Subject: SMML VOL 2065 Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 02:56:58 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: heller kit 2: Re: Nichimo Submarines 3: Preston Book 4: Re: WEM Aircraft PE set 5: Re: painting the Tirpitz 6: Looking for hobby shop in Louisville kentucky 7: Heller kits & PE 8: Re: D&S Enterprise book 9: Re: attention to detail 10: James Cameron / Bismarck 11: USS Anchorage 12: Re: Painting the Tirpitz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Brooks Rowlett Subject: heller kit >> I've narrowed my choices down to the Heller models of the Bismark or Hood. << Reviews of the HOOD kit when it was first released expressed disappointment, primarily in the shapes of the turrets and some other details that escape me. The BISMARCK kit did not receive such criticism, as I recall. Brooks A Rowlett ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Ives100 Subject: Re: Nichimo Submarines >> If you're after a larger scale boat, I would recommend the Amati (Spelling ?) 1/72 scale resin Type VII. I mostly recommend the Revell 1/144th Type XXI. I feel between cost and availability,plus size, this is your best bet. << Curious as to why you recommended those two. The Amati requires a whole lot of additional work by the modeler on the resin hull (torpedo tubes, weld lines, flood grates, etc.). Plus, there are fit issues with that kit. It does build into a beautiful kit, but requires a fairly experienced hand. The Revell Type XXI comes in full hull (currently OOP) and cutaway version with interior. Both Type XXIs are fairly inaccurate renditions. I have a 3 page list of corrections from a review of the solid hull kit a few years ago. Overall, the Nichimo kits are not a bad place to start; neither are the 1:400 kits (with photoetch) that Mirage puts out. Tom Dougherty ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Chris and Kayo Amano-Langtree" Subject: Preston Book Hi All A couple of notes of caution for all those who comment/review without seeing. Firstly on these volumes, the choice of cover is the perogative of the publisher not the author and they will chose whatever they think catches the eye and sells best. Secondly have a look at it before commenting - who knows it might introduce new lines of areas or research and the arguments presented might be worth considering. Chris Amano-Langtree ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Devin J. Poore" Subject: Re: WEM Aircraft PE set John, What exactly does the WEM Aircraft PE set entail? Since you guys are known for your insanely small details, I'm curious as to whether the any of the interior details that I want to attempt on these aircraft (yes, I did say interior) are being done by you. Also, do these sets correspond with the extra aircraft sets (meaning a fret has details for 10 aircraft)? Thanks, Devin ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: NEVENGER Subject: Re: painting the Tirpitz When I did my model of the Tirpitz (um and still in the process of some of it) I made a blow up of plans of the ship to be the exact same lenght/scale as the model I was doing. Then I hung the plans above the model and very carefully masked and measured before painting. When you mask the model with the plans at the same size above or close to it you can eyeball your work. This helped me to a great deal and to me the results were pretty darn good. Just remember you have to stand back a few feet to make sure you line up your patterns correct. I agree the splinter patteen is a lot of work, but the results are very rewarding. Rich ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: NEVENGER Subject: Looking for hobby shop in Louisville kentucky I am near the Louisville Kentucky area this week and before I go on any wild goose chases was hoping some of you might be able to point out what are some of the better hobby stores in the area to check out. Please let me know on or off list. If off list please e-mail me at Nevenger@aol.com Rich ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "John Clements" Subject: Heller kits & PE In vol 2064, Bob asked about the Heller Bismarck and Hood, and associated PE sets. I have both kits (unmade as yet), and have the GMM generic German ship set, and the WEM Hood set. The former has more parts for the Bismarck/Tirpitz than for other ships and covers most bits you need, but does not have the AA weapons (other than single 20mm) found on the new WEM Scharnhorst etch. The WEM Hood set is just......wonderful, and the instructions put everyone else to shame, I think. The kits themselves are very basic (lots of references on the web) but are cheap and with patience (it took me nine months on and off to make up the Prinz Eugen to an acceptable standard) and PE you can make them look as good as more expensive 1/350 kits. Good luck, John ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: D&S Enterprise book Why is this regarded as hard-to-find? It's been reprinted, and is a regular stock item here at WEM.... Best, John Snyder White Ensign Models Home Page for WEM, http://WhiteEnsignModels.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: SantMin Subject: Re: attention to detail I always have a little inner smile whenever I see a big flame war on detail and colors for any ship, especially an older ship. Let me tell you a little secret. Shortly before I retired I attended a meeting. Sitting around the meeting table were fourteen naval officers, all in uniform. With my modeler's eye for detail I purposely noted each. NO TWO WERE DRESSED EXACTLY ALIKE AND THEY WERE ALL IN UNIFORM !!! Now, do you think they could keep their ships exactly alike, or exactly to regulation? Merry Christmas, Bob Santos ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Baumbach, Werner" Subject: James Cameron / Bismarck I have to back D.Hartwigs statement. There was no order to kill the crews. On the contrary, in addition to the example of the Graf Spee, i have read of numerous accounts, where subs either assisted sailors in actually tugging them along, or at least giving them directions to the next coastline, when this became too dangerous for the subs themselves. Sometimes it is too easy to get caught in propaganda, and maybe the reference quoted is from documents from the 40ies. I had an inquiry a while ago here, whether anyone had any reference of British sailors shooting German survivors during the operations around Norway. That was stated in a German account of that campaign printed in 1941. We can solidly assume that that book was not really well balanced, while it tried to give that impression. In any case, someone else said that in war civilians get killed. I guess very true, especially for WW II. Hundreds of thousands civilians lost their lives during bombing raids, on both (or all sides). Not too many old buildings in many German cities. London and many British cities can tell their story of the Battle of Britain as well. I guess the purpose to break the people was obvious here, with a clear intent on killing civilians and in some cases beyond the military necessity. Dresden and the second a-bomb would have not been exactly necessary. But that is my personal opinion. For the navy, I have only indications that most officers were gentlemen and tried to win a war, but not kill survivors. Happy modelling Werner ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: ANDYCPORETSNIPE@aol.com Subject: USS Anchorage DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF A MODEL OF THE USS ANCHORAGE LANDING SHIP DOCK HAS BEEN MADE LARGER THAN 1/700? I SERVED ON ONE OF THIS CLASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Abhijit" Subject: Re: Painting the Tirpitz Hi Dan The scheme during Operation "Sizilien". My problem is not so much the scheme. It is the how do you paint it? Especially since the scheme runs across the hull and the superstructure/gun turrets. Does one assemble everything and then mask and paint it or do the sub assemblies bit by bit and then airbrush it. In that case how do you ensure the continuity of the paint? Abhi ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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