Subject: SMML VOL 2375 Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 03:27:54 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Polish ship kits 2: Re: Minesweeping 3: Master and Commander 4: Re: Master and excellent Commander ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: MrkLeonard@aol.com Subject: Re: Polish ship kits Bill, I have two paper card models of Polish ships I'd like to sell. They are the Maty-Modelarz "ORP Dzik" submarine in 1/150, and the Maty-Modelarz "ORP Jazkota" gunboat in 1/100. $9 each. You can reach me at MrkLeonard@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Robert Mosher" Subject: Re: Minesweeping Just wanted to express thanks for all of the great info I have been getting on minesweeping. I thought I would share a couple of sources that I found in the process. (In addition to Peter Elliot's "Allied Minesweeping in World War II" published by the Naval Institute Press, 1979 mentioned by SMMLies) "Damn the Torpedoes: A Short History of U.S. Naval Mine Countermeasures, 1777-1991." Contributions to Naval History No 4. Naval Historical Center, 1991. ISBN 0-945274-07-6 Written by Tamara Moser Melia, a naval historian who has published a number of works. "Swept Channels: Being an Account of the Work of the Minesweepers in the Great War." Henry Taprell Darling. 1935, London. Hodder and Stoughton. "Out Sweeps! The Story of the Minesweepers in World War II." Paul Lund. 1978, London. Foulsham. Robert A. Mosher ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Kerry L. Jang" Subject: Master and Commander Richard wrote: >> I had some problems with the Movie.... Historically.... I know he ordered the rear wheels removed from the gun carriages for Greater elevation... (LOL.) but I don't remember him removing the elevation wedges, or rather I think they were still in place, Had he removed them he would have had about the same elevation, maybe greater elevation and the guns could have been reloaded and run out again. << The construction of the British gun carraige would have limited the elevation of the gun. The "wedges" or quions sat on a bed that ran underneath most of the length of the gun barrel. If you removed the quion, the bed would still prevent how far one could depress the cannon's breech. Removing the rear wheels would get you more elevation. >> A good Gunner, knew to use the roll of the ship to help elevation also. << Indeed, but the elevation would be limited by the degree of roll of the ship. If the seas were calm, you would not have much roll to work with. >> Those guns could be elevated higher than the Gun port openings for securing purposes there by taking up less deck space under normal sailing conditions. << The upper gunport sill would again limit the elevation. When guns were secured, they were rolled back into the ship, the port lid closed and the barrel is pointing up against the side of hull above the level of the sill towards the deck clamps. >> I'm told in the book, "Far side of the World." the Ship is an American Frigate, not a "French Privateer". << Yes, in the book the ship was called the Norfolk and set in 1812. The movie was set in 1805, and the France and England were at war. As such, the French ship in the movie "Acheron" had no need for a letter of marque. >> When she was Built the U.S.S.Constitution cost the equivilent of a modern Aircraft Carrier. NO PRIVATEER could afford that, we barely could as a Nation, we only built 5 or 6. By the way, Constitution mounted 24 lbers, not 18 lbers. and usually 55, not her rated 44. << Indeed. The movie is silly in that a French ship is being protrayed as a privateer. My guess is that the privateer angle and the "built in the USA" bit of the movie was to help it appeal to American audiences. O'Brien's books are unabashedly British! >> H.M.S. Suprise" would have been pretty badly shot up before she could come within her own gun range of the U.S.S. Constitution. << Theoretically. However, the smaller ships of the RN of the time did indeed take many French, Spanish and some American prizes that were a lot larger and stoutly built. Many of the ships in the RN were captured French vessels that were compatively lighter. Indeed, some of the RN ships which lost to foreign ships were the ones the RN captured and pressed into service. Most foreign ships, especially French, were considerd sweet sailers. They had lovely lines (see any Boudriot book) but the framing and scantlings for all the major timers are quite light. >> "Acheron" was a copy of the U.S.S. Constitution, 44 Gun Frigate, built in Boston, Extremely heavy framing and Planking, cannon Balls bounced off of her sides. {"Aye' her sides are made of Iron..." hence, "Old Ironsides" }I've seen Constitution down to her frames, They practically touch each other. << Movie drivel. They used the Constitution as a model for CGI "Acheron". If they had wanted to portray French ships a little more accurately, Acheron could have been built in Toulon or Rochfort, have exceedingly sweet lines, and more lightly built than anything in the RN at the time. Her crews could have been rated a little poorer, and the rate of fire slower than anything the RN could manage. The USN angle not need been included in this movie as it was set in 1805. If the movie was set in 1812, well then, that is another story.... At any rate, it all just a fiction, movie and good fun at that! The most interesting thing is that sales of sailing ships, both plastic and wood kits are up! Cheers, Kerry ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: patrick galleguillos Subject: Re: Master and excellent Commander Nit pick all you deturers want but cinemagraphically M&C is excellent. Mood is a choice of the director. Perhaps technically, for you arm chair commanders, it may be lacking. Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah! When is the next one being released! Patrick ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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