Subject: SMML VOL 1427 Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 00:52:47 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Holman projectors 2: Re: sending ALTMARK info to Chris Drage 3: Re: USS Gourley 4: SMML-Paging Mr. Chris Drage 5: Re: Miniture Lathes - Metal & Wood 6: Re: USS Gourley 7: Re: USS OREGON 8: Re: Resin model building 9: Book Alert! 10: Re: Revell Skipjack 11: HMS Illustrious - 11 Nov, 1940 12: Museum ships-Texas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: New PE set for 1/700 Revell LHD USS WASP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Robert Lockie" Subject: Holman projectors Chaps An off-line friend is seeking to build a 1/20 scale model of a Holman projector (the dangerous steam-powered hand grenade projector used on some British vessels in WW2) and is looking for information. I have given him a copy of John Lambert's drawing in one of the Allied Coastal Forces books and he has Campbell's 'Naval Weapons of WW2' but the photographs he has seem to contradict the drawings. Apparently the firm which made the devices is still in business but all the records on the subject have been destroyed (out of embarrassment?) so that has proved a dead end. Anyone have any ideas to where I can steer him? Thanks Robert Lockie Swindon UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Roland Mar Subject: Re: sending ALTMARK info to Chris Drage TO: Erik Erhardtsen You might want to keep trying. The address in his post is good. I know because I sent him some info I had. It should be worth the effort, if only for the hope of seeing his version of "The Navy's Here!" if the kit does come out. I'd like to see your ALTMARK and sisters posted here too, if you wouldn't mind. Roland Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Mike Settle Subject: Re: USS Gourley >> I think you've been had. A quick check through Friedman, Fahey, and a couple other references failed to turn up any USN vessels named ASHLEY or GOURLEY. << Are you sure it isn't a model of the Ashville class? Click on this link to see a picture of a modified 1/32 scale Dumas kit of the Ashville: http://www.acaseplace.com/models/models_13.htm Mike Settle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Michael Bartel Subject: SMML-Paging Mr. Chris Drage >> I did send him some scan, but the mail are returned - His address does not work - that might be the reason, that he does not get any respond << Hi Chris, I had the same problem. I tried to email you, but my message was returned. Can you help us out? Mike Bartel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: SeaPhoto@aol.com Subject: Re: Miniture Lathes - Metal & Wood The Clisby Lathe was designed by the same person who produced the original Sherline lathe. That should say good things about it! I have had a Sherline for 16 years, and find it a fantastic piece of machinery. My only concern would be the 12 volt, 4 amp motor, which seems a weak. I upgraded the original 1/10 HP motor on my Sherline with a more powerful unit from the same company, and the lathe cuts much better, even at slower speeds. Still, for small, thin turnings, such as small scale gun barrels, the Clisby should do nicely.. Kurt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "John Anderson" Subject: Re: USS Gourley >> I think you've been had. A quick check through Friedman, Fahey, and a couple other references failed to turn up any USN vessels named ASHLEY or GOURLEY. << Mr. Ross. I believe you have an ASHEVILLE class patrol boat which operated in the Vietnam area but I can not verify the name of which you speak check out the following and do some digging I have found some very interesting stuff in the different links you will be amazed if one ONLY WILL LOOK deeply, http://www.hazegray.org/features/ http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/patrol/pgm84.htm EX-CIA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: USS OREGON >> The semicircular blast shields in the deck below the muzzles of the 13 inch guns are missing, they will have to be added. << Correct me if I am wrong, but are those items unique to the Oregon? Also, were they all installed as built, or added after the initial firing exercises. Bob, you of all people should be able to answer this question for me, as you are considered to be "THE" acknowledge expert on this class of vessels! Thanks, Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: Resin model building >> I am thinking about purchasing a resin model and was wondering if I want to do a full hull if it better to get one that is not cut at the water line? From what I have read on a split at the water line hull they seem to warp and you have to cut up the bottom half to make it fit. Is warpage also a problem for a one piece hull or the top half of a 2 piece model? I hear you can heat up the hull and rebend it. What are the pros and cons of this? Also what is advised for a good glue to put and hold the hull together? << Rich, As I am still a manufacturer of resin kits, here are some pointers from me; 1) Purchase the book "Basics of Ship Modeling" by Mike Ashey. This, in my opinion, is the best book written on the subject, 'cause of the use of about 300 photos in a step by step process with captions is a huge benefit He illustrates hull assembly and work in one section. At $19 it is money well spent. Pacific Front Hobbies is one of many vendors carrying this book. 2) Unfortunately, warpage is a problem common to resin kits. Not all have it initially, but they get it eventually. For small parts, I highly recommend the hot water method. It is the safest for you and the model. Soak the part(s) is question is water heated to about 170 to 190 F. You will have to judge the time for each depending on size and mass of the part, but a few minutes is the general rule of thumb. Let them cool slowly, with a little flexing help from you. 3) To keep a full hull model (two piece assembly or one piece cast) straight, ALWAYS use three or more pedestals to secure to the display case base. 4) Use a medium viscosity super glue, found at most model RC aircraft hobby shops. Hope this helps, Steve Wiper www.classicwarships.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Book Alert! I thought I would let some of my fellow modelers know about a few books I recently purchased. 1) Battlestations! American Warships of WWII by Veronico. The only retail outlet I have seen this item at is Barnes & Noble. Hardbound. Lots of color photos, in fact most of the book is in color, many not previously published. Reproduction is good. 168 pages, large format. The authors are aviation historians, so there are a few mistakes, some silly, but none to bad. At $35 I thought it was a fair deal, not great, but not bad either. I recommend it. 2) The History of the Worlds Warships by Chant. Again, the only retail outlet I have found this book at is B & N. Hardbound. Massive large format book at $24. Lots of interesting photos of all types of warships, as the title states, many in color and quite a lot I have not seen before. Good deal, I recommend it. 3) Pearl Harbor in the Movies by Rampell & Reyes. I think I also picked this on up at B & N. Softbound. Large format, some color, mostly B & W, good reproduction. Good reference to movies about PH and USN during WWII. At $17, not bad. I recommend it. Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Re: Revell Skipjack >> I tend to go both ways when building a ship; Sometimes I'll go all out with detail, add brass railings and ladders, etc. Other times I prefer to build straight out of the box. Such was the case with my Skipjack. I read the posts which claimed the sail was incorrectly shaped, the screw was wrong, and the reactor hatch was prototypically incorrect. But to be honest I didn't care. I built this model for fun, and had fun as I built it. << Rod- absolutely agree with you. As I mentioned in my post about the Revell Skipjack, this kit is so basic, just have fun and build it OOB. I recently built a couple of the Lindbergh subs (Gato and Nautilus) both of which are wildly inaacurate. I use one as a PTH (Paint Test Hull) for those new techniques that I don't want to try out on a pricey resin kit. Sure, it's fun to get everything right and superdetail, but sometimes it's just as much fun to throw something together OOB just like when you were a kid. In fact, to totally recreate the experience, why not put some glue on your thumb and leave those nice glue thumbprints. Most of all: HAVE FUN!!! Tom Dougherty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Harold Stockton" Subject: HMS Illustrious - 11 Nov, 1940 Concerning the date of the photograph that I mentioned that was in Paul Kemp's book "A Pictorial History Of The SEA WAR 1939-1945", on pages 26 and 27 of Illustrious, I have a little more information about the possible date of the photograph. According to the "FAA Archiv" website at: http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Ships/ILLUSTRIOUS.html the single Martlet II that was on Illustrious' foredeck with folded wings would have belonged to 881 Squadron between March 1942 to February of 1943. Because of the clarity of the photograph in Kemp's book and the calm seas with little headway for Illustrious, and as she undertook a refit in the UK between February and June 1943, I would believe that this is a fairly close date for when this photograph was taken. As the paint job looks relatively fresh with very little weathering seen at all, I would say that this is a fairly close approximation of the dating of Ilustrious' paint scheme for this date, after Alan Raven's illustration in his 1942 book of her scheme. I would not place the photograph any later than the February and June 1943 UK refit as there were still six Fulmar IIs of a detachment of 795 Squadron still listed as part of Illustrious' air group as of August and September 1942. Though, Illustrious did have another refit in the UK from December 1943 to January 1944 where 803 Squadron did deploy onboard Illustrious in December of that year with Fulmar IIs, Avengers had already replaced the Swordfish that are clearly in the Kemp photograph. Harold Stockton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: ZMzimmerman@cs.com Subject: Museum ships-Texas Several months ago I finally got to visit the Texas for the first time in 30 years and one major repair. The people working on her are to be commended for the job they are doing considering the shape she was in. That wretched concrete is off her deck, she now floats in her slip (after one sinking when enough of her hull plates rusted out), the topside fittings are slowly being restored to her 1945 appearance. Numerous compartments are open including the machinery spaces, be advised if you are more than six feet tall, DUCK. I am a couple inches under six feet and just missed having numerous up close and personal meetings fittings suspended from the overheads. Lets hear it for the volunteers that work on all these museum ships. Michael Zimmerman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Loren Perry Subject: New PE set for 1/700 Revell LHD USS WASP Gold Medal Models is now in full production with its all-new PE detail set for Revell of Germany's new plastic kit of the USS Wasp & Essex LHD. These are members of the class of ships now involved in the war against the Taliban. This new product (GMM No. 700-29) will be available December 21. See the GMM website (What's New) for more information: www.goldmm.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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://apma.org.au/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume