Subject: SMML VOL 1851 Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2002 03:46:04 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Kriegsmarine WW2 2: M.J.Whitley 3: "DAS BOOT" 4: Re: Japanese plan-view ship drawings 5: Re: Lucky Prince Of Wales 6: "It's all in the family" -- future USN ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information 1: SMML Website update 2: Re: US Nats ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: nd.ward@virgin.net Subject: Kriegsmarine WW2 Prinz Eugen, and others. Timidity from the High Command, and weakness in leadership always was a problem for the Kriegsmarine, but a lot of this was the realisation thet the equipment they were using was flawed. Overgunned destroyers, unable to operate in heavy weather, short range heavy units etc. If we cite the Scharnhorst, then she was handicapped by the lack of a larger calibre main armament, but she was essentially old fashioned, her lines based on WW1 battlecruisers, and her single purpose secondary armament causing them to be vastly overmanned. These points can also be made for the Bismarck (crew of 2,100 -, KG V - 1,640, - New Jersey 1,900). It musn't be forgotten that the Bismarck had to give up her raiding sortie because of a single hit from the POW in the bows. I haven't heard of any explanation of why the Bismarck failed to do damage to the opposing ships at her demise, even though her fire control and armament were initially intact. As to her final sinking? I don't think anyone can prove anything - despite Dr Ballards claims - about the cause. It must be said that in the eagerness to get hits, the RN ships closed to such a range, that flat trajectory shells would not immediately sink a ship, but wreck the upperworks. Long range plunging fire, as the Bismarck sank the Hood, would have certainly finished the matter more quickly. I personally am of the opinion that either the scuttling charges, or torpedoes would have sunk the Bismarck quickly, shellfire would have finished her eventually. In any case, she sank and the final cause is irrelevant. Dave Ward ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Minadmiral@aol.com Subject: M.J.Whitley Hi; I have all of his German surface ship books. Does he have a submarine volume?? Thanks. Chuck Duggie WoodenWalls Listmeister eGroups : WoodenWalls Naval wargamer, amateur naval historian, and ship modeler ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "dengar" Subject: "DAS BOOT" Has anyone seen or read this publication from Andrea Press? I want to know if it contains enough new information to warrant ordering from the UK. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "D.Przezdziecki" Subject: Re: Japanese plan-view ship drawings Hello Tom, The place to start is once again the Japanese book "Anatomy of Japanese battleships" vol.1. It covers all of the battleships, all of the armoured cruisers and a number of light cruisers of 1890 - 1905 period and all of the subsequent Japanese battleships up to Yamato and Mushashi. The ships of 1890 - 1905 perod are shown with more than enough detail to build 1/1200 model. Rest of the battleships are shown in detailed plan and side view and all major appearance changes are also included. I got my copy throu Pacific Front Hobbies, just make sure that you are getting the right volume since vol.2 is unnecessary for your purposes. Regards D.P ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Erwin Van Deynze Subject: Re: Lucky Prince Of Wales >> A large calibre shell passed diagonally through the compass platform without exploding, killing or wounding all present, excepting Capt. Leach and signals CPO B A large calibre shell passed through the anti aircraft director without exploding. C Large shell struck the after funnel with only fuse cap popping. D Large calibre 15 in shell, falling short, penetrated the ships side below the armour belt, Came to rest in wing compartment adjacent to boiler room, Failed to explode. "{'ere Nobby, Joo 'ear that, Wot was that noise then?'}" E Three 8 inch shell hits, one traversed through after superstructure, came to rest on upper deck and was later thrown overboard [Would that be some trophy today, or what] Two other 8 in shell hits, only partially exploding with little damage in area of armoured deck aft. << From what I've read, A and B passed through unarmoured parts of the POW, wich meant that the shell was insufficiently slowed and exploded right behind the director and platform. Not quite luck but a wrong fuse setting (well, it was right for penetrating armour, but since the platform and director weren't armoured... I would assume the same goes for C, haven't anything read on this. Now D is indeed lucky! I believe they only found the shell when she was in drydock for repairs! All that time they were unknowingly been sitting on an unexploded shell! BTW some have surmised the same thing happened with Hood: a shell passing through beneath the armoured belt, but this one did exlode. Had to be pretty low, her freeboard was very low by this time. But dynamics of shell falling in water show that the shell after entry in the water curves upward. The Japanese navy had even a shell designed to exploit this. Erwin ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: JRKutina@webtv.net (John Kutina) Subject: "It's all in the family" -- future USN http://www.military.com/NewContent?file=NI_Family ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Lorna Jenkins Subject: SMML Website update Well, once again we have had some exciting new articles to add to the SMML site. In addition to adding the latest SMMLs to the archives and adding more photos of Jim Baumann's stunning work in the Members Models pages we have two model build articles. One is Stephen Allen's fantastic USS Yorktown, the other Steve Sobieralski's inspiring scratchbuilt model of HMS Abdiel. Both of these are in the "articles" section of SMML and are definitely worth the look. Cheers Lorna ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: US Nats >> am doing a double header this year, IPMS Nats on Friday, very inexpensive airfare on Airtrans from Newport News/Williamsburg to Laguardia on Saturday, the South Street Seaport show on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. I'll be on the lookout for SMMLERS, and sticks and strings guys also. << Sorry I missed you. I was at nauticus and the Mariner's museum till about 6:00 on Friday, and left early Sat morning. Did you see the Commanders Langley?? Had a great time at the Nats, also got to do some research the Mariner's and met a really knowledgeable guide/docent at Nauticus. Regards, Bradford Chaucer ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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