Subject: SMML VOL 1017 Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 20:18:19 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: I-58 in 1945 2: Is there a Revell Kit ... 3: Re: The Batory 4: Minsk/Arizona/Essex 5: Essex Differences 6: Re: Oriskany 7: Re: 1/72 list updated 8: Re: Tamiya 1/350 Essex 9: Has Anyone Completed ICM's Konig or Grosser K? 10: Tamiya myths and realities 11: Re: G3 and N3 plans 12: Re: USS England's good luck 13: Re: Decks of the Warspite 14: Re: Warspite Decks 15: Re: ANDREA DORIA 16: ICM Koenig Worth it? 17: What are "Queens"? 18: 72nd scale ships 19: French Navy 20: USS Pine Island 21: short/long-hull CV-9s 22: HMS Warspite Wooden Decks: Painted or Not? 23: Must Have Books! 24: Atlanta AA and ASW weapons 25: HMS Attacker 26: WW2 ship movies - Victor Baca 27: Midway Atoll to become Battle of Midway National Memorial 28: Re: Tamiya Essex?? 29: DE RUYTER Camouflage 30: Russian Vosper MTB's -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: International Maritime Modeling September 2000 Update (Finally!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Cooper, Mike" Subject: I-58 in 1945 Dear SMMLies Well, just 'cos I haven't posted for a while, it doesn't mean I haven't been watching you! Finally I've managed to get The Infamous Algerine Project close to completion (regular SMMlies may recall that thi one has been haunting me for 18months or more) and so have moved on to look at another ship model. I'm working up a display of "Subs and Subb Hunters" for some point in the future and I realised that I needed a big Jap. I-Boat. I settled on I-58. Now, this is where I need your help.... 1/ In 1945 she was convereted to take two extra Kaiten, giving six in all. The only 1945 photo I have shows chocks but no Kaiten, and shows that all of her aircraft handling equipment - including all of the hanger bar a stump to take radar was removed by August 45. My drawings show her with a platform where the hanger should have been with a 25mm on it. OK. Does anyone know how the 6 kaiten were arranged? Again my sources refer only to her with the "platform" and seem to show 5 kaiten or that somewhere was a pair half of which isn't visible from the side. Fore-aft they go 1, 1, Conning tower, 2?, 1,1. Other boats seem to have has 2 and 4. Can anyone confirm that in fitting the extra two Kaiten the 25mm and structure forward of the tower were removed? 2/ Decks - i've read that IJN sub decks were painted in a bitumen based waterproofing. I presure this to have been dull black, but can anyone confirm? Most box-art illustrations show natural planking. Mike Cooper Reading UK (where its just stopped bucketing down and turned into a lovely afternoon) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Is there a Revell Kit ... Is there a Revell kit of the Wilhelm Bauer - that Type XXI sub that was scuttled by the Kriegsmarine in May, '45 - then raised and put back into service as a test vehicle by the West German navy in '57? I know they make a Type XXI, but the Wilhelm Bauer has a different sail (among other modifications). I thought I remembered that Revell had kitted it (before I got a book on the Type XXI and decided to build one or two of the beasts). Any ideas? Sources of kits? Facts, figures, opinions? Hi Ned, Revell does a model of the Wilheim Bauer, but whether it's just a straight copy of their normal type XXI, I don't know. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "J. London" Subject: Re: The Batory I do not know if this was consistent throughout the war but she was painted overall gray when she visited Halifax NS on trooping duties on at least one occasion. Michael London -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Rod Dauteuil Subject: Minsk/Arizona/Essex >> Re: Trumpeter Minsk, can anybody attest to the quality of the airplanes included with this kit? I have a Nimitz class carrier, and the planes are poor, at best. Re: 1/350 Arizona detailing article/publication, I believe there's an article with good photos in Kalmbach's book "Building and Detailing Ship Models" (correct title?????) << Re: Large scale Tamiya Essex: IIRC, Tamiya's 1/700 Essex class offerings (Yorktown and Hancock?????) both share a common hull and stern, with a separate bow depending upon the prototype. Same principle could be applied (like their 1/350 Enterprise). There is an old expression that time is the equalizer of the odds. It's nice to want! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Jeff Herne" Subject: Essex Differences >> Since the only difference between short and long hull are the gun tubs under the forward edge of the flight deck, it should be easy enough to cast two versions of that section and include it in the kit as a choice for the modeler to make. << Oh boy...Uh, without writing an entire book on the class, there are MAJOR differences between the short and long hulled ships, including length of the hull, length of the flight deck, gun positions, and, although not important to the modeler, a complete revamp of the forward compartments. ahhh...never mind, yea, they're all the same. Jeff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Shirley Sachsen Subject: Re: Oriskany >> and for the completist: Oriskany as a derelict, awaiting scrap version << >> Hey now, that's a dirty word (there's some of us here who are still hoping for salvation/reprieve on that front!!) << In a manner of speaking Oriskany is already saved--in part. her antennas and escalator are now installed on Hornet, along with other detail bits. Oriskany herself is in deplorable shape. I've seen recent photos of the hangar bay and it makes what Hornet's looked like originally seem fully restored. and as far as saving carriers goes.... there are four already saved that are struggling (Intrepid, Hornet, Yorktown, Lexington) who would be grateful for assistance, and there is one of more importance in the same vicinity that begs saving: Cabot. from experience, trying to save and maintain a vessel the size of a carrier are two very different things. after the hoopla and excitement of 'winning' the ship fades, you're still stuck with this behemoth that needs a place to park (at $800 a day) and 'tonnes of paint'. this is not to say that saving a vessel is a waste of time--but it is a sinkhole, and once the initial enthusiasm wears off, it quits being fun and becomes a job. be sure you are entering into this with both eyes open and feet firmly planted on the ground. like buying a house, saving a ship will sap all your energy, strain all your friendships, and leave you with barely spare change in your pocket. from one who is in the thick of it, I wish you luck in this enterprise. s -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "KOSTAS ORNERAKIS" Subject: Re: 1/72 list updated Hi there, If trains HO scale considered close to 1/72, then check: 1. Artitec models (http://www.artitec.nl/) 2.search for tugs at http://www. walthers.com All the best Kostas Ornerakis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: pugs99@att.net Subject: Re: Tamiya 1/350 Essex Hi Folks, Joe Reyna writes: >> If Tamiya could keep the price reasonable, say between $125-150, I think I'd like to buy FIVE. << Lord!!!! Is it just me? $125-150 "REASONABLE" for a box of plastic??????? Am I the only one in this hobby who didn't become a millionaire in the '90's?????? John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Frank Allen Subject: Has Anyone Completed ICM's Konig or Grosser K? 1. Just curious, but has anyone completed either of the two ICM 1/350 ship kits yet? If so, do you have a photo or two for people to take a look at? I'm a bit curious as to how the end products look. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Dana J Nield" Subject: Tamiya myths and realities Having worked for the Canadian Importer, I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in, in no particular order. - Tamiya is like MI6 when it comes to secrecy. They only way anyone outside of the company is going to know what the next release is going to be is when production has started. In other words, test shots are finished, mold is final and styrene pumps are working overtime. - Japanese sales are most important. The rest of the world is gravy. It must sell in Japan. If it doesn't elsewhere, oh well. - Biggest sales generator for the company are the 1/32 Mini-4WD battery powered cars that Japanese kids race. They are based on vehicles used by Saturday Morning Cartoon characters. Why they don't bring the series to North America, I haven't a clue. It would be incredible. Yes, I would buy 6 1/350 Essex Carriers. On the other hand, why won't they bring out a 1/350 scale British L-Class Destroyer like HMS Laforey, just like me Grandfather served on. :> Check my site for details. Dana J Nield http://www.dana-nield.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: G3 and N3 plans From what I can remember, the only plans of the G3 and N3 designs produced by the DNCs department were of the sketch type. I did turn the drawing of the G3 into an "as fitted style' profile that appeared in an old issue of Warship in the late seventies. If anybody wants to use this drawing then they should be aware that the profile is a made up one and is NOT official. As the ships never got beyond the sketch stage, the Contract Plans (the next level of drawings from the DNCs department) would not have been drawn up. The N3s are probably one of the most interesting of the abortive (but serious designs to come from the Royal Navy); nine 18" guns in three triple turrets, with an extra deep load displacement that would have been about 60000 tons (long tons (imperial tons)). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: USS England's good luck I will leave it to others to explain how the England managed to dispose of the six Jappo subs. Was it luck or skill. did it stumble onto the line by accident or was there prior knowledge? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: Decks of the Warspite I quit. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: Warspite Decks I have, sitting here by my computer and waiting for me to do a Munsell color match, a chunk of weathered teak from the deck of a USN heavy cruiser which shall remain unnamed lest I receive a visit from her keepers. It is fully as dark as AP507B, and would appear so in a black-and-white photo (wet, it's nearly as dark as AP507A!). Unless someone comes up with written documentary evidence to the contrary, I believe that the photo in question shows WARSPITE with unpainted wood decks. John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint (and Wood) Guys http://www.shipcamouflage.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "John Snyder" Subject: Re: ANDREA DORIA I was building Revell models in those years (oh Lordy, I suddenly feel OLD!--and NO smart remarks from S&L or CC are required here!!) and I don't remember Revell ever producing a model of ANDREA DORIA. John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys http://www.shipcamouflage.com Hi John, Ok, no smartarse reply from us - afterall you did a great job without us having to say one word ;-). Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Robert J. Payne" Subject: ICM Koenig Worth it? Hello, What are the dimensions of the ICM Koenig??? Is it worth the $$$? Robert J. Payne -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Bruce Beveridge Subject: What are "Queens"? Ship enthusiasts, Please forgive me for not really knowing how this message group works, but I have been watching for a while now, and have enjoyed what I have seen. I need your help on this one. I have been asked by a friend as to the identity of an object mentioned in the HMHS Britannic's log from 1916. Here is the quote: '14/3/1916. Nos. 13, 15 and 16 boats lowered into water and crews exercised in rowing. (No 16 manned by R.A.M.C.) All fire hydrants and hoses tested with (at?) full pressure of water. As were five fire queens tested. - Charles A. Bartlett, Master; R. Hume, Chief Officer.' What is a "fire Queen"? If any of you have the answer, I will need a reference please. Bruce Beveridge -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: CaptainOD@aol.com Subject: 72nd scale ships Don't know if you can call it a "kit" but Combat Models also made a 72nd USS Ward. It is a nice collection of vacuform plastic on sheets that somewhat look like something or other. Oh, and a bunch of lumpy metal. Also believe they made or announced a German U-boat to go with the Fleet boat and also a U-boat. Buyer beware on all of these. Bob O'Donovan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: TechnoInfidel@webtv.net (John Collins) Subject: French Navy Greetings all: Does anyone know of a website for the French Navy? Thanks, John Collins Atlanta, GA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: CBNJBB62@aol.com Subject: USS Pine Island Hi Guys I have a question concerning the USS Pine Island AV-12. The Revell kit I have has depth charge ranks on the stern. Was this standard for Seaplane tenders? If so were they used for storage of depth charges for the seaplanes that they operated with. Also how many planes made up a seaplane squadron such as the PBY Catalina or the BM Mariners that operated from seaplane tenders like the Pine Island. Craig Bennett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Jodie Peeler Subject: short/long-hull CV-9s hello all.... Shirley Sachsen wrote: >> Since the only difference between short and long hull are the gun tubs under the forward edge of the flight deck, it should be easy enough to cast two versions of that section and include it in the kit as a choice for the modeler to make. << Uhhh...in saying that, you were taking into account the different profiles of short-hull vs. long-hull units, right? (I'm assuming you meant to include that.) The short-hull units had a bit blunter bow profile, while the long-hull units had a bit more sculpted bow profile, all the better to help support a pair of 40mm mounts mounted side-by-side. I liked the way Hasegawa addressed it in its Essex-class kits -- the rear 2/3 of the hull supplied as one piece, with the bow section molded separately. It's kind of like how Tamiya did the 1:350 Enterprise, and I think it could be adapted rather nicely to an Essex-class CV. Please don't get me started on how much I want to see a good injection-molded Essex-class CV in 1:350. I don't care which hull version or which time period, either -- sheet plastic, filler and etched brass can make it any unit of the class, from any era, I want it to be.... :) jodie http://www.mindspring.com/~raisingirl/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: maeisen@erols.com Subject: HMS Warspite Wooden Decks: Painted or Not? Folks: I will weigh in here with the decisive bit of evidence regarding whether HMS Warspite's wooden decks were painted or remained "au naturel" during WWII. Go to pages 109 and 127 of V.E. Tarrant's "Battleship Warspite" (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press)--which show photos of Warspite in June 1941 and November 1943 (respectively)--and look at the colors of the baseplates of the bollards on the foc's'l in the photos. Now, if the wooden decks were unpainted, it stands to reason that the metal baseplates and bollards would both have been painted, and should appear to be the same color(i.e. light gray). Right? However, notice that the metal baseplates are clearly NOT the same color as the bollards; rather, they appear to be the exact same color (or so it seems) as the wooden decks! Which would lead, us, and I hope that you are listening, Mr. WR Press, to only one conclusion! And that is: that the decks were painted! Ladies and gents, I rest my case. Mr. W.R. Press, I believe you owe me a fifth of Scotch now (single malt, please). Now excuse me while I run for cover. Yours truly, Michael Eisenstadt In Balmy Silver Spring, Maryland, wishing the entire SMML Mishpacha out there a Shana Tova U'Matuka! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: maeisen@erols.com Subject: Must Have Books! Folks: Just want to share with you my recommendations for two books that I recently acquired that I suspect many of you will just love: 1) Warship Perspectives, Camouflage Volume One: Royal Navy 1939-1941, by Alan Raven. This is really a superb book; numerous previously unpublished schemes, beautiful color plates, and lots of previously unavailable information concerning particular camo schemes. If you're interested in RN WWII camouflage, you have two choices: spend the next 30 years combing archives around the world, corresponding with the few surviving veterans, and accumulating photos from the few others around the world who have systematically studied this subject (are you man enough?), OR, get the book and benefit from the fruits of just such an effort. There's no reason to finish your RN ship models in "plane jane" home fleet dark grey anymore (not that there's anything wrong with that)! 2) Merchant Ships: A Pictorial Study by John H. LaDage (Cambridge, Maryland: Cornell Maritime Press, 1955). An out-of-print book that is still generally available (bookfinder.com has several copies listed), this book is a wealth of information concerning everything you ever wanted to know about merchant ships. Do you want to know about construction and repair? Types of bows and sterns? Types of handling equipment? All about deck operations? Engineering? Hull plating? Knuckle lines? Sheer and flare? The role of ship models in construction? Launching, fitting, drydocking? Then this is the book for you! I've learned more about ships from this book than any other I have ever read. And since it dates to the mid-1950s, many of the ship types discussed were WWII era vessels, so if this is your cup of tea, or if you are simply interested in ships (aren't we all?) I strongly urge you to pick up a copy while you can. Happy reading! Yours truly, Michael Eisenstadt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: "FCR" Subject: Atlanta AA and ASW weapons Hello list As you might know I am starting to build the USS Atlanta (CL-51) in her last configuration. I am thinking to build it at the time that she was lost in the night battle of Guadalcanal of 13th of November of 1942. Unfortunately the Skywave model gives me the model in her early pre-war configuration (I believe). I have gathered much information about the last camouflage scheme, get the 1.1 "Chicago pianos" pom-pons and some other stuff to build it. But there are two doubts: first what was the number and position of the secondary AA guns? I know that at least the Atlanta had 3 1.1 pom-pons (2 in the bridge structure and one in the end of the after structure), still there is any interrogation about the presence of another piece at stern of the ship! Does anyone confirm this. Other question: what were the number and the position of the 20 mm Oerlikons guns. It was the Atlanta armed with ASW weapons??? Thanks in advance. Compliments Filipe C. Ramires Lisboa, PORTUGAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: Clifford Franklin Subject: HMS Attacker After looking through all my references, I have been unable to come up with any photos of Attacker with camouflaged decks. There is a sequence of overhead photos published in a number of books taken in late 1942 or January 1943 (depending on which caption you read) which clearly show a monotone deck (dark grey or deck blue?) and no sign of camouflage ever haveing been applied. There is another, later, photo, however, published in the booklet "HMS Tracker and Attacker class Escort Carriers" (D. Woodman) which shows dark patches on the flight deck. This could be camouflage, or, more likely, weathering or wear. Take your pick. cheers Cliff Franklin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: "Tony Ireland" Subject: WW2 ship movies - Victor Baca That Hollywood film starring William Holden c.1942 sounds a bit like The Hairy Ape, in which he was a bare-chested, sweaty stoker shovelling coal into the boilers of a small steamer, frequently pausing to thump his chest, like Tarzan, and shout "I makes her go!" This naturally aroused the interest of the raven-haired passenger Susan Haywood, with predictable results. This awful movie was made memorable by being screened in Sept.1944 on the quarterdeck of H.M.S. 'Queen Elizabeth' moored in the large, impressive, but boring natural harbour of Trincomalee in Ceylon/ Sri Lanka. Hundreds of our crewmen were draped all over X and Y 15-inch gun turrets, hooting with laughter, and our stokers adopted Holden's war-cry and Tarzan chest-thumping. The loudest guffaws occurred when he unwisely added the boast: "...Even if the Captain calls for 16 knots an hour flat out!" Wonder what movies were screened aboard IJN 'Yamato' or 'Musashi' as they spent months moored in Truk lagoon before that base had to be abandoned. Cheers, Tony Ireland - in Auckland, New Zealand. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: R C Marelius Subject: Midway Atoll to become Battle of Midway National Memorial Thought you SMMLies might be interested in this bit of news from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services new list, especially since the planning committee is to include interested citizens groups. Charlotte Marelius September 27, 2000 Contact: Barbara Maxfield, 808 541 2749 or 342 5600 Interior Secretary Babbitt Designates Battle of Midway National Memorial In recognition of the "heroic courage and sacrifice" of those who fought in the Battle of Midway during World War II, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt has designated Midway Atoll as the Battle of Midway National Memorial. The Battle of Midway, fought from June 4-6, 1942, was one of the most decisive battles of World War II, and proved to be the turning point of the War in the Pacific. Home to astonishing collection of wildlife species, including the world's largest population of Laysan albatross, the islands and reefs are now managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Numerous historic sites portraying man's history on the islands since the early 1900's are protected by the Service, including several World War II defensive positions that were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, this is the first National Memorial to be designated on a National Wildlife Refuge. "In 1942, those who fought in the Battle of Midway won an incredible victory against overwhelming odds, and turned the tide of the War in the Pacific," said Secretary Babbitt. "This memorial will ensure that their heroic courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten." In June 1942, the Japanese launched a major invasion effort against Midway in the hope of using it as a stepping stone for an invasion of Hawaii. Unknown to the Japanese, the U.S. had broken their code, which was verified by sending a fake message that Midway's water system was broken. The U.S. Fleet then ambushed the Japanese Fleet north of the islands, sinking four aircraft carriers and turning the tide of the War in the Pacific. Secretary Babbitt's order directs the Service to form a planning committee composed of representatives from Federal agencies and citizen groups interested in the battle, and to coordinate efforts to conserve the historic buildings, gun batteries, and other facilities with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Special tribute will be given to the Yorktown, the Hammann, and the wreckage of other aircraft and ships that lie on the ocean floor beyond the refuge boundaries. A celebration of the designation of the National Memorial is tentatively being planned for June 2001, during the anniversary of the Battle of Midway, on Midway Atoll. As a National Wildlife Refuge, the island is open to the public for the first time since the 1930s. Visitors now arrive on flights from Honolulu to enjoy the wildlife, dive and fish in the lagoon and blue waters of the refuge, and explore the many sites that reflect Midway's rich heritage. FWS Reporters: The Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge website at http://midway.fws.gov provides comprehensive information about the refuge's history, wildlife, and habitat. The National Wildlife Refuge System "online almanac," at http://refuges100.fws.gov, compiles information most frequently requested by journalists, including the history of the system, a timeline of recent events, and a wide variety of background information. Chronology of Events at Midway 5 July 1859. Captain Nick Brooks of the Hawaiian Bark "Gambia" discovers the atoll. Islands were named "Middlebrook Islands." 28 August 1867. Captain William Reynolds of the USS Lackawanna takes possession of the atoll for the United States. Midway becomes the first offshore islands annexed by the U.S. government. 20 January 1903. Due to recurring complaints of Japanese squatters and poachers, President Theodore Roosevelt places the atoll under the control of the Navy. 20 April 1903. Commercial Pacific Cable Company's first contingent arrives on an island. June 1903. U.S. Navy ejects Japanese poachers and squatters and appoints Commercial Pacific Cable Company as island custodians. 4 July 1903. The first "around the world" cable message was sent via Midway by President Roosevelt. The message took nine minutes. 12 April 1935. Pan American World Airways sets up an air base for weekly Trans-Pacific Flying Clipper Seaplane service. 1 August 1941. U.S. Naval Air Station Midway is commissioned. 7 December 1941. Japanese ships returning from Pearl Harbor attack engage in strafing and shelling Midway. Four men were killed, including the war's first Marine Corps recipient of the Medal of Honor, LT George Cannon. Pan American Airways ends its commercial seaplane service to Midway and the Pacific. 4-6 June 1942. Japanese launch a major invasion effort against Midway in the hope of using it as a stepping stone for an invasion of Hawaii. Unknown to the Japanese, the U.S. had broken their code and confirmed it with a fake message that Midway's water system was broken. U.S. Fleet then ambushes the Japanese Fleet north of the islands inflicting heavy losses (four aircraft carriers), thus turning the tide of the War in the Pacific. 8 June 1969. U.S. President Nixon and South Vietnam President Thieu conduct secret meetings in the Midway House (formally the OIC residence). October 1978. Naval Air Station Midway redesignated Naval Air Facility and dependents begin to depart. As many as 3,000 personnel were stationed here at the height of the Cold and Vietnam Wars. 23 November 1985. Pan American B747 "China Clipper II" visits Midway to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first China Clipper flight. 22 April 1988. Midway Atoll is designated as an overlay National Wildlife Refuge. 30 September 1993. Naval Air Facility Midway is "operationally closed" and is slated to be environmentally cleaned and transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2 August 1996. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and privately owned Midway Phoenix Corporation sign a unique cooperative agreement for the operation and management of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. 31 October 1996. President Clinton signs Executive Order 13022 transferring jurisdiction of Midway Atoll from the U.S. Navy to the Department of the Interior. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge to maintain and restore its natural biological diversity, provide conservation and management of the wildlife and habitats within refuge boundaries, provide opportunities for scientific research and environmental education, maintain the atoll's historical significance, and provide compatible wildlife-oriented activities to the visiting public. 3 April 1997. Secretary of the Navy John Dalton presents the "key to Midway" (in the shape of a Laysan Albatross) to Interior Assistant Secretary Bonnie Cohen. In his speech, Secretary Dalton celebrated "trading guns for goonies" on Midway Atoll. 30 June 1997. The last U.S. Navy personnel stationed on Midway Atoll depart. 13 September 2000. Secretary Babbitt designates the "Battle of Midway National Memorial." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: stillmo@mb.sympatico.ca Subject: Re: Tamiya Essex?? Regarding the wish list TAMIYA ESSEX. Well I just had to jump on the old bandwagon too. First of all I am puzzled that when Tamiya was doing the big "5" capital ships that years ago they never did a 350th HOOD--a logical follow on or predecessor to the Bismarck kit. God knows that one would feed their country for years in profits. The multiple kit, one mold factors in big time here as is evidenced by the Fletcher, POW, and Yamato hulls. I too get almost delerious just thinking of a long hulled ESSEX and the spinoff possibilities for the after market folks, from 27A islands in resin, to twin 3"50 guns, radars, masts, photo etch sets, hangar bay conversions, it goes on and on. An email to Tamiya every month by all of us constantly hitting their web sites just may make them roll out the plans. I just wanna have one before I die, even if its stuffed into my coffin thats cool. Morbidity aside, I have never understood the Japanese marketing strategies aside from their real autos, and I do agree that RC has made up a really big part of their merchandising. They will probably never do an Arizona as for years they denounced the Pacific War even happened, but a 350th japanese carrier that somebody suggested is indeed intrigueing. I often wondered why they did up the CVN 65 kit--that was a big gamble and I really wonder just how many have been punched out of those molds and sold. I too love Pacific War carriers and can only imagine the gazillions of things that you can do, its almost like fantasizing about winning a lottery when you havent even bought a ticket. I am nattering on here ....in a few days I am off to San Francisco and Fleet Week, flying out of Canada where the leaves are orange now and I look forward to seeing the seas crashing against the coast and watching those two big bird farms pass under the Golden Gate Bridge.....the Nikons are loaded for bear. Yours aye, RD Bean -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: DE RUYTER Camouflage The Dutch light cruiser DE RUYTER was wearing a camouflage paint in late 1941. There is one photo of it, showing the ship in mid/end of Dec. 1941 at Sorabaya, in the book "Hr.Ms. Kruiser De Ruyter 1933-1942" by Legemaat, Mulder & van Zeeland. Unfortunately, it only shows a part of the port side. Can anybody provide any further information? Falk Pletscher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: "Martin Gertenbach" Subject: Russian Vosper MTB's hi, I recently bought the Revell Vosper MTB and discovered that the boat was built in the US and delivered to the soviet union. If there are any photos of these boats or information about there weapons (what kind of machine guns did they carry? US cal. 50 or russian guns??) and painting, I to would be glad to get them. bye, Martin Gertenbach -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Felix Bustelo" Subject: International Maritime Modeling September 2000 Update (Finally!) Hello to all of you in SMML Land! I am pleased and quite relieved that the September 2000 update to International Maritime Modeling has been uploaded. http://members.tripod.com/~Febus65/imm.htm The update has the following: Photos of Steve Brejnak's 1/144 scale Falke (Albatros Class Patrol Boat) and 1/240 scale USS Buchanan, Patrick Roach's 1/500 scale HMS Revenge and 1/480 scale USS St. Paul, and my 1/350 scale Brooklyn steam tugboats in the Gallery. For the record, last month's photos of the 1/400 Nivôse (Floreal Class Frigate) are of a model built by Jean-Marie Aubin. My apologies to M. Aubin for misplacing his name. A new article! - "Bulding Your First Resin Kit" under Articles. A review of the Heller 1/400 scale HMS King George V, the Heller 1/400 Arromanches, the Tecnomodels 1/400 Lupo, the Revell 1/480 USS Yorktown, the Revell 1/570 Tirpitz and the Hawk 1/600 U.S. WWII LST in Quick Kit Reviews. Note: The layout of the Quick Kit Reviews page as been changed with the reviews order by kit manufacturer and ship name. (My thanks to Jean-Paul Binot for this suggestion). I also have indicated build-up reviews with a special icon. A review of the Gold Medal Models 1/480 Revell Yorktown/Hornet/Enterprise detail set, the White Ensign Models 1/600 HMS Repulse detail set and the Nautilus Models Revell Yorktown Resin upgrade set in Photoetch Reviews. A review of Camouflage Volume One: Royal Navy 1939-1941 in Book Reviews. The Nautilus Models page under the Photoetch List section was updated. In addition to the usual updates to the Links page, I finally alphabetized the lists for easier viewing. Please check it out. Thanks, Felix Bustelo Webmaster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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