Subject: SMML VOL 2131 Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 01:55:47 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: PSM 2: Fleet scale 3: Re: Leahy to Belknap conversion? 4: Fleetscale 5: UN anti piracy patrols 6: Mysterious Blue Resin 1/700 KIts from Japan 7: Hitler's Lost Sub 8: Interesting Article 9: Re: Leahy conversion 10: Re: interesting item on E-Bay ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: GUSDOCVILL Subject: Re: PSM Dan, I was greatly sadden to learn of your decision, reference PSM. Larry Gernter introduce me to your excellent magazine. You and your magazine, I owe what I have learned about ships and building models. WELL DONE!! to you and your staff for the numerous years of enjoyment! Grace and peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, bless you and your beloved family forever. Gus Semper Fi ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: andy-vu Subject: Fleet scale Please pardon my ignorance. What does "Fleet scale" mean? Thank you very much. Andy Vu ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Steven P. Allen" Subject: Re: Leahy to Belknap conversion? >> Does anybody know of a 1/400 scale 5"/L54 mk 42 gun that could be used for this conversion, whether polystyrene or resin? Also, the hull will require some modifications. In addition to making an SQS-26 dome on the bow, the hull will have to be "stretched" a bit. My books say that a Leahy is 533 feet, whereas a Belknap is 547 feet. How much of the difference is in the bow, (bow raked more sharply to clear the larger sonar dome) and how much is amidships? I have experimented successfully in the past with stretching model hulls amidships. Information on the dimensions of the hangar would also be appreciated. << Dave, In order, I know of no Mk42 in that scale, unfortunately. You could try "scaling up" one of the turrets from an old Revell carrier, or you could just scratch. Unless the Renwal DLG was close to 1/400 (although that seems like an expensive solution)? All the hull stretch was amidships: the USN was lazy, too ;-) Therefore, you will not only have to cut the hull (but only in one place), you will have to rearrange the deckhouses (necessary anyway for the hanger, etc.). Unfortunately, the 14' plug does NOT have straight sides, so expect to do a fair amount of filling. The bow rake difference, if my memory of the comparison drawings in Friedman is sound, is non-existant or minimal. For the dimensions and placment, I have found the old Wissweiser plans to be bery useful. I know that Ed has a poor reputation hereabouts, but, in this case, his laziness--which parallels the navy's--helps us out: he took his plans for the Leahy and cut-and-spliced the hull plug in at just the right place. Last I heard, this drawing was out of print; if that's still true, let me know, and I can arrange to have mine copied for you. They are far more than adequate for a 1/400 sclae kitbash. FWIW, there was a rumor a coupla years back about a resin 1/350 Belknap in the works, but I've heard nothing lately. . . . That's OK, though: it'd just distract me further from getting my 1/96 Wainwright in the water. This goal has gained new importance since I learned that the bloody Brits torpedoed the real one . . . :-/ :-) Steve Allen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: roger.antrobus Subject: Fleetscale Hello Graeme I tried to contact you 'off list' but your kiwdownunder58@yahoo.com.au was returned as 'unknown'! Many thanks your most helpful comments. I have managed to find an AOTS Warspite locally and am awaiting it's delivery. I am just finishing a 1793 HMS Diana 38 gun frigate, plank on fram in walnut, taken 2000 hours so far and still a little way to go, Id like to do another as I like working in wood but I have develoed a most unpleasant allergy to wood dust - not very clever for a ship modeller! So I shall change to styrene and more modern ships - a lot of new techniques to master to get up to glass case standard! I shall be off to the Science Museum very shortly and whilst I'm up in 'the smoke' I shall drop in on HMS Belfast - we might not have the Americas Cup but we've got Belfast! Good health Roger ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: andrew jones Subject: UN anti piracy patrols I dont recall hearing anything for the mid 70's one, but i recall reading once on a reuters news service, that they tried it again in mid 90's i think..India, Thailand & all those countries were expected to put in patrols..but i think it was well published that the pirates kept out for the month of patrols & then they started up again once all the warships went back to their bases again. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Peter Subject: Mysterious Blue Resin 1/700 KIts from Japan After last week's discussion of the mysterious blue resin kits from Japan (container ship, Wasp, etc), you can see my build of the container ship, along with some notes, here: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/misc/container-ships/700-atlantic-pvb/atlantic-converyor.html Best wishes, Peter ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Robert J. Bartolacci" Subject: Hitler's Lost Sub This was posted on the Navy Destroyer Sailor's Newsgroup - I thought that fellow SMML list members could possibly be of help - Please reply to Doug Traylor Thanks for any assistanmce you can give him >>From: "Doug Traylor" Subject: Re: [downperiscope] Re: Hitler's Lost Sub, LOST U Boat Sorry about the waste of bandwidth, I got a bit excited over the info and just wanted to share it. I have been researching U 869 for over 4 years,have had my doubts that she was sunk off Gibraltor. Not sure if she is the right boat anyway. Back in the late 70s I was a Chief Engineman working at the INACTSHIPMAINTFAC ( Reserve Fleet) in Orange TX. We were preparing a strange WWII vessel for turn over to Lamar University. It was a anti submarine net tender. An older fellow approached me with the following story. He was the engineer aboard the net tender during WW II. It was used to close off the Houston Ship Channel for all shipping and boats. The old fellow told me that the net was installed after a German U boat attempted to raid the Humble Oil refinery in Baytown TX. The U boat carried a E or Snell boat on her deck to be used by a group of Elite Nazi Commandos intending to destroy the refinery which at the time was making 85% of the high octance aviation fuel for the B 17s that were hitting Germany, including Berlin. According to the man, the U boat was sunk off New Jersey by a Coast Guard cutter before it could reach Texas to launch the raiders. So when the U 869 was recently found by fishermen and later researched by divers and confirmed to be a U boat, I think that maybe she is the raider. This has renewed my motivation for learning more about the attempted raid. I am a want a be USN historian having done a bit of photography for the Navy over the years. Any input or advice would be appreciated. Any thing that I learn will be shared with museums and others who have an interest. So far the Kreigsmarine has not been helpful in my search. Doug Traylor ENC USNR ret << ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "James Hathaway" Subject: Interesting Article I just recieved the current issue of American Heritage's Invention and Technology Magazine. One of the articles looks excellent, it is on the World War-1 sub chaser program in America. The issue should be coming on news stands soon- Jim Hathaway ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Pieter Cornelissen Subject: Re: Leahy conversion >> Also, the hull will require some modifications. In addition to making an SQS-26 dome on the bow, the hull will have to be "stretched" a bit. My books say that a Leahy is 533 feet, whereas a Belknap is 547 feet. How much of the difference is in the bow, (bow raked more sharply to clear the larger sonar dome) and how much is amidships? I have experimented successfully in the past with stretching model hulls amidships. << Hi David, I don't think stretching the hull is enough. I've been looking through the photographs in Friedman's US Destroyers and on Navsource some time ago as I was planning to do the same on a Pitroad 1/700 Leahy. Hull structure aft of the second stack in Belknap is very different from that of Leahy, superstructure is also quite different, macks on Belknap are less round in shape and on detail level (quite visible in 1/400) there are more differences. And in 1/700 there is no problem finding a 5" mk 42 off course. Note that technically Belknap was not a stretched Leahy, it was a rather different design using similar standardised components. I finally decided on a backdate operation in order to get Worden in her Vietnam form, cutting away parts of the superstructure and scratchbuilding the 3" guns and their shields. And ruined her using a fast yellowing matt varnish (sigh). Nowadays I'm building ships form the predreadnought, an era of linseed oil based paints which should yellow anyway.......-:) Have fun building a 1/400 Belknap but please be aware that this willnot be an easy project. Cheers. Pieter Cornelissen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: Jim Chaconas Subject: Re: interesting item on E-Bay Isn't it amazing how these bidders will go $31.00 and up for a $25.00 model and I believe Jon and Ted offer free shipping, I saw a Tamiya 350 Flecther w/GMM PE, go for $73.00 plus S&H of $6.50. Go figure...hope who ever is selling it is on this board and makes out like a bandit.......go get em......." Best, Jim Chaconas ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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