Subject: SMML VOL 1469 Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 00:45:13 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: 1/350 Carriers 2: Chinese Sovremenys 3: DKM deck colors 4: Combrig 5: Statement from ICM USA 6: worst ship model 7: USS Bannion by Aurora 8: Re: Hasagawa HMS Vanguard 9: Crew for 1/72 KM S100 10: HMS Victory & Mayflower 11: Republic of Texas Navy Ships 12: Blackadder 13: PacFront still in business? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Revell S-100 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Chuck Evans" Subject: 1/350 Carriers Does anyone know the availability or release dates for the Trumpeter 1/350 scale carriers Essex (CV9) and Hornet (CV8)? I'm having trouble finding info on the web. Thanks, Chuck Evans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Baumbach, Werner" Subject: Chinese Sovremenys Hello, yesterday we had a short note, that China is getting two new Russian destroyers, modified Sovremenies. Does anyone know, what these modifications are? Does China have sub-based ballistic missiles. Excuse my ignorance here, just out of curiosity and on the search for new topics. Cheers Werner -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Douglas Subject: DKM deck colors I'm getting ready to send my scratchbuilt German WW2 Vorpostenboot to the paintshop, but I need some info on the deck colors used. Any knowledgeable suggestions on what color would've been used for the decks of these Kriegsmarine-impressed trawlers and fishing boats? I'm assuming they would've repainted the vertical surfaces in some sort of DKM grey, but would they have also painted the horizontal surfaces? Thanks. Doug Bauer Poway, CA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Robert Healy" Subject: Combrig Greetings to All, Does anyone out there know who carries Combrig kits? I would like to pick up a Sverdlov but their web page is not much help. Thanks, Bob Healy-USN (For the duration it seems...) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Richa5011@aol.com Subject: Statement from ICM USA Paul boyer of Kalmbach posted this earlier today...hopefully this will put to rest the rumors that ICM is "no more"... Gregg Voss, Kalmbach's Model Retailer associate editor got this statement from ICM-USA: ICM-USA president Michael Lipovich has heard the rumors that his Redwood City, Calif.-based is going out of business, but he says they are "completely incorrect." "I have a lot of people calling with the same question, but no company going out of business is coming out with 100 new items in a year," Lipovich says. He adds the confusion may have come about due to the Ukrainian-based parent companyıs decision to open a subsidiary in Russia, but under a new name, which has not yet been announced. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: worst ship model It would be interesting to hear from people, seeing that this is a discussion group, the worst model you have ever had the misfortune in building. Mine is 2 ship kits so far, 1 the Revel Arizona, i had so many problems with the kit (but then again i prefer simple kits that dont need much or any touch ups), #1 was all the those littel holes that were all over the deck & in the most hard to get areas, didnt have any drill parts to clean up so had to chip away with a knife (butchered), next problem was the base of the front bridge area, the stands were of different length & the base was warped which didnt help & then i seem to recall on the back deck area there were problems which i cant remember so against the wall it ended up! decided to suffer again with the kit so i hope this new one doesnt have the warpage as the previous kit. The kit was a Kirov made by some russian company , no english instructions was for sale in Sydney for $180 then after 6months hobbyco marked it down to $100 then down to $80 so with my discount got it for a few dollars less, well where to begin..no instytruction sheet, only sheet was a finished line drawing with part numbers..problem number 1 : most parts didnt come on trees with numbers (oh by the way it was resin kit) so a lot of time was spent trying to figure out what part went where, & cuz the parts were not on "trees" some of teh secondary guns tube were damaged & so had to replaced by wire (suppse for most of the good builders would replace plastic barrels with tubing or wire anyhow), & to top it off there was NO bridge!!!! yes i could have taken the kit back, but i had bought it a year or so before, opened the box took fright & packed it away & waited for the courage to build it, but i guess 1 bright side is that it didnt have bubbles or other resin faults...well these problems are common for modellers, but it would be nice if say Revel being a large company that it is couldnt they not take a second or 2 to maybe clean up their jigs etc, & maybe all model manufacturers take that little bit more care in their product ..well so whats your worst kit, who knows maybe might say they hated the kit yet someone may say it was best they ever built!, lol -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Connor, Michael" Subject: USS Bannion by Aurora Dear Members, Happy New Year to you all. I have just found the kit USS Bannion by Aurora. I have seen it advertised on Ebay in the past as being in the scale 1/600. However I can tell you this kit isn't. It measures out at about 1/500 - too big for my fleet. The box has been opened. However I have done a dry fit of most parts and they all seem to be there. Can anyone tell me how good it is? I have to decide what to do with it. Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Alan Cameron Subject: Re: Hasagawa HMS Vanguard >> I have received Neil Mc Carts book on HMS Vanguard for Christmas, which is excellent, and it has sparked my interest in acquiring the Hasagawa 1/450 model. I have read at various places that it has some major flaws. Can anyone tell me what these problems are? << Hi Peter, There is a comprehensive four part article in the (USA) Model Ship Builder magazine from No 85 Sept / Oct 1993 to No 88 Mar / April by Robert Dick called "The Rearguard - HMS Vanguard" where he takes apart the Hasegawa 1/450th HMS Vanguard kit and scratch builds out all the imperfections. He completes his model is in a diorama scene with the awning over the rear deck. Good photos and excellent reading. I have also obtained a copy of Neil Mc Carts excellent book - a good read. Sorry for the reply delay, but was in NZ for the Christmas break and only have just got back. Hopefully White Ensign Models may take up the baton and produce a resin 1/350th kitset of this last, best and very attractive battleship? Regards Alan Cameron -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Susan Cowardin" Subject: Crew for 1/72 KM S100 Here's a thought from a WWII hat collector/modeler for those looking for crew for 1/72 Kriegsmarine such as Revell's new S100. With a little modification luftwaffe uniforms can be made to look like kriegsmarine; for instance, the side hats and visor hats are basically the same shape as well as the M43 caps for tropical use. I have even seen a kriegsmarine version of the "Herman Meyer" hat which was once thought to be solely luftwaffe. a little trimming with an exacto and a different shade of blue, tan, or white and the flyers get their sea legs! The uniforms need only slight modification depending on what area of conflict is being modeled. This can be done using modeling putty and aluminum foil for neckerchief flaps. Sets of luftwaffe crew can be found under the preiser (60 figures), airfix(48), etc. labels on ebay at reasonable costs. Happy Modeling! Steve Cowardin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Michael J. D'Silva" Subject: HMS Victory & Mayflower Thanks to all who responded to my question about the HMS Victory & Mayflower kits. Everyone suggested building the Heller HMS Victory, and I shall definitely consider it, despite its enormous size (40 1/2" oa length). Now where am I going to put it... :-) I have been aware of the Heller kit for a long time -- I first laid eyes on it about 10 or 11 years ago -- and I must admit, I was both overawed and daunted at the sheer size of the kit. That's why the Aifix and Revell kits were my fist consideration, not to mention the space required for display. Could anyone recommend a good review on the Heller HMS Victory kit? I would like to know as much as possible about the kit before I decide. Many thanks, Michael -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Marc Flake Subject: Republic of Texas Navy Ships Hi Derek: What a coincidence, I've been doing some research in this area lately. I have found "The Fighting Texas Navy," by Douglas Meed, to be of considerable use as it has some drawings of most of the RoT Navy ships. As noted in a previous SMML, the Pyro/Lindberg "War of Independence Schooner" is similar to the "Brutus," While the Academy "New Bedford Whaler" kit has hull lines similar to the "Austin." The prototypes of each kit were built around 1835, right around the same time period. I wish I could find a model similar to the "Zavala," the RoT Navy's only steamer, a sidewheeler, and the most powerful ship in the fleet. Marc Flake -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Chuck Messer" Subject: Blackadder I don't know how many SMMLies are familiar with the Blackadder series. For those who aren't, It's a satirical bit concerning several generations of the Blackadder family, which skewers many of history's heroic figures with a sharp, ascerbic wit; something our cousins across the pond are so very good at. I recently purchased a video of "Blackadder Back and Forth", a time travel story in which a modern day Lord Blackadder builds a time machine from a design by Leonardo Da Vinci. He has his faithful but dim manservant Baldrick assemble it as a prank on New Year's Eve 2000, but to his surprise it actually works! When he first sets foot in the machine, he compliments Baldrick on his workmanship. Baldrick: I followed Da Vinci's instructions to the letter, M'Lord. Blackadder: But, I thought you didn't know how to read, Baldrick! Baldrick: Yes, that's true, M'Lord, but I've built many an Airfix model in my time. I nearly fell over laughing. :^)) Re: Least photographed ship. How about C.S.S. Virginia? I know of only one overexposed, grainy picture of her. It looks like a ship's last known photograph. Chuck Who has built many an Airfix model in his time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Baumbach, Werner" Subject: PacFront still in business? Hello all, has anyone ordered from Pacific Front in the last couple weeks? I was in the midst of placing an order (mails going back and forth) when the communication died completely. At this point, I have the clear list of items, so I would not see a reason, why the order is not going through, but it seems there is no one on the other end any more. Is it just a busy season or is Mr. Grunner on vacation (is he, or I should say are you) on this list? Well anyway, if someone can shed some light on this, it would be greatly appreciated, I am dying to get the accesiories. Happy modelling Werner Hi Werner, Yes, Pacfront is still in business. Bill is not on holidays as far as I'm aware. Have you tried ringing him? Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: John Snyder Subject: Revell S-100 We've just taken delivery of our first batch of Revell's new 1/72 scale S-100 Schnellboote, a truly beautiful kit. Price is 13.99 Pounds UK/European Union. For those of you in the U.S., that equates to an ex-VAT price of $16.91, plus $7.00 for insured shipping, for a total of about $24.00 (price will vary a bit either way as the exchange rate varies). Orders being cheerfully taken. Cheers, John Snyder The Token Yank White Ensign Models http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.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://apma.org.au/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume