Subject: SMML VOL 2398 Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 03:43:31 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Re U.S.Navy enlisted sleeve insignias 2 Re U.S.Navy enlisted sleeve insignias 3 KBismarck.com news! 4 Re Queen Mary 2 5 Info about Airwing Six of the USS Enterprise, autumn 1962 6 Re 1/32 scale U-boat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1 Task Force Hobbies Last chance Tamiya Battleships at low prices,& two new kits ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Joel Labow Subject Re U.S.Navy enlisted sleeve insignias >> My first reaction is that one side may be for the "above-deck" people, and the other side may be for the "below-deck" people (Black Gang), but that is admittedly a shot in the dark. I also remember the eagle being referred to as the "crow". Franklyn, The eagle is the insignia for petty officer in the USN and is indeed nicknamed the 'crow'. 'Getting your crow' is the term for becoming a petty officer. The device below the eagle indicates the rate, or specialty of the wearer, and the chevrons below that indicate the rating, or rank. Chevrons and good conduct stripes (1 for each 4 year enlistment meriting a good conduct medal) are red until 12 years of uninterrupted cood conduct are achieved, when they are transmuted to gold. Prior to WWII the traditional sailorman rates of boatswain, gunner, quartermaster, signalman and torpedoman wore their badges on the right arm and hence were known as the 'right-arm rates.' All others wore their badges on the left arm. At some point after WWII this distinction was eliminated and now all badges are worn on the left arm. Prior to WWII non-rated men in the lowest 3 enlisted paygrades were distinguished by the striping on the cuffs of their dress blues/whites...1 stripes for seaman recruit, 2 for seaman apprentice and 3 for seaman. After WWII this was changed as well...all enlisteds now have 3 cuff stripes and non-rated personnel wear small stripes on the left sleeve in the same location as the petty offcier badge. Various colors indicate the general specialty, i.e. seaman, fireman, airman, hospitalman and an individual who had had specialized training is termed a 'striker' and wears a miniature specialty device above the stripes. >> Also, I recall seeing either a red or a white stripe at the seam where the sleeve is sewn to the main body of the tunic (the white stripe may be blue on the white uniform, I'm stretching here). I do not recall if there was a designation for the right or the left shoulder. << Can't help you with this one, but I'm sure someone else on the board will have the answer. >> We are especially interested in the WW 1 era, perhaps the 5th or the 6th edition of the Bluejacket's Manual (which I do not have) will contain this information. But other editions may have it as well. We will be grateful if SMML can supply the answers. << I don't believe that there were a lot of changes in USN enlisted uniform badges between WWI and WWII so the above information should be correct for that period. Hope this helps. Joel Labow Captain, USN (ret) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From Steve Singlar Subject Re U.S.Navy enlisted sleeve insignias Franklyn, The US Navy Enlisted personnel (E1 - E9) currently only have rating badges on the left sleeve. Up to the end of WWII, the navy had right arm rates and left arm rates. The right arm rates were the 5 or so original navy ratings which I think included the following Boatswain, Gunner's Mate, Quatermaster, Cook (?), Carpenter (?). All other rates were worn on the left sleeve. After WWII the navy decided to get "uniform" and required the rating badges be worn on the left sleeve. For ratings E1- Seaman Recruit, E2 - Seaman Apprentice, E3 - Seaman, the rating indicator is one, two or three stripes without the egle. These stripes could be Red for engineering (snipe) rates, Blue for construction, Green for aviation or White for all other rates. Once a sailor becomes an E4 he/she is now a rated Petty Officer (PO) also called non-commissioned officer in the other branches. Being "rated" means the sailor has a rate such as Boatswain, Electrician, Quatermaster, etc. The rating badge has the white Eagle (crow) on top, with the rating badge just below that and the red cheveron on the bottom. One cheveron for an E4 (Third class PO), 2 cheverons for an E5 ( PO 2nd class) and 3 cheverons for an E6 (First Class PO). Once the sailor makes chief (E7 or CPO) a "rocker" is added to the top cheveron just below the crow. For Senior Chief (E8) a single star is added above the crow and for Master Chief (E9) two stars are located in parallel above each wing of the crow. The Master Chief Pettry Office of the Navy (MCPON) has three stars. This is a special rate and is not commonly seen. The rating badge is worn on then front facing crease of the jumper sleeve (up through E6), one fist length below the top of the sleeve. For those with 12 or more years of honorable service (this means you didn't get caught doing something), gold cheverons are authorized. Many who are wuthorized gold stripes will contuinue to wear the red stripes on their everyday dress uniform and only apply the gold stripes to to their ceremony dress blues, due to the cost. Also on the left sleeve are the service stripes - hash marks. One has mark is earned for each four years of continuous service. These are either red of gold following the same rules as above. (Note that on the white unirom the stripes and cheverons are blue. Note that excpet for the dinner dress white uniform, CPO's do not wear strips on their white and kakhi unitorms. but wear collar devices.) On the right sleeve for E6 and below you might see the ship/station name tab in the top of the right sleeve. At one time there were also speciality badges auch as Diver, Coxswain, etc worn on this sleeve. These were replaced my metal badges that are worn above the service ribbons. Up to the 1970's the Battle Efficiency "E" was worn on the right sleeve (E6 and below). This was white on the blue uniforms and blue on the white uniforms and could be followed by up to 4 hash marks to denote subsequent awards. This was replaced by a service ribbon in the 70's. This is the best I can remember as I have been retired for 10 years. Some of this may have changed a bit. I hope this helps. Steve Pelham, NH ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "José M. Rico" Subject KBismarck.com news! Hello everyone, This is to inform you that Bismarck survivor Bruno Rzonca will be at the Lake County Fairgrounds military show, 889 S. Court Street, Crown Point, Indiana -- Saturday January 10, 2004 from 900 am to 300 pm. If you live close the area, this is unique opportunity to meet and talk with him, buy some photos and get an autograph. I don’t know him personally, but as far as I can tell he is a real fun guy to know, and speaks English (with a heavy German accent of course). Best regards to all and have a happy a new year. José M. Rico http//www.kbismarck.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Robert Mosher" Subject Re Queen Mary 2 The Cunard Lines website has photos, deck (i.e. cabin) plans, photos, and computer images for anyone who wants a closer look. www.cunard.com for the US. Robert A. Mosher ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "Michiel Woort" Subject Info about Airwing Six of the USS Enterprise, autumn 1962 I would like to know more about the aircrafts of the Airwing Six onboard the USS Enterprise. I have the FSM from february 1963, but does anybody know where to find more info. For example the number of aircrafts of each type, the aircraft numbers them selves. I know I can look for foto's but that will take very much time any sides for that? Greetings, Michiel Woort ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Re 1/32 scale U-boat And for the truly adventuresome who cannot or will not fork over the $2000.00 to $2500.00 for the Andrea Miniatures 1/32 scale U-boat Type VIIc kit, there is also the OTC kit for only $1250.00, found at http//www.otwdesigns.com/Type7/type7.htm . This kit should be able to hive the Andrea Miniatures kit a run for its money and looks. The finished fiberglass (GRP) model has a length of 82.25" (2090mm), a beam (across saddle tanks) of 7.625" (194mm), and this kit includes a fully detailed brass conning tower that requires soldering to assemble. For their fiberglass conning tower, for the more faint of heart, it is only $65, but a kit is intended for people who already have a 1/32 scale model Type 7 and wish to upgrade it. It includes GRP conning tower, brass frets, all periscopes, guns, hatches, deck fittings, so that you can remodel most existing 1/32 scale Type VII kits for $235. This kit should keep any 1/32 scale Corvette, DE, or DD busy for awhile, and for somewhat less money. And, Andrea Miniatures has a large bust of a U-boat commander to go along with your finished model. Happy hunting. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Billgior@aol.com Subject Task Force Hobbies Last chance Tamiya Battleships at low prices,& two new kits Hi Everyone Bill Giordano from (www.TaskForceHobbies.com). Just a quick message to let you know that this is your last chance to buy the 1/350 Tamiya Battleships at the low price of $40.00 plus shipping, total= $47.00. Here is the list of what I have left in stock. TAM-78002 1/350 IJN Yamato (1) TAM-78004 1/350 IJN Musashi (1) TAM-78008 1/350 USS Missouri (1) They are going fast, also come and check out my other ship model lists. After Jan.1st the 1/350 USS Oklahoma and USS Michigan will be available to order please check back with me about ordering details and availalability. These two kits are beautiful and would be great additions to any ship model collector, Have a Happy New Year. Sincerely Bill Giordano ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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