Subject: SMML VOL 840 Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2000 18:46:11 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: QUOTES AND STUPID REMARKS 2: Re: Vogelgesang model & Testors Dullcote disaster! 3: Re: U.S.S. Gridley and U.S.S. California 4: Duke of York 5: Black Swan's 6: USS Vogelsgang 7: Scharnhorst classification 8: Re: window screen stuff 9: Re: USS MASSACHUSETTS 10: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 11: Jutland Battle Ensigns and the Roedean School for Girls 12: Re: HMS Jupiter 13: Re: 1/400 Plastic models 14: Re: Graf Spee 15: Re: SSM Defunct 16: "Armoured Ships" 17: 80's Uniforms 18: Evarts Class DE 19: Re: Loren Perry's Comment on Dullcoat 20: SW Pacific Bases 21: Squadron Signal artwork 22: Admiral Frank J. Fletcher 23: KuK Radetzky 24: Ohsumi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: WEM Update/FAA Pix/New PE Sets 2: Rare book for sale 3: Re: HMS Amazon 4: Saros/Leitha, USSS Tecumseh -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: zwood@webtv.net (Zack Wood) Subject: QUOTES AND STUPID REMARKS While standing by the sinking IJN cruiser JIntsu off Guadalcanal the captain of the destroyer Mutsuki showed no alarm when a flght of B17's attacked commenting on their accuracy (or lack thereof) shortly thereafter -as he was being pulled from the water he was forced to comment "even a B-17 could get a hit once in a while" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "John Sheridan" Subject: Re: Vogelgesang model & Testors Dullcote disaster! >> The model of the Vogelgesang is currently crated up in storage. Reason - I oversprayed the entire model with Testors Dullcote when I built it and as the years passed, it yellowed severely, giving the Haze Gray a distinct greenish hue. I need to find out if I can remove it because I'd hate to have to repaint the entire model due to heavy use of special decals, dry transfer markings, and such that I employed during it's construction. << Decals can be replaced (Psst! find someone with an ALPS printer......like me! ) >> I've heard that denatured alcohol removes Dullcote without harming the paint beneath. Is this true? I could use some help here! << I believe that Dullcoat is lacquer based so what you remove it with depends on what the paint underneath is based on (My guess is that you used Floquil Dio-Sol paints....correct ?). If you did you might get away with using lacquer thinner to remove the dullcoat. John R. Sheridan What I do to Spammers: http://microscale.com/images/N2.jpg I am not a Member of the Lumber Cartel (tinlc) and I am not Unit #631 The last place on earth I would look for the Lumber Cartel(tm) is http://come.to/the.lumber.cartel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "John Sheridan" Subject: Re: U.S.S. Gridley and U.S.S. California I am getting ready to begin painting a Classic Warships U.S.S. Gridley in a 1942 fit and the Iron Shipwright U.S.S. California in it's 1944 fit. I remember seeing in a past volume that the undersides of horizontal surfaces were painted either white or a shade of light gray. Would this hold true for the Gridley painted in Ms.11 and for the California painted in Ms32/16d? Gridley was painted MS21 (Solid Navy Blue 5-N) in 1942. MS 11 was discontinued in September 1941. Countershading did not come into use until 1943 with the introduction of SHIPS-2 Rev 2 March 1943 edition. Here's the URL for the section on countershading: http://www.shipcamouflage.com/ships2_3_43_countershading.htm For your 1942 Gridley, no countershading. For your 1944 California, no countershading becuase MS 32/16D camouflage is designed to break-up the outlines/features of the ship. In this instance; countershading would conflict with the MS 32/16D. >> Also, I have photos of the port and starboard sides of the California for the Ms32 pattern but I don't have a clue as to what decks should be. Were they painted all 20-B or were they painted 20-B and 5-O gray? << The deck has a pattern of Deck Blue 20-B and Ocean Gray 5-O. >> And if so, where can I find a photo or drawing of the decks pattern? << Floating Drydock ( http://www.floatingdrydock.com )has the camouflage design sheet for BB-44 in MS 32/16D. Part number is CF-110. John R. Sheridan What I do to Spammers: http://microscale.com/images/N2.jpg I am not a Member of the Lumber Cartel (tinlc) and I am not Unit #631 The last place on earth I would look for the Lumber Cartel(tm) is http://come.to/the.lumber.cartel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: Duke of York There's actually a magnificent sequence of photos in Raven and Roberts showing DOY leaving dry-dock in 1943 (pp298-301) which shows the location of almost all the 20mm at the time. It shows bridge detail in all its glory and the G10/G45 colour scheme. Several were re-positioned later on and Raven and Roberts do include plans of the locations. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: Black Swan's Hi all Does anyone do a model of a Black Swan class sloop? (Particularly 1/700?). Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "JAmes McCormick" Subject: USS Vogelsgang Loren- You built Vogelsgang while you were recruting? Good god man, when did you ever find time? I was in between 82-86, in a PSD in NJ, and those poor slobs(recruiters) were running like madmen all over the state. I guess I know where alot of the ProPay went;-). Jim McCormick -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Joe Costanzo" Subject: Scharnhorst classification >> ...the Scharnhorsts, are also tempting definition. They are heavily armoured for an 11" gun ship, and a battlecruiser is a ship characterised by its low armour. Calling them underarmed battleships is also not correct, as their slim hull form is again typical for cruiser designs. If they were rebuild to 15" gun ships, they might have sufficed as very fast battleships, or perhaps heavy battlecruiser. << The Scharnhorsts were most certainly not cruisers. They were designed from the keel up as battleships, their size limited probably due to material restrictions. The 11" guns were used because they were available, not because of any deliberate design decision. Their protection is also heavy, a 12.59" belt compared to a 9" belt for Alaska. This could have been a better number but German armor distribution was notoriously inefficient. These ships were intended to provide a credible threat to other capital ships (Dunkirque was the main target, if I recall correctly) and don't fit the cruiser structure or role IMHO. Joe Costanzo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Mike Settle Subject: Re: window screen stuff >> I've used Detail Master's modeling screen for a variety of items, including intake screens and radar. It appears to be nylon mesh and comes in 74, 109, and 140 lines per inch 8" x 10" sheets. The mesh is square. Neither product lists an address ... << >> Detail Master's address is listed on the NRG web site: http://www.naut-res-guild.org as: Detail Master P.O. Box 1465 Sterling, VA 20167 << Detail Master has a website. They can be found at: http://www.detailmaster.com/ The 74 lines per inch screen is part # DM1201, the 109 lines per inch screen is part # DM1203, and the 140 lines per inch screen is part # DM1205. The retail price per each is $3.50 U.S. Mike Settle I am not agent #1908 of the non-existent Lumber Cartel (tinlc)tm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: Re: USS MASSACHUSETTS >> What ever happened to this model? << John, I still have it. It got a few "bumps" through the years as it is an R/C model but it's been sitting in my shop ever since. Cheers, Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: GUSDOCVILL@aol.com Subject: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hi ya guys, Wow! am I ever impressed w/the knowledge of ships I have seen in the newsletter!!! Thank you for allowing me into your club!! Being landlocked here in Colorado, very few ship people near me! I have TONS of questions, nothing to give & am @ your mercy. Too many people I want to talk with!! So, will address certain subjects. Hope you all can figure out to whom/what they relate. To me, Mr. Martin Short needs special attention & acknowledgment! I joined you guys because I am one of those people who has little to no money, living payday to payday. I have NO resources in which to obtain the pictures, drawing - all the items that are talked about in "properly" build, painting, etc., a model ship. When you give of yourself, that NEEDS to be acknowledged and given lots of THANK YOU!!! From me, Mr. Short, I say thank you for giving of yourself! And guys, PLEASE! do not be offended to think I don't mean any of you!!! From what I gathered in the three newsletter I have received, EVERYONE of you give of yourself!!! I merely expressed my feeling, in reference to Mr. Short's comment in SMML VOL 836. Forgive me. New to SMML & not knowing just what to expect from the club, I have learned to wait & see what comes up before getting specific. Have had MANY disappointments in the past. 1/700 is my primary scale, but go into whatever I can afford & strikes my interest. Have been trying to build the major combatants of the Battle of Midway Island for over 10 years. Have the HIRYU, KAGA & the YORKTOWN class build. These are all build based upon the reference I was able to obtain, which by SMML standards will fail. Looking for US cruisers & destroyers, but have had no luck. NEVER worked w/resin kits & felt WAY out of my reach financially. Anyone have these ships, I am willing to talk purchase or trade If I may ask of you all, please go to www.gremlins.com/mia to see 3 of my ships. My club (MiA, Modelers in Action) here in the Springs (Colorado Springs) display our models in the local hobby shop every 4 months. March is our month & I will be putting 3 different ships & a PV2-5 Neptune into the display case. Don't know when these will be on the website. I pray that these pictures will answer questions as to my knowledge of ships & just much detail I try put into everyone of my ships. Currently working on Hasegawa 3 HANCOCK, 3 ARLEIGH BURKES, 2 UDALOY, 4 MANCHESTERs, 4 NIMITZ, & trying to decide whether to go back & put PE on all my ships. Lot of them waiting for PE & reference pictures. Don't believe you dudes want to know the armor & aircraft I have sitting on my workbench, do ya?! Yes sir, I totally agree that EVERY class of ship has a slightly different appearance. It is that difference that I attempt to achieve w/every ship I build. 1/700 is small, but I still believe that I can put a lot of the detail to make EACH different. That is why I intend to pick everyone's brain that is w/SMML. I ask today, but it may be months or even years before I use the information to build my ship. Isn't the Hudson in the Northeast corner of Colorado? Have any of you sea lovers ever seen the Rocky Mountains? One of God's greatest gift to me, was buying a home in which every time I step out my front door I see the entire front range of the Rocky Mountains!!! Beautiful sight, guys!! I was an Independent Duty Medical Technician up in NORAD for 5 years!! Lord! did I love it up there!! Plus, love to go hiking & camping up in the mountains! Numerous sights to behold, guys!! Like ideas about new kits. But, why no WW2 USN cruisers, destroyers, auxiliaries? I love all the IJN ships that are now coming out on the market!!! When will they start w/US stuff? I would rather pay for injected molds than resin. Through numerous articles, have read how no one has ever gotten the correct dimensions of the SAN FRANCISCO down right. Wouldn't it have been easier to do in plastic?! Please! you resin makers, do get offended w/ my questions!!! Remember!!!! I have NEVER made a resin kit because of PRICE & all the "danger" warnings of working w/resin. Enlightenment me on resin kits. W/all that in mind, I seek info as originally stated in SMML VOL 836. I seek info on the INVINCIBLE carriers. Speaking of which, I have the WEM INVINCIBLE & two of DML's kits. Trying to save up money to buy WEM set for the INVINCIBLE. Having no confidence in my building a resin kit, I throw out this question to the body: Should I buy another DML kit (I want to make Falkland, Desert Storm & today versions) & trade the resin kit for what I need (WW2 USN cruisers), or keep the resin & start building resin kits. Yes, I realize all too well that IF I am ever able to obtain the cruisers I seek, they will ALL be RESIN!!!! Guess what I am seeking is "something" to help build my confidence in just trying to build a resin kit!!! Does the Skywave Modern Equipment kit have a RAM unit in it? Couple of those launchers sure look like it! Anyone seen the new Skywave DDG USS PORTER? I understand it is model of the Flight IIA, DDG w/hangar for the helicopters. Oh yes, I checked w/Bath Iron Works & established that the correct designation for "THEIR" DDG is Flight IIA. Anyone got any details on the Italeria LHA - 5 PELELIU? Is it a "copy" of DML/Dragon TARAWA class?! Looking for the CIMARRON and the KIDD models? Anyone got any & how much? Well, guess I have said enough for today. Looking forward to hearing from you all! Grace and peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, bless each and everyone of you out there! Yours in Christ, Gus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Richa5011@aol.com Subject: Jutland Battle Ensigns and the Roedean School for Girls This question is both off-beat and obscure, but I'm hoping someone can shed some light on an item I found in a book. I have been reading Andrew Gordon's book entitled: The Rules of the Game - Jutland and the British Naval Command. This book is an examination (yet another one) of the battle, but with a focus on the Senior Officers, their histories, characters, foibles, etc, and specifically, why certain things happened (or did not happen) the way they happened. I'm only 2/3rds of the way through it, but I'm impressed so far. Anyway, one of the points Mr. Gordon makes is: "One of HMS Collingwood's Jutland battle-ensigns is displayed at the present shore-establishment of the same name, another is among four Jutland ensigns in the possession of Roedean Girls School (the others being from Hercules, Neptune and Canterbury)." There is no further explanation. My question is: Why would a girls school be presented with so many ensigns which possesed such a history? I realize that common practice was to fly multiple ensigns in battle, in fact, HMS Blanche (attached to 4th BS) was flying four Union Jacks, one off each funnel, in addition to three white ensigns. So there would have been many more flags than there were ships. It's not like the Admirals and Captains were Alumnae of the school. Why would four ensigns from this one, perhaps the greatest of the steam era, naval battle would go to a school with no visible connection? Perhaps the girls sewed the flags as part of their effort to support the war effort? Perhaps the Alumnae were considered trophy wives by naval officers? Allowing my thoughts to turn lurid(appologies in advance), perhaps the girls were known for their fondness of sailors? Does anyone have insight into this trivia? Perhaps one of the UK members of this list could contact the school for the "official reason" they received the flags. Nat Richards Hi Nat, According to Mistress Lorna, Roedean was THE Girls school in the UK up until approx the 50s (or maybe beyond). Given the history of many families sending one of their sons into some branch of the service at the time, it is logical to assume most of these girls would have had family connections to the higher echelons of the RN, etc. So it wouldn't be unfair to assume that the ensigns would have been gifted to this school, because of that connection. Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "FCR" Subject: Re: HMS Jupiter Hello to all I don't know much about the fight between HMS Jupiter and the IJN submarine I-65. As far as I know the british destroyer was escorting a troop transport convoy in the Sunda Strait to reinforce the ABDA forces in Java. This was between 14th and 18 of February of 1942 (I believe) and if the Jupiter was really damaged in one of their turrets how can we explain that she was in action again in the battle of the Java Sea in the end of that month. Placing another turret on the ship and repairing damaged probably should take a little time. By the way I always thought that the IJN submarine was sunk by depth-charges but ... This is a non well formed opinion but that kind of damage would take some time to repair in other cases. Besides repairing ships in the naval bases of Java in that time was a serious problem. I think that other would have better opinions then mine. Compliments Filipe Ramires PORTUGAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "FCR" Subject: Re: 1/400 Plastic models Hello again Well a british WWII destroyer was a fine option. I need one for my Heller Illustrious at 1/400. Unfortunately Heller Hood in no more available. Happy Modeling Filipe Ramires PORTUGAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: MGross1352@aol.com Subject: Re: Graf Spee The panzerschiffe were a great coup The heavy cruisers, known as treaty cruisers, were armed with 8 inch guns. The panzerschiffe were replacements for pre-dreadnaughts and they were expected by the pundits to be some form of coast defense ships. The german naval architects took advantage of a technology that Germany was well advanced in-diesel engines which gave these ships great range compared to most heavy cruisers. Moreover, with 11 inch guns the panzerschiffes could outrange all heavy cruisers and with a speed of 26 knots, in the days before fast battleships, the panzerschiffe could outrun all but a few battlecruisers of the R.N. The press coined the term pocket battleships because these vessels replaced old battleships but the kriegesmarine never thought of them as other than cruisers or commerce raiders. From Mark Grossman in New Jersey, where spring has sprung and that means baseball is not far behind. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Andy Hampa Subject: Re: SSM Defunct Hi All, For those interested in Scale Ship Modeler, I just got off the phone with them and you'll be happy to hear that they're still in publication. You can find subscription info at www.challengeweb.com. I feel your pain Steve, I was almost in tears myself. Andy Hampa -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Peter & Donna Mispelkamp" Subject: "Armoured Ships" Yes, the official classification of the three "Deutschland" was "Armoured Ships" - as they were described in the Treaty of Versailles. In 1940 both the L�tzow (the renamed Deutschland) and the Admiral Scheer were re-classified as heavy cruisers - but not the Graf Spee as she had already meet her demise. Yes, essentially they were cruisers - the last ships that might have been classed as armoured cruisers a la WWI. Happy Modeling Peter K. H. Mispelkamp. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: 80's Uniforms Loren Perry noted - >> Also, during the early 1980's the USN was transitioning from the short-lived double-breasted enlisted uniforms of the late 1970's back to traditional bell-bottoms. For a year or two, there was great leeway allowed Navy men as they gradually replaced the old with the new, so at the time I modeled DD-862, almost a dozen different uniforms were authorized at one time. << Which sometimes led to confusion and bizarre combinations. When we visited NYC for a port call, one sailor showed up on the quarterdeck wearing his double-breasted jacket with the silver buttons, shirt and necktie, but with a "dixie cup" instead of visor cap. He looked ridiculous and I told him he was out of uniform, but the OOD let him go on liberty anyway! Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Glenn & Kelly Neklason" Subject: Evarts Class DE Does anybody make an Evarts Class DE in any scale? Thanks, Glenn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: Gene Larson Subject: Re: Loren Perry's Comment on Dullcoat Is Loren Perry giving us a hint about the use of Dullcoat when he writes, "I oversprayed the entire model with Testors Dullcote when I built it and as the years passed, it yellowed severely, giving the Haze Gray a distinct greenish hue."? This seems to be very important. Isn't it less than twenty years? Gene Larson, Alexandria, Virginia Nautical Research Guild, Inc. http://www.Naut-Res-Guild.org "A non-profit, tax exempt, charitable, educational organization with international membership, dedicated to maritime research and accurate ship model building." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From Tim Dike Subject: SW Pacific Bases Does anyone know where I can find any views of any of the naval bases in the S.W. Pacific area. Specifically Australia and Noumea in 1942 an 1943. I am especially interested in dockside views, maps and photos of the support facilities. mailto:Cadman@kc.net http://www.kc.net/~cadman/warships/ "A still sea never wrought a skillful sailor" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Michael C. Smith" Subject: Squadron Signal artwork I know what you mean about the Squadron artwork. I tried to buy the cover art to my Essex book when it came out, and Jerry told me he was keeping them for his collection. Wasn't sure what he was going to do with it, but wouldn't sell. And you're right - the originals really are stunning - they're so much larger and sharper than when they come out on covers. But the (now) computer-generated center color spreads are what really knocked me out. On the large monitors they use for formatting they are really, really something. If I could have gotten a 36" sized "print" of them, I'd have framed that. Michael Smith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: Robert & Rose Brown Subject: Admiral Frank J. Fletcher John Lundstrom has written a superb 2 volume history of the USN's fighter pilots in 1942. Volume 1 is called The First Team and Volume 2 The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign. It's the only history I've seen that has been enthusiastically received by veteran pilots as seen in a review in The Hook. As an example of the amount of detail, he has the names of all the Japanese pilots involved in the epic battle off Bougainville, when Butch O'Hare flying from the old Lexington got 3 (not 5) in one mission. All the carrier actions from Pearl Harbour up to Nov 15, 1942 when the battle for Guadalcanal reached it's climax, are covered day by day in the same type of detail, with pilots from both sides identified, with who shot down who, who bombed what, who crashed landed etc all figured out. Not to mention that it covers a lot of the Dive, Scout, and Torpedo operations as well, and that it is a really good read. I mention all this detail in order to give an idea of the sheer amount of research the author has done. There is a dispassionate assessment of Admiral Fletcher in the 2nd volume on Page 174, which shows him in a favorable light. His decision to pull out from the Guadalcanal landings is also reviewed in light of the increasingly heavy Japanese air attacks and the original plan to have all the transports pull out on D+1. As the author puts it, it's not like he ran all the way back to San Francisco! And you can hardly blame him for the Savo disaster. If the carriers had stayed put, they best they could have done would have been a maximum range strike on Mikawa's cruisers the next day. As it was, his principle concern was preserving the 3 carriers and their airgroups for the eventual reckoning with the IJN. The much quoted fuel shortage was based on information supplied to him by his sub-ordinate commanders, who were all worried about the escort's abilities to sustain the high speeds required for such intensive carrier operations, all of whom agreed with pulling out. When Fletcher left the combat zone, he made a number of recommendations for future carrier operations which are remarkably similar to the eventual doctrine adopted for the Central Pacific Drive. There's lots more in his defense, but this note is long enough already. For a non-aviator, he showed a good grasp of carrier basics, unlike Halsey whose reckless approach at Santa Cruz, Leyte, and the raids on Japan caused many needless deaths but that's only my opinion. For an equally interesting assessment of all the carrier admirals, see The Fast Carriers by Clark G. Reynolds. Lots of bad ones, and a few good ones. Rob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: "Michael D'Silva" Subject: KuK Radetzky I recently purchased NNT Modell's KuK Radetzky. This 1/700 Waterline Resin kit portrays her in 1916. While the overall quality of the kit is excellent, the sad omission is a colour scheme. So, I wonder if anyone out there knows what colours she was painted with, at that time. The kit instructions arbitrarily suggest painting the hull, superstructure and fittings 'light gray', and all deck areas 'brown'. Hmm... somehow, I feel there must be more to it than just that... I know these ships had simple colour schemes, but surely not that simple. The kit does not supply decals either, so I wonder where I could get hold of the correct flag at that scale. And BTW, does anyone know what the KuK stands for? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Michael D'Silva Melbourne, Australia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: Keith Butterley Subject: Ohsumi Hi group I am about to do my first ever post-1945 ship. The object of my affection is the JMSDF LST Ohsumi, although as far as I am concerned it is a CVL :-) I am aware of some of the modifications to be done (thanks Mitsuaki) but can anybody give me Humbrol or Model Masters paint references for it. Also does anybody know it the colours listed are actually correct? Thanks Keith Butterley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: WEM Update/FAA Pix/New PE Sets Hi Guys, Having just about recovered from the FAA Museum model show last weekend, we are ready to let you know of some new developments that are happening with WEM. Brian Fawcett, WEM's (mainly) 1/700 scale pattern maker, another SMMLlie, will shortly be taking over all of WEM's 1/700 Scale casting... he starts to get the patterns and moulds in the next couple of weeks..awaiting his tank/casting gear for the new studio at that time. We also have a fair bit of gear going to JAG Collective in Florida shortly... some of the bigger stuff will remain with MDC, and hopefully, the end result of this is that we should see the massive delays of the past 12 months steadily evaporate. This is a very exciting prospect for us, as we have shed-loads of patterns racked up here, waiting to go. In particular, Brian's patterns can be built as he intends to cast them. Seems quality control will improve dramatically as well. Re JAG, I am confident that they will do an excellent job with the "NARROW SEAS" gear, amongst other things. We have now agreed that Peter Hall of Atlantic Models will be patterning the 1/350 KNOX modern USN frigate, the 1/350 CHARLES F. ADAMS, and the HMAS PERTH, together with the ROMMEL in 1:350. These will be going to JAG when completed. We've seen the 1/2 complete patterns and he's doing a beautiful job here. Anyhows, as Brian starts to work through the backlog, expect some exciting developments. We have received the test-shots for the 1/600 KGV Class battleships set, as follows; we have decided, for a number of reasons, that this will now be done in brass rather than the stainless you see here. http://whiteensignmodels.simplenet.com/wembrass/wempe619.jpg This set is 16.13 Pounds ($26.00) The 1/700 KGV Class sample was less than satisfactory.. though this was the etchers' fault.. note the broken anchor cable.. and there will be a few weeks delay while we send it to our other etchers to have it done in 4 thou brass. http://whiteensignmodels.simplenet.com/wembrass/wempe738.jpg This set is 16.13 Pounds ($26.00) We have decided that we are reworking the sets to provide BOTH a KGV/POW set for 1/350 (tho certain things will be missed off such as the PE Pom-Pom sets), AND a specific conversion set will be sold separately, as an optional extra, with resin parts and PE (starfish etc), for DOY/Anson/Howe. This could be ready by the end of May in fact. We would be delighted for you to register your interest! Just here today are the following: WEM PE 3518 1/350 IJN doors and Hatches providing the correct pattern for the Tamiya 1/350 Musashi/Yamato, and for super-detailing those IJN resin kits. http://whiteensignmodels.simplenet.com/wembrass/wempe3518.jpg These are 3.82 pounds ($6.19) All WEM gear is shipped post free of course. Please feel free to place orders with me, Caroline. Last thing (I promise, Shane!), is a pic of me presenting the White Ensign Models "Grey Funnel" Trophy to 72 year-old Mr John Prothero-Thomas, for his stunning scratch-built 1:384 diorama of HMS Eagle in China Station colours, complete with a beautiful scratchbuilt junk, and a deck-load of HAND-SCULPTED(!) figures including a squad of Royal Marines, white helmets and all, stood to attention on the flightdeck.. no photoetched brass... all the stuff we would typicaly add, such as rails etc. were completely scratchbuilt! Although we had never met this delightful gentleman before, he is a widely-respected modeller and is now a new WEM customer to boot! Shame I never had time to photograph the model, due to the pressures of judging. http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models/faawinner.jpg Also, and I almost forgot... Chris Drage and his 12-year old son Adam (who took an award.. congratulations, Adam!) http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models/chrisdrage.jpg Many Thanks! Caroline Carter WEM http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Rare book for sale American Battleships 1886-1923 By Reilly & Sheina Mint condition w/jacket This is the best book on the USN pre-dreadnaught battleships, with many good pictures and many original USN drawings of the ships showing not only profiles, but some or all of the plan views. There are even some fold out drawings. There is a very good chance that this book will never be printed again by the Naval Institute Press. Price: $85.00, includes insured postage, check or money order. Classic Warships P.O. Box 57591 Tucson, AZ 85732 (520)748-2992 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Victor Baca Subject: Re: HMS Amazon Tony Mollica asked in vol. 836 about photo references for the HMS Amazon class. Our company, Photomarine Archives, has over 40 color images of HMS ACTIVE (F-171) taken aboard her in 1985 while she was docked at San Diego. These are detail on-board photos and we also have a good selection of color portrait views as well. We can be reached via e-mail at modelships@earthlink.net. The Active was one of the last two in this class of beautifully designed ships, serving as flagship of the RN's 4Th Frigate Squadron. She served two tours in the Falklands. I agree with Mike Dunn, the book "Modern Combat Ships 5, TYPE 21" is outstanding as a reference, written by none other than one of HMS Amazon's commanders, Capt. John Lippiett, RN. The book was published in 1990 by Ian Allen, Ltd. ISBN: 0711019037. Perhaps Caroline at WEM could supply a copy. Good luck with your Airfix model, Tony. Victor Baca Photomarine Archives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Leodegar Berger" Subject: Saros/Leitha, USSS Tecumseh My company produces the Danubemonitor Maros/Leitha of the austro hungarian Navy in scale 1/700. They are painted and not a kit. The price is $10. We also have the USSS Tecumseh (Civilwar Monitor in scale 1/1250) Price $5,50. There is also an airship of WWI (L55) in scale 1/1250) including wooden rack at a price of 25 $. Shipping is not included. Leodegar Berger Adress: Leodegar Berger Augasse 18 A-2103 Langenzersdorf -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume