Subject: SMML VOL 1743 Date: Fri, 07 Jun 2002 03:36:38 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Vac-U-Form Machine and Mirage kits 2: What to see in mass/Maine 3: Re: Profile Morskie 4: Pre-SUM: 1942 flags and ensigns 5: Artesania Latina "Endeavour" 6: Re: Fine Scale Modeler 7: Re: What to see in Mass & Maine? 8: Where to visit in Northern Massachussetts 9: Liberty Ship Cruise 10: Re: Mass & Maine 11: HELLER HMS HOOD KIT BUILD ARTICLE 12: Where to stay in New York City 13: Re: What to see in MA and ME 14: LCI(L) -- was ship model -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Books For Sale 2: Model Ship Journal For Summer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Peter K. H. Mispelkamp Subject: Vac-U-Form Machine and Mirage kits Hi: I've been busy lately, and just got a chance to catch up to my SMML. [Please be gentle with me and find it within your hearts to forgive me :))))] Mattel vac-u-form machine: I actually own two of these units, and would be willing to let one go - but since I have never gotten around to using (testing) either of them, it will be a "sold as is" / trade for "as-is" deal. Just remember, I live in Canada so you might have to pay customs duties and incur international postage fees. Contact me off-line if you are interested. Mirage kits: So far as I know, you cannot buy direct from Mirage. There is a dealer in Toronto, Ontario (Canada) who seems to stock most of their kits and is quite reasonable: George Parada Parada & Wedroch 3894 Bathurst S Apt.203 Toronto, ON M3H 3N5 Canada georgeparada@rogers.com Another good source - based in Poland is: Grzegorz Gembala GP Hobby & Model ul. Kazimierza Wlk. 114/10, 30-074 Krakow, Poland Shop/Sklep firmowy: ul. Ogrodniczek 7, Krakow Tel/Fax (+48 12) 632 05 62, Fax (+48 12) 632 56 27 http://www.gphobby.krakow.pl E-mail: gphobby@gphobby.krakow.pl I have purchased from both of them, and neither of them has disappointed me yet. Regards Peter M (long live 1/400!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: John McNutt Subject: What to see in mass/Maine Battleship Cove/Fall River (USS Massachusetts, Joseph Kennedy, Lionfish and Two PT Boats--The Hindesee) USS Salem Quincy USS Constitution and Cassin Young (Boston Navy Yard) Essex Shipbuiding Museum Maine Maritime Museum (Bath) You can also view the Bath Iron Works USS Albacore (Portsmouth) John McNutt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "D.Przezdziecki" Subject: Re: Profile Morskie Since all the Profile Morskie released so far fall ouside of my interest area I haven't bought any of them yet. However if you need anything translated send me a scan of the text and I will be happy to translate it for you. Best wishes D.Przezdziecki -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: =?koi8-r?Q?=E6=C4=D5=DE=D5=CE?= Subject: Pre-SUM: 1942 flags and ensigns Hi! Here i pre-sum the feedback from different forums, FAQs and personal communication. Thanks to everybody who responded. Special thanks to Albert Parker who gave the most comprehensive textual answer. >> Which were RAN, RNZN and RCN ensigns? << 94% assumed that these were equal to RN white ensign. 18% of the respondents suggested to use respective blue jacks for RAN and RNZN and red jack for RCN to distignish between navies. 6% suggested to use white ensigns with no St. George cross and blue stars for RAN, red stars for RNZN, and red leaf for RCN. --------- SUM: Use RN white ensign for RAN, RNZN and RCN. Use jacks to distignish between navies. >> The same question regarding RAAF, RNZAF and RCAF. << 100% assumed that these were equal to RAF ensign. 30% of responds pointed that RNZAF used letters "NZ" in the roundel. ---------------- SUM: Use RAF ensign for RAF, RAAF, RCF while RNZAF should used the same but with white letters "NZ" in the red circle within the roundel. >> Were rank flags of RAN, RNZN and RCN similar to those used in RN? << 100% of respondents assumed them were equal. --------------------------------------------- SUM: Use the same rank flags for RN, RAN, RNZN and RCN. >> Were those USN rank flags (dark blue with 2, 3 and 4 white stars) used in 1942 or other ones were used instead? << 100% of respondents told that rank flags did not change up to present. 7% suggested that dark blue was used by senior admiral while junior admirals should fly red flags with respective number and position of stars; red flags were abandoned. ------------------------------------------------- SUM: Use dark blue rank flag with 1-4 white stars for senior admiral and red one for juniors. >> Which were USAF rank flags in 1942? << 100% of respondents confirmed that there was no USAF as a separate force in 1942. 43% suggested to use army rank flags, 1 to 4 white stars on red background. 6% suggested to use 1 to 4 white stars on the light blue background. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SUM: Use 1 to 4 white stars on red background. >> Had RNN have naval/airforce ensign and rank flags different of national flag at all? << 81% of respondents suggested to use national flag with crossed batons or stars according to rank in the upper hoist corner. 19% of respondents assumed them were equal to national flag. 16% suggested Dutch naval jack with gyron. ------------------------ SUM: Use square version of national flag with crossed batons or stars according to rank in the upper hoist corner. Use Duth jack with gyron. If you have any additions or correction, please keep on discussion. Alex -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Tomt808@aol.com Subject: Artesania Latina "Endeavour" Aloha from Hawaii - Model Expo has a super sale going on now & one of their offerings is an AL "Endeavour" at a really good price. My question - Has anyone built this kit, or any other AL kits? I'd like to hear all thoughts concerning this kit & what it takes to do a decent job on an AL model. This will be only my 2nd wooden ship kit, the other being a Mantua "President," which I found to be a hard, mostly unsatisifying build. Any comments on the above would really be appreciated. Mahalo! Regards, Tom Teliczan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: Re: Fine Scale Modeler Hi; Where can I buy this online?? Thanks Chuck Duggie WoodenWalls Listmeister eGroups : WoodenWalls Naval wargamer, amateur naval historian, and ship modeler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Mark W. McKellar" Subject: Re: What to see in Mass & Maine? >> There is a submarine in Portsmouth, NH, right off route 95 (just before you go over the bridge) << That's the USS Albacore.....experimental sub from the 1950's and 1960's. It's a great little ship to visit....my cub scouts loved being able to roam the ship without an adult hovering over them (there's only one way in and one way out.) Mark McKellar Boston -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Wilgossett@aol.com Subject: Where to visit in Northern Massachussetts >> I'll be in northern Mass and southern Maine this week and was looking for suggestions on marine related sights in the area. Any suggestion? << Charlie: If you are interested in traditional wooden boats and boatbuilding, visit Lowell's Boat Shop in Amesbury, Mass. (near the coast). It's picturesque, free and a step back in time about 100 years. You just wander about a boatshop that was started in 1793 and look at boats already built and boats under construction. Very neat. Will Gossett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Wilgossett@aol.com Subject: Liberty Ship Cruise Hello, all: I must put in a plug for the Liberty Ship John W. Brown, based out of Baltimore. My wife and I just returned from a cruise on the ship out of Savannah, Georgia and it was great. The cruise was for about 6 hours down the river and out into the Atlantic for a ways and back. Guests could climb all over the ship (within safety limits of course), were provided with meals, entertainment (a swing band, persons dressed up as President and Mrs. Roosevelt, General Patton, Abbott and Costello, and more), and the most exciting event was a mock attack on the ship at sea by 2 replicas of Japanese WWII aircraft. The bow guns (3" and 20MM) were fired repeatedly as the planes made many strafing runs on the ship and we were finally "saved" by the appearance of a plane painted to look like a WWII US Navy aircraft and a very low flying B-25. Even though you knew it was not real, it was very easy to get caught up the event and made one realize just how good it must have felt to have friendly air cover overhead during the war. The cruise included many veterans of the war and they seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Also included were several men dressed up as US soldiers that had their gear spread out on a hatch cover and were willing to spend all day in the hot sun describing the variuos gear and how it was used during the war. There was even a memorial tribute to fallen veterans that was very moving. I even used about 10 rolls of film recording every detail that I could get to for future reference. All-in-all fantastic value for the money and seeing an operating museum ship, as opposed to a staic one, makes a world of difference. I highly recommend this organization as one to join. Anyone can contact me off line for any other information (I am not affiliated with the ship) or contact them directly through their web site: http://www.liberty-ship.com/2001/index.html Will Gossett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Mass & Maine >> Here are a couple of suggestions: USS Salem - Quincy Shipyard (south of Boston) USS Constitution and Cassin Young - Charlestown (Boston) Navy yard There is a submarine in Portsmouth, NH, right off route 95 (just before you go over the bridge) << You forgot The USS Mass., and the PT boat Museum at Battleship Cove south of Quincy Regards, Bradford Chaucer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Nick and Joy Rogers" Subject: HELLER HMS HOOD KIT BUILD ARTICLE Hi All, Chris Drage,of diorama fame, has written an article on the recently re-released 1/400 scale Hood kit. It will appear in the next issue of Plastic Ship Modeller magazine. Not quite sure when this issue will hit the shop shelves....... Anyone on SMML know the due date? See http://smmlonline.com/reviews/books/psm/psm.html For on-line images of Chris's Heller Hood in waterline format see the SMML archives. http://smmlonline.com/members/mainbrace/chris_drage/hood.html Cheers, Nick Rogers, Auckland, New Zealand -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject: Where to stay in New York City Recently someone asked about where to stay when coming to NYC. I recommend you look into Jersey City, specifically the Doubletree Inn on Washington Blvd. It's just a few blocks from the PATH trains and Hudson River ferries, it's cheaper than hotels in the city itself, and most of the rooms have a view of the city and the Hudson. Joe Poutre Resident of Jersey City and environs for 10 years -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Hank Lapa" Subject: Re: What to see in MA and ME Do not miss the one and only original Titanic Museum in Indian Orchard, just outside of Springfield. The maritime museum in Fall River is walking distance from BB-59 and the sub and the PT boats. I think the sub USS Albacore is on dry land up there around Portsmouth NH. Hank -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Edward F Grune" Subject: LCI(L) -- was ship model Matty (in SMML 1742) was looking for a model of the Landing Craft Infantry (Large) - LCI(L). Iron Shipwright makes a series of LCIs in 1:350 scale resin & brass. The first is LCI(L) 1 - 350 the square bridge variant. See my review and build article at: http://www.commanderseries.com/pages/LCI230.htm The second is LCI(L) 351 - 1098. This is the round-bridge variant with the raised superstructure. See the ISW catalog page at: http://www.commanderseries.com/pages/LCI351.htm Finally, there was a third variant based on the LCI hull - this was the Landing Craft Support (Large) - LCS(L). This was an up-gunned version who's mission was to provide rocket and gunfire support of invasion beaches. The LCS(L) was also assigned to the radar picket stations around Okinawa and Iwo Jima to provide additional gun tubes firing on the inbound Kamikaze forces. See the ISW catalog page on the LCS(L) at http://www.commanderseries.com/pages/LCSL.htm IMO, these offerings from ISW are very good introductory kits to resin & brass ship models. They are all inclusive - you do not need to purchase additional aftermarket railings or guns to conplete them. The railing sections are short and generally straight. There are only a few bends that you need to contend with. This makes the learning the application of railings easier. ISW has a good customer satisfaction guarantee. If a part is missing or if you screw up while building this kit they will replace missing, broken, or in my instance drilled through parts, no questions asked. Ed Mansfield, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: FBustelo@aol.com Subject: Books For Sale Hi Folks, I have the following books for sale. I realize that they are for wooden ship model building, but I am sure a few of you out there dabble in plank-on-frame kits. All books are in very good condition. 1) Plank-on-Frame Models & Scale Masting & Rigging Vol. 1 by Harold A. Underhill c. 1978 Brown, Son & Ferguson - $30.00 2) Lusci's Ship Model Builder's Handbook by Vincenzo Lusci c. 1970 Mantua Model - $ 25.00 3) Period Model Boat Manual Revised 2nd Edition by F.D. Conte c. ? Edizioni Aeropiccola - $20.00 All books are in English. If you wish to buy all 3 as a group I will sell the set for $65.00. Only U.S. buyers, please. Please contact me off-line using the email address above if you are interested - shipping will be determined on how you wish them mailed to you. Thanks for "listening". Felix Bustelo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: Model Ship Journal For Summer The Summer 2002 issue of Model Ship Journal is at the printer and should be ready for mailing by the 20th of June. This issue has some very interesting features: 1. Steve Wiper presents two very fine models depicting the Japanese Navy ships Kaga and Kirishima. These are stunning replicas and Steve garnered enough photographs to show all the detail the builders (Hideharu Murai and C.J. Parker) put into them. 2. L'Arsenal's 1/350 Tripartite minehunter in resin is reviewed, followed by a full pictorial on the French Tripartite minehunter Orion by Noel Paris. We also did in-the-box full page reviews on Polar Light's re-release of the old Aurora kit depicting the submarine Seaview from the TV series "Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea," and White Ensign Model's resin USS Reuben James kit. 3. I'll show an easy way to build the brass bilge keels, stem plate and rudder/shaft tubes for my 1/16"=1' model of the Flower class corvette HMCS Agassiz. Speaking of brass, don't miss Keith Bender's article showing how to scratch build your own scale brass propellers. He describes a simple method we all can attempt with some assurance of success and continues on to show how a prop is made in a full-house machine shop, with all the cool tools and hand-made fixtures. 4. A close look at Revell Of Germany's new Schnellboote (S-100) class kit in 1/72 scale. Steve Wiper (who 'wrote the book' on the subject) gives the model a thorough examination. 5. Trumpeter's new Sovremenny class DDG is dissected and we show her in all her glory, picking apart some of the kit's flaws as well. Included are shots of actual ships (in color and black & white) to assist you with research and to show some of the errors in this kit so you can make it better. We also introduce you to a fine book on the subject that's chock full of photos 6. A review of Microglass' new 110' subchaser fiberglass hull in 1/32 scale with photos of the SC-1029 to compare the hull to the actual vessel. R/C scale modelers into WWII craft are gonna love this hull! 7. Don Spielberger's R/C scale column in this issue deals with heavy weather sailing and what to do if your model decides to visit Davey Jones. Don packs more hands-on R/C knowledge into a few pages than you'll find in entire books. 8. Plans galore (of course) and a timely feature on the U.S. Coast Guard's combat rescue role during the D-Day invasions on 6 June 1944. This feature dissects the role of the wooden 83 footers with a huge collection of photos and plans for small combatant modelers looking for a worthy next subject. I've been offlist lo these many weeks, creating the layouts, enhancing photos and just plain having fun with MSJ. There's a whole lot more included, buy a copy or get a subscription to see for yourself. Best Regards, Victor Baca Editor & Publisher Model Ship Journal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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