Subject: SMML VOL 1177 Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 00:07:54 -0800 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Mary's Fletcher 2: Re: Mary's Great pics 3: Re: A.J.Owens' daughter 4: Re: AJ Owens Daughter, Mary, and FLETCHER.. 5: Re: HMVS Cerberus 6: Tools - Correction 7: Re: Tools 8: Re: Model reference sources 9: Re: Civil War Navies by Silverstone 10: Re: GrafSpee34 11: Profile Morskie & All That Jazz 12: Re: Campbeltown 13: Re: Camouflage of Towns in 1940 14: Re: Ashes 15: Re: Morskie Books 16: Did KATIE have a little sister? 17: AMUR? 18: Morske Books Thumbs Down 19:Jolly Good Books 20: Re: New IJN 1/700 Warships 21: laser airbrush 22: Re: FALKLANDS WAR BOOK 23: Profile Morskie Series 24: Tools 25: Lee brand kits -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation 1: Mosquito con -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Plastic Ship Modeler #24 Update -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Dave Judy Subject: Re: Mary's Fletcher Kudos to Mary on her wonderful job!! Keep up the fine work! Dave Judy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Ramires, Filipe C" Subject: Re: Mary's Great pics Hello list and Mistress Lorna Congratulations for Mary's model. I think I am going to try to convince my girlfriend to build a model one day! I have my doubts but... Regards. Filipe C. Ramires Colchester, UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject: Re: A.J.Owens' daughter My thanks to A.J.Owens for showing Mary how to post her pictures on SMML. Boy, did I ever get this one right! She is just the image I had created in my own mind. Count your many blessings, Mr Owens. And Mary, your model is indeed one to be rightly proud of. It expresses the fact that you do indeed have a natural talent, which in your young case may well lead to other achievements as well. Your Dad has gotten you off to a good start. Mr. Franklyn Brown P.S. Please forgive me, but I am a stickler for not letting youngsters address me by my first name. F.B. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: stillmo@mb.sympatico.ca Subject: Re: AJ Owens Daughter, Mary, and FLETCHER.. I dont know which is cuter, the ship model or the young lady. Well done. AJ, make sure she hangs on to the kit as a keepsake.....20 years from now when you are taking her down the aisle you will have a treasured memento. Ray Bean, Winnipeg, Canada. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Ed Grune Subject: Re: HMVS Cerberus Shane replied to my message: >> HMVS = His/Her Majesty's Victorian Ship. Cerebus is now used as a breakwater :-( << I thought it might ber something like that. Is it Victoria, as in the Austrailian State, or Victoria, as in the Queen? {I realize that the former was named after the latter}. The site I referenced has several links to some Save the Cerberus websites, including a walkaround of the wreck as she now exists. The photographer accompanied an official survey crew. Unfortunately she's deteriorating quickly - and probably won't last too many more years. The wreck is off-limits to divers and tourists. I've downloaded the card model and have started cutting ribs for the Cerberus. Was the Victorian State (pre-Federation) flag similar to the current Australian flag? Ed Mansfield, TX Hi Ed, It's Victoria as in the state of Victoria. Before Australian Federation the states were seperate colonies & some had their own navies, hence HMVS. As for the flag, I don't know, maybe some of the Victorians onlist may know. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "denis keegan" Subject: Tools - Correction I posted a review on the Chopper yesterday and Woe Is Me, I missidentified the tool in my posession. The Tool I was discussing is in fact the K Tool Precision Miter. My apologies to the makers of The Chopper and to all of you whom I led astray. The comments on the K Tool still hold good Mea Culpa, Mea Maximum Culpa Denis K -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject: Re: Tools In the mini-dissertation about crosss-over tweezers, I neglected to recommend that you get the curved-end type rather than the straight-end. One use and you will see why. I just finished painting the flanges of a set of glassed 1/8" ID port holes. I gripped the shell from the inner side with the curved-end crossover, and was able to hold the unit easily, sort of ala pin-vise, and shift it around in my hand without losing the grip, which would be virtually impossible any other way. Towards the end of the job the three-hair paint brush started to shake a little (okay, a lot) but when I held my hands in solid contact with each other (one holding the brush, the other holding the cross-over set-up), the shaking was in synch, and no slop-overs occurred. Voila! That too would not have been possible without the cross-over. Franklyn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject: Re: Model reference sources About inaccuracies in model sources (kits, books, etc.), if you are a serious modeler, do not rely on commercial information. They just do not have the time, resources, or motivation to conduct intensive research and cross-referencing. You will have to do it yourself, that's part of the hobby, in my opinion. As an example, as I have mentioned earlier, I started a scratch-built model of a WW1 110 Ft wooden submarine chaser in 1934, having only a proffessionaly made drawing to go by. After high school graduation the unfinished model got put away as I made a life for myself. Somewhere along the way I picked up an assembled plastic model (from a kit) at a yard sale, for reference purposes, although the scale was different. When I began to finish up the original wooden model I used the plastic model as a guide, assuming that the manufacturer had made it right (why make it otherwise?). Well, to make a long story short, I came into contact with a small cadre of superfans of this vessel. These most generous and helpful of people soon shared with me the results of their access to U.S.Navy and other archival data they had amassed, and it was often quite different from some of the highly imaginative and creative details of the plastic kit. Thus I had to strip the whole thing down to the bare hull and do it over again. Even the original 1934 drawing seemed to be taken from a Navy concept drawing, having features that have not appeared in actual photographs. Therefore my best advice is to do your own in-depth research (SMML is a godsend in this endeavor) as a sort of hobby-within-a hobby, and take it from there. As far as the commercial outfits are concerned, follow the suggestion of a Great Philosopher, "Forgive them their sins, for they know not what they do". Franklyn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: dhjonespsm@juno.com Subject: Re: Civil War Navies by Silverstone I have been following the thread about the new ISNIP book "Civil War Navies" by Paul Silverstone with some interest. I had already ordered a copy at the request of a friend in Europe. I did not chose to comment until now because I wanted a chance to compare this book with the previous one from USNIP by Silverstone called "Warships of the Civil War Navies". When I first heard about this new book I had assumed that it would just be a reprint of the previous one, with perhaps the addition of the newly discovered photo of the ALABAMA. This assumption was also stated by another SMML contributor recently. However, this assumption is not correct. Civil War Navies does include much of the material from the earlier book but it is entirely re-designed and has many new illustrations besides the ALABAMA photo. However, the photo reproduction is greatly inferior to the older book and the design and layout is very annoying with many of the more interesting photos reproduced so dark and so small that you can hardly tell the shape of the vessel, much less any of the details. The paper the USNIP uses these days for their own publications is a cheap uncoated stock and results in very poor photo reproduction. Whoever did the design of this book is greatly to blame for its faults. Many of the images would have been far more useful if they had been close cropped to focus on the ship and eliminate the irrelevant background. Many years ago the USNIP eliminated their "in house" design staff and adopted the practice of 'farming out" their book design work. Good economics perhaps but bad publishing. The result is books like this, where the designer is not a ship person but is just doing a job - the book could be about flower arranging or whatever.... Thus you get large reproductions of very common photos and postage stamp reproductions of rare ones! The designer doesn't have a clue as to what is important! In spite of its shortcomings the book is a useful source of information. But for illustrations (and modelers DO care about that sort of thing) it leaves a lot to be desired. Even the ALABAMA photo that they brag about is very badly reproduced. Fortunately all the photos are accredited so better copies can probably be obtained of the important ones. I would recommend the book (with reservations stated) but also recommend that you make a serious effort to find the older Silverstone book on this subject. There are other easily obtainable books that contain photos of Civil War vessels. The six volume "Image of War " photographic history of the Civil War by William C. Davis (National Historical Society - 1984) contains many of these same photos. The first edition of the set has very high quality imaging - becoming progressively less so with the recent cheaper reprints. More ship and river craft photos are found in "Touched by Fire" - also by Davis (two volumes (1985). Only Volume one has any ship and riverboat photos - Volume two concentrates on land actions and personalities. The three USNIP volumes by Canney are also a must for any serious student of the naval side of this war. Lastly, there is the 10 Volume set by Miller first published in 1911 and reprinted many times since. Volume six is called "The Navies" and is a collection of photos of all types of Civil War vessels. Miller's old book is still important because some of these images have since been lost. Daniel Jones Plastic Ship Modeler magazine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "D.Przezdziecki" Subject: Re: GrafSpee34 GrafSpee34 wrote: >> I suspect a lack of academic skill and integrity is endemic to the entire series, meaning the accuracy of the plans in the books depends entirely on the accuracy of the undisclosed plans their draftsman copied. Perhaps some are good, though I have not seen any. The crisp drawings and moderate price, which probably accounts for the series undeserved popularity, do make a nice first impression so BUYER BEWARE. << ****While you have a right to your opinion Graf your post should have carried Government Health Warning agains venom poisoning. Did Profile Morskie refused you a post as a consultant?? And I like the "...lack of ACADEMIC skill and integrity ...." bit, you didn't realy planned to make your Phd based on this series did you??? If you dislike the series so much, why do you keep buying new issues?? Just to prove how superior your knowledge is?? Take John Anderson's advice Graf, have a Bud,relax and enjoy if you still remember how does it feel like. Regards D.P -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: MMclau1079@aol.com Subject: Profile Morskie & All That Jazz I have to admit my ignorance in not being able to read the Polish language but, I'm willing to bet that you will not be able to find the phrase "This book is cheap and should not be taken seriously or used as a reference" on the cover or any where else in the Profile Morskie series. Call me a masochist but, going through life with the attitude "if you don't have somthing nice to say, don't say it," doesn't change unpleasant facts. When I posted my warning about the first book of the series, I didn't just rely on any one source to lay out the errors I found. The photograph and references I sited takes the "maybe" out of it. The "as fitted" plan drawings are exactly what the author's of The Anatomy Of The Ship series use as well as the Alan Raven book which I sited as using as one of my sources. An "as fitted" plan is not a proposal of what a ship might look like. An "as fitted" plan as it's title suggests, is a plan blue print of what features are actually fitted on the "completed" ship. Neither I or the other individual who sited flaws in the Profile Morskie series advocated using just one book or any one book as the "definitive" end all book on the subject. If you read the preface on the Alan Raven books, you will find that he does not make that claim either. Since neither I or the other individual who found flaws in the series sited R.A. Burt or his book on British Battleships Of World War One as a reference which illustrates flaws in the Profile Morskie series as a source, a rather obvious red herring. Being an owner of several of the R.A. Burt books, I would however, be very interested if this same individual will list his references and photographs which illustrate flaws in the before mentioned book or books by that author. Lastly, for what it is worth, I am neither an author or a hobby shop owner, just a modeler who likes to get value for his hard earned dollar. I apologize for not previously listing my name to my review and warning. Signed, Miles F. McLaughlin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: Campbeltown Don't forget to paint it in Mountbatten Pink from around late 1941 to time of loss. AND ------- call me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: Camouflage of Towns in 1940 Most but not all were; Pale blue, pale grey and off white. NO GREEN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: Ashes The Australians NEVER actually have had possession of same. The English in fact, and in secret, at some remote date in the past, removed the "The Ashes" which were secreted away. In it's place in the urn, was poured the same volume of Vegemite. Being colonial, the Australians never knew the difference, and SO--- what they took home was a fake. It's not that hard really, and I am reminded of the 1953 series when the English team knobled one Harvey (batsman) with a lady of the night, who suffered from a certain social complaint. The effect of the players performance in the next Test was interesting. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: Morskie Books LOUSY DATA AT GREAT PRICES. RELIABLE DATA AT HIGH PRICES. WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER? Years ago there was an excuse for only having lousy data to work from, now there is none. It is as simple as that. Lousy research equals a lousy product. If somebody like John Lambert were to produce work to the level of that of the Morskie books, then he would be sliced up, and deservedly so. But being a good author, one who does basic research using source material, then the product is very good. Those who produce lousy work deserve all the brickbats they get. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Did KATIE have a little sister? Did the USN ever develop a 203mm/8-in "little sister" of it's 16-in KATIE atomic shell for use aboard the Baltimore or Newport News CAs? Derek Wakefield -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Ned Barnett" Subject: AMUR? Anybody know anything about (or have any sources on) the Russian sub AMUR (follow-on to KILO class). I'm looking for sources, models, references, etc. (for a novel that I'm trying to make tech-accurate). Thanks Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: GrafSpee34@aol.com Subject: Morske Books Thumbs Down On the topic of Morske's publications: Mr. Przezdziecki says that the Morske books are good because at least they are making some effort. My point was exactly the opposite, their plagaristic books make minimal effort and unfairly capitalize on the efforts of others. Mr Anderson's basic point is well taken: I did not factually substantiate my remarks about the Morske Monographs. The secondary points he made, that the books are good because they are cheap, and I dislike them because of some personal grudge, I respectfully disagree with. Apply the same logic to other products and services, for example. Does a bad haircut become a good one if the barber refunds you $5? Is a cheap defective fire extinguisher as good as a more expensive one that works? If you think so, try explaining this logic on Valentine's day when you've brought your wife a $5 bottle of red wine and a Hershey bar. Regarding the "sour grapes" comment I don't quite follow the reasoning. I also don't think there was any justification to respond to my comments on a personal level. I could just as easily suggest a sour grapes scenario in which you, Mr. Anderson, are defensive because you don't want to face up to the possibility that the model you painstakingly built based on a Morske book is less accurate than you believed. You also say that if I don't have anything good to say, I shouldn't say anything at all. I believe that criticism and free speech has its place here. Moreover, I've previously praised books on this list, so it's not like I am using the list to grouse. And to keep things in balance, in a separate e-mail, I will list a number of exemplary bargain priced Naval reference books that I like and highly recommend. For the benefit of the disbelievers, I will now briefly document my claim that Morske books are plagaristic schlock of minimal effort. First I will address the issue of crummy photos, plagiarism and copyright violation (already discussed on this forum ad nauseam). Then I will address the lousy plans. I will use the Morske book "Pancerniki Kieszonkowe cz. II ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE ADMIRAL SCHEER v. 8 as an example. I am using this because it is the only book from the series that I presently own and can refer to. I did own several other Morske books on Kriegsmarine vessels before I discarded them. However, my observations were basically the same in every case and I believe volume 8 is a typical example. My Criteria for a "lifted" photo are as follows: a) the photo has been published elsewhere in a well-known book or periodical well before Morske's publication date; b) the photo is cropped smaller than the original photo c) the photo is of lesser resolution, quality and sharpness, indicating it is a second generation. There are 83 photos in the Graf Spee Morske book, I checked each of them against other books in my modest library, all of which predate Morske's 1998 copyright date. Of the 83 photos, I found that at least 61 (3 out of 4) of them met the above criteria and were apparently lifted from eight German publications, the majority coming from three inexpensive periodicals: Marine Arsenal volumes 35, 12 and 8. The combined cost of these three Marine Arsenal books is not much more than one Morske book. Thus, ethics aside, even the low cost of the Morske book is still no justification for praising them. Now I will point out some blatant errors in the Morske Plans. There are MANY errors with the Graf Spee plans in this book. However, I will only note the obvious contradictions here since they require as proof only an examination of the book itself. Furthermore, there is just no excuse for this type of error. Consistency requires no extra work or reference material. It only requires the draftsman to give a damn. I don't think that he does, and here are some examples: Contradiction 1: Color scheme: Cover shows incorrect green camouflage. The color chart inside the cover shows grey. Contradiction 2: Planks: The overhead color view shows grey steel decks above the main deck level. The plans show wood planks. Contradiction 3: Vanishing bridge wings. The 3/4 view bridge drawings inside the rear cover show navigation wings in one view. In the next they disappear. (Incidentally, the drawing on the right was plagiarized from Anthony Preston's 1977 book "Battleships 1856-1977" and includes even the original Artist's errors.) Contradiction 4: Mysterious levitating rope coil baskets: In the fold-out overhead view, the draftsman has correctly placed rope coil baskets next to the mechanical davits, port and starboard amidships. Unfortunately, he has incorrectly drawn them hovering over the boats. In the side view they disappear. Contradiction 5: Irrelevant stuff: on page 58 the draftsman has drawn bridge wings supported by thin girders. This was never a feature of Graf Spee or Scheer. It contradicts all the photos in the book. Contradiction 6: Morphing boats: Look at the overhead and side views of the ship's boats on the fold out plans. In the side view you see covered motor boats. In the overhead view, woops they have become open topped row boats. Also they are out of alignment. Contradiction 7: Roll-away-planks. On page 62 the draftsman has shown the night-bridge partially planked and partially steel decked. On the fold out plans, he changed his mind, now it is all steel decked. Contradiction 8: Irrelevant fluff. There is a very nice diagram of the aircraft recovery system on page 63. (This diagram was copied directly from a 1942 book called "Seemanschaft".) Unfortunately, the system shown in the diagram was never used on Graf Spee or Admiral Scheer, and it contradicts the correct extended landing sail boom drawn on page 59 of the Morske book. It is just there to fill a blank corner of page 63. I could go on, but I don't want to belabor the point. In summary, the book is bad because it is based more on shoplifting than academics. The Polish authors, relying on their relative impunity to copyright suit, took the easy way out by copying previously published materials instead of trying to find original photos. The quality has suffered. The plans are drawn without care or attention to detail. Considering the errors and the poor quality of the photos, it is not a cheap book either. The plans may be of some help in building an accurate model, unfortunately, they require the conscientious builder to constantly check and correct them, undertaking something that was the original draftsman's responsibility. And that's why I give it the thumbs down. But the really sad thing is, some of the best Kriegsmarine Shipyard photos I've seen are at Polish archives and are still unpublished. These Morske guys... just didn't make an effort. Respectfully Dave Krakow -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: GrafSpee34@aol.com Subject: Jolly Good Books As a counterpoint to the shoddy Morske series, there are rather a lot of fine inexpensive reference books on naval subjects. Here is a list of some that I consider to be among the best for model builder/naval history buffs. These books all have clear sharp photos not swiped from other books, a lot include accurate plans and all are just great value for the money. $50 and under (while in print) "Allied Coastal Forces" v 1 & 2 by John Lambert and Al Ross. OOP ( I put this at the top of my list deliberately, it is truly an outstanding book.) "Sumner Gearing Class Destroyers" by Bob Sumrall. Still in print "Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War" by Lacroix and Wells. Still in print. "American PT Boats in WW2" by Victor Chun" Still in print. "Fast Fighting Boats" by Harald Fock. OOP "The American Steel Navy" by John D. Alden OOP Magnificent photos! "American Battleships 1886-1923" by Reilly & Schiena OOP "The U-Boat" by Eberhard Roessler "Battleship Bismarck" by Ulrich Elfrath. Still in print. "Battleship Arizona" by Paul Stillwell ANY of the Anatomy of the Ship series. Still in print ANY of the Warship Design Histories (similar to AOTS) OOP? "Der Zerstorer Friedrich Ihn" by Norbert Klapdor (see my earlier review of this book in SMML archives) $25 and under "" "United States PT Boats of WW2 in Action" By Frank Johnson OOP ANY of the WR Press Warship Perspectives. Still in print. "USS Alabama on Deck" Still in Print. ANY of the Detail and Scale series (USS Lexington is excellent). OOP ANY of Robert Ballard's "Discovery of" Books ANY of the French "Marines Hors Serie" About $10. "" "Canada's Flowers, A history of the Corvettes of Canada" by Thomas Lynch. Still in print? "That Gallant Ship- USS Yorktown CV-5" by Robert Cressman. Still in print? "Kriegsmarine- a Pictorial History of the German Navy 1935-1945" by Robert Stern. Still in print? (OOP I think: Shane) ANY of Steve Wiper's Classic Warships series. Still in print MOST of the German "Marine Arsenal" series. Still in print. ANY of the Squadron Signal "In Action" Series. Still in print. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: Mitsuaki Kubota Subject: Re: New IJN 1/700 Warships Hi Douglas, Aoshima's Suzutsuki is accompanied with either of PE and new tool. The new tool is for "Cut square bridge" not "Round square bridge" of her sisters. It seems that the PE parts is common to all "Limited editions" of their Akizuki classes, i.e. Akizuki 1941, Shimotsuki 1944, Harutsuki 1945, and Suzutsuki 1945. Shimotsuki also includes new tool of bridge structure as flotilla leader (bridge extended aft). Best regards, Mitsuaki Kubota http://www.hig.tocolo.or.jp/hmdock/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: "Chris Christenson" Subject: laser airbrush Dang, I thought I had the air pressure turned up too much on the old Badger when my P-51 was sliced right in two--it was the damned laser!!! That explains the burn marks on the wall and my son's blindness! That's twice now that FSM has suckered us (remember the mig-killing Cutlasses). Yeah, I got bit too. Chris Christenson Ord NE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22) From: stillmo@mb.sympatico.ca Subject: Re: FALKLANDS WAR BOOK Did someone out there want a Falklands War Book???? I have a WAR IN THE FALKLANDS, The Campaign in Pictures, by the Sunday Express Magasine Team, 8x12 Hardcover, 150 pages, loaded with text, color and black and white pictures, now out of print of course, that i may consider selling........ Ray D. Bean, Winnipeg, Canada -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23) From: NEVENGER@aol.com Subject: Profile Morskie Series I am afraid I will have to defend the Morskie series because to me they offer a cheap and nicely laid out product. While they are perhaps not accurate on all accounts it does form a basis to start from. I always say check as many recourses as possible before starting a model if you want to go all out. Put into another perspective, I was watching the history channel the other night and was nit picking on the show with my wife on how they had blended in the wrong scene of a ship to the topic or miss pronounced the name of another (it happens all the time). I would not tell others not to watch the show because of this or say they should end the History Channel. Lets us say what we found wrong and be glad we have learned so much that we can find the flaws and tell others. There is no need to bash to the point that we think it is a bad Lindburg kit. Um did I say that. Strange the dam Lindburg kits keep selling and I even made one for my kids to play with......... R Dixon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24) From: Ned Barnett Subject: Tools Like most lifelong modelers, I have a number of "favorite" tools - depending on what I'm doing. For the ultimate in low-cost, ask your dental hygienist for left-over dental tools (they resharpen them, but eventually they replace them). I get several every visit - for free - and they make great scribes, probes, Krazy Glue applicators, etc. I also like (very much) the fairly new concept of sanding sticks - for years, I used emery boards (very much inferior) and cuticle polishing sticks. These are better. Much better. For decals, I use tiny surgical-steel cuticle scissors - they are excellent and stay sharp for 25+ years (at least). I am also a tool-caddy junkie - I used to travel with tools (I used to model on airline flights, until security got out of hand - lots of weird looks, akin to when I had the first laptop on the airliner ...) - I even had an article published in FSM on "portable modeling" with photos my wife helped me stage on our second honeymoon (no, I didn't model - but she's a writer, too, and helped me stage the hotel-room photos). Some, like this polygonal roll-up kit look better than they are. I like some of the fishing-tackle boxes with lots of drawers for tools (and for sub-assemblies). Very useful when I feel like modeling in front of the TV. I got a very cool small power grinder for about $50 at a local hobby shop - twin disks for polishing and grinding, and also useful for putting decent edges on my bayonet collection (another hobby is hand-sharpening old blades while watching Highlander ). I find lots of way-kewl tools in sewing shops, craft shops, hardware/tool stores, sporting good/fishing departments, gun shows and other out-of-the-way places. Hobby shops, too, but you already know about those. Ned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25) From: David Sepos Subject: Lee brand kits >> I saw some LEE (brand) model warship. Any comments on the quality and build of its product. << Lionel, I have not seen any of their warships, but did see their 1/72 SU-27 offering that I won in a raffel. THIS OPINION IS BASED ON 1 EXPOSURE. My opinion just looking at the sprue was this is a ROUGH kit. It had heavy raised details and lots of flash, it just didn't look good to me. In comparison, Hasegawa 1/72 aircraft of 30 years ago still look excellent beside it. I showed it to my 15 year old son (no prior comment from me), his first impressions were similar. Hope this helps. Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Craig R Bennett Subject: Mosquito con Hi Guys I went to Mosquito con today(Saturday March 10) and had a wonderful time meet David Wells and Jeff Herne there and a couple others from the SMML. Concerning the Falklands book what flag was painted on top of the bridge?The RN ensign or the UK Flag because it may varied per ship in the conflict. Also was Argentina also covered? Because Argentina had 2 Type 42 destroyers sister ships to the Sheffield class and I wondered if they were concerned about indentifying their ships properly. Or what paint measures did they take? Anyways at the convention I noticed that Accurate minatures has produced a 1/350 WW2 RN Hunt class destroyer. When did they do this? I always thought of them as a maker of planes or cars. Lastly about the Savannah some where in the archive is a listing of a National Geographic magazine that has color photos of the ship. I know it was discussed before. Craig ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: dhjonespsm@juno.com Subject: Plastic Ship Modeler #24 Update PSM 24 was delivered from the printer yesterday and I expected to be mailing out the first copies today. Unfortunately this will not happen. The printer did a very poor job on the photos - printing them so dark that some were unrecognizable as to subject. All the photos were effected. I rejected the job and the magazine is now being reprinted. The delay is expected to be no more than a week. I apologize for the inconvenience. Daniel Jones Plastic Ship Modeler magazine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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