Subject: SMML VOL 1826 Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 11:47:23 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Tamiya Missouri 1944 fit 2: Sea Cocks 3: Re: Jeanne D'Arc 4: Re: Jack Aubrey on film 5: Re: RN Camouflage Practices 6: Jeanne D'Arc 7: Schnellboote Alarm! 8: Video on "Battle of Hood and Bismarck" 9: paper models Int'l USS Monitor 10: magazine review World War 2 11: Re: Jack Aubrey on film -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Re: USS Monitor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Richard Rathgeber Subject: Re: Tamiya Missouri 1944 fit There are two very nice books on both the Missouri and New Jersey available for under $20. They give a great deal of information plus very nice photographs in the book From the Pictorial History's Publishing, "Warships Data No. 2" USS Missouri (BB-63). Gold medal products makes any very nice photoetched set for the Missouri and its WWII configuration. I can also recommend Keith Bender who is a frequent contributor to this newsletter as a great resource for modeling the USS Missouri. If I can be of any further help please do not hesitate to contact me. Richard Rathgeber ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Ken Subject: Sea Cocks OK, it's a bit remote from modelling, but, hey, closer than the laundries! Watching the PBS Hood/Bismark program last night, a phrase that floats by a lot suddenly struck me - ".. whether the Bismark was sunk by the cruisers' torpedoes or by opening the SEA COCKS..." What is the purpose of sea cocks? How big are they and where are they typically found? If their purpose is solely to aid in scuttling, are they found only on warships? One assumes that through-hull fittings are always potential problem areas and thus would be kept to the absolute minimum. One would also assume that they would have a really big sign on them suggesting that testing them would not be a particularly good idea! I am reminded of a story, perhaps apocryphal, told to me by the engineering officer of a DD who found five unlabeled valves over his bunk that appeared on none of the ship's detailed engineering drawings. After months of searching, he finally labelled them A - E and made up a chart listing all the possible combinations of open/closed. Each night before retiring, he set one of the patterns. Each morning, he checked to see whether the ship had sunk. After exhausting all combinations and seeing no effects, he concluded that the builder's contract called for 'X' number of valves, and that these five, and possibly others, were attached to blind pipes to make the valve quota! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject: Re: Jeanne D'Arc From: "Baumbach, Werner" >> A lot of putty, sanding and other cosmetic work later, she looks something more like a ship again. So now I am starting to look for some modifications. Can't do too much, as my references are limited. A couple questions though. In terms of deck vehicles, would there basically be the same tractors as on other carriers, or are the French using some special vehicles? Or are there non? And then, on my plan, there is a missile starter on the foredeck (below the Exocets.) But there were no parts for that, and I could not see it on any pictures that I have. Is that something, that was removed? Any other suggestions for additions? << Werner, The Masurca launcher was never installed, so you won't need the parts. L'Arsenal sells Exocet canisters, six in a pack, in 1/400. They also sell helos so you can add other types to the flight deck. They have also discussed creating photo-etch sets for various Heller models, and I am hoping this includes Jeanne d'Arc, as I have one also. Even if they don't I recommend replacing the thick plastic railings with generic photo-etch railings. A quick check of some photos shows no deck vehicles; I have more pictures at home, and will also check them for you. I hope this helps. Joe Poutre ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject: Re: Jack Aubrey on film From: "Robert Mosher" >> While on vacation in Ireland I found out that there is a film being made of the Jack Aubrey movies - Russell Crowe playing Jack Aubrey. Maturin is to be played by Paul Brittany, and the ship will be played the HMS Rose - a replica frigate. I saw HMS Rose in Newport, RI in 1987 but it is reportedly now based on the West Coast. << Mr. Crowe is neither broad enough nor blond enough. And even if he bleaches it'll take a while to grow it long enough. And he's an Aussie! Well, if he's in Ireland it won't be hard to add a bit of bulk if he eats in local establishments. I wonder how much they'll tone down the facial scar? I'm not familiar with Paul Brittany; can someone tell us something about him? Joe Poutre ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "John Currie" Subject: Re: RN Camouflage Practices With regards to what John mentioned, I think that this may have been captured on film, In the Naval Video Time Capsules, Part One, Battleships At War 1941/42 By Roland R Smith, In the video there is a section that shows HMS Howe be readied for commissioning, during which you will see a group of Dockyard Mateys Swabbing the deck with what appears to be thick crude oil. By the way the video's are available from WEM Hope this helps John ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Mike Bartel Subject: Jeanne D'Arc I was on the Jeanne D'Arc back in 1993, and aside from the Exocets and newer Cougar helicopters and a newer deck marking arrangement, the ship appeared to have changed little from the Heller configuration, which of course, represents the ship as she appeared when the tooling was first cut (back in the 1960s). Use photoetched railings on the sides in the open walkway gallery areas beneath the flight deck. Also, take some extra care in cleaning up the lattice masts and radar screens, or replace them completely. It's actually a very nice kit, even today, and it's the only kit available of the ship. Hope this helps, Mike Bartel ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Schnellboote Alarm! I just received a call today (July 22) from a hobby distributor that the Revell-Germany Schnellboote kits have finally made it to the US distributors. Your favorite dealer should have it in the next two weeks or less. Retail price is $22US. This is a great kit. I highly recommend it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Video on "Battle of Hood and Bismarck" Last night on PBS, I watched the same program that aired in the UK about 6 months ago on the Hood and the Bismarck search by David Mearns (hope I did not get the last name too wrong) and his exploration of the two wrecks. VERY GOOD! BETTER NEWS! It is available in the US on American/Japanese style VHS direct from PBS for $19.95 plus $4.95 shipping, by calling 1(800)752-9727. They got such a huge response, the tape is already back ordered 4 to 6 weeks! Steve Wiper ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Doug Marrel" Subject: paper models Int'l USS Monitor Do you have a web link for them? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: magazine review World War 2 Got the latest issue of this magazine, so thought I would share the contents in case anyone was interested.. this is the sept 2002 issue Articles: one mans war: Albert A De.Francisco battle thru Europe, Rhineland, Rome & Southern France Commands: No. 485 squadron RNZAF . a brief dscription of his combat history through WW2 Perspectives: Re Detachment 101 & the batles in the China-Burma-India campaign & the battle they are facing by building a school to repay the debt of help they rcvd from the Kachin Tribesmen Armament: Curtiss_wright's Ill fated interceptors: A story about the CW-21 & the CW-21B fighters. Erich Hartmann's last interview before he died in 1995 (with some of people's artwork of his planes in action etc) Lt. Robert H Odell's story of the Battle of Buna Ambushed by the Afrika Korps: About the battle of the 1st armoured div at the crossroads in Tunisia Personality: about South African pilot roger J Bushell & the Great Escape Undercover: the story about the attack of the X-craft on the batleship Tirpitz Advertising: - new product from www.militarymatters.com is a hat with the American flag & an eagle with "PAYBACK TIME" in large letters across the top & then on either side 9-11 on one side & the other 2001 & underneath GOOD LUCK IN HELL inside what appears to be a JDAM or bomb - usual selection of books ,artwork ,coins etc - here's one for you US navy folk .. The broadford Exchange has a diorama of a US navy sailor in bronze standing next to an anchor & bollards. In the background is 2 "destroyers/cruisers" with a carrier, a f-14 with 4 x crusaders? ..nice looking "anchors aweigh" maybe be able to view at www.collectiblestoday.com price is $39.95 - original WW2 shell cases 40mm, 105mm & 75mm www.jtomlim.com a new section on gatherings & reunions some army reunions (506th Parachute infantry regiment,17th Airborne,10th armoured div, SHAEF) but will only put navy here August 27 - sept 3 the LST association meets for the annual reunion www.uslst.org Sept 4-9 the naval mine warfare association hold its 21st annual convention in Denver (contact me offline if you require a persons contact details) Sept 11-15 USS Hornet will gather in Valley Forge Pa www.usshornetclub.com sept 18-21 Veterans of USS Belleau Wood. Myrtle beach SC (contact me for phone number) Sept 28-29 Nation museum of the Pacific war wil holds it symposium in fredisksburg Texas contact the mueum at 830-997-8600 Oct 7-11 USS callaway vets will meet in Charleston SC (contact details see me offline) Oct 19, SS John W Brown will do a 1 day cruise Chesapeake bay from baltimore www.liberty-ship.com also Oct 26-27 wings over Houton airshow festival www.wingsoverhouston.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: annobon4@aol.com Subject: Re: Jack Aubrey on film Hi Guys I have a couple questions. Who is Jack Aubrey? Was he a 1930's movie star? Also does any one remember this? Back in 1976 I remember seeing a newspaper article about the smashing of a piracy ring that was terrorizing the shipping lanes in the South China Sea. It was squashed by joint task force from I think countries like the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan,India, Federated States of Malayasia, and possibly Australia, and New Zealand. They used a island that even had human slave markets. How many ships were involvned in this operation. Or has any one heard of this.? Was the U.S. involvned? Craig ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "David Hathaway" Subject: Re: USS Monitor Fellow SMML'ies I have seen pictures of the Monitor model and it can only be decribed as superb. At the risk of being accused of advertising, I would also like to point out the 1:250 scale waterline card model of the USS Monitor I publish under the name of Paper Shipwright. It only has 250 pieces but was as accurate as I could verify through serious research (some done through or via contacts made from SMML). It includes options for modelling her as built, as at the Battle of Hampton Roads or as she appeared shortly before she sank. There is also a model of her opponent at the Battle of Hampton Roads, the CSS Virginia. The model is also available through PMI or myself directly. David Hathaway info@papershipwright.co.uk www.papershipwright.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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