Subject: SMML VOL 2124 Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 03:03:44 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: CO2 regulators 2: Hornblower etc. 3: Demise of PSM 4: PSM 5: Re: German Grammar 6: Re: PLASTIC SHIP MODELER 7: Re: airbrushes 8: Re: Thinning of Paint for Airbrushing 9: Re: First airbrush 10: Plastic Ship Modeler 11: Re: PSM 12: Hornblower & Australia stuff & Worlds worst warships 13: Airbrush compressors 14: World's Greatest Oversimplifications 15: decal lettering 16: Interesting item on eBay 17: Re: Renwal kits ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information 1: Re: Task Force 72 Regatta 2: TF72 Regatta correction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Doug Marrel Subject: CO2 regulators Dual gauge CO2 regulators can be had very reasonably (and gas bottles too) at your nearest beer homebrew place, or on any internet homebrew supply store. I like my CO2 setup as well. And a small 1lb backup bottle from the homewbrew place keeps me from worrying about running out. I got everything except some fittings out of Lowes from a local homebrew place. Worked out great. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Jimmyjb Subject: Hornblower etc. Reruns of Hornblower series. Were these the original BBC (?) productions featuring those marvelous 1/12 scale models of the line and frigates? World's Worst Warships -- Preston succumbed to the temptation to do cut and paste heavily illustrated coffee table quickies on all manner of warship related subjects. However I still value one of his early books SEND A GUNBOAT (co authored with John Major), with its terrific line drawings and photos of the little ships that inspired the phrase "gunboat diplomacy". The text was a nice blend of technology and history. The "worst" nominee Amazon Type 21 frigates did have a tendency to crack at one of the hull-deck seams in heavy weather and suffered from the fire-hazards of all the aluminum-superstructure ships -- along with the American Perry FFGs, but they were sooooo pretty. Jim Bloom ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: O'Connor Subject: Demise of PSM I was sorry to read about Mr. Jones' decision to halt production of PSM after this upcoming issue. In recognition of other electronic sources of information he refers to, I for one still enjoy a good old fashioned read- something I can take along with me when I go to "another room", out of town without a computer, or just a leisurely Sunday afternoon respite from the world. Here in Florida, it's hard to take a laptop to the beach for reading purposes without the constant worry of sand, seagull s#!t and beer fouling the works. My compliments to you, Mr. Jones, and to your staff of contributors, for fine work over the years. Bob O'Connor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Stephen C. Gustafson" Subject: PSM As all PSM subscribers, I will miss this publication a great deal. I looked forward to receiving it at about the same time as WI. I even made a few minor contributions. While I was one of the first to encourage Dan in this new endeavor I understand his reasoning now and support him fully. I can take heart from two things regarding this publication. First, but least important, is the fact that I have a complete run of this wonderful publication and it occupies an honored place on my bookshelf. Second, and most important, is that the publisher, Dan Jones, remains one of my oldest and dearest friends. All the best in the future Dan. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: URUDOFSKY Subject: Re: German Grammar This message is not quite intelligible to me. I don't know its origin: Could it mean: Die Party? A lot more information, please, to clear the fog. Ulrich Rudofsky ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: SantMin Subject: Re: PLASTIC SHIP MODELER Dan, I am really sorry to hear of your decision to terminate PSM. I have every issue and I can tell you that there is nothing out there to replace it. You have given me many hours of enjoyment and for that I thank you. Twice in my life I have terminated projects that started out as labors of love and turned into beasts that took too much of my time. I think I can understand your feelings at this time. I know that whatever you channel your work into will be successful. Thanks again for PSM and a Hearty Well Done from me. Cheers, Bob Santos ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: airartcsb Subject: Re: airbrushes Having been a professional airbrush artist and teacher for the past 25 years I have come across many and varied tools. I cut my teeth on Badger and Paasche. Badger airbrush's are the airbrush from hell! Though they are finely tooled they clog way to much. The Paasche philosophy to manufacturing airbrushes is akin to the one that the Russian used in WWII with there tanks, make them large and functional but somewhat lacking in finesse. They tend to be a bit clumsy in their handling and are difficult to do fine detail work. The Aztecs I have come across never did float my boat. To many plastic parts. If you use a proper solvent and thin the paint any standard airbrush will work just fine. It is also important to always run clean water through your brush and back blow it through your brush between color changes. Most problems with an airbrush can be adverted by keeping in clean. In my opinion the finest airbrush out there is the Iwata HP-BC or HP-C. I use these for my artwork as well as my models. I also use a silent air compressor the pressure is constant and does not vibrate my teeth out of my skull when it kicks on. Best Wishes and I hope this helps www.kcshop.com/airartcsb C. S. Bailey ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: PAUL TOSCANO Subject: Re: Thinning of Paint for Airbrushing Hi Steve, To slow down the drying of the paint Gunze has an additive called a retarder. Gunze now makes a special thinner for air brushing called a leveller which now contains the retarter. This is for their enamels, however. I went to a display of a model aircraft club recently and I was told this is what people are using now. The models on disply were beautifully painted. I've found that how smooth the paint flow is also depends on what type of paint you are using. In acrylics Gunze Sangyo is by far the best. I use Tamiya X20A acrylic thinner. I use methylated spirits to clean the airbrush. Acetone is also good if you can stand the fumes. Paul ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "David L. Miller" Subject: Re: First airbrush Many people claim to have no problems using acrylic paints in airbrushes. Maybe they just have "the touch". I have had poor to moderate results using acrylics over the last fifteen years, in the Paasche VL. I have had consistently good results using solvent paints (Floquil and ModelMaster) whenever possible. Many users prefer acrylics because they are presumably less toxic than solvent paints. I have never felt that acrylics are entirely free of potential danger. Any substance inhaled in an atomized form can affect the sinuses, bronchials, and lungs. The last time I looked at an Aztec set up (The Aztec now costs about the same as a Paasche VL) it included a compressor. The Testor's compressor seemed way over priced, given its quality. I now use CO2 gas to power my airbrush and it is cheaper and easier to use. Dave Miller Macomb, IL ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: Plastic Ship Modeler The bad news about Plastic Ship Modeler magazine was received in our office with shock and no small amount of sadness. I wish Dan Jones well. Sometimes it feels like the last magazine left standing will be the one to turn out the lights. These days, the magazine's role has shifted from predominantly what's new on the market to in-depth building/historical photo features and detailed examples of naval architecture. But, in order to be taken seriously by increasingly savvy modelers, magazine photo and plan presentation must stand toe-to-toe with the best the internet has to offer. And it can because, no matter what you do there's no comparison between a low resolution screen image compared to a high-res crisply executed photo or plan appearing in print. There are currently two "traditional" domestic magazines still in print for the scale ship model builder. One covers warships and motor vessels, the other is primarily for sailing ship modelers. You have three domestic U.S. scale ship model magazines if you consider radio control gas and high speed electric models to be 'scale.' I found a long time ago that none of the ship model magazines really competes against each other, but rather compliments the other's efforts. When one of us falls, it hurts our segment of the hobby because there isn't another waiting in the wings to fill the gap, only those few left standing to tell our hobby's story. Victor Baca Editor & Publisher MODEL SHIP JOURNAL ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: PSM Dan, We count ourselves fortunate to have been among those who were with you from the very first (way back when PSM sort of evolved from the Warships SIG newsletter that Jim Ireland and I had taken over from Larry Gertner). We'll miss the publication for sure, but we'd miss you even more. Don't be a stranger, please? Cheers, John, Caroline, & Dave The WEM Gang ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: andrew jones Subject: Hornblower & Australia stuff & Worlds worst warships * Hornblower, not a bad show, especially when there is a good battle. Wonder what ship or ships they use..though you can tell some shocking CGI for ships closing on the good-guys * Australia... in Sydney its a Oberon class sub, not a russian sub..the russian sub left for either Canada or US, about 3 + years ago?? The other museum in town besides the Australian maritime is the Sydney Maritime museum, which has most of its ships (James Craig) & sometimes a few others tied up behind the AUstralian Maritime museum & they have their work shop, down along the container yards just passed Anzac Bridge.. think you can go there & see their memorabilia .. The only other museum is on Spectacle Island & that contains old clothing, cannons etc..you have to go Birkenhead POint etc, but im not sure if its run by the Navy or by National Park..Shane (as member of the navy historical section) / anyone??? Good book shops - Napoleons is not as good as Brisbane or Melbourne Hobbyshops.Hobbyco pretty much the only one in the CBD, others just outside is Avenue Hobbies in Chatswood & a few others ... Brisbane - you have the Diamontina (excuse the spelling) just outside the cit * Worlds worst Warships...dont think any ship would fall under my category.. that would be ..it sinks after its launched & then the motors would exploded when powered up & the guns (lets not go there!) ...lets just say if it spends most of its life in repair yards & less time on the ocean its a dud..so the Yamato was just a hungry fuel guzzling beast it still moved & took a alot of hits before she sank! as for the others ..who knows ..each to their own...so lets not have any slightly heated discussions on whats the worst....as i say each to their own as to whats a flop. regards Andrew OZ Hi Andrew, Spectacle Island is run by the Navy. Shane ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Frank Stile" Subject: Airbrush compressors I bought a 110 volt air compressor with a 8 gallon tank from Sears over 20 years ago. It has both a hose pressure valve and a tank pressure valve. I have used it with first a Badger and later with a Pasche airbrush. It works very well. Air pressure can be regulated from 0 to 100 lbs of air. The 8 gallon tank has a water bleed valve which nearly eliminates the water problem. The bonus is I can use the compressor for various air tools, inflating automotive tires and other inflatables, and as an air jet hose. Quick disconnet fittings make it very adaptable to use. A new one can be purchased for under 200.00 USD, (not much more then a couple of ship models) One doesn't have any problems with refills or running out of air. The only additional expense is the little bit of electricity it consumes, but it rarely runs. When airbrushing there is very little noise. It can even be in another area to minimize noise. Recommend it for those ones who are about to get in the airbrushing mode. Frank Stile, Canyon Lake, Texas ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Joel Labow Subject: World's Greatest Oversimplifications >> World's Worst Warships or is Mr. Anthony Preston Talking Through His Arse??? << D.P. I vote for Option #2. I have also long since stopped buying Mr. Preston's books. Another source of annoying generalities is the "Greatest Military Blunder" series on the History TV channel here in the US. This sort of oversimplification may appeal to the casual observer, but it is a source of irritation to those who know anything about the subject. Best regards, Joel ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: dfisher Subject: decal lettering Can any member suggest a scorce where I can purchase some lettering for a 1/8" scale LT U. S. Army tug? Some will be 1/16" and some will be 3/16". Dave Fisher ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: paulship37 Subject: Interesting item on eBay I saw this item for sale at eBay: Jap Naval Vessels Illustrated 1969-1945 Fukui http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3501569000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17) From: annobon4 Subject: Re: Renwal kits Hi Thanks for the reply concerning the Renwal kits. As far as their date of production. The John Burns collector guide says that Renwal began production in 1949. The S series (S for Series) began in late 1950's -early 1960's. In 1968 the boxes had the Letter S dropped from the serial number. The question of when they appeared compared to to if they were before the real ships were operational could be found from Renwal catalogues. But I have a feeling those are long gone. Thanks Dan Jones for your publication I have 5 yrs of them and I consider them a valuable resource. Good luck. Craig ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: M Brown Subject: Re: Task Force 72 Regatta Chris's fingers aren't working to well in his old age. The Regatta is on the 2 days > 1 & 2 March not 12 March. Michael Brown Plygob coming? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Mike Kear" Subject: TF72 Regatta correction Chris Rogers said the TaskForce72 regatta was on 12 March. A look at the calendar will tell you that's a Wednesday. It's probably just a missing comma, because the regatta's on the 1st & 2nd March at Wentworth Falls lake in the Blue Mountains. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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