Subject: SMML VOL 1583 Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 11:23:57 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: home.com 2: Money 3: Re: That lousy Model Ship Journal 4: Re: New Books 5: A REAL GOOD READ 6: Re: Italian Navy- Regia Marina Books 7: For free is more rewarding 8: Re: autographs and Al Ross 9: Re: New book from Classic Warships 10: Re: New book from Classic Warships 11: Re: That lousy Model Ship Journal 12: Classic Warships Book Subjects 13: Re: Z-class destroyers names 14: Re: Kriegsmarine Destroyer names!?!?!?!? 15: HMS Hermione, Feb-Apr'42 16: New book from Classic Warships 17: Supertanker Photos 18: On digital files 19: Re: Fine Scale Modeler - April issue 20: FSM Horoscope -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Shane Subject: home.com Hi all, By the looks of things home.com has finally gone belly up, since I'm getting bounces from them. Within 24 hours all home.com subscribers will be taken off. That is unless you notify me that you are still recieving SMML at home.com, in which case you'll be left on. Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: ZMzimmerman@cs.com Subject: Money Get paid for these articles! And lose our amateur status! What a horrible thought. LOL. Michael Zimmerman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Bob Evans Subject: Re: That lousy Model Ship Journal John, I am glad Model Ship Journal is around ... even with IYHO "Their high subscription rates." In the last several years we've lost two very good Ship Modeling magazines; Scale Ship Modeler & Model Ship Builder, And I am willing to pay the reasonable subscription rates! (:^> Thank you. Bob Evans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: New Books >> I would like to hear from those of you on this list that would like to see some of your favorite subjects in a book such as this type. Please post your list on the SMML, not to me directly. While you list these subjects, try to remember, they should be of a subject that would be popular. The cost to print a hard bound book is really high, so I have to make sure that each subject is a good seller. Battleships, cruisers, carriers and some destroyers are good sellers, but a minesweeper is not. << Sounds like a great idea. However I do disagree with you somewhat on the last point. Have you seen figures on sales of the various AOTS books to compare subject with volume?? It seems to me that the big boys are already very well documented and widely published on, while many of the smaller ships and auxiliaries are all but ignored. Perhaps a good comprehensive book on minesweepers or PTs or landing craft would do quite well while another book on the Bismark or Later US Battleships would be one more member of the crowd. That said, I suspect that if you do the same job with these as you have done with the Warship Perspective series, you will sell one or two!! :-) BTW if you duplicate subjects between the two series won't you impact the sales? How many people will buy both versions? Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: A REAL GOOD READ I have no connection with this but if you want a real good read, one with believable characters, a navy story, and in a time period that will bring back memories for many on this list, try BOATSWAIN'S MATE, by Pat Johnston, available on-line at www.PublishAmerica.com. You'll find it hard to put the book down and it might cut into your modeling time a bit, but worth it!! Cheers, Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Katz, Gene S" Subject: Re: Italian Navy- Regia Marina Books Concerning the books that were mentioned on one of the recent SMML's, I suggest you try: www.libreriamilitare.com, Mr. Angelo Pirocchi, in Italy. I ordered a Regia Marina book from them before, they are reasonable in price and fairly quick to respond, and based on past service have just ordered two new ones. Actually for the price of the books, and what you receive, the books are a bargain to afficianados of the Regia Marina like me. I haven't ordered from the Regia Marina office of official history, but if they are like most civil servants in Italy, best be prepared to wait. By the way, their list shown on their site is an old one, it hasn't really changed in awhile. The Battleship book is "in the queue", as in "domani, domani...". -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: For free is more rewarding It seems this is getting a little off topic for this forum, but I want to make one last comment about getting paid for articles in modeling magazines or web sites. I have written lots of articles for FSM (for pay), the IPMS/USA Journal (not for pay), Steel Navy (not for pay), Navismagazine.com (not for pay) as well as magazines published around the world (for pay) so I have been on both sides of the issue. Anyone who thinks we make money writing for modeling publications is fooling themselves. Depending on what you feel your time is worth per hour, you may or may not make money writing for modeling pubs. I know for a fact I haven't made a dime writing for anyone. That includes FSM and all other mags that my articles have appeared in as well as on line web sites. In fact, I lose money on every article I write. When you allow even for minimum wage, the film you use, development costs, postage, long distance phone calls, etc., I'm lucky to break even. At best I do it to justify the cost of purchasing the high dollar resin ship kits hoping to make back the money. In short, the best I can ever hope for is to break even on the deal. Writing for the IPMS/USA Journal for five years as the "Ships and Tips" columnist was far more rewarding for me personally. I mean when you meet a stranger at the Nationals (and I met a bunch over the years) who actually read your column and tells you how much he enjoyed and appreciated your efforts, is worth far more than the meager bucks paid by one of the commercial "for profit" publication as any day. The same goes for the "on line" web sites. I get emails all the time from guys around the world who I will never meet in person complimenting me on my efforts on various web sites I contribute to. All I can say is I'm glad they can only see the photos. As most of you know, photos are VERY KIND to models, especially on line photos. The whole point here is to encourage everyone to get involved in your club newsletter, send in an article to IPMS (whatever country you live in) for publication. Or submit something to one the many on line web sites. I promise you will not regret doing it. Sooner or later some stranger will email you or come up to you at a convention and pay you a complement for your efforts and it will give you a feeling that money will never equal. The only reason I dropped the Ships and Tips column in the IPMS/USA Journal was to devote all my time and effort to our bid for the 2003 Convention in Oklahoma City. Now most of my time is devoted to the 2003 National Convention as Chairman. I have dreamed of this opportunity ever since my first national convention and I'm going to savor every moment. And won't get paid a dime for any of it. After the Nats is all said and done I am seriously considering starting the S&T column again. So devote some time to writing for free, serving your model club, or volunteer to help IPMS/USA. I promise you won't regret it. Rusty White 2003 IPMS/USA National Convention Chairman OKC IN 2003! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: autographs and Al Ross >> Well, it's worth a lot to me, Al. Can I get an autographed copy? :-) << Bob, I won't presume to speak for Al, but he was kind enough to personally autograph some AOTS books for me. Al is a super nice guy and gave me some good advice while I was building his Bluejacket Ship Crafters USS Gambier Bay model. It was my first wood model and I had a number of questions about this new media. Al was nice (and patient) enough to answer every bonehead question I fired at him. How many model companies would do that? I never told him thanks for the help, so I would to that now. THANKS AL! You're a standup guy. I'll be first in line for the Elco book! Rusty White 2003 IPMS/USA National Convention Chairman OKC IN 2003! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: John_Impenna@hyperion.com Subject: Re: New book from Classic Warships Steve writes >> I would like to hear from those of you on this list that would like to see some of your favorite subjects in a book such as this type. Please post your list on the SMML, not to me directly. While you list these subjects, try to remember, they should be of a subject that would be popular. The cost to print a hard bound book is really high, so I have to make sure that each subject is a good seller. Battleships, cruisers, carriers and some destroyers are good sellers, but a minesweeper is not. << Steve, I don't think most folks will quibble over cost if you new series is of similar quality to your Warship Pictorials series...How about Essex-Class Carriers, maybe a book on British Carriers of WW2. Good Luck with these and looking forward to them!! Regards, John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: schiefet@cs.com Subject: Re: New book from Classic Warships >> As some of you may know I have been publishing a series of soft bound books called the "Warship Pictorial" series. With 16 titles printed and eight more in the works, this is turning out to be a successful venture, not to mention satisfying. << Steve, I am still waiting for a New Mexico class book. Please, while I'm still young. OOOPs, too late. ;-) Keep up the great work. Steve Pelham, NH -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: John_Impenna@hyperion.com Subject: Re: That lousy Model Ship Journal Victor writes >> I'd say, John, that you need to check facts before you set yourself up as judge, jury and internet executioner. Frankly, you don't know what you're talking about. You perpetuate old myths about the publishing business by relying on old wives tales and the usual internet hearsay. IMHO your opinion ain't worth much. << As I said in my previous message, most would agree, EXCEPT them's with a vested interest....Perpetuate myths??? If you recall your history, myths, stereotypes, wives tales, etc..usually have their basis in facts...If you folks truly pay for the items you review, well, then you are the exception to the rule and I commend you for it..I just find it hard to believe that just about every review I ever read in your pub had nothing but glowing comments about the items reviewed...I am sick and tired of reading BS and spending my money based on it, as I am sure many others are because of reviews by so-called experts...Internet Executioner??? Boy, I really have been elevated, or reduced to some evil thing here???.... NOTICE HOW THESE SO-CALLED HOBBY CONTRIBUTORS AND PRODUCERS ARE SO QUICK TO LASH OUT WHEN YOU SAY SOMETHING THEY DON"T LIKE!!. My opinion may not be worth much, but I AIN'T SUBSCRIBING TO YOUR MAG ANY MORE!!! Maybe you should, if you were a better businessman,be a little more concerned about my opinion and if I got something wrong, TELL ME! I'll listen and if I am wrong, I'll ADMIT IT!!. If other folks think enough of your product, you'll succeed. Is it "execution" to have an opinion?? I though it was a First Amendment right???? Regards, John Impenna -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: WFulp@aol.com Subject: Classic Warships Book Subjects Steve, I think the idea of an "Anatomy of the Ship Series" in a hardbound book is a great idea. My suggestions would be: 1. USS Enterprise CV-6 2. USS North Carolina 3. USS Texas 4. Essex Class Carriers 5. USS Quincy Two of the above (Texas, North Carolina) could be sold at their respective visitors centers since they are memorials. The other three are marketable due to their popularity and/or have multiple sister ships. On another note, as much as I have enjoyed your Warship Pictorials, I hope that this does not signal an end or a slowdown to your model kit production. I have a lot of resources for books and plans but the resin kit producers have dwindled. I am betting the books are a lot less hassle with much more distribution potential. I have built many of your 1/350 ships and have quite a few in boxes ready to be built. I hope to have some new releases to add to my pile. Wayne Fulp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Filipe C. Ramires" Subject: Re: Z-class destroyers names Hello list Thanks to everyone who have answered to my Z- class destroyer question! I guess I will only name the ship Z-26 or Z-30 and nothing else. The hull his already built and painted and I am now starting with the superstructures. The camouflage is lovely indeed. The diorama is getting pretty also, probably my best work ever. As soon I will finish it, probably only on summer because of university and other projects (HMS Onslow, Type IID submarine, HMS Buttercup, etc) I will take a few photos from the ship and send them to the SMML. Cheers to everyone. Happy Modelling. Filipe C. Ramires Lisboa, PORTUGAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Filipe C. Ramires" Subject: Re: Kriegsmarine Destroyer names!?!?!?!? Hello again Falk Pletscher wrote: >> Destroyers of the Types 1936A and 1936A (Mob) were given no official names. They only had numbers. Ten of them, however, were chosen to carry on the tradition of those destroyers lost at Narvik. So the names of these lost destroyers were attached to them as traditional names as follows: ... Wolfgang Zenker - Z-30 ... Anton Schmitt - Z-26 << I only saw this mail now and it is getting me a lot of confusion!!!!! I guess we have now two different versions for the Z- class destroyer names. The one that I presented were and that Falk also agrees (the ships with names) and the other one without names!!!! I don't want to made of this a large debate but can anyone tell me which one is the correct one??? Thanks Falk and to everyone else who can solve this problem! Cheers. Filipe C. Ramires Lisboa, PORTUGAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: Dimi Apostolopoulos Subject: HMS Hermione, Feb-Apr'42 Does anybody have any information on the armament and camouflage of HMS Hermione in the months before her sinking by U205? In one of his recent publications Alan Raven mentions that in the spring of 1942 she wore an unofficial camouflage scheme but there is very little evidence of that. In the photos I have seen she is in an overall medium grey and appears that she was in that from her commission up at least until the end of 1941. If you have any information, please let me know. I am trying to confirm her configuration and camouflage for a diorama of Operation Picket I with her, Eagle and Laforey. Thanks, Dimi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Kevin W. Woodruff" Subject: New book from Classic Warships Steve: I would like to see one done on the battleship U.S.S. Oregon (BB-3) (or maybe one on the Indiana class), one on the U.S.S. Maine (Second-class battleship/ former ACR-1), one on the old armored cruisers of the New York, Brooklyn, Pennsylvania and Tennessee classes. Another one I think would be a good seller would be one on the protected cruiser U.S.S. Olympia (C-6). Since it is a museum ship, the book would have an automatic audience for those who tour the ship at the museum store at the Independence Seaport Museum at Penns Landing in Philadelpia where the Olympa is moored. Kevin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: Felix Bustelo Subject: Supertanker Photos Hi folks, I was wondering if anybody out there knows of a source for photos for any of the following Overseas Shipholding Group supertankers: Overseas Boston Overseas New York Overseas Chicago Overseas Washington I am building the Cascade Modelwerk San Clemente tanker kit and these 4 vessels are from that class. Any help would be most appreciated. TIA, Felix Bustelo International Maritime Modeling URL: http://members.tripod.com/~Febus65/imm.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18) From: Subject: On digital files I just wanted to echo Rusty's comments on "keeping digital files around". I too have documents and scanned photos from my first computer back in 1994. If you keep on top of it you won't have any problems. I currently archive my photos and writings to CD, but when the next great storage medium comes along (DVD's?) I'll get out those CD's and copy them to the new standard. Don't think just because you have prints and negatives of photos that they're safe; fires and water damage don't care if it is your one and only copy! Make copies no matter what formats you work in (photos, slides, negatives, printed books, CD's, etc.) and keep the copies in different locations. Nothing is permanent in this world; especially us. Devin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19) From: Subject: Re: Fine Scale Modeler - April issue >> Has anyone seen the April issue - there is an article on Astrology for modelers. I thought "Oh is stupid" until I read my << I had the same reaction. The Aquarius says something about "does not limit to a single field". Considering I currently have on order a Classic Warships San Francisco, an SMT B-Wing Star Wars fighter, and a PiliPili Huron Indian figure, I guess it was pretty accurate. Devin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: FSM Horoscope Mike wrote - >> I wonder how many of you can identify with you horoscopes in this issue!!?? << I'm a Cancer and it says I'm a "gatherer" of models, books, tools, etc. Hmmm. Here I was just thinking it's time to look for a bigger house. Who says astrology is a lot of BS? Mike Leonard Alexandria, VA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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