Subject: SMML VOL 1101 Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 01:25:28 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Seascapes from marmite 2: Re:1/192 USS Pringle questions 3: White Ensign Models 1/350 USS Stoddert 4: Fly By 5: Re: white glue 6: Steve's Plea 7: Floating Drydock Plans 8: Re: Acrylics versus enamels 9: Happy holidays 10: Very informative site 11: Re: Please buy his books 12: Re: French carrier DE GAULLE 13: TV alert - Christmas viewing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Kit Reviews 2: Re: Kudos and a Suggestion! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: Seascapes from marmite Ken, This would be an excellent idea, if you could just finish one of your dioramas without eating it, on toast, of course! Kind of gives a new meaning to the term "Submarine Sandwich"! Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: AandMBlevins@gateway.net Subject: Re:1/192 USS Pringle questions Hello Dave, Since you are planning to build in 1/192 (1/16 inch =1 foot) scale, and need a hull, radars, ladder, etc, why not just go with BlueJacket ShipCrafter's USS kidd? It comes with all of the above and more. You can get an after market catapult from any one of several photoetch vendors. Al Blevins -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Preston L Hassler Subject: White Ensign Models 1/350 USS Stoddert Just received the White Ensign Models 1/350 USS Stoddert, DDG 22, Charles F. Adams class destroyer, 1989 fit. It is a very fine kit, I highly recommend it, if you are into this era. It has a two piece hull, split at the waterline. Also has separate superstructure, stack housings and bridge, all of which have keyed fits for exact placement/assembly. It has two sheets of etched brass, including very fine railings, antennae etc. Additional resin parts are cast attached to a "sprue bar". The resin is holeless, no pits, runs or errors. Propellers are etched brass, I would probably prefer cast resin or metal. There cast metal parts, including the mast asssembly, all of which are very clean. It is a beautiful kit. Skip Hassler Ps: Steve W, I have one copy of all of your books to date, and will keep on buying. They are great photographic references. It is an excellent service you do for us SMML's. Many thanks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Robert Healy" Subject: Fly By Greetings to all, I thought one or two of you may be interested in seeing this. A bit long but interesting. I have not been able to locate the mystery E-Mail sent to the Kitty Hawk. There may not have been one (which would explain why no one has seen it first person ), but if I do see it I will post the address here. Regeards to All, Bob Healy >> From: "Mazzafro, Joseph M." Save Address - Subject: (nipmail) RE: Ground Truth....Migs over the Kitty Hawk Another view of the Kitty Hawk SOJ overflight flap. Maybe it wasn't as bad as first reported. As I recall though the Bacon press briefings on this, I was under the impression that the Pentagon was at least intitially surprised by what happened. Use to be part of the rules that a voice report went our immediately when the BG had organic sensor contact then a regular stream of "rainform" reds issued during the duration of the evolution and a "rainform" black within 24 hours summarizing the event. joemaz >> From: Kauderer, H. Todd >Subject: Ground Truth....Migs over the Kitty Hawk FYI. v/r Todd >>> From: John Manser [mailto:Manser.John@Orbital.COM] Subject: Ground Truth....Migs over the Kitty Hawk For those several of you who may have been following this story...All the best, Spike Hi...This is a must read for all of who got the recent email. Trotter "Trots" is a former CO of Top Gun, was until recently CAG on CVS 63 Constellation, and is a friend of mine. It's amazing to me how we all, at least I do, knee jerk to the position of accepting a lot of crap on the email system which is largely critical of everything these days. This correction right from the source reminds me of the need to dig a bit deeper into some of these stories...John <<< >>>>> From: Trots001@aol.com[SMTP:Trots001@aol.com] Subject: Ground Truth....Migs over the Kitty Hawk Trots, The story was written by the MO of VFA-195. I won't even go into the credibility the author had or has in CVW-5. Shifty is right -- it's a fabrication. The author embellished the story, to his bud, so much that it became full of falsehoods. You know 10 minutes becomes 60 minutes, Hornet becomes Prowler which becomes COD, 50 miles becomes 10 miles, 2000 feet becomes 200 feet, 300 kts becomes 700 kots in the break. You know what I mean. I'm sure in a year or so the story will be even better. It is now one of those emails the guy wishes he never sent. It is safe to say, the email was a crock and grossly embellished. A matter of fact, nothing in it is accurate. Here's some tidbits -- these guys were intercepted long before they got even close by the Japanese Air Defense Force (F-15s). We were in waters just off the coast of Japan not Russia. We had them on the radar, as well as the Japanese Fighters who intercepted them. Alerts 30s were launched in the prescribed time and these guys were intercepted. They have pictures of the ship and we have pictures of them. We even have gun video. Everyone did exactly what they were signed up to do. The sissy pilot is our SFTI who is one of the finest BFM guys anyone has ever seen. He wouldn't even waste his time fighting the author because it would be over in 90 deg of turn. He was perfect in execution. Tell all the nay sayers out there, the email was a fabricated story from a real world event. The only person who didn't know what was going on and got caught with his pants down is the author of the original email. Please tell everyone -- it's BS, that's why the Pentagon is not making a big deal of it. We've already had to spend Way too much time on this because of the email. Hope this fills you in to the real story. :-) VR/Beav <<<<< -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: white glue From: "J.Pasquill" wrote: >> 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. << Testors makes an equivalent for gluing canopies it comes in that black trapezoidal shaped container with the pointed spout. Works great as a seam filler/fillet former Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Ned Barnett" Subject: Steve's Plea >> Thanks, and would everyone please buy one of my books! Steve Wiper << Steve - I have bought all of them ... damned glad I did, too ... Keep 'em coming! Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Ned Barnett" Subject: Floating Drydock Plans Last night, I was writing a review of some new Floating Drydock http://www.floatingdrydock.com) plans for my new IPMS/USA ship column, which I'm taking off Rusty White's capable but overworked hands. While I want you all to read the column, I can't in good conscience not say something here - these plans are beyond superb! The 1/92 USS Atlanta is mind-boggling (it's the biggest of the three, and has the most detail ... and I'm planning to build the Atlanta in her last-day's fit) ... the USS Greenling is a one-sheet masterpiece on a US mid-war fleet sub ... and that minesweeper, the USS Notable - that's another masterpiece. A quick study of those plans show how these rugged little ships were able to fend off Kamikazes and other nasties ... You can read all about them in my column - but if you need these plans, don't wait. Thanks, Tom, for the review copies ... Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Kelvin Mok" Subject: Re: Acrylics versus enamels "Jens H. Brandal" >> There seems to be a common opinion on the SMML that acrylics are too fast-drying for successful brush-painting, but as I mentioned a way of delaying the drying of acrylics to get better results when painting by brush; are there any other means to achieve satisfactory results when brushpainting acrylics? << Go to the artists' supplies shop. Among the back shelves will be a collection of non descript jars (black letters on white labels) of acrylic paint modifiers like air brush medium, GAC100, 200, GESSO, etc. I have all of them but haven't found an application yet where they improve my painting skills to make me use them. This is because there is a product called ACRYLIC RETARDER (sometimes labelled as Acrylic Extender) that does all I will ever want to make an indifferent paint job look artistically professional. I now prefer brush painting to air brushing - which also cuts out a lot of set-up and clean-up time. The retarder looks and feels like colourless hair gel. It mixes freely with hobby or artists tube acrylics. Thin it with the retarder and you have longer working time without compromising the adhesiveness or pigment density of the paint. You can even use it to restore old paint that had most of its carrier medium dried out. Better still. As a gel the brushed on paint won't run so you can brush on lines of different shades and colours with various degrees of blending to simulate depth, weathering or wear and tear. Scratch the paint on you car for example. The scratch colour will look like a white line with a colour tint that you cannot duplicate on a model by mixing the factory colour with white. I can simulate that scratch appearance by dry brushing with white on the fresh paint and then painting over that with a very thinned coat of the original paint mixed with retarder. The best part is when the model is finally done brushing on a complete coat of retarder will bring all the paint to the same degree of reflectance, the various matte and glossy paints will now all appear as if they had been printed on with a "Goldilocks" effect - a satin finish that is not too gloss, not too matte.. A long time ago there was a post with very much the same praise for Future Wax. I did not have too satisfactory results with the only time I tried FW. But with Artists' Acrylic Retarder I have found a product I wish I had discovered ages ago. >> One problem I've had with the Aeromaster acrylic matt and satin varnishes is that of cleaning the airbrush. I certainly don't find that plain water does the job, and household ammonia are OK, with methylated spirits also working reasonably well. I haven't tried the "coloured" Aeromaster paints, but the Tamiya paints do solve easily with methylated spirits. Any suggestions for cleaning out the goo that the Aeromaster clear leaves if unattended for too long (and I'm not even talking half an hour here!) << The methylated spirits and ammonia formulas I find evaporate too quickly to retain their effectiveness as cleaners. On your problem of cleaning air brushes I do so immediately after a paint job. The paint cup is removed and I squirt water (or solvent) into the air brush as air is run through it. The squirt was originally from a camera lens cleaner rubber squeeze bulb. A plastic bottle from a hair dye dispenser which has a screw on spout top is a cheaper and more convenient tool I now use. Use a napkin to soak off the meniscus at the air brush tip else that little bit of solution will be enough to clog the tip. I complained to the shop clerk (a fine arts undergrad) that I had a big problem with cleaning my brushes, especially the very fine ones. Even the slightest bit of paint left on it would dry up and stiffen the hairs that they become brittle enough to break off. That's very frustrating and expensive. His recommendation was to use a cleaning solution comprising ordinary liquid dish soap and vinegar. The mix I use is 1 teaspoon of soap and 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a mug of water. I had no problem with losing brush hairs or brush hair flexibility so far. >> There have been some valid comments on the favourable characteristics of acrylics vs. enamels, and to throw in some support for enamels; they cure faster than acrylics. Note that I said "cure", not "dry". Even several weeks after painting, the surface of Tamiya acrylics is softer than an enamel painted one. << The humidity in my place is around 50% which may be why I have never experienced your problem. But going back to the acrylic retarder that stuff is a miracle product. I can handle the painted surface within five minutes. Kelvin Mok -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: isublett@home.com Subject: Happy holidays To all SMMLs: Good holidays whatever you are celebrating during this time! Pirie Sublett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: HANKE2@aol.com Subject: Very informative site I just got interested in 1/350 scale ships and your site is great. I have been working on the large Revel Cutty Sark again for a year....5th attempt after the 1st one was thrown into a wall, long story. I am working on a 1/350 Tamiya of the Flechter and this will be my first attempt at brass etched detail. Due to the fact I didn't know what I wanted for christmas I am also getting the Missouri, Bismark and Tirpitz and I ordered a detail set for all. You tips are great and the help in you tip's and hint's has helped. Thanks and Happy Holidays Karsten -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: Re: Please buy his books >> Thanks, and would everyone please buy one of my books! << OK Steve; Which one?? Merry Christmas to all Chuck Duggie WoodenWalls Listmeister Naval wargamer, amateur naval historian, and ship modeler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: Re: French carrier DE GAULLE >> Maybe the lonely Maytag repairman can get a consulting job with the French navy. << Hi; They can also option the Energizer Bunny in case the reactor goes out. Chuck Duggie WoodenWalls Listmeister Naval wargamer, amateur naval historian, and ship modeler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Simon Wolff" Subject: TV alert - Christmas viewing Hi you all.. Hi there sub fans.. For those in Australia who have cable TV, 'National Geographic' channel (channel 18) is showing "The Raising of U-534' on Christmas Day.... also repeated on Boxing Day. May one and all have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2001 (and not just talking here about money folks).. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!! - special good luck to those single members seeking new prospects (and better luck) - time to build up some steam in the boilers... Simon Wolff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Dunn, Michael W" Subject: Kit Reviews Michael Eisenstadt (maeisen@erols.com) wrote: >> 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. << Well,Michael & all SMMLies - that is one of the reasons behind the web site...... Over the last few months I have had to concentrate more on "real world" stuff, eg work, exams, etc, than the site (other than the regular Archives & the odd item), but now that I have passed my last exam I have been working on completing the revamp of the site. I am always interested in being sent reviews of kits, etc, especially if people can supply some imagery - this isn't to say that I don't want reviews with NO images!! In addition, I am always interested in a "building review", and the revamp will have several of these, mainly aimed at those who are building the 1/72 Snowberry at the moment. More of this style will be welcomed with open arms! I am aware that a lot of the review content reflect my interests, but this is mainly due to a lack of submissions in these areas. I would like to greatly extend this aspect - but this is totally up to yourselves. If few people take 15 minutes to look at a kit and write a short Out Of The Box review, then there will be few on the site. However, if people DO make a little effort and mail it in.......! I hope that, with the new-look and a slight expansion on what we cover on the site (you'll have to wait until re-launch!), we will be able to double the current content within the next year. Seeing as we are currently at about 20MB in the Archives and another 20MB within the main site, this would be quite an achievement! If anyone would like to write any articles or reviews but are not certain as to what we would like, or whether we would run it, please email me with your ideas. I am open to new suggestions for improving the site. Mike SMML Webmaster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: drwells@hogpb.mt.att.com (David R Wells) Subject: Re: Kudos and a Suggestion! Michael Eisenstadt (maeisen@erols.com) wrote: >> 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. << I agree with Mike on this, and if I may be so bold, Rajen's List is set up for exactly that purpose. If you write the reviews, and give us permission to use them, Joe Poutre (current editor) and I will be glad to add them to the list. As you look through the list, you'll see that lots of SMMLies have already contributed. More reviews are always welcome. Rajen's list is still at: http://www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/shiprevs.html David R. Wells Former editor of Rajen's List "There seems to be something wrong | David R. Wells with our bloody ships today" | AT&T Middletown, NJ Adm. D. Beatty, May 31, 1916 | http://home.att.net/~WellsBrothers/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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