Subject: SMML VOL 1679 Date: Wed, 01 May 2002 00:26:31 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Brass Name Plates 2: Re: Squadron Putty: Green or White? 3: Aquila Airgroup 4: Re: CVN 76 'Gipper'? 5: "The Kellys" 6: Thinning Pit-Road Paints 7: Just another day on the river 8: Re: Arkansas Colors 9: Re: Subject: Green or white putty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Re: Modern German Colors/CVN-65 COLOURS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Denis & Marilyn Campbell Subject: Brass Name Plates In a recent issue of Ships in Scale, there was an article about making etched brass name plates for a model so as to have the lettering raised above the surface of the plate. It suggested using rub on letters (like letraset) for the lettering and using vinyl masking tape for masking the edges to make a border and to mask the back of the plate to protect it fromthe etchant, then immersing the plate in PCB etchant solution from Radio Shack for 12 to 15 hours. The etchant would etch away the surfaces not covered by lettering or tape. The article also recommended using a permanent marker for the lettering instead of dry transfers. I have just tried this out with a couple of changes: I used Scotch tape instead of vinyl tape (it seemed to stick better) for the border and back of the plate and, as I could not find dry transfers in a suitable font and size, I designed the plate on the computer (in MS Word) in the size and fonts I liked, set my printer to print a T-shirt transfer (which reversed the lettering) and printed at high definition on glossy photo paper which I then placed on the brass plate and rubbed with a hard pencil ereser on the back of the photo paper. Ink Jet Ink does not dry very quickly on glossy paper so it transfers much of the image to the plate when rubbed. This did not produce a perfect print on the brass, but good enough to go over with a fine Sharpie permanent marker to fill in and darken all the lettering. It took 15 hours (over 2 days), but the result was really good. The lettering and the border were all raised above the surface of the brass plate which was etched away. I then rubbed the surface over fine (600 grit) sandpaper to remove the permanent marker ink fromthe letters and border after removing the tape. It's not perfect - there was some pitting (like pin holes) where the permanent marker was which I filed down some then filled with CA and sanded. brushed the tops of the letters and the border with paint to make them stand out more and I have a very nice brass plate which cost me all of about$5.00 - an engraved plate would have cost ten times that and not looked much better. Next time, I think I will fill in the lettering with enamel on a fine brush (the etchant must have, somehow, got under the ink). But I think I have found a great way to make the name plates for my models. You could even sign your name on the plate. Denis Campbell Avon MA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: NAVYDAZE@aol.com Subject: Re: Squadron Putty: Green or White? Word of caution on the Automotive putties - not sure what brand I used, but I once put some lead shot into the nose of a phantom for weight and then added some automotive putty to hold it all in place - anyway talk about a droop snoot. Melted that sucker til it touched the deck - don't think there was any heat, must have been a reaction between the putty and the plastic. Never did that again! Mike Donegan NAVYDAZE Naval & Aviation Artist http://www.navydaze.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Volker Haeusler Subject: Aquila Airgroup To the best of my knowledge, the decision on the Aquila airgroup was never finalized. Looking on bits and pieces from a number of Italian aircraft publications (mainly the Ali dÍtalia series volumes on the Re 2001, Re 2005, Fiat G 50 and Fiat G 55, but also their "Ali e Colori" series, as well as the IPMS Italy "Il Notizario" and the rather oldish "Dimesnione Cielo" series), the following picture emerges to me at least: 1. The airgroup for the Italian carriers was studied by a comitee called "Organizzazione Roma" (quite easily to explain, given the original name of the Aquila) 2. The first proposal was to use the Re 2000 as a carrier plane. 3. Later on the Re 2001 was favoured, with the development of a 2 seat version proposed (also, there seemed to be the idea to use the Re 2003 for that). 3 prototypes build, maybe also 12 series aircraft (but this seems not confirmed) 4. There was a decision to use the Fiat G 50 bis O/R as interim equipment. 16 examples completed, issued to the 160 Gruppo Autonomo CT, which was the unit earmarked for embarkation. 5. According to the english translation in the ALi dÍtalia vol 3 on the Re 2001, development of the Re 2001 O/R was stopped in favour of the G 50, which was developed into a 2 seat fighter bomber; however, if my (very basic) Italian is right, the original Italian text only mentions discontinuation of the 2 seat 2001 in favour of the G 50 B O/R. 6. Definitely a prototype G 50 2 seater was build (MM 6548), basically a combination of the G 50 B 2 seat fuselage, the G 50 bis/A assault aircraft wing with additional section outboard of the u/c points and naval equipment. 7. As second generation aircraft, the Re 2005 and Fiat G 55 were planned. Alltogether, it seems therefore that: - as interim equipment the G 50 bis O/R might have been used - substituted by a mix of Re 2001 and G 50 twoseaters - final equipment G 55 and/or Re 2005 with no firm decision made. It seems strange to me that the two European Axis members had so different problems - Germany building lots of different carrier aircraft, but getting nowwhere with a carrier, and Italy close to finishing a carrier, but only able to equip it with some rather mediocre aircraft (the G 50 was outdated to all intents and purposes, and the Re 2001 was only able to hold it´s own against the Hurricane at low and medium altitudes, and definitely no match against the SPitfire or the earlier and similarly powered Macchi MC 202) Camouflage: The sole G 50 bis O/R that I have seen photos of (MM 5988) carried grigio mimetico (light grey) under surfaces, with Giallo Mimetico 3 (sand) upper surfaces with small blotches of Verde mimetico 3 and Marrone mimetico 3 (dark green and brown respectively). Standard Regia Aeronautica markings beside that For the Re 2001, there is a photo of a Re 2001 O/R in squadron service, with the code 394-1 (ie, from the 394a squadriligia, one of the squadrons of the 160 Gruppo Autonomo CT mentioned above), complete with cat and arrester gear. To me the aircraft seems to be finished in two colors of low contrast, similar to the Re 2001 prototype - colors might be mid and dark green. Finally, the book "Colori i schemi mimetici della Regia Aeronautica" by Postiglioni/dell´Innocenti describes a scheme "F3" for "caccia imbarcati" (shipboard fighters, naming onle the Re 200o and 2001; scheme described as overall Grigio Azzurro chiaro 1 (which would translate into blueish grey FS 36 307) Volker -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: stillmo@mb.sympatico.ca Subject: Re: CVN 76 'Gipper'? First time I have heard of RONALD REAGAN referred to as that...hope it doesnt catch on. NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING is not releasing as many photos of their ships due understandably to 9/11. The standard ceremonial stuff has been done, the christening, etc., but I am not sure what it is you really need at this time. Eventually the Commissioning Booklet will be distributed once that date arrives and you can usually write to them to obtain a comp copy. There are no MARAD Web sites documenting the reserve ships on either coast that I know of. You are better off purchasing the new book out on warship boneyards. Yours aye, RD Bean -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Shane Subject: "The Kellys" G'day all, I just recieved Chris Langtree's book "The Kellys" and I'd like to echo what others have said and say that Chris has done a great job on this, his first book. John Lambert's plans are as always excellent and the photo coverage is amazing. This book has gone to the top of the pile and I look forward to reading it. I'm looking forward to the next book from this team ;-) Regards, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Erhardtsen" Subject: Thinning Pit-Road Paints I have tried Xylol (Xylen), and it seems to do the job. Is also good fore cleaning the brush. Erik Erhardtsen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: alec@radmail.rad.co.il (Alex Kravitz) Subject: Just another day on the river Please, look at http://koti.mbnet.fi/~soldier/towboat.htm for tugboat pictures. Is it a hoax? Alec -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: WRPRESSINC@aol.com Subject: Re: Arkansas Colors If the photo that is being looked at has an SK or an SK -2, then the date MUST be well after 1942. Could be Measure 18. What does Mr Sheridan think? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Mike Settle Subject: Re: Subject: Green or white putty >> I use the red automotive filler putty. It works real well. A few months ago I "discovered" the metal micro tips and small plastic dispenser bottles at Hobby Lobby (they also have these tips at Wal Mart, I discovered later). << More info, please, Dave. What department in Wal Mart can these tips be found? Is micro tips their "official" name? Mike Settle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: Modern German Colors/CVN-65 COLOURS We have modern German and modern USN colors in production right now, and will be adding them to our Colourcoats line in the next few weeks. I matched the German colors at last year's Festival of the Sea aboard EMDEN, and we're matching the USN colors to FS samples. Best, John Snyder 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