Subject: SMML VOL 2315 Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 23:19:33 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: 1/350 list 2: Panda Winston Chruchill bow problem 3: Re: Cole kit from DML 4: S-BOOT QUESTION 5: Re: WEM 1/400 Kriegsmarine Anti-Aircraft weapons 6: Re: Prince Of Wales references 7: Vintage carriers 8: "Oriskany" - how to say it 9: Re: The 1/600 shipyard 10: Re: Paint References (John Snyder) 11: HMS Hood -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: USS Maddox DD731 2: The 1/600 shipyard ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Chuck Evans" Subject: 1/350 list Hi gang, Does anyone know of a source I can go to and find all 1/350 ship models available form various manufactures? Thanks, Chuck Evans Minneapolis ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Rusty White Subject: Panda Winston Chruchill bow problem >> It is not out yet. From comments that were posted in response to the photos, there are some significant shortcomings in the kit - and no one is sure if they will be fixed. The most glaring error is the failure to modify the aft face of the bridge to elevate the Aegis antennas to provide a clear view of the horizon over the raised hangar. They replaced the aft deck piece with a replacement hangar and provided a RAM launcher, but appears that they did little else to make a true Flight IIA representation. I guess it will just have to be called a Flight IIA (minus). << Ed, Thanks for the heads up on the Churchill. I'll pick one up when they become available so I can do the detail set for the FLT2-A (minus). The bright side of the Panda radar deficiency you describe is that it is a pretty easy fix. Unfortunately it could have been easily fixed during the design phase of the model. Let's hope that Panda corrects the problem with the Chruchill. I am currently building an MB Models Churchill for a client, so I happen to have the Panda Burke stuck together much like you did for your review. I do the same thing when designing details sets for specific models.. When placing the two side by side I noticed quite a difference in the bow. The MB bow is much "blunter" than the Panda model with its more slender look. The result of the more slender bow is the addition of about 10 scale feet to the model. The MB kit is correct because they include actual Navy drawings which makes it easy to compare the models to. It's not something that is terribly noticable without the drawings to compare to, but when compared side by side to the MB Models kit there is a big difference. So much so that fixing the problem would not be fun, but would be possible. Has anyone else noticed this? Just curious. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. flagshipmodels.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: stillmo Subject: Re: Cole kit from DML Attn. Shaya Novak....Re. COLE kit from DML. I was and am an advisor right now to DML in current and future kit production...and dont ask how I got the assignment, but they have been in touch with me for several months now. The COLE kit was intended to be a CC of the Arl Burke kit, and the first run of decals were all wrong with insufficient numbers 67 especially. it will be corrected on the future runs. However, most of us modellers know that the DML decals at any time are quite poor and I would personally recommend that the modeller buy a sheet set of modern USN numbers from GOLD MEDAL MODELS....you get correct colors, superior registration, multiple number sets large and small, E s with hash marks all colors, etc., and helo pad circles among other neat needed things in 350th scale. (also available in 700 scale).....remember, one sheet can last you through several assorted kits. DML is working on two 700 scale kit releases probably for next year, in waterline. One will be a very very very nice surprise. Ray in Canada ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Jimmyjb Subject: S-BOOT QUESTION I have the Revell Schnellboot, S-100 Klasse and am puzzled about one seeming ommission. The open bridge conning station does not seem to have any access to the armored wheelhouse below. There seems to be no hatchway, or other means of getting into or even communicating with the enclosed navigation station. The only way I can see to get to that cupola is either through the forward hatch just aft of the forward 2 cm gun tub or the aft hatch just forward of the depth charge rails. This is puzzling. Obviously the boat couldn't be adequately conned from the cupola when the windshield covers werre down as there were only narrow vision slits available then. There were no controls at the open bridge, only the torpedo aiming binoculars. Williamson's "German E-Boats, 1939-45" indicates that the skipper would communicate through a "port" with the navigating station below. This seems kind of primitive. Does anyone know (1) how anyone could conveniently get to the wheelhouse from the deck or open bridge? and (2) how the commander guided the nearly blind folks in the wheelhouse other than shouting though some kind of "port"? Thanks, Jim Bloom ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Gabriel\(DSL\)" Subject: Re: WEM 1/400 Kriegsmarine Anti-Aircraft weapons >> Are there any plans to release this set in 1/350?? That would be a considerable boon to builders of the Bismarck/Tirpitz kits from what I have seen of them. << Bill You should consider waiting for WEM Bismark/Tirpitz set which they're planning on releasing for the Tamiya 1/350, though it's been a while so I'm not sure when that will be. However if it's anything like they're Scharnhorst set it will certainly solve the weapon issue along with all the other necessary bits. I've built the King George V, Scharnhorst, and Hood using the WEM etched sets they are by far the best in terms of the sheer scope of details covered. Regards Keith ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Vess Irvine" Subject: Re: Prince Of Wales references Who told you the colors were wrong on the GPM 1/200th HMS Price of Wales, so that we may access the weight of this unattributed source. Here is a pic of the model. http://www.betexa.cz/eng/pol_princeofwales.html http://www.betexa.cz/eng/pol_princeofwales_1.html Perhaps there is enough detail in the pictures for someone to give us the scoop on the accuracy of the colors. Looks great to me, but I would like to know also. Even if they are wrong, I would happily build the model as it is. The model is a knock-out home run "in the box." One thing for sure. The GPM model is weathered a little bit, but nowhere near as bad as the black and white ship pictures show in the above link. It is also very doable and easy to "recolor" the model in Photoshop if you have this software and a scanner. Changing single colors is easy, but re-creating a different camoflauge "pattern" would take more Photoshop skills then I have yet to master. The trick would be to retain the GPM weathering which lies above the base camoflauge. I think it can be done, because Photoshop continues to amaze me the more I learn about it. Alas, Photoshop is pricy, about $400 - $500. But if you get good at it, there is money to be made as a consultant; you know, doctoring up the court evidence . Today's small project is to scan and reprint the Halinski 1/200th USS Jeremiah O'Brien for my own personal fair use. I want it in 1/250th to perhaps compare with the Wilhelmshavener kit. Also, 1/200th is awlful large for a lot of major combat ships. Anyhow, the kit is also a complete stunning example of state of the art cardstock modeling. It comes with the ORP Krakowiak (Hunt Class destroyer). So you get two ships for the price of one. Highly recommended. The Krakowiak has dark gray/light robin's egg blue hull, light blue upper works, with greenish grey decks, typical British Navy markings and appearance. The JOB is overall gray with navy deck blue horizontal surfaces and simulated wooden hatches. Interesting, the Krakowiak lower hull is deep blood red while the JOB is freight car red. It says something that Halinski would differentiate the red colors of the two ships in the same kit. If he had blown it off and used the same red, who would know? I have started printing out the scaled down JOB with my Epson C82 Stylus inkjet, making two copies cause I cannot decide which I prefer, on flat Wausua Exact Index 90# cardstock (found in all Office Max stores at $8 per ream), or on real glossy cover cardstock that I found at Xpedia Paper in Boulder. The glossy gives you much deeper and more vivid colors, but with the disadvantage of being harder to roll, form and glue. I have yet to try building a ship in glossy paper, but my guess it would look quite impressive if it is buildable that way. Will know shortly. ..../V ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: John Kutina Subject: Vintage carriers Some weeks ago,the Foss Maritime Company [ huge tug fleet ] towed the U.S.S. Constellation from San Diego past my home to the Bremerton Naval Shipyard for mothballing. I live on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound - 7 miles due west of downtown Seattle. We live on the edge of a 150' cliff on the east waterfront - so we have a magnificent view of the main channel. The U.S.S. Midway started her tow to San Diego today. At approximately 1300 this huge Foss tug moved the Midway up channel towards the ocean. She is to be repainted at the Oakland shipyard and given to a group that plans to make her the star of a special new USN display in San Diego harbor. The Midway was completed just after WW II, so she has no WW II battle stars, but she did duty for many years before being decommissioned some year ago. She was the first, as I remember, of the big angled deck flat tops. I sat on my deck and watched as she moved up channel. She is still a magnificent vessel. It is good to see some of these great carriers being saved for our young people to see the living history they represent. Calm seas and fair winds to you Midway on your trip south. Regards, John Kutina USN, 1944 to 1946 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "Reid, John (AFIT)" Subject: "Oriskany" - how to say it The recent thread about nicknames for this carrier makes me wonder how to pronounce the name. Is it: OH-risk-a-knee (as might be inferred from "O-boat"), or o-RISK-a-knee or o-RISK-any (as might be inferred from "big risk"), or oris-CANNy or o-risk-a-KNEE Hoping my phonetics make sense to some US-based SMMLies - who might also tell us what the name signifies.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Mike Potter Subject: Re: The 1/600 shipyard >> http://thomasriepe.gmx.de the homwe of the 1/600 shipyard. <<0 Is this IRL accurate? It failed when I tried it Tuesday night, North American west coast time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: Paint References (John Snyder) Hi Dan, Sorry, I mis-interpreted your comment on the colours. You're correct: it is good that they provide the colours for the various camouflage measures. >> And another thing. What are the chances of getting to see some of your produce close up? It seems an age since I heard any publicity about WEM attending any shows in the south-east of the UK. I like to prod things before I buy! << We're typically only doing two shows a year these days: the IPMS Nationals at Telford, and the Fleet Air Arm Model Show at Yeovilton in February. Caroline and I are discussing doing some smaller shows within reasonable driving distance, but mainly with the paints and perhaps a few built-up display model and lots of order forms. Cheers, John Snyder White Ensign Models http://whiteensignmodels.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Martyn Denchfield Subject: HMS Hood does anyone have any information other than that in Breyers Battleships and Battlecruisers on the proposed conversion for HMS Hood? martyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "JAG Collective, Inc." Subject: USS Maddox DD731 Michael, JAG offers a 1/700 scale Sumner FRAM that comes with decals and PE brass. Price is $38.00 plus shipping. You can contact us at jagco@bellsouth.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Thomas Riepe" Subject: The 1/600 shipyard Sorry there is a mistake in the link!!!! The link should be: http://thomasriepe.gmxhome.de Thomas ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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