Subject: SMML VOL 940 Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 00:26:12 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Model Ship Journal is looking good! 2: HOSHO Airwing 3: Friedman Design History Books 4: Re: 1/700 French Battlecruisers 5: Re: Whatcha Buildin'... 6: Message for David Rowe 7: Re: PT 109 and IPMS/USA 8: Re: Corvettes and J K&N Class Destroyers 9: Re: Trade offs between plastic and resin 10: Re: Glenco Subchaser kit 11: Graf Zep Airgroup and GZ operations 12: Subchaser 13: what are you building 14: Re: Old eyes. Dropped parts 15: Re: PT-109 16: Re: Whatchabuildin? Sorry Gram 17: LCVP 18:Graf Zeppelin Air Wing 19: Ship visits 20: Re: Whatcha building? 21: LST Photos 22: LSMR landing ship 23: Re: Glencoe Subchaser & watcha buildin? 24: Royal Oak 25: "Whatcha Building Now" 26: Whatcha Buildin 27: Deck color 28: IPMS/USA 29: Battling Carpet Monsters 30: Full Hull -2- Waterline 31: I'm building .... 32: What I'm building... 33: internet Bateau -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts 1: IPMS/USA Nationals 2: SMML Con 2001 Meeting June 17 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Model Ship Journal is looking good! I just received a press proof of a few pages out of MSJ. The reproduction quality is really good. This journal, more than just a magazine, is being printed on the same good glossy paper stock as I use on my "Warship Pictorial" series books. The reproduction of photographs is near photo quality. Graphics are great. The journal will cover ship modeling from 1/1250 up thru the really big scales like 1/48. Photo coverage on actual ships, historic and contemporary, will also be covered. Neat little detail drawings and even full plan sets will also be shown. The owner/editor, Victor Baca wants this journal to be used for more than just another magazine, he is looking to create a reference source that we would all want to have on our book shelves. We are all in for a real treat with this new publication. First issue will be in the mail by the 15th of June. I highly recommend this journal, which can be obtained for $30 a year (quarterly), call (360) 371-0290. Steve Wiper - www.classicwarships.simplenet.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Rick Heinbaugh Subject: HOSHO Airwing I just picked up the Fujimi HOSHO; didn't even know they had made this one. I like the 1923 appearance with the funny little island, but can't tell what those little blob airplanes are supposed to be. Chesnau's Aircraft Carriers of the World book doesn't get very specific, and neither do Jentschura, Jung & Mickel in Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Does anybody know what sort of aircraft were used by the IJN in the mid '20s and what colors they were? Thanks. Building now? Skywave's JMSDF CHIKUGO & ASAGUMO. And NASCAR stock cars. Big, bright-colored, decal-plastered stock cars. With EXACT color reference available on TV every week. Rick Heinbaugh Seattle, WA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: GrafSpee34@aol.com Subject: Friedman Design History Books IMHO the Friedman design history books are good broad references if you can get them at the Library but for model building purposes I find the price vs information ratio is poor. Especially compared to $10 Squadron Signal books or others in that format which are specific, light on text and packed with useful detail photos. For Destroyers, I recommend Bob Sumrall's book on the Sumner Gearing class. There are many detail photos and drawings useful for model building, as well as much interesting historical information. A very well-rounded book and worth the $65 list price. BTW The Naval Institute Press offers a Membership deal: you get serious discounts on their publications and a subscription to their magazine. Check them out at www.nip.org They aren't exactly speedy in filling orders so be prepared. Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Rob Mackie Subject: Re: 1/700 French Battlecruisers >> I stand under correction, but I think that the Samek models would in all probability be better. With the Samek model you will also get a small photo-etch with the necessary kit specific parts. << I wouldn't automatically assume that the Samek Dunkerque/Strasbourg is "better" than WSW's by virtue of its including a PE fret. Samek and WSW take different approaches. WSW's casting is the more aggressive. Its hull castings include details that are separate parts or PE on the Samek kits. Anchors, chains, torpedo nets (where applicable)et al are part of WSW's hull casting. Barrels are cast integrally with the main turrets and many of the deck levels are part of the hull rather than separate parts. This speeds up building time considerably with no loss in detail. And in general WSW kits seem to have more surface detail than Samek's. Of course WSW includes no PE railing (neither does Samek) and I prefer Samek's method of simulating wood deck planking. I have not yet seen the WSW Strasbourg. If WSW sends one for review, David Lilly (who did the Hi-Mold Fuso writeup for Warship)will be doing the honors and no doubt will look at it aside Samek's Dunkerque. But in general, the differences between these two kit producers tend to be consistent from model to model. Both are sticklers for accuracy and turn out excellent products. Samek kits have many more resin parts because of Samek's preference for using open sided molds that minimize undercuts. WSW always "pushes the envelope" with its casting, and as a result produces remarkably detailed hulls and a much lower part count. I've yet to see a bad kit from either producer, though WSW's models will be easier to build. Rob Mackie Warship http://warship.simplenet.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: thorstenwahl@t-online.de (Wahl, Thorsten L.) Subject: Re: Whatcha Buildin'... Hi all, nice thread! So here´s my rundown: 1/700th USS Reuben James - trying to rescue/repair it, had a book fall down on it 1/700th HMS Battleaxe - the disaster w/ the FFG put that one on backburner 1/350th Tamiya Tirpitz - been ´fighting´ the beast for over two years now - on and off, but too stubborn to leave it alone 1/350th WHEC Dallas - a scratchbuilding project I turn to every now and then 1/700th JMSDF Ohsumi - that one looks nice, have a lot of pics now but keep thinking about that p/e from PitRoad :) 1/350th USS Indianapolis - this one´s in the mail right now and will MOVE TO THE TOP as soon as it´s here. Can´t wait ... Also some ´thingies´ with wings or tracks, but I won´t go there ;-) Folks, thanks for bearing with me Thorsten, IPMS (UK) x1602 ´At least we don´t name our ships for our mothers-in-law.´ USS Reuben James to HMS Battleaxe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: thorstenwahl@t-online.de (Wahl, Thorsten L.) Subject: Message for David Rowe Hi Dave, been trying to mail you the Ohsumi-pics but messages got bounced. Now even regular mail w/o attachment bounces. Please contact me off list w/ your snail-mail address so I can send you a CD. Best Thorsten, IPMS (UK) x1602 ´At least we don´t name our ships for our mothers-in-law.´ USS Reuben James to HMS Battleaxe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: PT 109 and IPMS/USA Ned, >> Anybody know of sources for upgrade equipment for the 1/72 PT? << Since I've had one of these under construction for the last....welllll...far too long, I can tell you that there are no specific upgrades. I have collected a series of articles, however, that will allow you to do a bit of scratchbuilding to improve things like the torpedo tubes, the twin .50 mounts, masts, etc. Contact me off-list and I can xerox and mail them to you. IPMS/USA: I'll be arriving with Steve Wiper, so count me in! John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys http://www.shipcamouflage.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: Corvettes and J K&N Class Destroyers I was interested to read the note on the Norman Ough plans of the Kashmir. Around 1959/60 I remember having a conversation with Ough about the plans in question. He was unable to obtain the 'as fitted' set , but when he was commisioned by Mountbatten for a model of the Kelly he was supplied with the 'AS FITTED' set from the Admiralty for the ship, plus photos. He had to destroy the tracings that he was allowed to make of the plans after use, but he retained enough data in other forms to allow a set to be drawn of the Kashmir. One of his comments to me was "I know the drawings of the Kelly like the back of my hand". The drawings of the Kashmir are fully detailed, but because they were made without reference to the 'AS FITTED 'set, it is unfortunate that some of the base measurements ARE IN ERROR. To the best of my knowledge there is NO commercial set of any of the J K or N classes that are accurate. If I am in error in this then I know that I will be corrected immediately. The only way then is to obtain one of the "AS FITTED" sets. Where Norman Ough plans give the best service is in the sometimes extraordinary amount of detail, which can often be used in conjunction with an "AS FITTED" set. I believe that there is a set of plans of a J or K class destroyer in March's book of which the profile is a trace of the 'AS FITTED' set, but I cannot remember if the deck views are, they may have been a set of tracings from a GENERAL CONTRACT set, and these of course DO NOT, I say this again, DO NOT go with the profile. If anybody orders plans from the Musume at Greenwich, NEVER get a Contract set. Probably the best set that Ough drew up was the one for the V&W Class Destroyer Vega as in pre war configeration. His first and possibly his best, followed by the set for the Destroyer Daring. Some of his plans were not too good such as the set for the Ajax, as he himself admitted. Another set that unfortunately contains noticable errors are the plans for the Dido, beautiflully drawn but flawed in respect of armament, radar, and general proportions. This vessel has been incorrectly modelled more times because because these plans have been used as a reference than I can think of. I keep telling people to get the 'AS FITTED" set, but do they listen, like ------they ----------listen! In respect of plans that are accurate for a Dido class cruiser, the nearest commercial set that is accurate is the one in the Raven and Roberts book of the Euralyus as completed in late 1941, and a companion set of the Charybdis also as completed in 1941. Anyway, in the not too distant future there will a massive tome published by a famous author on British Destroyers. With a bit of luck it should be full of detailed plans ALL drawn using the 'AS FITTED' sets as a basic guide. I am now beginning to get upset because my cigar will not re light and my my Balvenie is empty! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Trade offs between plastic and resin >> 1) What are the trade offs between plastic and resin models besides price. << The biggest difference is accuracy and detail. The resin kits are hand made by individuals who really care about doing the subject accurately. Their plastic counterparts are more assembly line type with less devotion to the little things like hatch and bulkhead detail. That's not to say plastic manufacturers don't care about accuracy and detail, but when a kit is engineered and planned by 20 or 30 people the personal touch for accuracy and detail is lost and things tend to slip through the cracks. Resin companies also offer (most of them anyway) photo etched parts to go the extra mile when detailing their models. Just build a typical Classic Warships, Iron Shipwright or WEM model and a Tamiya model straight from the box and you tell me the personal touch doesn't matter. As you have noticed, the price is quite a bit more but once you have invested in a photo etch set and spent the time correcting the plastic model errors, the difference in the cost is little. >> 2) In painting these guys, how does one do a smooth waterline paint border? << I assume you mean the waterline boot? Paint the area where the boot will be black, let dry over night and mask the boot off with vinyl pin striping tape found at auto parts stores. Paint the hull and remove the masked off waterline boot tape last. >> 3) if I wanted to alter a model to a waterline method, how could this be done? << Some kits come with separate hull bottoms that can be purchased separately so that isn't much of a problem. Cutting a solid resin hull down to a waterline is a challenge. Anyone with a table say and a plywood blade can cut it for you. Just mask of the waterline boot with masking tape to act as a guide for the saw. A plywood blade (has a lot of small teeth) will smoothly cut through the resin. Cut about 1/16" below the waterline boot to give some room to correct the cut by sanding if need be. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Glenco Subchaser kit >> I notice on the side of the box Of Glencoe's Oregon kit that there is an illustration of a WW1 US Navy Subchaser.I have some questions that you kind Ladies and Gentlemen may be able to answer. 1) Does this kit exist? << Yes >> 2) If it does, is it currently available? << Yes >> 3) What scale is it? << I'm not sure. It was an old Lindbergh box scale kit. >> 4) What is it's history (ie how old are the moulds? etc etc). << As I said, it's an old Lindberg kit that's been around or a long time. Someone emailed me just yesterday about the same model. He build one and had done extensive research on the vessel since his father served on one. The major drawback to the kit (according to him) was that the beam of the model was about three or four scale feet short. He noticed it when he noticed that the radar would sweep the crewmen off from their gun positions if it rotated. Hope this helps. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Graf Zep Airgroup and GZ operations >> Bf 109T Ju 87C Fi 167 Me: 3 2 2 Bob O'Conner 2 2 2 Doug Brown 2 2 2 Ned Barnett 1 1? 1? << Please up my "order" to two each - though I'm tempted to go with operational upgrade (i.e. 1944) aircraft, I think I'll go with an initial cruise configuration. As to the wing folds - I feel reasonably certain that Japanese Zero-style (or Supermarine Seafire style) wing folds could have been put on the 109Ts without much hassle had the ship ever gone operational. The engineering is small-potatos, even on a thin wing, and the benefits in an enlarged airgroup are significant - and in the combat situation the GZ would have faced from '42 onward, I suspect more fighters would have been a good thing. Speculatively I could also see the entire airgroup replaced by a mix of FW-190s - Air Superiority, Fighter-bomber, Torpedo and two-seat recce -all with manually-folded wings outboard the gear. Such a carrier air group would have been superior to even the American Essex groups - the FW-190 could do it all, a full three generations before the Phantom introduced the concept of a one-size-fits-all carrier aircraft. This could have been fielded by '42 or '43 for sure. (of course anti-sub might have required an extra aircraft - maybe an Arado 196 on fixed gear?) Operationally, I see the GZ operating in the Baltic, in support of the Army Group Nord against the Soviets in the Leningrad/Finland and Litvak/Prussian theaters. Lesser sea threat (mainly Sov subs) and greater opportunity of operating in support of Wehrmacht troops - the traditional role of the Luftwaffe. Norway could threaten the convoys, but that big relatively unarmored deck would make a grand target for RAF long-range bombers, FAA carrier attacks, etc. Certainly, the presence of the GZ in Norway would have justified a sustained Marianas-like Carrier Task Force strike-package deployment, with sufficient strength in carriers and support ships (plus long-range aircraft support out of Northern Scotland) to stay in range long enough to beach her for good. The only way I could see the GZ being able to operate in the Atlantic would have been if the Germans had been able to field both the Bizmark (or preferably the Biz and Tirpitz) along with the GZ and the Prinz Eugen (and ideally the S&G) in a single break-out. With the carrier flying CAP cover and keeping the Swordfish at bay while its Stukas harassed the Home Fleet as it got too close, the two giants could have broken through any trap and played havoc with the Atlantic lifeline before retiring to relative safety (in 1941) of Brest or other Biscay ports - then being ready to do it all over again. Imagine that task force, at loose in the Atlantic in pre-US 1941. A nightmare left only to fantasy, thank god ... and it would have forced a fleet action to make Jutland look like Coronel. It could have been the fleet action that won or lost the war in a day ... (and how could the Brits refuse?), Hey, maybe that would make a good wargame - or a great book ...??? Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Subchaser >> I notice on the side of the box Of Glencoe's Oregon kit that there is an illustration of a WW1 US Navy Subchaser.I have some questions that you kind Ladies and Gentlemen may be able to answer. 1) Does this kit exist? 2) If it does, is it currently available? 3) What scale is it? 4) What is it's history (ie how old are the moulds? etc etc). I am relatively new to ship modelling so all this may be common knowledge. << Confident that the current auction will expire before you get this , there is a Glencoe subchaser at EBay - there is also a Ringo subchaser (the same kit, I believe). Haven't seen it, but unless it's grossly off, it's a start ... Ned Barnett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "philip long" Subject: what are you building Hi Gang Like the rest of you I like to hear about what everyone is up to so I thought I'd tell you what I'm building. 1) Revell's 1/72 Flower class as HMS Bluebell, the hull is built complete with the anchors, winches,bow railings and main gun turret. As I normally stick to 1/600 scale this has been a real challange to me. The pending pile consistsof the recently delivered Arri Musashi 1n 1/600, the 1/450 Hasegawa HMS Vanguard , HMS Dreadnaught scratchbuild to same scale as Vanguard and Airfix Queen Elizabeth so you can see as with many others I have my plans for many years ahead. Last time I wrote to SMML It was to request information about the Musashi kit and I recieved a reply from someone telling me about the Yamato kit but saying they would like to compare the instructions of the two but due to a major clearout on my computer I've lost their E-mail address if they would contact me I will send them a copy thanks to everyone who gets involved in this great list Phil long -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: klmok@home.com Subject: Re: Old eyes. Dropped parts >> My problem is with old eyes and a gray rug, I spend a lot of time on my knees with a spot light and magnifying glass looking for dropped parts, some of which seem to have been eaten by the rug. << When all else fails what I do is to use a lady's pantyhose or a leaf of antistatic clothes dryer "Bounce" as a filter over a vacuum spout crevice attachment to sweep the work area. There is half a chance of finding the lost part but the place really gets a good cleaning which make it easier to find a lost part the next time round. Kelvin Mok -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: PT191@aol.com Subject: Re: PT-109 TO NED: H-R Products have great gun kits that would go great on the PT-109 kit. T. Garth Connelly -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: Re: Whatchabuildin? Sorry Gram Oh, man: Those printer's ink fumes really got to me. I was thinking of Al Ross, the consumate small craft model builder when I typed up my response to the whatchabuildin' thread. The flower class book on HMCS Agassiz was, of course, written by John McKay and John Harland. My apologies to all! Best Regards, Victor Baca -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: LCVP A couple of references on the LCVP that come to mind are "Allied Landing Craft of World War Two" from the Naval Institute Press (reissue of a wartime document) and "D-Day Ships: The Allied Invasion Fleet, June 1944" by Yves Buffetaut. Any good pictorial on the Normandy invasion should have several photos of boats underway or beached. There is also the Higgins Boats Project at http://higgins.org with photos of the construction of a replica based on original plans. I picked up the Armageddon kit the other day and it's not bad at all for a limited run plastic model. Granted, the four crew figures are vaguely humanoid, and the machine guns are best replaced by items from an Airfix tank or similar source. The sides of the boat show what appear to be panel lines (almost like shell plating) which I think incorrect; the plywood hull was smooth, from what I've seen in the photographs. Also grabbed an ICM "Konig" while I had the chance. Looks like a superb model. I imagine the photoetched sets will be equally impressive. Mike Alexandria, VA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Peter K. H. Mispelkamp" Subject: Graf Zeppelin Air Wing Current standing orders are: Bf 109T Ju 87C Fi 167 Me: 4 3 3 Bob O'Conner 2 2 2 Doug Brown 2 2 2 Ned Barnett 1 1? 1? James McCormick 3 3 3 Totals: 12 11 11 As you can see, we are just past the half-way point. I will be contacting Caroline at WEM soon to determine final prices , ETA, etc. Thanks for your support. I may need all of your snail mail addresses in the near future. If you are still sitting on the fence, now is the time to commit. If we don't hit the magic number of 20 bags for each or any of these accessories, then we will have missed the boat - so to speak:))) Feel free to email me off-line or through SMML. using the subject header "Graf Zeppelin Air Wing". Please don't bury your requests/interest inside larger postings, as I may miss them. Sincerely Peter K. H. Mispelkamp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Ship visits Hi Guys I have some news concerning ship visits for this month at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. Well, Op sail 2000 is on for June 23-8,2000. Currently the USS YP-686 is visiting from the Naval Academy from 6/8-6/12/00 and on 6/23 to 6/27/00 the USS STOUT DDG-55 will visit followed by the USS Mount Whitney LCC-20 from 6/28/00 to 7/1/00. What am I building? Well, I've finished the Valley Forge and I'm working on an air group for my 1/490 Revell USS Enterprise CV-6. Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: CA139JOHNF@aol.com Subject: Re: Whatcha building? Hi All, Sorry to jump in late on this thread. On my bench is my 1/48 Flower Class Corvette for r/c. I got it a year ago from Model Dockyard in the UK. About half the price as US source. I hope to finish it before I get antsy and go for Dean's HMS Majestic (or is it Magnificent? Either way the model is both!) Also got a client that is twisting my arm to build him a CW 1/350 Salem (#7 I think). Price keeps going up and his wallent opens wider. Sigh. Also have to build Billings Calypso, static, for a client. Just recieved the Revell Flower kit from WEM, (Thanks Caroline). Probable build as HMCS Sackville since I got Kurt's great photo set of her to work with. Lastly, would you believe Hellers HMS Victory? The big one. Couldn't resist it after seeing Hardy's ship up close and personal. I guess you can say I do like working in the larger scales. Makes tying knots much easier. I gotta check out the smml site about the Tee Shirts. I saw one at Smmliecon but it was hard to judge if the shirt looked great or the model wearing it made it look that way. (white and red looks good on you Caroline!). Can you post a pic of John Lambert in one? Then it will be a fair comparason. John Frohock USNSM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: LST Photos For some information on WW2 LSTs, try the LST Photo Archive at: http://www.abiz4me.com/Lstphotos.html Mike Alexandria, VA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: leakyroofrr@juno.com Subject: LSMR landing ship Where can I find a good model of an LSMR landing ship?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: LBart73@aol.com Subject: Re: Glencoe Subchaser & watcha buildin? The Glencoe subchaser kit is ancient. Used to be Pyro or ITC or some such. I remember building this kit around 1960. I built it again a few years ago on a commission basis. Scale is, as I recall, 1/72. With a little work (scratch built deck gun, refined railings, etc) it builds up very nicely. My current project is a 1:1 basement. When finished I will have my own modeling room - built in work bench, ventilator fans, the works. Then I can finish the Glencoe Oregon that's been sitting at 90% for almost a year! Larry Bartlett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: Patrick Roach Subject: Royal Oak Hello all! I have a Royal Oak question. At the time of her sinking at Scapa Flow, did Royal Oak sport the raked funnel cap that most of the "R" class battleships had been fitted with. I cannot find any evidence that this modification was ever made to Royal Oak. It is my understanding that this funnel cap was introduced in the "R" class to reduce the amount of funnel smoke on the bridge decks. Anyone out there have any ideas? Thanks! Pat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: "Rick_Jugar" Subject: "Whatcha Building Now" 1. Finishing up on 1/525 Lexington II as USS Boxer. Using GMM PE for detail work. 2. Mid way on post war Lexington to be modified as USS Hancock (CVA-19). GMM PE for detail and utilizing 1962 Hancock Cruise book as reference. I served aboard her in 1961-1962; 3. Starting on 1/350 King George V (KGV); 4. Ordered the Trumpeter Nimitz Class carrier with GMM PE for detail. Once a fleet sailor, always a fleet sailor Regards, Rick -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: Mapweasel1@cs.com Subject: Whatcha Buildin I'm not really new to the site, I've been absent from it for two (long) years, and have only recently come back. I happen to like this thread and hope to see it continue. Having just completed the Blue Water Navy's Oakland in 1/350 scale (finally), I've decided to do something a little off the wall. Right now I'm currently reconfiguring the 1/700 DML Ticonderoga with 6"/47 Mk. 16 guns and a load of 40 and 20 mounts from the Skywave weapons set. "Sacrilege!", you may shout, but it looks kind of cool, even if its not structurally feasible. To top it off, I'm thinking of giving it a Measure 21 scheme. Something different to add to the factual collection. Happy modeling -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: "Jim Johnson" Subject: Deck color There have been a number of questions about duplicating wood finishes of the decks of warships. I personally use the method suggested by Loren Perry of Gold Medal Models. I paint the deck with Floquil mud and then drybrush the planks with Floquil stains, both walnut and driftwood. This works very well. The only problem is that Floquil discontinued these stains, so unless you have access to them, this would be hard to do. I would think that it would be possible to make a decal sheet to simulate wooden decking. You could do a 1/350 sheet and a 1/700 sheet. Maybe 3 shades in each. Weathered teak, holystoned teak and mahogany would cover most of the possibilities. The caulking between the boards could be printed on the sheet. A sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" or A4 size could be cut to size either before or after it is applied. It would be tricky but IMO would do nicely. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: IPMS/USA I'm hoping I can make it for part of Saturday. Funds and transportation are still up in the air at the moment. Go Navy! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Battling Carpet Monsters One possible solution for the dreaded lost part in carpet is to get a canister vacumn cleaner, and stretch/attach (with rubber bands or tape) a piece of panty hose over the end of the hose. The panty hose is porus enough so not to interfere with the airflow but will capture the larger part (along with the surrounding crud surrounding it), preventing it from going into the bag. I've heard of folks using old socks, underwear (any form of thin stretch-type fabric that can be drawn tight over the hose opening as a filter and is porus enough not to interrupt the air stream too much) as well with good results. Go Navy! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Full Hull -2- Waterline Gordon... There's two ways I've heard of to convert a full hull kit to a waterline kit. I'm sure there are plenty of others, but these seem to be the two basic methods. 1) Cut off the bottom of the hull with a razor saw or mototool, brace the two halfs with sprue or sheet styrene (like bulkheads - to afford it the strength removed by cutting away the lower half), and affix a piece of sandpaper to a sheet of glass and sand it down smooth. Make sure you make your cut a bit below the boot so you have room for sanding and mounting (in your simulated water). An alternative to the bulkheads is to make a new bottom out of sheet styrene (like those in the Tamiya & Skywave waterline kits). 2) Find a piece of styrofoam about the same thickness (a little less thick is best) as the bottom hull, place the hull atop it and draw a pattern around it on the styrofoam, cut that part out, slip the model into the styrofoam (the boot should still be visable), and then make water atop the styrofoam (you want the boot visable when you sit it down to provide some room for the water material around the ship). A frame can then be built up around the edges to conceal the styrofoam. Wood, plastic, or any other thick slab of material can be used in place of styrofoam. Method 1 takes up less space than method 2, but method 2 is much easier in the long run (and should you ever want to resurrect the model for a full hull display, it's still all there in one piece). Likewise, the styrofoam will serve as a good cushion to prevent damage to the model (as it's unlikely to come loose from the mount). I read about #2 in an article by Dan Jones on how to accurize the old flat-bottomed Revell Mission Capistrano kit. That said, some shimming might be necessary for a rounded bottom ship using method 2. As Mr Jones pointed out also, the styrofoam can be sculpted somewhat to help simulate waves in the making water phase. Although Mr Jones used acrylic gel to make his water (and fill the gaps between the styrofoam and the hull), I would assume one could just as easily use water glass (plexiglas with a rippled surface to simulate the waves) atop the styrofoam or painting on the styrofoam itself (filling the gaps with white glue). A layer of celuclay atop the styrofoam would seem to be another option here as well. Those are all the ways I've heard of (that I can remember at the moment) to make water. Go Navy! _|_o_|_ Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield /---(.](o)[.)---\ iscandar@chatter.com o oo O oo o http://www.iscandar-66.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31) From: Cataldo Torelli Subject: I'm building .... ...... the 1/700 Tamiya USS Enterprise (CV-6) in her Aug'44 fit and dazzle scheme with the appropiate scratchbuilding, detailing, Eduard PE set, GMM 20 mm cannons, GMM crew set and the air wing is going to be built by a friend of mine. He's an expert in 1/72 WWII aircrafts, but likes the 1/700 scale too ! ....... the 1/700 US Kidd (the Fletcher class destroyer) in April'45 fit (not the same like Aug'45 fit). It's nearly finnished. Add some crew, rigging and paint the seascape. ........ I've just finnished a 1/700 Hasegawa U-boat type VIIC almost out-of-the-box. Preatty and small. I will try to scan some pics to post them to SMML and/or Warship. And a He 178 V1, Ju87 D-5, P-51 B, Fuchida's B5N2 Kate, etc. But this is other story... Regards, Cataldo Torelli. Madrid, Spain. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32) From: Nathan Pettigrew Subject: What I'm building... Hello, Just got back into model building about this time a year ago with the Revell USS Constitution (1/196). I've been working on it as time allows. It's been a great learning experience. As I learn new things (A lot from this list. Thank you!) I've been implementing them. Things I did a year ago look pretty rough compared to what I've done lately. The current subproject is cutting out the stern gallery windows that were just molded into the hull and replacing them with plastic strip and clear plastic. So far, I'm about 1/3 done, but it looks much better. Now I've got backlog of modern era and WW2 ships in the closet waiting for me to finish Old Ironsides. Nathan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33) From: Fritz Koopman Subject: internet Bateau Hi there guys 'n gals I just got this question asked of me by a relative of mine. I'm forwarding it to the list since I'm sort of at a loss. Does anyone out there have any good leads on this ? Best regards Frits Koopman >> Fritz, How are things? Got another nautical question. Do you know of any web sites that have information on the bateau and pontoon boats and other types of boats used in the American Revolution? I did find a site bateau.com, but it did not have anything of that type. Got any ideas? John << -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: TechnoInfidel@webtv.net (John Collins) Subject: IPMS/USA Nationals SMMLmates: I will be at the US nationals in Dallas and hope the renew acquaintance made last year in Orlando and make new ones this year. Concerning SMMLcons: While I support these events, time and distance may prevent many of us from attending and meeting our fellow listmates. However, many of us do attend local, regional and national modeling events. There is no reason not to turn every one of these events into a mini-SMMLcon. I inevitably run into some listmates at just about every contest I to which I go, and I always promote the list to other shipmodelers I meet there. While Shane is the Master and Lorna the Mistress, we are the list, and surprisingly, we can be found everywhere. John Collins Atlanta, GA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: dlfowler@apple.com Subject: SMML Con 2001 Meeting June 17 Hello All, I had announced earlier the first meeting for those interested in planning for the SMML Con 2001 at the USS Hornet in Alemeda. Unfortunately, I am being sent overseas tomorrow and will not be back for an undetermined amount of time. If someone else would like to chair the meeting it can still be held on the 17th. Otherwise it will be postponed indefinitely until I return. Such is one's fate in Silicon Valley. Best regards, Duane Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume