Subject: SMML VOL 889 Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2000 00:39:15 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Belknap class at Philly 2: WW2 LST 3: Re: Pegasus Hydrofoil plans 4: Pearl Harbor Update comment 5: Re: Who Knows the Best Way to Mold Small Parts? 6: Re: Blue Ridge, and LPH's 7: Re: Casting small parts 8: Re: Future floor polish 9: Re: McMiur 10: Re: USS CONSTELLATION 11: Landing Craft Infantry (Large) 12: Re: Pearl Harbor Update 13: Re: Belknap at Philly 14: Re: Future floor polish 15: Re: Think Tank 16: SMML-type articles 17: West German ship colors 18: Russian MTB Camouflage 19: "McMUIR" 20: liberty ship plans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: New Update 2: Re: Warship Models Underway 3: Commander Series website update -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Keith T Bender Subject: Re: Belknap class at Philly Yes Steve you were right, it was a fwd. missile house and not a deck gun. My era. As for the name I still don't know. Thanks, Keith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Hill, Robert L." Subject: WW2 LST Am looking for ww2 LST. Does anyone know of such a model in production? Bob Hill Jacksonville, Fl. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Pegasus Hydrofoil plans Would the fellow wanting some Pegasus hydrofoil plans contact me off list? I had to check my files first, but I do have a set of plans for this ship. So if you still need them, let me know. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Michael C. Smith" Subject: Pearl Harbor Update comment As some of you may recall, in 1992, the USS Ranger (CV-61) launched one or two B-25s off San Francisco to commemorate the Doolittle Raid's 50th anniversary (someone correct me if I have the facts mixed up, but I think these are right). I don't think it's terribly difficult to get an unloaded B-25 off the deck of a carrier doing 30+ knots into the wind with an 800-1000 foot head start (they start WAY back on an empty flight deck doing these reenactments). Doolittle had less than 500 feet fully fueled and with a bomb load. Actually more than fully fueled - according to Lundstrom, before launch they scrounged for containers for additional fuel, and used in some cases practice bombs. In addition, I thought Hornet doing substantially less than top speed (was doing around 20 knots) due to the terrible weather, but "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" claimed she was at top speed, and Lundstrom doesn't say - I'm not sure where I got that. In any event, I assume they'll use some computer graphics to eliminate most of the inaccurate carriers, but I'm just confused why they'd even bother, especially with Lexington. I can sort of see launching from a carrier doing full speed so you get the basic footage of a B-25 lifting off in around 500', and then CGI around the carrier, but why would you need the Lexington? She's just a stationary carrier, and they could get an accurate flight deck by doing what was done for "Tora, Tora, Tora" and build a fake carrier bow pointing out over a harbor. My guess is that they're going to overlay the flight decks with WW II era decking in sections and just use them for close-ups on Lexington since they can have her for longer periods than an active duty ship, and launch footage on Constellation but it's still kind of confusing. Oh well, after seeing what they did with a stationary ship in "Titanic" I guess anything is possible. But I do suspect that we're going to see the level of accuracy of Titanic in the special effects department, not "Midway." At least I hope so! Michael Smith Marshall, Texas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Caroline Carter" Subject: Re: Who Knows the Best Way to Mold Small Parts? Hi Ralph, I just visited NAVIS at http://www.navismagazine.com and there is an excellent feature on casting resin kits this month. I reckon all your questions are answered with this feature. All The Best Caroline Carter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Keith T Bender Subject: Re: Blue Ridge, and LPH's For the SMMLie who asked about converting a LPH to the Blue Ridge. I was an Inchon-er "80-83" Seen her drydocked along with the Blue Ridge class. The hull is very much the same except the Blue Ridge has an exposed shaft with a strut to support it as the LPH's just have the shaft enclosed entirely. This is kind of odd because their hulls are so similar but there is a reason for everything. I don't have an answer why it was done this way but I have seen them in person. The shaft that is supported does not extend from the hull very far until it reaches the strut. The National Archives may have a drawing of this. The rudder is very much the same as the LPH. Hope this helps but probably has caused you more problems and question, sorry Keith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Casting small parts >> I have read some of the past SMML Archives about molding small parts, but what mold & resin material is best without using a vacuum? How do you keep bubbles from forming? Where do you get the stuff and how much does it cost? Does it require mold release? << You get a complete resin "kit" for making molds and casting resin from Ace Resin for around $25.00. You can find their ad in the classified section at the back of FSM. Bubbles aren't too much of a problem in small castings as long as you don't cause them when mixing the resin together. No need for release agent. The parts pop right out of the mold. After you make your first mold and casting you'll figure it out. I just made some resin castings of some figure for a 1/72 scale sub I just finished. Made four perfect figures. I can't do without RTV and resin. It comes in very handy. Once you make a mold, you have it from then on. I have molds of figures, capital guns, life rafts, life boats, anchors, etc. If you scratchbuild, this stuff is indispensable. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Future floor polish If you want super shiny water, apply two or three coats with a wide, flat brush very slowly so as not to stir up air bubbles. Allow about 1 hour drying time between coats. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Re: McMiur Hi Guys I have a question concerning the request about the USS McMuir.Are you sure that's the right name for the ship? I have found no transport named McMuir listed at all. The closest I get is the Muir DE-770 and the McCracken APA-198. The McCracken is a transport and Muir is a destroyer escort. There are books that might be found in a public library try Aircraft Carriers of the US Navy by Stefan Terzibaschitsch,1989 Conway Maritime Press. Also try Flattops and Fledgings:A history of American Aircraft carriers by Garth Pawlowski Castle Books, 1971. They have some nice pictures of the Kitty Hawk, Constellation, and America. Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: NAVYDAZE@aol.com Subject: Re: USS CONSTELLATION Well, if you find any pictures of the "Hawk" I can tell you it will be almost identical to the "Connie" during the Vietnam War. I was aboard the KITTY HAWK when the CONSTELLATION docked next to us in Puget Sound. About the only thing I could find that was different was the interior paint (ie: hanger and focs'le). Exterior the CONSTELLATION has this obsession with painting all of the tie downs on the flight deck white - but I do not remember if they did that then - KITTY HAWK's have always been the color of the flight deck. Of course for the record the KITTY HAWK was the better of the two :-) Mike NAVYDAZE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Daniel Taylor" Subject: Landing Craft Infantry (Large) Dear All Thanks for the advise sent direct and posted on the site. I have a number of lines of enquiry to follow up Dan Taylor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: tom Subject: Re: Pearl Harbor Update >> Saw on tonight's TV news that there was some problem from some Pearl Harbor Veterans about the LEXINGTON being used as a Japanese carrier in the upcoming Pearl Harbor Movie. However, I did some research and found this: http://starbulletin.com/2000/04/19/news/story4.html It's just one guy. << Boy, that guy's name sure rings a bell... could this be "Seaman Z" Ogg of Pearl Harbor revisionist fame? Tom K -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Bruce Ross" Subject: Re: Belknap at Philly >> Now for a few sad notes: It looked like a CG Belknap class was getting the axe. She was cut to the main deck with the fwd. gun still in place. I don't know if it was the Belknap, couldn't see the painted out name or make out the #. There was a Knox class cut to the deck also. She was in drydock and it looked as if she was having a major autospy. They have begun to dismantle the mast of the America CV 66. << Just a thought, but what was probably sighted was the demise of a Coontz class DLG/DDG. They had the same weapons loadout of the Belknap's just reversed with the 5"-54 gun on the forecastle and the missile launchers aft on the fantail. Bruce Ross USS Preble DLG-15/DDG-46 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "James Johnson" Subject: Re: Future floor polish Future floor polish is a clear gloss acrylic coating. It is used by modelers for several reasons. Car modelers use it because it produces a flawless gloss coat over paint. Airplane modelers use it as a base coat for decals. Since ship modelers don't, as a general rule. want a glossy finish on their ships, the main application is as a decal base. One of the really great things about Future is that it can be hand brushed with airbrush results. It is self leveling and I don't think you could leave a brush mark in it if you tried. Airplane modelers dip their clear parts in Future and let it drip dry with super results. I hand brush canopies and they end up smoother and clearer than uncoated ones. When I spray Future, I spray it straight. Some people thin it with water (20 to 50%) and some people claim that if you warm it before spraying that it goes on better. I haven't tried this but it makes sense. Several light coats are better than one heavy one. You can put as many coats on as you wish. If you brush it on, wait at least a day before you put on a second coat. The new coat will dissolve the base coat and you can't build any thickness. If you are spraying, a second coat could be applied as soon as the first is dry to the touch. (10-20 min). There is no reason to put more than 2 coats on for a decal base. I usually use one. Once the model is glossy and the future is dry, you can apply the decals in the usual manner. I would wait a day or two to make sure that the Future is cured. I have never had any problems, but some people have complained that decal setting solutions have attacked the Future coating. Let the decals dry overnight and wipe the excess glue off with a damp lint free wiper. Many people apply a coat of Future over the decaled model regardless of the final finish. I usually don't, but a coat of Future would tend to level things out, especially if the decal solutions attacked the base coat. When the last coat of future is a couple of days old, you can put a flat or semi gloss over the top of it. I use Poly Scale but I have not heard of any problems anyone has had with coatings over the top of Future. The best bet is to test the procedure you choose on a piece of scrap before ruining a model. Future is also handy for weathering. If you weather your model, a coat of Future will lock on your efforts. Future can also be used to highlight and weather a model. If you take some acrylic paint and thin it greatly with future, you have a very effective wash. I understand that Future is available in the UK under the name of Kleer. It is a very handy product to have regardless of what you build. For less than $10, you can have a lifetime supply of it. One word of warning, don't let it set up in your airbrush. It is very hard to clean out if it is allowed to set. I clean my airbrush (and brush) with alcohol. HTH Jim Johnson IPMS 1788 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: peter samolinski Subject: Re: Think Tank Shane: Thanks a lot for the track link site! Good, now more time shot in the butt on the computer...don't build anything anymore, merely talk & read about it. Tell Al Salas that you don't need to thin the Future for gloss coating; in fact, I've added a few drops of acrylic black paint and achieved a subtle weathering effect at the same time. The Future even works great for coating any clear bits like windshields and lights. This is a terrific thing you're doing. Pete. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "George J. Stein" Subject: SMML-type articles The current issue #53 of the wargamers/military history magazine "Command" has two articles of possible interest to list members. 1. WW-I Ship Camouflage (theory & practice; interesting photos) 2. Naval action in the 1971 India / Pakistan war. (again, some interesting photos) These wargamers can be every bit as fanatic about accurate colors & markings as any scale modeler. Live long & prosper. Hi George, Yup, us Grognards can be just as fanatic, almost as bad as trekkies ;-þ. Can you imagine what happens when you combine all three ;-). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: West German ship colors I may be a little late, but here is how the fighting ships of the Bundesmarine (German Federal Navy) were painted since 1972: Hull and upperworks: RAL 7000 (Fehgrau) Decks: RAL 7012 (Basaltgrau) Funnelcaps and masts above funnels: RAL 9005 (Tiefschwarz) Pennant numbers: RAL 9001 (Cremeweiß) Hope this helps a little Falk Pletscher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: Russian MTB Camouflage Some time ago I had a discussion off-line with one of the SMMLies on paints and camouflage paints of Russian MTBs in general and American-built Vosper MTBs in Russian service in particular. Unfortunately, I forgot his address. If this guy is still intersted in this subject, please contact me off-line. I found some photos with camouflaged Russian Vosper MTBs. Falk Pletscher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: URUDOFSKY@aol.com Subject: "McMUIR" I lost the recent news letter where a request was made regarding the US AP "McMuir". I think the person is referring to the GENERAL C. H. MUIR. From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships >> General C. H. Muir Charles Henry Muir was born 18 July 1860 at Erie, Mich., and graduated from the Military Academy in 1885. Following duty at various posts in the United States, including service in the Indian Wars, he took part in the capture of Santiago during the Spanish-American War and fought in the Philippines during the insurrection which followed. Muir was also a member of the China Relief Expedition of 1901. Staff duty and service in the Philippines followed; and, with America's entrance into World War I, he was given command of the 28th Division. Muir was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his service during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. After his return to the United States, Muir served on the General Staff and as Post Commander of various Army installations. Major General Muir retired in 1924 and died 8 December 1933 at Baltimore, Md. (AP - 142 : dp. 9,950 (lt.); l. 522'10"; b. 71'6''; dr. 24'; s. 16 k.; cpl. 356; trp. 3,828; a. 4 5", 4 40mm., 16 20mm.; cl. General G. O. Squier; T. C4-S-A1) General C. H. Muir (AP-142) was launched 24 November 1944 under Maritime Commission contract by Kaiser Co., Inc., Yard 3, Richmond, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. John H. Deasy; acquired and commissioned 12 April 1945 at Portland, Captain J. D. Conway in command. Following shakedown off San Diego, General C. H. Muir departed 13 May from San Francisco for her first troop-carrying voyage to the war zones of the Pacific. The ship brought troops to Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Leyte, served briefly as a receiving ship in the Philippines; and returned to New York via the Panama Canal 14 August 1945. The long Pacific war over, General C. H. Muir sailed 3 September to pick up returning veterans at Mediterranean and Indian Ocean ports. She arrived New York 1 November, and then, retracing her steps to bring home another full contingent of troops, she finally returned New York 9 January 1946. The ship made three subsequent voyages, one to New Orleans and two to Europe, before decommissioning at Baltimore 18 June 1946. She was returned to the Maritime Commission on that day and turned over to the Army Transportation Service. Reacquired by the Navy 1 March 1950, General C. H. Muir began operations under MSTS. For 2 years she supported American forces in Europe, and on eastward crossings brought back to the United States thousands of refugees under the International Refugee Organization. In late 1952 the ship sailed from New York through the Mediterranean and thence through the Suez Canal to Korea, bringing reinforcements to our fighting men who were struggling to thwart Communist aggression against that country. She made another long rotation voyage, stopping at many European and Asian ports before being placed in Reduced Operational Status at New York 30 September 1953. In August 1954 General C. H. Muir steamed through the Panama Canal to San Francisco and sailed once more to Korea with replacement troops. Upon her return the ship was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet at San Diego, Calif., 7 February 1955. She was returned to the Maritime Administration in 1960. She entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet 30 June, and at present is berthed at Suisun Bay, Calif. General C. H. Muir received two battle stars for Korean War service. Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.com) << Ulrich Rudofsky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: "laura powers" Subject: liberty ship plans does any one know where i can obtain set of plans for liberty ship which can be scaled to 1/72 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts SMML Convention and tour notices: http://www.mikedunn.freeserve.co.uk/smml/help/smml_con.html If your coming to the SMML convention on friday, we need to know which tour you planning to attend so that we can get an accurate head count for transportation. Contact John Frohock ca139johnf@aol.com and let him know which tour you plan on attending. If you are going on a tour, you need to be onboard the USS Salem no later than 10:00am on Friday May 5th. We will open the ship starting at 9:00am for those who would like a cup of coffee and some schoozing before departure. For those of you who are not going on either tour; the USS Salem will NOT be open to the public on friday (Crew will be on watch to repel boarders if provoked ) so please do not show-up at the ship on friday unless you are attending the tours. Check out Convention and tour info at: http://www.mikedunn.freeserve.co.uk/smml/help/smml_con.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Mike" Subject: New Update Hi all, Just to inform you that we have the latest set of Archives up there & indexed (up to Vol 888). We also have a set of images from Rusty White of his Gato sub - yup, the one recently mentioned in SMML. VERY nice work Rusty!!!!! All details are, as usual, in the Site History page. Mike SMML Webmaster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: SeaPhoto@aol.com Subject: Re: Warship Models Underway For those interested in radio controlled models of warships, I have started a new page to cover the subject. At first, I am starting out small, with just a few pictures of my USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) model, and some links, but I hope to build it into a useful resource. There is also a message board patterned after the one on the Warship site. Coming soon will be an extensive how to section - covering tools, materials, and what to do with that empty fiberglass hull once it arrives on your doorstep! The URL is: http://members.aol.com/wmunderway/home.htm Kurt Greiner SeaPhoto Maritime Photography -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: ironship@usit.net (Jon Warneke) Subject: Commander Series website update Hi Everyone, Commander Series Models website has been updated with some new kits available, as well as a new kit special until May 15, 2000. Also, be looking at the site around May 1 for a 10 day special coming up. http://www.commanderseries.com Jon Warneke Commander Series Models, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume