Subject: SMML VOL 1841 Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 01:18:07 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Warship Pictorial #17 - IJN Myoko Class Cruisers 2: Re: Construction of Yamato's mast 3: Re: Yamato mast question 4: 1/700 Nagato: to use the Skywave turrets or the kits turrets? 5: Dr. Kerry Jang's China report 6: Heller Illustrious - photo-etch sources? 7: Re: Olympia and Oregon Kits..... 8: HMS Reaper 9: Re: Olympia and Oregon Kits..... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information 1: Re: NATS 2: SMMLCon @ South Street Seaport Model Festival -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Just arrived 2: Re: U.S. Dreadnought Reference Recomendations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SolidStump@aol.com Subject: Re: Warship Pictorial #17 - IJN Myoko Class Cruisers >> This book is finished and is ready to go to my proofreaders. Colorized images on the front and back cover, 74 pages in the book total, 2 color (center spread color illustration plan and profile of Myoko 1941) and 72 in black and white containing 112 photos, class development history and record of movement during WWII for each ship. I hope to go to the printers in September and distribute the book in October. USA Retail - $16.00 Future IJN subjects for the Warship Pictorial Series; Atago Class Cruisers Nagato Class Battleships << Thanks for all the hard work Steve. Hope your books make you the money to keep at it. Simon Scheuer Atlanta, GA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Michael Connelley Subject: Re: Construction of Yamato's mast Howdy: Skukski is right, again. I'll have to add this to my list of corrections. The mast has two feet forward and one aft, up on the step (see drawing D2/4 and D2/5). Look at the first and third photos on page 24. Yes, they're quite fuzzy and frankly they're not good reproductions. I have a book with a very good reproductions of these photos ("All About Super-Battleship Yamato"), unfortunately I can't seem to find good reproductions on line. Anyway, consider the first photo on page 24. The options are for two feet forward going down at an angle and one aft going down vertical, or vice versa. In the photo you can see that the rear foot is vertical. If there were two feet in the back, then you'd see one foot going down at an angle, not vertical. Thus, it must be the case that the rear support is a single vertical foot with two up front, as shown in Skulski. Other photos tend to support this conclusion. While these other photos that I checked were also taken during her trials from a distance, it looks like the front part of the joint area is quite wide. Unfortunately, the geometry of the construction makes it difficult to put this conclusion on a more solid footing. It always seems one foot is behind another, or you can't easily tell which foot is in the foreground and which in the background. Other books at home may shed more light on this, but for the time being, I'll have to side with Skulski. Cheers Mike Connelley ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: VonsHobbyWorld@aol.com Subject: Re: Yamato mast question Erwin, The Tamiya kit actually molded the main mast incorrectly and it was probably done because it is easier. However, on their new 1/700 Yamato & Musashi kits, they have corrected the legs of the mast to the correct configuration. The main mast should have the two legs forward with the third starting on the platform aft of it just in front of the radio and radar control box. I believe this configuration is more sound then the single leg forward. For if the two legs were aft, yes they would support much of the weight, but the single forward leg could not hold the aft aerials of the mast and control sway. Also, there are a few good photos that may help in the Gakken #20 publication. There are several overall photos that would be useful for the Yamato build. HTH, Dan von Gartzen Model Fleet ezOP http://pub34.ezboard.com/bmodelfleet ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Franz Aigner GmbH" Subject: 1/700 Nagato: to use the Skywave turrets or the kits turrets? There is a substantial difference in size between the two versions of the turret, both in lenght and width: which is correct? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Loren Perry Subject: Dr. Kerry Jang's China report >> A comment that has come up on this list on Chinese kits was the fact that they were all motorized, toylike, and the reasons for this ranged from the Chinese are... "too stupid to do a nice kit... lack the technology to do a proper kit... to including motors in the kits gets them into the US at a lower rate of duty as they come in as toys instead of XYZ... << Only a fool would dismiss Chinese craftsmen as untalented or stupid. This is the attitude that U.S. "thinkers" held on the Japanese in the 1930's which came to cost us dearly. I continue to be astounded at what Chinese engineers and manufacturers offer the world in terms of quality and value. Today, model trains from China rival or even surpass the finest equivalents from Germany (once regarded as the mother lode of extreme quality and precision) and this is only the tip of the hobby iceberg. The latest Chinese model kits are at an exceptional level of quality now, even though serious model kits from that country are a relatively new development. Major Boeing 777 components are now manufactured there as are thousands of other complex devices of all kinds. Civil engineering projects such as giant dams are now in progress and they dwarf all previous efforts by nations around the world. They have an active space program and are among the quickest learners on the planet. >> In short, these kits were not made for us modellers, but for the kids of China to play with and there are enough kits sold in their domestic markets to keep them producing more of the same! << All the better for those of us wanting new kits at afforable prices. Whereas wealthy members of society made it possible for the rest of us to own DVD players and color TV's, fly on passenger aircraft, and in many cases even have a decent job, the children's market in China will likewise allow thousands of hobbyists access to a large range of new plastic kits never before available, and unlikely to come from traditional sources. And toy ships can also find an appreciative market in this country - isn't it high time to wean our kids from computer games and trash TV and introduce them to the constructive and educational pleasures of the model workbench? >> It appears that countries whose policies try to include China as opposed to exclude China are work best. << So far that seems to be the case. While certain elements in China worry many of us over the long term (sales of weapons to terrorists, regular threats against Taiwan, etc.), it's probably much better to keep China as a trading partner for the foreseeable future. Boycotting Chinese plastic kits for political reasons right now won't do anything substantive for anyone. And the wealthier they get, the less motivation they'll have to get involved in a major shooting war (because they'll have more to lose.) Or so my common sense tells me, whatever that's worth these days. Loren Perry ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Stephen Allen" Subject: Heller Illustrious - photo-etch sources? I am beginning the process of building my Heller Illustrious up as sister Victorious c.1941 (okay, I've taped the hull together and said 'Oh! it's big!'). There appears to be a distinct lack of etched products applicable to this kit in 1:400 scale, in particular to model the numerous hinged WT masts and the boat cranes, and wondered if anyone knew of any impending releases that might address this issue. If not an etched sheet, then the re-release of this kit (and Arromanches, which needs the same WT masts) might spur interest ala the recent development by WEM of a set for the Hood. Alternatively, can anyone recommend a custom etch producer who might be interested in a commission? regards Steve ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Olympia and Oregon Kits..... >> Does anyone know what the scale is of the Revell USS Olympia kit << 1/242 >> and when it will be re-released? << it was, about 2-3 years ago and still should be around >> I am wondering if it is in the same scale as the Glencoe/ITC release of the Battleship Oregon. << No the Oregon is 1/225 >> Also, any suggestions of good ref material for these 2 vessels is appreciated. << Olympia, the ship itself, in Philly, also several walk arounds on this site. Olympia - a set of plans is available from the Maritime Museum in Oregon Regards, Bradford Chaucer ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Chris Herron" Subject: HMS Reaper I am after some details regarding the escort carrier HMS Reaper as I am building a model for a friend who served on her during the war. Does anyone have any photographs or plans showing her camouflage scheme at the time? (The only one I have seen is a square-on aerial view form the Haze Grey website.) Also does anyone know what her crest depicted? Any help appreciated!! Thanks. Chris ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: John_Impenna@hyperion.com Subject: Re: Olympia and Oregon Kits..... Hi Bob, The Revell Olympia is to 1/232nd if I remember correctly and the Oregon is to 1/225. I would think this is close enough!! I'd love to have the eyes that could tell this difference!! I don't have any info as to when Revell is re-releasing it. HTH. Regards, John ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Robert Healy" Subject: Re: NATS To All, Whats the plan for the Nationals this week? I was planning on doing my day trip on Thursday. I will make the rounds in the morning and would be open to something in the afternoon. Bob Healy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: FBustelo@aol.com Subject: SMMLCon @ South Street Seaport Model Festival Hi Folks, Checking my emails after a weekend away, so I am catching up. I will be at the South Street Seaport Model Festival (a.k.a. New York Boat & Ship Model Festival) on August 4 - Sunday only. The Festival is held on both August 3 & 4 from 12 - 4pm. I think that Keith Bender and Gary Kingzett will be there but on which days I am not certain. I have asked to be seated next or near Gary & Keith if they attend on Sunday. So I am asking for a roll call - who will be there and on what day(s)? For the record again - Felix Bustelo will be present on Sunday, August 4. I hope to see some of my fellow SMMLers at the festival either displaying or just visiting. Regards, Felix ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Lorna Jenkins Subject: Just arrived From WEM - more of the Modern Navy colours (hurry up and do the RAN Storm Sea Grey guys!) as well as some WW2 KM colours plus the usual photoetch and resin details. From Flagship - more of their 1/350 range. From Gold Medal Models - plenty of good stuff in 1/700 and 1/350. From WR Press - more stock of the RN Camo series. With the new Essex book on it's way here, we're taking pre-orders now. From OzMods - 1/700 Vampire and 1/700 Vendetta PLUS for those who dabble in aircraft a 1/144 Canberra! These have all come in in the last two days but more information is already on the website at http://sandlehobbies.com Plus we have the latest issue of Plastic Ship Modeller No 27 - get your copy soon. Cheers, Lorna Jenkins SANDLE Hobbies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: U.S. Dreadnought Reference Recomendations >> I'm looking for some books like Reilly and Scheina's _American Battleships 1886-1923: Predreadnought Design and Construction>_ << Hi Kevin, We have a copy in stock, priced at £85.00. 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