shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Sloop on the Thames 2: Quad 40s 3: Review Headline 4: Re: Royal Navy Ships' Crests 5: Re: 5"guns 6: US Navy ships in color 1941-457 8: Helicopter recovery of astronauts 9: Hull weathering 10: Coastal Motor Boat 11: Re: 1/700 weapons suggestions... 12: Re: '41 Arizona 13: Re: Visiting the UK & what to see! 14: South Goodwin lightship / Dave L Miller 15: Big yawn Pearl Harbor AGAIN!! 16: SCB-27A vs. SCB-27C 17: Re: S-Boat 18: Re: Scharnhorst documentary 19: Re: Enterprise on 7 Dec, '41 20: Re: Arizona Post Attack Models 21: Post Attack Arizona...cont'd... 22: BRAVO TO LOREN PERRYs PH Review 23: Computer follies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation 1: Small Warships SIG - Escort Issue 07 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: International Maritime Modeling June 2001 Update -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Les Pickstock Subject: Re: Sloop on the Thames Hi Marvin, The ship in question is H.M.S. WELLINGTON (named for a New Zealand city not the Duke). She was commisssion in 1935 and spent her time in the Pacific until returning to the UK in 1940. Here she joined 1st Escort Vessel Division at Devonport covering the channel and Gibralter. Her based was moved to Liverpool where she went for repair after colliding with SARASTONE. She was then sent on long range escort duty with convoys out of Freetown, where in 1942 she was involved in the convoys for Operation Torch. she remained on the west coast of Africa until 1944 when she travelled to Bermuda for re-fit then returned to the Clyde for more work. Returning to Freetown she worked the African coast until the end of the war accepting the surrender of U541 along the way and returned to UK in 1945 and went into the reserve at Milford Haven. In 1947 WELLINGTON was purchased by The Honourable Company of master mariners to serve as their Livery hall. Her machinary and armament was removed and the interior re-fitted with salvaged interiors from passenger liners. A very fitting end for such a well travelled ship. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Robert Lockie" Subject: Quad 40s >> What is the collective wisdom for replacement weapons for this kit? I have seen 20mm guns in 1/700, and I am sure some body does 40mm quads, but 5"/38 singles? << The best 1/700 quad 40s I have seen are are WEM's resin affairs. There is also a set of p/e brass for rails and sights (possibly shields as well, but my sets are buried in the loft at present) as an optional extra. Needless to say, none of them has actually been built yet, but I wish I had waited before buying all those Skywave sets for the 40s.... They also make a nice set of 20mm singles with resin pedestals. Robert Lockie Swindon UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Gollin, Phil" Subject: Review Headline This was the headline from today's "The Guardian" review of a certain film; "Torture! Torture! Torture!" Need I say more, Phil -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: Royal Navy Ships' Crests Hi, You can find a huge collection of Royal Navy ships' crests in a two-volume work called "Admiralty Ships Badges" published in 1996 by T.P. Stopford. This may still be available from Motor Books or Maritime Books in the UK. I would think that this book only contains official crests; as already suggested, some ships had unofficial crests (like the Repulse), but I don't know if all did. Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Pieter Cornelissen Subject: Re: 5"guns >> Until Skywave re-releases it's E-6 weapons pack (fat chance), you are going to have to go out and buy one of Skywave Destroyer Escort kits that have this pack in the set of sprues you get. You won't use any of the 5" 38s on the Rudderow-class DEs, so I would suggest you buy that one. << There's two E6 sets in the Revell re-release of the Independence (CVL). As this kit is actually cheaper than the DE kit (at least in the Netherlands), has a lower hull and does not need any 5"guns (except Indy herself) I suggest you try to find this kit. Pieter Cornelissen Delft, The Netherlands Where they are still trying to figure out what to do with two HMS Portsmouth's...-:) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Craig R Bennett Subject: US Navy ships in color 1941-45 Hi Guys I am looking to purchase a copy of Part I of the Polish publication US Navy ships in color 1941-45 by Piotr Cichy does any hobby shop on this bullentin board have a copy? Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Craig R Bennett Subject: Helicopter recovery of astronauts Hi Guys I am currently working on a 1/72 scale SH-3 D of HS-4 (Helicopter Squadron) that was used to recover astronauts from the 1960's space flights. For confirmation purposes I have a NASA booklet that lists recovery ships and using Terzibaschitsch Aircraft Carriers of the US Navy shows that HS-4 was assigned to the Yorktown CVS-10 for Apollo 8 and the Hornet CVS-12 for Apollo 11 and 12. The model(MPC) has decals for 4 space capsules recovered yet I can determine 3. What was the 4th one? Was it part of Mercury, Genimi, Skylab or Apollo-Soyuz meeting? Any help would be appreciated. Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Bruce Ross" Subject: Hull weathering Greetings all, I'm considering ways of weathering the hull of a DD that I'm building and could use some (read this any!!) suggestions this group might have on how to do this. I've studied pictures of hulls in drydock and looks like a grey paint misted over the anti-fouling red in varying densities would start. I want to portray the ship showing her when she was pulled out of the water for the first time following launch, so I'm guessing about 2-4 months of seatime. Before the suggestion is made to do a waterline, she's too far along to do that and besides it's 1/144 and I don't want to deal with that much sawdust. Anyone?? TIA, Bruce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Ian Wrenford" Subject: Coastal Motor Boat I have plans for a scratchbuild 40' Coastal Motor Boat - but am a little light on reference. I'm also interested if anyone has any plans for the 70' Coastal Motor Boat (ex Thornycroft etc). Thanks, Ian -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Re: 1/700 weapons suggestions... Bruce wrote >> What is the collective wisdom for replacement weapons for this kit? I have seen 20mm guns in 1/700, and I am sure some body does 40mm quads, but 5"/38 singles? << Ed wrote >> If you can locate one - you want the PitRoad Equipment set E-9 Equipment for USNavy ships WWII. It has all sorts of add-on weapons. Including quad 40s and 5'inchers. You may also find one or nore of these sprues in the PitRoad DD and Cruiser kits. The DE kits have a different set. << Can also find this fret in the Dragon/DML (ex Skywave) Princeton and San Diego kits, and the Revell-Germany (ex Dragon/DML, ex Skywave) San Juan and Oakland kits. The Atlanta cl CLAA kits have two sets each, while the Princeton only has one. Each one of these sets has the following number of weapons (of the type you asked about) 5/38 Single Open Mount -- 2 40mm Quad -- 4 40mm Twin -- 4 20mm Single -- 12 IOW, your looking at tracking down a number of these sets to do the Lexington. That or (and I shouldn't even suggest this, but...) find one and get yourself an Ace Resin kit and go to town. Derek Wakefield Denton, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Derek Wakefield Subject: Re: '41 Arizona Before I start my replies, three questions have come up. I'm starting to wonder now if they'll ever end. 1) Regarding the superstructure/gun deck.... It dawned on me the Natl Park Service diagram (of the ship in it's current condition) doesn't help in this regard because the superstructure/gun deck was removed during the post attack salvage work. DOH, so much for my earlier comment. So I'm back to the drawing board when it comes to the question..."was the superstructure/gun deck bare metal or was it covered in teak?" Most of the models of the Arizona I've seen (Lorren Perry's, Digital Navy.com's card stock kit, and those in the gallery at Steelnavy.com) have the superstructure/gun deck done as if it was covered in teak. Freeman's paintings also show this. I haven't been able to track down any photos though that would verify this. So, *was this deck bare metal or teak covered?* I'd really like to find this out before I start scribing lines or seeking out overlay material to simulate the planking there. 2) We know the 1.1-in AA guns weren't installed prior to the ship's demise. However, Friedman's US Battleships states their foundations were installed. Are we talking the mount or what? 3) Bear with me on this one, because I'm not sure exactly how to word this question. Is it me, or is the foremast/bridge platforms included with the Revell kit not quite right? I've been pouring over the Freeman painting, a Sept 36 photo of the ship in Friedman's US BB, etc, and it appears that at least a couple of the levels of the bridge have been enclosed. That, or the platforms included with the Revell kit aren't quite the right shape/size. Specifically, the Emergency Cabin Platform looks like it should be larger (extending right up to the conning tower), and the forward part of the Navigation bridge looks to be enclosed/glassed in between the Rangefinder and Emergency Cabin Platform. Let me guess...this kit reflects a cross of what the ship looked like at PH and what she looked like in the mid-30s? I've already ID'd the lack of the radar platform atop the foretop. Ah, and I just noticed the range clocks (molded onto the kit parts) were history by the time of the attack. I'm not sure when they were removed, but I'm glad I noticed this now because it's one less thing I need to worry about accurizing (just chop the bloody things off). I'm starting to wish I'd broken down and bought that CW '42 1:700 Mississippi a few months ago when I was still working for my first project. Even though bashing it into a post 45 PH refit Mississippi is gonna be a bugger, it's looking downright simple upside this one. Pirie Sublett Wrote >> Stillwell, page 130, has about as clear a picture of the casement mounts as you could want. Page 190 shows the canvas covers closed, and on page 194 is a good description of the combination of metal shutters and canvas covers - and their inadequacy in heavy weather. << Shall have to wait until I'm working again and can afford the book. The more I hear, the more I'm thinking it's going to be a must for this project. I did however find an large detailed photo of the Pennsy in March 42 in Freidman's US BBs that I suspect should give me a clue as to how to rebuild the kit parts. My guess is there wasn't much difference between the Pennsylvania's and Arizona's 5/51 battery, and it doesn't appear as if they made any major alterations to the battery at the time of this photo. I can see very clearly the canvas covers rolled up atop the casemate openings. At this scale, I suspect I can simulate that with a small bit of styrene rod or sprue. John Synder Wrote >> Measure 1 called for wood decks to be unpainted/unstained, and horizontal surfaces--including decks--to be painted in Dark Gray 5-D. << That's what I thought, but someone else (I'm not mentioning names...they know who they are) recently told me offlist that Sumrall (or was it Stillwell) mentioned in one of his books that the decks were Deck Blue at the time of the attack. Do you (or anyone else) know anything about this one. >> If you want to avoid the mixing/matching, White Ensign Models' new line of Colourcoats enamels will include Dark Gray 5-D and Light Gray 5-L. This is the only line of paints with direct involvement by Snyder & Short. We'd hoped to be shipping them by now, but are still waiting to take delivery; should be on hand soon. << NOW you guys get around to this (after I buy the chips). Eh...not complaining. Sounds like something I'll probably look into once I'm working again. That's turning out to be the big drawback right now. Robert Lockie Said >> Depending on the scale of your model, there may well be some of the sets of photo-etched brass letters that would be adequate for the job. They are available from (among others) Accurate Armour and Aber as vehicle modellers often use them for casting numbers on parts of AFVs. They are, as I recall, usually specified by height, which should be sufficient to select the set you want.<< Bob Santos Said >> Glue on some tiny etched brass letters, look to shops catering to the armor crowd, there are some really small letters. I've used them for raised names. << The kit is 1:426 scale, and based on the decals the letters are (as best I can tell with my cheap plastic caliper) 1/24-in tall. Do they go that small? If so, where might I find these? Thanks again for all the help s'guys Derek Wakefield Denton, Texas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: wem Subject: Re: Visiting the UK & what to see! >> Portsmouth (dear ol Pompey) will be hosting the "Festival of the Sea" in August which will be well worth a visit! << That's not all that Portsmouth will be hosting in August!! ;^)) John Snyder, B.I.T. White Ensign Models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Axel Wolters" Subject: South Goodwin lightship / Dave L Miller Hi Dave, as far as I know, the kit is indeed the old FROG - kit. A lot of the FROG tools (especially the airplane kits) were sold to Russia at the end of the 70s. Many of these kits were issued then under the "NOVO" or "NOVOEXPORT" - label, using the old box paintings. But since approx. 15 years, a lot of these tools returned to the west to REVELL of Germany (I dont know whether purchased or leased) and REVELL issued some of the kits. The "South Goodwin" was amongst them, under the name: "Trinity House - Lightship", 1:144 scale and I think, its still the same kit. This kit was offered as a closeout sale in January this year in Germany for DM 15,- (approx GBP 5,- or $ 7,50,-). I didnt buy it, because it doesnt fit im my 1:700 waterline collection, although it is an interesting model. Unfortunately I dont have information about the missing propeller, maybe the ship had no engine and was towed to its position. Interesting for sailing ship modellers: The sailing ship "Alexander von Humboldt" (kit from REVELL of Germany) with its famous green sails (sponsoring by a big brewery) is derived from an old light ship. It was decided to srap the lightship but then a group of businessmen saved the ship and financed the re-construction to a sailing ship. Axel Wolters Moenchengladbach Germany -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "resolution" Subject: Big yawn Pearl Harbor AGAIN!! it's just premiered in the UK, critics hate it. the best one I've heard so far is it's the spinal tap of war films. Richard baker www.resolution.ic24.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Jodie Peeler Subject: SCB-27A vs. SCB-27C hello all.... Ray Bean wrote: >> ESSEX to a 27 Charlie. Before the gent who posted this (cant remember the name at this time) goes much further. I cannot announce it yet but coming soon as early as the next couple months, a respected manufacturer is to be releasing the 1/700 resin kit of a 27 Charlie circa 1968 1969...retooling of an extinct kit. It will be gorgeous and if that sells, an SC 125A is in the works, and yet another 27 Charlie, different bow configuration is not in dreamland, but, in the works. I was asked to do the instruction sheet for one or more of the kits and I am expecting them anyday now....so, before chopping and hacking commences on the poor old Hase kit, do another project till these are ready to hit the shelves. << Ray, are any of these going to be suitable for an SCB-27A/-125 ship? I ask because the -27A/-125 ships were quite different in many significant details from the -27C/-125 ships, and the three -27C ships that got the -125 fit in a separate yard period (Intrepid, Ticonderoga and Hancock) were way different from the four other -27C ships (well, the other three and the Oriskany, a -27A that was upgraded under SCB-125a, the only -27A ship to be brought up to -27C standard). The Lexington, Bon Homme Richard and Shangri-La had unique shapes to their forward hulls after the -125 conversion and also had gun sponsons on the starboard side aft. The Oriskany was closest to a -27A (because she started life as one, and was upgraded as the one and only SCB-125a conversion), and would be easiest to convert to a -27A/-125, but even then there are a lot of shapes to deal with on her, and lots of additional stuff one would have to rework and/or reshape considerably. That's in addition to all the sub-classes within this class we discussed many moons ago, which I could (and have) go on about until the cows come home. :) If these folks have a real -27A/-125 ship in the works, I'd be very interested -- it would save a lot of folks a lot of trouble. OTOH, if what's about to be released are more -27C/-125 ships, I believe it would still be easier to convert the Hasegawa kit. Having researched the daylights out of the -27A ships (and having inspected two of them up close, including the subject the gentleman wants to model), there's a good bit that's different between them and the -27C/-125 ships. Speaking on my own, I think the -27A ships are quite neglected -- the attention gets paid to the -27Cs because they carried the fighters and attack aircraft, but the -27As were the ones that were out there hunting subs, standing plane guard, and recovering astronauts. I think there would be a market for a good -27A/-125 ship.... jodie http://www.mindspring.com/~raisingirl -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: PT191@aol.com Subject: Re: S-Boat FYI SMMLies: I too am writing a S-Boat book, I am working feverishly on it! T. Garth Connelly (sc699@aol.com) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: GAZWE@aol.com Subject: Re: Scharnhorst documentary Hi too all have just watched the TIME WATCH programe on the sinking of the Scharnhorst and how they located her after 60 years. Some wonderful archive film that I have never seen before. The sea bed footage shows that she had the shit kicked out of her, much of the bow from the coning tower forward is missing but the graceful bow its self is still there. The main hull is up side down starboard side torpedo tubes still in place and a single 5.9 is still in place as well, just hope that somebody taped it I did not sorry. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: "Steven P. Allen" Subject: Re: Enterprise on 7 Dec, '41 Thoughts of a diorama of Enterprise passing the wreck of Arizona just after the attack lead me to ask the folowing question: What was Enterprise's AA fit at the time? Were all 4 1.1's fitted? Any 20mm? 16 .50s? If so, where? all the photos I can find are too grainy or small to identify such things. Thanks. Steve Allen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: Michael471295@cs.com Subject: Re: Arizona Post Attack Models Dave Judy has done an excellent build of the post attack Arizona. There are pictures of it on www.steelnavy.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: stillmo@mb.sympatico.ca Subject: Post Attack Arizona...cont'd... Thanks to all for the kind comments regarding my poor little Arizona wreck. I actually built it back in 1991 for the 50th Anniversary, for our local IPMS chapter Special Contest for that anniversary. At that time, I believe, there WAS NO GMM set available and the little brass that I did use was actually 400 scale railings in critical areas. I certainly will not throw out the model due to the renewed interest, but it needs some re work, especially for the before and after comparisions, and for the reasons explained in the privious SMML posting. At this time, I would like to appeal to the cottage industry people who do both 700 and 350th scale kits. A correct Memorial kit would be appropriate and needed by us ship modellers....and wow, would that be something different and I am sure a good seller. My skills in scratchbuilding are nowhere what i would need to carve, shape, hollow out of scratch material, a worthy replication of this beautifull shrine. C'mon people...it can be done, theres enough pictures out there and maybe even some good plans!!!! BTW, have you all seen, in various publications, the pictures of the different ships slowing as they pass the memorial, modern ships rendering honors with crew manning the rails....a DD, CVA, anything, like that would make an incredible--and do-able dirorama that tells a sombre story. The wreck below need not be replicated as is doen in other dios, but some of the above surface details can be done easily. If and when I can figure out how my scanner works, I will dig up my old negatives and print some pictures of this dio to post....if any of you wish to see it. It took me just over a month to construct, under a time pressure thing and could have been much better.....but the fact is, it was done and I would invite anyone else to try the project. Ray D. Bean, Winnipeg, Canada -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21) From: stillmo@mb.sympatico.ca Subject: BRAVO TO LOREN PERRYs PH Review I could not have said it better. Ladyfriend of mine who was backing off on seeing it asked me if it was worth the bucks and time. Heck, yes. i told her, and i will be first to buy the Video too. OKY capsizing was heartrending, Arizonas demise brought tears to my eyes, and the cinemaphotograhy was awesome....especially the airplane armada approach through the hills and vallies, past the ball field and clotheslines....and yes the aerials were awesome too and i knew that they never flew like that between the buildings but I just wanted to jump up and cheer for the P40 guys especially when the plane whacked into the WEEVEEs crane......makes me wonder just how much stuff was edited out on the cutting room floor. I think if we were to see all the key things that happened on that day, it would have been a five hour movie, but key scenes were missed I think......the struggling escape of NEVADA for instance. Some of the scenes ya just gotta roll through at slow motion when you get the tape, it was so much to absorb in seconds on the screen. For example, when Arizona explodes....I never saw the Vestal alongside. Just my four cents worth here. R D Bean -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Leslie Brown" Subject: Small Warships SIG - Escort Issue 07 The June issue of 'Escort' was posted earlier today. You can find it at www.brown.abelgratis.co.uk Regards Les Brown -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Felix Bustelo Subject: International Maritime Modeling June 2001 Update I am pleased to announce the June 2001 update to International Maritime Modeling. http://members.tripod.com/~Febus65/imm.htm The June 2001 update to the site includes: Photos of Vedran Ozretiae's 1/240 scale USS Buchanan and Bob Pearson's 1/400 scale HMCS Snowberry in the Gallery. Review of the Heller 1/400 scale S/M Daphne kit in Quick Kit Reviews. Review of the L'Arsenal 1/400 scale E-2C Hawkeye and 1/400 Railing Sets and the Part 1/400 ORP Mazur Detail Set and various scale Railing sets in Photoetch Reviews. Review of Battleships of the Scharnhorst Class in Book Reviews. Updated the L'Arsenal and White Ensign Models pages in the Photoetch List Page. Related updates to the Links page. Please stop by for a look. Remember, I am always looking for contributions to IMM in the form of build articles, model ship photos, product reviews and book reviews. Regards, Felix Bustelo International Maritime Modeling URL: http://members.tripod.com/~Febus65/imm.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Daniel H Jones Subject: Computer follies Hello guys (and gals). Well, computers are wonderful when they work properly. I recently (7 weeks ago) purchased a new system and assumed my problems would be over for a while. However, it developed a memory problem - a Windows memory error that threw up a message in my word processing program that stated it had performed an illegal operation and would shut down. It did this whenever the program was loaded. I was able to save almost all the files I had done for the next PSM - but there was no way to repair the system error, so I had to reformat the hard drive and reload all the programs. I saved the email and net bookmarks - BUT - contrary to expectations, reloading them into my restored email software produced no results. To make a long story short - I lost ALL my email addresses and net connections. The file is there - but I am not able to activate it. To save time in trying to resconstruct my contacts, if you have ever communicated with me - please send me an email so I can restore your name to my address book. Thanks, Daniel Jones Plastic Ship Modeler magazine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Backissues, Member's models & reference pictures at: http://smmlonline.com 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