Subject: SMML VOL 1981 Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 00:42:36 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: USS Dobbins AD3 2: HMS Nottingham recon 3: Re: RN O Class 4: Re: Japanese Battleship Mikasa 5: Re: HMS NOTTINGHAM 6: Re: HMAS Hobart 7: Last LST ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information 1: SMMLcon 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: OzMods new address ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: THEGAVEL Subject: USS Dobbins AD3 I sent the following to a great friend and master modeller: Have a really nice model of AD-3 Dobbin. She and sister ship AD-4 Whitney are near sister to AS Holland. WWII Janes shows Dobbin/Whitney armed with 4 x 5" and 4 x 40mm and Holland with 8 x 5", 4 x 3" AA and 2 x 6#. Lots of photos out there but only one with gun tubs. The model shows three sizes of guns; L (5" single mount deck and tub mounted), M (40mm single mounts in tubs) and S (20mm? in stacked tubs each side of bridge). With the model came a L in tub and a M in tub. The question is where do they go. The molded on guns are arranged: L on fantail M in tubs __ o 0 o 0 stern __ o 0 A B X S in stacked tubs O bow S in tubs o 0 2 decks above M in tub fantail L in tub superelevated M in tub X= funnel with where I think the L tub and M tub should be shown at A and B with A= L in tub on legs funnel side of Mediums forming apex of triangle B= M in tub on pedestal two decks higher than Mediums, one deck higher than L just aft of funnel Reasoning: neither armament in Jane's matches, Dobbin is more modern so 40MM rather than 3" AA would indicate post 1941 upgrade. Since most photos show no tubs, upgrade probably was post 1941. Legs and a base exist at A and B so placement of the L and M tubs there makes sense. It just seemed right to put the AA a deck higher than the surface gun. The forward L is elevated to clear the forecastle, the two rear L open mounts are quite high above the waterline because of the ship's high freeboard, so why elevate the midships gun beyond clearing the AA around it just as was done for the forward gun. Further elevating the midships AA gun makes sense as only the top two S guns abaft the bridge and the rear S guns have any all around clearance as all of the other M guns are back-to-back and further blocked by superstructure, other guns. What do you think? To which he replied: >> None of the stuff in my books shows the arrangement of gun emplacements to any decent degree. My suggestion is that if you aren't already connected to SMML, do so, and ask your question there. I guarantee SOMEONE out there will provide an answer. If you aren't already connected with them, just send an e-mail to shipmodels@tac.com.au and ask your question. Also, ask that you be added to their recipient list for the newsletter, they put out, daily. Most of the folks who subscribe are into plastic models in the larger scales, and you will also occasionally find some discussion of models made of models in fiberglass and other more exotic materials. There is also a lot of historical discussion. This newsletter is a world-wide thing, so if you aren't connected, you will have some fun. << Beyond mentioning that the model I have is 1/2400 scale, I think the above says it all! Thank you in advance.... John Gavel ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: HMS Nottingham recon Ok for those in Sydney & are not bored with British Warships, the Nottingham is stored at Cockle bay navy yards @ the fuelling pier. You get a good view from the ferry coming from Manly to the city (get a good sorta close up of her), from the city to Manly you are a bit of a distance away & with the haze in the harbour now, you don't get a really good shot of her) If you want extreme close ups, I saw a Captain Cook harbour cruise ship go pretty close to her..so now might be a good time to treat your better half/the old ball & chain or family to a lunch cruise on the harbour or in the city or manly on the ferries (without telling them the real reason you are treating that day) The piggy back ship is now due on Sunday & the transfer will take place on Monday, so she might depart that day or the next Andrew ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "John Sutherland" Subject: Re: RN O Class Jim, Which ships are you interested in? I have a bunch of data and photos on the O and P class courtesy of other SMMLies who helped me with a project about a year ago. I also know of (have access to) other rarer references - such as the history of the 17th Destroyer Flotilla. Which kit have you got - the original Skywave or the altered Tamiya re-issue? (neither are accurate and some of the Tamiya "improvements" actually make some things worse!) I kept extensive notes on how to accurise this kit - it needs a lot of work but its worth it. Happy to share them. I made the Opportune in Dec 43 fit (Battle of North Cape). Incidentally the Tamiya box art purports to be of her but it is really wrong! I also made the 4 "S" and one "V" class present at that battle from the same kit. Contact me directly at john.sutherland [at] amcom.co.nz - I'm sure you will know how to put this address together properly - I am expressing it this way to avoid it being deleted by Shane's sweeper. Best regards John Sutherland ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: PAUL TOSCANO Subject: Re: Japanese Battleship Mikasa >> I had not realized the Mikasa was built by Vickers, so my question is was she a Japanese or British design - would she represent a lot of the British equipment and armament of that period? Also does anyone know if she still has an engine and boiler room - intact I hope. << Mikasa was built by Vickers to a British design and had standard British equipment. Japan did not have the technology at that time to build this type of major warship although they did build excellent cruisers. Even Japan's first modern battlecruisers and next modern warships following Mikasa, the Kongo Class, were designed in the UK, by Sir George Thurston. The first of the four of this class, Kongo, was also built by Vickers in 1913 but the remaining 3 were built in Japan. Although Miksa is very beautifully preserved in Yokosuka, it is not longer afloat but encased in concrete. I have visited the ship twice but cannot remember the status of the engines and boiler room. Since the vessel is no longer afloat there would seem to be little need to go through the expense and effort to maintain them. This site is in Japanese but has excellent photos: www.asahi-net.or.jp/~KU3N-KYM/heiki/mikasa/mikasa.html Paul ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Starline / Fleetline Subject: Re: HMS NOTTINGHAM To follow up on Andrew's posting, & for those interested in the Sydney area: Sunday evening lift ship arrives. (Same ship which did the Cole apparently) Monday evaluation of possible lift locations. Tuesday (subject to weather) lift (from 06.00-14.00) The two most promising locations are Chowder Bay & Watson's Bay. (Having grown up in Watto, it's the one I'm hopeing for.) All the best...happy snapping! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Russ Smith" Subject: Re: HMAS Hobart According to L.J.Lind and M.A.Payne in their book HMAS Hobart. The Hobart arrived at Aden April 18, 1940 and served thru To early October arriving at Colombo for a short refit on October 17th after which she sailed home to Australia. The Perth replaced her on the East Indies station. The Hobert returned to the Mediterranean on July 16, 1941.She replaced the Perth which had been damaged off Crete. She sail from Alexandria on December 9, 1941 to return to Australia. I hope this helps. Regards Russ Smith ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: MIKE.LEONARD Subject: Last LST USS Frederick Decommissioned: Navy's Last Tank Landing Ship Leaves the Fleet http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=3969 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Lynne Kloek" Subject: SMMLcon 2003 Darren Scannell and I would like to propose holding an SMMLcon the weekend of May 2-4, 2003 in Buffalo, NY. Why then and there? Over that weekend the Buffalo IPMS Chapter will be holding Noreastcon, the IPMS Region 1 annual contest and show. This is always a very well attended and competitive event, and the Buffalo guys already have reserved hotel rooms and space for the show. We have talked to them, and they are very willing to have us as part of it. In addition to the models, there will be good vendors, Ted Paris of ISW has already signed up to be there. Located in Buffalo is the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Serviceman's Museum, which is home to the USS Little Rock, CLG-4, a Talos converted Cleveland Class cruiser, the USS The Sullivans, DD 537, a Fletcher Class destroyer, and the USS Croaker, SS 246, a Gato Class submarine. There is also a museum with a lot of interesting ship related material and models. The ships are open and tours and/or social events can be arranged. The website for the museum is: www.buffalonavalpark.org Buffalo has other good tourist attractions including Niagara Falls. Buffalo is also close to Toronto, one of the great North American cities, and home of HMCS Haida, a Tribal Class destroyer. She may or may not be open at that time, as she is scheduled for maintenance. Darren will stay close to that situation. So we are looking for a show of hands of people who would be interested. If you are, please contact Darren and/or me off list. If we get a good response, we can start working with the Buffalo folks to put some concrete plans in place. Jim Kloek ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Greg Anderson" Subject: OzMods new address Please Note: OzMod's postal address has changed as below. Thank you. OZMODS SCALE MODELS Proprietor: Greg Anderson Postal Address: PO Box 700, Booval, QLD 4304, Australia. Phone: (07) 3282 7000. Mobile 0421 044 824. E-mail: mailto:ozmods@bigpond.net.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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