Subject: SMML VOL 864 Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 01:32:29 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Soviet Submarine Colors 2: Italian & French WW2 merchant ships 3: Coontz class-Answering my own query 4: Re: Copyright 5: Paint and masking tape question 6: Re: Hood Colours (from HMS Hood Association) 7: Re: Coontz class, BB-62 8: Re: Ballast 9: USN Frigate 10: Re: Working with resin 11: HMS HOOD colors 12: Re: Clear Parts 13: Detail & Scale VOL 39 "USS Enterprise" 14: Soviet Golf II 15: Re: D-I-Y paint chips 16: Tons 17: Need Aurora Bainbridge and ? LCU instructions 18: Re: USS Missouri (BB-11) 19: Re: Copyright 20: Re: copyrights 21: Re: copyrights 22: Re: Caroline 23: Re: Classic Warships Pennsylvania Conversion 24: Re: Calypso 25: L'Arsenal Flower 26: Pearl Harbor Movie Update 27: Re: Ballast 28: Re: Copyrights 29: HMS Defiance 30: USS Pennsy Conversion 31: Re: IJN DD Hatsuzuki 32: IPMS(USA) Nationals Shipmodeling Theme 33: New Ashey Book? 34: Re: Copyrights 35: CWS Pennsylvania Conversion 36: Off Topic: Fun question. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts 1: SMML Convention news -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: GrafSpee34@aol.com Subject: Soviet Submarine Colors >> Does anyone have an idea if this is correct or what colors the Soviets used below the waterline? << I wondered about this for a while and finally had the chance to pose the question to the navigation officer on a Soviet nuclear submarine. He told me that the waterline is marked with a narrow white stripe and the entire hull, above and below, is black. This applies to the 1980's time frame. Sounds dull, but actually looks nice especially since it contrasts with US submarines. I think the light grey undersides for Soviet subs is a modelling convention that came from the movie Hunt for Red October. Remember that lame movie? Where the Hollywood Russians were wearing neatly pressed dress uniforms inside a luxurious immaculate space age boat that looked like a set discarded from Star Trek V. Yeah, right. Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Ramses Martinez" Subject: Italian & French WW2 merchant ships Can anyone please let me know of any books or web sites that have photographs and/or plans of Italian or French merchant ships of the Second World War. regards, Ramses Martinez -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Rod Dauteuil Subject: Coontz class-Answering my own query I saw in Scale Shipyard's catalog a 1/96 scale hull for a Coontz class DDG/DLG. Also, most (if not all) of the weapons and fittings are available through SSY as well. I think they provide arrangement plans with the hull, but it's an extensive project. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Gene Larson Subject: Re: Copyright James Johnson wrote: >> First of all, if someone makes something, don't they have to copyright it? << The law does not specify an item must be registered to be copyrighted. If the date of orign can be proven, then that is sufficient. Publication is one form of proof. If there is a concern then an official copyright can be obtained. I forgot to mention in my posting yesterday: >From the Copyright Law booklet I found (section 303.): "The duration of a copyright in the first term on Jan 1, 1978 shall endure for 28 years from the date it was originally secured." This then is also subject to renewal for another 47 years. So to be legal a check must be made with the copyright holder to determine if the item is still under copyright. We are trying to put together a concise summary of the law(s) regarding especially the copying of ship plans. As you can see, this is not easy. 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." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Felix Bustelo" Subject: Paint and masking tape question Hello all, I am turning to the great collective wisdom of this group for advice. I airburshed my Ajax model with 507C and I started to mask the areas that need to stay this color for the black in the camo scheme. I place a strip of masking tape and I lifted it up to move it over slightly and damn it, some paint came off with the tape. I carefully did the same on some of the other tape (I didn't get too far) and in some cases. paint came up as well. ARRRRRGH! OK - I am calm and cool and collected as it is the next day. I plan on airbrushing the affected spots to correct the paint and after waiting a few days, spraying some clear coat (Tamiya brand) to hopefully "seal" the base coat. For background, I cleaned the model and I primed using Testors Model Master primer. The base coat is Model Shipways brand RN paints, which I thinned using Tamiya thinner. Is my plan of action sound? This there another way? This is my first camo scheme attempt, but I have masked areas off in my other projects and I have necer had this happen to me. I have used Tamiya, Testors Model Master and Floquil paints - this is the first time using the Model Shipways paint (which I am reviewing for my website). Any advice would be appreciated. TIA, Felix Bustelo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: AllenFW2@aol.com Subject: Re: Hood Colours (from HMS Hood Association) Hello You will find the most accurate colour information for Hood on the HMS Hood Association's web site (on our satellite site) at: http://www.geocities.com/allenfw2/models/tips/HoodPaint.html This is the most accurate coverage of Hood's paint scheme currently available. It covers all known paint schemes that Hood wore during her career. The Italeri kit portrays Hood in 1933, so, please refer to the instructions for "AP507A." Of course, if the students are going to modify Hood to the later 1930s (i.e., the Spanish Civil War), then you might need the light grey "AP507C." We also have photos of the completed Italeri kit on the satellite site - Go to: http://www.geocities.com/allenfw2/models/Models.html, then look in the "Italeri" review and the "Hood Model Gallery." It will give your students a good idea what it should look like when completed (both examples show her in light grey/mid-late 1930s). To be technically correct, the kit as-is/unmodified would have to be painted dark grey. When your students are done, we'd love to see photos of some of their work! Hope this helps! Frank Allen "Battle Cruiser Hood" HMS Hood Association http://www.hmshood.com (main web site address) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: drwells@hogpb.mt.att.com (David R Wells) Subject: Re: Coontz class, BB-62 Craig Bennett wrote: >> The only kit ever made of the Coontz class DDG was by Renewal back in the 1960s. << I believe you meant "Renwal". >> I have a completed kit of one them and guess what! It's not a Coontz at all they made a Mitscher class DL with a stern missile launcher instead of a 5 inch gun mount. They were sold as Dewey, King, Farragut, and I think Luce. << I wrote just that on Rajen's list some years ago..... http://www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/rajen.html#Renwal The hull is roughly the correct lenth to be a Coontz class in 1/500 scale. The Mitscher class was around 493 feet long, the Coontz class was around 512 feet, and IIRC, the kit is slightly over 12 inches long. Renwal aimed for 1/500 scale, so the hull about the right size for a Coontz class. >> Speaking of the Battleship New Jersey it's hull color isn't the only thing new about her. Some where in Congress a letter was lost preventing her transfer to the museum group in Camden, NJ and the EPA has voiced concerns over PCB levels in the ships equipment. Plus the group in Bayonne, NJ has filed a complaint with the Govt. Accounting Office (Congressional Watch Dog Agency) on the choice of the home port for the ship. << Umm, time for some rumor control here: First: It wasn't a "group in Bayonne". It was Representative Marge Roukema, of the 5th district, which does NOT include Bayonne. The House of Representative web site can point you to her press release, or you can go directly to http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj05_roukema/battleship.html Representative Bob Menendez of the 13th district (Union, not Bayonne) has made a similar request to the GAO. >> Oh by the way. Back in W.W.II the New Jersey has had another nickname by her crew: The Big Dragon, << Umm, that's "Black Dragon". See Paul Stillwell's book for details, or talk to a plankowner or two. (I have....) She was so named because of the dark Measure 21 paint scheme she wore in those days. The Battleship New Jersey Historical Museum society has a picture which illustrates this nicely, http://www.bb62museum.org/images/BBNJ0116.JPG OK, the scan came out a little darker than the actual photo, but it gets the point across. David R. Wells Member, (not spokesman) Battleship New Jersey Historical Museum Society, (which isn't based in Bayonne either, and has taken NO position on which New Jersey city should get the battleship......) http://www.bb62museum.org "There seems to be something wrong | David R. Wells with our bloody ships today" | AT&T Middletown, NJ Adm. D. Beatty, May 31, 1916 | Email: drwells@hogpa.mt.att.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "James Johnson" Subject: Re: Ballast I worked at an oil refinery until I retired last year. We had an item in the warehouse called lead wool. It was used to caulk seams in a few old riveted tanks etc. This stuff is, as the name implies, made of very small tubes of lead. It is perfect for adding ballast to ships, aircraft, or whatever. It can be molded into any shape or crammed into any nook or crevice and can be glued in place or not. If you have any access to an industrial supply house, this stuff is extremely handy, if you can find it. You can also use it for piping on models by straightening it out and bending to shape. Just be aware that lead is poisonous and is cumulative (get some today and it stays with you until you get some more next month and combines with it until physical symptoms occur years later). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Satin, Michael N. (LNG-SHEP)" Subject: USN Frigate Well, I have to admit that I wasn't paying much attention to this thread until Les' list of names on Friday. There I saw that modified River class ship PF69 was named Davenport. My original home town! Are there any kits of these ships out there? I'd really like to find a 1/350 to go with my Iowa! Thanks. Michael -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Working with resin I read the result of using fiberglass resin to add ballast to ship models and I have some advise. My dad, who used to own a body shop taught me how to repair Corvettes which had lots of fiberglass damage when they came to the shop. One trick I learned was if you wish to pour solid resin any thicker than 1/4 inch, pour it in layers. As the heat dissipates due to the curing process you can pur another thin layer and it won't generate much heat that way. I've seen some guys who use resin for water in dioramas use this trick and it works very well. Hope this helps. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: John Anderson Subject: HMS HOOD colors Filipe, in regards to your H.M.S. HOOD model colors check out the H.M.S. HOOD web site at hhh.hmshood.com and go to the scale models section there is a wealth if information o the H.M.S. HOOD's color schemes at different times of her life, also check out my 1/72 scale H.M.S. HOOD in the pictures also in the models section Good Luck And Good Shooting ( famous last words ) John Anderson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Kenneth Perry Subject: Re: Clear Parts Hello, A word of warning for those planning on using the two part clear polyester resin for their parts. I actually have long term experience with the two part type as found in art supplies and sometimes Walmarts. I cannot remember the brand, but it's the one in the rectangular metal can with the blue and white label. It does cast crystal clear when new. I've had some I mixed up about 8 years ago and it's starting to get an amber tint to it. The more time passes, the worse it gets. Ken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Blubber Pud" Subject: Detail & Scale VOL 39 "USS Enterprise" Hi all, I was actually thinking about this before this whole "copyright issue" thread started, and then was a little leary about posting since that came up, but what the heck. I've been looking for a copy of Detail & Scale VOL 39 "USS Enterprise", with no luck. So first of all I would like you know if anyone has a copy that they would like to sell, (I REALLY need a good reference for my Tamiya Enterprise). To expand on this if someone will sell me this book or even lend me their copy, I will covert it to Portable Document Format (.PDF) that you probably have seen many times. This can be read with a free reader downloaded from Adobe. I am NOT going to sell it, or try and make any money off this whatsoever, I just want a book that is hard to find and make it easier for others to view it. I could make it available to anyone that would like to see it. In order for this to work I first need a copy of the book, so again I will ask, does anyone have one that they would like to sell? Thanks, Jason Trudel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "wblad" Subject: Soviet Golf II I don't have a definitive answer, but while surfing Soviet/Russian museum ship websites I noticed that all preserved ships from WWII and earlier, including the old cruiser Aurora, river gunboats, and submarines, have bright green hull bottoms. All modern (post war/cold war era) submarines have red bottoms. HTH. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Mike Subject: Re: D-I-Y paint chips Jon wrote :- >> Actually, he'd be saving a little more than that. To get all of the colors listed on the website, you would have to purchase both USN sets and both RN sets, so the cost would be around 80 bucks. Saving the cost of the average 1/700 scale large kit, or small 1/350 kit, wouldn't be a complete waste of time, and you'd learn about how the Munsell systems works too (although I still haven't figured out an applications for that yet...) << Well, I must admit I agree with S&S - they've put in a LOT of time & effort into the paint chips. When I do my Sussex, I'm gonna make sure I have their RN chips to hand, as I'll have enough to do without re-inventing the wheel again! Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Dave Swindell Subject: Tons >> That is, you multiply the displacement of the ship in whatever units you want (kilos, tons, points) by the cube of the scale. There is one thing that I want to be sure on. When a ship's displacement is quoted in tons, is that always english tons and never metric tons or some other wierd ton...i.e. 1 ton = 2000 lbs?? That's what I've always assumed (and assumed above) but never actually asked. << What tons are used will depend on who's quoting it and for what purpose. Displacement for warships is not my forte, but for merchant ships the tonnage quoted can be confusing and not necessarily reflect the quantity of water actually displaced. Gross Tonnage, Net tonnage, Suez tonnage, Panama tonnage, they're all different for the same ship, and if you start carrying passengers tonnage is calculated on a volumetric basis for the designated passenger spaces. Fuel, lube oil and stores is included in some and disregarded in others. Positioning of the uppermost continuous deck affects tonnage calculations, as does which spaces are used by crew who operate the ship and crew who don't (removal of a door on the frosties alleyway on one of our ships lead to tonnage problems - if the door was there and wedged open, no problem, take the door away and you had to recalculate!) Model wise if you've built the hull, mark the waterline you want to float at and ballast down to the line whilst floating the hull. Remove ballast and weigh it, subtract weight of fittings and superstructure not included in the float test to give the final ballast weight required. this can be distributed as required around the hull. If you haven't built the model, but have a set of hull sections, mark your desired waterline on the sections, calculate the area below the waterline for each section and use Simpson's rule to calculate the submerged volume of the model. If you're metric and work in metres then one cubic metre = 1000kg freshwater. This will give you a good target weight for your completed model. Unless you're actually planning on sailing your model, then the above is a bit pointless. For static models no weight is really required, but I understand how the original poster feels - I've built Tamiya waterline ships with and without the supplied metal strip weight - the ones with weight "feel" more like a proper model, it doesn't have to be accurate, just as long as your battleship weighs a bit more than that flower class corvette ;-). Dave Swindell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Joseph Poutre Subject: Need Aurora Bainbridge and ? LCU instructions Hi all, In cleaning out my parents house, we found some old models of my youthful days. Most were junk, but two were intact (and rare) enough to recover. One is the Aurora Bainbridge, CGN-25. I need a copy of the instructions, and a pointer to a good reference for her as she was in the 1960s off Vietnam. I plan to break it down and rebuild. The foremast is missing, but all the essentials are there, if rather roughly built and painted. (Glue? If a little is good, more must have been better, especially in a closed basement. Who knew about the dangers of sniffing, if inadvertently, back then? :-) I also have the Landing Craft Utility, made by I don't remember who, maybe Lindberg? I think it came with a tank model to go on the deck. I'd like the instructions for it, too, if anyone would be kind enough to make a copy of their archived one. (We all save our instruction sets, right?) Thanks in advance. Joseph Poutre -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Duane_C" Subject: Re: USS Missouri (BB-11) The best reference I have seen is American Battleships 1886-1923 by John C. Reilly, Jr. and Robert L. Scheina, Naval Institute Press, 1980 (second printing 1988). ISBN: 0-87021-524-8. According to the authors, all three ships were generally similar, except for funnel height, with Maine having the tallest, Missouri mid-sized, and Ohio having the shortest. Unfortunately, the dimensions are not given, but you should be able to figure the height from the photos. The book also has some nice drawings from the C&R plans. Duane C. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Tim Perry" Subject: Re: Copyright Hi All, the answer to anyones qualms about infringing copyright is of course, make your own master parts and cast them yourself! If you want to sell surplus items, no one can question your ethics then. And, you can have what you want, in the scale that you want, in the quantity you want, when you want..... Isn't this obvious?! Good copyright story for you all, even if a little off-topic. (but not by much) In the days when spare parts for British motorcycles were getting scarce and expensive, an enterprising bike dealer organised a batch of drive sprockets to be made out in the Far East (no names, no pack drill) Being unable to locate facory drawings of the part, he sent a very precious, unused, pristine actual sprocket from his dwindling stock of originals for the engineers to meusure up. A few months later, the consignment of copies duly arrived, all beatifully produced, but to his surprise each was wrapped in an identical copy of a page from 'Exchange & Mart'. Then it dawned on him; he had used a page from this newspaper to wrap his original, and this had been faithfully copied along with the sprocket.... Everyone say 'AAAHHHH' Best wishes to all, Tim Perry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: copyrights >> in the NRG have been trying to resolve copyright questions just for clarification for future use. I think the above statement goes a little too far. There are limits on the fair use of material still under copyright. I have not read the above statement in the booklet "Copyright Law of the United States of America". Please give page and paragraph reference, as this is important. I don't think an entire book can be copied for personal use if still under copyright. << No You can't, that is not a fair use. While you are not profiting from a sale of the personal copy, you are potentially depriving the copyright owner of a sale. Also the personal copy for use purposes would not be a fair use. Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: copyrights >> First of all, if someone makes something, don't they have to copyright it? << Not necessarily, the copyright arises upon the act of creating the work. Registration is not a pre requisite to preserving one's rights. However before you can bring a copyright infringement action, the work must be registered, and late registration could cause you to loose the right to collect damages for infringements that occurred prior to registration. Basically, registration is considered to be actual notice to the world that you are asserting your rights and that infringement could result in monetary damages. >> If I write a best selling novel and I don't copyright it, someone else can copy it word for word and sell it on the market and I can't do any thing about it. I assume that the large and small manufactures take the time to go through the procedure. If they just say "this is copyrighted", it ain't necessarily so. As I understand it, they have to file with the copyright office, and of course pay a fee. I wonder if cottage business goes to this bother. << Putting the registration notice on a work without actually registering is copyright fraud. I know of at least one cottage business that has actually registered copyrights in kits. The registration cost is like $20 per application. The real issue is the need to submit samples. However as noted above, failure to register does not leave someone else free to copy your work. If you find an infringer of an unregistered work, you register immediately and hit him with specific notice and a cease and desist demand. If he doesn't stop, then you consider a suit. >> If I do a perfect model of the HMS Hood and you do a perfect model of the HMS Hood, won't the two models be exactly the same? Do I sue you if my model is out first, even though you did not copy mine? << No, this is the legal concept of "scene a fair" which means that any one is free to copy or create a work depicting something that exists in nature. The example I always use is that I cannot copy Ansel Adam's photo of the moonrise over Yosemite, but if I see Ansel at the park with his camera, and figure that he's a good photographer, so I'll follow him around and photograph every thing he does, standing right along side him, I am free to do so. I just can't borrow his negatives. In your example the Hood is in public domain (assuming that the British Govt hasn't made a practice of copyrighting its warships, so everyone is free to make a model, and different models would be identical if they are all made with the same fidelity to detail. I would note that in recent years there has been some problem with aircraft companies withholding permission to model some of their aircraft - I believe that Boeing was doing such in the 80s, and it created a problem with issuing new kits of B17s etc. >> If we use the same inaccurate reference and make the same mistake in our models, is this proof that you copied from me or I copied from you? Copying of errors is a classic way to prove infringement. It occurred in several seminal software copyright cases where the owner proved copying by demonstrating that even coding errors and bits of abandoned code segments had been copied. >> I see a lot of common equipment in ship kits that look the same from one manufacturer to the next and they all look like the ones in say a Tamiya 1/350 Missouri. Should Tamiya sue everybody, or should all 5"/38 turrets look alike? It would be hard to prove,no? << It is frequently done and may be hard to prove. More importantly It may not be worth the cost of litigating the issue if your damages are slight. What are Tamiys's actual damages in the instance you site?? Did they loose sales on kits because people didn't have to buy their kit to scavenge a few parts?? Also what is the benefit to you in $$$, which is another measure of damages, I doubt it would justify the cost of litigation. >> Copyrights don't last forever. They have a time limit, but I don't know what it is. Are the Cutlass's and Skywarriors that came out with the Revell carrier kits still copyrighted? << Probably, though they were created under the pre 1978 law. >> IF they aren't, can I clone them and sell them legally? If they are, then nobody can make a copy and sell/give them to anyone else. Revell won't re-release them, so I guess that makes them valuable on the second hand market. << It doesn't matter that Revell has no plans to re release the kit >> If I had one of these kits and took the planes out and sold them to someone, am I obligated to pay Revell a percentage of what I got for them? << No, the first sale doctrine allows you to resell the copy that you own without any further payment to Revell. >> What if I changed them and used them as updated masters for updated versions. Would the copyright still be a problem? There are companies we all could name in the far east who use 60's and 70's kits from other manufactures, update them and release them as new kits. << Yes, that would be a derivative work, also protected. >> I don't want to sound like an intelligent donkey about all this, but I just don't understand all the nuances of copyright law. Some things are obvious, some not so obvious. << It is not a trivial subject. Most attorneys also don't understand it!!! >> If I make a copy of a magazine article for a friend because it is not available anywhere else, as I understand it, I am breaking the copyright laws, even though the magazine can't be obtained from the publisher. << Technically yes, however you are talking a de-minimus infringement that is not likely to result in a lawsuit, however if you run off copies for your entire club, that may be more of a problem Texaco got into trouble big time 10 years ago when their library was caught running off copies of expensive technical newsletters to distribute internally as opposed to buying multiple copies. >> If I loan the magazine to my friend, then we are legal? If he buys the magazine from me, then that's legal? << Yes to both, once you bought the copy you own it and can lend it or sell it. >> Then he makes copies for himself is that legal? Then he sells it back to me is that legal? << No, you are just trying to circumvent the law. Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Caroline >> Caroline Carter WEM (Now REALLY looking forward to her break in Southern California in April, THEN SMMLlieCon in May!!) << Ah you are coming to the SMML con!! I trust that you will bring that skimpy bikini that they were talking about last year :-) Regards, Bradford Chaucer Hi Brad, I'm sure she will, if only to see you modelling it ;-ž Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: Classic Warships Pennsylvania Conversion Well, Steve will likely reply to this subject as well, but in case he doesn't.... The CW PENNSY 1/426 conversion kit is, IIRC, 8-10 years old. While I haven't looked at mine in a long time (another of those unbuilt projects), I seem to recall it consists mostly of superstructure and gun tubs. Of course, that leaves us with the problem of things like 1/426 40mm and 20mm mounts, etc. And no, it doesn't include any photoetch...it predates Steve's inclusion of PE in his kits. I'd like to see Steve update and fill out this offering as well, but I know he's got a lot of irons in the fire for the foreseeable future. Still, if enough modelers inquired....(sorry about that Steve!) John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys http://www.shipcamouflage.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: william cardamone Subject: Re: Calypso Thankyou to all who responded to the "Calypso" subject. Just out of intrest what sort of kit was the Revell Calypso? Is it still in production and is it suitable for R.C.? What scale did it come in and what would you give it out of ten ? Thank you. William Cardamone Melb. Aust. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: L'Arsenal Flower After seeing the reviews of the 1/400 L'Arsenal late-war FLOWER class corvette on Warship, I ordered one from White Ensign Models. It arrived - seemingly by magic - within just a few days. The kit consists of about 64 resin parts (a few appeared to be extras but that's never a bad thing), superbly cast. No bubbles, no flash, no pinholes. The one-piece hull has a faint scribed line to mark the waterline. Three excellent photoetched brass frets are included. The railings are designed so that the modeler must drill a hole for the stanchions to fit, but that isn't too much extra work for a model this size. Decals for 11 ships are provided (British, French, Canadian and American) and include pilot house windows and checkerboards for the funnel. A resin cradle is included for mounting the ship. The comprehensive instructions are entirely in French, but anybody who's taken the equivalent of a high school course should be able to manage, provided they get a dictionary to translate some of the more obscure terms. Very highly recommended. Mike Alexandria, VA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: Marc Flake Subject: Pearl Harbor Movie Update Latest word from the Pearl Harbor movie is that the Lexington will have some work done to her island and be repainted to stand in as an IJN aircraft carrier. Also, there have been some talks in Houston about having some of the aircraft fly by the Texas. There's even some talk about repainting her, though, all they'd have to do is paint the masts above the smoke stacks light gray. Any on the list with the Texas group that can confirm this? Marc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: MIKE.LEONARD@customs.treas.gov Subject: Re: Ballast RhinoBones wrote - >> Now, when you pick up the model it "feels" like a real boat. . . doesn't feel like a cheesy poof plastic model any more. It has some real mass. Good ole mass. Feels real good when you hold it out at eye level. Hope I'm not alone in this. << For those of us who also paint military miniatures, there has long been a feeling in that segment of the hobby that a piece should have some "heft" when one picks it up to look at. Traditionally, lead and pewter were the preferred metals and they were viewed more favorably than lightweight plastic and resin materials, which were thought better suited to mere toys. This isn't quite the case as it was 20+ years ago, since many fine miniature painters prefer to sculpt, scratchbuild, or heavily modify commercial figures. The increased cost of metal over plastics has also had an influence. Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: eddp Subject: Re: Copyrights I am not an expert, or a lawyer, but I did attend Journalism school. My memory may be faulty, but I recall the following: A copyright-able object is copyrighted at the moment of its creation. For example, the moment President Lincoln sribbled the Gettysburg Address on the envelope, it was "Copyright 1863 Abe Lincoln." (Granted the laws may have been different then.) If Abe decided to sell copies of his address ("...on a GENUINE envelope! Signed by the President!"), each copy would have to carry the "Copyright 1863 Abe Lincoln" legend in order to maintain his copyright. Distributing copies without the legend could be construed as putting the address into the public domain. Registering the copyright with the US Government is not necessary to copyright an object, but does make legal action in defense of the copyright easier (and may be necessary for legal action, I forget). I have held the opinion for some time, that an individual can do pretty much anything with copyrighted material he owns, as long as it is for his own private use. I don't know where I got this belief, but the VCR suit (MGM v. SONY?) of the '80's was probably a great influence. The basic premise of the decision was that it was alright to tape TV programs for later, personal use. I believe the publishing of plans in books, for example, implies that I, as purchaser of the book, can use those plans, including Xeroxing at different scales, for my own purposes. My $.02, Edd Pflum -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: eddp Subject: HMS Defiance Many years ago, I picked up a curio in an antique shop. It is a block of Oak about 3" on a side, with a brass plate with the legend: " H.M.S. Defiance 1884-1930". Conway's 1860-1905 lists a "Screw Ship-of-the-Line Defiance, Building [in 1860, Completed 1861], 3745 Tons, 81 guns, Sold 1931" Does anyone know more about this ship? Is there a model that could be converted to the Defianace? Edd Pflum -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: David Sepos Subject: USS Pennsy Conversion >> Is this USS Pennsylvania conversion kit from Classic Warships a new offering or an old one? Sounds very tempting... Does it contain photoetch too because I already have the fine GMM set and wondered how to convert her from the Arizona. << I emailed Classic Warships as I too saw no mention of the conversion on their site. Apparently the modeler from "Planet" Houston (remember "Superman"? ;-)) was very lucky in finding a "leftover" that someone never got around to using. Is there anyone out there that can shed any light on this as to contents and issued price? Word from Classic Warships is it's long out of production......... Maybe it's time for an upgraded version if you guys are reading this site. Regards, Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: IJN DD Hatsuzuki Hi SMML, For what it's worth, as a guide to the Hatsuzuki's late-war AA fit you might want to look at the box art and instructions for the Nichimo 1/200 Hatsuzuki. They show triple 25mm mounts on each side of the funnel, two triple 25mm mounts on a platform between the funnel and the torpedo tubes, one triple 25mm mount in place of the after Type 94 director, and six or seven single 25mm guns (four on the deck abreast the bridge and three or four on the after deckhouse). Good luck! Art Nicholson ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: IPMS(USA) Nationals Shipmodeling Theme Hi SMML, I was wondering if there was going to be an SMML shipmodeling theme at this year's IPMS-USA Nationals, like the 1/700 Fletcher theme from last year. I had heard something about the theme being anything built on a 1/700 Spruance hull, namely anything from the Spruance, Kidd, or Ticonderoga classes. Does anyone know if that is correct? Thanks, Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: New Ashey Book? Hi SMML, Yes, it's me again.... I received the latest issue of Fine Scale Modeler today, and on page 75 I noticed a Kalmbach advertisement for what I gather is a new book by Mike Ashey called "Basics of Ship Modeling: The Illustrated Guide." It lists for $18.95. Does anyone know if this book is really out yet, and, more to the point, if it is, can anyone give us their opinion of it? I wonder how it's different from Ashey's first book on shipmodeling.... Thanks! Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34) From: Richa5011@aol.com Subject: Re: Copyrights I originally wrote: >> 2. In the US the law reads inpart, "Copies may be made only for personal or scholarly use, and may not be sold, republished or otherwise distributed in any way.". What this means in plain english is that, if I find a rare book in the library, I can legally make a xerox copy for myself, but I can not sell or give away xerox copies, or reset the type and republish the book without violation of copyright. (etc) << Gene responded: >> We in the NRG have been trying to resolve copyright questions just for clarification for future use. I think the above statement goes a little too far. There are limits on the fair use of material still under copyright. I have not read the above statement in the booklet "Copyright Law of the United States of America". Please give page and paragraph reference, as this is important. I don't think an entire book can be copied for personal use if still under copyright.<< In response to Gene, I write: Gene...please keep in mind that the limitations upon the NRG (an organization) as a "Library or Archive" are somewhat different than my limitations as an individual, acting only for myself. The quoted part of my original post is actually taken from "Copyright Law in Business and Practice" by John W. Hazard. Published in 1989 with Amendments through 1999. This book explains, provides practical examples as well as legal precidents regarding the Copyright Law of 1976 (which has been amended several times since then) >> From the U.S. Govt. booklet I quote the following limitations, which clearly state that an entire work cannot be copied (3): 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A,.....The rest of section 107 of the Copyright Law of 1976 snipped... << Your citation of section 107 is correct as far as it goes, but the key is found in Section 108 which deals with “Limitations on Exclusive Rights”...or to put it another way, the exceptions to the rule. As you will see, subsections (a), (b), and (c) apply to libraries and archives, while subsections (d) and (e) apply to individuals, or as they are called in the Copyright Law, "users". As you will note in subsection (e) an individual may copy the entirety of a publication if it is not available at a “fair price” (as you will recall, my original post cited a “rare book”)and as long as they make only one copy, for the users own personal, non-commercial use and that there is a due notice explaning these requirements. (Which in all of the University libraries I have been to in recent years is laminated to the top of every xerox machine.) Section 108 is quoted in part below. For those who wish to see the entire “United States Copyright Law of 1976” with ammendments, it is available to download from both the US Patent and Trademark Office website as well as from the Library of Congress web site....but it is some seriously tedious reading! § 108. Limitations on exclusive rights: Reproduction by libraries and archives (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement of copy-right for a library or archives, or any of its employees acting within the scope of their employment, to reproduce no more than one copy or phonorecord of a work, or to distribute such copy or phonorecord, under the conditions specified by this section, if—(1) the reproduction or distribution is made without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage;(2) the collections of the library or archives are (i) open to the public, or (ii) available not only to researchers affiliated with the library or archives or with the institution of which it is a part, but also to other persons doing research in a specialized field; and 3) the reproduction or distribution of the work includes a notice of copyright. (b) The rights of reproduction and distribution under this section apply to a copy or phonorecord of an unpublished work duplicated in facsimile form solely for purposes of preservation and security or for deposit for research use in another library or archives of the type described by clause (2) of subsection (a), if the copy or phonorecord reproduced is currently in the collections of the library or archives. (c) The right of reproduction under this section applies to a copy or phonorecord of a published work duplicated in facsimile form solely for the purpose of replacement of a copy or phonorecord that is damaged, deteriorating, lost, or stolen, if the library or archives has, after a reasonable effort, determined that an unused replacement cannot be obtained at a fair price. (d) The rights of reproduction and distribution under this section apply to a copy, made from the collection of a library or archives where the user makes his or her request or from that of another library or archives, of no more than one article or other contribution to a copyrighted collection or periodical issue, or to a copy or phonorecord of a small part of any other copyrighted work, if (1) the copy or phonorecord becomes the property of the user, and the library or archives has had no notice that the copy or phonorecord would be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research; and (2) the library or archives displays prominently, at the place where orders are accepted, and includes on its order form, a warning of copyright in accordance with requirements that the Register of Copyrights shall prescribe by regulation. (e) The rights of reproduction and distribution under this section apply to the entire work, or to a substantial part of it, made from the collection of a library or archives where the user makes his or her request or from that of another library or archives, if the library or archives has first determined, on the basis of a reasonable investigation, that a copy or phonorecord of the copyrighted work cannot be obtained at a fair price, if (1) the copy or phonorecord becomes the property of the user, and the library or archives has had no notice that the copy or phonorecord would be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research; and (2) the library or archives displays prominently, at the place where orders are accepted, and includes on its order form, a warning of copyright in accordance with requirements that the Register of Copyrights shall prescribe by regulation. Subsections (f) through (h) snipped. I hope this clears up the confusion. Note, I am not a lawyer...I just read the law and the books that explain it. Please be aware that Copyright laws outside the US vary greatly, please check on your own National laws before you try this at home. Nat Richards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35) From: "kenny_II" Subject: CWS Pennsylvania Conversion >> Is this USS Pennsylvania conversion kit from Classic Warships a new offering or an old one? Sounds very tempting... Does it contain photoetch too because I already have the fine GMM set and wondered how to convert her from the Arizona. << Ralph, This is an older kit, dated 1992. I went to the Classic Warships web site looking for documentation and I could not find the kit listed. I suspect it is not in production, but I think the expert on the subject reads SMML and could offer a final answer. ;-) Tim -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36) From: "Kelvin Mok" Subject: Off Topic: Fun question. I am designing a water saver flush. Yep I know, roll your eyes. but its fun enough to think through something. And this is one of the most diverse groups I will come across who may have an answer to a quirky question. I have already asked a web based plumbing company the same question but I suspect this is something no one had thought of asking before, least of all someone in the trade. The question I have and I hope you can help me is - the screw stem for the toilet's flush handle has a fine reverse screw thread and has to fit into the industry standard 3/4 inch per side square hole in the tank. The reverse thread I can see the purpose for. Now other than this being an industry convention is there any reason why the screw thread pitch should be so fine. It takes for ever to make enough turns to tighten the nut. And because a fine thread generates a higher torque weekend handymen are likely to over tighten that nut. That induces problems. The next question is why is the nut body so thin? The stem of the housing is long enough so space is not a problem. The nut is often made of resilient plastic and the metal wrench used to tighten it can barely get a grip. Because the plastic is soft the wrench often strips the nut facets. Again other than industry convention is there any other rationale for this? Thanks in advance. Kelvin Mok -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts The Deadline to pre-register for the SMML convention is April 1st 2000! If you want to attend, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can get a accurate head count. Also, for those who plan on coming to the convention from far away, the special rate on the Hotel expires on April 6th. Hotel arrangements can be found at: http://www.smml.org.uk/help/smml_hotels.html The SMML convention date is May 5th and May 6th onboard the USS Salem (CA-139) Ship Museum. For more information, check out the SMML website at: http://www.smml.org.uk/help/smml_con.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: louellet@uism.bu.edu Subject: SMML Convention news I want to let the following people who have paid know that I have received your funds. James Kloek Alan LeGloahec David Riley Gary and Mary Kingzett John Lambert To all SMMLies, please let me or John Frohock know if you will be attending. We need to get a count to the caterer very soon, and it will be final. Also, the more that attend, the less likely there will be any additional cost for the museum trips on Friday. If you will be paying when you arrive, please let us know so that we can include you in our plans. Thank you. Larry Ouellette SMML Convention Treasurer mailto:louellet@uism.bu.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume