Subject: SMML VOL 989 Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 02:28:10 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Search for Colpar 2: Re: Duane Fowler's decals 3: Re: Brass Rod Masts 4: Re: USS Oregon Information and Plans 5: Re: CSS Hunley 6: Re: Thoughts on Pearl Harbor 7: Re: Daniel Jones and Revisionist History 8: Re: USS Olympia Modellers 9: Fujimi USN models 10: Accessing Times of London Archives 11: War with China 12: FINE SCALE MODELER 13: Testors price increase 14: Duane Fowler decals 15: Re: Pearl Harbor 16: Observations and Ramblings 17: War with China 18: Fargo 19: Info on Eastwind 20: Re: Testor's pain /glue/ect increase 21: Re: Testors Price Increase 22: Anchors, bitter ends, etc 23: Ship Preservation 24: USS Missouri Displays 25: Re: (The Real) Blue Devil Destroyer 26: Pearl Harbour 27: Re: Testors Price Increase 28: Re: Pearl Harbour 29: Airbrush -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Dunagain Decals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "hugh1lottie2" Subject: Re: Search for Colpar Colpar Hobbies is located in Aurora Colorado [east Denver] and their # is 1-800-876-0414, the email is colpar.com , now for the Eastwind. It is 1/700 and a resin kit from Loose Cannon Productions. Its vintage is 1944 when it captured a German weather station in Greenland. It has two turrets with twin 5 in guns, three quad 40's, hedgehogs, several 20's, K-guns, depth charge racks and a Grumman Duck. Check the icon on Warship for a listing of Loose Cannon Products. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Duane Fowler's decals >> I just received my Enterprise and Modern European Flag decals from Duane Fowler and, in a word, they are excellent. << What is even more amazing is watching them being printed. Duane put on a phenomenal demo at the SMML Con this past May. Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Brass Rod Masts >> Currently I'm thinking of using a (very small) punch to flat spot both the mast and spar in order to get a good surface for the final assemble. This might make a good surface for soldering and/or gluing, however, neither method seems to offer a sturdy bond for the later assembly steps. If the model was a 250 or 200 scale I would tie the spars to the mast but this is certainly not an option with the 700 scale. << I would definitely flatten the joint area and solder. >> Also, any suggestions for rendering the rigging to the 1:700 brass spars and mast would be appreciated. << You could try chucking the spars in a lathe or a dremel and grooving them where the rigging attaches so that the loop of rigging material won't be quite so prominent. Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: USS Oregon Information and Plans >> Plans for the battleship USS Oregon (BB-3) are available for $17.50 from: The Oregon Maritime Center and Museum 113 SW Naito Parkway Portland, Oregon, USA 97204 A copy of theplans are posted at: http://home.att.net/~jmea/Images/BluePrint1.jpg << Hi: Are the plans on the above site the ones you get for $17.50 or do you get more detailed drawings??? Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: CokerRE@aol.com Subject: Re: CSS Hunley In reply to Peter Sydney, the CSS Hunley was raised on Tuesday morning, August 8, 2000 at approximately 8:30 am after several years and several million dollars in preparation. The sub will be stabalized in a state of the art lab in North Charleston over the next several years before being put on public display. The archaeologists seem to have recovered everything from the sub. The real interest will be in what they find inside besides the remains of the final crew. For those with more interest try the Hunley site at: www.hunley.org. PC Coker/Charleston -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: Thoughts on Pearl Harbor I agree with Mr. Jones completely. He has stated the facts as they are, Facts! Not, as Mr. Jones pointed out, someone's "theories" as to the events. Roosevelt loved the USN, so I seriously dont think that he would have let the attack happen, had he known. Had he known, I also agree with Mr. Jones, the outcome on the open ocean, might have been far worse for the USN at that time. Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Lump518176@aol.com Subject: Re: Daniel Jones and Revisionist History At last!! Daniel Jones has provided some sanity, backed by facts. I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Jones, and have read several "conspiracy" books regarding the Pearl Harbor attack. Thanks Daniel Jones for setting the historical record as straight as possible 60 years after the fact! BTW, great magazine as well (PSM). Can't wait for the next issue! Jerry Phillips -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: RhinoBones@aol.com Subject: Re: USS Olympia Modellers >> I've recently been in touch with Mr. Robert D. Jamieson . . . and was thrilled that anyone might even be interested in the Olympia. << Next time you converse with Mr. Jamieson please mention that there are a few others who appreciate the early period of iron warship design. I have an Olympia and a PE set in the queue . . . looks like I'll get to it about the middle of next year. Greatly appreciate your posting. I'll put the information to good use. Regards, RhinoBones -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: Fujimi USN models Hi Guys Today I was at my local hobby shop and I noticed these new releases from Fujimi 1/700 waterline kits they are Spruance class destroyers Fife, O'Brien, and Leftwich they cover the class from late 80's to current layout. Then are 3 Burke class destroyers John McCain, Curtis Wilbur,and Russell with, the cruisers Mobil Bay, Vinncennes,and Chancorsville. Ending with 2 Perry class frigates such as the Gary and Vandegrift. Does any one know who the company waterline represents they put out 2 sets of IJN ship accessories from WW2. Craig Bennett Hi Craig, These kits look like they could be licensed copies from the Skywave range. Can anyone confirm this? Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Roland Mar Subject: Accessing Times of London Archives TO: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Hi: If you want to try to stretch your cyber wings [or get a friend to do this] go to http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/resources/library1.n.html [also accessible from the main page under "back issues"] and try the search engine there. If it predates the search engine's coverage, there is a built in email under "about us" and then "contact us" where you may be able to try to get their librarian to dig it out. If you find it, please consider posting it here, or somewhere with a link, as it is historically fascinating. I may try a web search for Mr. Neave. Do you have his rank and first name anywhere? Hope this helps and thanks for the leads, Sincerely, Roland Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Roland Mar Subject: War with China TO: Kelvin Mok With all due respect, may I direct your attention to some data that may modify your conclusions as to the possibility of a war with China? First, there is the work "China's Nuclear Arsenal" by Yang Zhang at the National University of Singapore [available at http://www.kimsoft.com/korea/ch-war.htm]. Combining his own research and an analysis of the the ground breaking book "China Builds the Bomb" by John Wilson Lewis and Xue Litai [Stanford University Press, ISBN 0-8047-1841-5] he draws on what the US government has released about known Chinese production rates of weapons grade materials, and the highly Pollyanna-ish conclusions and position papers published by the US Departments of State and Defense. I will note that according to the detailed figures for weapons grade fissile materials, China has produced enough for literally thousands of warheads, even using the relatively inefficient designs available pre-Los Alamos. The official US total figures for China's stockpile is around 300. The difference would make a lot of really bright glow in the dark watch faces. Chinese missile production and deployment figures as issued by the US are similarly suspect. The DoD says China's total production run of DF-3 missiles was between 10-20. They were somewhat embarrassed when China sold the Saudi's over 100 and we watched them unloaded on the docks. But the US official production figure has not been changed. Also, the official US count of Chinese ICBM's aimed at the US is based on the the number of Chinese silos. The problem is that the Chinese stopped using silos and have adopted the same basing mode as the Israelis, tunnels into mountains and missile erectors. The Chinese "Great Wall Project", a decade plus long effort to build a network of missile tunnels in the mountains of western China, was completed some years ago. Their deterrent is as hardened as our Cheyenne Mountain [which I've been in more than a few times, and which I can see from home]. When dealing with analysis of future foreign actions, the first filter you use is based on their capabilities, not your belief as to their intentions. You can be fooled as to intentions, but if you are prepared to deal with their capabilities, you will be all right. A glimpse into their mind-set, that seems to corroborate the capabilities, however, is furnished by the book "Unrestricted Warfare" by Cols. Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui of the PLAAF. Published in February 1999 by the PLA Literature and Arts Publishing House; it has received the imprimatur of the Central Military Commission [imagine the US National Security Council with the chairman of whatever party holds the White House as an additional member], the PLA Headquarters, and the Politburo. This book has been made required reading for all officers and officer aspirants of the People's Liberation Army, regardless of branch. It was translated by the US Central Intelligence Agency's Foreign Broadcast Information Service and is available either from the government, or more accessibly from as a 188k (228 pages) zipped file at [http://cryptome.org/cuw.zip]. Drawing on the Art of War, and other Chinese military classics, 'Unrestricted Warfare" lays out weapons production strategies, deployments, tactics [military and political] and the use of cyber warfare and assassination of political and business leaders as a way to specifically defeat the United States. Chinese actions in the first 3 fields, which we are watching unfold, largely match "Unrestricted Warfare"; and I myself am less than sanguine about the source of much of the cyber mischief that has sprung up since 1999. I will also note a recent public statement by the Chief of Staff of the PLA, "The United States will never trade Los Angeles for Taiwan.". Belief in the likelihood of imminent hostilities with the PRC is not only not "out in left field"; it is in the mainstream of probabilities that fit the data available. I personally expect, very soon [under a year], that there will be a regional conflict where US and PRC interests differ. After all, 'hegemony" is a word that can be applied by us to the PRC as well as vice versa. If it comes to open combat, we will lose, given the state of our military. In either case our choice will be to escalate, or back down. The threat of a Chinese nuclear strike will cause us to back down. We may have to end up agreeing to disagree, but there is hard data on the other side. Sincerely, Roland Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: PT191@aol.com Subject: FINE SCALE MODELER I submitted an article to FSM on the re-working of a Dumas PT-109 kit into a model of PT-191, THE BAMBI later in the war, ... FSM told me that it wasn't up to their standards and yet, SHIP IN SCALE took it. I think FSM caters to aircraft and armor and couldn't care less about ship modelers. Heck, they even had an article (or a few articles) about the Starship ENTERPRISE from Star Trek and the MILLENIUM FALCON from Star Wars. The last article about a ship in there I remember seeing was an article on the model of the TITANIC used in that tearjerker of a movie and one about an ATF rescuing a Japanese pilot that it had shot down. T. Garth Connelly Hi, Well, FSM does cater to ship modellers & that content is growing - with articles from various SMMLies coming fairly quickly. FSM, by it's very name covers the whole gamutt of modelling interests & like it or not aviation & armour have more people interested than ship modelling at this stage. I also think that putting down other modelling genres, doesn't become this list either. I happen to be a "mongrel modeller" who just happens to like naval subjects more. I tend to model (or at least buy models ;-) ) across the board. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Kurt Van Dahm Subject: Testors price increase As an alternate to the testors paints price increases and their pulling Floquil off the market ask your hobby shops to check out the Badger Modelflex Marine Paints. Badgers line has all the colors formerly in the Floquil Marine Paint line as well as others - a total of 52 colors at the present time. They are acrylics and ready to airbrush w/o thinning. Many of the model railroad guys are switching to the Badger RR paints due to the ease of use and Floquils unavailability of certain RR colors The RR colors and Marine colors share the same paint formulas and the RR colors have been used for a few years already and are widely available. Take care, Kurt Van Dahm Westmont, IL NRG member -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Melea/Mike Maynard" To: "SMML" Subject: Duane Fowler decals Hello all stations! I attended the USS Salem SMMLie convention and was impressed by Mr. Fowler's decal system. While I've noted his name and decal's being discussed in the last two newsletters, no one mentioned an address. Would it be possible for one of you good folks to publish his address. I've tried to contact him by his email address but have not received a reply. Perhaps I'll have better luck with snail mail. Thanks Mike M. USCG(ret) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Burl Burlingame / Pacific Monograph Subject: Re: Pearl Harbor Oh, people do go on with such rubbish about how FDR was in the plot to attack Pearl Harbor. Nonsense. This is such a sticker in the craw it should be called the Pearl Harbor Syndrome, and it is, at base, reverse racism. The Japanese are simply not able to be credited with carrying out such a smooth operation. No, the Imperial Navy could not have succeeded on their own without White House perfidy, right? Complete eyewash. Burl Burlingame Pacific Monograph, 1124 Kahili Street, Kailua HI 96734 808-263-6087 buzz@aloha.net A historical interpretation company. Visit our web sites at http://www.PacificHistory.com/ and http://www.PacificHistory.net "Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: CA139JOHNF@aol.com Subject: Observations and Ramblings Mike Satin Wrote: >> Some years ago, Lindbergh did a large scale kit they called the "Blue Devil" destroyer. ...................and is there a decent 1/350 kit of that ship? << Tamiya Fletcher would do nicely. Ned Barnett wrote: >> Pardon my French, but what the hell was Constellation - looks like a late World War I era USN battlecruiser << BINGO!! >> I've never seen a reference to it (completed or not) ... << Never completed, to be a unit of the Lexington Class battlecruisers, if laid down, was broken up as part of the Naval Treaties of the '20s. >> rumor had it that Forrestal was in Tampa << News to us, Forestal was in Newport, RI along with Saratoga and Iowa just weeks ago. Richard Simpson wrote: >> Ferdinand, Sirmar does a series of replacement parts. (for the matchbox flower class corvette) << I built one years ago and replaced many fittings and the guns with castings from HR Products, Huge improvement. I'd be interested in knowing if Sirmar's 1/72 stuff is better than their 1/48 Flower Class fittings. They are awful. I want to do the the Revell reissue as HMCS Sackville and so need some better fittings. There's always scratchbuilding though. Marc Flake wrote: >> Just wanted to compliment listmember Gary Kigzett not only for his USS Oregon making the cover of Fine Scale Modeler, but also his story on how he built it. << Not only do I also send a Bravo Zulu to Fine Scale for the article, but Gary's supurb model won the best of show at the first SMMLcon on the Salem last May. Not only is the model a shipmodelers work of art but Gary and his Mrs. are two really terific people. Gary, congrats on your showng at the IPMS Nats with your Iron Duke. Pardon my ignorance, but when in August are the "Bank Holidays"? Enough rambling. Gotta build more Salems and Flowers. John Frohock USNSM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Kerry Jang Subject: War with China This thread on Japanese-Chinese parallels and a possible war with China is very intersting, and amusing. I think the perceived threats from China come from a misunderstanding of Chinese history. Kelvin Mok is quite right in sayng that China's military is designed to protect its borders, not engage in a war of aggression. The paralles people have drawn with China of today and Japan on the 1920's is specious. Japan in the 1920's wanted resources, having very little of their own. They had a hawkish govenment, run by an expansionist diet. The initial invasion on Chinese territory, namely Manchuria is the outcome of this policy. China, specifically the People's Republic has a completley different mindset and objective. Consider two of Mao Zedong's policies: 1. China must be self-sufficient 2. China will never be colonized again 3. Reunify the homeland The creation of a strong army, then PLA is an outgrowth of the war against the Japanese. Its miliraty doctrine was very based on a people army that fought a guerilla war. For example, they felt they could win a battle by sheer manpower alone. During the Gulf War, the Chinese milatry was shocked to find out how poor the PLA was (this was reported in all the Chinese magazines and newspapers). They embarked on a massive modernization campaign, including the Navy and Airforce. Hence the military buildup and spy activities. Its unlikely China will be invaded again so one of Mao's policies (#2) has been fulfilled, and the miltary is self-sufficient (policy #1) -- the PLN and PLA have no need to rely on arms dealers for thier won good. Chinese nuclear capabilities was developed all by themselves (no help from Russia!). The "aggressive" moves by China is a result of the unify the homeland policy. 1. Hong Kong -- China took it back as this was an unfair war reparation to the Brits after the so-called Opium Wars. Remember, the Chinese (Ching Dynasty) went to war with the Brits to stop the Brits from importing illicit drugs into the country! I remember Chinese school as a kid and the stories we heard about China's shame -- the loss of HK in an unjust war! Indeed, the Brits really didn't want to give it up and were not planning to (funny, the Chinese communists honoured ALL agreements made by the Ching and Nationalist governemnts, the Brits-- Thatcher --had no initial intention of honouring the 99 year lease! Bad form, I'd say). Deng Xiopeng said HK would be repatriated at all costs. He had the PLN and PLA to back him up. It worked. HK was returned after a 99 year sojourn. 2. Macao -- taken from the Portugese. This colony was originally a gift to the Portugese, but having foreigners on Chinese soil is not a good thing. 3. Tibet -- considered by Chinese people for centuries to be part of China. Tibet was cended to China by the Panchen Lama centuries ago when Tibetan Buhddism was adopted by the Imperial Court as the religion of the CourtLama (leader of a different Tibetan sect, of course will argue this). 4. Taiwan -- always part of China. It is presently home to the Kuomintang (Nationalist Chinese led by Chiang Kai-shek), with the Communist Chinese have been fighting a civil war with since 1945 (indeed, even earlier!). Now, to reunify Taiwan with the rest of China, the PLN will have to fight the USN, because the USA has pledged its support behind the Kuomintang. Isn't any wonder the Chinese PLN is builing a blue water navy....? 5. Korea -- China got into that war in the 1950's as Mao feared the UN forces would cross the Yalu River. Indeed, McArthur was contemplating that so China's armed intervention was a means to protect the motherland. In general, China is now self-sufficient in most of her needs, oil, electricity, (the Three River Gorge project is an example), foods. China markets have been forced open to redress the trade imbalances that are in China's favour, hence the massive sales to China of late. Note to that the Chinese have been settling its problems diplomatically. Sun Tzu said that the best war is the one that is not fought. It is better to bluff or scare the enemy with a massive show of force than to actually fight. Chinese political and military policies and build ups is the direct result of this ancient way of thinking. I think it has worked too.... I hope this gives the view from "the other side". Cheers, Kerry Jang -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: SolidStump@aol.com Subject: Fargo See Floating Drydocks plan list, "G" series drawings. Fargo - CL106 general arrangement drawings are there. I bought a set several years ago and know they have sufficient detail for model work. Good luck with your efforts. Simon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "edger1" Subject: Info on Eastwind First, congratulations to all who brought home hardware from IPMS Nats in Dallas. Especially Tom E. for U123! On to my question. I am new to ship modeling and went crazy buying resin, PE and plastic in Dallas. When I saw the 1/700 Eastwind, I had to have one. Found one here in Austin, TX the other day but... where does one find good references so that it may be built accurately. I've had no real luck at the Coast Guard web site and haven't seen anything listed for plans in the instructions. Any help would be appreciated and most welcome. Thanks in advance. Dave Edgerly Austin, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Bob Evans Subject: Re: Testor's pain /glue/ect increase >> Has anyone noticed the Testors price increase recently? Up to $2.49 for 1/2 ounce bottles!! I found out about it from a local hobby shop who is no longer carrying the Testors line because they keep raising prices. The owner said that a couple of the distributors are thinking of dropping them also. They are supposedly holding back releasing Floquil paints so they can let what is in the markeplace be used up. I have emailed them that I am no longer using their paints as long as they act like a monopoly, which essentially they are as they now own Pactra, Floquil/Polly S. The issue, as I see it, is not affording them, but giving in to price gouging. I won't support that. We shouldn't "need" Testors paint that badly. << To John and all, We at Franciscan Hobbies received the same increase in price from Testor's for all of their products. We regret that we had to pass along the price increase, but if we wanted to carry their products (Which we do), then the price went up. As you all know, their are several types of Paint & Glue on the market ... I personally prefer Floquil myself .... so choose the type you like that also fits your pocket book. Regards, Bob Evans Franciscan Hobbies http://www.trolleyville.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Jim Johnson" Subject: Re: Testors Price Increase Testors is owned by RPM Inc. which also owns Floquil/Poly-Scale and Pactra. They are increasing their price from $1.99 to $2.99. You and I would call this a 50% increase, but the industry calls it a 33 % increase. Since there are no other mfg. of hobby paint made in the US, I guess they can charge what the traffic will bear. The Aircraft boys are up in arms because Aeromaster paints were made by Floquil/Poly-scale and Aeromaster decided that they would not be competitive around the world with the price increase that they would be forced to pass on. These were the favorites of a lot of people because they were good paints and Aeromaster carried a larger selection of colors. The aircraft modeling community sent RPM nastygrams and apparently they did some good. There is a good possibility that RPM and Aeromaster came to an agreement about the price of paint and that Aeromaster will at least keep their Acrylic line. (and I just laid in a 5 year supply when I heard the story) If we let the manufactures know that we care about price and selection, they sometimes listen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: "Jim Johnson" Subject: Anchors, bitter ends, etc There was a thread back before the break about anchors etc. Nobody was sure what the "bitter end" was attached to down in the chain locker. Since I have been out of the Navy for over thirty years, I'm going to share a deep secret with all of you and hope that none of you tell the USN that I told you this. The other end of the anchor chain is attached to absolutely nothing. That's right, if you let all the chain run out, there is nothing to hold it. The anchor windless is what regulates the amount and rate of chain let out. They went from manpower to steam power to modern day hydraulic/electric power. I hear this sea story from two sources, so it may be true. Of course we must start out with "now this is no s***" to make it proper. The Forestall (CVA-59) had the standard for the time, 600 PSI main steam pressure. The next carrier was the Saratoga (CVA-60). She was the first with 1200PSI main steam and was a bit unreliable because of it. The electricity on steam powered ships is supplied by steam turbine driven generators. There are several diesel backup generators. These run on JP-5 jet fuel and are started by compressed air whenever the electricity fails. I knew several people that had served on the Sara and they said the ship ran on the diesel generators almost as much and the standard steam powered generators. The story is that the Sara was dropping anchor somewhere, possibly in Hampton Roads but I don't remember. Just as the anchor was dropped, she "lost the load" which means that the electricity went away. The anchor windless had no power therefore no ability to retard the advancement of the anchor and chain. The bos'n on the focsle immediately cranked the break handle to slow it down to no avail. Every bos'n knows that there is nothing to hold the chain in the locker and when the bitter end comes out, it will whip and cut anybody in two that is near it. They all started to clear the area when the emergency diesel kick on and supplied electricity the windless. Of course, since the break was turned to full, it stopped the windless and broke the anchor chain, inertia being what it is an all. Sounds feasible and I heard it from two sources at two different times so I could have happened. Jim Johnson MM2 (ret) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Ship Preservation Ladies and Gents, I know some of you here were involved in the preservation of the Hornet and Salem (and perhaps other naval ships). I've been in contact with a number of former crew members and interested parties who are trying to figure out/learn more about what might be done to save the Oriskany (currently in Marad custody in Beaumont, TX after two failed attempts to scrap her). Anyone who might have any knowledge or information that might be useful, and/or who might be interested in this as well, please contact me offlist. Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: Duane Fowler Subject: USS Missouri Displays Hello All, Today I visited the USS Missouri with Mike Connelley, his father, and Mike Wiedenbach who is the displays director for the ship. For the past year or so there have been a team of SMMLies working on seven Iowa class ships for display aboard the Missouri and we are reaching the finish. Mike C. (living in Hawaii as he does) was the first to complete and present his ship. There are a lot of things I can say about Mikes work but you would really have to see it to believe it. The detail is unbelievable and the craftsmanship is outstanding - and this is from a guy who was putting in his senior year and graduating in astrophysics at the same time! We had the model on the dock for photos and it was drawing quite a crowd on it's own. Mike rebuilt the entire deck to correct the bow width, fashioned all the AA and director tubs from sheet brass, used every trick I know to get the PE right, and even cut out all the breezeways that are missing on the kit. You need a microscope to see all the detail on this one. The thing that really hurt was that mike casually mentioned to me that this was his first 1/350 project. OUCH! Mike's model represents the Missouri as she was at launch in her Ms. 32/22d. As I said before, you really have to see this one - an excuse for that trip to Hawaii? Worked for me! Three cheers to Mike and the rest of the project team and sponsors! Best regards, Duane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: Alan Simon Subject: Re: (The Real) Blue Devil Destroyer USS Melvin DD680 was one of several square bridge Fletchers built at Federal, Kearney, NJ in 1943. Finished in Ms. 21, she arrived Pacific 2/44. Melvin participated in Marshalls, Marianas, Palaus, Leyte, Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns and concluding attacks on Japan proper. At Marianas in 6/44 she sank Japanese sub RO36 and received 10 battle stars for WWII service. See DANFS for further details (accessible at http://www.navsource.org). According to Fletcher DDs in Action by Jerry Scutts, Melvin was nicknamed "Blue Devil" partly because of her all Navy blue Ms. 21 camouflage. [But there were many Flechers wearing Ms. 21 in Pacific in '44. Perhaps a Duke Univ. alumnus was involved? - tongue in cheek speculation, of course] Alan Simon Atlanta, Ga. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: Pearl Harbour Hi all I don't think that we can attribute the debacle at Pearl Harbour to anything but complacency and inefficiency on the US side (and effective and bold use of carrier technology on the Japanese). It took a while for the USN to get their act together after the attack which suggests that they were not very effective at the start. Hardly suprising as they were a peacetime navy. That the leadership knew is almost certainly false. With so much intelligence available pointing to the Phillipines one would have to be very bold to prepare for a defence elsewhere. Conspiracies are often seen where incompetence lives mostly by people who believe that leaders could not have been as stupid as they actually were. Whilst it would have been possible for Churchill to withold information (if he had it and Daniel Jones post covers that rather well) it was not in his character to do that to a potential ally. So I think that that part of the conspiracy can be nicely discounted. I also see that "name deleted by listmaster" is off again, I rather enjoy his gibbering paranoia and would advise everyone, SMML is a broad church don't get too excited. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: James Corley Subject: Re: Testors Price Increase >> Has anyone noticed the Testors price increase recently? Up to $2.49 for 1/2 ounce bottles!! << That's nothing! When Testor re-introduced their line of PollyScale paints at $2.49, the demand for the Testors Acrylic paints evaporated. Now the PollyScale line is $2.99 ... they cited demand stronger than supply. Probably true, since the "competition" is better than their own name line. This is odd since both line are supposedly the same formulations. Same with Model Master/Floquil. In both cases I have gotten better performance from the Floquil product, even though they are "identical" Where is Bill Clinton on this anti-trust violation?! I guess Testors, like AOL and Netscape, gave $$ to the Democrats. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: James Corley Subject: Re: Pearl Harbour Daniel Jones said: >> As bad as Pearl Harbor was, it could have been a lot worse. << Yeah, they could have planned on attacking several other key installations, like the fuel farm, sub base and drydocks. One Idea I like to believe might have happened would be the "Final Countdown" scenario, not with the Nimitz but with the carriers of the day. We know they are coming, the carriers return from Midway and Wake and catch the IJN in a pincer, attacking while their planes are over Oahu, hopefully striking a severe blow to the war fighting ability of the IJN. Yeah, this is fantasy, but it could have happened - if some of the "conspiracy nuts" are right ... we knew the date, time & location of the attack weeks or months beforehand. I don't think FDR or anybody outside Japan knew this much, just that given history that they would attack at some point when & where we least expected it. Heck, if you believe some of the wackier ideas out there, it explains why there are no good photos of Arizona after January 1941 ... FDR knew she would be sunk and wanted to foil the plans of shipmodelers everywhere and encourage debate and arguments long after his death!! ;-} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: Robert and Janis Leonti Subject: Airbrush Fred Kennamer, Fred, you did not post an E-Mail address for off line contact. Bob Leonti -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Duane Fowler Subject: Dunagain Decals Hello All, I wanted to thank Loren for the kind words about my decals and let you all know that I just shipped a large order out to Pacific Front and to Colpar Hobbies. I am in the process of revamping my offering to separate the ensigns and jacks into individual nation/era sets so that you won't have to buy sixty flags for the couple you want. I have also completely redone the signal flag sets to make them more accurate. I have broken them out to British 1901 to 1934, British 1934 to 1949, US 1931 to 1959, and USSR (Cyrillic) 1935 to 1992. The US set and the USSR set are actually accurate for today except that the ensigns have changed and in the case of the USSR/Russia, the rank flags have changed. The US set also includes the pre 1959 US Coast Guard ensign. All of these are available in 1/700 and 1/350 sizes. The decals are now produced under the name "Dunagain Decals" which is a part of US Computer Graphics. I am in the process of setting up custom domains but until I get them finished, you can reach me at: dlfowler@uscg.net Best regards, Duane Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for backissues, Member's models & reference pictures at: http://www.smml.org.uk Check out the APMA site for an index of ship articles in the Reference section at: http://www.tac.com.au/~sljenkins/apma.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume