers a couple of years later when those kits are no longer available. The fact that they belly ache about the price of tools and paint is simply to camouflage the truth; they have no intention of building them. Modellers are those who ACTUALLY build kits, anything, and it is only the ability and depth of the pocket that varies. Anyway, I've always understood that 1/72 was the most popular aircraft scale in pomland because you all live in shoe boxes and couldn't accomodate anything bigger!. AND before Shane gets his twink bottle out I had better state that I am an ex-pat from the old country so I speak from a position of personal experience! I just build what I fancy, not fussed on the scale, but I DO like the smaller scales; something kinda nice and dinky about a small well built model, that's why I like 1:700 (and the range of ship kits that you can collect in that scale) and I find them more challenging than a large scale kit, probably because I'm blind in one eye, can't see out the other, and have two left hands. What's your excuse. I hope it is a deep (very) bunker, but I get the feeling the joke's on us!. long live 1:700 and all those lovely companies that provide the fruity bits to allow us to turn them into something special, and who of course wouldn't be in business if we are as Tim describes...... I will now retreat to the study, drag out the electron microscope and carry on putting the bridge instruments on my 1:70000 scale Flower class corvette with resin and PE upgrades. By the way, I am turning up new guns for it on my ACME micro lathe. Yours, tongue firmly in cheek, Shorty. PS: Yohan, how are you getting along with your late war Scheer?, it is a subject I want to do in the not to distant future. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34) From: Colin Ritchie Subject: Heads Up - UK Only I'm afraid Just a quick mention, to all of us in the UK, next Friday, 3rd March, channel 4 1.05-3.30, the 1941 movie Dive bomber, complete with a Errol Flinn, and a supporting cast of F-3F,s and other assorted UN Navy types, get those video's set! Colin Ritchie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Conan35@aol.com Subject: Re: Chain for 1:700 We sell several different chain sizes, and I know that many of our HO scale train customers use it for their trains as well as for ship models. Go to our site at http://www.modelexpoinc.com and I'm sure you will find what you are looking for. Best Regards Rob Finley Model Expo, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "John Snyder" Subject: S&S Website Snyder & Short Enterprises is pleased to announce that our website is up and running. You'll find us at http://www.shipcamouflage.com You'll find information on all our paint chip sets, recent releases, upcoming projects, where to purchase our sets, and how to contact us. You can also order books from WR Press from us. The site also hosts John Sheridan's U.S. Navy Camouflage site, with ship-specific information, as well as information on official USN camouflage directives, paints and applications. Randy and I would like to thank John Sheridan for all his hard work in setting the site up for us, and we look forward to continuing to meet new friends and to serve the shipmodeling community. John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: RCClem@aol.com Subject: "Pre-Dreadnought Enthusiasts List" I just sent out the latest version of this list. Many of you SMML list members are on it. If you think you are on it, but did not receive it due to one reason or another, let me know. Or, if you wish to add your name and info to the list, contact me and I'll include you in the next update." Roger Clemens -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume