Subject: SMML VOL 1297 Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 13:58:51 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Book stores in NYC 2: Re: Morison's history of the US Navy in WWII 3: Russian Ensigns 4: HMS Caroline 5: Thanks 6: Loire 130 7: John Haynes fittings 8: HMS Agincourt 9: Benson class USS Laffey (DD-459) 10: Removing resin overpours and Modelkrak 11: Samuel E. Morrison and his books 12: Coast Guard Patrol Boat 13: Kit instructions (or NOT) 14: Re: Morison's history of the US Navy in WWII 15: USS Houston CA-30 16: Re: Russian ensigns & Pacific Front 17: Re: HMS Agincourt inquiry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation 1: Re: IPMS(USA) Nats-Chicago -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Re: Imperial Russian Navy's flags 2: Another special offer from NauticusModels.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: VONJERSEY@aol.com Subject: Re: Book stores in NYC >> Going to NYC next week and wondered if there was a 'must see' book store with naval subjects? << Darren: NYC has many bookstores, but my favorite is THE STRAND, it is a used book store on Broadway and 12th Streets. It's the best used book store in the City. Unfortunately the isle devoted to ships is narrow and part of it is devoted to travel books, which for some reason, always draws a crowd. That said, you MUST go there, I have stocked my library with many jewels (and depleted my finances) from their shelves. Also, if you are there during the 9-5 Mon. -Sat. period you can go the their rare books selection on the 3rd floor. This neighborhood is considered to be part of Greenwich village, there are many other small bookstores that dot this neighborhood. Around the corner from the Strand on 4th Ave, between 12th and 13th streets is alabaster books and on 12th street, just off 5th avenue is another small bookstore. All three of these bookstores are within 5 min. walk from each other. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Chris Neel" Subject: Re: Morison's history of the US Navy in WWII Having read further into the volume "The Struggle for Guadalcanal", I agree with Doug Simpkin's assessment of this series of books. They are written from a more historical perspective with some personal insights given, mainly from the After Combat Reports written on each of the actions. As these were written mainly by the officers and other prominent personnel (i.e. watch officer on deck at the time the Japanese were first spotted entering Ironbottom Sound)on the ships at the time, they do not give the more personal accounts of the general crewmen as refered to by Doug. This type of account can also be found in "The Last Battle Station" which I also recommended - This book is written mostly from interviews with the former crewmembers rather than a basic history study. These men also refered to the gut pounding sensations as Japanese shells went off in the water around them after having abandoned ship... something that I was unaware of until reading this book and noted that several different men made the same comment regarding the sensation. As for the Morison series, I personnally had bought the Guadalcanal volume, went home and read a little and flipped through the book before I went back and purchased the rest of the series the next day. As I am interested in learning more about the basic action sequences and such, I find these books to be very interesting - they give a good descriptions of the battles and the scenarios leading up to and following the event. Morison also makes references to War College Studies performed after the war were officers have reviewed the specific battle situations and compare what should have been done to what actually did happen... something else that I find interesting - but he does not go into great detail regarding each matter, which I like. I feel that, with the complete series, all of the known major actions will be described and that the series will provide the basic groundwork for a battle or theater of action if one wants to look further into a specific area of interest. This series does get my highest recommendation, but then again, different people will be looking for different things when picking something out to read. later Chris Neel Victoria, Texas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "graham and melanie" Subject: Russian Ensigns Try Duane Fowler hes on this list and he has got what you want. Or try White Ensign Models or the Warship site. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "aa8." Subject: HMS Caroline Hello All On a recent visit to HMS Belfast with my colonial friend Rhino Bones I bought the book 'Cruisers in Camera' by Roger Hayward. Mr Hayward informs me that the Jutland survivor HMS Caroline is still afloat and in the hands of the Royal Navy. I can find little or nothing out about the current state of this ship or even where she is. Does anyone know more? Is there a preservation movement/society for her or any definite long term preservation plans? Any info would be appreciated. regards Andy Jones -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "D.Przezdziecki" Subject: Thanks Thanks to David Griffith and John W.Wressel for HMS Agincourt info. Unfortunatelly I do not have an access to Parkes book,any chance of a scan or photocopy of the relevant pages??? Regards D.P -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "larsenal" Subject: Loire 130 Hello, Someone asked some days ago for the colours of the Loire 130 of the Strasbourg / Dunkerque. All Loire 130 were finished silver, with the bottom of the fuselage black. (In fact all the part of the hull that was underwater is black) The planes onboard the Strasbourg has a white triangular insignia just under the pilot place, with the crest of the Strasbourg inside. Rudder was Blue (pale), White and Red in a scheme reverse to the British planes. Best regards, Jacques Druel L'Arsenal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: ALROSS2@aol.com Subject: John Haynes fittings For anyone building in 1/192 or larger, I recommend you check out the various fittings produced by John Haynes. John is a professional builder and does some incredible work. He has an extensive list of resin and metal fittings available. I've used a number of his fittings on some 1/96 scale models I've built and highly recommend them. His 5"/38 open mounts are marvelous and he makes a 26' motor whaleboat that is very, very nice. Visit his website at: www.johnrhaynes.com Al Ross -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Joel Labow Subject: HMS Agincourt If you can find a copy, 'The Great Dreadnought' by Richard Hough (Harper and Row 19666, Library of Congress # 66-21709) is a brief (193 pages) history of Agincourt. It gives a nice summary of the politics which surrounded her aquisition by the RN and a complete operational history. There are 8 pages of photographs but no line drawings. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "John Sheridan" Subject: Benson class USS Laffey (DD-459) >> Has anyone out there done any research on the USS Laffey (DD-459), as far as building a model of her? I have some photos, and it looks like I can convert the Blue Water Navy USS Farenholt '42 kit- they both appear to have the square lower forward deckhouse with the forward positioned bridge, square stacks, etc. << The BWN 1942 Farenholt can easily be converted to USS Laffey DD-459. The Farenholt has the same square lower bridge, squarish stacks, and 20mm aft gun tub as the Laffey. Only minor changes are required to make the change. >> The main changes being more depth charge locations, and the slanted area of the 01 level needs to be squared instead of a slope down to the main deck. << I'm not sure about this. I will check some photos to make sure. >> Does anyone know of any drawings, etc. of this ship? Floating Drydock and Taubman plans don't list anything, and I'm aware Classic Warships has their book on the Benson/Gleaves scheduled for release in August. << I recommend that you find some photos of Laffey instead. She was a pretty generic Benson so it should not be a problem. John Sheridan The only human to defeat the Minbari is behind me, you are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else. : Delenn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: ZMzimmerman@cs.com Subject: Removing resin overpours and Modelkrak Having an interest in the Russo-Japanese War has led me to buy a couple of Modelkrak ships and their hefty resin overpours. Since my belt sander is in storage I went out and bought one of Tamiyas' big hobby saw (the one that looks as if should be a Japanese restaurant),with careful cutting it only required a little light sanding with the sandpaper taped down on a flat surface. And yes the instructions are not a lot of help. A copy of Conway's Fighting Ships would be a good general reference to start with. I am ordering a stock of White Ensign detail parts: boats, ventilator cowls etc. Michael Zimmerman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: ZMzimmerman@cs.com Subject: Samuel E. Morrison and his books This research for his official history was started while the war was in progress and published post war. While much new information has come to light since then it still makes an excellent starting point for study. Then going on to more detailed books on a specific campaign. And if the price is 150.00 for the 15 plus (I think) books in the set quite a bargain. Michael Zimmerman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "John" Subject: Coast Guard Patrol Boat I am doing a model for a customer of a 40' US Coast Guard Boat, does anyone have any pictures this boat, is the one that has the engine compartment hump in the middle of the rear deck and a crew compartment up front, I have searched the Coast Guard Web site no luck John Anderson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "John Sheridan" Subject: Kit instructions (or NOT) Denis G Campbell wrote: >> I bought my first resin model kit a few months ago ( had always worked with plastic kits). It was one of the better known "names" in resin kits (I won't name the manufacturer, because I don't want to, as Henry put it, start a war here) and am appalled at the instructions that came with it. << Let me get this straight; You don't want to start a "war" but then you go and take a potshot at one of the manufacturers? Hint: you just started a war. Why don't you gather a little courage and name the manufacturer since you are so willing to take potshots at them ! It makes the playing field more even. >> They consist of three pages of photocopies of out-of-focus, overexposed photographs - some of the kit in subassemblies, some of the actual ship the kit represents - and a list of parts neatly numbered. << That's probally because most garage kit makers expect you to have references and some experience in order to build their kits. This is not an unreasonable request for them to make since it takes a little skill to assemble a resin shipmodel kit. >> Only thing is, the only parts that are numbered themselves are the parts on the PE fret - and some of those don't match the numbered parts list for PE! and some of the parts on the fret are not numbered at all! << Did this minor error prevent you from building the kit? Did *you* contact the manufacturer and ask for help? Did you do anything at all? >> There are dozens of resin and white metal bits and pieces in the kit (two bags) - you would think a drawing of the part next to its name and number on the list would have been a good idea - 'cause, of course, the parts themselves are not numbered. << Again, some experience is required to build one of these kits. But you are right, a list of parts does help. >> I am building this kit as a surprise for a friend (one of my doctors, actually) and have spent the last two months searching the internet for pictures of the real ship (not too many around - it was not one the famous ships) and finally had to ruin the surprise and ask him if he had any pictures (he had some, but not very helpful for building a model virtually from scratch). << Why didn't you ask right here ? I'm sure there is lots of reference material out there on whatever ship you are working on. >> Getting back to "why did you ever buy FOUR".... I certainly won't buy another of this manufacturer's kits. Not because of the severe warpage of the bottom half of the two part hull (which I cured by cutting it into pieces and then filling the spaces between pieces after glueing the pieces on), but because of the abysmal instructions. << Then why mention the other problems? If the instrcutions were the only thing stopping you from building the kit, then I highly recommend that you never build a resin kit ever again. >> Instructions from say, Tamiya and GMM are a pleasure to work with. They are absolutely clear and, to me, are what instructions should be (in the case of GMM, educational as well) - clear enough for an ex airplane modeler to understand and produce a reasonable ship model. << Not every manufacturer (especially garage kit manufacturers) have a department of artists and engineers on staff to draw instructions. Most often the kit maker has a staff of one; themselves. Most often or not, the instructions are the weakest part of any resin kit. Most of the resin kit makers understand this and have improved their instructions considerably. >> My advice, Henry, is, don't complain after buying 4 kits with the same result. Vote with your feet, as they say, and buy somewhere else. << Yeah, since there is a large contigent of plastic kit makers banging on the door to make new kits of every ship imaginable in all scales, I recommend that you hold your breath until one of your beloved plastic kit makers produces all of the ship models you desire. They should be done, oh in about the year 2150. John Sheridan www.shipcamouflage.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Craig R Bennett Subject: Re: Morison's history of the US Navy in WWII Hi Guys I personally own 11 of the 15 volumes that Proffessor Morison wrote. Thanks for bringing this up because now I can complete it. If you had to buy them new from Brown and Little it would cost $650.00 and it would be the complete set only. No individual volume choices at all. Thanks. Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Roger/Sharon Torgeson" Subject: USS Houston CA-30 Does any one know what the color of the Houston was at the time of her loss in March 1942/. I would like to do the ship as pre-war, wood decks, and all the spit and polish that goes with being a flagship. I will be using the BWN kit, so I will have a good kit to start with, but it's the color, and what paint line makes a close match that's holding me up. Well I like to think that's the only hang up. What with Summer right around the corner, grass needing to be cut, cars to be washed, and dripping sweat, under a hot light on my work bench on a hot day onto a painted model could also be reasons for delay. Any help would be appreciated. Roger -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: TerrYBettYS@webtv.net (Terry Sandin) Subject: Re: Russian ensigns & Pacific Front Masashi Ito asked for a source for ensign and jack decals for Imperial Russian ships. Dunagain Decals makes such a sheet that they say "represents the naval ensigns and jacks of Russia and the USSR since 1900" & is "accurate as of 1 January, 2000." The set contains 1/92, 1/700 and 1/350 decals. I purchased my set from Pacific Front Hobbies. Speaking of Pacific Front, I've noticed a couple of comments in this forum the past few days about recent follow up from Bill Gruner. By coincidence. I phoned Bill this morning and he told me he had to make an unplanned & difficult journey to the San Francisco Bay Area due to an unexpected and it seems serious illness with his father and just returned to Oregon. It's my belief that he is trying to catch up with his "one-person business" while dealing with his emotions about a person he is quite close too. If you are awaiting a reply or a shipment from Bill, perhaps a thoughtfully worded reminder via e-mail (which I believe he is a bit overwhelmed with at this point) or better yet, as I did, a call to him at (541) 464-8579 would help both of you out (he immediately addressed my needs). While I've never met Bill and have only known him from years of ordering from him, he's always been a knowledgeable gentleman. TerryS Hi Terry, Thanks for the update on Bill, much appreciated. Lorna & I send our regards to both Bill & his father & we both hope he gets better soon. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: George Colleen Ian Hargreaves Subject: Re: HMS Agincourt inquiry Richard Hough wrote a book on HMS Agincourt titled 'The Great Dreadnought', library of congress number 66-21709. In it are two of the clearer pictures of HMS Agincourt. Caption One: Cutting through a choppy sea, the Agincourt steams on patrol in 1915, her torpedo nets and "Marble Arch" flying boat decks removed. Picture Two: Shows HMS Agincourt steaming in 1915 with the aft fighting top in position, no additional search lights and no anti aircraft guns on the quarter deck. The text of the book infers that HMS Agincourt fought at Jutland little modified. So it would seem that the 1915 configuration is valid for Jutland. Regards, George -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: dlfowler@apple.com Subject: Re: IPMS(USA) Nats-Chicago Hello pavel, I regret to say that this week I received confirmation that my employer will be sending me once again to asia during the time the IPMS Nationals will be going on. The only consolation is that I may get the chance to visit Tokyo Disneyland on July 4th. Best regards, Duane Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: dlfowler@apple.com Subject: Re: Imperial Russian Navy's flags Hello Masashi, I produce a set of decals that represent the Russian and USSR naval ensigns and jacks from 1900 to present. Each flag is produced in five sizes and are suitable for 1/192 to 1/700 scale. The set contains the Imperial Russian ensign and jack (which are currently used by Russia) as well as all the ensigns and jacks in between including the Black Sea Ensign used by the Black Sea Fleet while there was a dispute between Russia and Ukraine over who would get which ships. This set is available from Pacific Front Hobbies, Naval Base Hobbies, and Colpar Hobbies in the US and from White Ensign Models in Britain. Best regards, Duane Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Christopher Decker Subject: Another special offer from NauticusModels.com Hi Everyone: As you may or may not know, from time to time, NauticusModels makes available to this list special prices on new or restocked models we have available. Here is the updated list, these offers are good until the end of July, or when our current stock runs out. 1/200 Nichimo Yamato retail $398.00 NM --> $270.00 1/350 ICM Konig retail $89.98 NM --> $55.00 1/350 ICM GroBer Kurfurst $89.98 NM --> $55.00 1/350 Tamiya King George V $64.00 NM --> $40 1/350 Tamiya Prince of Wales $64.00 NM --> $40 Email me directly if you would like to place an order, or have any questions. Chris Decker President Nauticus Models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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