Subject: SMML VOL 1100 Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 23:29:55 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Merry Christmas and an Happy New Year 2: Re: CW books 3: FSM latest cover 4: Re: vosper triple hull (triton) 5: Re: painting a dead horse 6: Laundry Woes 7: White glue 8: Adaptor to mate Paasche braided hose with an Aztec Airbrush? 9: boats and newspapers 10: Re: HMS Cochrane 11: Kudos and a Suggestion! 12: Re: Lines for CSS Alabama 13: 1/192 USS Pringle questions 14: Acrylic Airbrush Cleaner 15: Re: Seascapes from marmite 16: Re: ARII 1/400 Scale Missouri/New Jersey -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Model Ship Journal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "FCR" Subject: Merry Christmas and an Happy New Year Hello list This is it. I am going out of town to spend Christmas vacations with family and I will not have the computer with me so no SMML for a few weeks. Until January. Merry Christmas and an Happy New Year. Compliments. Filipe C. Ramires Lisboa, PORTUGAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: CW books >> Why not finish up the US early war carriers you have produced Lexington and Yorktown class carriers. All that remains is the Langley, Ranger, and Wasp. Either as individual books or one photo album. If that's of any help. << Craig, It so happens that I have obtained huge collections of photos of all of the ships YOU have mentioned. I believe to be successful with these books, I have to mix up the topics a little, so I will get to them, but for know I want some battleships. I have concentrated on cruisers (USN) so much in my early books because there was such a huge gap in that subject area. So little time, so little money! My books are selling really well, so hopefully, this will turn into something really big! Not only do I enjoy making a living this way, but I truly think I am doing my own little part in preserving a small part of history, just a little longer. Thanks, and would everyone please buy one of my books! Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: FSM latest cover Check out the cover for the latest FSM. There is great shot of John Leyland's fantastic Revell Enterprise. Inside are lots of really cool photos of some of John's carrier dioramas. The point of this note is that John stole my diorama idea! There's a photo of the towing of the U-505 that shows the Guadal Canal and Pillsbury while the tow cables are attached for the Guadal Canal to tow. I swear John must have been reading my mind! Every single ship and their placement matches what I wanted to do. Even the position of the 505. And I thought I have a unique idea to the diorama in 1/700. I may go ahead and do one anyway. 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" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "philip knell" Subject: Re: vosper triple hull (triton) >> I recently saw a picture of the new trials vessel built by Vosper and DERA to test designs for a triple hulled warship. Does anybody know of any articles, web sites or other sources of information on this vessel? << try this one www.trimaran.dera.gov.uk/ phil -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Jim Johnson" Subject: Re: painting a dead horse The subject of enamel Vs acrylic has been going on for some time. I put my opinion in some time ago, and would now like to add a few more observations. First, one can not judge all types of paint by one brand. I use Aeromaster which was custom blended by Polly-scale. I also use some Poly-scale. I routinely mask it 15 or 20 minutes after I have sprayed it. I would never ever even think of doing that with Humbrol, Modelmaster, Tamiya or any of the rest. You can sand it in a half hour. I have had some Humbrol gloss paints that would leave a 3-D fingerprint a week after it was painted. Acrylic, as you can see, can be much faster drying than enamel or, if you want, enamel can be much faster drying than acrylic. Depends on how you blend it. The mistake that a lot of people make is that they try a new type/brand of paint with the procedures that they use with their old brand. As often as not, it doesn't work as well and the person says "this type/brand is junk and I'm never going to use it again." That is bad enough, but they then tell everybody that will listen that " so and so is junk, don't use it." My approach is to try a new type/brand and if it doesn't work, try something different. Use more or less thinner, try a different thinner etc. Ask questions, there's a lot of information available out there. I, like most people, had trouble with Aeromaster/Polly-scale drying on the tip of the airbrush. I read a recommendation to try Liquitex Flow Ease and I haven't had that problem since. They also make a product called Airbrush Medium which also works. Five dollars worth would last for years since you only use a couple of drops in a bottle of paint. I own Paasche, Badger, Iwata, Thayer and Chandler and Aztek airbrushes and have used acetone to clean all of them. I have never had any problems with any gasket or seal being effected by it. The manufactures know that almost anything can and will be run through their airbrush and use materials to suit. I can't guarantee that acetone is OK in absolutely every case, but I would be surprised if it wasn't. The biggest problem that I have seen is when a very thin layer of paint dries on the needle of the airbrush and as it slides through the seal, it wears the seal out. These are Teflon because it's chemically inert but Teflon is somewhat soft and is prone to this type of wear. I have been using acrylic paint for years and have never had it set up in the airbrush. As soon as I am done with a color, I put water in a small container (about a tablespoon full) and blow that through the brush, then I put about the same amount of alcohol through the airbrush. This works well for me. I take the airbrush apart maybe twice a year and clean it with acetone or MEK. To summarize my stand. My experience is that acrylic is as good or better than enamel depending on how it is manufactured and used. In addition, you don't have to smell paint thinner through-out the house for the rest of the day, or be banished to the garage. Jim Johnson IPMS 1788 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Laundry Woes Steve Wiper commented of the carrier DeGaulle's washing machines - >> Now this has some serious comedy potential! << Brings to mind the scene in "Mister Roberts" where Jack Lemmon -- Ensign Pulver, the 'Laundry and Morale Officer' -- fills an entire ship's compartment with soapsuds. Maybe the lonely Maytag repairman can get a consulting job with the French navy. MWL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "J.Pasquill" Subject: White glue >> What is meant by "white glue"? Any type of wood glue?? << >> The most notable "white glue" in the US is Elmer's. As Shane says, any white glue will work. << Perhaps, but I think you may find that Weldbond is harder, grabs better, and is more impervious to moisture. Jim -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Kurt Van Dahm Subject: Adaptor to mate Paasche braided hose with an Aztec Airbrush? Try going to a pet shop selling tropical fish. They have plastic and metal fittings for air hose to go from air pumps to the aquariums. They make a barbed device for splicing tubes together. You may be able to cut the braided hose fitting off and using the barbed adapter splice a short piece of your Aztec hoze with fitting on to the end of the braided line. Not much pressure behind an air brush so this might work if the inside dia's of the tubes are close. Can wrap with wire clamp to tighten if close. Another possibility - brass tube slipped inside the cut endas as an adapter with wire clamp. Take care, Kurt Van Dahm Westmont, IL NRG member -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: raisingirl@mindspring.com Subject: boats and newspapers hello all.... Michael London wrote: >> Cutter is used to describe certain Coast Guard craft.... A gig is a narrow, fast oared boat and was frequently used as the senior officer's personal boat. << Which reminds me of an old bit of Navy doggerel: The officers ride in a whaleboat, The Captain rides in a gig. It doesn't go a damn bit faster But it makes the old bastard feel big. Phil Gollin wrote: >> Today's Guardian (note to foreigners - a well known pinko/liberal paper) << Cool! Finally a newspaper I'd feel at home with! ;) jodie (one of SMML's resident slightly-left-of-center types) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Chris Hughes" Subject: Re: HMS Cochrane I think I'm correct in stating that HMS Cochrane is/was the shore establishment at Rosyth. This would tie in with a Bundesmarine minesweeper paying a visit to a North Sea port. HTH Chris -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: maeisen@erols.com Subject: Kudos and a Suggestion! Folks: I just wanted to say that yesterday's edition of SMML was outstanding. Good give-and-take regarding modeling techniques, and lots of people sharing their ideas and experiences re: acrylics vs enamels, white glue vs yellow glue as a gap-filler, etc. Let's keep it up! Now a suggestion (some of you will note that this is not the first time you have heard this plaint -- my apologies). It is my understanding that SMML has about 1200 subscribers around the world. Between us, we must own nearly every plastic and resin ship kit ever produced! So why doesn't every SMMLie, as a new year's resolution, commit to doing one kit review in the coming year? This way, none of us will ever have to buy a kit "sight-unseen" so to speak. We will all have an idea of what we are getting when we plunk our money down. While there's nothing wrong with threads discussing the newest Hollywood flicks, I sometimes wish there was more of the kind of stuff we had yesterday: people sharing techniques, critiquing books, and commenting on kits.... in additional to the discussions concerning the newest U-boat or Pearl Harbor film. For those who responded to my various recent queries: thank you very much. And to all SMMLies: wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season! And a special thanks to Shane Jenkins, for making this happen, day-in and day-out, all year long. We owe it all to you! Thanks! Yours truly, Michael Eisenstadt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Mike Settle Subject: Re: Lines for CSS Alabama >> I am trying to gather all of the known photographs and plans for this famous Confederate raider. The vessel was built in UK by Laird & Sons in 1862 and was also known as "Hull #290". I have managed to obtain enough info for a model except for the hull lines. Can someone send me copies of these in exchange for other information that I have? << A good place to start looking for info is the following site: http://www.lib.ua.edu/hoole/cssala/main.htm Mike Settle I am not agent #1908 of the non-existent Lumber Cartel (tinlc)tm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: LUCASNER@aol.com Subject: 1/192 USS Pringle questions Hey everyone, I'm gathering reference and building materials to build USS Pringle, a Fletcher class DD fitted with a catapult and have a few questions. #1 where can I get 1/192 P.E. radars, ladders, etc? #2 I'm planning on using THE SCALE SHIPYARD's 1/192 Fletcher Class hull, any feedback on what I'm getting myself into? What's the quality/accuracy like on this item? #3 Does anyone have, or know where I can obtain, photos of the Pringle's catapult and aircraft crane? Thanks everyone, Dave Lueck -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Devin J. Poore" Subject: Acrylic Airbrush Cleaner Someone was asking about what to use as an airbrush cleaner for acrylic paints (sorry I don't remember who and I've already cleaned out my email from the morning). Pick up some stuff from the hardware store called Simple Green, it's either in 1 gallon jugs or clear spray bottles. I put some in a jar and cut it about 50% with warm water. Between colors, or when you're about to put down the airbrush for more than a few minutes, shoot this mixture through the brush for 45 seconds or so straight, and do a back flush or two, and you'll be good to go. I also keep a similar jar around when I'm brush painting, cleans beautifully. Simple Green is totally biodegradable and does a fantastic job; I learned about it from my Navy days, it's what we used to clean turbine stack gas off of the missile illuminators. Devin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Ken Hoolihan Subject: Re: Seascapes from marmite Steve Wiper has let it be known {SMML 1098} that I use marmite as a modelling medium for realistic seascapes. Alas, this technique is still in the experimental stages but trials to date have been promising. If successful, I was hoping to reveal full details [amidst great fanfare] in a new book to be published by Classic Warships. The title was to be "101 Modelling Uses For Marmite - None of Which Involve Eating It". Steve insisted on the second part of the title being added, just to avoid any confusion. Merry Christmas to all Ken Hoolihan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Peter K. H. Mispelkamp Subject: Re: ARII 1/400 Scale Missouri/New Jersey Felix: Thanks for your post. I am going to my local hobby shop and order these ASAP. The attraction for me is that I will finally be able to add some 1/400 US battlewagons to my 1/400 fleet of WWII Allied and Axis battleships. My glue and paint strained memory tells me that I once saw some boxart on 1/400 scale UPC kits that advertised these two ships . Unfortunately, in those days - early 60's I was both far more interested in those damned winged things - (please forgive me!!). In addition, in those days I could buy a plane a week on my allowance - I would have had to save for months to get my hands on these mammoth kits. Since these Arii kits are 1/400 scale, because they have released exactly the same two members of the class that I remember, and also because Arii has a reputation for buying the products of long departed companies - my guess is that they are the old UPC molds. Check out the quality of their same scale Bismarck - the pics on the Hobbylink Japan site ( sure looks like the Kangnam Bismarck that has been making the rounds lately.) While I never built or examined these, I did build the UPC 1/400 Yamato in High School. I currently own the UPC Shinano. In my my opinion, the quality of these kits is probably passable - but far from exceptional. However, with modern replacement parts and some careful work they could be made into something acceptable. The plastic of my UPC Shinano seems to be far less flexible than the one used by Heller, Otaki, Mirage and Nichimo in that scale. It seems similar to that used by the kits released by Paramount and Hobby in 1/400. Also, UPC was big on working models, so these kits were designed to be motorized - complete with smoke generators! I only hope that Arii figures out a way to add to this line ( e.g. an Iowa, a Wisconsin - I wonder how difficult it would be the modify the Big Mo and the NJ to their sisters?) and wonder if Arii has managed to pick up some more 1/400 scale molds. If they have, those "collectible dealers" on Ebay may be in trouble! Does Arii have a web site? Sincerely Peter K. H. Mispelkamp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: Model Ship Journal The Winter 2000-2001 issue of Model Ship Journal is ready to ship and we will be preparing the mailing this week and next. Expect to see a number of authors whose names appear regularly in SMML. This thing is really taking off and Cindy and I are grateful to all of you who have made our shoestring venture a resounding success. We wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and a New Year brimming with good things. Warmest Holiday Regards, Victor Baca & Cindy Arnett MODEL SHIP JOURNAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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