Subject: SMML VOL 2348 Date: Tue, 04 Nov 2003 02:59:15 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: southern NH 2: Dremel tablesaw warning 3: Eagle Farm 4: Article copy request 5: Re: Roll Call 6: Re: Colours of RN ships, WW1 and pre WW1 7: Re: RN colors: Darius and Michael 8: Re: Queen Mary 2 9: Queen Mary 2 10: Re: in defense of hobby paint 11: Re: Ship Model Club in New Hampshire 12: Roll Call 13: Soviet Submarine Paint Schemes 14: Re: Roll Call 15: Scratchbuilding small scales -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Corvette website updated ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Steve Singlar Subject: Re: southern NH >> I'm in Nashua, about a mile from the Boston Center FAA building (off Exit 4, on the hill). 'Also saw a Pelham entry in here somewhere... Start a NH ship modelers club, anyone? 8-) << Hi Art & Randy, Steve here from Pelham NH. Wasn't there a model builders group that used to meet in the Nashua library? Steve ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: SeaWoodies Subject: Dremel tablesaw warning I know a lot of modelers, myself included, modified their old Dremel tablesaws when Dremel discontinued them to accept different drive belt configurations. To my dismay the pot metal casting that holds the bearings and blade shaft has broken due to over tensioning of the new belt and pulley installation. The fix that I've been able to perform so far comprises filleting of the casting with JB weld, which is a tremendously strong 2 part automotive epoxy patch material US price about $3.50/Brit. about 2 pounds. I wire brushed the parts prior to assembly. The epoxy was chosed because the casting offers almost no capacity for mechanical enhancement. If your blade is running off square or tracking off parallel from the rip fence then remove the motor/blade assembly and check closely for cracks where the shaft housing meets the blade housing. Best to catch this condition before complete separation sets in as it did with mine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Craig Bennett" Subject: Eagle Farm Hi I was recently reading about a airfield called Eagle Farm near Brisbane AU. It's #7 hangar was used to evaluate during WW2 Japanese planes for intelligence purposes. Today it's known as the Brisbane International Airport. Considering the age of the hangar is it still in the location as it was in 1943? I mean a major airport like that gets modernized every so often to meet the needs of modern air travel. The book quotes that it's a historical landmark today. The book was called Japanese Aircraft: Code names and Designations by Robert Mikesh, copyright 1992. Craig ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Phil Lord" Subject: Article copy request Hello-- I'm hoping someone can supply a copy of a particular article on "Building a WW I Sub Chaser" that appeared in MODEL SHIPS & BOATS - Mar-Apr 1977. Volume II Number 2. I will gladly prepay copying and postage to obtain a copy, to include in my personal reading and reference collection only. Please e-mail me at nycentral@mindspring.com. Thanks! Phil Lord MD USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: TGConnelly Subject: Re: Roll Call I'm T. Garth Connelly. I love small combatants like PT boats, MTBs and S-Boats and I'm from the US, I live in Ellington, Connecticut, ... the New England region of the country, but given my "d'others", I would rather live in England or Italy. My website is http://www.home.comcast.net/~tgconnelly. I am the author of PT BOATS IN ACTION, VOSPER MTBs IN ACTION and the co-author of SCHNELLBOOT IN ACTION. I can't build models because of Cerebral Palsy - but I love collecting them and watching them take shape. I also like meeting scale modelers. T. Garth Connelly ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: WRPRESSINC Subject: Re: Colours of RN ships, WW1 and pre WW1 See first part of the camouflage series on the shipcamouflage site for the WW1 history, outside of the dazzle story. Pre-WW1 colours; about 30 years ago I spoke to a very old and many years retired naval constructor, who told me that when ships adopted the overall grey in the first years of the 20th century, each naval yard had a different shade of grey, in the same manner as ships of the Japanese Navy. He said that this was current up to 1914., and accounted for the various shades seen in photos. I recently spoke to an elderly retired naval officer on this matter who is trying to get me some more data on the subject from his (also) very elderly friends. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Kathy/Pirie Sublett" Subject: Re: RN colors: Darius and Michael Darius: I offer my thoughts about the persistence of the Victorian scheme in "posts of honor" (like guardships) as a hypothesis for which I have no real evidence except a couple of photos. It is reasonable but may not be realistic. As for Burt's gray, it is clear from the photos he includes in the section on the RS there was a gray with similar photographic qualities to that used by the Imperial German Navy (and the Imperial Russian Navy about 1909 for that matter). For modelling purposes, I have already made my decisions about the colors to use in 1/700th. When building a series of models (which I seem to be doing whether I really intended to or not) I prefer consistancy to fidelity if I have no other choice. Michael: I am familiar with the passage, and I don't think the evidence supports it - exactly. A couple of months ago, I looked at all the photos I could readily get my hands on which could be safely be dated to just before and during the battle of Jutland. I will now put a target on my chest and stick my neck w-a-a-y out: during the battle: 1) the large ships of the Battle Cruiser Fleet were painted a light gray, quite light, at least as light as the German battlecruisers; 2) large ships of the Grand Fleet were painted a darker gray but not so dark as they were painted in August, 1914; 3) ships of the Grand Fleet were painted in several shades of darker gray; 4) all RN destroyers were painted black. Now follows mere speculation (lying awake trying to find distraction for an unquiet mind): There were only three grays: light, medium, and dark. The variations shown in photos (apart from the variations permitted by light conditions and photographic medium) arise because: A) each ship mixed its own paint from lampblack, white lead, and varnish and B) the newly applied colors were gloss (see my note in Plastic Ship Modeller #26 for the only formula for pre-war RN gray I have ever seen) and their apparent shade changed as the gloss wore off. Anent my previous note: the most complicated tank is simpler than the simplest ship. At any rate, thanks to both of you for your thoughts. Oh for six months in Greenwich! Even if I didn't solve the problem, I'd have a hell of time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: VONJERSEY Subject: Re: Queen Mary 2 I just want to thank Albert Choy for providing us with the QM2 construction web link (in Vol. 2339)- that was great ken auslander ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Bruno Gire" Subject: Queen Mary 2 Hi folks! Just returning from a trip to the former "Chantiers de l'Atlantique" (now Alstom) in Saint Nazaire, France. Here I had a look at the - now fitting out - Cunard passenger ship Queen Mary 2, as well as an exposition showing future accomodations in details. When commissioned in next December, the Cunard liner Queen Mary 2 will be the biggest passenger ship ever built. With a length of 345m, she's longer than USS Enterprise. With a 50,000t displacement, she's almost twice that of the french liner France (now Norway). The ship is really impressive: she dwarfs the surrounding yard, buildings and even the nearby former german submarine base. She's 72m high from the keel to the top of mast, and her height above water is that of a 23 story building. QM2 is diesel-electric powered: four 215tons Finish made diesel engines, 3 transverse propellers in the bow (this one with a gigantic bulge) and four screws aft, giving a 30 knots top speed. The four propellers aft are mounted in individual enormous "pods", each including its 4 bladded propeller and the huge propulsion electric engine (thus no shafts). The outer pods are fixed in bearing and the two inner can individually rotate 360° and in fact act as twin rudders. It seems that each pod is oriented with the propeller facing forward (in a pulling action). The ship is said to be extremely manoeuverable, even in ports. QM2 was built in the record time of 24 months, using prefabricated assembly of pre-equipped subparts, some of them weighting as much as 600tons. She was assembled in the 900m long drydock, the very place where the French battleship Jean-Bart was built 63 years ago. QM2 will be homeported at Southampton (Cunard Company) and will make her shakedown cruise to New York next April. On the return trip, she will sail in company with QE2: some great pictures to be shot by American and British SMMLies For modellers: at the scale of 1-700, this would make a big stick of resin, 49cm long ! ... and this future biggest and most prestigious British liner will have been built.... by those Frenchies : O Tempora, O Mores! Arrrrgh! Bruno Gire Bordeaux, France ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: joe.sus Subject: Re: in defense of hobby paint Every so often, one reads that the hobby is dying: the young'uns ain't taking it up, etc. and the old farts are dying off. The implication is that the kit manufacturers won't be producing any more. If it ever does come to pass, I'll miss the specialized paints more than the kits. Since ships aren't as mass produced as other craft, they all tend to be different, so we modelers get used to to modifying and scratchbuilding. So if every kit disappeared from the face of the Earth, we can still model. But our model paints are pretty fine, high performance products, made in the limited quantities that insure higher prices. I'd rather not come up with my own colors if there is finely ground, properly researched stuff on the rack. I work in smaller scales and thin coverings that cover well are definitely appreciated. Joe Suszynski, who doesn't make or sell the stuff ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Randy Ward Subject: Re: Ship Model Club in New Hampshire >> There is a New Hampshire club ... Upper Valley Ship Model Guild, was organized in 2002, and they meet at the Dartmouth - Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon (Hanover area), New Hampshire. << I guess I should've specified *southern* NH. That's about an hour and a half drive from Nashua. Since I drive professionally, I try to let someone else drive on weekends. However, 'will keep that in mind, should I get up that way on a Saturday. Thanks, Art. Randy President, Southern New Hampshire Ship Modelers Society (membership: 1) <- although I'm considering inducting my cat... 8-) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Henry Blecha Subject: Roll Call Hi My name is Henry Blecha. I live in Ridgecrest, CA, located on the Upper Mojave Desert of Southern California. I have been involved in modeling for many moons. I have managed to save a lot of models. I don't consider myself a collector!! I dabble with whatever strikes my fancy. Whether it be from land, sea or air. My primary interests from the sea side are PT Boats and U-Boats. Reading military history is also at the top of the heap as far as interests. I am not really involved with the nautical side of the house. Retired a few years ago from the Army National Guard/Reserves after 30 years. Also retired 9 years ago after 35 years as an engineer working for the Navy here at the Naval Air Warfare Center (aka Naval Ordnance Test Station, and aka Naval Weapons Center). After retiring I then spent over 3 years as a low life contractor working the JDAM program with a Test and Evaluation Squadron. I figured that I would have all sorts of time to get back to the building aspects of modeling. Boy, did I miss that one. I think I went back to work so that I would have some free time. Well now it is all retirement and I am slowly attempting to try and get some building done. I also spend time at the US Naval Armament and Technology Museum at China Lake. Besides acting as a docent/volunteer and leading an occasional tour through the museum I also have been involved with recruiting help in getting models of the various aircraft and countries that have used/flown the Sidewinder missile. We celebrated its 50th Anniversary a year ago and its still going strong. I also have a couple of projects planned to incorporate ships into the displays. Actually the ships and aircraft are the secondary part of the display. The main reason for a display is to be able to show a weapon that we may not have an actually sample of or it will show the weapon is used. Also have a Polaris display on the pad as well as some deep-sea submergibles. If you are in the area come on by and see us. We'll leave the light on for you. v/r Henry Blecha ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Brett Soden" Subject: Soviet Submarine Paint Schemes Hi all, I have just obtained two Cornbridge kits K-21 (a Type K series XIV submarine) & L-3 (a Type L series II) submarine, and I was wondering if anyone could help me in regards to what their respective colour schemes were. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Oh and any advise on putting them together would also be appreciated. Thank you. Brett... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: brya1716 Subject: Re: Roll Call Bill Bryant, answering late to this thread. Yet another lawyer, living in Birmingham, AL. No cats; just one small, but sometimes hyperactive, dog. USN out of undergrad. Served in submarines. Not surprisingly, subs are my chief modeling interest. But I'm also interested in small surface combatants. I have some DDs, DDGs & corvettes in my stash of kits to build. Shane & Lorna do a great job w/ this board. Enjoy the exchanges very much. Somewhat intimidated by the level of expert knowledge, but the few times I've had questions, I've always received a lot of information, graciously proffered. Can't help but be struck by the fact that this seems to be primarily a hobby of older men. I know that I got interested in this hobby as I could begin to see the end of the trail in my career as a lawyer. Although I like to play golf, I was looking for something else to take up. Given the service connection, model shipbuilding caught my interest. Thanks to all of you for sharing. It seems to be the hallmark of this hobby. Best regards, B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "Baumbach, Werner" Subject: Scratchbuilding small scales Hello all, This is from a complete Newbie regarding this topic, so please bear that in mind. After having seen some exellent examples for scratchbuilt ships in 1/700 (ballpark) and with the fact, that there is quite a few crafts that will be probably never available in either plastic nor resin, I wondered how people built this little boats. I'd be interested in trying to build a couple of frigates, minesweepers and the like, but I would probably try something simpler like a tanker or cargo ships (I am open to suggestions). I've read about some folks using paper, others plastic. What do you use to fill the gaps? Or do you carve it out of a solid piece of wood? Do you get the stuff at a hobby shop or can you get everything at a DIY? If there is a good book around, I'd be interested. I realize this may not be the easy to answer question. Some general guidelines and starting points would be very appreciated though. Thanks a bunch and happy modelling Werner ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Bob Pearson" Subject: Corvette website updated Hi all, I have added to the model and gallery sections of the corvette site. This time around there are the following build articles ISW 1/350 HMCS Fergus by Ryan Cameron Revell 1/72 postwar conversion to the deep sea tug Sudbury by George Peat In the gallery section Mick Culley has two pages showing his three Revell Flowers: HMS Aubretia, Compass Rose and Sackville There are also some new links added to the links page and I hope to have another book review posted in the next few days - just waiting on its arrival Regards, Bob Pearson Flower Class Corvettes http://www.cbrnp.com/RNP/Flower/index.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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