Subject: SMML VOL 1122 Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2001 23:02:34 -0800 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Higgins boat 2: NNT 3: Re: Photo etch 4: Re: Photo etch /U.S.S. SULLIVANS DD 537 5: Re: Newcastle (again) 6: S-Boats and other antiques 7: Panay and Asiatic Squadron Gunboats 8: One Last Request - Info on USN Ops in the PI - late 30s-early 42 9: Re: Aircraft carrier deck vehicles 10: Re: Using photoetch 11: Rigging, Hasegawa, Reviews and a Question 12: Ironclads 13: Re: Photo etch 14: Re: Site for Virginia Class information 15: Trumpeter Nimitz Class 16: NNT 17: Skytrex Counties/Waveline Barham/NNT Models 18: Re: NNT 19: German High Sea Fleet painting scheme 20: NNT 21: Look what I got!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: ALROSS2@aol.com Subject: Re: Higgins boat >> In my perusal of "U.S. Small Combatants" I found the Higgins "Hellcat" (PT 564) on page 150. Two naked fish per side, a single gun aft and MGs either side (?) and a bit aft the conn. Does the drawing show a short foredeck? The photo also shows a radar on a short mast. << PT 564 was an intriguing craft, as it had some interesting departures from contemporary construction. To me, one of the more unusual features was the cockpit area. Rather than being on the main deck level, it was a foot or so below, which allowed the designers to lower the profile of the superstructure. As designed, it carried four MK13 torpedoes on roll-off racks, a 20mm aft, and the usual pair of twin .50 MK17 mounts. At some point, a pair of .50s were bolted to the fore deck. Al Ross -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: NNT Hi John I found the Web Page only gave you a German version but managed to find the list of ships I was looking for. I didn't order by e-mail but actually rang them and they sent me the model I ordered in about 7 days. I would suggest trying a phone call. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: ALROSS2@aol.com Subject: Re: Photo etch >> I am VERY new to PE and I really dont want to trash any more of this lovely stuff because of my lack of experience. Is/are there ANY good reference works on this medium? << Try Mike Ashey's Basics of Ship Modeling, published by Kalmbach. He has a chapter on using PE. Al Ross -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: Photo etch /U.S.S. SULLIVANS DD 537 >> Can someone please help me? Is/are there ANY good reference works on this medium? << You'll want to pick up a copy of Mike Ashey's "Basics of Ship Modeling: The Illustrated Guide" (Kalmbach Books, 2000). Also, Loren Perry of Gold Medal Models has a softcover book available on the subject; I can't seem to locate mine at the moment, so can't give you the title citation, but it should still be available from Gold Medal Models. >> COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT PAINT SCHEME WAS USED ON THIS SHIP IN WWll? SURE WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP ON THIS. << According to Al Ross in his definitive work on THE SULLIVANS, from February 1943 to her AA refit in August 1945, she was in Measure 21, overall Navy Blue 5-N (actually, Al says she was in Measure 11, Sea Blue, but we know now that was not the cast). After her AA refit she painted up in Measure 22, using Navy Blue 5-N and Haze Gray 5-H. Decks and horizontal surfaces for both Measures would have been Deck Blue 20-B. Shameless plug: these colors are covered in our U.S. Navy Set 1 paint chips. John Snyder Snyder & Short Enterprises The Paint Guys http://www.shipcamouflage.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "J. London" Subject: Re: Newcastle (again) It is my turn to differ with Michael Dunn who, I guess, is from Sunderland or thereabouts. The Tyne Bridge was opened in October 1928, the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932. The engineers in both cases were Dorman Long. I don't know when the Wearmouth Bridge was opened but it is of very similar design. The first railways were colliery lines and came well before the Stockton & Darlington Railway, the first passenger-carrying line. The gauge we use to this day, 4ft 8.5in, is based on the colliery tramways which, in turn, were based on the ruts left by the chariots of Roman times. As for merchant shipbuilding Newcastle was ahead of Sunderland for most of the first half of the 20th Century. Sunderland was ahead in 1919 and 1936-38 and 1961-65. I am from Newcastle but my great-grandfather was from Sunderland. He was the step-son of Thomas Routledge who owned the Ford paper mill which lasted I believe until 1970. He was married in South Hylton. I have to admit though that Sunderland has the better soccer team this year. Michael London -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Ned Barnett" Subject: S-Boats and other antiques Hello - I'm looking for useful references (books, plans, websites) for both technical/design and operational information on S-Boats and other pre-Fleet USN submarines (this should include the classes that preceded the S-Boats which were used for training in the pre-war and early-war era). Thanks for any and all help on this - Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Ned Barnett" Subject: Panay and Asiatic Squadron Gunboats Another Help request - I'm looking for design and operational information on the Asiatic fleet in the mid-30s through early 42 - and especially (though not exclusively) the Panay. Design/plans, books, websites, videos - you name it, I'm trying to get it. Any ideas, sources, leads - please help. Thanks Ned Hi Ned, Check out the SMML website for pictures of Bob Santos's Panay in the Member's Models section. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Ned Barnett" Subject: One Last Request - Info on USN Ops in the PI - late 30s-early 42 If you have any sources (books, ship or facility plans, operational info, websites, etc.) of USN ops in the PI from the late 1930s through early '42, please let me know what's available out there. Many thanks Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: DJParkins@aol.com Subject: Re: Aircraft carrier deck vehicles Could we just correct two errors in this posting. Although PP Aeroparts ceased trading - the ranges of 72nd & 48th products are all still available - they have been part of our Flightpath range since we purchased PP Aeroparts in 1996. Incidentally, the person behind the excellent PP range was Tim Perry [not Tim Richards, as the posting states] Also mentioned are some USN vehicles which we released after the Gulf War. This is news to us - however, what we did produce was a US Navy Deck Set - tie-downs, wheel chocks & tow-bar [1993]+ a range of USN weapons trolleys [1998]. Far from being 'long gone' - these [like the ex-PP products] are all still in our Flightpath range, together with USN Deck Sets in 72nd & 48th. David & Yvonne Parkins www.djparkins.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Mike Connelley Subject: Re: Using photoetch Howdy: I think every ship modeler at one time had similar troubles with photoetch. The only book about using photoetch that I'm aware of is written by Lorren Perry of GMM. I haven't read it, so I can't comment on how useful it'll be. Regarding folding photoetch, there is a tool called a "Hold and Fold" which retails for around $40 which does what it says. It makes it easier to make sharp folds in photoetch more precisely than without it. I've heard it's the best thing since sliced bread, but haven't used it myself. Other than that, the best tools are a good pair of tweesers (I use and recommend the X-acto cross action variety) and lots of patience! Cheers Mike Connelley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: RhinoBones@aol.com Subject: Rigging, Hasegawa, Reviews and a Question Want to send out a thank you to each and everyone who provided help with my questions regarding sailing ship rigging (to wax or not to wax) and the Hasegawa CL's. It is the friendly and knowledgeable people of the SMML collective that makes this hobby so enjoyable. There have also been a number of unsolicited kit reviews and opinions offered by the members. I appreciate each and every review and I am sure that many other members also appreciate the reviews. Mighty fine work . . . you should have been a Marine. As for the poles on aircraft carries, which have been misidentified as antennae, we Marines all know that these things are really fishing poles. They use them to snag guppies and subs. Question for today . . . what is the proper use of 2-bar railing vs 3-bar railing? Do different levels of ships historically have different railing configurations or is this peculiar to individual ships? Also, when someone describes 2 or 3 bar railing, are they also counting the bar which is glued to the ship structure? Does 2-bar railing actually have three bars . . . one of which becomes invisible when it is affixed to the ship? What I am looking for is a definition of terms so that I can understand what I read on SMML and the web. Regards, RhinoBones -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Sam Pullig Subject: Ironclads I've meant to make this post since last summer, my son is doing the typing for me since I am so poor at it. I want to list out the books that I have that I think are essential to a good understanding of the post-WARRIOR to the DREADNOGHT era. I am missing my old books on the Russo-Japanese War and the Sino-Japanese War, but I think I have the rest. 1. British Battleships by Dr. Oscar Parks - the first "real" book I read after the Ian Allen series in the mid sixties. Still an excellent place to start. 2. Battleships in Action by H.W. Wilson - two volumes purchased a year ago on sale at one of the book chains published by Conway. Believe volume 1 is his ironclad book updated in 1926 to take us through the war. Good coverage. 3. Ironclads at War: The Origin and Development of the Armored Warship, 1854-1891 by Greene and Massignani - I passed this up @ the used and 1/2 priced bookstores for over a yr thinking it was just a rehash of the US Civil War. It's by far the best coverage of the small wars during the second half of the 19th century. It's cheap everyone needs to get a copy. 4. War at Sea in the Ironclad Age by Richard Hill - I agree with the other writers on the list its text, if not weak, is at least not better than the other books but it does have great maps and drawings. 5. The American Steel Navy by John Alden - A must book on the American Navy like the other writer said this week, the best photos in any recent book. Dont we wish we could take photos like they did in 1900. 6. American Battleships 1886-1923 by Reilly, Jr. And Scheina - The only recent book on American pre-dreadnoghts that I am aware of. 7. U.S. Armored Cruisers: A Design of Operational History by Ivan Musicant - Same as above, reference our armored cruisers. 8. Warrior to Dreadnoght by D.K. Brown - One of the Conway books. Excellent. 9. Steam, Steel & Shellfire: The Steam Warship 1815-1905 a Conway book-Excellent. 10. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905 - Ought to be @ #4 or 5 on the list instead of the bottom. I know that there are a number of other books. I think I saw a couple of books on French Cruisers and Battleships on EBay the other day. It's too bad some of these books are out of print and just not available to most people. I've long ago given up thinking I would ever make a modeller but still would like to think of myself as a good "reader" in Naval History. Sam Pullig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Mike Settle Subject: Re: Photo etch >> Is/are there ANY good reference works on this medium? << Gold Medal Models publishes a good book on the use of photo etch. You can check it out on GMM's web page at: http://www.goldmm.com/ships/shipsbook.htm >> I've seen reviews extolling the virtues of various manufactureres including WEM,GMM,DJParkins but have NOT seen any articles/books on the subject. << This is a good place to ask about the virtues or the vices of any kit on the market. >> I've used Super glue and I have also soldered the items. The latter certainly leads to a stronger finished item. But, are there any tools to make the job of bending and holding easier? << There is also a company that has a photo etch bending tool. I have not yet purchased this tool myself, but I have seen some good reviews about it. http://www.thesmallshop.com/#mid Good luck. Mike Settle I am not agent #1908 of the non-existent Lumber Cartel (tinlc)tm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: doug brown Subject: Re: Site for Virginia Class information >> Is this a Seawolf class or improved LosAngeles? Are there any drawings or sites... << Here is a great site for more information on this NSSN Virginia class. http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/nssn/index.html In fact,if you link to http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ you'll find information on a wide range of projects from many countries. Doug -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Rod Dauteuil" Subject: Trumpeter Nimitz Class I did a review of the Trumpeter Nimitz class, which is now on the "Rajen" ship list. Here's the link: http://www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/rajen.html and they usually list for around $45.00. Be careful and don't pay too much for this. Rod -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Jana & Pavel" Subject: NNT Dear John, I have ordered from them on two occasions and have been completely satisfied. They do sometimes take a few days to reply to e-mails. As for ordering, they do prefer to receive a fax, I remember, due to credit card security. At least, that is how I do it. The staff also reads, speaks and writes English, so go ahead and order in English. My latest kits were from them, a review of one appeared a few days ago on SMML. Their Tel # is (code for Germany) 7763 / 4305 Fax # (code for Germany) 7763 / 919018 Best of luck, Regards Pavel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: maeisen@erols.com Subject: Skytrex Counties/Waveline Barham/NNT Models Folks: Another outstanding issue yesterday. There must have been at least 4 or 5 kit reviews. Keep up the good work guys! I'll review the HP Models HMS Legion kit when it arrives from NNT models in a few weeks. Thanks to Russ Smith for his detailed review of the Skytrex HMS Berwick. This was very useful. Is there anybody else out there who has bought any of the Skytrex WWII Country class cruisers that would like to share their impressions? I think many of us would be interested! I also heartily endorse Yohan Fernando's review of the Waveline 1/700 HMS Barham kit. I have built this kit--it's primed and awaits the airbrush--and it is simply superb, despite its "age." The main armament and 4" secondary are simply beautiful. I think these are the most accurate and finely done renditions of these weapons produced by anyone to date. The 4" guns not only have nicely done shields and gun breaches, they even have recessed and raised detailing on the bottoms--where no one can see! I'm surprised we don't see more features about this kit. As for the request from John Rule for contact information for NNT, I found that the following e-mail address works best: mailto:NNTModell@t-online.de Their web site lists another address which I had less success with. I find that NNT however, is very responsive to messages sent to the above address. Don't give up; my experience thus far with them has been quite satisfactory. Best wishes, Mike Eisenstadt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: Marc Flake Subject: Re: NNT John: I used them several months ago to order a Samek Alaska. I had the same misgivings you did, but they did reply to my email in English, reassuring me that I had indeed ordered what I thought I had ordered. I don't remember how long it took for the kit to get here, but I don't recall waiting more than a couple of weeks. Marc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Henry T Chen" Subject: German High Sea Fleet painting scheme Hello everyone, Does anyone have a suggestion for a good reference book(s) on painting WWI German High Sea Fleet? It's probably not a new question, forgive me if I missed it in searching at the archives. Henry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Mark Sloan Subject: NNT I have bought quite a number of HP Models from NNT which came to me in the US through three big shipments. I have always received what I ordered (if it yet existed), although I agree with you that lately their responses to e-mail are less than timely. Mark Sloan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: Mistress Lorna Subject: Look what I got!! Hi everyone, Just before the poor computer decided it needed a holiday, a thread was about to start on "what did you get for Christmas" Now we're back but I'm still curious :-) To start things off: I got a couple of gorgeous WW1 biplanes (sadly no ICM Konig) while Shane got the 1/700 USS Lexington by Fujimi and a book on RAN capital ships. Not a bad haul I reckon, particularly as we got a joint present in the form of a book on German Bombers of WW1. So ......... Did anyone get any cool plastic or resin under the tree this year? Mistress Lorna -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, 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