Subject: SMML VOL 1038 Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 01:13:42 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: CC+JS & Type 42/3 destroyers 2: Re: TYPE 42 DESTROYERS 3: Re: TRANSPORTING USS COLE 4: Congratualations 5: USS Cole/Blue Marlin 6: Re: pre-WWII Japanese BBs 7: 1:76 Scale Midget Submarines 8: Doubts Raised about Kursk Recovery (washingtonpost.com) 9: Re: pre WW 2 japanese BB references 10: Re: Mikasa 11: Blue Marlin & USS Cole 12: North Carolina Book 13: ICM Konig 14: Hunley Article 15: Re: German Secret Weapons 16: Message from U.S.S. Cole DDG-67 Command Master Chief 17: USS Cole 18: Re: Raise the Hunley sank 19: Re: Mikasa!! 20: Re: Mikasa 21: Re: The USS Cole (DDG-67) & the Blue Marlin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Mac's Website update -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Bergschöld Pelle Subject: CC+JS & Type 42/3 destroyers From: GUSDOCVILL@aol.com >> WOW!! Carolina & John!! Lord! what blessed news!!! I pray that Caroline doesn't leave WEM! Lord bless you both with peace, joy & happiness forever!!! << I second that! >> Need help!!! LONG ago, had letter stating that Manchester class were going to be fitted with the hull strengthening strake & bow spray shields. Having no reference to confirm this, looking for someone to set me straight with my current plans - to make Edinburgh & York with strakes & bow spray shields, & the first w/o these. << Gus, I was in contact with the RN PR-department a year ago, and I was told that the sprayhood was only a testrig fitted for trials with a CIWS on the foredeck instead of amidships. Only HMS York was so fitted, and only for a short while. The reinforcement strakes on the other hand is permanently fitted to all four of the class. You will easily be able to find photography showing these ships as they are if you search the internet. I can point you towards a few sites, anyway: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aj.cashmore/britain/british-misdestroy.html http://www.warships1.com/BRddg095_T3.htm Most photos show the ships prior to straking, but a few will display them. Best regards Pelle SWE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: HGYL@aol.com Subject: Re: TYPE 42 DESTROYERS All four of the Type 42 Batch 3 ships (HMS Manchester, Gloucester, York and Edinburgh) had to have strengthener strakes fitted to their hulls at maindeck level because of structural cracking that appeared after the ships had entered service. The first three had two Phalanx CIWS weapon systems fitted in the late 80s/early 90s, one each side of the funnel. Edinburgh, however, was only allocated one Phalanx system initially (probably because of cost constraints) which was fitted ahead of the 4.5/55 Mk8 on the forecastle. Because these ships are wet up forward in any kind of a seaway a spray deflecting bulwark was fitted around the bow to protect the Phalanx system. I understand that Edinburgh has subsequently been refitted to bring her in line with her sisters with a Phalanx system either side of the funnel and that the bow bulwark has been removed. Harold Lincoln -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: HGYL@aol.com Subject: Re: TRANSPORTING USS COLE USS Cole will probably be transported on a semi submersible heavy lift ship. In 1988 when HMS Southampton was in collision with a merchant ship in the Persian Gulf and was unable to get home under her own steam she was transported back to the UK on one of these semi submersibles which was shorter than her 412 ft length and she was carried at an angle across the load deck. Presumably the ship being carried is postioned such as to avoid stability problems. Harold Lincoln -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "RON" Subject: Congratualations Congratulations to Caroline and John and just how do you keep that engagement diamond stay mounted in the PE ring? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Ken Goldman" Subject: USS Cole/Blue Marlin For information of USS Cole being transported aboard Blue Marlin got to the Los Angeles Times at: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/updates/ap_ship001019.htm# and click on Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER unique wood sculpture and fine scale models www.walruscarpenter.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: pre-WWII Japanese BBs >> Can one of you point me to a good reference for pre-WWII Japanese warships? I have a Mutsu that I'd like to backdate to sometime in the early 30s, and a couple DDs to escort her. I have the issue of Plastic Ship Modeler that give some info on Japanese DDs. << The AJ Press soft bound book on the Nagato's is the best reference available today. It has a set of drawings (separate fold-out sheet) on both vessels, from early fit to end of war. Find it at Pacific Front Hobbies. Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Leslie Brown" Subject: 1:76 Scale Midget Submarines Alright, I know the original theme was 1:72 scale, but I thought 1:76 would be close enough. Some time ago I came across four resin kits by 'Fine Cast Models'. These are as follows: FCM-7633 Kriegsmarine U-Boot "SEEHUND" FCM-7634 Kriegsmarine U-Boot "NEGER" FCM-7635 Kriegsmarine U-Boot "HECHT" FCM-7636 Kriegsmarine U-Boot "BIBER" So far I have only made up the 'Neger'. The quality is quite good but there are some very large pouring gates to remove! Available in the UK from Armour Distribution in Scotland. Les Brown -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: JRKutina@webtv.net (John Kutina) Subject: Doubts Raised about Kursk Recovery (washingtonpost.com) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40007-2000Oct19.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Jorma Huuhtanen" Subject: Re: pre WW 2 japanese BB references Hello! Joe Poutre needed a good reference IJN BBs. I have looked for it many years, and am still looking for. Maybe Grand Prix book of IJN BBs will be a good one if/when it will be published (any news Bill?). Grand Prix 02 IJN destroyers might help you in DDs (again ask Bill Gruner Pacific Front, he probably has it). While waiting that Grand Prix book, you might find polish Monografie Morskie 5 (Nagato, Mutsu) useful. It has some decent photos (good photos of IJN BBs just don´t exist) and two large sheets of good plans. Most of the plans are in 1:400 scale. Among them are Nagato 1920&1931 profiles, Mutsu 1934 profile and Mutsu 1937 profile&plan. Also there are 1:200 superstructure profile&platforms (Mutsu 1941) and more. Tamiya`s Random japanese warship detail 1 has good drawings of BBs, carriers, cruisers and DDs (but only random details, like it says). Gakken book vol. 15 (Nagato&Mutsu) is also a better one. Text is japanese, many good color photos of 1:200 Mutsu model (later than early 30s configuration I´m afraid) some drawings&plans and photos (some quite decent), 214 pages. Mechanism of japanese warships/battleships is also a japanese book. A lot of b/w photos, but most of them are small and not so good, 164 pages. I hope this gives some help. Jorma Huuhtanen Lahti Finland -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: VONJERSEY@aol.com Subject: Re: Mikasa what scale is the seals model of the mikasa and how can one obtain one..Cost??? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Blue Marlin & USS Cole Offshore Heavy Transport, a Norwegian-owned company, is negotiating with the US Navy to transport the USS Cole to Norfolk, Virginia. The semi-submersible heavylift ship Blue Marlin is to be used. Blue Marlin is in Dubai and needs about 10 days to reach Yemen. The process of lifting the Cole onboard will be accomplished in a day. The Navy has yet to make the strategically sensitive decision whether to transport the Cole via the Suez Canal or around the Cape of Good Hope. Blue Marlin is technically capable of making the Suez Canal journey, and had earlier this summer performed another heavylift operation for the US Navy, carrying two coastal mine hunters, the USS Cardinal and USS Raven, from Texas to Bahrain. MWL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: North Carolina Book Oxford Museum Press has published an excellent paperback book on the USS North Carolina Memorial, written by Randall Shoker and featuring over 65 WW2-era and contemporary photos (22 full page) of the historic battleship. It also contains 13 drawings, rear cover color profiles of Measure 12 and 32 camouflage (stbd side in 1/900 scale), a complete history of the ship, a guide to the various anti-aircraft gun arrangements carried during WW2, and a separate 1/350 scale set of plans by Tom Walkowiak. Retail price is US$17.95 and the book can be ordered from www.oxfordmuseumpress.com. MWL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Keith T Bender Subject: ICM Konig Hi SMMLies, I just picked up the ICM kit 1:350 Konig WW1 German battlewagon. (Like I need another kit). Just like I was told it is very nice. Very much on the same quality as Tamiya. The hull is one piece and has all of the port holes modeled in. The superstructure and everything else is very good, very clean with no flash. I will be a ICM purchaser in the future as long as they keep up this kind of work. They are priced a bit high at $72. So now lets see if they bring out the Essex class in 1:350. Come on ICM help us out here. Keith Bender -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Hunley Article "The HUNLEY Resurfaces" is among the articles in the December issue of Naval History, as is an article on ghost sightings on the museum aircraft carrier HORNET at Alameda. MWL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "John Sheridan" Subject: Re: German Secret Weapons >> I will admit that I DID know that the B2 was flying around with an onboard reactor, Agent Mulder mentioned it to me last time we were out at Area 51. << >> Tom, Are YOU a member of the non-existant Lumber Cartel???? << Ahem, The Lumber Cartel (tm) uses only Black Helicopters. John Sheridan www.shipcamouflage.com I am not Unit# 631 of the Lumber Cartel (tinlc) If there were a Lumber Cartel, the last place on earth I would look for it would be: http://come.to/the.lumber.cartel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Robert J. Bartolacci" Subject: Message from U.S.S. Cole DDG-67 Command Master Chief http://www.navy.mil Transcript from videotaped message of Master Chief Hospital Corpsman James Parlier Command Master Chief, USS Cole (DDG 67) Hello families, COLE family members and friends. My name is Master Chief Parlier, your command master chief. Most of you probably haven't seen my face until now. Unfortunately, it's under these circumstances. I'm proud of every Sailor here. They've done an outstanding -- no, they've been heroic at everything they have done. I stood by their side through the whole tragedy. I was just amazed that all the years as a corpsman, how all these people came through in saving Sailors lives and assisting on saving the ship – and their damage control knowledge. They went well beyond what they were expected to do -- and more. I would serve again anywhere with these Sailors. I am so proud and you need to be proud. Right now, we're going through pretty hard times trying to keep this ship afloat, trying to get her home, and of course, looking forward to coming home to you because we love you and we want to get home. Just keep the support coming. It's tremendous. We see it and I'm sure we will see more. Every Sailor here, believe me, has got you in their minds, but they know we have got to get the ship home. Again, thank you for the support back home. We're proud to be serving for you and thank you for the sacrifices you've made for us. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. -USN- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: USS Cole For those who may not be already aware, hazegray.org has set up a Book of Condolences at their site where you can pass on any thoughts you may have to the crew and families of the crew of the USS Cole. They've already collected around 4,000 messages so far. For more information, please go to... http://www.hazegray.org/features/cole/ Derek "Tiger" Wakefield -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: RhinoBones@aol.com Subject: Re: Raise the Hunley sank >> I feel like a gullible sap after sitting in front of that (&%%$@* TV for an hour I grade the show a D-. << >> It was an attempt at making a one hour show out of 5 seconds of footage of the actual . . . << This is a tough crows to please! I watched "Raise the Hunley". In fact I taped the program, read the comments as they appeared in the SMML and still watched the program. I enjoyed the historical perspective, I enjoyed the computer animation and I absolutely cringed at the thought of being one of those people who volunteered to pull the crank. As a young Marine I took a few risks, but I will readily admit that nothing I did, and I mean nothing, compares to the risk of crawling inside a dark little tube. These men must have been dedicated to the point of insanity. Lets face reality folks . . . if you are looking for the latest in archeology or naval history, the History Channel is not the place to go for information. The History Channel is basically a low budget operation which attempts to provide a service to a relatively small segment of the TV viewing public. The Hunley program (correct me if I am wrong) was little more than a previously aired American Civil War program that was repackaged and advertised under their "History Mysteries" series. Considering the small budget that they have to work with and the limited scope of their viewership, I think that the History Channel does a rather admirable job of televising events which would normally only be available through the library system. We know how under used the library system is by the younger generation(s) and how often these same people turn to video for information . . . so maybe this is really a good thing in disguise. Even if you do not appreciate the effort (because it did not meet your pre assumed expectations) please do not poison the program for everyone. You were fooled by the advertisement of a "Hunley" expose and you were disappointed in the reality . . . no need for you to take it out on the rest of the public. Some very good critical opinions were expressed in this forum and I accept them at face value, but the venting of frustration is not an accepted form of expression. Basically I enjoyed the program as a historical docudrama. Enough said in defense of the homeless. Also - I'm the same person who was recently looking for sources of the Zhendefu kits . . . so you know this can't be taken too seriously ! Regards, RhinoBones Too many bombs and not enough bulletsā€¯ Sgt. Stevo, Laos 1971 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Richard K. Coleman" Subject: Re: Mikasa!! >> I just found that Seals Model is producing a 1/700 injection molded plastic Mikasa: Togo's flagship at Tsushima. I have read a couple of articles saying that the model is one of the finest 1/700 non-Resins ever produced. << >> Hi; Who carries Seals Models? Price? << Chuck, Go to http://kitlink.com/SealShipResults.asp . (BTW: this is a good site to buy all sorts of models). I also saw one for auction on Ebay: but, the start price is so close to the $41.95 that Kitlink is selling at that I don't think it is much of a bargain. If you want to take a look though, go to Ebay and do a Search on "1/700". That will bring back about 151 hits. Then you can do another Search for "Mikasa" on that results set. You might want to browse through the Ebay results set from your "1/700" search...I have found some interesting models at *very* good prices - even with the shipping charges factored into the price! But, as for the Mikasa...I think you'd be better off buying from Kitlink.com. By the way, Seals Models is the company that makes Mikasa. From what I can tell, it is a group of ex-Pit Road/Skywave employees!! Also, it looks like rather than try to compete with their former bosses in 1/700 modern and WWII subject matter, they are going to specialize in pre-WWI and WWI vessels!! Mikasa is their first offering. Let's all buy one to help them out so they will continue in this direction. We could stand some pre-Dreadnaught material!! Cheers, Richard Coleman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: "Richard K. Coleman" Subject: Re: Mikasa >> The Seals Models Mikasa is beautiful. It's molded as crisply as the best Skywave ships. No flash at all on my kit. In many cases, the parts virtually snapped together. For example, the deck fits into the hull without a trace of a gap. The only gripe I had is that the instructions are in Japanese and it can be difficult to figure out which parts go with which version. I've read a review that criticised the smaller gunds as being ovesize (you could say the same about the Skywave kits). The kit comes with lots of extras that will probably be used on future pre-dreadnought kits. You could even use them on Modelkrak ships. I don't have any of the Modelkraks, but I can't imagine them being better than this little jewel. << Hi Marc, That sounds great!! I found out that Seals Models is a group of Ex-Pit Road/Skywave employees who are going to specialize in pre-Dreadnaughts and WWI naval subject matter!! I am very glad to see this period being done in good quality injection modeled plastic (I have never felt comfortable with resin). Anyway, I am sending in an order to Kitlink.com for Mikasa today. They have it for $41.95: that is about as cheap as I have found it on the web. I hope these guys (Seals Models) are going to make it. We really could use a manufacturer producing good ships from around the turn of the century. Thanks for the information; Cheers, Richard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Glenn and Kelly Neklason" Subject: Re: The USS Cole (DDG-67) & the Blue Marlin The word here in Norfolk is the Blue Marlin will indeed transport the USS Cole (DDG-67) back to the United States for repairs. The Navy leased her for $4.5 million to do the job. As yet undecided is the destination, either Pascagoula, Mississippi or right here in Norfolk, her homeport. Damage estimates (so far) are in the $150 million range. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Ian MacCorquodale" Subject: Mac's Website update Hi Folks, Just posted tours of German ships, Lutjens, Bremen, Schleswig Holstein, Rhon, and French ships Tourville and Primaguet. These tours will be useful for anyone building a CF Adams, Revell Germany's Bremen or Hellers Duguay Trouin. All the best to the Happy Couple!! http;//www.geocities.com/macdale_2000/Lutjens.html Cheers, Ian -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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