Subject: SMML VOL 1165 Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 00:49:55 -0800 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Unbuilt kits 2: Re: WTB: Wooden Viking ship 3: Re: Battle class destroyers and monitors 4: In the Collection 5: Collections and built/unbuilt kits--again 6: Aircraft carrier photos 7: (Not USS) JFK 8: Trumpeter Pola 9: Re: HMS Glasgow circa 1982 Falklands 10: Heller HMS Hood and Collections 11: Monitors 1/700 scale 12: Re: Akagi- Thank you all 13: Re: Hanger deck cats 14: Re: Viva de Gaulle 15: Unbuilt kits..... 16: 2001 Museum Guide 17: RN Monitor Kits 18: Book on HMAS Sydney 19: Used Book/Hobby Shops in Palm Beach/Ft. Lauderdale/Miami Area 20: Re: CVN65 Enterprise Tamiya 1/350 kit 21: Re: LST Hospital ship/Runway -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation 1: Boatbldr is an Idiot! 2: IPMS Hornet 3: MosquitoCon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Warship Books announcement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject: Re: Unbuilt kits It is indeed interesting to read SMML people wit these huge kit collections. May I join in (periphically) with my most modest contribution? I have made only three models in my entire life, and only two of these were from kits. One was a Revell "Cuttysark" that fell apart because I had used the wrong glue. The next was a Marine Models "Charles W. Morgan" that I bought in 1977 and finished correctly in 2000. It came out well. But the conversation piece is a scratch built 1:48 scale WW1 110 Ft Submarine Chaser that I started (are you ready for this?) in 1934 (yeah, that's right, 19 thirty four!) as my high school woodworking project. It was coming along well, until I got jalopy and discovered girls, and the model was abandoned. I ran across it in the barn recently, and stripped it down to the bare hull, and have been working semi-diligently on it for about 18 months or so, after much research into this unusual vessel's details. I anticipate completing it this year, properly. Not as good as the professionals or the truly talented modelers I have met through my joining of the U.S.S. Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, or the internet, but it will be presentable, and "decent", as we say in the antique auto hobby. Is this some kind of a record, or something, from 1934 to 2001? Franklyn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Mike Settle Subject: Re: WTB: Wooden Viking ship >> I need a wooden Viking ship model as soon as possible. << Model Expo has the Amati 1/50th scale Viking ship model available at their website. http://www.modelexpoinc.com/products/AM1406.html Mike Settle I am not agent #1908 of the non-existent Lumber Cartel (tinlc)tm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Fernando, Yohan" Subject: Re: Battle class destroyers and monitors Stuart, I am currently building the HP Models 1/700 HMS Abercrombie. They also have an HMS Roberts in the same scale. Both are 100% resin kits. As people have stated before, quality of HP kits varies and this one is middle of the road. I can't comment on the accuracy of the kit, but it is supposed to depict the Abercrombie in 1944, so there are quite a few AA batteries on the deck to make things interesting. The hull and superstructure are nicely cast but many of the smaller pieces such as the pom poms, light AA and directors are almost unusable. I ended up using the pieces' basic shape and adding brass details to make them more acceptable. It didn't really bother me though and I wouldn't let it detract too much from the worth of the kit. Light AA and other deck accessories are easy enough the replace or scratchbuild in most cases and many people end up replacing the kit-supplied ones with photo-etch anyways. Templates for the masts and aft tripod assembly are included and will need to be built from either plastic or brass. Considering the unusual nature of the subject and that there are no other models of these ships, the kit has enough merits to buy it. If I remember, it was also reasonably priced. Just be prepared to do some extra work. I ordered mine from NNT (see the link off of www.steelnavy.com). As for the Battle class destroyers, I don't think anyone produces these in any scale, but your best bet would be to contact Mike Bartel of Imperial Hobbies as he was recently taking suggestions for new 1/700 models and cast your vote! Feel free to contact me off-list for more details on the Abercrombie kit. Yohan Fernando -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Jeff Herne Subject: In the Collection In the model collection at this point in time...these are all UNBUILT. Approx. 400 ships, various scales, from old Pyro sailing ships to new resin stuff. Approx 1200 aircraft, mostly 1/72, 99% are WW2 types. Approx 250 armor kits, all 1/35, with some odd 1/48 stuff strewn about. Approx 25 or so Formula One and GTP Group C car kits Approx 35 1/48 WW1 aircraft In the built up collection: 1,256 1/72 WW2 aircraft, of which I'm responsible for about 540, the balance of the collection was willed to me by my modeling mentor who passed away and wanted his collection in safe hands. 20 or so 1/48 WW1 aircraft 23 1/35th armor pieces 17 1/350 ships 12 1/700 ships 4 Formula One cars 1 large sailing ship Do 1:1 models count? If so, add in a 1943 White M3 Halftrack and a 1972 AM General M35A2 2.5 ton Army Truck. Now you know why you never hear from me anymore.... Jeff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Gordon E. Hogg" Subject: Collections and built/unbuilt kits--again I credit Bob O'Connor's detailed posting yesterday with bringing back many of my own memories and prompting me to take an inventory of my very similar collection of ship and aircraft models. Like Bob, I've bought every one of my 326 kits--229 being ships or ship-related--with the idea of someday, somehow completing them. Aircraft have faded into the background except for several recent impulse purchases of 1:144 airliners, so 1:700 ships are in the permament foreground, but their completion is always subject to available time and competing current interests. My recent count reveals 15 projects between 75% and 98% complete, including a scratchbuilt KIROV (1930s Soviet light/heavy cruiser), a Regia Marina EUGENIO DI SAVOIA tricked up to represent sister ship DUCA D'AOSTA in Soviet service as KERCH, a scratchbuilt TASHKENT--yet another example of how I often get most of the way through a scratchbuild project when someone releases a kit. So it goes. Like Bob, I especially like the early post-WWII period, but also am interested in the interwar period, to the extent that some years ago I convinced the IJN light cruiser TENRYU to provide the basic structure for a scratchbuilt French flotilla leader LE FANTASQUE on neutrality patrol during the Spanish Civil War. Then, of course, two resin kits became available in rapid order. Oh, well. I, also, grew up in a Navy family, and vividly remember watching ships in Long Beach, Norfolk, and in Livorno, Italy. Long Beach made a profound impression on me, especially heavy cruisers BREMERTON and ST. PAUL, which I've now replicated in miniature form. Dad's destroyers during our Norfolk years--BORDELON and ZELLARS--are also miniaturized, as is the hulking barge-like KENTUCKY, which I "visited" before it was sent off for scrapping. It's still the only member of the IOWA class I've actually set foot aboard. I'd better get over to the WISCONSIN in Norfolk before too long. In Italy I saw ships of the Italian Navy all the time, plus plenty of Sixth Fleet talent--especially memorable was the debut round-the-world-tripping trio of ENTERPRISE, LONG BEACH, and BAINBRIDGE as they stopped in Genoa. Bob likes French aircraft, but their visits to Livorno made me a real fan of French destroyers and cruisers of the 50s and 60s, which are giving me fits to recreate in miniature. Hmmmm. One of the reasons I buy so many kits is to cannibalize this or that ship which gives me hope of conversion--or worse. Some day I'll tell the weird tale of me and my metal 1:1200 conversion attempts. But enough of all that for now. I just got another scratchbuild inspiration, and had better quit while I'm ahead. Best regards to all of SMML! Gordon Lexington, Kentucky USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: BSteinIPMS@aol.com Subject: Aircraft carrier photos Those of you with an interest in American aircraft carriers might check out: http://www.pangeopolis.com/index.html There are two pages of color and black & white photos of thumbnail photos of: CV-59 FORRESTAL CV-60 SARATOGA CV-61 RANGER CV-62 INDEPENDENCE Also you'll find several computer drawings of a plan view of an air group spotted on a deck and a TICONDEROGA class cruiser. Have fun. Bob Steinbrunn Minneapolis Member, Nautical Research Guild -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Glenn & Kelly Neklason" Subject: (Not USS) JFK Hi All, Does anybody remember what JFK once said about being in the Navy-something about it being an honorable profession or the like? Thanks, Glenn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Charles McCreary Subject: Trumpeter Pola Hi, I have recently seen ads for a kit in 1/350 scale by Trumpeter for the Italian heavy cruiser Pola. Can anyone comment on this kit? Its price (about $13.00US mailorder) leads me to wonder how good (or bad) it could be. Charles McCreary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Craig R Bennett Subject: Re: HMS Glasgow circa 1982 Falklands Hi Guys Concerning the weapons carried by HMS Glasglow D-88 was a 4.5 inch gun followed by a sea dart launcher. Near her bridge at either side was two single 20mm guns with one per side. She also carried six torpedo tubes and a lynx helicopter. The Glasglow was 1 of 5 operational Sheffield class destroyers at the time all being batch 1 versions. All the others were being completed, launched or their construction was at the blueprint stage. Try to get a book called Modern Combat Ships 3 -Type 42 by Leo Marriott, Ian Allan LTD 1985 it's rich in service history, and technical detail. OK based on this book if your going to model her. You could try this. On top of the bridge put a UK flag. Don't put on the side hull numbers but do add the stern number and put on the ship name plates which are red in their location. I don't know the FS number equalvent for RN colors but it looks like light gray hull, dark gray decks with orange safety zone marking for any revolving weapons like the 4.5 gun and the sea dart missile launcher. Vertically centerlined down the smoke stack and the hull is a black stripe. Make sure to have the type 965 radar on the main mast. Your Exeter kit comes with type 1022 radar. Since the old DML company had a agreement with Revell Germany who bought them from Skywave I hope they put the spare parts sprue in. It looks like a bed spring. Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Peter K. H. Mispelkamp Subject: Heller HMS Hood and Collections Hood: A wile ago, someone was selling a Hood on bay and claimed that the mold toolings had been irreparably broken/damaged. A source at Helper has assured me that this is not the case. The mold is 100% intact. Now if we could get Helper to -release this kit! Collections: At the moment I have about 100 ships, 97% of which are either 1/400 or near 1/400 scale, and about 75% are not built. PS - I only do WAIF era ships. I also own a large collection of 1/72 scale Lustrate kits - over 200 and counting - and about 80% of these are not built! Anyone have some spare time to give me? Oh well, I get to retire in 20 years! Sincerely Peter K. H. Mispelkamp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Jana & Pavel" Subject: Monitors 1/700 scale Dear Stuart, I do believe that HP Models makes some of these Monitors. You can get them from NNT Models in Germany. (www.nnt.com) They have a online catalogue. I have heard that these models are quite good. Maybe someone who has them will review them for us? As for 1/700 battle Class Destroyers, I have not seen any models in 1/700, but I do have a old 1/450?? Russian model kit of one, perhaps an old Frog kit? Could someone on the list enlighten us? Thank you Regards Pavel Hi Pavel, That indeed does sound like the old FROG kit. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Jana & Pavel" Subject: Re: Akagi- Thank you all Dear SMML'ies, To all of the warship enthusiasts who took the time to reply to me in regards to the Akagi, I want to thank you all. I now have the information I need to be able to model this ship in the " never built Battlecruiser configuration". This will be in the 1/700 scale range, utilizing the Hasagawa Akagi. Thanks all. Regards Pavel A hopless Battleship & Battlecruiser Fan!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Hanger deck cats I vaguely recall reading somewhere that one or more of the earlier carriers had a transverse catapult on the hangar deck - Am I wrong on this?? If there was such a construction what was it used for?? Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Allan and Crystal Plumb Subject: Re: Viva de Gaulle >> We've had propellers since Fulton - the French even had some of the first Fulton propellers - so I presume they know how to make them. << Ahem. From Dulin & Garzke, Allied Battleships of WWII, p.299, speaking of HMS Vanguard: "Vibration. The three-bladed manganese-bronze propellers created severe axial vibration of the inboard shafts at speeds in excess of 180 rpm during trials. As a temporary measure, the outboard shafts were limited to that speed to prevent propeller interaction, with resultant axial vibration of the inboard shafts. After tests, it was decided to fit five-bladed propellors to the inboard shafts to obtain smooth operation at all speeds. Following trials with the new propellers, the ship was limited to 10 degrees of rudder when turning at speeds above 200 rpm; turns at 156 rpm were to be avoided. The problem was never corrected, merely avoided." I've seen other similar and more recent reports from time to time, this was just the first one to hand. From this I infer that such problems are by no means unheard of, and that propellor design is not a easy thing to get perfect. Allan Plumb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Ralph Nardone" Subject: Unbuilt kits..... >> I wonder which other listmembers have collections of unbuilt models, and what the numbers are. << Boy, do I have unbuilt kits! How do I know this, you might ask? Well, after two *full* 14 foot U-haul truckloads, Jodie and I finally got everything moved to our new apartment this weekend. And folks, I got to tell ya that 2/3 of one of those loads was unbuilt kits. I reckon I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000-2500 *unbuilt*, still in the box kits (mostly aircraft, but there are a few ships mixed in there)! A friend who helped us move told me "if anyone said that all that stuff came out of that tiny one-bedroom apartment, I'd have said they were smoking something....." My back and legs are still aching from lugging all of them up three flights of stairs--yep, third floor apartment, no elevator........... Next time I hire a crane, a bucket truck, and a mover! Cheers! Ralph -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: 2001 Museum Guide The latest issue of Sea Classics (April 2001 - Vol 34 - No 4) includes the annual survey of "North America's Museum Warships". Recent additions include HMCS Fraser (DDH 233) in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia; USCGC McLane (WMEC 146) in Muskegon, Michigan; and USS Orleck (DD 886) in Orange, Texas. Future attractions may include LSM-45 at Freedom Park, Nebraska; LST 393 (also at Muskegon, MI); and LST 325 at Mobile, Alabama. The latter was the former Greek Navy vessel that was brought across the Atlantic recently by a group of mostly WW2/Korean War vets. Mike Alexandria, VA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: maeisen@erols.com Subject: RN Monitor Kits To the gentleman who asked about RN monitors: Actually, HP Models produces 1/700 scale kits of RN monitors HMS Roberts and HMS Abercrombie. I have not seen these, but I believe there are several listmembers who have at least one of these kits. Perhaps a review would be in order? Hint, hint? Regards, Mike Eisenstadt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: maeisen@erols.com Subject: Book on HMAS Sydney Folks: Have any SMMLies out there a copy of the new book by Wesley Olson, "Tragic Victory: the Loss of the HMAS Sydney," (or was it "Bitter Victory?...) published by University of Western Australia Press, about a year or so ago? If so, could you please contact me directly? I have a question about the book. Thanks! Mike Eisenstadt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: maeisen@erols.com Subject: Used Book/Hobby Shops in Palm Beach/Ft. Lauderdale/Miami Area Folks: Could anybody suggest a good used book store that has an extensive nautical/naval/military book section in the Palm Beach/Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area in Florida? Likewise, are there any good hobby shops that carry resin ship kits in this area? Any help is appreciated. Thanks! Mike E. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: PSmith6328@aol.com Subject: Re: CVN65 Enterprise Tamiya 1/350 kit A big thank you to all the listers who gave me information on this kit and how to build it. Thank you very much and happy modelling Phill Smith Branch Secretary IPMS Milton Keynes Web site http://www.ipmsmk.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: john.baumann@talk21.com Subject: Re: LST Hospital ship/Runway I can find no evidence that LCTs were converted to hospital ships, but LSTs were, although I have no details. One side view illustration (ref below) of an LCP shows it could carry stretchers. A picture of the 'temporary flight deck for Piper Cub observation planes', shown as a 'T' shaped assembly is shown on Page 65 (of Supplement No.1) of Arms & Armour Press: "Allied Landing Craft of WW2" by A D Baker III: ISBN 0-85368-687-4. Regards, John Baumann -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Btbldr" Subject: Boatbldr is an Idiot! Dooh - please ignore my idiot phat fingers on SMML 1664 - Sunday is the FOURTH - not the second! Sorry about that! The correct date and time for the Norwesters SMML con is 2pm SUNDAY FOURTH March...... regards Malcolm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Ken Durling Subject: IPMS Hornet >> Is the next meeting this coming Friday? If so, I'll be in town and would like to drop by. Could someone in the group drop me a note with the details? << Meeting indeed this Friday, March 2 at the Hornet. 7:30-10pm in the Chief's Mess, the entrance to which is all the way aft by the fantail, a steep ladder down on the stbd side of the barky. Hope to see you there! Ken Durling IPMS/USS Hornet, Pres. RC9 PPSEL Just Plane Crazy http://home.earthlink.net/~kdurling -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: BSteinIPMS@aol.com Subject: MosquitoCon >> NJ IPMS has a website, www.njipms.org where you can get directions and more information. Gary Kingzett And no, I don't know why it is called MosquitoCon. << Gary: It's because, like Minnesnowta, the official bird of the State of New Jersey is........ the mosquito. Bob Steinbrunn Minneapolis Member, Nautical Research Guild -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Keith Butterley Subject: Warship Books announcement Hi all, I am proud to announce that you may now purchase the White Ensign Models excellent line of kits, PE and resing upgrades through me. I am also offering the following free service. If you have any old books or kits you wish to sell, I shall put them up on my site. Send me a simple ad that I can "cut and paste" and I will post it on my Second Hand Books page. I have tracked down the publisher of Gunshield Grafitti, unfortunately it is oop. They do have three other books that might be of interest to you. HX 72 The First Convoy to Die by David O'Brien, photos, convoy listings $17Cdn/$12US Night of the Caribou by Douglas How, the story of the sinking of the ferry Caribou in 1942 by a U-boat. $12Cdn/$8US Forgotten Empress: The Empress of Ireland Story by David Zeni, illustrated (colour and b&w,) maps She was a CPR Steamship, one of the largest liners in the world. Its wreck in 1914 was the largest marine disaster in Canadian history. The author recreates all of the events of "Canada'a Titanic," from the ship's initial voyage to its fate at the bottom of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. $41Cdn/$27US The publisher demands a minimum 5 book order. These books are not what I normally would stock, so I am asking if there is any interest in them? If I can get orders for four books, I shall proceed. The books are not listed on the site, so please contact me direct. Happy modeling Keith Butterley http://www.warshipbooks.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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