Subject: SMML VOL 2394 Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 01:28:03 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 looking for can any body help? 2 Merry Christmas 3 Re Early WW 1 naval losses 4 Re Early WW 1 naval losses 5 Re PT Question 6 Re PT Question 7 Re Concrete Ships ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "Don Macdonald" Subject looking for can any body help? Marry xmas to eveybody hope all of you have grate one this year!! Now I could use some help, Some one got a hold me last night an ask me if i knew whear they could fine an FFG 41 kit in about 2 feet in Plastic, Her BOY Friend serve on the USS McClusky and is looking for a 2 foot one, I know of the 1/700 scale, Not sure if any one has put one out at about the size she looking for can any one help with this one, I have sudjusted if he has to scatch build one with a set up plans but not sure if they would want to go that way, IF any body knows of some thing pleaes pass it my way, Don That Portland Rustbucket, Thank you ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Keith Bender" Subject Merry Christmas Hi SMMLies, Lets take a minute to think about our Vets. that can't be home this year for the holidays. Without them we wouldn't be here doing what we a doing right now. You Vets will sacrifice not being at home to preserve our freedom and the many other things we will enjoy today. I been in your shoes and know first hand what it's like to be away for the holidays and I appreciate more then ever what you are doing for us. Thank you! So for the folks that think they aren't getting much for Christmas this year you may want to thank a Vet. Every Vet that has served or is serving right now has given you a Christmas present, your freedom. Many even paid with all they had. God Bless our Vets. Keith ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject Re Early WW 1 naval losses To David Gregory You are correct (almost), for a U. S. Naval Launch, No. 3429, was indeed sunk by German shore batteries near Nieuport, Belgium, on July 18, 1918. One crewman was killed. This, however, was not the first loss of crewmen or vessels. Stay tuned. Franklyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From Erwin Van Deynze Subject Re Early WW 1 naval losses >> I read somewhere that a US Navy motor launch was sunk by German shore batteries off Nieuport, France in July 1918. It likely was connected with USN air operations, but does anyone have any further information on this craft? << Not to start nitpicking, but Nieuport isn't French. It's Belgian and actually called Nieuwpoort (Flemish spelling) these days. It is very close to France... BTW the frontline was right through Nieuwpoort. In 1914 the Belgians openend the locks in De Panne, right next to Nieuwpoort, letting the seawater in the lower lying polders behind the coast, stopping the German offensive in its tracks. Result was the four year long stalemate. Wienne (Who can't let a bit of national history pass...) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "William B. Smallshaw" Subject Re PT Question Tail walk was an issue with the PT boats at low hull speed. If I recall, without looking at sources, it was not as pronounced once the boat was on a plane (at speed). The effect was used in a positive sense to dock the boat, pushing the boat sideways. While underway the effect was compensated for by establishing a slight rudder angle to maintain a "straight course". Bill ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Tom Detweiler" Subject Re PT Question Hi SMMLies-- I don't remember how it came up but during a recent discussion with nearby retiree neighbor Chuck, turns out he was aboard an Elco PT during WW2. Will try to find out more from him as we talk more, but meantime do any of you folks have any specific questions you want me to ask a PT crew member for you, about the Elcos? As far as I know Chuck who is 84 is not a computer user so will have to achieve this in a leisurely sneakernet fashion as we can. But here's your chance-- and I'm guessing he'll get a kick out of it, too. Tom Detweiler ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Tom Detweiler" Subject Re Concrete Ships Hi SMMLies, Here's a link to Maritime Administration WW2 Concrete ships http//www.coltoncompany.com/shipbldg/ussbldrs/wwii/merchantshipbuilders/concreteships.htm It has a good list. Because of the Kaiser Cement connection out here on the West Coast, I thought the Henry J. Kaiser Corporation in Richmond CA and Washington state were building them and may have, but they weren't the big concrete ship builders, looks like many ended up as oil barges and breakwaters! Come to think of it, I do remember seeing a concrete Oil Barge that was used for fueling while my DD was stationed in Long Beach Naval Shipyard. There is a sunken Kaiser concrete ship that was beached after WW2 on the public beach at Aptos, CA. For a while it was used as a pier and fishing pier, and you can still walk out on part of the pier to it. The interesting thing to me at the time was, it wasn't just the hull that was concrete, there was a section of main deck superstructure that was reinforced concrete, also! Over time they break down by weather and waves, and it is dissappearing slowly into the beach. I found a wealth of information using Google and just typing in "Kaiser Concrete Ship" and "Kaiser Liberty Ship". More than I can read in a day! Tom Detweiler in Grass Valley, CA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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