Subject: SMML VOL 1045 Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 23:16:00 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: This is a call... 2: Something to look forward to 3: USS Cole's namesake - Sgt Darrell Cole, USMCR 4: Re: USS Savannah CL-42 5: Resin ships 6: Classic Warships Books 7: 1/700 scale spruance class destroyers & missile crusers 8: Re: PBS Nova USS Monitor Special 9: Submarine Torpedoes 10: Re: My applologies to Steve 11: Re: Skytrex ships 12: Re: Blue Marlin 13: 1/700 Scale 14: 1/350 Beehive Enterprise 15: Nautilus GATO 16: Fletcher refs & Scharnhorst 17: ORP BLYSKAWICA - The Polish Naval destroyer ORP Blyskawica 18: LAKE ERIE 19: Classic Warships Books 20: Re: Gato Class Sub Colors 21: Re: US Submarine torpedos 22: Book Suggestions 23: Konig references 24: Re: Congratulations 25: Re: Akizuki in 1/700 Aoshima or Fujimi 26: Re: Skytrex HMS VICTORY 27: Re: Spanish-American War Survivors 28: Bullion cruiser -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Buy Online - Miniature Cotton Flags, Naval Signal Sets & Vinyl Lettering -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Friedrich Kappes Subject: This is a call... Out of line I send a call for help: Anyone out there who knows the dates of commission of: Russian gunboats type MKL, MBKa (project 161) Russian MTB type D3 (71 ft) US/Brit. L.C.S.(L)1 as well as the armament of the 2 latter? Anyone out there who owns a scanner and drawings of PT 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20-48, 69, 70, 308-313, 385-387, 389-485, 487, 503-507, 509-545, 565-622, 625-760, 791-796, 809-812? Friedrich The FriedrichFiles http://sites.netscape.net/friedkappes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Gollin, Phil" Subject: Something to look forward to The following advertisement appears in this month's (November) issue of "Navy News" (P.31), people on the list may be able to help; "The BBC is currently researching a major new TV series; "The Battle of the Atlantic". It is particularly keen to trace veterans who served on; 1: From SC-7: Scarborough, Fowey, Bluebell, Leith, Heartsease (October 1940) 2: From HX-79: Montclare, Alaunia, Whitehall, Sturdy, Jason, Lady Elsa, Black Fry, Angle (October 1940) 3: Anyone who served with B-7 (April and May 1943) We would also like to talk to those who served in the Admiralty and at Western Approaches Command. The Producer, Andrew Williams, can be contacted on 020 8752 6921, or E-Mail a.j.williams@bbc.co.uk" I'm looking forward to a series, I just hope it's balanced and takes in "the big picture". Phil -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Edward F Grune" Subject: USS Cole's namesake - Sgt Darrell Cole, USMCR I was looking throught the USS Cole website and found the biography of the ship's namesake, Sergeant Darrell Cole, USMCR. I don't want to diminish the actions of the men and women of today's Navy, but did I want to remember the actions of one of yesterday's heroes. Sgt Cole was the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor - and his story goes to prove the old adage that '... every Marine is a rifleman'. Ed The following is copied from the USS Cole website. On August 25 ,1941, Cole enlisted in the Marine Corps for the duration of the National Emergency, and following a boot training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was appointed to the Field Music School for training as a Marine Corps Field Music, the equivalent of a bugler. Completing instruction, he was transferred to the First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, and on August 7, 1942, reached the shores of Guadalcanal for the first American offensive of World War II. Not too happy in his role of field music when he had joined a fighting outfit to fight and after acquitting himself meritoriously as a machine gunner in the absence of the regular gunner, he applied for a change in rating, but was refused due to the shortage of buglers. Cole completed his first overseas tour of duty and returned to the United States in February 1943, where he joined First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, then forming as a part of the Fourth Marine Division at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. When the unit moved to California he again asked for relief as a Field Music and for permission to perform line duties, but was again refused due to the shortage of buglers in the Marine Corps. During the first engagement of the Fourth Division at Roi-Namur in the Kwajalein Atoll, Cole, again forsaking his bugle, went into action as a machine-gunner. Four months later, when the Division stormed ashore at Saipan, he had been assigned to a machine-gun unit. Because of his proven ability in combat, he was designated a machine gun section leader. During the battle when his squad leader was killed, Cole although wounded, assumed command of the entire squad and acquitted himself in such a manner to be awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "...his resolute leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacious determination in the face of terrific opposition..." , He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action. A few days after the battle of Saipan, Cole again led his squad ashore in the invasion of the neighboring islands of Tinian, where he continued to live up to his growing reputation as "The Fighting Field Music." After the Marianas campaigns he again requested a change of rating and this time his request was approved and he was redesignated Corporal "line" and was subsequently promoted to Sergeant in November 1944. On February 19, 1945, Sergeant Cole led his machine gun section ashore in the D-Day assault of Iwo Jima. Moving forward with the initial assault wave, their advance was halted by a hail of fire from two Japanese emplacements which Sergeant Cole personally destroyed with hand grenades. His unit continued to advance until pinned down for a second time by enemy fire from three Japanese gun emplacements. One of these emplacements was silenced by Cole's machine guns, but then jammed. Armed only with a pistol and one hand grenade, Sergeant Cole made a one-man attack against the two remaining positions. Twice he returned to his own lines for additional grenades and continued the attack under fierce enemy fire until he had succeeded in destroying the Japanese strong point. Returning to his own squad, he was instantly killed by an enemy grenade. By his one-man attack and heroic self-sacrifice, Sergeant Cole enabled his company to move forward against fortifications and attain their ultimate objective. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: AandMBlevins@gateway.net Subject: Re: USS Savannah CL-42 Savannah was a Brooklyn class light Cruiser. Others in the class included Philadelphia, Nashville, Phoenix, Boise and Honolulu. Al Blevins -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Timothy Dike Subject: Resin ships >> A question for the group- I'm doing my first resin kit (1:350 Kirishima from Classic Warships). I'm enjoying the results and the challenges. << That is a great kit, and if your interested my friend Andy Elwood built one that is featured in our Gallery. There are several pictures taken from all angles of this ship. http://www.modelwarships.com/gallery/bb/bb-index.html >> I see many more kits in 1:700 than in larger scales. Any thoughts on why? << Space and cost, if you are a collector type (like myself) you have to have at least one of every class of ship that the USN ever operated. Well that's a little more practical in 1/700 scale. The sheer size of a 1/350 ship (like your Kirishima) means that you have to have a lot of shelf space to display it. In 700 scale you can have entire task forces displayed on those same shelves. The Japanese really made 700 scale popular by offering virtually every thing ever built by the IJN in that scale. Most 350 scale kits are at least twice the cost, so the average modeler can't afford a large fleet. >> Also, what is the detail like? I've built a couple of smaller scale kits (the old Revell Arizona in 1:700 and a tiny Graf Spee model) and didn't like the quality or detail. << Try some of the current PitRoad and Tamiya offering in 700 scale, there is no comparison to the "starter" kits you mentioned. Not to mention the extensive line of resin ships kitted by the various manufacturers Timothy Dike Webmaster and Editor ModelWarships.com http://www.modelwarships.com/index1.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Timothy Dike Subject: Classic Warships Books The following are some of the CW books I'd like to see; 1. Brooklyn Class CL's (St. Louis Class too) 2. Benson Class DD's 3. Sims Class DD's 4. Mahan Class DD's 5. Prewar DD's of any or all class I might add that I think that there should be a kit offered of the titles that are released or the books will be of limited use. Timothy Dike Webmaster and Editor ModelWarships.com http://www.modelwarships.com/index1.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Harry Gilday" Subject: 1/700 scale spruance class destroyers & missile crusers www.discountplasticmodels.com has spruance class destroyers & ticonderoga class missile crusers for sale at $5.98 ea.the scale is 1/700 & the price is the lowest i have seen . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: PBS Nova USS Monitor Special I thought it was a great historical program about one of the most important warships of the century. The title made no false claims, and as I said, it was well done and well worth recording. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ Order online with Visa & Master card (US only) "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "wblad" Subject: Submarine Torpedoes The Mark 8 was the first US 21 in. torpedo and was used exclusively by destroyers. Some were issued to Great Britain for use with the Lend-Lease 4-pipers. The Mark 10 was used by R and (old) S-class submarines. Developed in 1915, it was the oldest torpedo used by US subs in WW2. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: My applologies to Steve >> Oh Yah, Rusty, my books are called the "Warship Pictorial" series, not the other name you mentioned. Please, do me the service of getting that part right. << Right you are my man! I apologize for the mix up. I just finished doing reviews on both your series of books (the Warship Pictorial series) and the WR Press book on the RN camouflage (Warship Perspectives series) for the IPMS Journal. I hope you understand it was an honest mistake since the names are very similar. What can I say? I lost my head in the heat of battle. I don't remember reading about your upcoming book on the Burke class ships. It must have slipped by. I don't read every post on SMML. I am really looking forward to that! Send me the first one. I'll buy it. However, you told me yourself your interests were not in the modern era. So that was true and accurate statement. That's why I mentioned it. Although at the time I posted it I was not aware of the new Burke class book. Is this going to be a Warship Pictorial or a "photo album"? It doesn't matter so much. I would love to have anything I can get relating to modern vessels. However, the CG drawings would be great to have. I hope to see more modern subjects covered by the WP books in the future. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ Order online with Visa & Master card (US only) "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: Re: Skytrex ships Ed, I saw the same thing. The GHQ ships were 1/1200 and these are 1/700 so they should be big enough for tons of detail. I ordered the Constitution and will let you know what I think when it comes in. By the way, Langton has some really fantastic kits in 1/600. I know, I've built most of these and they are SUPER. He even has crew figures for them! Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Matthew Prager" Subject: Re: Blue Marlin I have a .jpg file of a drawing of the BLUE MARLIN, with specifications. I you would like a copy email offlist. The drawing is rough, I've tried to clean it up a bit. i worked on the BLUE MARLIN getting the USS CARDINAL and USS RAVEN set up to transit on her to the Arabian Gulf. I've thought of doing a 1/700 diorama with her and the two MHCs. Matt Prager Ingleside, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: SAMI ARIM Subject: 1/700 Scale >> I see many more kits in 1:700 than in larger scales. Any thoughts on why? << Hi Ted, 1/700 is the real scale, don't you know?:-)) Just kidding. The scale has been the most popular one, probably due to the size, selection and the quality of the kits. The kits you mentioned were almost the worst examples of the scale. Even the classic 1970's mold of the Tamiya Hood kit is excellent. Today's new releases, resin or plastic are even much better. Best Regards Sami Arim -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: 1/350 Beehive Enterprise I just saw a 1/350 Trumpeter (I believe) model of the Enterprise with the "beehive" dome on eBay today. I'm curious about this kit. Is this a knockoff of the Tamiya model? Or is it a copy of the 1/400 Otaki kit? Does anyone have one of these models so they can give us a thumbnail review of the kit? If it's a Tamiya knockoff, then the GMM and TMW sets should fit the model. That would make it worth having if the detail is any good. The price seemed reasonable. The starting bid was around $40.00. Since this was listed by a dealer, I can assume this was probably what he paid for it. If that's true, then the retail price would be around $75.00. Can anyone help? Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ Order online with Visa & Master card (US only) "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: James Corley Subject: Nautilus GATO From: MDDoremus@aol.com >> I've just about got the casting stub off of the conning tower. And I cleaned off the mounts for the plastic conning tower on Revell's Lionfish/Drum/Growler. Question is, how far back from the front of the boat  should the front edge of the conning tower be? I'm using the early war conversion. Revell places the cut down conning tower ~104 real feet back. FDD's plan looks like it might be 106 feet, but the drawing is also for a cut down conning tower. Any good ideas or alternate sources? << Mark, Well, the front edge of the fairwater should be at frame 47+00, if the FDD plans are correct. This matches pretty close to the Revell kit. This distance is 1260" from the lip of the bullnose on the bow, or 7.08"/179.8mm on the kit. Some of the drawings I have seen show this to be at frame 47+03.5 or 1263.5", which becomes 0.02" or 0.5mm ... either way is close enough. (I promise the ship judges I have worked with have never whipped out a caliper, even though I use one to measure the masters and such.) There is an error, however, with the forward deck gun as cast into the deck. The center of the gun mount is one frame (30" at this point) too far forward at frame 41+15(1095") vice 42+15(1125"). The center of the deck gun mount should be on the centerline where the two offset perpendiculars would intersect. You face a challenge in whether to place the sail: a) the proper distance aft of the new deck gun and maintain perspective at 135" aft of the gun (though you might compromise the aft gun perspective) b) or the proper place on the hull and maintain accuracy at 135" aft of the perpendicular deck items either way, the 135" representative of the 5+15 frames is 0.759" or 19.25mm aft of either item. The proper thing to do is choose plan b and move the deck gun mount 0.17" or 4.3mm aft to maintain exact dimensions, but if your willing to do that, there are a ton of other items to contend with! I chose to use plan b and NOT modify the deck on the one I entered at Dallas and Telford this year. >> As cast, my conning tower has blind holes for the deadlights along the front of the tower. It looks like the one on the centerline filled up during casting. Should there be a deadlight there? Also any good ideas on how to treat these? Should I drill them all the way out, or paint the bottom gloss back and then fill with something like Krystal Klear when I'm done? << I am not familiar with the term you are using, but if you are referring to the row of 15 portholes ringing the conning position, then you are free to either paint them a glossy black or drill them out and fill them with white glue when you are finished, we decided to leave that up to the individual's preference. The centerline porthole is slightly higher than the others, something interpreted from a photo and exaggerated somewhat, and the filling of that one and the one two to port of it have been a constant production issue. As to the amount of detail you would want to add inside the bridge, that is up to you. If you choose to drill these out, I would recommend a pilot hole with a smaller drill (#60 or so) and then finish the hole a larger drill. As for the size, the FDD plans are not constant. the 1/48 plans show the portholes to be about 12", but the stationing is NOT constant at 30" as it should be, whilst the 1/96 plans show it to be a 15" window and the rest of the drawing is more exact. If you choose to use 12" then the final hole should be 0.0675" across, 0.085" for a 15" porthole. The problem you will have then is that the fairing will be about 6" thick (they WISHED they had armor that thick!!) when the real thing would be 1/4" steel plate and best represented with 0.001" tin foil! So, you have uncovered a Pandora's box of problems with this kit and even with my conversion. I have often thought about doing a resin insert to do the top of the hull and photoetch for the deck and limberholes, but such a conversion set would cost well over $100 as it would be easier to cast an entire new hull than pieces to go into the kit hull. Oh, well, maybe some day Tom will get his limberholes at least. I hope I have been of some help to you. James Corley Nautilus Models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Craig R Bennett Subject: Fletcher refs & Scharnhorst Hi guys For good sources on the Fletcher class try these books. The Fletcher class by Floating Drydock. Squadron Signal's Fletcher class DD's in action. Also try from Pictorial histories USS KIDD DD-66.USS Casin Young DD-793, plus from Warship Perspectives try Fletcher, Gearing,and Sumner class destroyers of WW2. These books will give you or just one of'em can help you out. I also checked out the Scharnshorst and it appears that she was painted with the stern and bow painted in light gray plus the center of the ship in dark gray. Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "DUCKMAN" Subject: ORP BLYSKAWICA - The Polish Naval destroyer ORP Blyskawica Here's a link to a surviving wwII ship ya'll might be interested in. http://www.wwdir.com/orpblyskawica/ DAVID -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: d gregory Subject: LAKE ERIE >> While you are in that part of the world, drive 180 miles east to Buffalo, N.Y. They have the Fletcher class destroyer Sullivans, as well as the C.L. Little Rock, a submarine, and many displays, including a P.T. Boat. << Actually, the PT is a Vietnam-era PTF. She is in beautiful shape but not a WW2 PT at all. There is a P-39 hanging from the ceiling of the visitor center, also, if I remember correctly. Lots of info on this plane, too, but for sme reason no mention of it's nickname "The Iron Dog"...... Dave Gregory The PT Dockyard Near Lovely Lake Ontario -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Mike C" Subject: Classic Warships Books My votes for upcoming titles would be for: the PENSACOLA class heavy cruisers, NEW MEXICO class battleships, the HIPPER class heavy cruisers, and pre-GATO U.S. submarines. I would also suggest one on the long and active career of the aircraft carrier MIDWAY. I've always liked that ship and if she's going to San Diego (as the rumor mill suggests), it should do well in the souvenir shop. Oh, and anything Japanese. These books are always worth waiting for, whatever the subject. Mike Czibovic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: Gato Class Sub Colors >> My dad did 8 war patrols as a junior officer on the USS Albacore(ss 218). For his 80th birthday I thought I'd build him his boat using the Revell Lionfish and one of the Nautilus conversion kits. From a few pictures he has I've chosen the kit I want to use but I have a few questions about painting. There are a few details I need but I dont want to spoil the surprise by asking him too many questions. << Email me off list, I have a ton of fleet boat stuff. Also see the flollowing link: http://www.webenet.net/~ftoon/memory/f_memory.html Click on the "Blenny Model" on the left for views of the USS Blenny, SS-324, that I built for her quartermaster, Frank Toon. >> He's always said his boat was all black which would be Measure 9 I think. Should the decking be painted too? And was the whole boat black above and below the waterline? << Yes- US Submarines in WWII were all dull black below the waterline. Basically, you can use a couple of slightly different shades of black. The fleet boats were not red lead below the waterline. Tom Dougherty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: US Submarine torpedos >> Just to ask what ere the torpedoes carried by the US Navy submarines in the early Pacific war? Were they Mk8? I know that they have used later the Mk10, Mk14 and the Mk18-1. << Some boats early in the war carried the Mark X, which were pulled from the older S-boats. This was due to a shortage of the steam powered Mark XIV. The later electric "wakeless" Mark XVIII-1 and -2 The relatively slow Mark XVIII-1 were ready in late 43, as Wahoo carried some on her last ill-fated patrol. The MarkXVIII-2 had improvements to get more power out of the batteries and hence more speed. Submarines carried different cams for their analog electro-mechanical torpedo data computer to match torpedo speed to the TDC calculations for range and torpedo bearing. Tom Dougherty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: "Bob and Teresa" Subject: Book Suggestions If Mr.Wiper is still in the market for suggestions,here's mine 1.) Independence class CVL's 2.) Midway class CV's 3.) Iwo Jima class LPH's 4.) USS Ranger CV-4 5.) USS Wasp CV-7 6.) Secretary class USCG cutters 7.) US gunboats---early steel navy types;Yangtze Patrol types; maybe the Erie class. Thanks for the opportunity to air my own particular wish list. KLorton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: Shane Weier Subject: Konig references Hi all, I *know* I've seen this thread before, but I've lost my mail file and don't have web access to the archive so I need to ask again. I'm mostly a WW1 *aircraft* modeller who has been given the opportunity to review the ICM Konig kit and WEM brass, presumably on the basis that if you're mildly competent in one genre you should be able to produce a decent result in another with good materials. However - my entire reference for this class of ships is 4 photographs, all full side views showing little detail. I imagine that there *is* a decent reference available, but I sure don't have it. What troubles me is that the WEM brass provides a mighty compliment of extra parts for Konig which I don't have the necessary references to place - stuff like armoured and ordinary doors, life rings, hatches, inclined and vertical ladders etc. Given that this is a diversion for me (which *could* turn into a passion - I love the early battleships) and that the Australian dollar is at an all time low I won't be able to buy anything expensive - but I would like to know what is available and where, if only to give the donors products a fair go. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: "WEM" Subject: Re: Congratulations >> This raises questions: Where will their bridal registry be, Pacific Front? << The real question is how much of a discount Bill will give us... >> Will the china pattern be in colo(u)rs of Haze Gray and Light Mountbatten Pink? << I was thinking more in terms of RN buff.... ;^) >> You can come back to the USS Salem for that wedding ceremony << But do I have to bring back the teak?? And are you nailing everything else down!? >> May you have many years of happiness together. (As long as it doesn't interfere too much with making ship model kits. :-) << Two workaholics together? Look for lots of exciting things to come from WEM and S&S! >> Now, marriage is fun, but you have to compromise and share, so I suggest you divvy up the workbench space equally, and> agree to share the modelling tools << You haven't been around CC when she gets something sharp in her hands, have you? >> WOW!! Carolina & John!! Lord! what blessed news!!! I pray that Caroline doesn't leave WEM << Nope, she's bringing this half of S&S to England instead. >> It'll be HMS - afterall the bride always gets to choose the venue for the "ritual manacling" ;-). Shane Ducking for cover real fast Too late, I saw it !!!! Mistress Lorna << >> Wow! Not only are SMMLies going to get to attend a shipboard wedding, but we're going to have a burial at sea, too. ;-þ << Or a keelhauling... ;^)) >> HMS Victory HMS Belfast ( more in line with this list but not as photogenic) << Let's not forget HMS TRINCOMALEE, a minor frigate that owes her existence to the fact that she never met up with USS CONSTITUTION... And thanks to all of you SMMLies for your good wishes. What a great bunch!! John Snyder & Caroline Carter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: "John Sutherland" Subject: Re: Akizuki in 1/700 Aoshima or Fujimi Hi Cataldo, There is no comparison between the two - the Aoshima is either a fresh mould or a drastic re-mould. The Fujimi kit is chunky, especially the small bits. If you just want to make one from the box then use the Aoshima kit and maximise the X sprue usage, it will produce an acceptable model. Both kits can be made into really nice models but you need good references - both seem to place the triple 25mm wrongly and other minor errors. Generally, the Fujimi kit needs more work and more parts replaced, but the basic structure of both seems the same and ok. A good quantity of Skywave accessory kits goes a long way too. The Aoshima kit does have the X sprue but not everything needed is covered, or in enough quantities, and I personally prefer the Skywave alternatives. The Aoshima box art for some of the series (they issued 4) show single 25mm lining the decks but don't provide them. Fujimi does even bother to show them. By war's end Akizuki had heaps of 25mm singles (26). Then is the discussion over the shape of the 3.9in turrets - I believe Skywave has them right from the photos I have seen - others agree - others disagree. Get some photos and make your own judgements! I have built a heap of this class in various configurations. Fascinating ships. Stripped them down to basic structures and rebuilt them with Skywave parts and various PE. Look great, especially in three different greys (3 different yards - Akizuki should be in Maizuru Naval Arsenal Grey - the lightest of the four greys.) If you really want to spruce the model up Fine Moulds have single, double and triple 25mm in PE, GMM and Tom's have Japanese destroyer PE sets and I think WEM has a Japanese weapons PE set. Which ever you make, Enjoy! John Sutherland Wellington, New Zealand -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: Re: Skytrex HMS VICTORY Hi; I haven`t seen the new 1:700 Skytrex Napoleonic ships. All I can do is tell you about the Skytrex 1:1200 compared to 1:1200 GHQ. The 1:1200 GHQ ships are beautiful, crisp, detailed castings. I would call them a 10 on a scale of 1-10. The Skytrex 1:1200 is a rougher, less detailed casting. I would call it a 6-7 on a scale of 1-10. I`ve been wargaming with 1:1200 Napoleonic ships for almost 30 years (Hi Bob Santos) and the Skytrex have really improved, but they still have a ways to go to beat GHQ. Considering the humongus price I hope the 1:700 Skytrex ships are much better. Chuck Duggie WoodenWalls Listmeister Naval wargamer, amateur naval historian, and ship modeler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: Re: Spanish-American War Survivors >> Personally I think that a book on the Indiana class (BB1-3) would be good. With the Glencoe Oregon and the PE kits that go with it. I would also like to see something done on the USS Olympia, since it is the only Spanish-American warship still afloat. << Hi; For some time one of the smaller prizes was at Annapolis as a school ship of some kind?? Reina Mercedes is what I seem to remember?? My books are in boxes all over the house. What ship was it and what happened to it? Too bad about OREGON!! Chuck Duggie WoodenWalls Listmeister Naval wargamer, amateur naval historian, and ship modeler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: Craig R Bennett Subject: Bullion cruiser Hi Guys I have a question for you and I wonder if any one can put some light on this. Back in 1940-41 during the blitz on England the British Gov't supposely loaded 400 million dollars worth of gold bars on a cruiser to be transferred to Canada to be kept as colleral for war time equipment purchases. The story as it goes is this the cruiser was torpoded while crossing the Atlantic and to save the ship the Captain ordered the gold thrown over board. Arriving in Canada with this news it causes the US gov't to create the lend lease act. Has any one ever heard of this? What was the cruiser's name? Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: ModelFlags@aol.com Subject: Buy Online - Miniature Cotton Flags, Naval Signal Sets & Vinyl Lettering You may be interested to have a look at our website where you can view and buy online:- FLAGS The most realistic model flags printed on both sides on an authentic cotton base. Over 150 designs of miniature National, Naval, Club and Company flags, including historic designs in 8 different sizes from 3/4"(20mm) to 6"(150mm). NAVAL SIGNAL SETS International Codes and British Codes (1939-1945) in sizes Small (scales 1:64 to 1:128) and Medium (scales 1:48 to 1:96). VINYL LETTERING A new "lift & stick" type only 70 microns thick with a permanent adhesive suitable for static and outdoor use without further treatment. Sheets of letters and numbers in 4 different sizes 3, 6, 10 or 15mm height and 8 colours. WEBSITE INFORMATION ALSO AVAILABLE BY E-MAIL For a list of our current Flag Designs or Prices, for your off-line reference, simply reply to this e-mail changing the Subject line to read "DESIGNS" or "PRICES" or "BOTH" IF you do not wish to receive from us further occasional e-mails, regarding our new flag designs, product developments and new website features, simply reply to this e-mail changing the subject line to read "REMOVE" http://www.ModelFlags.com">www.ModelFlags.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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