Subject: SMML VOL 2462 Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 03:11:00 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Re "Bobtail cruiser" 2 Blue Fresnel Sternlights Live! 3 Soviet naval books 4 Re Info on 1945 USN "Bobtailcruiser" 5 Re What's an SO2? 6 Re Info on 1945 USN "Bobtailcruiser" 7 Another PT Boat Questions 8 Re Fresnel Lenses 9 Essex class (SCB conversoin) starboard elevator locatons 10 Re SO2 11 ReWhat's an SO2? 12 Essex class oddity 13 Re USS Hoga 14 Colours inside modern RN Ships bridge? 15 French Naval Model-maker book ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From ALROSS2@aol.com Subject Re "Bobtail cruiser" The kit represents CARRONADE (IFS 1). Plans are available from The Floating Drydock (www.floatingdrydock.com). Photos, a general arrangement drawing, and information are available in Friedman's amphib book. Al Ross ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Reid, John (AFIT)" Subject Blue Fresnel Sternlights Live! Non-Roman SMMLies may be interested to know that the principle survives today. Many motorcycle riders here have fitted blue rear-facing lights low down near the exhausts. Whether it's a dude astride a Hog, or a wannabe perched on a 50cc Honda, the principle of increased visibility is valid. Those familiar with both Roman traffic and the Purkinje Effect will appreciate the survival value of having blue as well as red lights visible from the rear. John Reid (who after 10 years of car driving in Rome has great respect for Italian drivers) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Soviet naval books For those who are interested in Soviet naval books, you might want to take a look at these new and almost new titles. All of these are available from Tushino Aviation Press; at the apprpriate links, or from your other related sites such as Jadar Models or such. "A new great publication Soviet Carrying Ships book is available for online ordering (price $19.99). This book describes the history of Soviet marine aviation creation from 1950s to present day. Publication tells about well known Soviet ships such as Leningrad carrying cruiser, Kyiv carrying cruiser, Moskva anti-submarine helicopter cruiser, Tbilisi carrying cruiser, Minsk carrying cruiser, Baku carrying cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov carrying cruiser. 80 pages, 120 photos. Highly recommended!", at http//www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?OTH-212 Another interesting item that is also available is the "Soviet Carrying (aviation) and Missile Ships" book This covers the same vessels as the above mentioned item, but also covers in some detail the various other missile systems abouard the rest of the former Soviet and modern Russian navies. Additionaly are some very good plan ans side views of the various ships, at http//www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?OTH-192 Also in this same vein is the "Morskaya Kollektsia N7 2003 Kyiv Soviet Carrying Cruiser" monograph at http//www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?MKL-200307 , and the "Morskaya Kollektsia N5 2002 The Moskva Anti-Submarine Helicopter Cruiser" monograph at http//www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?MKL-200205 . There is the "Aviatsiya-Kosmonavtika N7 2001" magazine which covers the various aircraft carrier development around the world since WW-II and also includes the USSR's and Russian aircraft carriers. This also covers in some detail Soviet and Russian aviation elements that include their "The aircrafts of the Far Distance Radiolocation Detection (EW and ASW)" and all of the various new naval aviation subjects of the USSR's and Russian fleet at http//www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?AVK-200107 . For those wanting a little more depth to their USSR and Russian naval aviation reading might want to take a look at this massive book on the subject "Marine Aviation Serving Russia" at http//www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?OTH-059 . This book covers all aspects of the various naval aviation, both ship and shore based. An interesting and informative book. My only reservation about Tushino Aviation Press is their fixed fee for postage rates of $15.00. This works out good for persons who are ordering a large quantity of items adding up to either a high dollar or weight factor, but for individual items only, this is very prohibitive. I think that an alternative sliding scale would make it more worth while for the individual modeler or enthusiast. Happy reading. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From David Wells Subject Re Info on 1945 USN "Bobtailcruiser" JRKutina@webtv.net (John Kutina) wrote >> I believe this ship was made at the end of WW II. Lindbergh made a 168 scale model several years ago. Do you have any information on this ship? << The DANFS entry for the USS Carronade (IFS-1) can be found at http//www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/ifs1.htm Note that she wasn't commissioned until 1955. Considering that her time in service was not terribly long, and her design was not repeated, I suspect that she was not considered successful. We have an entry for the Lindberg kit on Rajen's List, but no review as yet. If anyone wants to write a review for Version 6.4....... "There seems to be something wrong | David R. Wells with our bloody ships today" | Adm. D. Beatty, May 31, 1916 | http//home.att.net/~WellsBrothers/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "Phil Fuss" Subject Re What's an SO2? >> I'm working on a 1950's Fletcher for a friend. His father was an "SO2" thereon during 1955-1957. A quick look found this listing of current rates http//usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navyjobs/blnavyjobs.htm but I don't see "SO" in there. (I know, or think I know, that the "2" means "PO 2nd class", right?) I'm planning a brass plaque with his rate, and although it's just going to say SO2, I want to know... << An SO2 is a "Sonarman Second Class". Some time back the Navy changed that classification to ST or Sonar Technician. SO has gone the way of many old classifications such as AMM (Aviation Machinist Mate), AL (Aviation Electronicsman - an airborne radioman if you will). I'm not sure when the Navy reclassified that rate but they were still SO's in the 60's. Some of them were assigned to Antisubmarine squadrons to operate the dipping sonar on the ASW helos. The '2' refers to the rate - Petty Officer Second Class (E5) or the fifth rung up on the enlisted ladder which terminates at Master Chief (E9. I hope that helps, Phil Fuss, USN Ret ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From AAA Hobby Supply Subject Re Info on 1945 USN "Bobtailcruiser" >> I believe this ship was made at the end of WW II. Lindbergh made a 168 scale model several years ago. Do you have any information on this ship? << There are two versions of this ship type. The ones commissioned in 1945 were commissioned as LSM(R)[Landing Ship Medium, (Rocket)]. There were 12 of these with the lead ship being USS Big Black River. These ships are very prominent in my memory of the films of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The "Bobtail Cruiser" model you mention is a later, purpose built ship, the USS Carronade, IFS-1 [Inshore Fire Support] and was commissioned in 1955. She featured an LST hull, a single 5"/38 DP mount, 2 twin 40mm mounts and 8 rocket launchers. All of the ships were reclassified as LFRs [Amphibious Fire Support] on 1JAN69 and all of them in commission at the time (4) served in Vietnam with Inshore Fire Support Division 93. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From Subject Another PT Boat Questions Greetings. Would a PT Boat at sea display her colors on the mast or at the staff on the stern? Thanks, John Collins Franklin, TN, USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From Peter Nolan Subject Re Fresnel Lenses Fresnel lenses are indeed used in many LIDAR and some other pulsed light (especially communications) applications. Just as in other applications, they replace heavy convex lenses. They are even used in conjunction with lasers. Long time, no post for me. I'm making some real progress in my 1160 shipbuilding. Check out http//www.railimages.com/gallery/petenolan/afk These are unfinished, as I wait detail parts (and the time to install). Pete ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From Subject Essex class (SCB conversoin) starboard elevator locatons During the 1950's fifteen of the World War II Essex class carriers underwent a series of upgrades that provided for strenghtened catapults, flight decks and elevators as well as a number of other modifications. One of the components of the upgrades was the relocation of the after aircraft elevator from the center of the flight deck to the starboard side. On at least two of the ships (Intrepid CVA-11 and Ticonderoga CVA-14) the starboard deck edge elevator seems to be set quite a bit farther aft than was the case with the others. Does anyone know the story of the Essex class starboard elevator locations and are there any other Essex class ships that had the far aft elevator locaton? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From Jorgen vonFrausing-Borch Subject Re SO2 Having served on a Fletcher class Halsey Powell DD 686 in the mid 60's, I would venture that SO2 means Sonar Operator 2 class. We, at that time where part of the sub warfare training unit on the west cost. Hope this helps. vonBorch HM DD686 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From Marc Flake Subject ReWhat's an SO2? You'll probalby get a gazillion responses to this question, but I'll go ahead and give my two cents worth Sonarman Second Class. Sonar Technician is less gender specific. And there wasn't much need for being less gender specific a few decades ago. Marc Flake ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From "Rod Dauteuil" Subject Essex class oddity Hello all, Whenever I watch "Midway" there's some brief stock footage of an Essex class carrier with a big "3" on the hull under the aft 5 inch twins. Yesterday I was watching "The Wings of Eagles" with John Wayne which is the story of Spig Wead. There's also the same shot of the big number 3 (remember, 'Midway' used a lot of stock, albeit inappropriate footage), and then there's a closer shot when The Duke is boarding the carrier. It looks like it's a white 3 on a black background, hung on the hull. Looks to be around 20 or so feet tall. Anybody know the circumstances? Rod ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From Burl Burlingame Subject Re USS Hoga Newspaper article on struggle to bring the USS Hoga to Pearl Harbor http//the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Mar/22/mn/mn01a.html Burl Burlingame ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From "Mike Kear" Subject Colours inside modern RN Ships bridge? I'm detailing the interior of the bridge on my 1993 Type 21 frigate. It's visible from outside the model through the large and plentiful bridge windows, so I figure I'm going to try to make it a least representational inside. I have some pictures of a Type 21 bridge, but it's in B&W, so I need some help with the colours. A former Ambuscader sent me a picture of himself sitting at the helm, so I can see the colour of the console he's sitting at and it looks to have a green case with a grey panel. But does anyone know what colour the floors and walls inside the bridge are? Cheers Mike Kear Windsor, NSW, Australia Webmaster, Modelwarship 72 http//modelwarship.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From "Harold Stockton" Subject French Naval Model-maker book For those who would like further large scale model maker details there is a new book due to be out by Marines Editions at http//www.netmarine.net/ , on the "50 years of model makers naval in Rouen." Though no price is currently available on this edition, this promises to be a welcome addition to all those either interested in French naval models, their history, or model making in general. Further works that are available are "Hitler and the French fleet" by Dr. Kowark "Toulon and the Marine 1942-1944" per Marc Saibène "French Navy and the war 1939-1945" per Philippe Masson "French navy in the Second World war" by the Admiral Auphan "French navy with the combat volume I and II" per Michel Bertrand Lavauzelle editions "THE PLANES PIERRE LEVASSEUR" (AVAILABLE 22 the Mars 2004, and should be a welcome addition for those interested in French naval aviation.) 50,00 Euros; At Lela Presses. "N°1 - Destroyers of Squadron of the type "Le Hardi" (BOLD One) -1938-1943. By Charles SALOU 29.60 Euros. This work proposes to you a study on the construction and the history of the last Destroyers of Squadron of 1 772 tW of the Type the BOLD one put on hold for the National Navy little time before the war. The book include/understand 104 pages A4 format, more than one hundred of illustations and many photographs-Devoted to the design, development and BOLD service history of the "Destroyers of Squadron" of the class, this book shows general arragement dravings, camouflages patterns, technical dated, individual histories and files photographs. "N°2 - Italian Submarines in France 1940/1943" By Jean Pierre GILLET. History of the Submarines of Betasom operating during the 2nd G.M. starting from the French ports is well-known; that of Sommergibili Italian based in Bordeaux, much less. However their contribution to the "Battles of the Atlantic" was far from being negligible. Da Vinci ran 16 ships representing 116 686t and Tazzoli 18 buildings commercial for 96 553t. This richly illust rated work témoingne of the activity 32 Sous-Marins which was assigned to the BETASOM of Bordeaux until September 1943. The book includes/understands 124 pages, 156 photographs, of many charts & profiles color-Yet the History of the U-Boots which operated from France is well known, the history of those Bordeaux-based Italian submarines remains obscure. Their contribution to the so-called Battle of the Atlantic was nevertheless far from ridiculous. For authority the Da Vinci sank 16 merchant ships, totalling 116 686 tone and the Tazzoli, was responsible for the loss of 18 such ships for 96 553. This richly illustrated book depicts the history of these 32 submarines of the BETASOM till September 1943. "N°3 - the Heavy Cruisers Duquesne and Tourville" By Gerard Garier & Patrick Of Cheyron. The Duquesne and Tourville were the first two heavy cruisers of type "Washington" of the national Navy. Their career was long since they passed through the Second World war, after having begun again the combat at the sides of the Allies. This book of 196 pages, signed by two of the specialists in the National Navy, is richly illustrated of 220 photographs, many diagrams, the profiles color and the plans to the scale of 1/500. 50.00 Euros. "Destroyers of 600T Class "Melpomène". By Charles Salou. A basic work on this class little known of destroyers of the national Navy at the end of the Thirties. An abundant technical part and the career of its ships used during the Second World War very understanding technical work charts the history of has not very known class of torpedo-boat in service in the French Navy At the end of the Thirties. The story of each individual boat is included. 26.30 Euros. "The Jeanne D' Arc" By Luc-Christophe Guillerm. The ship school of the national Navy arrives at the end of the career. This book pays homage to it, and is composed of many testimonys, illustrated by a great number of photographs of which much new! Not to miss-This book details the career of the training-ship of the French Navy, from builders to the near end of her life. This work, full of vivid accounts, is illustrated with many photographs, mainly in colour and most of them never published before. 43.48 Euros. "Battleships of the 23 500 Ton Class" By Robert DUMAS. Two classes of ships which constituted the French armoured fleet of the interval wars. These 6 ships were still in service in 1940, of which Brittany which was run with Seas-el-Kébir and Lorraine which took share with the unloading in Provence. A complete work with plans, many photographs by two specialists authors in the subject-This class of ships made the hand body of the French National Marine during the inter-war period. These 6 battleships were still in service in 1940. The Brittany was sadly sunk by the Royal Navy At Seas-el-Kébir, but the Morraine took share in the southern France landings in 1944! With fully illustrated book, with technical drawings and many photographs. 39.13 Euros. Many of the above titles can also be obtained from Jacques Druel at L'Arsenal. Happy reading and modeling. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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