Subject: SMML VOL 1443 Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 00:33:06 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Monitor Virginia 2: Re: Nantucket Lightship and USCGC Eastwind 3: Re: Skywave/Pitroad 1:700 Iowa 4: British O Class 5: Re: Painting PE 6: Iowas, Trumpeter 1/350 Essex 7: Revell New Release USS Enterprise 8: Hein Mueck U-Boat bunkers 9: Re: Paper models 10: AOTS books delayed - again 11: Re: Franklyn and paper models 12: Turnbuckles 13: Re: Airfix 2002 releases 14: bubbly polyurethane resin hull 15: CSS Virginia 16: Painting PE 17: Lightship Nantucket and USCGC Eastwind 18: 1/350 USS NEW JERSEY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: New from Dreadnaught Model Shipyards 2: NEW...YS 1/350 USS Oregon 3: 1/700 KITS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Monitor Virginia >> I haven't built any American Civil War steam/sail vessels before, and I don't know how they preserved the hulls. Were they painted with red lead? Were they copper shealthed? I'm sure someone can help me out. I just would like to fairly accurate - not real nitpicky - but then again I could change... << The Virginia is the easiest, it was coppered below the casemate as it was built on the hull of a steam/sail sloop, the USS Merrimack The monitors are a bit more problematic. The USS Monitor was most likely red-lead below the waterline (which is actually half way up the side of the raft portion of the hull. Other monitors had white/light grey lower hulls: either white lead or some sort of wax coat like the earlier wood hull ships. Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: ALROSS2@aol.com Subject: Re: Nantucket Lightship and USCGC Eastwind >> Several years ago (at least 25-30) a plastic model of Nantucket Lightship was available. I think it was made by Lindberg or Monogram or possibly another manufacturer. It was about 14-15 inches long and was a really great model. << If you like working with wood, BlueJacket Shipcrafters has a nice traditional model (basswood, britannia, brass) of NANTUCKET about the same size. Check it out at www.bluejacketinc.com Al Ross -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Gernot Hassenpflug Subject: Re: Skywave/Pitroad 1:700 Iowa Craig (Bannobon4@aol.com) wrote in Vol 1442: >> Speaking of the New Jersey Skywave has recently made a plastic 1/700 scale 1983 era kit of this ship and it's not listed for release in the States. It costs Y-3800. How much is that in USD and why isn't available here. It's number is M-16. If you look at Pacific front hobbies link to them you'll find it on the 2001 Tokyo Hobby Con. << Exchange rate of around 127 Yen to the US$ in Japan, less if you go the other way. Importers add a fair amount, so you might see this kit at around $50 list price. However, the kit is not yet available in Japan either, should be any day now (middle or end of December). When it comes out, it will soon be in the US too, or you can order from online dealers in Japan (the usual suspects). Note Tamiya will release plastic versions of the Iowa in 1:700. If I speak with forked tongue, please forgive, as I crossed my eyes searching the Tamiya HP for the info, without success. The info comes via japanese modelers, due date next year, probably at Shizuoka. Without trying to knock the japanese resin producers, notably Hi-Mold, who do excellent work, the caveat seems to be that shortly after a resin kit is released or re-released, a plastic one will follow. By that rule, updated Fuso/Yamashiro will be out soon, and I expect Soryu and Hiryu to follow within a year! Gernot -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Michael Cuell Subject: British O Class Thanks to everyone who responded. I now have the instruction sheet I need to complete this project. Regards... Michael -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: VonsGiftWorld@aol.com Subject: Re: Painting PE Ted, I'm not sure what type paint you are using, but I know it took me a little more finesse with acrylics. I use enamels when painting ships and PE, just seems alittle more realistic to me. If railings are the problem, try running them very lightly across fine grit sandpaper to give them a slight rough surface for the paint. At the same time, you may warm your paints up a bit, this will help with better adhesion. I would recommend airbrushing all PE that you can, hand brushing is best for touchups. Your railing should be painted in the color of the rest of the ship, unless you have plans that state otherwise. Happy Modeling, Dan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject: Iowas, Trumpeter 1/350 Essex The Revell and the Tamiya 1/350 both have flaws and advantages. Revell's one-piece deck doesn't require sanding, filling, and fixing, and her helo deck is more accurate, but while the thicker plastic makes it studier, it also doesn't look right when assembled. Tamiya's version has that annoying 3 part deck, I'm not quite happy with their color suggestions, and it's more expensive. Overall the Tamiya is a better build, but the Revell is fine unless your a stickler for details. Both are improved by PE sets. GMM and Flagship make PE for the 1980's Iowas, plus GMM's includes parts for New Jersey in Vietnam service. Tom's and GMM make sets for the WW2 version, Tom's being a more general WWII Fast Battleship set. According to one story I've heard, the 1/700 1980's Iowas will be released by Skywave only in Japan, while Trumpeter will release it outside Japan using the same molds. Finally, I have been informed that the Trumpeter 1/350 Essex will not be a rip-off, but they are working with a resin producer to make a plastic version of their resin model. There will be two versions: one early with one catapult, the other late with two catapults. Trumpeter did not license the associated aircraft, though, so how they'll come out is anyone's guess. However, WEM makes WWII US carrier aircraft in 1/350, so there's an alternative if they turn out as blobs on sticks. Of course, there are those of us who'd like to build post-WWII versions, meaning there will be a market for postwar aircraft - Phantoms, Cougars, Skyraiders, HO3S-1 helos - and replacement islands. Joe Poutre -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: Revell New Release USS Enterprise >> #3707 1:400 U.S.S. Enterprise Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier - The "Big E" was the first nuclear-powered surface warship to be built and is the world's largest naval vessel. She carries the most technologically advanced radar and weapons systems, 90 aircraft and a crew of over 5,500. She has an 89,000 ton displacement, is capable of speeds of over 30 knots and can go for almost 15 years without refueling. Features: Includes 42 aircraft - 15 Skyhawks, 15 Phantom IIs, 10 Crusaders and 2 recovery helicopters, moveable elevators, Sea Sparrow missile launchers and one-piece hull, display stand and name plate included, authentic decals for deck and aircraft. Skill 3, SRP: $89.99 << Haven't seen the kit yet, but nice to see Revell is announcing something other than hot rods and ME-109s on their e-mail New Release pages. This kit should be an impressive thing in 1/400. Victor Baca Editor & Publisher MODEL SHIP JOURNAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Ron and Louise Crawford Subject: Hein Mueck U-Boat bunkers Has anyone seen (or does anyone have the URL of an image of) the Hein Mück models of U-boat bunkers? They are in 1/1250 scale and from the name are most likely coming out of Bremerhaven, Germany. I'm also looking for a 1/1250 model of the USS Langley (CV-1). Any ideas? Ron Crawford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: URUDOFSKY@aol.com Subject: Re: Paper models The most comprehensive "paper" model place is in Hamburg, Germany: Scheuer & Strüver http://www.moduni.de/ These are not kid stuff anymore and include cathedrals as well as ships. The BISMARCK (1:250, 5077 parts and 7290 parts with the photo-etched set) is a good example of how far paper models have come since I constructed them in the 1940s. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Keith Butterley Subject: AOTS books delayed - again Hi Just received this message from my contact person at Maritime Books: >> I have spoken to Conway Maritime about their AOS series and they told me that the books are being printed in Spain and they have had problems and not to expect any of them until the New Year. To be honest, I never believe Conway until I actually see the book - they are really bad at putting dates back over and over. << Seems to be a recurring theme with them doesn't it? Does anybody know the whereabouts of WR Press? I have been unable to get a hold of him for three weeks. Regards Keith Butterley http://www.warshipbooks.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Melvin Burmaster" Subject: Re: Franklyn and paper models Franklyn, I was doing just well until you posted the paper models. Now I am in a state of despair after seeing those museum quality ships. Sadist! Now, do you or others dabble in1/700th scale? You need make amends, sir, for the gnashing of teeth you have caused before Christmas! Respectfully, MJBurmaster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject: Turnbuckles I was mildly suprised to not see any SMML resonses to my query about the finish for U.S.Navy life-line bronze turnbuckles. I got a few from people I correspond with off-line, but none from fhe general population of SMML. I subsequently made a visit to the U.S.S. Cassin Young, a WW 2 destroyer museum ship in the old Charlsetown Navy Yard (Boston), to see what they had, as the opinions received were about evenly divided between painted and "natural". Well, on the Cassin Young The turnbuckles were originally (and a few still are) painted grey, but the ship is now under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, and keeping bronze turnbuckles painted is a really low priority item. Consequently, on most of them the paint is severly weathered away (although traces of paint remain), and the bronze has taken on a nice dark reddish-brown hue (patina), especially those where viisiters are apt to rub them as they walk along. Therefore I have elected to paint the turnbuckles grey, assuming this would be "correct" for an active duty vessel. Your silence assumes tacit approval. This is sort of like painting an antique automobile during restoration. The rules are: 1) Paint it the original color. 2) Paint it an original (correct for that particular original year of manufacture) color. 3) Paint it "Resale Red". 4) It's your car, paint it any color you want. Franklyn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Graham Boak" Subject: Re: Airfix 2002 releases >> About the HMS Campbeltown discussion. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't this kit sold by Airfix as USS Buchanan orginally? I've reread AOTS Campbeltown and after transfere to the RN she had the hull number of I 42. But who manned her? Was it Free Polish or Dutch crews assigned to her? I have one of the orginal kits and in comparison to other ships it has window detail. The bow 4 inch gun has a shield on it. << The first release was as Campbelltown. What it may have been released as in the States I do not know, but it was never Buchanan on the UK market. Graham Boak -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Douglas Subject: bubbly polyurethane resin hull I just finished pouring a polyurethane resin hull for a German "Vorpostenboot" I'm scratchbuilding...after shaping and sanding I'm confronted with a gazillion tiny air bubbles at the surface of the hull. I've been contemplating filling them with CA glue and an accelerator (just swabbing the whole thing with glue and zapping it with the catalyst), but I think I've read where folks have had good luck using auto body filler. Can someone tell me what kind to look for, and will it work with the poly resin? Doug Bauer Poway, CA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Richard Sweeney Subject: CSS Virginia The Virginia had been the U.S.S. Merrimack, She was copper sheathed Rich -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "John Rule" Subject: Painting PE >> I'm having trouble getting paint to adhere and dry on PE brass. Any suggestions? Railings are the worst in this regard. Are they painted grey like the rest of the ship, another colour or left metallic? << You must have just missed the recent extensive correspondence on this subject. The most important aspect is to keep the PE clean. i.e. No greasy fingers prints. You can also prep it by immersing in a mild acid like vinegar for a while. Wash of and dry thoroughly before applying paint. Probably best painted on the fret before you detach parts. If after detachment, trimming, placement and gluing on model touch up any shiny areas with a small brush. Voila!! Well maybe if you are modelling the Gloire. Good Luck John Rule -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: "Bill & Kaja Michaels" Subject: Lightship Nantucket and USCGC Eastwind >> Several years ago (at least 25-30) a plastic model of Nantucket Lightship was available. I think it was made by Lindberg or Monogram or possibly another manufacturer. It was about 14-15 inches long and was a really great model. I have been looking for this model for many years but it never seems to turn up on E-bay or others. Anybody out there got one (complete & unbuilt) in their closet for sale? Also looking for a Revell USCGC Eastwind (complete & unbuilt). << The Nantucket was an old Pyro model that later became a Lindberg kit. The last time I saw the Nantucket in stores was in 1990, when the Nantucket was released as part of Lindberg's "Heritage Series". For some reason, the Nantucket kit is rarer than many of the other kits from this series. Since last summer, I've seen 2 or 3 copies of the kit on E-bay-- they usually sold for about $30-$40. The Eastwind kit was last released in 1998 or so, as part of Revell's SSP program. You should be able to find a copy on e-bay for around $20-- they pop up there all the time. The same kit was also molded in gray plastic and sold as the Burton Island. Hope this helps, Bill Check out my US Coast Guard subjects model list at: http://www.tiac.net/users/billkaja/kitlist.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: IAAFru2@aol.com Subject: 1/350 USS NEW JERSEY Thanks to all who answered on the revel "New Jersey" it looks like I am going to be stuck with a "Turkey" as they say. I was looking for a W.W.II era 44-45 ship and not really interested in "modern". But since I already bought it off e-Bay I guess I have to keep it. Oh well Maybe someone knows of a conversion kit or an easy way to build W.W.II version? Thanks George -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "S Brejnak" Subject: New from Dreadnaught Model Shipyards We are pleased to announce the release of the 1/96th scale 5"-38 caliber single turret. These turrets come in both the single and double knuckle variety and are priced at $9 dollars each or sold in a set of five for $37. We are also working on a 5" twin and MK-37 director and expect to release these shortly as well. http://dreadnoughts.theshoppe.com/ We also have the upgrade set available for the 1/125th scale Lindberg fletcher for $22 dollars U.S. and that includes shipping in the continetal United States. All foreign orders please add $4 dollars http://www.dreadnoughts.theshoppe.com/products.htm Steve Brejnak Dreadnought Model Shipyards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Bill Gruner Subject: NEW...YS 1/350 USS Oregon Just in....YS Masterpieces superb 1/350 resin kit of old battleship USS Oregon. This is undoubtedly one of the finest resin kits available in any scale. Complete with photoetch and very thorough instructions. Our price is $175.00 + shipping. Yiannis Sagiadinos has informed us that one of his next kits (maybe next?)will be the US Navy armored cruiser USS Brooklyn in 1/350. His kits have to be seen to be appreciated. We still have some of his superb Greek armored cruiser Averofs in stock. Also new in stock from Kai-jinsha/Ships of the World: NEW! Handbook of US Navy Handbook of Chinese and Taiwanese Navies These are excellent pictorials, about 160 pp (few publishers in the world compare with Kai-jinsha for photographic excellence and reproduction)...each with several pages of superb color. Japanese text, but so what, these are really loaded with pics.. Price is $14.00 each. Also by Kai-jinsha: NEW...US Navy Cruisers of World War 2. 170 pages, super collection of photos, 8 pages of real WW 2 color. Fold-out 2-view plans of San Diego and Indianapolis. If you are a USN fan or cruiser buff, you will want this book....$25.00 + shipping. Thank you, Bill Gruner Pacific Front Hobbies http://www.pacificfront.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: IAAFru2@aol.com Subject: 1/700 KITS Hi everyone A couple of issues ago someone mentioned in the model review section that they had some old 1/700 scale models of "Pearl Harbor ships. i.e., Tennessee, West Virginia, etc.I would like to contact him/her and see if willing to sell those kits as I am trying to build all 8 Battleships from Pearl, and cannot find and afford the "Big Bucks" 1/350's So whoever you where please contact me off line. Thanks George -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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