Subject: SMML VOL 2372 Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2003 04:31:47 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Possible Decal Printers 2: The secrets of Minesweeping in the RN 3: Re: U S S ARIZONA 4: Prinz Eugen Paint Schemes 5: Paddle Steamer Kits 6: Revell 1-96 Cutty Sark 7: Modern RAN colours 8: Re: Possible Decal Printer 9: New RN Carriers 10: Master & Commander ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Phillip Anz-Meador" Subject: Possible Decal Printers Please note that decals are NOT printed using the dye-sublimation process on the ALPS or any other printer brand. This is not hear-say, but direct hands-on experience. In particular, I have used the process to print decals for a major producer of WW1-era decals. Dye-sub works like this: tiny spots of color are lain on the paper by the printer; the printer head then heats the spots, until they melt together to produce some intermediate color between the two. For example, yellow and cyan would melt to produce a green, etc. This enables the printer to produce an almost continuous graduation of color. The heating is the key--what melts the spots of color also melts the decal film. The "normal" printing mode is simply the mechanical application of colors onto the target surface. Here, you produce colors either thru (a) a "screening" process or (b) an overlay process. The former produces, in many cases, a color effect by varying the size and density (number of dots per square inch [or your favorite unit of area here]) of one color on top of another. For example, various shades of orange are produced by varying the number of spots of magenta on a yellow background. While this looks OK from a distance (it's the same method by which newspapers produce b/w or color photos), it looks really bad close up. The other process, the overlay process, requires a significant amount of experimentation to produce a color of a given shade. Here, you simply overlay colors (sometimes multiple applications of the same color) until you get the desired color. This is extremely tedious, and you are not guaranteed to be able to reproduce every color via the four color process. The ALPS utilizes four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), or the CMYK system. Other color processes, e.g. Pantone, utilize a hexacolor (6 color) process. I believe they explicitely incorporate orange and green into the mix. What makes ALPS unique is the ability to print white and metallic colors (silver & gold, as well as metallic magenta and cyan). As well, the ALPS can be tricked into using Oki red and green color cassettes, though these are inordinately hard to find. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "lamkeel" Subject: The secrets of Minesweeping in the RN Hi All Noting the requests for authentic information about sweeping lines for minesweepers engaged in sweeping minefields, and my, now long ago, thoughts on original research. Back in October 1977 (Last Century Now) I was making enquiries at that premier RN establishment, HMS Vernon at Portsouth. I had an interview booked with a senior Lt. and I was asking for help and information about Fleet Minesweepers. There is a saying about "Its not what you know, but who you know" or better still - "Being in the right place at the right time". I came away with a set of three bound volumes - "Technical History of British Minesweeping 1939 -1945" Section 1 = Text, Section 2 = Appendices, and Section 3 = Plates. Rather dry reading but packed full of authentic information and data. And unclassified "Downgraded" for me, 4/10/1977. All types of British, American and Axis mines are described, as well as sweep methods, Contact, acoustic, magnetic and pressure mines are covered. Each type and sweeping method is described in detail as well as the experimental methods tried, to combat their different firing mechanisms. (eg Eggcrate). The arrangements, distance, types of ship and sweeping speed are rather complex to describe here. May I suggest that for those interested, send me a return, stamped and addressed, large envelope and I will see what I can come up with for you. (As its Christmas soon)! Send to :- John Lambert 24 Chiltern Close Ampthill Bedford, MK45 2QA England. Yours "Aye" John ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject: Re: U S S ARIZONA Thanks for the information about the current status of the ARIZONA. That's the spirit, the SMML spirit, that is. I was surprised to find the vague rumor I heard was indeed true. It is not a problem with me, I am sure the Government agencies have good and valid administrative reasons for the change, and that such change in no way diminishes the purpose or operation of the facility. Are there any kits for the ship in its present setting? Franklyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Stephen Varhegyi" Subject: Prinz Eugen Paint Schemes I'm in the throws of starting the Tamiya 1:700 Prinz Eugen. I've got the WEM PE set for it. I've been studying the artwork from the KBismarck site and also some other BW photos I came accross on the net. As with Bismarck there are pictures from various stages in the ship's career. I've got one very good BW shot from the starboard quarter, showing the false bow and wake and the geometric camouflage on the forward turrets. Berta is rotated to port so you can get a good idea of the camo scheme. In this shot however it appears that the black and white bands are only on the hull and do not carry over to the superstructure. Also I've got some colour shots of the forward armament showing the tops of the turrets painted in a crimsony pinky colour. The rest of the ship apears to be painted in a light gray not exactly Hellgrau 50. But something with a slightly greener hue. Almost but not quite like RAN storm gray. The artwork on the KBismarck site shows her in 1941 configuration having the superstructure painted Hellgrau 50 and the hull Dunkelgrau 51. With the false bow and stern present but no bow or stern wake. The overpainted hull stripes being slightly visible. To render this ship as she looked during the Denmark Strait action, what is the correct scheme? Perhaps John Snyder would have some ideas. BTW love your PE set and I've got your WEM paints. Also were the decks painted or natural wood? Superstructure decking colour etc? I'd appreciate any advice. Steve Varhegyi Sydney,Australia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Oklareospdwgn@aol.com Subject: Paddle Steamer Kits Looking at pictures of the 1/100 Zvezda Sirius paddle steamer kit it occurred to me this looks very similar, if not identical to, the Heller Occident/Oriental Star kit. This kit, as well as the actual ship it portrays, have always intrigued me ever since reading a build article in Scale Modeler in 1972 (I think). I have not seen this kit listed in the Heller catalog since the early 70's and was wondering if anyone knows what happened to the Heller kit and if the Zvezda kit are the same? I have not been able to find any history of the actual Occident/Oriental Star (why is it referred to by both names?) either online or in any ship history books. Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks much. By the way, I stumbled across the Heller kit in Japan about 10 years ago. The instructions contain a history but are in Japanese! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Sue Chapman" Subject: Revell 1-96 Cutty Sark Has anyone any experience with this 'old' Revell kit. I haven't checked all the rigging yet, but it looks to me like the model might have simplified rigging. I am using Artisania's plan as a comparison. Can anyone comment on this, of tell me where I cam access a totally complete rigging plan. Clive Down Under ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: andrew jones Subject: Modern RAN colours Hi guys..need help... after having a bugger of weekend with models (why do i also panic & stuff up models the week before a main comp ARRGGH), i started work on my 1/700 RAN FFG that will be upgraded to the new configuration, but alas i thought i had the main hull colour, but i dont .. What would be the nearest Humbrol, testors, Gunze , model color.. colour to the modern RAN hull colour.. I have the WEM RAN Storm grey, but that does not match the green/slate style colour of the modern RAN FFG fleet Also what would the WEM Storm Grey be used for what period? DDG of teh Vietnam era perhaps? or earlier say the 50's/60's??? Thanks heaps Andrew Aka Panic Modeller ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: SeaWoodies@aol.com Subject: Re: Possible Decal Printer >> It uses dye sublimation to produce a photo-lab-quality print in just 44 seconds. olympus.com ($200)" TIME CDN ed. Nov 17, 2003. pg 72. also http://news.designtechnica.com/article1160.html http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1382708,00.asp?kc=PCNKT0209KTX1K0100360 Any of you guys interested enough to buy one and experiment please post your results. << Based on my rather negative results with the Alps system I don't believe they could get me within a hundred miles of another dye sublimation print program; not to mention the outlandish dye media cost. Mike ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Peter Chant" Subject: New RN Carriers From Maritime Books' Warship World Newsletter: "Buckingham Palace have confirmed that the names chosen for the RNs two new carriers will be QUEEN ELIZABETH and PRINCE OF WALES" Peter Plymouth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Pwesty" Subject: Master & Commander By the way I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the real names of two the ship used in movie were? Thanks ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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