Subject: SMML VOL 933 Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2000 22:24:39 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: WIG 2: N Class destroyers 3: Rare Books 4: Unusual Ship Kits (to me, anyway) 5: paints 6: Thanks for Romeo vs. Foxtrot Specs 7: Re: Gel Medium water 8: Rusty White & cheesy poofs 9: Re: WIGs 10: London Treaty 11: Re: Queen Mary 1/570 photo etch 12: Tamiya Hornet and others 13: Photos 14: Montana 15: Re: 1/700 Aquila 16: Re: PF USS Burlington 17: Another Admiral Graf Spee Color Question -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts 1: SMML-con 2: Re: SMMLcon 3: SMMLCon 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Anatomy of the Ship - Flower Class Corvette -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: WIG Hi All For those interested in WIG aircraft, Channel 4 in the UK did an excellent documentary on the Russian Ekranoplanes last year. Lots of original film and interviews with the people who built them. It might be worth contacting the channel to see if they have any copies floating around (When I missed videoing a programme they very kindly supplied me with a free copy of it). Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: N Class destroyers Hi All Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a copy of the Naval Historical Society of Australia's book 'N Class destroyers'? Many thanks. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Rare Books Paul Jacobs noted: >> Anyone interested in the U.S.S. MARBLEHEAD should try and find an old book entitled WHERE AWAY! by Perry and Leighton. This tells the story of the bombing of the ship in Feb. '42 off Java (which probably ultimately saved her from a worse fate) and the long struggle to bring her home. You'll find this to be very interesting reading. << Columbia Trading Company in Hyannis, MA, has listed this title in the past. They have an excellent online nautical book catalog at: http://www.columbiatrading.com/ctccat.html Mike Alexandria, VA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Unusual Ship Kits (to me, anyway) I just got the Phoenix Model Company mail order catalog (www.phoenix-model.com) and saw some Asiatic-manufacture model kits; I'm not familiar with the mfg. or the kits - Zhengdefu (sounds Chinese to these ears) - they have what look like re-releases of some aircraft kits, but I was more taken by two apparently late-19th Century protected (or armored) cruisers, the Dingyah Chinese Beiyan Fleet Flagship and the similar-looking Zhenyuan Chinese Beiyang Fleet Cruiser - no scale given, but I think they're 33 centimeters long (that's part of the code - but I could be mistaken). Side-by-side stacks, wing turrets, definitely pre-dreadnought in appearance. And $8 each. They also have a single ship - Zhong Shan Chinese Warship - that looks as if it could be post WW-1 (understand, these illustrations are pathetic on the catalog), and a set of four Chinese or Soviet missile boats (PTs with rockets from the looks of htem), plus a line of modern destroyers, etc. that look a lot like Trumpeter stuff. They also have some Tamiya 1/700 waterline models for under $15, including some I haven't seen in my hobby shop in a month of sundays ... This may be old-hat, but it was new to me. Ned Barnett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Kurt Van Dahm Subject: paints Paul: The Badger Marine paints are available at The Modeler's Boatyard at http://www.modelersboatyard.com/ Take care, Kurt Van Dahm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Thanks for Romeo vs. Foxtrot Specs >> OK. I thought the Type 33 kit (Haven't seen it yet, just hear by word of mouth) was a Foxtrot. << Tom - I was told on this list that it was a Romeo; I haven't confirmed that, but I have confirmed that the bridge/sail structure is different from the Foxtrot in Long Beach and the posters I have on the wall. I'm willing to believe it's a Romeo, but I will check the length (to scale) to see if it's 300 feet. Assuming it is a Romeo, I can kiss my Foxtrot dreams goodbye. You helped me out by pointing out that the changes are far more difficult than just scratchbuilding; if I build it to 1/144 scale, I can certainly "borrow" some from Romeo - deck fittings, the sail could be reworked, I think, etc. - but that hull difference is daunting. Thanks for your insights. Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Gel Medium water >> I im trying to use gel-medium to make a ocean scene for a 1/700 scale ship without much sucess.any tips on what tools to use and how to work the gel would be a great help. << The only trick to gel medium water is mastering how to spread it properly. I use a large, soft, round tipped brush to apply gel medium. I apply it in a gentle swirling motion to give a natural appearance to the surface. Next I add the model to the gel. I then use a flat tipped brush to make the bow waves and associated swells. To smooth out the waves, let the gel dry for a while until the surface is tacky to the touch. Then use a wide, soft, flat tipped brush soaked in water and gently stroke over the surface. Since the gel isn't completely dry, it's still water soluble. Once I'm done, I let it set for 24 hours then paint it using acrylics. The final touch is two heavy coats of Future floor wax for a super shiny surface. You can see more of this technique on the Warship (warship.simplenet.com) site under the techniques section. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: AandMBlevins@gateway.net Subject: Rusty White & cheesy poofs I have't been aboard long enough to know what "cheesy poofs" refers to, but I do know an excellent modeler, writer and photographer when I see one. Rusty White's article on resin shipbuilding in the most recent "Fine Scale Modeler" is excellent. The tip on casting for small parts was more than worth the price of a subscription which I am sending in today. Congratulations Rusty, and I hope we see many more such projects. Sincerely, Al Blevins, East Greenbush, NY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Darren Scannell Subject: Re: WIGs David, Revell brought out a 1/144 scale model of the USSR Ekranoplan recently. It is actually very impressive and would make a nice model. I saw a documentary last year on them flying across the black sea, an interesting machine. Darren Scannell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "John Rule" Subject: London Treaty >> Can anyone provide details of the restrictions imposed by the London Naval Treaty of 1930 and proposed by the London Naval Conference of 1935-36? << Check out the following: http://british-forces.com/rtw/history/londontreaty.html Note the above root location is a fairly comprehensive site, with lots of good info. John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Subject: Re: Queen Mary 1/570 photo etch Hi Roland, When I designed this PE set it was meant to incorporate all the general parts from the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth that seriously needed attention. I also put in several straight lengths of degaussing coil conduit with a selection of joints and corners sufficient to shape the coil as either ship had it fitted. In the instruction sheet there is also a diagram of how to route it for each ship. There are no weapons or weapon layouts in this set, for one or two reasons. The first being size and cost of the fret. It is big anyway with just the basics. Next is that, the information we have of the Elizabeth is very conflicting. This suggests that she had a variety of different fits at various times. This made working out a deck plan difficult to say the least. However, there are excellent references to the Queen Marys troopship role in the Anatomy of the Ship Queen Mary by Ross Watton. Hope this has been of some help. All the best Peter Hall -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Devin J. Poore" Subject: Tamiya Hornet and others Last week I found a Tamiya 1/700 Hornet (CV-8) that somehow has survived 10+ years in my parent's attic. I want to update her with PE and some new paint. I'm wondering, however, how accurate is this kit? I've heard many things about their CV-6 kit being very inaccurate. Secondly, I believe someone was looking for a Lindberg Kiev last week? If so, contact Village Comics (www.villagecomics.com), I was in there earlier today and they had one in the box for sale. Finally, if anyone is tabulating votes, I'm definitely there if the SMMLcon for next year is in the Bay Area (and I'm a New Yorker!); my girlfriend and I take any excuse at all to visit out there. And for all of you wanting to boycott San Francisco, the Hornet is actually in Alameda, across the bay. My 2 cents worth, Devin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Timothy J. Barron" Subject: Photos In case you don't watch the Navy site, some current hi-rez photos of the following were posted this week: SS 236 - Silversides (museum) BB 64 - Wisconsin (in tow) MHC 56 - Kingfisher http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/images/in-news.html Timothy J. Barron mailto:tjbarro@worldnet.att.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Robert Ouellete" Subject: Montana Ned, I have plans for the hull of the Montana and am working on a set of plans for the decks but I could send you a copy if you like. They are very detailed and in 1/350th scale so it would be easy for you to convert them to 1/700. or I could convert them for you and you would just have to print. They were done on AutoCAD so you would need a program that could read them thats all. Let me know if you want them. Robert mailto:robert.charlene@sympatico.ca -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: 1/700 Aquila Hi, For what it's worth, the drawings of the Aquila in the Italian book "Le Navi dei Linea Itialiane" do not show any deck-edge radio masts a la the ones on US, British and Japanese aircraft carriers in WWII. The only mast shown (other than something of a tower foremast on the island) is a mast stepped aft of the funnel at about a 45 degree angle. Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: PF USS Burlington Hi, I would second the call for good drawings of the Tacoma-class PF's. Anyone know of any? There is a fairly extensive article on the PF's in the 1992 No. 2 issue of Warship International, and it has a number of interesting photographs of Tacoma-class ships in all sorts of paint schemes, but it has no drawings other than a less-than-useful cross-section of the ship. Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Joel Labow Subject: Another Admiral Graf Spee Color Question Colleagues, Can anyone clarify the arrangement of the A/C recognition stripes that Graf Spee and her sisters wore on their 11" turrets during the Spanish civil war? Caroline Carter kindly confirmed my impression that these were the national colors of red, white and black, but all of my reference photos are B&W. What color stripe was towards the front of the turret, etc.? Thanks, Joel Labow -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Ned Barnett Subject: SMML-con I don't suppose anybody would like to have the convention here in my home town, Las Vegas, Nevada? While we're not big on historic ships, Lake Meade is the largest man-made artifact on earth . Seriously, as much as I dream of a UK, Oz or Pac-Rim trip, I'm confined to the lower 48; allow me to suggest a few venues worth venning about ... 1. Philadelphia - Olympia, Becuna, some old stuff plus river cruises past the mothball fleet, including several rather imposing Supercarriers. 2. NYC - Intrepid, et. al. 3. Boston - I've heard good things about wooden ships and Iron men there; I like mine a bit more modern, but ... 4. Charleston, SC. Absolutely beautiful in the spring (to be avoided in high summer, I assure you), with Patriot's Point - the Yorktown, plus a number of other ships, and a model museum on the Yorktown that has several of my kits (but is otherwise worth seeing). Wilmington is a short, beautiful drive north to see North Carolina (beautifully preserved and awesome), and some neat coastal maritime sites on the "graveyard of the Atlantic." 5. Pensacola - Naval Air Museum, ships, neat base, Zeppelin hangers, stuff like that - plus great beaches and UFO sightings. Just down the road is Mobile Bay - damn the torpedoes and go see the Alabama. 6. Baltimore Inner Harbor, with the Constellation and a sub, a Pearl Harbor-vet Coast Guard cutter and much more - easy driving distance to Philly and to DC (NASM and other more nautical attractions) and Annapolis, home of the dreams of my youth (frustrated by bad eyes). 7. San Jacinto Texas has the USS Texas, but since it's Texas, the ship is now larger than the Yamato (a joke). On the West Coast, there's San Diego - lots of facilities there, plus a short drive to Long Beach for the Queen Mary and the Foxtrot Skorpion. If we go north to San Francisco, I agree we should stay in Alameda or some-such and give our taxes elsewhere, while supporting the huge number of museum ships and memorials. Just some thoughts... Ned Barnett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: SMMLcon >> By the way. Do you prefer it red or white? << Yes!! :-) I also like it Single Malt!!! Hey that's an idea, If we are considering the UK, how about holding the Con at a Highlands Brewery - The Glen Fiddich SMML-Con!!!! Regards, Bradford Chaucer Suits me fine ;->>> Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "John Sutherland" Subject: SMMLCon 2001 Hi all, From the depths of "down under" I have been watching with amusement at the West Coast / East Coast arguements, et al. Amusement because trans-USA airfares are about one fifth of what it costs us from down under to get to LA, never mind anywhere else. Which brings me to my point - this is an international list. Whilst theoretically one could say "hold your own SMMLCon" realistically there are many on this lists that live in geographical locations where we would need a close to 100% turnout of SMMLies in our area to make it feasible. This is not realistic. Even 10% of th overall list is probably not realistic - I suspect that SMMLCon 2000 attendence equalled less than even 10% of NA membership of SMML - would that be right Shane? (Yes: Shane) This would make a "down-under" meet unlikely. So please think of the non North American and UK members when putting up sights - especially ease of access. I was initially excited by Halifax - until I discovered it is very difficult to get to and very expensive to get to. Although only two thirds of the distance to UK from here it costs 50% plus more. For us "down under" San Fransisco is fine, so is Portsmouth. Actually it is cheaper to fly to the UK than to US east coast, and not much more than LA/SF. My preference? Portsmouth - sounds terrific. Also it coincides with a one-off event whereas SF will still be there in 2002. Not sure if I can get there, but tentitively count me in Caroline. John Sutherland Wellington, New Zealand -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Anatomy of the Ship - Flower Class Corvette Well, it's either feast or famine. I managed to wind up with 2 copies of this book. Before I put the extra up for auction on you know where, I'll offer it here for $45 plus shipping. Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume