Subject: SMML VOL 1738 Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2002 13:41:42 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: 1942 flags and ensigns 2: Anniversary not to be forgotten 3: Re: WARSHIP IN PROFILE volume 4? 4: Re: Authors and Publishers 5: Re: Pearl Harbor Paints? 6: Mirage Kits 7: Re: Sims Class 8: Re: "Tenix delivers STUART to Royal Australian Navy" 9: I-400 Camo 10: Re: 1:600 & 1:500 Scale Ships 11: Re: 1/700 Iowa & Nimitz Carrier 12: Re: Nichimo Kits 13: Plans Source 14: Canadian Flower Decals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation 1: Escort issue 19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: New 1/1250 PE sets ready -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: dlfowler@apple.com Subject: Re: 1942 flags and ensigns >> Which were RAN, RNZN and RCN ensigns? Some sites suggest that they were similar to RN ensign, while some depict those with stars and leaf. << Australia, New Zealand, and Canadian naval ships all flew the British White Ensign during the war. They flew their own national Blue Ensign from the bow as a jack when in port. >> The same question regarding RAAF, RNZAF and RCAF. << Are you talking about roundels? I'm a ship guy so I have no idea! >> Were rank flags of RAN, RNZN and RCN similar to those used in RN? << They were so similar that you couldn't tell them apart. (They were identical) >> Were those USN rank flags (dark blue with 2, 3 and 4 white stars) used in 1942 or other ones were used instead? << The USN rank flags have not changed over the last century, as far as I know. The 1913 "Seaman's Handbook" shows the same flags. >> Which were USAF rank flags in 1942? << Probably red with white stars just like the Army since it was the USAAF during the war. Up until 1949 the British navy used different signal flags than the US. The US used the International Code for its flags but had its own number flags and special pennants. After 1949, all Nato countries standardized on the US system (except for the church pennant which remains different between the US and Britain). There are special flags for those languages with characters different than the English alphabet but they are not used other than communications between same navy ships. The Soviet Union (and now Russia) has a complete set of Cyrillic flags but also uses the International Code. Japan also uses the International Code but also has Katakana equivalents for each flag. Now for the shameless plug: Dunagian Decals produces flag sets for the British, US, German, Japanese, and Soviet navies during WWII. There is also a British WWI and International Signal Code for merchant ships. Each set contains the signal flags and pennants suitable for that time period as well as the ensigns, jacks, and rank flags. The International Signal Code set contains the British Blue and Red Ensigns as well as the US ensign. These sets are available in 1/350 and 1/700 scale. The 1/350 Japanese set may also be used for the Nichimo 1/200 Japanese destroyers but is too small for the 1/200 Yamato. A new set for that scale is in the works. The 1/350 Soviet set is appropriate for the 1/200 Trumpeter destroyers but the Russian version is still in the works. The modern set would change the ensing, jack, and rank flags. Hope that helps, Duane Fowler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: HAZEGRAYADM@aol.com Subject: Anniversary not to be forgotten Take the time to ponder, remember, raise your glass, say a prayer or all of the above on this 60th anniversary of the battle of Midway. Think of what the outcome meant to both sides of the conflict and ponder what might have been if it went otherwise. Think of those who would never know what the results of their efforts would bring about and simply went ahead with the job to be done. The luck, bravery and guts displayed have been written of many times, but can you place yourself in their shoes and just imagine what it took? I cannot, so I will therefore raise a dram in a toast to them all. It is the least I could do. Bert McDowell -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Terry Wiltshire Subject: Re: WARSHIP IN PROFILE volume 4? >> From Profile Publications I have the first three volumes of WARSHIPS IN PROFILE published in the 70's. On the cover of volume 3 is mentioned, that there is a volume 4. I spent a lot of time to localize this volume 4 and meanwhile I ask myself, if it was ever published. Can anyone help? << Roger Profile volumes were published twelve per volume but the series stopped being published at number 40 hence no volume 4. I have number 40 "Her Netherlands Majesty's Ship De Ruyter" and it advertises the next eight in the series: 41. USS Lexington & Saratoga (CV2 & CV3) 42 HMS Nelson & Rodney 43. Lion Class 44. Lutzow Class 45. Fantasque 46. Leander Class 47. Takao Class 48. Nevada/Oklahoma But unfortunately they were never published. Perhaps someone who reads this group knows why? Terry Wiltshire Budapest HUNGARY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Terry Wiltshire Subject: Re: Authors and Publishers About Robert's crusade for better English. I've just started to learn Hungarian (don't even try it!) and one thing it made me appreciate was how bad my English was. A Japanese visitor this weekend asking me to help correct a report she had written in English just made it worse! I've printed out Robert's comments as a sort of "what you don't know about your own language reminder". I never did see what was wrong with to "Boldly go where no man has gone before". Good luck with your crusade Robert and by the way, I know exactly where Swindon is.............. Terry Budapest HUNGARY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Sanartjam@aol.com Subject: Re: Pearl Harbor Paints? Hi SMML, Reaching for a steel helmet, I offer an opinion on the dispute about the paint used on some U.S. Navy ships (especially the battleships) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. In addition to the already-quoted letter to the editor from Don Montgomery in the latest issue of Warship International, there was also a long letter to the editor from Christopher Wright (who happens to be the editor) in connection with the career of USS Oglala. On pages 217-18, Mr. Wright quotes a December 1941 Navy memorandum that refers to a trend toward using a darker color than 5-S, and gave as examples the use of 5-N by the Atlantic Fleet and - this is what caught my interest - a preference by the Pacific Fleet for a color midway between 5-N and 5-D. Although the letter may refer to post-Pearl Harbor practice, I would suspect that what some have taken for 5-N in the painting of the battleships at Pearl Harbor and what others maintain was 5-D was really a mixture of the two. Yes, I know this will be anathema to some, but I still offer it as a possible explanation. Now for the incoming.... Art Nicholson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Mike Leonard" Subject: Mirage Kits >> I took a look at Migare's address. The frigates are marked there as planned. And I'm afraid they don't sell their models to other countries. << A number of these are carried by White Ensign Models, and I've seen most of the 1/400 subs and destroyers available at shops in the US. Mike Alexandria, VA USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Alberto Rada" Subject: Re: Sims Class >> I am looking for photographs of a Sims class destroyer (any ship) in the south Pacific, 1942. Can anyone suggest a source with a port and starboard photograph of the same vessel in measure 12 scheme? << First of all a Hi every one, I am back after 2 years, I moved from Venezuela S.A. to Miami Florida USA and its hard to get settle and every thing running, So now I have a bit of time left (not as much as I would like) so I can slowly get back to modeling. As per your question Bill, I have several photographs on the Sims, as some time ago I did a 1/192 model on the USS Wainwright DD 419, that you can see at: http://warship.simplenet.com/SimmsCW192.htm So if you give me a day or two I'll collect all the photos on the subject and send them to your email SALUDOS And I am very happy to be back on board Alberto Rada Benayon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Shane Subject: Re: "Tenix delivers STUART to Royal Australian Navy" Hi all, I recieved the following from a contact within Defence and Tenix! >> Oh how easily we forget, the "Corporate Communications" people, conspire hand outs to a woefully mis-informed & ignorant media, saying whatever they feel like, knowing full well the media (reporters in particular) will never let a fact or reasearch get in the way of filing an easy story. An easy check of the build schedule would have told anyone interested enough to look, Nu-ship BALLARAT should be sailing around cracking her hull by now. When our pollies at the launch come up with the 'on-time, on-budget' newspeak you gotta know something is wrong. The project is currently almost two years behind. On schedule...yeah the grossly revised schedule! As for the cracks, this is what happens when you ask ships designed for northern waters, to work around our southern oceans. Evey noticed all the re-inforceing strips welded to the sides of the FFGs? << Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Bruce Buchner" Subject: I-400 Camo I just received the Combat Subs 1/350 Japanese I-400. Very nice kit but the instructions are in Japanese. The box art shows with gray topsides, teak deck and red below the waterline. Does anyone know the correct color scheme for the I-400s? I have the S&S color chips, if the gray is correct which ship would be the correct gray? Bruce Buchner -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: David Wells Subject: Re: 1:600 & 1:500 Scale Ships RhinoBones@aol.com wrote >> Judging from all of the pictures I have seen, and from the descriptions of kits for sale, it would seem that most kits made to the 1:500 and 1:600 scale are full hull. Those of you who have built 500 and 600 scale ships, can you verify whether these kits do, or do not, come with full hulls. I am a fan of the full hull display and I am getting tired of carving hulls for the 1:700 scale ships. << Generally, the 1/500 and 1/600 kits that I've built have been full hull, with few exceptions. The Nichimo 1/500 kits are designed with multipart hulls so that you can build a waterline or full hull model. The Skytrex metal 1/600 kits are waterline. (at least the ones I have!) I certainly agree with RhinoBones that it's better to start with a full hull kit than to try to make a lower hull for a waterline model! David R. Wells (full hull fan!) P.S. I'm selling waterline models of submerged submarines. Any sub you want, $5! ;-) ;-) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: David Wells Subject: Re: 1/700 Iowa & Nimitz Carrier "Mark W. McKellar" wrote: >> I'm thinking ahead to my next couple of projects. I'm looking for plastic not resin. I'd like to build a 1/700 Iowa class (without photoetch) and a 1/700 Nimitz class... Any suggestions on the what kits I ought to be looking at? << If you're willing to tolerate 1/720, then the Italeri Nimitz would seem to be the only game in town. (also marketed by Testors) I don't know of anything in 1/700 exactly. Also you might try to find the flawed but relatively cheap 1/720 Revell New Jersey. Far from perfect, but quite serviceable. I've heard that SkyWave will be producing a 1/700 waterline modernized Iowa class, but I haven't seen one. Once again, more information is available on Rajen's List: http://www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/shiprevs.html David R. Wells -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: David Wells Subject: Re: Nichimo Kits "Andy Jones" wrote: >> Not being a modeller of Japanese stuff. Can/would anyone care to comment on the quality of the 1/500th scale range of IJN ships from Nichimo. << Mixed bag. Some are better than others. Of the battleships, I have Hyuga and Nagato. Hyuga is the better of the two. Nagato has such things as molded-into-the-deck railings a la old Revell. The hull needs modifications too. Of the cruisers, I have Ashigara and Takao. It's a very similar situation: Ashigara is the better one. Takao is much like the Nagatowith its railings and inferior hull. >> Also was there a Yamato or Musashi in this series and are they still available? << There was at least one Nichimo Yamato, but I've never seen it out of the box. Some boxes say 1/500, others say 1/550. I don't know if they are different molds. BTW: there are lots of ship kit reviews on Rajen's List: http://www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/shiprevs.html including most of my comments on Nichimo. David R. Wells "There seems to be something wrong | David R. Wells with our bloody ships today" | Adm. D. Beatty, May 31, 1916 | http://home.att.net/~WellsBrothers/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Warren Yaun" Subject: Plans Source There was a web site identified recently which offered ship plans. The source was I believe in Florida. Plans were in 1/144 scale and covered ships of various countries. It included IJN plans not currently available from Pacific Front Hobbies. Does anyone recall the site? Warren -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Bill & Kaja Michaels" Subject: Canadian Flower Decals From: >> For those who are building, or will be contemplating building in the future the popular Revell Flower Class Corvette, I have just reviewed a new product from the man that does so much original research on the subject. Our illustrious Bob Pearson. Bob sent me a sample of his first set of decals (transfers to us Brits), to enable builders of Canadian Flowers to superdetail and individualise (a new word) the kit. The set covers 11 different R.C.N. units - Arvida, Buctouche, Chicoutimi, Drumheller, Eyebright, Fennel, Sackvill, Sawinigan, Shediac, Snowberry and Trilliam. Both long and short fox'l ships. I am impressed by the research that has been undertaken. The single sheet, with a line for each ship has individual sized pendant numbers, name plate, and individual 'gunshield' artwork. Added to these are green Canadian maple leaf funnel emblems, and escort group funnel markings. There are six sheets of conversion templates (in colour) and a small booklet which shows camouflage worn and the changes required to the standard kit for the necessary conversion. I have submitted these for review in our Marine Modelling Internation, and the editor commented on just how fine the gunshield paintings were. (The word "dinkey" comes to mind). I understand that there will be a set for RN units produced soon. The cost! Each 1/72 set is supplied in its own plastic envelope for $25 US, £18.00 (UK) or $40(Can) which includes postage. Mail to bpearson@kaien.net or HYPERLINK http://www.cbrnp.com/RNP/Flower/index.htm << Nobody asked me, but...... I recently received my set of Bob's decals. I think the decals and the research and the templates are very well done, and was worth my $25. Great work Bob! Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Leslie Brown" Subject: Escort issue 19 The latest update of the IPMS (UK) Small Warships SIG website (www.brown.abelgratis.co.uk) was posted earlier today (3rd June). Regards Les Brown -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SAMI ARIM Subject: New 1/1250 PE sets ready My 2 new PE sets, "Large Ratlines" and "US Radars WW2" are ready to ship. Please check my website navalimodels.com for more information. Best regards, Sami Arim -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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