Subject: SMML VOL 837 Date: Thu, 02 Mar 2000 00:22:21 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Airfix HMS Amazon 2: Re: 1/700 help 3: Re: Poyer 4: More on the Upcoming ICM 1/350 HMS Hood 5: Admiral Fletcher 6: Re: Taiwan submarine 7: Re: window screen stuff 8: LOUISVILLE 9: Re: USS Louisville 10: Re: PE history 11: 1:350 scale aircraft accessories 12: Photo request 13: Re: ICM & Future Kits 14: Re: Photoetched and Resin history 15: World Politics on SMML 16: Recommended book 17: History of PE 18: Re: 1/700 Brooklyn 19: KGV - the saga continues 20: U.S.S. Bunker Hill 21: Re: 1:700 help 22: The OHIO 23: Adm. Scheer photos on the Internet? 24: Squadron Signal "in Action" - Naval Aviation 25: Re: Taiwan's Submarines 26: USS Prinz Eugen 27: 1/700 Brooklyn class cruisers 28: Re: KGV 29: OT: SQUAWKS! 30: FSM April edition & USS John Paul Jones 31: Re: Visiting the U.K. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: March Internet Modeler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Les Pickstock Subject: Re: Airfix HMS Amazon >> I've been trying to detail the Airfix HMS Amazon as she appeared in the '70s. However, I'm come to the realisation that my photographic references aren't all that they should be. I have an article that appeared in an old 'Scale Models' issue, but not much else. Could anyone advise if they know of any photos on the web or in printed form. << Tony Some pictures of my AMAZON are on Felix Bustelo's IMM website if you'd like to have a look. I worked primarily from an Airfix Magazine article which I'd be happy to send you if you want. Contact me off list with a snail-mail address and I'll send it to you. Along with details of the changes I made. The Airfix kit represents AMAZON as she appeared in the builders concept drawings and there are some structural changes to be made as well as armament differences. Les Pickstock. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Fernando, Yohan" Subject: Re: 1/700 help Tim- For Brooklyn class cruisers in 1/700, there are a few in resin. Corsair Armada has a Phoenix and a Honolulu I believe, and Classic Warships might make one also, as well as a St. Louis and Helena (modified Brooklyns). For the Doolittle raid, the Corsair Armada kits may be suitable as I believe they are early war fits. Both companies make fine products either way. Check out Pacific Front Hobbies for pricing, availability, etc. Yohan Fernando -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Steven P. Allen" Subject: Re: Poyer >> A new novel by David Poyer has just been published. "China Sea" is the latest in the series based on the career of the ficticious Dan Lenson. Set in 1990, this tale revolves around the transfer of an aged US Navy warship to Pakistan, the build-up of the Chinese navy, and modern-day piracy in the waters around Malaysia and Indonesia. << Mike, What "aged "US Navy warship" is the subject? I'm a real Poyer fan, but I'll probably have to wait till the paperback hits the shelves UNLESS that ship is sufficiently interesting to me to tempt me to buy the hardbound. Thanks. Steve Allen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: AllenFW2@aol.com Subject: More on the Upcoming ICM 1/350 HMS Hood More news on ICM's Hood. I forgot to put this in my last post: They currently plan on producing two variants of the kit - The first will be a basic kit with standard instructions. The second will be a collector's kit. It will feature extremely detailed instructions (including photos and photoetch parts). No price on the basic kit yet, but it will be at least $90 if not a bit more. Frank Allen Battle Cruiser Hood -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Michael C. Smith" Subject: Admiral Fletcher I remember reading somewhere (perhaps Costello or Layton) that one reason perhaps that Fletcher got some much grief from postwar historians was his inability to express himself clearly due to age-related health problems. So when he was being interviewed by authors ten or twenty years after Midway, for example, and he's fumbling for facts and doesn't recall much of anything, the writers tend to think that that's what he was like at the time, rather than taking into account that they're talking to an old man who has trouble remembering things. I think he had extended problems - perhaps Alzheimer's. It'd be like interviewing former President Reagan today and drawing conclusions about his state of mind fifteen years ago. Not to excuse some of his judgments at Coral Sea or Guadalcanal, but if I'm right about this, we have to evaluate what he did based on what he knew at the time, not whether some historians have written him off as an incompetent based on his later condition. He was operating in a tight spot with the Navy's only carrier assets, and hindsight is always 20/20. Think of Spruance & Halsey in 1944 - Spruance gets pounded for NOT rushing to the attack at Philippine Sea, and Halsey gets pounded FOR rushing to the attack at Leyte. It's easy to decide what Fletcher should have done in hindsight (I'm referring to Guadalcanal), but you don't have to bear the risk that your decisions might cost the United States its only carriers at a critical stage in the war. Giving up a victory was acceptable, but you could not afford a defeat. At Midway, where Spruance and Fletcher were ordered to roll the dice (as opposed to CS and G), they were nearly perfect (now that's an opinion that's ripe for discussion, right!) I think we need to make allowances for what they knew, the tactical situation, and the risks facing their country if they took a serious risk. Remember that Admiral Mitscher is universally praised for his handling of the carriers, but he had the good fortune to pass away before historians could start interviewing him and note that he was X, Y or Z when they saw him. He also had the good fortune to have his medical records (and his doc, I think) killed on one of the carriers during an attack late in the war, so as I understand it, we will probably never know just how ill he was at the end of the war. (Okay, everybody forget my use of "good fortune" in this paragraph - it's inappropropriate, I know). Not to say there weren't incompetent or inexperienced carrier commanders - Harrill in 1944 comes to mind as the worst when Jocko Clark had to drag his tail to Iwo and shame him into launching a strike - just that 1942 was a very challenging year to be commanding carriers, and I think we get a better opinion on people when we filter through all the extraneous reasons why someone might say they didn't do right (Navy disputes, antagonistic historians, etc.). Glad to see some discussion about Fletcher - he's not a favorite of mine, but I think he deserves some objective reappraisal. Michael Smith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Gary Au" Subject: Re: Taiwan submarine I have a Taiwan military book which report the Navy. It included five page for ROC submarine. Now I try to summarize and translate it into English. I hope list member will like it. The first submarine of ROC Navy was two SX-404 mini sub. built in Taiwan with the help of Italian. Commissioned on 8/10/1969 and decommissioned in 1/11/1973. Both of them are in Museums now. Hai Shin (Sea Lion) SS791 was a USS Tench class submarine with Guppy II (Greater Underwater Propulsive Power Program) modification. USS name was Cutlass SS478 commissioned on 17/3/1945. Commissioned on 18/4/1974 for ROC. Hai Pao (Sea Leopard) SS792 was a USS Balao class submarine with Guppy II modification. USS name was Tusk SS426 commissioned on 11/4/1946. Commissioned on 10/1/1974. Both of them are now used for active training. Hai Lung (Sea Dragon) SS793 and Hai Fu (Sea Tiger) SS794 was build by Netherlands RSV shipyard. They belongs to the Zwaardvis class. The project reduced two submarines from four in 12/1983. Commissioned 9/10/1987 and 4/7/1988 respectively and are now in active services. Gary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Fritz Koopman Subject: Re: window screen stuff RhinoBones: >> I'm also playing with the idea of using some common window screen wire mesh for fabrication into funnel screens, gangways and railings. Anyone else try this before? << Back in the days before I could afford photoetch parts, I used to use window screen to make the large FC bedspring style radars for American 1/700 ships, and I used it once for the radar aerials mounted on top of the stereoscope arms on an old Hasegawa 1/450 MUSASHI. While the method produces models that look a whole lot better than if they were left with "solid" radars, its a bear to work with. First one needs to clue or solder every intersection of the screen before trying to trim to size. Even then the cutting pressure would have a tendency to force the bonds apart. The end result when I was done cutting usually wound up being a pile of "wiggly" wire, that if I was patient enough, I would have to reconstuct into the square or rectangle, and then glue it all up again. I dont' know how well this material would work for small scale rails, I figured it would be easier to make them from scratch with streched plastic sprue. I spent three years while at college doing this in an attempt to accurize the Hasegawa MUSASHI, only to have it half destroyed durring my next move! For really large scale ships, such as the 1/8, 1/64 scale RC and so-on. this material will be more to scale and realistic for netting, grates, etc. than photo-etch, as the two-dimensionality of photo-etch becomes a noticable problem. But still beware of the trimming properties. In a nutshell: It works well for larger models. For smaller models, if you're on a shoe-string budget the screen works well and certainly will improve the looks of your models by a mile over the plastic slabs that injection kits call radars. However, the method is fairly limited in its application due to the slightly largish weave and inflexibility in a cut state (it just wants to fall apart). If you do have the money, or can save up the money, I suggest getting the photo-etch sets for scales smaller than 1/350. Good Luck Fritz Koopman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "John Snyder" Subject: LOUISVILLE I am told that there are color photos of LOUISVILLE that show that she was in Measure 33, not Measure 32, and that the colors were Navy Blue 5-N, Haze Gray 5-H, and Pale Gray 5-P. John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys http://www.shipcamouflage.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: USS Louisville >> Looking at the instructions for the Corsair Armada Louisville vs. Classic Warships "Warship Pictorial #3" the colors called for in the 1944 camo scheme differ. One calls for Dull Black, the other for Navy Blue 5-N as part of the vertical colors. Classic Warship's selection follows the official history, but Corsair Armada makes a good argument for 5-N. Can anyone who has researched this provide comment? << As always, you tend to find just what you needed right after you finished your project, or some friend, you would like to choose a few select names for, says "Oh I new that!". Sound familiar? The color in question does appear to been 5-N, but we are still not 100% sure, so do it the way you think best. Steve Wiper - Classic Warships P.S. Always remember-NOTHING IS CONSTANT! I have found so many variables to the rule, it makes things really confusing. The human element seams to screw things up constantly, and even that's not constant. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: PE history >> Just curious, could anybody (Rusty, Loren, etc.) comment something about PE sets history? << To the best of my knowledge, I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) Burl Burlingame produced the first photo etch parts for models. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Jens H. Brandal" Subject: 1:350 scale aircraft accessories Jason, If you come across such a set, I'd like to know where you found it! In this scale, the pylons and drop tanks frequently seen on aircraft on board are very visible, but alas, there are no accessories available. Flagship Models has a set in 1:700, and a similar set in the larger scale would go a long way to dress up the aircraft, but the drop tanks cannot be faithfully reproduced as flat etchings. A combined photoetch and resin or white metal would be required to give proper treatment, and that would increase the price. I'll happily settle for the droptanks and jammer pods on the EA-6Bs - the bombs and missiles are for the diehards only! There was some discussion with White Ensign Models some time ago, and according to Caroline (correct me if I'm wrong!), there was just too many types of stores to justify the effort they would have to put into it. If enough people expressed an interest in upgrade sets for the aircraft, the manufacturers of aftermarket items would take notice. Jens -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Photo request Dear Colorado, I am sure that you will get some replies to your request, but it might be useful if you were to let people know what scale you are working to, and to what level of detail. You may also find that detailed plans will give you better data than any photos. References come in all forms, some good, some bad and many in between. when you say the Invincibles, do you mean the Battlecruisers or the Carriers? I make the assumption that you are new to the world of warships, and if you are, you will find many on this list that will help you. The trick for you is in knowing which reference is a good one. Your question about the Manchester class; Every ship had a slightly different appearence, a state that grew as time went on. So unless you are modelling at VERY small scales you will need the details of each ship on an individual basis, unless of course you are modelling on a generic semi scale approach. AND SO, let people know what sort of models you are working on, what scales, what level of detail etc. I know that they would like to hear from you, as would I. Isn't Colorado west of the Hudson? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "FCR" Subject: Re: ICM & Future Kits Hello there If the HMS Hood of the ICM is going to be highly detailed and historically faithful I guess I can open an exception in my 1/700 collection to buy one. By the way what it will be the approximate price. Prinz Eugen is also an excellent choice but I still prefer the HMS Hood. I already have the Italeri model but since it is my favorite ship I would like to build it at 1/350. Happy Modeling Filipe Ramires PORTUGAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "J. London" Subject: Re: Photoetched and Resin history Now we know who started photoetching can anyone tell us who first started resin kits? Michael London -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Loren Perry Subject: World Politics on SMML To Pieter Cornelissen - I fully agree with and support James Corley's views on the state of the current United States presidency. And seeing as President Bill Clinton's performance has a direct impact on the U.S. Navy and possible future actions involving it, Mr. Corley's views, political and otherwise, have validity here. Our current President has allowed some very serious events to take place that he shouldn't have, namely setting up the conditions that allowed the transfer of U.S. nuclear weapons and aerospace technology to the Communist government in China and allowing a commercial arm of the Chinese government to take control of the Panama Canal, among other things. Now China is making threatening gestures against Taiwan which is protected by U.S. Treaty and backed up by U.S. Navy warships. If China attacks Taiwan and the U.S. stands in defense of Taiwan against aggression, there will be a shooting war. If the U.S. government decides not to abide by its treaty, then American power and influence in the world will decline dramatically and other belligerent powers may take advantage of it to launch their own wars. In the long run, no country will remain unaffected, not even The Netherlands with its huge seaport of Rotterdam being a primary reason. Building models of warships is our way of replicating history. But it's also a luxurious leisure time activity made possible by a peaceful period in our history that we currently enjoy. All that can change in a very short time thanks to the actions of one man, U.S. President Bill Clinton. I back Mr. Corley's statements fully. I also hope that while SMML remains a ship modeling site first and foremost, it won't stifle the members' views on subjects that have a direct effect on the building and designing of scale model warships. An occasional foray into the "real world" helps keep our hobby in perspective. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "J. London" Subject: Recommended book There is a great new book just out called "Iceblink" by Scott Cookman. It is the story of Sir John Franklin's last voyage to the Arctic aboard the converted bomb vessels EREBUS and TERROR. It gives an excellent account of what life must have been like aboard a ship in the Arctic in the middle of the 19th Century. Although fitted with sail the ships had retractable screws and rudders. He gives a detailed description of the stores carried, particularly food, as well as medical practice and supplies. The voyage ended in tragedy with all aboard, 133 in total, dying under what must have been the most terrible conditions. It is the largest loss of life ever recorded for such an exploratory mission, the largest and best equipped and which, for its, day, was the equivalent of an Apollo mission. No fewer than 59 subsequent missions were launched in an attempt to trace the missing men. When traces and bodies were found in 1859, some eleven years later, there was evidence of cannibalism. Published this year by John Wiley & Sons Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Loren Perry Subject: History of PE I built my first model using photoetched brass in 1980 - 1982, a scratchbuilt 1/96 scale R/C USN destroyer, the USS Vogelgesang (DD-862.) The methods I used were introduced to me by Mr. John Ficklen (then of Atlanta) who had won several IPMS/USA awards with his beautiful scratchbuilt 1/192 scale USN Cruiser, USS Atlanta (CLAA-51) that made heavy use of PE fittings. He later repeated his wins with a 1/96 scale version of the same ship. John drew his own artwork and then had the parts made by Foto-Cut of Erieville, New York. I did the same on my project, drawing the artwork with pen and ink on paper. The International Plastic Modeler's Society (USA) sold a 1/700 set of PE rails and figures to Society members around the early 1980's. I believe these were designed by Mr. Burl Burlingame of IPMS Hawaii. In early 1985, I started designing photoetched brass detail sets for plastic kits, the first being two sets for the then-new 1/350 kits of the New Jersey and Enterprise by Tamiya. In Spring 1985, Gold Medal Models was launched with these and several others sets, all hand-drawn with pen and ink. In 1993, GMM started using computer technology to create all-new artwork while at the same time designing replacements for the older hand-drawn sets. This process is still underway with the bulk of the upgrading done and the rest to be completed within a year or so. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: Joe Costanzo Subject: Re: 1/700 Brooklyn I believe Corsair Armada and Loose Cannon productions make 1/700 Brooklyn class ships, Waveline might as well. I believe JAG is working on a 1/700 Iwo Jima LPH as well. Good Luck, Joe Costanzo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Jens H. Brandal" Subject: KGV - the saga continues Thanks to Chris and Martin for filling in the gaping holes in my knowledge of this class of ships. The text near the colour profiles on the sides does indeed say explicitly: "Note: Painting shows ship in 1945 configuration; however, with a 1944 camouflage pattern." When I decided on the KGV over the PoW, it was the camouflage pattern that appealed to me, and the belief that the modifications would be relatively straightforward. Now for a short shot: If the PoW is a better starting point - should get the other kit and buther them for spare parts to produce one model; can I use the leftovers for anything than a post WW2 what if model - say modified like the HMS Tiger? And the long shot: Does anyone on the list have the required parts from an old and wrecked model they no longer want - or leftovers from a conversion? And an even longer shot: Any plans from our enterprising resin manufacturers to release a conversion set? Next shot to be aimed at Mars...:) Thanks for any help, both given and in advance. Jens -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Zeljko Hanich Subject: U.S.S. Bunker Hill Hi SMML-ies, A friend of mine is going to start U.S.S. Bunker Hill project. Well, what he needs are colors related info. What colors were used for camo of hull, deck and other parts. If color info would be related to FS standard (as close as possible), or Model Master, Humbrol or Tamiya range, it would be great. Any help would be highly appreciated. Many thanks, Zeljko -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Re: 1:700 help Tim, The last time I checked RMS was still offering a 1:700 USS Phoenix kit. That's the only Brooklyn in that scale I know of, and I can't be sure that kit would be represenative of the Nashville (the sole Brooklyn cl ship in that task force). Might be close enough to work though if RMS still has any in stock. I can't swear to this, but IIRC this is an old JSP kit (re: out of production). You can find photos of the finished model on the warships site in the gallery area. You might compare those to IS 1:350 Nashville - for which there is a out of the box review on the warship site. CW offers 1:700 kits of the improved Brooklyn class USS St Louis and USS Helena. From what I've seen, they look to be excellent kits (and are both on my "gotta get" list). Unfortunately, their appearance is different quite a bit from the earlier Brooklyns, and neither served as escorts on that raid. Go Navy! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: "Phil Gollin" Subject: The OHIO Having just had a holiday in Malta, I've been vividly reminded of the amazing battles in the Mediterranean, especially the Second Battle of Sirte and the Pedestal convoy. In relationship with this second event, does anyone know of any 1/350th (or larger) plans of the tanker OHIO (preferably including the position of any AA guns) suitable for scratchbuilding? Thanks, Phil -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: "David C. Maschino" Subject: Adm. Scheer photos on the Internet? I apologize if this is in any way a repeat, but does anyone know of any websites with photos and/or drawings of the WW2 German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer? My searches have turned up just one small one, and I'd like to do a little better on Heller's 1/400 kit. David C. Maschino -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: "Chris Neel" Subject: Squadron Signal "in Action" - Naval Aviation Hey there... I have a Naval Aviation question if I may... I'm a fan of the Squadron Signal Aircraft "in Action" series and have been trying to determine if there are volumes for the following Naval Aircraft: 1. McDonnell FH-1 Phantom / F2H Banshee 2. Vought F7U Cutlass 3. Grumman F11F Tiger I have been able to identify all of the titles of all of the "in Action" series except for # 1012, # 1116 and # 1118 and was hoping that some of these volumes might correlate with the aircraft listed above.... I had sent an e-mail to the Squadron Web Site but only got a response of "sorry but no, there is not a list of all past volumes of the "in Action Series" available on the Internet " - although they did send me a current catalog.... I have since put together a listing of all of the volumes except for those listed here. The main source for the out-of-print titles being current auctions on eBay... Does anyone know the titles to these three volumes? Any help would be appreciated. later cn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: "William Oreto" Subject: Re: Taiwan's Submarines I agree our hobby bulletin board is not a place to voice our politics. Lets do it in the voting booth in November. But I have to agree with the man, I wonder if Hillary is still demanding that a destroyer be named after her. Dream on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: "Peter & Donna Mispelkamp" Subject: USS Prinz Eugen Come now Frank Surely you can forgive the poor Prinz for her lucky and maybe fatal hit on your pride & joy :))). But seriously, why not just settle for 1/400 scale injection molded kits? We've already got the Bismarck, Prinz, KGV, PoW, Hood and Illustrious (all couresty of Heller). All we need are few RN DDs, four key cruisers, the Rodney, the Ark Royal (the real hero!) and maybe the Repulse - although I have heard she was ordered to stay well clear of the Bismarck. Now if only someone at Heller was listening! Peter K. H. Mispelkamp. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: "Tim Dike" Subject: 1/700 Brooklyn class cruisers >> I'm considering doing a diorama of the Doolittle raid in 1/700. I'm having a heck of a time finding any 1/700 Brooklyn class cruisers. Any ideas? << Get the Corsair Armada 1/700 USS Honolulu kit, it is a very nicely detailed and is the closest thing to the Nashville that you will find in that scale. The kit will build either the Honolulu or Phoenix as they appeared in 42, with a slight gun tub modification you can easily make it into the Nashville. I also have the Jim Shirley kit (http://warship.simplenet.com/gallery.htm#Cruisers) but it represents the Honolulu/Phoenix after their 43 refits that drastically changed their appearance. It is also out of production and would be rather hard to find. http://www.kc.net/~cadman/ Cadman@kc.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: Allan and Crystal Plumb Subject: Re: KGV >> Tamiya have a habit of buggering up AA fits (at least in 1/700) so this needs to be checked carefully. I think the model is of a late war KGV. Raven and Roberts (British Battleships of World War II) have the complete fit for the whole war with a plan of all the positions. << Raven and Roberts make mistakes, too. Tamiya's PoW shows three single 20mm tubs on the quarterdeck. R&R show no indication that that ever happened. However... other references show pictures of PoW in Singapore with just that quarterdeck fit. Don't trust any reference too far. I've been distraught ever since. 1/2 :-) Allan Plumb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: OT: SQUAWKS! I know, it's WAY off topic, but a buddy sent this to me and it was so funny I had to share. BTW, the USN term for these is "GRIPES" SQUAWKS! Submitted by Conley Blankenship Some (supposedly) actual maintenance complaints noted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews. "Squawks" are problem listings that pilots generally leave for maintenance crews to fix before the next flight. (P) = PROBLEM (S) = SOLUTION (P) Left inside main tire almost needs replacement. (S) Almost replaced left inside main tire. (P) Test flight OK, except autoland very rough. (S) Autoland not installed on this aircraft. (P) #2 Propeller seeping prop fluid. (S) #2 Propeller seepage normal - #1 #3 and #4 propellers lack normal seepage. (P) Something loose in cockpit. (S) Something tightened in cockpit. (P) Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. (S) Evidence removed. (P) DME volume unbelievably loud. (S) Volume set to more believable level. (P) Dead bugs on windshield. (S) Live bugs on order. (P) Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 fpm descent. (S) Cannot reproduce problem on ground. (P) IFF inoperative. (S) IFF always inoperative in OFF mode. (P) Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. (S) That's what they're there for. (P) Number three engine missing. (S) Engine found on right wing after brief search. (P) Aircraft handles funny. (S) Aircraft warned to straighten up, "fly right" and be serious. (P) Target Radar hums. (S) Reprogrammed Target Radar with words. I'm sure one could find ship board equivalents to these. Go Navy! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: FSM April edition & USS John Paul Jones Hi Guys I was recently reading the April 2000 edition of Fine Scale Modeler and in the last page is an article about how the F7U Cutlass was improved and reactivated for carrier duty off Vietnam in 1970 . Retiled the F7D Cutlass was used to replace the F 4 Phantom and F 8 Crusader "provided to be failures against the Migs as interceptor for air cover."It lists a book called Naval Fighters No. Six Chance Vought F7U Cutlass, Steve Ginter 1982. Is this true? Because the Phantom has been around a long time with a good service record. Oh yeah before I forget, the USS John Paul Jones after it was decommissioned in 1982 was reactivated to be a Sonar Training Ship in the early 90's. Was she tied to a pier as a training ship or did she actually go to sea in this purpose before she was scrapped in 1994? Craig Bennett Hi Craig, This was hashed out in rms in the last week or so (check deja like I did) - it's supposed to be an April's Fool joke ;-). Mind you, tis a wee bit early, so I suppose the jokes on them now ;-þ. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: Visiting the U.K. Hi Stuart, I thought of posting direct but why not make this sort of info available to all! I for one am as much a fan of aviation history as naval history, and I am sure that many of you are. . >> know some of the more obvious places to visit, The IWM, HMS Belfast, Duxford, Greenwich, Portsmouth, Bovington, etc. << Gordon Bennett.. you're going to be one busy fella! Well, for starters, whilst you're doing the Tank Museum at Bovingdon, you must visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton in Somerset. Not sure whether the new museum extensions will be finished by May although the museum is remaining open through the works and there is loads to see. Another thing is to check the airshow schedules for Yeovilton, Duxford (take 2 days out for Duxford.. it's awesome!), and a day out for Cosford, which is just a few miles away from this year's IPMS Nationals venue at Telford. Of course there are an awful lot of smaller museums, but I guess you really need the headlines here which you've already tackled pretty well. The BAe Museum at Cosford IS superb (RAF Cosford is still an active base). Every time we go they seem to have built another hangar! Good selection of rare IJN and WW2 German aircraft, as well as a load of WW2 British bombers if memory serves me correctly. The (May?) airshow was superb. Only 1/2 a day (1 till 5pm) but all the headline displays.. Red Arrows, Freccia Tricolore, the Jordanian Air Force and Historic Flight, Harriers, Tornados, the Battle of Britain flight.. it also included several displays from the former Soviet Union, and some superb helo flying. No waiting around for the next thing to happen! I have a book detailing all the air museums and every preserved aircraft in the U.K. as follows: "AIRCRAFT MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS OF THE WORLD" No.2 GREAT BRITAIN and IRELAND" by Bob Ogden, ISBN 1 873854 013 that was priced at 6.95 pounds when I got mine. If anyone would like any further details on this excellent tome, please holler! There is a similar book for preserved ships/museums that I have but I can't lay my hands on it at the moment. As Rob Lockie said, the Historic Museums at Birkenhead is a really good visit.. very low key, but nicely done, with former submariners doing guided tours of the U-34 and Onyx. You can clamber all over Falklands vet. HMS Plymouth, still pretty well as she was at that time, and the 1:1 Scale Channel Lightship is a wonderful beast! I highly recommend the Historic Dock at Hartlepool.. a bit of a trek, but it's wonderful to see HMS Trincomalee, and the stunning setting of the dry dock (check out the feature on my webpages). This setting is frequently used in films and TV productions due to its authentic ambience. Don't forget the SS Great Britain, berthed in Bristol, where she was originally built. This huge 6-masted beast was the first metal hulled, screw propelled, transatlantic passenger ship She is almost fully restored and is a magnificently elegant testimony to the Victorian engineers who built her (1843). Of course, don't forget the submarine museum at Gosport.. a ferry trip from Portsmouth. >> If we can work it, we also plan on doing the Chunnel and going to Normandy, Verdun, Waterloo, etc. << I also suggest Bruges, just inland from Zeebrugge ferry port, in Belgium. Beautiful medieval city full of canals, and offering tours through the WWI battlegrounds of Flanders (and this IS choke-you-up-stuff. Be prepared) Just the cemeteries alone render one quite speechless...Brits, Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis.. Americans... Frenchmen.. and the Menin Gate.. so much tragedy, so many names..). Anyhows, do give us a call when you're over in the borders. Have a great trip! Caroline WHITE ENSIGN MODELS http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models Hi Stuart, Just to back up Caroline Re: Brugges - it's a wonderful city. Try getting a tour from a mob called Quasimodo's. I can highly recommend his Flanders tour, he's very knowledgable & can put you right in the picture. He also does a beer tour - but we didn't have time for that :-(. Also, Brugges is as Caroline mentioned, just down from Zebrugge - Scene of the WW1 naval action to blockade the canal there. I dragged Lorna down there & bored her witless ;-). I can also recommend the D-day Museum at Portsmouth as well. Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Bob Pearson" Subject: March Internet Modeler Greetings all, Well the ballots are in, and the top article and cover of 1999 was voted on.. and the winner is ... well my Waveline Freccia of course. .. who says stuffing the ballot box doesn't pay off :-) Actually, congratulations to the winners - SMML member Shane Weier, Robert Karr, and Will Riepl - whose work, while not naval oriented, is amazing nonetheless. This issue's OT content is Keith Butterley's Airfix HMS Belfast with WEM details, while Richard Eaton does an OOB build of the Revell USS San Juan. Reviews include the Mirage 1/400 Grom & Mazur, Aoshima 1/700 Suzutsuki, Artesania Latina 1/160 Sir Winston Churchill (reviewed by Lynn Dunn) and 1/350 WEM HMS Brilliant (reviewed by Mike Dunn). New references are the Snyder & Short Royal Navy Set 2, and four of the excellent Profile Morskie volumes on Ajax, Belfast, Scylla and Zara. Add to this aircraft, armour and some car reviews, a treatise on painting figures . . . .and an editorial from Mistress Lorna extolling the virtues of SMML and other online lists and I would have to say we have a nicely rounded magazine with something for everyone. Regards, Bob Pearson Managing Editor / Internet Modeler http://www.internetmodeler.com for AOL users who have trouble accessing the front page, try .. http://www.internetmodeler.com/mar2000.contents.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume