Subject: SMML VOL 2303 Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 04:36:10 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: plankowner 2: Re: Bell bottom trousers 3: Re: FFG Upgrade 4: Re: Tramp steamer model 5: Villefranche 6: Re: Villefranche 7: Re: Plank - owners and holders 8: Re: Paper Models 9: Completed 1/72 Aussie FFG model w/VLS 10: Re: Villefranche-sur-mer 11: Re: Flightdeck supporting structure of ESSEX-Class carriers 12: Contact Possible? 13: Re: Villefranche 14: Re: Villefranche 15: Re: Villefranche 16: Re: Plank - owners and holders ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: ED LARYEH Subject: plankowner Members of the first crew that puts a warship in commission are plank owners. That being said, the origin of the term may have something to do with each one being given a piece of wood which may have come from some part of the deck or the boarding plank (nothing to do with having to "walk the plank") How's that for opportunity to start any number of threads on the subject? Aryeh Wetherhorn Elazar, Israel ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Ken Goldman" Subject: Re: Bell bottom trousers The seems to be enough interest, so here goes: Chorus: Singing bell bottom trousers, Coat of navy-blue. Let him climb the rigging Like his daddy used to do. Once there was a waitress In the Prince George Hotel, Her mistress was a lady And her master was a swell. Chorus: 2. They knew she was a simple girl And lately from the farm. And so they watched her carefully To keep her from all harm. Chorus: 3. The Forty Second Fusiliers Came marching into town. And with them came a complement Of rapists of reknown. Chorus: 4. They busted every maidenhead That came within their spell. But they never made the waitress From the Prince George Hotel. Chorus: 5. Next came a company Of the Prince of Wales' Hussars They piled into the whore house And they packed along the bars. Chorus: 6. Many a maid and mistress And wife before them fell. But they never made the waitress From the Prince George Hotel. Chorus: 7. One day there came a sailor. Just an ordinary bloke. A-bulging at the trousers. With a heart of solid oak. Chorus: 8. At sea without a woman For seven years or more. There wasn't any need to ask What he was looking for. Chorus: 9. He asked her for a candlestick To light his way to bed. He asked her for a pillow To rest his weary head. Chorus: 10. And speaking to her gently. Just as if he meant no harm. He asked her if she'd come to bed Just so's to keep him warm. Chorus: 11. She lifted up the blanket And a moment there did lie. He was on her; he was in her In the twinkling of an eye. Chorus: 12. He was out again, and in again, And plowing up a storm. And the only words she said to him: "I hope you're keeping warm." Chorus: 13. Then early in the morning The sailor he arose Saying here's a two pound note. My dear, for the damage I have done. Chorus: 14. If you have a daughter, Bounce her on your knee. If you have a son, Send the bastard out to sea. Chorus: Enjoy, Ken Goldman ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: andrew jones Subject: Re: FFG Upgrade Thanks to those that have replied From what I have seen so far is that the launcher was to be replaced by the VLS boxes ..now i wish i had kept those Navy league & other magazines from some time ago!, lol oh well guess now i will have to see if i cant get in contact with someone & it now seems that the upgrads will now take place..last time they were axed..go figure because i remember that the hulls were to be expanded/lengthened etc regards Andrew ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: PaulShip37 Subject: Re: Tramp steamer model It doesn't show up often, but long ago Lindberg made a model of a "Decoy Ship" that was in essence a WW1 standard "three-island" freighter. They put a few deck guns on the model that were hidden inside boxes. Sometimes known as "Q ships" they were intended to lure subs to the surface and would then fight it out with deck guns. During WW1 even a few sailing ships were modified for this role. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: roger.antrobus Subject: Villefranche Hi Franklyn Villefranche is a pretty little port right next to Nice on the French Riviera - between Nice and Monte Carlo. It has a small local fishing industry and a very pleasant tourist industry. If you wish to pursue it further I have some nice photos of Villefranche (as it is now) if you contact me off list. Roger Antrobus ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: URUDOFSKY Subject: Re: Villefranche The port of Villefranche is on the Mediterranean coast 43 deg 42' N 7 deg 18 E near Nice. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Phil Kirchmeier Subject: Re: Plank - owners and holders >> I've recently come across several references to PLANKOWNERS and PLANKHOLDERS but not having any experience of US naval customs have no idea what these terms refer to. Can anyone please explain the origins and meaning of these terms? << Another USN tradition. A Plank Owner is a crew member at the time of, and who took part in the commissioning of a new command or ship. These soles are awarded a certificate that certifies that they took part in the event, and as such are entitled to a section of plank from the deck at it's decommissioning.... by "Order of seniority, according to the treasured, honorable records contained in Davey Jones' Log Book" A Plank Holder is that crew member that has received their plank. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "James Hathaway" Subject: Re: Paper Models My father once owned a paper model import company in the US- as I recall, probably the nicest ship models were from the Wilhelmschavener company of Germany- thier Fletcher, and thier Forrestal were beautiful! I notice reciently there have been many additions including a Charles F. Adams DDG (German) added to the line. If you were interested in trying a paper kit, at the website for HMAS Cerberus, there is a David Hathaway model of her (A harbor defense monitor circa 1880) available for download. I have not built the kit, but it looks excellent! Jim Hathaway ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Ralph Batykefer" Subject: Completed 1/72 Aussie FFG model w/VLS Here is a link to one of many Russ French's awesome 1/72 RC ship models. It shows the proposed Tenix upgraded FFG with the VLS on the bow. It does retain the SM-1 single rail launcher. http://www.defencemodels.com.au/Projects/TenixFFG.asp IHS, Ralph B. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject: Re: Villefranche-sur-mer From: Fkbrown90 >> I would appreciate it if someone would please tell me where the port of Villefranche is (or was in 1918). << On the Cote d'Azur, or French Riviera. Make a visit to the local library and ask the nice librarian for an atlas that shows Mediterranean France. Also found it on Mapquest. Make certain to use the full name, Villefranche-sur-mer, as there are two other Villefranche in that country. Joe Poutre ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Roger Harr Subject: Re: Flightdeck supporting structure of ESSEX-Class carriers Roger Harr writes: >> I am building a 1/96 model of CV-47 USS PHILIPPINE SEA and asked this question several months ago. The layout of the supporting structure of the flighteck is still a mystery for me and I am looking for plans or photos of the layout of this structure for the long hull Essex carriers. << I would like to thank Kurt Greiner, Robert Morris, Don Spielberger and Steve Wiper for their input. Kurt: I will check the mentioned webpages next week (at the moment I am on a cruise and check my mail via my mobile phone). Robert: Please give me your E-Mail address so I can contact you outside the forum. Don: I will contact you in the middle of next month to hear about the results of your friend. Steve: I already thought about buying the trumpeter kit, but I am not sure, if this part of their kit is accurate enough. I want to build CV-47 in 1/96 scale, as she was during the Korean War. Hope to come a step closer in finding an answer to my questions with your help. Roger Harr from Switzerland ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Joe Hinds Subject: Contact Possible? Hello, I wanted to know if contact is possible with Falk Pletcher who wrote a very clear article on Italian Naval paint systems. I need to know if Italian torpedo boats painted wood decks in 1941. I am working on a very detailed and complicated illustration of MAS-451 as she appeared in 1941. Now I have found a photo of another MAS boat with very dark decks. The photo bears no date and the hull style and deck fittings are almost identical. Any help fro any quarter would be welcome. I love your site by the way. It's great for hard to find info. Take care, Joe Hinds ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Bruno Gire" Subject: Re: Villefranche Hi Franklyn, Villefranche is not truly a port, and certainly not a naval base. This is a small bay on the east edge and suburb of the bay of Nice, on the French "Côte d'Azur" (Riviera). Naval ships used to call here for long, and today one can still watch US 6th fleet ships anchored here and in the bay of Nice. Bruno Gire Bordeaux (on the other sea), France ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: HGYL Subject: Re: Villefranche Villefranche sur Mer is on the French Riviera, roughly half way between Cannes and Nice. There is protected deep water anchorage in the bay and it is still used by ships of the NATO fleet and latterly by cruise ships. Also to be recommended for the superb restaurants in town. Regards to all, Harold Lincoln ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Ouellette, Lawrence M" Subject: Re: Villefranche Franklyn, Villefranche, officially Villefranche-sur-mer, has been located on the French Riviera between Nice and Monaco since 1295. This is their english web site: http://www.villefranche-sur-mer.com/htmlgb/fs_accueil.html I recognized the name right away since Villefranche was the homeport of USS Salem when she was the Flagship of the USN 6th Fleet, Mediterranean during the 1950's. This web site has a small map of its location: http://www.riviera.fr/vsmhome.htm and this web site has panoramic views of the village and port: http://www.hotelversailles.com/panobaie.html On display in the USS Salem's Wardroom is a large 'Thank You' from the people of Villefranche that was signed by many dozens of townspeople and the mayor(?) with the town seal in wax and ribbon attached. Despite my last name, I don't read or understand French, so I can't help out with what it says. I believe many of you may have seen the item during SMMLCon 2000 held in the Wardroom that weekend. And on a totally unrelated note, see John Snyder in his blues on the bridge of the SALEM here: http://www.smmlonline.com/members/shows/smmlcon2000/jsnyder.jpg Larry Ouellette Volunteer, USS Salem (CA 139) United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum Quincy, Massachusetts, USA http://www.uss-salem.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16) From: Randy Ward Subject: Re: Plank - owners and holders Tony, I'm sure you'll get a better answer than I can provide, but my understanding is that a "plank owner" is a crew member for the ship's maiden voyage. Somewhere, I have a Zippo lighter that is engraved with "end run plank owner" and the name of a ship (which I've forgotten over the years). 'Hope that helps a bit... Randy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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