Subject: SMML VOL 953 Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2000 00:27:57 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Resins 2: Re: U.S.S. Constitution 3: USS Constitution Model 4: Re: NYC Parking & the INR 5: Making your own threadplate 6: Traplet Plans 7: ICM Konig good news,sad news, and thanks plus other ships(hood & IJM cruiser) 8: Re: Is Resin The Best Available? 9: Re: The Sea Blue Blues 10: Cage Masts 11: Trip to USS Massachusets 12: Alabama v. Kearsarge 13: U.S.S. Constitution 14: Re: waterline Vs Full hull. 15: HMS GRENVILLE. TYPE 15 RN FRIGATE CONVERSION IN PENULTIMATE GUISE AS A TRAINING SHIP 16: Re: FLOWER CLASS CORVETTES 17: Soviet Cruiser MURMANSK: Information? 18: Scimitar class?--Fast patrol craft 19: Model Ship Journal 20: Re: Traplet not there yet 21: Imperial War Museum Website 22: Re: Constitution kit 23: Indian naval kits 24: Safe-Mounting Bottled Paints 25: San Francisco Hobby Shops and Museum Ships??? 26: .50 Ma Deuce in 1/72 27: Ei-Sen Tugs of the IJN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Model photos wanted -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Resins >> that is is brittle, but it is no more subject to voids than any other material mixed in the atmosphere. Voids are the result of the casting methods used, and trapped air is more the result of physics than the material used. As for the out-gassing, that's usally done with the RTV molds rather than the resin, since out-gassing resin in a vacuum makes the trapped air take up more space. RTV can be out-gassed safely since it cures much slower than resin, whereas resin usually gels (starts curing) in 10-15 minutes, and any large air pocket formed will be permanant. Most casters cast under pressure, which makes the trapped air bubbles smaller, but no matter what method is used, air still acts under the law of physics, and we can't do anything about that. << HI Jon: Wouldn't the use of a lower viscosity resin solve this as bubbles would rise more rapidly?? Also is there any way to premix in a closed container to lessen the amount of air that gets into the mix?? Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: U.S.S. Constitution >> I'm looking for some websites with reviews of available wooden kits of the U.S.S. Constitution - a new project for our living room. I've found that there are at these three kits available. Mantua (1:98) Mamoli (1:93) Model Shipways (1:76) I've never done a wooden model and it will be an interesting (and time consuming!) project. Thanks in advance for any links. The Model Shipways is a new kit recently designed by Ben Lankford and is supposed to be way better than the other two. There is also the BlueJacket kit in 1/8 scale (1/196) http://www.bluejacketinc.com/detail.tmpl?command=search&db=bluejacket.db&eqS KUdatarq=101018&cart=3044694715210607 Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: AandMBlevins@gateway.net Subject: USS Constitution Model Timothy Barron inquired re: wooden models of USS Constitution. Try the BluejJcket Shipcrafter web site. They have a good kit. Al Blevins -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Dboykap@aol.com Subject: Re: NYC Parking & the INR For every previous Fleet weekend in NYC over the years, the parking decks above the Passenger Ship Terminals have been open for these events. True, the daily rate is a bit exorbitant, $13/day at last recall. I also don't know if it is open 24hrs./day. However, one of the great secrets hidden from the general NYC public (hereby revealed to fellow SMMLIies upon pain of excommunication), is that parking up on the terminal allows for ready access to the lines forming to board the ships. Whereas someone joining a line out along the West Side Hwy. can literally wait hours to view even one ship, someone parking on top can go down one level and merge with the line, no questions asked. The longest I have ever waited (for the JFK a few years back, until I figured out crowd avoidance plan, part 2) was 30 minutes. And, you can just as easily reach multiple ships docked at that pier. This knowledge is especially important on a typical July day here. All list members now have the sacred duty to keep mum to outsiders. Dan Kaplan, NYC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Foeth" Subject: Making your own threadplate I've made some threadplate with PE mesh: Apply it on plastic plate, and smear Putty in it. With a razor, remove excess putty. The result is a very nice threadplate! Be carefull to tape the mesh down thightly. Evert-Jan Foeth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Alan Roots" Subject: Traplet Plans This is part of the UK Model Boat Magazine plans service and is now owned by a company called Nexus wich I understand is part of Virgin. You will find the site at http://www.nexusonline.co./nexusdirect.html Just follow the links. Regards all Alan Sorry belay my last message Traplet is not part of nexus butt belongs to Traplet Publications. I got myself in a bit of a mucking fuddle the URL is: http://www2.e-elgar/traplet/homepage.html When I tried I had no response. It is a new URL so should be OK. The Model Boats site is still worth a look. Regards Alan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: NEVENGER@aol.com Subject: ICM Konig good news,sad news, and thanks plus other ships(hood & IJM cruiser) I wish to say thank you to all of you who answered my questions on ICM's Konig the other week. I got the ship ordered in and I love the model. The quality is on par with Tamiya, but the plastic of the hull seems a little thin for the size of the model. I just found a local hobby store in my area that will carry the ICM line and got great and sad news. I was told that while they will carry the Konig, her sister ship the Grosser Kurfurst may soon disappear because the mold many have been broken. The great news is I was shown a catalog for ICM that they plan the have the H.M.S. Hood in 1/350 scale. I am sorry I do not remember the names but the catalog also showed 1/350 listing for 2 IJM heavy cruisers from WW2. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: Is Resin The Best Available? >> Is there proof that resin dust is, in fact, a carcinogen? Animal test data? << Not yet, Tom...we're still observing you.... ;^) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: The Sea Blue Blues Derek, Why three different samples in our USN Set 1? Well, Alan Raven supplied us with two slightly different original samples from different yards (these are A and C, IIRC). The third example is matched to the Munsell reference that was the Navy's specification for Sea Blue 5-S. It shows the degree of variation of this color at the time. As to what color ST. LOUIS was actually wearing at PH? Those are heavily mined waters. We know that historically, Adm. King (who was known as "Jesus" King for good reason!) had ordered discontinuance of 5-S in the Atlantic Fleet in about 10/41 due to its poor wearing qualities (it quickly chalked so badly that it turned VERY light and had just the opposite of its intended effect of decreased visibility), and the Pacific Fleet followed suit within about a month. We also know that what would officially become Navy Blue 5-N was initially produced by mixing existing stocks of Sapphire Blue and Dark Gray 5-D, following tests on King's flagship, AUGUSTA in about 9/41 (and I'm working here off the top of my head as regards dates). Thus, we have a color (5-S) that had been officially dropped by both fleets prior to PH, and another color (5-N) that was known to be more effective and could be produced from existing paint stocks (which likely included mixing 5-S and 5-D). We also know that Measure 21 was in use well before it was officially promulgated as such by the June 1942 revision to Ships-2, which specifically mentions that Measure 21 is already in use! There are others who will disagree, but it is my belief that there were very few ships still wearing an official Measure 11 at the time of PH, and that in fact most had repainted in what would become Measure 21. That said, however, the fact remains that this was a period of rapid transition and experimentation. The disadvantages of 5-S were well known, and as the fleet rapidly moved to a war footing, no one would have wanted to remain painted up in a color that would quickly turn them into a target. Photo interpretation is tough due to the overlapping use of both orthochromatic and panchromatic films (through the Navy, always conservative, continued heavy use of orthochromatic films well into the 1950s). I DO have some additional documents on the way regarding ships at PH. I'll transcribe these and get them up on our site as quickly as I can. So.... The waters muddied up enough for you?? John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys http://www.shipcamouflage.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "David Ward" Subject: Cage Masts Shane, First contribution / question on SMML. Working on 1/250 SMS Preussen, based on WILHELMSHAVEN Schleswig-Holstein Card Model. Next Project is Tsarist Andrei Pervozannyi (as many spellings as references!). Problem is this 1903 pre-dreadnought has cage masts (same same US ships). What is the best way of building these? 1/250 scale. (1/700 - no way!). I agree with a previous correspondent, there is a lack of Royal Navy ships 1880-1906. I could name loads, but here would be my top 5 wants in 1/600-700. 1). Dreadnought (1879) 2). Edinburgh (1886) 3). Majestic (1895) 4). Victoria (1890) 5). Collingwood (1887) Dave Ward -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Quinn & Carla Bracken" Subject: Trip to USS Massachusets Hello all, Looks like I'll be in Burlington, MD for about a week on a business trip starting July 10. This is a great chance for me to go and see the BB USS Massachusetts. Growing up in Seattle, and having the Puget Sound Naval Shipyards close by, I made a lot of trips to the USS Missouri (while it was here), but was always disappointed by the lack of access to many areas of the ship. You got to walk around on the bows and into this little room with some memorabilia in it, but that was about it. I am curious as to how far into the Big Mamie you are allowed to explore? I find this ship a more interesting topic than the Missouri, just because the Big Mamie looks more like a stout brawler than the sleeker Mighty Mo. Thanks for your help Quinn Bracken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Rod Millard" Subject: Alabama v. Kearsarge I just got my Alabama Kit also. I have one of the old kits. I noticed that the box art is different, but that they are advertising the Kearsarge,Pedro Nunes, and the Thermoplyae on the side of the new box.Is this just a tease or are they planning rereleases of these ships. Hopefully someone at Revell has been watching how many of these kits get bought up on the internet. Rod Millard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: BillBramha@aol.com Subject: U.S.S. Constitution >> I'm looking for some websites with reviews of available wooden kits of the U.S.S. Constitution - a new project for our living room. I've found that there are at these three kits available. Mantua (1:98) Mamoli (1:93) Model Shipways (1:76) I've never done a wooden model and it will be an interesting (and time consuming!) project. Thanks in advance for any links. << Go to the Information Seaway at http://www.seaways.com and click on Research Center, then click on Archives, then click on Kits. If you are looking for current opinion, subscribe to the Seaways Discussion Forum and you'll get a hatful. Bluejacket also makes a Constitution in 1/8" scale. Personally, I would choose a simpler subject for a first wooden ship model. Bill Bramhall -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Richard Baker" Subject: Re: waterline Vs Full hull. Does anyone know where I can get 1/500 Brass etched or resin Barnacles? Thanks Richard Baker HMS Resolution at http://www.resolution.ic24.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "NICK & JOY ROGERS" Subject: HMS GRENVILLE. TYPE 15 RN FRIGATE CONVERSION IN PENULTIMATE GUISE AS A TRAINING SHIP I have a friend who scratchbuilt a fleet of 1/96 scale Radio Control warships,mostly Royal Navy WWII. His current project is a 1/96 scale RC HMS Grenville in Type 15 anti-submarine frigate Post-War guise. He has asked me to track some detail pictures of Grenville as his model nears completion in his dining room. In particular, * views of the the starboard side of the ship. * any stern views. * bridge and foremast details. I have learnt that HMS Grenville was a destroyer flotilla leader. She was built by Swan Hunter,completing in 1943. She was a member of the Ulster or `U' class which seems alphabetically challenging. She received her Type 15 conversion in 1954. I found a copy of "DESTROYER CAPTAIN" by one of her WWII captains, Roger Hill on my bookshelf. Her 1943 encounters in the Bay of Biscay with Fritz RC glider bombs and German T-class destroyers in the cock-up of an night operation when the Dido class cruiser HMS Charybdis was sunk are truly ripping yarns. The model shows her when used as a training ship, with extra deckhouses on the stern, replacing the AS mortars. The only photo of her on the Internet I have found so far is of her last configuration as a Radar Trials Ship. I have my FROG 1/500 scale model of HMS Undine,another Type 15 in front of me. Not quite detailed enough to be a lot of help. I note that the Canadian, South African and Australia also operated permutation of the Type 15 frigates. An excellent subject for series of Resin kits, hint, hint,....... Any suggestions for tracking down this info would be much appreciated. Nick Rogers. Auckland,New Zealand Home of the America's Cup. Hi Nick, A good place to start is the book: Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983 by Leo Marriot - published by Ian Allen. This has an 8 page section on the Type 15s & although it doesn't have the pictures you need is a good read. Also Conway's Warship had an article on the Type 15 conversions at the beginning of it's long run. In 1/700, it may just be possible to convert the Skywave/Tamiya Onslow to a Type 15 Frigate, but it will involve surgery to the basic hull, once that's done - I'd assume that building up the superstructure would be fairly easy. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: HGYL@aol.com Subject: Re: FLOWER CLASS CORVETTES When Revell reintroduced the "Matchbox" Flower kit someone posted a note on this list regarding a detailing kit that was being produced for it. Could anyone enlighten me as to whether the detailing kit was in fact produced and if so by whom and where it is available? Many Thanks Harold Lincoln -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Robert Mosher" Subject: Soviet Cruiser MURMANSK: Information? The Russian newspaper Novaya Izvestiya a couple of weeks ago featured the story of a Norwegian town that had created a website to promote tourism. A major feature touted on the website was apparently the hulk of the Soviet cruiser MURMANSK allegedly beached near the town in 1944 during one of the convoy battles. A color photo on the front page showed the superstructure still visible above the water (minus guns in the turrets). This seems like just the place to ask for help, either in getting more of the MURMANSK's story and especially in tracking down this story. As they used to say among the roustabouts when they needed help, "Hey, Rube!" Robert M -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "aa8." Subject: Scimitar class?--Fast patrol craft Gentlemen and Ladies Can anyone shed any light on three craft operated by the Royal Navy in the 1960's and 1970's. One of them was called HMS Scimitar (the other two had similar names) and I believe they were fast patrol/training boats. I believe they became victim of one of the many rounds of spending cuts that the R.N. has suffered from and may have been sold on. I remember pictures of them in boys magazies from my childhood--they always appeared to be travelling at speed!! I would love a model of one now. I don't suppose anybody does a kit? Any scale considered. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Model Ship Journal I received my Premier Issue today; to say I was blown away would be an understatement. The back-page photo of Don Preul's USS Helena made me want to go slash my wrists in sheer despair at the thought of ever crafting a model with that detail. The rest of the publication was a feast for ship modelers; I was thoroughly captivated by photo essays, plans and articles about types of ships and boats I'd never given a second thought to (Army tugs, f'goodness sake). I was also interested to see ads from vendors I've heard about from this list - seeing (visually, not verbally) what they have to offer was a motivator to contact them for more information on paint chips, PE brass and resin, reference books - the whole nine yards. I intend to let them know I was motivated by this publication - as a former model magazine editor myself (IPMS Quarterly many moons ago, plus several "real" - i.e., non-modeling - magazines) I know how important continued advertiser support is - and that only happens if the advertisers sell more goods than the cost of the ads ... Enough - just thought I'd throw in my $.02 USD worth ... Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Traplet not there yet >> Like almost all UK companies, replace .com with .co.uk, so you get: http://www.traplet.co.uk << Gave it a try. Kept getting "connection timed out." I'll try later when the web isn't so clogged. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Imperial War Museum Website Neat site (as well as a useful information source for modelers): http://www.iwm.org.uk/ Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Constitution kit Tim, Bluejacket Shipcrafters makes a stunning model of the Constitution (in my opinion the best there is). The scale is 1/8" = 1'- 0" (40" long and 28" high). It's listed in their most current catalogue and it can be seen I believe, on their web site at: www.bluejacketinc.com Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: "John Rule" Subject: Indian naval kits >> I was wondering if is there (are) any Indian Plastic Model Ship available on the market. If it is afirmative. Does somebody know her name? << The Indian Navy makes a good subject due to its acquisition of second hand warships from a number of sources. Some examples are: Vikrant.............ex Hercules (Majestic Class Carrier) Viraat...............ex Hermes (RN Carrier) Delhi................ex HMS Achilles (Leander Class Cruiser) Mysore.............ex HMS Nigeria (Colony Class Cruiser Rana, Rajput and Ranjit...........ex RN R-Class Destroyers Rajput, Rana etc.....................Kashin II Class Destroyers ........................to name but a few. These along with Hunt Class, Blackwood Class, Whitby Class, Leopard Class and Leander Class frigates, Nanuchka's, Tarantul's, Osa's and many others have been part of India's Navy since 1947. India also paints its ships in a rather dark grey which adds a little variety to the predominantly light greys of modern navies. John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Safe-Mounting Bottled Paints >> After spilling several bottles myself, I came up with an inexpensive way to not paint my model making area. << I'm catching up after an extensive business road-trip (sadly, no good ships on display in Silicon Valley, and traffic too intense to even THINK about San Francisco as a side-trip ...) I don't like what some solvents do to styrofoam. I took a different route - removable mounting putty (what we used to use to hang posters in dorm rooms); it's put out in 2-oz sets by Manco, the folks who make Duct Tape; four strips will effectively shield four bottles of any size. I work the putty and wrap it around the bottle base. This makes a great anchor, it doesn't seem to be impacted by paint or glue solvents, it's maleable and it can be reused with bottles of any size. All of my different types of solvent cement are permanently wrapped, and I have a set of strips waiting for acrylic, enamel or lacquer paints, etc. Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: Ned Barnett Subject: San Francisco Hobby Shops and Museum Ships??? I have a new client (actually four new clients) all in the Silicon Valley area - lucky me ... but this does mean that I'm flying to San Jose and "doing time" around Los Gatos just about every week for the foreseeable future. This will (hopefully) give me some evening times to tour local hobby shops and (maybe) museum ships, if any. But what I know about the Bay area you could put (well, never mind - just not much). So I'm wide-open to suggestions. Thanks. Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: Ned Barnett Subject: .50 Ma Deuce in 1/72 I have the same problem with my PT-109, just arrived today. I've got the 37 mm from a 1/72 Hasegawa Jeep/Gun kit, but that .50 ... it may take an inordinate number (4) of Hasegawa Sherman Easy-Eights to give me the right complement. I've scavenged that gun for a DUKW kit I built in that scale, successfully until the barrel broke in a move (sigh). Most aircraft kits in 1/72 (the bombers) have blob-guns, too ... Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: "arthur" Subject: Ei-Sen Tugs of the IJN Seeking information and plans if possible of the Japanese Tugs used during WW2. I have Fukui's book of Naval Vessels at the end of the war and cross referenced it with Jentschura, Jung and Mickel's work of Warships of the IJN. A 1/48 scale tug is needed to pull the CV's from the wharf as there is not enough room for the Shokaku to manouvre by herself unaided. Any information or the whereabouts of any size plans would be appreciated. Arthur -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "J. London" Subject: Model photos wanted I am looking for b&w photos of scratchbuilt 1:1200/1250 warship models for a book. Specifically need: USS WYOMING (as built if possible), USS NORTH CAROLINA (or WASHINGTON), USS ENTERPRISE (1938), French battleship COURBET (as built if possible), French MONTCALM Class cruiser. Any pictures will be acknowledged in the book and I will pay any printing and postage costs. Contact me off list if you can help. Michael London -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume