Subject: SMML VOL 2006 Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2002 13:47:54 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: why teak decks? 2: Scale Question 3: Shrapnel and fragmentation 4: Re: Etched brass masks... 5: resin kits & bits n bobs 6: Re: Royal Navy groundings 7: Re: Why teak decks? 8: Deck colour formula 9: Found: Aurora USS Enterprise kit 10: Re: HMS Hermes 1942 11: French A/C Carrier "Arromanches" 12: Re: Teak decks 13: Re: Royal Navy Nuclear sub runs aground on Skye 14: HP HMS Hermes 15: HMS Hermes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Harold Stockton" Subject: Re: why teak decks? The reason that there was the use of teak decks on ships was that teak was so dense that is was less likely to become water-logged over time when under constant wet conditions; i.e. swelling and rotting. Also, teak was less prone to being attacked by worms. Teak could also stay relatively clean with the "rubbing-down" with stones. This gave some extra work for all those idle hands aboard deck. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Daniel Taylor" Subject: Scale Question Hi All All the comment on getting the scale right in 1/72 is perfectly valid. I agree it can certainly be very tricky and my calculator has the same urksome habit of telling me something I know to be untrue. However. There is an easier answer - 1/76. It is a scale designed for the less mentally gifted like myself. It works out to 4mm = 1 foot and is, therefore, ideal for using originals measured in feet and inches. Just multiply the measurement of feet by four and you have the dimensions in millimetres. It works well with armour related projects like landing craft, one of my favoured topics, and there are many kit bits you can use from manufacturers like Airfix, Matchbox, Fujimi et al. I expect some doubtful comment from the list, but it really is easy. Dan Taylor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Robert Lockie Subject: Shrapnel and fragmentation >> I do not know how true this is but I heard that one of the reasons for wooden decks/teak as it reduced the amount of metal shrapnel from the metal deck underneath << It is a small point, but to be entirely accurate, I believe that the term should really be fragments. Shrapnel is a technical term to gunners and refers to a type of anti-personnel shell containing multiple small balls around an explosive charge (as I recall, named after a chap called Shrapnel). Strictly speaking therefore, only a shrapnel shell produces shrapnel - it and any other exploding preojectile may generate fragmentation effects, as obviously can the impact of a projectile on a hard surface. Splinters were a significant contributor to crew casualties in sea battls in the days of sail. Off my pedantry soapbox now.... Was the wood deck covering to aid traction when wet? Traction is clearly a problem on the sammler ships, hence all that non-slip covering, and it may be that teak is easier to maintain than non-slip on a large surface (as well as giving the deck division something to keep them busy). Robert Lockie Swindon UK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Chris Hughes" Subject: Re: Etched brass masks... I've seen this used for armour markings, such as the US "white star", callsigns etc, mostly in 1/35 scale. The overall effect is similar to the real thing, as any slight "fuzzing" wouldn't look amiss - I've painted enough call-signs and the like on AFV's in the past (1/1 scale ones, that is!) to compare the effect. However, what the results from using PE masks would look like on 1/350 or 1/700 ships is open to conjecture. I would imagine that PVC masks, like those used for aircraft canopies, would be the best bet, as they conform well to compound curves and seem to seal well at the edges. Maybe one of the manufacturers would like to give it some thought? Chris ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Roger Buckley" Subject: resin kits & bits n bobs First of all many thanks for the help with cleaning & prepping my resin kit. Much appreciated. Secondly congrats to those concerned with http://www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/shiprevs.html a truly awesome project - the only ship I couldnt see was the Burton Island icebreaker by Revell (perhaps appears under History Makers maybe, not under Ships) but apart from that it is a superb collection of data. regards Roger ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Darren Subject: Re: Royal Navy groundings >> Nuclear sub runs aground on Skye << I think the RN should adopt the quote, "I think there's something wrong with our ships today" !! Or at the very least, somebody should let them know that they are supposed to stay in the water, 'cause they're floaty thingys! What's next, INVINCIBLE on the M5? ; ) Darren ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Darren Subject: Re: Why teak decks? Another one to ad to the list is, I was once told that the wood absorbs the blast wave from the big gun muzzles better than steel, steel would bend and crack after awhile. Personally, I think it's just a carryover from wooden ship days and over the years people just keep coming up with good sounding reasons. Darren ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: Keith Butterley Subject: Deck colour formula Hi all, Ok so after reading all the different "looks" a deck may have, do you think using a light grey with a drop or two of tan would be a good mix? Happy modelling Keith Butterley warshipbooks.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Randy Ward Subject: Found: Aurora USS Enterprise kit I ran across an Aurora kit of CVN-65 (identified on the box as CVAN-65), USS Enterprise. 1/400 scale, kit no. 721. Copyright 1976. Box has some water damage to top, decals are mildewed (possibly salvagable). All plastic parts are clean and appear to still be sealed in plastic bags, except for the aircraft, which were removed from the sprues and placed in a ziploc bag. (Obviously, one bag may have been opened to get to the a/c - 'haven't checked. Island has the classic "beehive" top. 'Any idea what it might be worth? Randy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: JOHN CURRIE Subject: Re: HMS Hermes 1942 What you have been thinking is as radar is the Homing Beacon. Regards John ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: SceneN3D Subject: French A/C Carrier "Arromanches" Has anyone any knowledge pertaining to reference/info for the French a/c carrier "Arromanches" (ex- H.M.S. Colossus) as to her color scheme (flight deck, hull, s/s) during her second Indo-China cruise in the Gulf of Tonkin, late 1952 During this deployment she shipped ex-USN Curtiss SB2C-5's and Grumman F6F-5's. All responses are much appreciated. Rob B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Millen, Alan R." Subject: Re: Teak decks The one comment I haven't seen yet is why teak was originally chosen. I understand that back in the days of fighting sail, oak splinters would fester, whereas teak would not. True or false? Alan R. Millen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Ken Goldman" Subject: Re: Royal Navy Nuclear sub runs aground on Skye Actually, this was just a ploy to divert attention while the crew hurried ashore to stock up on Talisker single malt. Ken Goldman THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER unique wood sculpture and fine scale models www.walruscarpenter.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: "Fernando, Yohan" Subject: HP HMS Hermes Russ Smith said: >> I'm getting ready to do my HP Hermes. ... << Russ- What are your initial thoughts on this kit? I was excited to learn of its release (as well as the other early Brit carriers by HP) but have not heard too many details about them in general (or seen any pictures!). I am planning on ordering one in the next month or so, but would like to get some peoples' impressions about it. Over the past year or so, HP's kits have really improved in quality and the latest I picked up (HMS Delhi) was quite nicely done, so I'm hoping the Hermes is of the same quality. Thanks Yohan Fernando ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "graham and melanie" Subject: HMS Hermes I think what you are seeing is the type 72 homing beacon. all the best graham ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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