Subject: SMML VOL 2167 Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 04:02:13 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re. ARROMANCHES Colors 2: Re: Was Musashi better than Yamato? 3: Re: Commissioning pennants 4: Cruiser AURORA and battleship POTEMKIN 5: Japanese vs US AA in WW2 6: S. Mars Models DDG-51 7: Re: W vs. K Call Letters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Looking for decals for 1/72 NAVAL Aircraft! 2: Trumpeter 1/350 Essex For Sale in Australia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SceneN3D Subject: Re. ARROMANCHES Colors Mr. Druel: Please accept my sincere thanks for your assistance in locating proper coloration for the carrier, Arromanches. I have had the 1/400 Heller kit in my collection for more years than I can recall but have delayed commencing work on her for the obvious reasons. While I could "guesstimate" her garb from several old photos I've come by, I would much prefer to pay her the tribute to which she and her dedicated crew is entitled for their efforts during the French Indochina campaigns. Once again, many thanks for your kindness. (Please forward an e-mail contact if you wish.) With regards, Bob B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: SteveWiper Subject: Re: Was Musashi better than Yamato? >> statistically near - improbable hit on the same spot by two torpedoes in the vicinity of an engine room. (Someone chime in, didn't this happen at Pearl?) << This happened to the USS Helena CL50 (light cruiser). One IJN "Long Lance" torpedo in the bow and broke that off, while another hit amidships, soon followed by a third, which hit in almost exactly the same location. This third hit was just too much, causing the ship to break in two at that point and sink quickly. Steve Wiper ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Bradford Chaucer Subject: Re: Commissioning pennants >> Few models have this pennant, I find. My 1:48 model of a WW 1 subchaser will, and soon. Picky, picky, picky? Well. yes, but hey, different strokes for different << At what scale do they become sufficiently visible?? At 1/48 scale all detail on the f/s would be visible on the model, however at 1/350?? Regards, Bradford Chaucer ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Morris D Shirley Subject: Cruiser AURORA and battleship POTEMKIN Howdy, Has anyone seen the 1/400 scale Ogoniok of Russia kits of AURORA and/or POTEMPKIN (available, far as I know, from WEM and Squadron)? My big question is, are they full hull kits? After that, any comments on accuracy, how they build, reference sources, etc. Love those pre-Dreadnoughts. Thanks, Dean ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Norman Samish" Subject: Japanese vs US AA in WW2 >> Musashi was at the center of a large battle formation of heavily-armed ships, all well-protected by AAA of all caliber - guns amply covering every quadrant of the sky. Literally, Musashi was ringed by potent defenses. These ships were cleared for action, and were sailing and maneuvering in tight waters, and - as noted - all of the ships surrounding Musashi literally bristled with AAA. In that tactical environment, IMO, coordinated "swarm" attacks (melee combat at it's best - or worst) - coming from all compass points all at once - would far more effectively divide Japanese AAA attention. This swarm tactic gave our USN pilots both a higher survival quotient and a better chance at a hit on the well-protected central target - I do NOT think it was accidental or ill-considered. Yamato, however, was part of a much smaller formation, which was attacked by overwhelming force in open water. It was far easier for the attacking aircraft to be coordinated, and it was far less risky to concentrate attacks on one side. << Thanks to you experts for the discussion on Musashi and Yamato sinkings - the difference is a lot clearer now. Since the Musashi didn't blow up, its wreck, if accessible, should be in better shape than that of the Yamato. I assume the wreck is inaccessible or undiscovered - is that correct? Another topic is about the relative effectiveness of anti-aircraft guns in the IJN and the USN. Did the IJN ever get proximity fuses for their AA artillery? When did the USN get proximity fuses? Is that why the USN AA was so effective? For example, I've heard that less than one out of ten kamikazes damaged their target. Is this correct? Thanks, Norm Samish ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Steven P. Allen" Subject: S. Mars Models DDG-51 Via an eBay pruchase from a Hobby Dealer in kong Kong, I have jusr received a 1/350 plastic kit of a DDG-51 flight I from a Chinese maker called S. Mars. The kit cost me $12.00 US; airmail from Hong Kong was $14.00 US. The kit comes in a fairly sturdy cardboard bowx with csome nice box art and a LOT of Chinese ideographs, all of which are Chinese, to me ;-) The model scales out as 506' long, 66.5' wide, both a tad off from true 1/350, but the difference may be as much in my measuring as in the kit. The kit reflects its price: it comes as close as any modern kit I've seen to being a Revell-flat-bottom-boat: serious modellers who buy this kit will begin by waterlining it, I suspect (though the hull is made from THICK plastic). The sonar dome is made up of two separate pieces; I haven't tried to fit them yet, but I foresee gaps. The hull is set up for an electric motor--included--and one shaft--also included), though power will have to beexperimented with, and comtrol will have to be invented. Unfortunately, these facts are typical: the kit was not designed for the discriminating modeller. The detail on the superstructure is fair; the detail on the various weapons mounts and aloft is either missing, clunky, or rough. The righ number of parts has been engineered, but the parts themselves are fairly crude. Again, think Revell, ca. 1955. Three aircraft are included: one SH-60, a CH-47, and an AH-1: all three are likewise clunky, but it IS nice to see the variety, and I like the hollows were the openings in the fuselages would be. The weapons sprue includes two Mk-45 5" guns (too bad the real ships don't), but both are pretty plain (though the barrels are separate pieces). The instructions are pictoral with Chinese notes and hieroglyphic painting instructions. The instructions seem to suggest decal placement for the helos, but there is no hint of decal placcement for the ship, which, in the end doesn't matter becasue no decals were in the box at all. The nameplate for the stand lists USS Barry in English and "I haven't got a clue" in Chinese. The stand is molded in very dark plastic. The rest of the kit is molded in dark gray, too dark not to paint for the hull and superstructure, not cark enough for the deck. The deck, BTW, fits down into the hull, and the edges don't quite match, so there will be some filling needed. I won't say "don't buy this kit"; I will say, "don't buy this kit expecting one as good as DML or Trumpeter." PE might help; PE also might actually highlight the overly thick cross-section of the plastic parts. Maybe one of those guys will get 'round to a Burke in 1/350, and we can use these for youngsters who wnat a first, large ship. More as I build. Steve Allen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "David N. Lombard" Subject: Re: W vs. K Call Letters >> OK David, you are 90-something percent correct in that W applies to East and K to West radio/tv stations. As a ham radio op and SW listener (KC6BLD and K2TEX are my stations),I've observed several Eastern stations assigned as K, e.g., station KDKA is in Pittsburgh, PA, etc. I was assigned my KC6 call sign in Calif, but live in NJ. Go figure. << My experience is that ham radio call signs begin with K. But yes, there are a couple of odd-ball commercial stations that buck the (AFAIK) Mississippi river rule. BTW, I'm '79NA from Schuyler, I think I remember you, perhaps '77 or '78? David N. Lombard Rossmoor, Orange County, CA N 33 deg, 48', W 118 deg, 5' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Roy.McKay" Subject: Looking for decals for 1/72 NAVAL Aircraft! Hi all SMMLies out there. I hope that this isn't too much off topic, but I am looking to trade decals with those of you who also build 1/72 wingy things. I am trying to build a collection of aircraft from the USS Nimitz in the timeframe 1975-1986, i.e. when CVW-8 was embarked. I have quite a few done already, but I need a few more. I need only the decals peculiar to the Nimitz options, so I dont need complete sheets. In particular, I need the VA-35 KA-6D from the Fujimi kit, (I have the Italeri kit); the low-vis VA-35 bit from the Superscale/Microscale sheet (no idea of the number): low-vis VF-84 F-14 , Nimitz, not Roosevelt, (again on some Superscale sheet); the F-4J VF-74 from Aeromaster; Superscale 72-208 S-3A Viking from VS-24 only; the Airfix RA-5C Vigilante decals, (I've invested in an airbrush since I built this, so would like to strip it & start again) SH-3H from HS-9 (does this exist in 1/72????) RF-8G, VFP-63 (ditto?????) Have a good collection to trade, or will pay reasonable amounts, please email direct if you can help. When I retire or win the lottery I'll start on the 1/72 Nimitz hull. (Now it's on topic!) Cheers, Roy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "chris" Subject: Trumpeter 1/350 Essex For Sale in Australia Hi All, I have a Trumpeter 1/350 Essex for sale (Australia only). Price is $135 post paid to anywhere in Australia. Thanks, Chris Evenden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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