Subject: SMML VOL 2458 Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 01:39:49 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Re Prinz Eugin Turret Colors 2 Re Prinz Eugin Turret Colors 3 Re Blue Fresnel Lens 4 1/350 Auxiliaries 5 Essex aux elevator 6 Re Fletcher questions 7 Re Blue Fresnel lens 8 To our friends in Spain ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Ron Subject Re Prinz Eugin Turret Colors >> I have a few short questions. Do any of you who specialize in the Kriegs Marine ships have an idea of what shade of red to use on the turret tops of the German Cruiser Prinz Eugin. I have seen Steve Wipers book and it is excellent, but it is obvious that the photo on the cover has been enhanced. Also, what color best reproduces the teak decks on the German warships. << I'm no Kriegsmarine expert but the color is referenced as "Weinrot" and the Luftwaffe had that color for unit markings. IIRC it was not an RLM color but a RAL color. Gunze Sangyo wine red and/or Humbrol wine red with a bit of Insignia red mixed in to brighten it up a little made a very good match for some Rammjaeger FW-190 decals. Keep in mind that almost all WWII German military colors were originally based on the RAL color chips (note that some of the modern RAL chips are not the same color as their WWII counterparts, much like FS color chips do not match the WWII US colors). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From SteveWiper@aol.com Subject Re Prinz Eugin Turret Colors Jerry, Do not be so sure of yourself! That was a photo taken on the first or second day of his sea trials by F. Urbans, so the paint is quite fresh. That color is correct. The photo has not been retouched and it matches the color in the photos on the back cover! Also, the name is spelt "Eugen". Steve Wiper ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Arthur Herrick" Subject Re Blue Fresnel Lens On 17 March Tom Detweiler testology@inreach.com posted the following inquiry [ Edited ] >> I have from my old USN destroyer USS Higbee DD-806 (now on eternal patrol) a Fresnal lens that is blue -- kind of a cobalt blue. It's about 8" diameter and 10" high or so, I'll send a pic to anyone who requests same who can help identify it. I found it on cleaning detail in the after steering gear bilge's, ca. 1969.. the NCO told us to toss it and other junk overboard but I kept it -- and now it's a momento and night light for when an old salt gets up at night to empty the bilges. It seems to me it said stern light but now I'm not sure. What would a Blue fresnal lens be used for on a Vietnam era Gearing DD? Can't find any reference to it in my old bluejackets manual, but I bet someone on this list knows the answer! << Tom, A number of years ago, I run across some old Blue Fresnel Navigation lights in the Ship Chandlery Shop at Mystic Seaport Museum. One I remember appeared to be a side ( starboard ) 10 point navigating light, which normally would be green. I seem to remember the other was a 360 degree light. At the time I asked the museum staff at the Shop about these blue light lens', but no one had any answers. Recently in doing research on WW I, 110 FT. Subchasers, I came across references that stated that when traveling in groups, in line at night, in wartime conditions, that their 12 point stern lights were blue. This my be a clue to the blue lights you found on DD-806. Where blue stern lights used in war time situations, when ships were traveling in a group? I checked my copy of KNIGHT'S Modern Seamanship, 10th Edition, 1941; and found no mention of blue navigation lights. Art Herrick Westmoreland, New Hampshire USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From Subject 1/350 Auxiliaries Fellow SMML-lies, Having acquired the recentTrumpeter 1/350 scale warship kits, and while anticipating the USS NIMITZ, which I believe is their next issue, I am hoping that someone plans to issue a 1/350 scale auxiliary, perhaps a modern multi-purpose type such as a SACRAMENTO class AOE. Does anyone have any indication of any such plans? Joe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "keith" Subject Essex aux elevator Hi SMMLies, The Essex class had an auxiliary elevator in number three pit only as far as I know. Number one is surrounded by bulkheads and number two is outboard. Yes your correct about it being below the main elevator. It must be brought up on it's own and not automatically when # 3 is up. It also is not a full size platform. it is only about 2/3 full size but it does fill in an empty space somewhat that would go to waist and we can't have that on any ship. I'm not sure if every Essex had this feature but I would have to guess yes. Hope this helps. OH yea, the drawings of this can be found on micro film at the National Archives. KTB ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From Sanartjam@aol.com Subject Re Fletcher questions Hi SMML, Thanks to everyone who responded either on- or off-list to my questions about the Fletcher class destoryer torpedo cranes and gunhouse ladders! Art Nicholson ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From Fkbrown90@aol.com Subject Re Blue Fresnel lens In WW 1 the 110 foot submarine chasers had a light (lamp) facing aft. It had a clear lens for normal night running, but it was replaced with a blue Fresnel (pronounced Frenel) lens for use in night combat running. It couldn't be seen very far away. Another chaser maneuvering somewhat close astern could see the blue light, but a submarine, presumed to be farther away, couldn't make it out. It often was the only light showing. It was named for Augustin Jean Fresnel, a French physicist of the early 19th Century who studied the phenomenon of refraction of light, especially as it passes through glass. Light "bends" as it passes through a transparent interface (air/glass, air/water, etc.) He developed a unique light lens in which the external bulbous air/glass curved interface is not continuous, but is divided into parallel bands which are essentially displaced horizontally, allowing the lens to be much less thick overall. Marine running lights are not intended to illuminate, but to be seen by another vessel. Those old timey big lighthouse lamps had lenses with Fresnel outer surfaces, which supplemented the parabolic reflectors to "throw " the light great distances. Fresnel lenses were common on older maritime lights and lamps. I don't know if they are currently used, but in any event, you have a rather unusual piece. Franklyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From Steve Singlar Subject To our friends in Spain Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. In our little town of 10,000 people, the flags on the town buildings were flown at half staff for three days (as was the flag at my home). In our four churches special prayers were said for those poor souls killed and injured as well as their families. Sincerely, Steve Palham, NH ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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