Subject: SMML VOL 1659 Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2002 12:15:31 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: USS John Stennis 2: Play-doh 3: Re: Hasegawa Kits 4: Re: Flag Trivia 5: USS Hornet captured in museum model 6: Re: Painting opinions needed 7: Re: hasegawa 1/450 ships 8: What to use for 1:700 rigging INJ destroyer? 9: Looking for a good Haze gray 10: USS Cole 11: Independence class CVL 12: Hasegawa 1/450th 13: Interesting items on eBay 14: Re: 1/600 Kitech Charles De Gaulle CVN 15: british liner orontes orien line 1929 16: Royal Navy Landing Craft -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: 1:700 1938 LION: CANCEL THAT... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Rod Dauteuil Subject: USS John Stennis Yes, I must concede that I didn't see the deck number since it's so worn. The link Wayne Weatherwax provided clearly shows the number very faintly. Also if you look at the line of Hornets, the third one from the bow is painted in the aggressor camouflage that Devin wrote about. And yes, it was NBC that aired the special. A few years back our local stations swapped networks, so CH 7 is NBC now--But I still think if it as CBS. I wonder if NBC is planning to re-run that special? I missed the first 20 minutes. Rod -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Jeff Herne" Subject: Play-doh I was pulling my hair out...and viola, Play-doh...I just hope my daughter doesn't miss it... :-) Thanks to all. With regards to the fit of the kit...I had to shim the main deck and the deckhouses and various levels all fit pretty well. I tossed the plastic support structures and replaced them with brass rod and tube, it also eliminates most of the alignment troubles. I agree this is a very pretty ship, very nice lines...next project is the Vitorio Vennetto from Regia Marina in 1/700... JH -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: dave.wells@att.net Subject: Re: Hasegawa Kits Ken LeClair wrote: >> I was in my local hobby shop and was tempted to purchase one of the 1/450 ships by Hasegawa. Would apreciate some good or bad points known about these kits before I do make a purchase. << Overall, I'd say they're a mixed bag, ranging from decent to lousy. I've got the Vanguard, Akagi, Yamato, and Shinano. I'd say that Akagi was the best of the bunch. My reviews of Hasegawa kits, and those of others as well can be found on Rajen's List, http://www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/shiprevs.html#Hasegawa David R. Wells "There seems to be something wrong | David R. Wells with our bloody ships today" | Note New E-mail! Adm. D. Beatty, May 31, 1916 | http://home.att.net/~WellsBrothers/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "melee" Subject: Re: Flag Trivia regarding men overboard ......knowing that everything that could be done would be done to rescue you if you went overboard sure must help moral.........in several books of mine on the Pacific theater in WWII, the point was mentioned that the servicemen KNEW everything would be done for their sake, this went so far in one case as to turning on all of the lights on all of the ships because the returning airmen were extremely low on fuel. If you know your country values you, you might be more willing to take extreme risks. Just an opinion Lee Shackelford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Dave Shirlaw Subject: USS Hornet captured in museum model Pictures at: http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/459/images/news/Hornet.gif http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/459/images/news/ship_detail.gif Columbia SC April 18, 2002 - Fine scale modeler Ryan Spencer, at only 31, is the youngest expert on the Doolittle Raiders. When viewers look at his model of the USS Hornet, on display at Adam’s Mark throughout the Doolittle Raiders’ Reunion celebration, they will still shake their heads in amazement. What he taught himself about the now–famed mission in order to create this 130-pound historical document is as mind–boggling as were the fascinating facts surrounding the Tokyo raid. It still seems impossible that snub nose, land-based B-25s designed to take off at 90 mph from runways of 5,000 feet could get airborne with speeds of only 50 mph, and off a flight deck of only 500 feet. Factor in the additional 2,000 pounds of bombs and the extra 1,000 of fuel, enough to propel them past the danger zone and back to friendly ground, and the risk is easy to calculate. Yet Jimmy Doolittle and his flight crew proved in 1942 it could be done and the 15 other Raiders’ crews followed suit. Spencer, an admitted history buff, had studied these and other details of the Doolittle Raider’s historic mission in anticipation of a tribute he could make to their 50th reunion. “The year before their 50th, I had just graduated from high school and was doing odd jobs until I decided what I was going to do next,” recalled Spencer, who was considering joining the US Navy, and before the completion of the project, did join. “I had been doing modeling since I was seven, airplanes and such, but to mark this point in my life, I wanted to do something more challenging, something big.” The young man, then living just across the SC–Georgia border in Gwinnett County, ran into his first challenges soon after he determined that “something big” would be the construction of a 1/700th scale model of the USS Hornet. He also got some encouragement. Spencer had met Fritz Hamer, curator at the SC State Museum, and through that connection, had received encouragement from the well–versed professional. “Eventually, I got word back that the Raiders were interested in my desire to build the Hornet model. Gen. (Dick) Knoblock told Fritz they liked the idea.” His negotiations with the Navy did not go as well. “When I contacted the Department of Navy, asking them to provide me with plans of the ship, I was told there was nothing on record.” So, going through other channels and working primarily from old black and white photographs, Spencer had to come up with his own exact measurements and made his own finite calculations. He also conducted as much primary research as he could, interviewing surviving Raiders whenever possible. “It was very important to me that the project be as historically-accurate as I could possibly make it, so I talked with surviving flight crew members and learned everything I could, details down to the nose art on each plane. Then I would go back and try to find samples of the plane’s markings in some old photograph.” Spencer said, “After Doolittle’s own plane, the best known was the Ruptured Duck, piloted by Ted Lawson.” The Doolittle planes are fully decorated on the model, then there are 400 more model airplanes positioned on the correct decks as they would have been on that fateful mission. There are also 500 miniscule men, freeze-framed in their various lines of duty. A decade after he completed the model and gave it to the surviving members, Spencer’s attention to details can be seen again. Tiny ladders lead from upper to lower decks. Spencer soldered them together with painstaking accuracy. The ship’s stern was made from eight 2x6 pieces of pine glued together, then sanded for hours. The deck of the model ship was constructed from 535 individual pieces of oak. Spencer crafted the weapons that records told him had been on the ship. “There were eight 38–single cannons, four 1.1 pompoms, 20 markfour weapons, and other weapons as well.” The finishing touch the young modeler added was the American flag he positioned atop the carrier’s mast, a flag on which Spencer hand–painted 48 stars. Spencer worked alone on the model night and day for 2,000 hours, in his parent’s garage while holding down a couple of part-time jobs. Meanwhile, he had joined the Navy but was on delayed entry status. “When it was finished, Fritz (Hamer) came over with a covered truck and took it back to Columbia.” Spencer gave the completed model to the Raiders who in turn gave it to the SC State Museum. It was on exhibition during the 50th Doolittle Reunion and was brought out again for this, the 60th and probably last reunion. Now viewers can revisit history again by seeing the Hornet as an expert saw it and recreated it to scale. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Michael London" Subject: Re: Painting opinions needed >> Ok, I face a major hurdle in this project...I'm building the RM Goizia from Tauro in 1/400 scale...all is well with the splinter pattern (major reason for the project in the first place) but I'm having all sorts of troubles masking the red stripes on the bow. The kit has the catapult rails, capstans and all sorts of vents molded into the deck, making normal masking techniques impossible << This is a problem on any kit having small details molded in place. Try using modeling clay such as Plasticine to cover the small details on the deck after painting them their correct color. Any overpainting of the details will be covered later. The red stripes are best applied using decal strips on the prepainted surface, followed by an application of a decal setting agent such as Solvaset. Michael London -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "john fiebke" Subject: Re: hasegawa 1/450 ships I built the Hasegawa 1/450 HMS Vanguard about ten years ago. I don't have it now, but I recall that it was one of the least detailed, plainest looking models I'd ever built. I assembled most of, painted it, then just decided it wasn't worth my effort. Like some of the cancelled Washington Treaty ships, it was used as a target ship and rests on the bottom of a pond in Ohio, with the Lindberg Bismark and Hood. I recall the shapes were OK, but there was absolutely no detail to the thing. I've heard the 1/450 Akagi is nice, though, so maybe I just had the worst of the lot. j.fiebke -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Rick Schiller" Subject: What to use for 1:700 rigging INJ destroyer? I'm completing my first model, a skywave 1:700 IJN Destroyer. I'd appreciate any suggestions as to what to use for rigging and how to attach it. I have some fine stainless steel orthodontists wire but it frankly looks too heavy. Is a fine black thread a good idea? How is it secured. All help appreciated. Rick -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Pwesty" Subject: Looking for a good Haze gray Hey Guys (and girls if there are any) I was wondering if anybody knows from which Testors line of Model Master paints both oils and acrylic which one of them have the best one to have simulated Haze gray. Thanks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: annobon4@aol.com Subject: USS Cole Hi Guys I saw on the news today that the USS COLE has recommisioned after being rebuilt. Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: annobon4@aol.com Subject: Independence class CVL Hi guys Squadron has issued the new book on Independence class CVL's. It pretty good. A while back I got a copy of warbook club ads and have lost it they describe another book on the Independence class that appears to be hard bound any one see it? Craig -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Reynaga, Tim@EDD" Subject: Hasegawa 1/450th Ken, At about half the price of comparable Nichimo 1/500 ships, the Hasegawa 1/450th models are a good value for the money. However, the quality is erratic. The Akagi and Shinano kits are fairly good, but the Yamato/Musashi, Bismarck/Tirpitz, Missouri, and Vanguard kits are toylike. (They all came motorized when originally released in the 1970s, so I guess that's fair enough.) If you're looking for a quick, cheap out of the box build they are ok, but if you want to make a detailed scale model you definitely have your work cut out for you. Most of these ships are available for a little more money from Tamiya in 1/350th (Yamato/Musashi, Bismarck/Tirpitz, Missouri) or Heller in 1/400th (Bismarck/Tirpitz) and are MUCH better. Akagi, Shinano, and Vanguard are the most worthy of your attention. Vanguard is a bit crude, but it is an unusual subject. Akagi and Shinano are not otherwise available in lage scale (except for that $%#&% Doyusha 1/250 scale Shinano). The best of the lot, in my opinion, is the Akagi. This one is the most accurate in shape and has some good detail as well. The island is especially nice, even including those weird hammock-things the IJN attached around the windows for added splinter protection. The air group is also good, with separate landing gear parts (Vals and Kates), torpedoes (Kates), and drop tanks (Zekes). Not bad at all. Shinano too could be a solid basis for a detailed model. Regards, Tim Reynaga -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: paulship37@aol.com Subject: Interesting items on eBay U.S.COAST GUARD IN WORLD WAR II.Naval Inst. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531939081 Maritime History-US-Seas-Waterways-Ships-Navy http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531935937 Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531937146 Ship's Lifeboats manual http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531928080 HEAVE HO -My Little Green Book of Seasickness http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531792243 Requiem for Battleship Yamato 1999 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531781012 BATTLESHIP SCHARNHORST, German Cruiser http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531949136 History of the Union Steamship Co signed 1st http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531787362 The Loss of the Bismark - 1999 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1531781011 GREEK MERCHANT SHIPS, SPF 1861-1961, ........ http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1095314956 STEAMSHIP VIDEO SHEILDHALL http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1095302259 THE NAVY IN THE NEWS 1954-1991 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1095261308 Texaco Nautical Tugboat #1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1095251318 WW2 War Ship Builder /Bronze Breast Medal #d http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1095175217 WW2 Battleship Photos US Navy/Great Lakes http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1095242493 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Geoff Baker" Subject: Re: 1/600 Kitech Charles De Gaulle CVN Hi Has anybody seen these for sale in Europe/UK, After Mike Bartels initial review i really want one, the trouble is where from ? I don't think Mike would appreciate a bunch of shipping orders for a chinese copy of a ship when he produces and sells some very fine resin kits. So does anybody out there know where we can purchase these kits from? Cheers Geoff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: WILTONDILLY@aol.com Subject: british liner orontes orien line 1929 please could advise where we could get a photo of the above ship -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: "Geoff Baker" Subject: Royal Navy Landing Craft Hi Can anybody recommend a Humbrol Colour for the Brown used on the camo pattern for modern Royal Navy Landing Craft in thier chocolate brown and black scheme? Cheers Geoff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Mike Bartel Subject: 1:700 1938 LION: CANCEL THAT... I just found out that an Asian company is making a resin kit of the 1938 Lion in 1:700 scale, so I won't bother with production of the parts I announced yesterday. The project is cancelled. If you'd like to get ahold of these kits, email me and I'll put you in touch with someone on this side of the Pacific who can get you the kits. Thanks and sorry for leading you all on like that, Mike Bartel IHP http://ihpobby.tripod.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