Subject: SMML VOL 1081 Date: Sat, 02 Dec 2000 23:46:20 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: The film issues 2: My PHM thoughts and comments, that I think are valid anyway.... 3: Re: Looking for good DDG-51 kit 4: Re: Fate of USS CABOT 5: Caine Mutiny 6: Re: Flags 7: Re: SS United States 8: U-505 armament 9: Re: IPMS/USA Journal Problem 10: Behind Spy Trial in Moscow: A Superfast Torpedo 11: Devonshire Funnel - Thanks!!!! 12: Re: IPMS Journal screw up 13: Re: Cabot 14: Re: Intereting trivia 15: Turtle Ships and Movies 16: Critisizim of Pearl Harbor movie does matter 17: Re: FLT 2 Arliegh Burke kit 18: Glencoe WWI Subchaser (again . . . ) 19: Re: IPMS/USA Journal Problem 20: Warship Profiles 21: Re: Looking for a good DDG-51 kit 22: Old Kit Scales 23: A WAMBULANCE Case 24: DEUTSCHE KRIEGSMARINE SIGNALS 25: Looking for good DDG-51 kit 26: Re: Zhong Shan 27: Re: IPMS Journal 28: Re: Prince of Wales Camo 29: Why criticsm of PH movie does matter 30: WW1 Sub Chaser kits 31: USS New Jersey -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation 1: First Annual HornetCon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS Hi gang, In regards to the ongoing "On Topic" thread of the upcoming Pearl Harbour movie, I'd though I'd post the following which bears repeating: "It's better to be thought a fool, than to post & remove all doubt. By this we mean that that if you post something really stupid, the Listamsters can't be held responsible for you making yourself out to be a fool in public ;-)." Now some have already proven the above by their posts on the matter. If you can't post constructively on the thread then please just scroll past it & ignore it. This list has over 1200 subscribers with more than enough room for disparate views. However, if you don't take this advice, the above quote may apply, it's your call. My personal opinion echo's Pelle's post on the matter, but you won't see me restricting other viewpoints, just because I may or may not be sick of this thread. I appreciate that feelings may be running a bit hot, so cool down & take stock, then post a calm reply like many have already have. Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Bergschöld Pelle Subject: The film issues I frequently see articles on the topic film stories contra historical accuracy, and mostly peaople are more or less annoyed due to exaggerated simplicity and even faking of history by the scriptwirters/directors. OK, this is all true, and of course it would have been preferred by many of us to watch more documentary shows instead. These films are all intended not as historical documetaries but rather as entertainment. That does imply some "adjustments" to create a story enjoyable for more people than the few that are like us. What they on the other hand do, is perhaps that they awaken an interest for history in a few more souls, never mind the accuracy in the story. These new "history fans" will eventually maybe not only read and learn more, but also build models - like we do. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts in this matter. Best regards to all of you. Pelle SWE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: ussiowabb61@juno.com Subject: My PHM thoughts and comments, that I think are valid anyway.... The PHM is not made to be a true to life, accurate depiction of what happened on that day. The PHM is ONLY made to make money and that’s it. If this movie were to be historically accurate, the budget would be tens of millions (if not hundreds of millions) more expensive to make. Steven Spielberg and Co., are making this movie to make money, not to appeal to a narrow group of those who are only concerned with historical accuracy. It seems that some of the SMML readers believe that any movie produced by Hollywood MUST be historically accurate. This movie focuses on the romance angle to have the movie appeal to the most possible people, while using the events of December 7, 1941 solely as a backdrop to the main story. For myself, it’s kind of annoying when I see these types of continuous threads in SMML, that really don’t have anything to do with Ship Modeling. And usually, these threads seem to feed on themselves, without benefiting any modelers. While I don’t totally object to seeing commentary on issues that don’t relate directly to modeling, I am annoyed by people who each and every time, expect a realistic portrayal of what happened during a war movie; right down to exact position of harbor tugs that were at Peal Harbor on the day of the attack. Documentaries and Movies have two different objectives, and modelers should realize this. When you pay $8 or $9 to see a big Hollywood production, you go to be entertained, and if you expect anything besides this, you will be sorely disappointed. If you want a detailed, historically accurate telling of what happened at Pearl on that day, do not ever expect it to come out of a movie theater, rely on the history channel instead. Well that’s my two cents……. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Robert J. Bartolacci" Subject: Re: Looking for good DDG-51 kit >> I am looking for a kit of a DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyer. To be most accurate, I would like one of the Flight IIA ships (DDG-79 and higher), but the models don't seem to exist. I'm not really sure of the scale I am after, but am looking something around fifteen inches (you know, desk size!). I guess the math puts that at 1:400 scale. Anyway, I am new to ship modeling, but have done many aircraft in the past. Anyone have any recommendations on a kit I should choose? Any feel for how difficult the Flight-IIA conversion might be? << Dan, Check out the link here to Blue Water NAvy's model in 1/350 of the U.S.S. Winston Churchill, DDG-81. It is a Flight IIA Burke, some 17.5 inches long, resin, cast, and etched metal. Mike Bishop was able to get the official plans for the ship, having built the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke model for Bath Iron Works. It is a very accurate model, very close to the size you ask for. Mike owns his own company in Charleston, SC and has been very helpful and cooperative in the past. Here is the link directly to the model: http://www.bluewaternavy.com/ddg81.htm You can purchase it on line, I believe. Good luck Bob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Robert J. Bartolacci" Subject: Re: Fate of USS CABOT >> Doesn't this stink and remind us all of ENTERPRISE CV6 fiasco? << Yes That was the biggest crime that ever occurred, scrapping the Big E, which served in 20 out of 22 major Naval battles and for a time was the ONLY carrier we had left in the Pacific to face the Japanese. Could have been preserved for much less at the time than any of the current vessels - even the gentleman designated to handle the scrapping didn't feel that she should be scrapped and tried to save her - as a result, many of the artifacts we have left from the Enterprise today are directly due to his sense of history and his respect for the ship What do we have instead? The "Dry I" up in New York, named for her penchant for collecting single Japanese torpedoes or Kamikazes - not in the same league with the Big E... Now the Cabot is following in her footsteps, the only WWII carrier left in her almost original state - I also saw her while in the Navy at Rota in the '70s... Bob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Paul Fontenoy" Subject: Caine Mutiny I'm afraid that "wblad" is incorrect in stating that >> Herman Wouk, the author of "The Caine Mutiny," served as an officer aboard the four-piper USS KANE (DD-235/APD-18) in WWII << Most of this vessel's war service was in the Aleutians. Wouk actually served as an officer aboard USS ZANE (DMS-14) which played an active and dangerous role in the Guadalcanal campaign, finally becoming the ship's XO. According to an oral history by an officer serving aboard one of ZANE's squadron mates, Wouk if anything underplayed the conditions of that campaign for the DMS's. Paul E. Fontenoy Curator of Maritime Research North Carolina Maritime Museum *The opinions expressed here may not reflect those of my agency* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Ray Mehlberger" Subject: Re: Flags I just got my latest issue of the IPMS/USA Journal in the mail. In the SHIPS & TIPS section....on page 22...Rusty White mentions some WWII Axis and Allies naval ensigns and jacks for the main combatants of WW2: Germany, Japan, Italy, Britain, U.S., and France. He says that these are produced by Duane Fowler....but never gives an address for this company or person. I am just an occassional ship model builder (armor being my main interest)...but would like to have a set of these. "If" they are not to costly. Anybody know the straight skinny on these? Please respond to my e-mail address as I sometimes don't read the daily newletter regularly. Regards, Ray Mehlberger IPMS/USA #12269 (AMPS member also) Contributing Armor Editor for INTERNET MODELER MAGAZINE http://www.internetmodeler.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Shirley Sachsen Subject: Re: SS United States >> Concerning the SS United States she is still exists in Philadelphia tied to a pier on Delaware Ave and has received national land mark status. The people behind it want to make her into a floating hotel. << oops.... if they want a hotel, they shouldn't have made it a landmark, though making a liner a hotel isn't much of a stretch. there are limits to what one can and cannot do to landmarks and the rules can be a minefield. one is limited in the sorts of modifications that can be done and the sort of usage one can put it to, as well as the limitations on the name. for instance, if they get some big bucks for restoration, they won't be able to call it 'Big Bucks SS US Hotel'. The Feds take very seriously the intent behind 'landmark.' good luck to them, the SS US is worth keeping around, not only is she easy on the eyes, but had participated in some records for crossings as I recall. s -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Cataldo Torelli Subject: U-505 armament Hi, Lately I'm on the sub side 8-) ........ I'm planning to make the Hasegawa 1/700 U-boat type IXc like U-505. There seems that she changed her armament trough the war. Could anybody point the different fits? And last, are the Hasegawa instructions, regarding camouflage colours, right? Are the actual colours of U-505 in Chicago accurate? How will you guys paint it?....... I promise you!! No more questions until my hands get those Tamiya 1/700 Gato class subs and their connin towers............ Thanks in advance, Cataldo Torelli. Madrid, Spain. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Ross Bruce-QBR000 Subject: Re: IPMS/USA Journal Problem From: Tom Eisenhour >> I received my current copy of the IPMS/USA Journal a couple of days ago and the collation is totally screwed up: there are duplicates of some pages and other pages are completely omitted. Unfortunately, Rusty White's Gato-class sub article -- the ONE article I was interested in -- was one of the ones deleted. Did anyone get a copy of the Journal that had the article? << Tom, I received mine yesterday 11/31 and all the pages were there including Rusty's article. By the way good work Rusty!! Bruce Ross Ft.Worth, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: JRKutina@webtv.net (John Kutina) Subject: Behind Spy Trial in Moscow: A Superfast Torpedo http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/01/world/01RUSS.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Felix Bustelo Subject: Devonshire Funnel - Thanks!!!! Hi Folks, I am truly overwhelmed with the response I received to my problem. I had included it in my message to Mike Dunn more to be humorous and it wasn't intended to seek out a replacement. Well, I will be getting one thanks to this group and I must say that this group is comprised of some top notch people. Regards, Felix Bustelo International Maritime Modeling URL: http://members.tripod.com/~Febus65/imm.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: IPMS Journal screw up >> I received my current copy of the IPMS/USA Journal a couple of days ago and the collation is totally screwed up: there are duplicates of some pages and other pages are completely omitted. Unfortunately, Rusty White's Gato-class sub article -- the ONE article I was interested in -- was one of the ones deleted. << Tom, This happened once last year. Contact the Journal through the IPMS/USA web site and they will replace your copy. Rusty White Flagship Models - Photo Etched Details for Warships http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ We now accept Visa & MasterCard world wide via Pay Pal "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Ross Bruce-QBR000 Subject: Re: Cabot To: Shirley Sachsen and others working live aboard programs. >> You said it! we've had similar problems with our Youth Live-Aboard Program. part of the evening is spent in front of TV monitors looking at movies. Top Gun is the preferred choice. In fact, on one of the evaluations, there was the remark "show real movies, kids are bored with history". The irony of such a remark about an overnight on a carrier where the history is supposed to be hands on is staggering. It's my favorite evaluation line, along with the indictment after one of our Big Band dances: "Swing isn't music I can dance to."<< Just wanted to let you know a view from the other side of the fence, last October I organized and lead a tri-troop overnight on the USS Lexington. These opportunities to stay aboard and experience history firsthand are not lost on the majority of the boys. Yea, I had one or two that professed boredom, but these same boys would be bored with breathing if it wasn't mandatory! The point is that evening made a BIG impact on these boys, at one point we had the wardroom filled with boys listening in complete awe the telling of the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the ship's part. I didn't see any yawning or boredom present. Since the trip at least two of the boys have become interested in modeling and I've answered endless historical questions. They are now as a group wanting to know when the next trip is going to happen and several of the older boys have volunteered to come back to chaperone the younger ones. I guess what this all says is don't lose the faith, all of you who work so hard to offer this opportunity to the youth are making an impact even if the loud mouths are the only ones heard! BRAVO ZULU Bruce Ross Ft.Worth, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Intereting trivia I heard an interesting bit of trivia on the radio yesterday and thought I would pass it on. It took me by suprise, but probably won't fool anyone here. What honorary US citizen is a US warship named after? Rusty White Flagship Models - Photo Etched Details for Warships http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ We now accept Visa & MasterCard world wide via Pay Pal "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Cooper, Mike" Subject: Turtle Ships and Movies Dear SMMlies Sorry to be a bit behind the thread, but the Cooper attic is in a worse 2&8 than normal as a major bookshelf collapsed. (Look....I send all day surrounded by PCs and bookshelves, and the last thing I want to do when I go home is look at bookshelves). Turtle Ships - have a look at Military Illustrated Number 143 (April 2000) pp.30-37 "Admiral Yi's Turtle Ships" by Stephen Turnbull. Drawings, art and photos of a reconstruction. UK SMMLies who send me a snail-mail address might just be able to get a copy for their own personal use, SMMLies in fellow European states, Dominions, etc and even former colonies - can we try fax? Mike Cooper (Dark and wet Reading) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Critisizim of Pearl Harbor movie does matter Yeah. And JFK was ONLY a movie! It was more science fiction than Star Wars. Remember, hundreds of thousands of kids who get little more than revisionist history in the classroom here in the US will see this movie and believe it to be historical fact. Before long these kids will be telling Oliver Stone's version of the Kennedy assassination to their kids and so it goes. Yes, historical accuracy is vitally important. So let's just not get a life. It's not just a movie. Rusty White Flagship Models - Photo Etched Details for Warships http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ We now accept Visa & MasterCard world wide via Pay Pal "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: FLT 2 Arliegh Burke kit The kit you're looking for is made by MB Models. It's the 1/350 scale model of the Winston Churchill. It's a first rate kit and well worth the money. Rusty White Flagship Models - Photo Etched Details for Warships http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ We now accept Visa & MasterCard world wide via Pay Pal Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: Rod Dauteuil Subject: Glencoe WWI Subchaser (again . . . ) Fellow SMMLies, I'm glad my original query produced so many responses. Special thanks to all who contacted me off list with info about the WWI Subchaser. Now here's something to look forward to: I just spoke to the owner of Glencoe Models, Mr. Nick Argento, who indicated he'll be re-releasing the Subchaser model in 2001. No price has been set as of yet, but I'm sure it will be very reasonable (as is customary with Glencoe offerings). It will probably be in a plain brown corrugated box with a printed picture glued on the top (as a cost savings measure.) Me personally, I can't wait. Rod. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Edward F Grune" Subject: Re: IPMS/USA Journal Problem I too received my journal with a duplicate section and missing the middle pages. I was thinking of sending it back to the Editor asking for a correctly assembled version (if one in fact exists). Is this a minor problem or is the entire edition corrupted? Ed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Kcompany@webtv.net (Marvin Reichman) Subject: Warship Profiles I am seaching for WP # 31 which I believe has to do with E boats. Does anyone know if and where it can be obtained. Thanks in advance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Edward F Grune" Subject: Re: Looking for a good DDG-51 kit Dan wrote >> I am looking for a kit of a DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyer. To be most accurate, I would like one of the Flight IIA ships (DDG-79 and higher), ... << Dan -- I suggest that you look for the Blue Water Navy's kit of the USS Winston Churchill (DDG-81). Follow this link to the BWN page on the Churchill. http://www.bluewaternavy.com/ddg81.htm This is a resin & brass kit, in 1:350 scale. Its about 17 inches long - only a little longer than your size bogey. I am unaware of any other Flight IIA kits on the market. A couple of us had discussed converting a 1:700 Flight II Burke to the IIA configuration. You'll need a set of drawings to confirm this but... 1) The hull is slightly longer (~10 ft?) 2) The hangar space causes the top of the aft superstructure to be raised about 1 level. 3) The AEGIS antennas are also raised on the forward superstructure to clear the obstructions of the aft superstructure 4) There are a different number of cells in the aft VLS bank 5) IIRC - the aft Harpoon canisters go away That should be a quick thumbnail of the mods necessary to build a Flight IIA Burke. Ed Mansfield, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: "Torgeson Roger A KPWA" Subject: Old Kit Scales Does anyone remember the scale of the old Revell Baltimore class heavy cruiser Helena/Los Angeles/Pittsburgh, Boston/Canberra and the old Monogram kit of the missile cruiser Chicago/Columbus/Albany. Roger Torgeson Hi Roger, Check my shiplist on the APMA for some idea of the scales (url below). Otherwise Rajen's list of reviews may be of some help. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: A WAMBULANCE Case >> I do NOT want to "get a life" where my national heritage is taken lightly or treated with the kind of indifference as expressed by Mr. Baca. This will ultimately lead to its destruction, as so happened in the case of the USS Cabot. << You obviously don't know me very well-or haven't read any of my impassioned writing about ships these past 20 years. Many of those that were scrapped, I have preserved on film. Those that are active, I support the crews in need through donations to the Navy League. And I honor every Museum Ship with a visit and donation when the opportunity arises. One thing I learned over the years is that they all can't be preserved--there's not enough time, money or space for all the good ships. And if you think that I don't care, go back and read my SMML posting regarding Veteran's Day. Victor Baca Editor & Publisher MODEL SHIP JOURNAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: URUDOFSKY@aol.com Subject: DEUTSCHE KRIEGSMARINE SIGNALS Is there a web site or book that gives a listing of the DKM signals, semaphores, and codes? For example, any of you genuine veterans and armchair W.W.II historians know what the command "JD" or "Jot Dora" means? Ulrich H. Rudofsky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: "John Sheridan" Subject: Looking for good DDG-51 kit >> I am looking for a kit of a DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyer. To be most accurate, I would like one of the Flight IIA ships (DDG-79 and higher), but the models don't seem to exist. I'm not really sure of the scale I am after, but am looking something around fifteen inches (you know, desk size!). I guess the math puts that at 1:400 scale. Anyway, I am new to ship modeling, but have done many aircraft in the past. Anyone have any recomendations on a kit I should choose? Any feel for how difficult the Flight-IIA conversion might be? << Blue Water Navy makes a 1/350th scale Flt IIA Arleigh Burke http://www.bluewaternavy.com/ddg81.htm They Also make a 1/350th scale Flt I Arleigh Burke as well http://www.bluewaternavy.com/ddg51.htm Both are resin kits and both are excellent. John Sheridan The only human to defeat the Minbari is behind me, you are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else. : Delenn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26) From: RhinoBones@aol.com Subject: Re: Zhong Shan Earlier this week there was a question about the T&V 1:150 version of the Zhong Shan. I know little about the T&V kit other than there is one currently available on e-Bay and that it is being auctioned by a fellow named Charlie in San Francisco. I have made some purchases from Charlie and his service has always delivered the goods as advertised. Charlie also has a model retail business at a web sit named GoFigures.com where he has the T&V Zhong Shan listed for sale at $27 plus shipping. Maybe e-Bay can save you a couple of dollars. The Zhong Shan that I do happen to own is a 1:180 "motorized" kit made by Zhengdefu, kit number DF029. The model is obviously full hull (I'm a sucker for these full hull jobs) and the plastic molding is reasonable considering I bought it with a $10 bid on e-Bay. It definitely needs some filing to sharpen up the details, some PE rails and ladders, and an expert weathering job. Other than that, it builds into a decent looking kit. I would not recommend buying 200 scale rails & ladders just for this kit, but if you have some other, more worthy, application for the PE and have some left over, use it on a Zhong Shan. There is currently a 1:180 motorized Zhong Shan available on e-Bay. It is being auctioned by a person going by the moniker of Wiz1. The actual manufacturer is not identified, but my guess would be that it is Zhengdefu. There is a small picture of the completed kit which is rather flattering. I was very lucky with the price I paid thru e-Bay, but I would thank that anywhere you can pick one up for $20 (including shipping) is a fair price. Maybe by the 3rd quarter next year I will have some pictures of a Zhong Shan and a Ding Yuan (even more work than the Zhong Shan) ready for posting. Regards, RhinoBones -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: IPMS Journal >> I received my current copy of the IPMS/USA Journal a couple of days ago and the collation is totally screwed up: there are duplicates of some pages and other pages are completely omitted. Unfortunately, Rusty White's Gato-class sub article -- the ONE article I was interested in -- was one of the ones deleted. Did anyone get a copy of the Journal that had the article? << Hi Tom, My issue came complete. I can send you a copy; however, Rusty's article is essentially (am I correct here, Rusty) the same as he has placed online at the Warship's Homepage about his 1:72 build of a Gato. Tom Dougherty PS Rusty-if you are reading this, just for chuckles (since my wife is NOT reading this...) how much did the Scale Shipyard kit of the Gato cost in that scale? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28) From: Allan and Crystal Plumb Subject: Re: Prince of Wales Camo >> In "British Battleships of World War Two", by Alan Raven and John Roberts, there is a port and starboard color reproduction of the camouflage pattern worn by HMS Prince of Wales in 1941. It's a very complex scheme that uses five different colors (refer to page 396). Does anyone know if this camouflage was still being worn at the time the ship was sunk? Can anybody match these colors to the S&S chips? << 1) Dulin and Garzke has pictures of PoW leaving Singapore a few days before her sinking, wearing that camouflage. I.e., I'd say yes. There are a couple of pictures of PoW sinking in "Battleship!" by Martin (Middlebrook? My copy is somewhere around.), don't recall if they show camo but they're very grainy. 2) See also Warship Vol 1-4 which has more detailed drawings of the KGV's color schemes, cross-referenced to British colour (:-)) numbers. I.e., it can be done. My PoW (up on the mantle) is Tamiya's 1/350, painted as per their instructions, using Tamiya paints. If I were starting over from scratch, I might check against the S&S sheets, but since that was years before those existed, I'll live with any imperfections. It's a good rendering, I've not tried to verify each and every shade and don't plan to. Enjoy. Allan Plumb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29) From: NAVYDAZE@aol.com Subject: Why criticsm of PH movie does matter Dave, I agree with you 100% on continuing the life of a ship with models. The ship may be gone but as long as we continue modeling they will still be with us - as you - said in minature. Same reason I paint - as I state on my Web site - to me it is like a snap shot in the life of the ship at some point in her career - with that I can also try and help to insure that she/they are not forgotten. Each one of us with our photo, paintings, models have our own individual tribute to the ships we select to honor in this way. Mike Donegan Navydaze, Naval & Aviation Artist -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30) From: Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject: WW1 Sub Chaser kits Having had some interesting responses to my query about Glencoe WW1 110 foot Submarine Chasers kits, I decided to share my meager information with SMML with the thought that there could indeed be others who might find the following at least interesting, if not useful. First, the boat. Just prior to WW1, then Undersecretary of the Navy Franklin Roosevelt wanted some small wooden U.S. Navy vessels built for the express purpose of combating the perceived menace of German submarines. A small fleet of them was designed and built, 110' long, but with less than 15' beam. Now that is indeed long and narrow. They were equipped with three 220 HP gasoline engines, were triple screw, 85 ton displacement, and top speed of 18 knots.The crew consisted of two officers (often the skipper was an ensign) and 25 enlisted men (talk about cramped quarters!) The armament was one three-inch bow gun, two 30 caliber machine guns amidships, and a "Y" gun with depthcharges. Although the range was only 1,000 nautical miles, a considerable number of these craft went across the Atlantic to British, French, and Italian waters, refueling at sea when necessary. They were real sailormen! Second, my involvement. When I was a sophomore in high school I got approval to make a model of this vessel, as my wood-working class project, in 1934. Yeah, that's right, 19 Three Four!. All I had was a professionally made drawing and a (expletive deleted) good shop teacher. I never completed the model, although I did finish the hull and a funky deckhouse before the school year was over. I kept the hull all these years. I never could explain why. I resurrected it last year and was talked into finishing it, properly, a restoration that is near completion now. Am I eligible for some sort of record here? About 30 or so years ago I picked up a nearly completed plastic model of the same boat, along with the rest of the kit, for fifty cents at a yard sale. The scale was different, but it had a drawing, and made a good reference. Third, the kits (at last!). Original Later Boucher (later by Bluejacket). ITC Model craft, hobby div. of Ideal Toy Corp. Solid wood (precarved [?]) Plastic w/electric motor 1/4"=1' (1/48) 3/16"=1' (1/64) Released in 1923 Released about 1960 Plans by Davis Plans by Stopek No bow numbers "AV SC96" on bows (the AV is atypical!) Model length 27 1/2" OA Model length 19" OA My best guess is that Glencoe has acquired the dies etc. of the old ITC-Ideal Toy kit, and has re-released it under their name, although that is admittably a guess, not altogether unreasonable. I have no informaton about a WW2 version Sub Chaser kit although I do know of a strictly professional model making company that custom builds them by commission, to a very large scale (about three feet long), and someone by the name of Taubman sells plans, apparently for scratch builders. If you are seriously thinking of building a model of either vinage (WW1 or WW2), get in touch with an ex-skipper of a WW2 version real boat, by the name of Ted Treadwell . He is THE guru of the 110 footers and will be glad to supply data and info about "his" navy, and he maintains a website devoted to this purpose. He is not a modeler, per se, but he is "a kindred soul". I will be glad to freely share what little I have also. There are a few out-of-print books available as well, I just got a 1920 book "The Cinderellas of the Fleet" by W.W. Nutting through the internet. Franklyn (the first aircraft carrier "nut") -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31) From: Mark McKellar Subject: USS New Jersey Hi folks, I found a neat live cam - of the Panama Canal. It updates every 3 seconds and you can watch ship after ship after ship pass through the locks. http://www.pancanal.com also, there is a clip of the USS New Jersey passing through the locks. http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/jersey-animation.html Neat stuff I think mark -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Ken Durling Subject: First Annual HornetCon Hello everyone - We have finally finalized details, and made the go/no-go decision as a "go" for our first contest on board the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CVS-12) Museum, in Alameda, CA. IPMS/USS Hornet and IPMS/Fremont Hornets are co-sponsoring the show. Print this out for future reference, plus I'll be posting it from time to time. Date: Sunday, April 22, 2001 Location: Wardroom Vendors in at 0900, contestant registration from 1000-1300. Awards at 1600. IPMS Members: $5.00 - includes 2 models. $1 ea. for additional entries Non-IPMS: $5.00, plus $1 for each entry. Junior: $3.00 unltd entries Sub.Jr. $1.50 unltd entries Vendor tables: $30.00 ea. SPECIAL AWARDS: Best Naval Aviation Subject (sponsored by the USS Hornet Ass.) Best Hornet-related Subject Best Ship Best Doolittle Aircraft Best Space/SciFi Subject Best Korean War Subject Best Vietnam War Subject. Best of Show Sr. Best of Show Jr Contact info: General: Club pres/CC Ken Durling kdurling@earthlink.net Vendor tables: VP Duane Fowler dlfowler@uscg.net Trophy packs Sect: Paul Rogers pdrogers@mindspring.com We hope to see you there!! Ken Durling IPMS/USS Hornet, Pres. RC9 PPSEL Just Plane Crazy http://home.earthlink.net/~kdurling -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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