Subject: SMML VOL 1141 Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 23:58:47 -0800 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: WW II memories 2: USS Mindoro 3: Re: USS Oregon Ventilators 4: IJN Yukikaze 5: Re: Skipjack 6: Re: Resin Pedestals 7: Re: fresnel lenses 8: model pedestals source 9: Re: Modelers Boatyard 10: MacEvil and AutoCAD ship design 11: Mystery Cruiser Not San Francisco (I don't think) 12: Obscure question 13: Mislabelled caption in Warship Pictorial #9 (Yorktown class carriers) 14: Re: Screws,threads and pedestals 15: Talking to Vets 16: fresnel lens 17: USCG Bear 18: Corvette Art 19: Gyatt 20: Re: Fresnel lens 21: Re: Fresnel lens 22: Modellers Boatyard 23: CV-6 photos 24: Combat Fleets of the World Update -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: Re: WW II memories Since there have been several emails detailing the incorrect memories of the WW II sailor I would like to point out to you a great book called "Old Man in a Baseball Cap". It is a very interesting collection of WW II stories written by a guy who as a young man was a navigator in a B-24. One that strikes me is his recollection of the trip they made down to South America to the tip of Brazil, then across the Atlantic (the shortest distance across) and then his very detailed memories of each refueling stop up through Africa until they reached their base. He remembers everything as if it were yesterday. Then he tells us he checked his log books and it didn't happen that way at all. Human memories are frail things !!!! I thank him anyway. Cheers, Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "chenyangzhang" Subject: USS Mindoro Hi Andy USS Mindoro was a Commencement Bay Class Escort Carrier (CVE120) launched on 27.6.45. Displacement was 10,900 tons, Dimensions 525 feet (wl) 557 (oa) 75 feet width and 30.5 feet draft. She was driven by 2 shaft geared turbines with an SHP of 16,000 which gave her a speed of 19 knots. Armament was 2 x 5 inch, 36 x 40 mm and about 20 x 20 mm. They carried 34 aircraft. The squadron/signal publication Escort Carriers in Action has a photo of Mindoro in 1950 round about the time your friend served on her. This gives more information on the whole class and is worth having. According to my sources Mindoro was scrapped at Hong Kong in September 1960. Chris Langtree -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: GKingzett@aol.com Subject: Re: USS Oregon Ventilators Red inside the ventilators is as accurate as I could make it. The US Navy's ship models for the period in question all show red. See the models of various ships in the Smithsonian posted at Steelnavy.com. I personally visited several museums which show the same. The only color picture I can find which shows red is a colorized postcard on the back of Stan Cohen's Images of the Spanish American War. Of course the color was added by an artist, but it was done at the time so is probably correct. My Oregon depicts 1905 with the raised stacks, but prior to the cage mainmast. Gary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Kcompany@webtv.net (Marvin Reichman) Subject: IJN Yukikaze I am building the Nichimo Kagero class. This is the one in 1/200 scale. I am not sure what color the main deck should be. I have a reference book called "The World War II Warship Guide" Which seems to indicate the deck is wood. All the ships are in color and the deck is linoleum or wood. I have learned not to trust some of these beautifully done coffee table books. I would think that the deck would be steel. If anyone can shed light on this matter I would appreciate it. Thanks for your help Marvin Infantry Queen Of Battle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Craig R Bennett Subject: Re: Skipjack Hi Guys Concerning the release of the Skipjack. It seems Monogram orginially bought the molds from Aurora after it's owner Nabisco sold Aurora. The molds were put on a train but this derailed damaging some molds. Monogram never said what survivned the wreck but Monogram did destroy molds of kits that they felt were inferior after recieveing them. Now about the Skipjack she built in 1958-9? What ever happened to the Skipjack? Any one know? Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Ken Goldman" Subject: Re: Resin Pedestals If you were to buy your IBM clone computer at the Golden Arches, would it be a MacPC? Sorry, Shane. Now to the point. Ed Grune is right about resin pedestals, if you want a true metal look they are not worth the trouble. The metal-filled resin castings he referred to are called cold-cast bronze. This is primarily used for inexpensive sculpture reproduction and consists of a mixture of hard (somewhat brittle) polyester resin and the appropriate metal dust. It looks good, but don't drop it! Another method uses marble dust instead of metal. So, for ship pedestals, with the real thing available, why bother with a simulation? Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER unique wood sculpture and fine scale models www.walruscarpenter.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Ken Goldman" Subject: Re: fresnel lenses The best way to get lighthouse/lightship fresnel lenses in any scale is to craft a master in the appropriate scale and configuration, make a mold, and then cast your lenses using clear polyester casting resin. Another technique would be to turn (as on a lathe) the correct diameter acrylic rod, then polish it and give it a coating of Clear Floor Finish. I haven't tried this quite that large, but I have made lenses from clear sprue using this method via a 150 year old hand-cranked drill press and a piece of window glass as a scraper. Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER unique wood sculpture and fine scale models www.walruscarpenter.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Ken Goldman" Subject: model pedestals source Model Expo sells both brass and wood display pedestals. Wood ones 1 1/8" and 2 5/8" are $2.49 each. Brass ones range from 7/8" to 1 3/8" at $3.49 each. They also have some 1/2" brass ones in a four-pack at $2.49. They are drilled through and are notched at the top to accept a keel. http://www.modelexpo-online.com/ Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER unique wood sculpture and fine scale models www.walruscarpenter.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: MetroLimo@aol.com Subject: Re: Modelers Boatyard >> A little help, please. Where can we find the brass pedestals on this site? << Marc. Go to this web site to find brass pedestals. http://www.modelersboatyard.com/Fittings/display_pedestals.htm Good luck Barry Rudd Fair Lawn, NJ Metrolimo@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Ned Barnett Subject: MacEvil and AutoCAD ship design If God had meant man to have a Macintosh, She would have made sure the snake would have talked Adam (not Eve) into taking the first, fatal Byte ... So let's drop this contentious religious debate and move on to talking about ships ships (BTW - It has been reliably reported that Noah's marine architect - you know who - used a PC-based AUTOCAD system to design the Ark - it's His plans that I'm using in building my scratch-built 1/293 Ark). St. Ned of Windows Prophet without Profit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Mystery Cruiser Not San Francisco (I don't think) >> Reference books not handy but my choice would be San Francisco (CA38). Kamikaze incident was in April '45 I believe. << John, Unless there are two, this isn't the Mystery Cruiser I had in mind. HINT - She fought at Empress Augusta Bay Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject: Obscure question Hiya gang, I have a _really_ obscure question, and I'm hoping someone can point me to an answer. I need to know if the helo deck on a USN Wichita class AOR was rated to land an H-53. The reason is putting a variety of helos on the flight decks of my USS New Jersey SAG. I made 1/700 H-53, but not even the Big J was rated to land one, and I only found that out after I spent 2 hours building the teeny tiny model helo. I've surfed the web for this info, but come up with naught. I tried the FAS site, but since the AORs are retired, the information is very terse. Heck, even a photo of an H-53 on the deck of an AOR would be proof enough. Thanks all, Joe Poutre -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Douglas Simpkin Subject: Mislabelled caption in Warship Pictorial #9 (Yorktown class carriers) Steve Wiper has done such a great job with the Warship Pictorial series that his one minor miscue sticks out like a sore thumb. Page 31 of Warship Pictorial #9 (Yorktown class carriers) shows an Enterprise deck-full of SBDs with a few F4Fs at the bow. The planes carry the "star with red meat ball" insignia in a confused variety of sizes. Some planes even have different sized stars on each wing. The caption says this is from "...about the time of the Guadalcanal invasion [i.e., August 1942]." This is clearly wrong. The insignia date the photo to the confused days of early 1942, about the time of the Wake Island raids in February. By Coral Sea the insignia had been rationalized, and by Midway (June) the red meat balls were gone. As an aside, the photo shows a number of SBDs with their "greenhouse" canopies covered with tarps. I recall one author claiming this was to protect the glass. My guess is that in those early post-Pearl Harbor days the idea was to cut down on the sun's reflections, which might otherwise give a Jap scout an early indication that the ship was a carrier. Any other ideas? Otherwise, great photo albums, Steve! Keep 'em coming. Doug -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: CA139JOHNF@aol.com Subject: Re: Screws,threads and pedestals Now that all you guys have spent who knows how much time looking for 1/4-20or 28 UNC or UNF or NC or NF or NPT or MM or whatever else never mind how much gas has been expended going from store to store keeping you from doing what you would rather do, building models, whew..... Please look at Model Expo's pedestals which I have used for years. Easy to use, easy to get, and nice looking. http://www.modelexpoinc.com/dir/search.html?searchstring=pedestals Can someone tell me what color gray was used by the Canadian shipbuilders on those Flower class corvettes as delivered before they put the camo schemes on them? John Frohock USNSM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "John Rule" Subject: Talking to Vets >> The one thing I clearly remember about our conversations, was the painting of the ships. He said at the end of the day they use to just chuck the brushes in to the water and that there would be hundreds of them floating around. Can you imagine doing that in today's eco-conscious society? << My Vet friend's memories are somewhat different. After dropping his brush in the water while painting HMS Malaya he was fined a day's wages. Must have been a tougher CO. John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Shirley Sachsen Subject: fresnel lens >> My question regards the Fresnel lens light. Are there any suggestions for constructing this? In 1:1 scale its a stack of polished optical glass lenses. I'm working in 1:192 scale - directly from the Journal's plans. << how about model train fixtures? I recall a Lionel lamp cover for a switch that was cast in a fresnel type pattern. maybe there's something among that ilk of scale railroading fittings that might fill the bill. or if you really get enterprising, have a chat with a lens grinder :-) s -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Mark C Krumrey" Subject: USCG Bear Greeting list: I think I was on the Bear in 1995. I know I was on a Coast Guard Cutter that was berthed at governers island in New York, and it was big, and the XO was a prior enlisted Marine. One of the things that should be emphasized is that the Helos are sort of transient. So, The one supplied with the kit, could have been on the Bear at one point in its life. As we all know the model is a snapshot of the real thing. So, we don't want to get to dogmatic about what Helo's are on the vessels at any given time. Yes they do have a hangar and some maintenance capabilities. As I recall, (memory) the decks are the same color as the USN. I did notice that it had the same smell as a USN Vessel. I was taken by the pristine condition of the USCG vessels. I was on one in Norfolk, and it was very clean. When I saluted the National ensign and requested to come aboard, I was greeted with a rather quizical look by the OD, and granted permission. I think they are a little more laid back than the USN. Mark Krumrey MGYSGT USMCR (ret.) New Richmond WI -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Corvette Art Bob Pearson wrote - >> The February issue of Internet Modeler is now live. This time around we have the following naval content: Flower class corvettes, IJN MInekaze, and more Flower class corvettes. << I urge anybody interested in Flower class corvettes to view Bob's wonderful color profiles -- featuring a variety of camouflage schemes. MWL Alexandria, VA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Gyatt Tim Brooks asked - >> I was about to ask the list if anyone had any idea if a scale drawing of any sort might exist for Gyatt as DDG-1? I would like to model this on the Albatross hull. If I get real ambitious (and a decent drawing or plan) I am considering kitting the conversion in resin. Anybody able to help? << There are some photos in both Friedman's "US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History" and Sumrall's "Sumner-Gearing Class Destroyers" but I've not been able to find a drawing. MWL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Fresnel lens >> My question regards the Fresnel lens light. Are there any suggestions for constructing this? In 1:1 scale its a stack of polished optical glass lenses. I'm working in 1:192 scale - directly from the Journal's plans. << Sounds like a turning job. Is this cylindrical or a "standard" fresnel lens like the type used in a spot light?? If cylindrical, then you are talking a profile turning, perhaps in polycarbonate or acrylic. If a standard disk type, you are talking a face turning job. Must it be clear?? are you going to attempt to light it?? What are the rough dimensions?? Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "John" Subject: Re: Fresnel lens >> The plans and photos of the Stonehorse Lightship in the current issue of Victor Baca's Model Ship Journal have intrigued me. I've photocopied the lines and glued them on a block of basswood. Now I need to find a neighbor with a bandsaw. (I have a few leads). The lightship's red hull, white name & deckhouse, and spar topworks will stand out from even the gaudiest MS3x camo pattern. My question regards the Fresnel lens light. Are there any suggestions for constructing this? In 1:1 scale its a stack of polished optical glass lenses. I'm working in 1:192 scale - directly from the Journal's plans. << Hey Ed, While I build primarily in 1/72nd newest project the S.S. United States, all 14 feet of her,in 1/72nd so call me crazy I like my models to operate like the real deal but any whoooo, I may have a solution to your dilemma duplicate the real deal with lexan disks or use multi layers of thick clear plastic from evergreen I did a light house for my father and used the thick clear sheets from evergreen and used a compass to make out successively smaller disks then cut them out with scissors and cleaned up the edges with sand paper, hope this helps John Anderson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: "wblad" Subject: Modellers Boatyard At the top edge of the Modellers Boatyard homepage is a drop down menu. Place your cursor arrow on "Fittings". A menu will drop down. Click on "Modern & Historic. The last line in the first column under the heading "Historic" is "Display Pins and Pedestals." Click on this and your should get pictures and specs. It is a very slow site so wait for the complete page to load. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: Cataldo Torelli Subject: CV-6 photos Hi SMMLiers, I've found an interesting section on the cv6.org site regarding photos from USS Enterprise (CV-6). Take a look at: http://www.cv6.org/Noumea/ Regards, Cataldo Torelli Madrid, Spain -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: Darren Scannell Subject: Combat Fleets of the World Update To any who are interested, a few weeks ago there were some posts about the Combat Fleets of the world 1998-1999 at Barnes & Noble in the US on sale for $24.95US. I added some confusion regarding different ISBN numbers. If anybody else wants this book, it is still for sale on the website for $24.95US, reg $150US. The ISBN to look for is 0765554208. This is the identical book (I just got mine in the mail) to ISBN 1557501114 for $150US. Apparently B&N got a remaindered batch in and are selling it for a reduced price. Everything is here and the only thing I can tell that is different is that 'some' of the photos are a little 'off', but most are just fine. The website is http://www.barnesandnoble.com and as far as I know, they ship everywhere. Cheers, Darren Scannell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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