Subject: SMML VOL 1780 Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 00:47:18 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Scharnhorst - at loss Dec 43 and the escorting Zs 2: Mirage U-boats 3: HMS Bristol 4: HMS Dwarf, 1899 5: Re: PT Boat torpedo launching 6: Re: Assistance needed LEANDER & MAJESTIC Classes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation 1: Re: IPMS USA 2002 2: Re: IPMS Nationals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "John Sutherland" Subject: Scharnhorst - at loss Dec 43 and the escorting Zs Hi all, Am intending to modify the Tamiya kit (mid 1942 configuration). How accurate is this kit? Has anyone done this update before / point me in the right direction to update her? (references, etc) Also what was her and the escorting destroyers (Z29, 30, 33, 34, 37) paint schemes? Several references (Whitley / MacDonald) state that the Z class were fitted with twin 20mm in the bridge wings "by 1944". Neither has photos of the Zs around Dec 43. Can anyone confirm that this happened to these five, where on the bridge wings the guns went, and what the twin 20mms looked like / source of in 700 scale? Also interested in a source of photoetch for the Zs - especially the radars - has anyone produced PE for Zs in 700? (I am aware of WEM PE sets for Scharnhorst, which does not appear to include any light AA, and the German AA weapons PE which does not appear to include twin 20mm - both of which I have separately asked WEM to confirm.) Many thanks Hi John, GMM produce a German WW2 fret which includes parts for the Z Class - used it myself a few years ago. Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Nigel Ward Subject: Mirage U-boats I'm in the process of making up the Mirage U-826 (VIIC Turm IV ). The detail is rather patchy, the full hull is nicely detailed, with the freeing/flooding ports nicely recessed. The conning tower is rather heavy, as are the a/a guns. The sprues contain a surplus of parts that are not used, ie deck gun. The instructions are rather vague in placement of parts, and a lot of dry assembly is essential. Don't be taken in by the box art, no railings are supplied. I bought a generic 1/400 railing/ladder PE set from WEM, and this will be used to add final detail. Further Mirage subs are U-673 (VIIC Turm II), U-570 ( VIIC Turm I), and the U-875 (IXD2 Turm II), with the autogiro. This would make a great diorama, if you could figure out a way to support the giro! Dave Ward -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: PSmith6328@aol.com Subject: HMS Bristol Dear All, Does anybody know if I can buy a kit of HMS Bristol a Royal Navy type 82 destroyer circa 1982 in any scale. Injection moulded or resin. Cheers Phill Smith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "David Hathaway" Subject: HMS Dwarf, 1899 I am hoping the SMML'ies collective knowledge can help me out. I have found a couple of references/photographs of a "Bramble class steel gunboat" called HMS Dwarf, in service between 1899 and 1926, probably some of it overseas (she is painted white in one photo). Looks like an interesting little ship. I found the following entry in Conways All the World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905. >> Bramble Class steel gunboats (launched 1898-99) Displacement 710t, Dimensions 180ft x 33ft x 8ft Machinery 2-shaft, triple expansion engine, 1300hp Max speed 13 knots Complement 85 Armament 2x4", 4x12pdr HMS Bramble - built by London, Glasgow Co. - sold 1926 HMS Britomart - built by Potter - sold 1920 HMS Dwarf - built by London, Glasgow Co. - sold 1926 HMS Thistle - built by London, Glasgow Co. - sold 1926 << Photograph is at: http://www.simplyhifi.com.au/John_Henry_Marriner.htm and another at: http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/naval_sloops_.htm - both sites have not been able to help with information. Does anyone have any further information on the ship or the type or can point me to further references on them. I would ideally like to get hold of plans/drawings, but before I approach the National Maritime Museum I would like to a) get more information about the ships and b) exhaust any further (and cheaper) sources. Can anyone help me? David -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject: Re: PT Boat torpedo launching When the torpedo tubes of a PT Boat were cranked out at an angle to the keel, how was the torpedo reliably aimed at the target? I have always assumed that in the case of a submarine-launched torpedo, the entire submarine was pointed directly at the target, and the submarine's tubes guided the aquatic missile on a course that was unalterable once it left the tube. Did the PT Boat have to change course a few degrees just before launching? Or did the PT Boat aim itself a little ahead of the target, sort of like "Leading" in skeet shooting"? I would think that getting in really close to the target would improve the chances of getting a "hit", but would also make the PT Boat far more vulnerable to enemy defensive fire, both on the attack run and on the "getting the Hell out of here" run. I, for one, will appreciate comments. Franklyn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Mark Brown" Subject: Re: Assistance needed LEANDER & MAJESTIC Classes Kevin Dunn wrote.... >> If anyone has any photographic material available on the following vessels please contact me on the above e-mail. Specifically looking for good detail photos. (Please don't tell me to try the RAN, nor NMM). << You should definitely try the Australian War Memorial website. They have a huge number of photos related to all three modified Leanders. I am sure they would have lots on Sydney III too. The photos are lowish resolution and watermarked but they are useable. You should be able to save the ones you need for reference. I have done similar searches on the Leanders myself and found that HMAS Hobart offered the best close in shots, I guess because she was around longer. Just go to.... http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp and click on "New Collections Database Search". Type something like "HMAS Hobart" into the search and you will get hundreds of matches, most of which are photos. Hope this helps. Mark -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Infomation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SantMin@aol.com Subject: Re: IPMS USA 2002 I'll be there and would like to put faces on all of you email friends. My problem is that I will only be there for a couple of hours so a "social" is out. I will try to introduce myself whenever possible. Cheers, Bob Santos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: BECJPARKER@aol.com Subject: Re: IPMS Nationals How about starting a list on line of who will be attending? Just keep it running and let folks add to it as they get their planning done. Also lets try to all get together early on Friday. I'll take the lead for this and contact the IPMS folks and try to get a place for us all to meet on Friday AM or get another location that is close. Give me some feed back if this is OK with most of you guys. Charlie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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