Subject: SMML VOL 1643 Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 00:08:35 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Dry dock flags 2: Can somebody help this fellow? 3: HMS Norfolk - comment and queries 4: Modern USN aircraft colours 5: 1/35 WW2 Landing craft plans 6: Re: Dry Dock Flags 7: Akron, Macon and Sparrowhawk Fighters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Ken Goldman" Subject: Re: Dry dock flags I don't know about displaying flags in drydock, but if it's a WWI sub chaser, the Union Jack would not have 50 stars. Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER unique wood sculpture and fine scale models www.walruscarpenter.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Keith Butterley" Subject: Can somebody help this fellow? Hi group, I have received this email, the request is out of my area of expertise. The email address to respond to is "Fazio, Frank" >> To whom it may concern...... I have been requested to find and possibly build a replica of the ship in which our reunion shipmates served on during Vietnam and Gulf War operations. The USS SAVANNAH (AOR-4) is an auxiliary replenishment fast attack oiler. I have found numerous amounts of data and naval information on the shipbut NO WHERE have I been able to find a model of the type of ship she was. Similar vessel design was the WICHITA - AOR 1 Might you be able to help? Thank you for your assistance << Keith Butterley http://www.warshipbooks.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "John Sutherland" Subject: HMS Norfolk - comment and queries Hi all, I have just received the Skytrex kit of HMS Norfolk 1941. I intend building her in Dec 43 configuration but thought I would share some observations and raise some queries. The all white metal kit is stated to be in 1941 fit, and the light AA (UP mounts and 0.5in quads) plus no radar fit supplied is correct for post May 40 and pre July 1941. Although this is one of their earlier kits and I'm not aware of a review on it. After the recent flaming of someone else's kit review (whether or not it was justified) I am doing this with some trepidation and I want to make it clear up front that this is not intended as a full or expert review - I am offering comments and observations from my own perspective as a very average modeller only, and asking for help in a number of areas. No flames please! Comments on the 1941 Configuration - the basic kit. 1 The lower bridge lacks the prominent mesh like supports and stays around its base - this is almost certainly a limitation of the metal casting. Easily fixed with PE such as that from WEM. 2 The aft deckhouse appears to be way too short in length. Comparison with photographs seem to show this clearly. This can be fixed with some rectangular sprue. I am also not sure that the searchlight at the rear of this deckhouse is on a pole fitting as per the kit - photos I have seen, though not that clear, seem to suggest a lattice type support and a small separation from the deckhouse. 3 The most obvious and major error is the pompoms. The kit comes with 4 barrelled pompoms, Norfolk had 8 barralled pompoms until 1944. These will need replacement. (spares box or some from WEM who makes some nice ones). 4 For painting instructions the kit provides only a fuzzy (out of focus) colour print (paper, not photograph) of a made up kit which visually appears to be painted in something equating to Mountbatten Pink - all over - even the decks! This may well be nothing more than a printing problem but even in early 1941 she had more than one colour on the sides and the wood decks are quoted as being painted with a dark blue stain - suggest you use your own references for painting. Other Less Certain Observations 1 I am less than convinced by the shape of the upper bridge. I do not have a clear set of plans for Norfolk's bridge but photographic comparison suggests the kit bridge seems to be lacking an intermediate layer which gives the whole upper bridge a prominent layered sloping back look as can be seen in the photographs. This may be another casting limitation. Not being an accomplished scratch builder this will be harder for me to fix - comments / suggestions? 2 The HACT director on the rear deckhouse is very tiny. Photographs and drawings I have would seem to suggest it should be the same size as the one on top of the bridge. Comments? A General Query All the references talk of the Norfolk class having MK II 8in twin turrets - all the other, earlier, County classes had Mk Is. The photos are too indistinct for my eyes (not helped by the angles of the shots). Can anyone comment (or point me to references) on whether there was any shape or size difference between the Mk Is and the MK IIs? I note more than a subtle difference between the kit turrets and WEM's MK Is for example, but do not know if that is correct or not. Queries relating to Dec 43 fit. 1 According to several publications Norfolk had types 281, 273, 284 and 285 radar fitted at this time. I know where the first three were fitted - but where and how many type 285s were carried? 2 Photographs of Norfolk emerging from her Mar-May 43 refit clearly show a large launch stored where the circular catapult housing used to be. Can anyone shed light on what size / type of launch this is? 3 All ships boats and launches mounted along the sides still appear to be present in their old slots except the rear most small whalers - could these have been moved to be stored on the deck alongside the former catapult area? 4 The wood decks - were these by now in dark grey (507A?) or were they still in a dark blue stain. If the latter, can anyone shed light on this colour? General fit-to-personal-need assessment. I needed a kit to complete my Battle of North Cape collection. The significant structural differences between the Norfolk class and the London class meant that too much structural work was needed for my limited abilities for me to use WEM's Sussex as a base. The Waveline Dorsetshire is in pre mid 30s refit configuration and again too much structural changes needed. This left the Skytrex kit which is not cheap (Pds 60 plus compulsory and expensive UPS delivery (another Pds 30!)). Generally it captures the look of this ship well. Overall it will certainly provide me with the usuable base for my project that I sought, for which I am grateful to Skytex for making this kit. But I am surprised at the errors and the extent of the work on the basic (as distinct from the upgrade to 1943 fit) configuration that I will have to do for a kit of this price, which is one of their most expensive. Still, challenges like this are what makes modelling so interesting and fascinating - isn't it? Happy modelling! John Sutherland Wellington New Zealand -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Robert & Rose Brown Subject: Modern USN aircraft colours Hi there: I am trying to finish my Skywave OH Perry and was wondering what colour the helicopter should be. Can anybody supply me the FS number or a match in the Polly S range? Cheers Rob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Tommy C. Tria Tirona" Subject: 1/35 WW2 Landing craft plans Hello! I just came from the beach and upon seeing the black, volcanic sand, I was reminded of the USMC's and US Army's landings in the Pacific, particularly Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Inspired by the idea, I plan on producing a diorama of an amphibious landing in 1/35 involving some 5 to 10 such landing craft. I was thinking of scratchbuilding a landing craft since there aren't any 1/35 scale models of landing craft available here. And to help me in my ambitious effort, I am seeking the plans for such landing craft as well as good, close-up photos. Perhaps anyone here can help me? Thanks! Tomas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: cpowewax@att.net Subject: Re: Dry Dock Flags All commissioned U.S. Navy vessels fly the National ensign on the stern when inport. This includes when drydocked. The union jack is always flown from a jackstaff on the bow (inport only). The oldest commissioned vessel flies the "dont tred on me" Rattlesnake jack. All ships have a portable flagstaff on the stern, and jackstaff on the bow. Underway the national ensign is flow around the clock from the vessels main mast. Ships also always have a commissioning pennant flying at all times until decomissioned. The C.O.'s pennant if memory serves is raised when the C.O. is aboard the vessel, and lowered when absent, The same would apply for a Flag officer's flag if embarked. There is a BRAVO flag flown when ever engaged in handling hazardous materials(loading ammunition i.e.) Hope this helps you out Wayne E. Weatherwax CPO,USN(ret) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Jeff Herne, NJAHOF" Subject: Akron, Macon and Sparrowhawk Fighters I have a large collection of Curtiss Sparrowhawk photos in my Archive, including the prototypes with the trapeze if anyone cares to see them, email me and I'll send you the scans. Jeff Herne Director, NJAHOF -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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