Subject: SMML VOL 2503 Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 02:36:31 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 corection on mothers coment 2 Re HMS BULLEN 3 Book review (quick) for French navy destroyers 4 Profile Morskie RN anti-aircraft cruisers? 5 Re Unique collection of 21st century naval aircraft on ebay 6 Re Naval Terminology - Allen Stevens 7 Hobby Shop in Ottawa 8 Re HMS Bullen 9 Warship Pictorials 10 Addendum to Book Review of French Destroyers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1 NIMITZ CLASS CVNs Volume I CD, report from Ray..... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "Don Macdonald" Subject corection on mothers coment I ment to say MY wife just a full hip replacement Sorry for the screw, I have not been able to get much sleep with what all has been going on , Have a grate week all DON That Portland Rustbucket ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "GRAHAM WALKER" Subject Re HMS BULLEN HMS BULLEN K-469. couple of kit for this one, one in 1/700 scale the other in an odd ball scale by revell. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Book review (quick) for French navy destroyers I recently stated that I had ordered the French navy destroyer book on "Les Torpilleurs De 1500 Tonnes Du Type BOURRASQUE" by Marc Saibene, a Marines Edition release, and that was going to order what I suspected was the companion book "Les Torpilleurs De 1500 Tonnes Du Type L' ADROIT" by the same author. I have received the book in good order, and it is indeed intended as an expansion volume to the earlier title listed above title, but either book will stand alone on its own. This additional hardbound book makes a major source of information on understanding the subject of the French 1922 destroyer program that resulted in the BOURRASQUE class and the follow on L' ADROIT vessels of 1924. In short, these are must have books, in spite of their high price. The L' ADROIT book's dust-jacket painting is of the Brestois (T 51, then part of the detached 5th Division operating in Norway as part of the 2nd Flotille de Torpilleurs, 1st Escadre, Flotille de L'Atlantique.) shows this just named vessel being attacked by He-111H-6s in a Norwegian fjord. This book has the same format of 8.5" by 11" and 175 glossy pages, with the large photographs and limited official plans come off as very impressive. The first seven pages briefly discuss the history of destroyer design for the follow-on French 1500 ton class of their 1924 building program that brought about these additional twelve ships. Starting on page eight is the technical sections that covers the design and construction of the hull and propulsion system, with some very informative photographs and drawings of the design and construction of these ships in various forms in order to give the reader and modeler very helpful information to understand how and where the various pieces and compartments where located. Included is a reproduction of the Barbier, Benard and Turenne advertisement of their 75 cm spotlight that was carried on both of these classes for night engagements. Though a small point to mention, but it does make an interesting illustration of this piece of equipment. Some of the other close up shots reviel other very interesting aspects of these ship's equipment; including the various details of these vessel's motor-launches of their seven meter (18 places) motor-vedette, similar length motor-canot (24 seat), one seven meter (10 seat) baleiniere, one 3.6 meter Berthon canot, and one three meter "plate" (float). Though there are various shots that show various floats in different locations about all of these vessels. Starting on page nineteen begins a discussion on this class' propulsion system with some interesting drawings of the engine rooms and the heat-exchangers. Very detailed photographs and drawings of the main armament starts on page 23 showing the 130mm Model 1924 Saint-Chamond low-angle gun with its splinter-shield removed. Though of a pixelated nature, a very detailed photograph appears on page 28 of the reloading of a 550mm torpedo, the loading crane, and the servicing and loading cradle. As I mentioned in the first review on these vessels, there is a brief discussion of how the BOURRASQUE class suffered from what is called "girations" or heavy tendency toward rolling excessively during maneuvers. A slight attempt to address the metacentric problems of this class, and their poor underwater hull design, meant the suppression of the earlier class' 75mm AAA mount from between the two torpedo mounts. As in the previous volume, there is a corresponding section that will please the modelers out there in a complete discussion of the various differences between each of these twelve ships down to the variances of steampipes, anchor placement, running lights, bridge variances, and funnel differences. Lastly, there is a complete list of all modifications that were done to each of these ships prior to 1939, and each of the periods of 1939-1940, 1941-1942, and 1943-1945. And as a final plus is a complete listing of both the BOURRASQUE and L' ADROIT class of vessel's call signs and their dates of applications on the inside back-cover. Page 34 starts a section on the modifications that were carried out between the various vessel's antiaircraft equipment and its twin mount for the 8mm "Hotchkiss" model 1914 machine-guns and the associated "S" Telemetre for the twin 13.2mm "Hotchkiss" mounts. And a fairly good discussion and illustration of the upgrading of these vessel's rangefinders from the previous three to the five meter OPL Model 1936. Speaking of the differences between these two volumes, a December 1939 photograph taken at Brest shows three torpilleurs with three various camouflage schemes; one in pristine grey, another with a false bow-wave applied, and the real gem, the L'Adroit in a scheme that looks almost like a USN Measure of three horizontal greys on its hull. Page 56 and 57 show two excellent shots of L' Fortune in a similar but slightly different horizontal scheme that does look like a Measured scheme dated at 21 May 1944 at Casablanca. L'Forbin is also shown carrying a similar shceme dated in June 1944, and L' Alcyon's is also very similar. In the History section a complete coverage of this class' performance up to the war in 1939 and all of their various operations and assignments from Spain, starting on page 78, Norway to the Battle of France, Mediterranean, North Africa, and both Vichy and Free French operations. An interesting account starts on page 98 about an accidental explosion of the La Railleuse on 23 March 1940. To say the least, one can only be amazed that this particular ship survived at all from the resulting explosion. The photographs on pages 114 and 115 show the destroyed L' Adroit at Dunkirk where it is shown with its front hull blown off from the Ju-87B attacks. It appears that the front magazines were blown up and the entire hull crumbled as in the loss of the USS Arizona. In the appendices section is a list of every commanding officer of each vessel during their lives, and lastly is a separate section of the Polish destroyers Burza and Wicher that starts on page 171. As I stated about the first volume, I might have preferred more in the drawings section, though this can be overcome by ordering the Le Musée de la Marine on the FM Fougueux. In closing, if one is interested in the French destroyer operations during WW-II, these books will prove to be a most welcome addition. Happy reading and modeling. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Stephen Allen" Subject Profile Morskie RN anti-aircraft cruisers? Can anyone on the list advise me about the quality of the plans/drawings etc provided in the Profile Morskie publications on the RN 'C' class anti-aircraft cruisers? There appear to be pubs on Coventry, Calcutta, Colombo (and, incidentally, Delhi the 5/38" conversion). Any opinions on which would have the most information (sections or lines especially) for scratchbuilding? tia Steve ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From Mark McKellar Subject Re Unique collection of 21st century naval aircraft on ebay Darn, That was a mistake in the listing...usually I just ship to USA - it's so much easier..... but i had INTENDED to list to for worldwide...sorry guys. mark ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Pirie and Kathy" Subject Re Naval Terminology - Allen Stevens Thanks, Allen. I have long wondered where they got the "Aggie". Pirie Sublett/San Diego CA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Dean, Tom" Subject Hobby Shop in Ottawa Francis A good hobby store in Ottawa is the "Hobby Centre" at 2446 Bank St., Unit #134. Have stopped there a few time in my travels. Decent selection and carry plans for scratch building Canadian ships. Bank St is a main drag, and this store use to be closer to downtown, but is a fair hike now. Web site www.hobcen.com Tom Dean Hamilton, Ontario ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From "bert" Subject Re HMS Bullen Elaine H.M.S. Bullen was a Captains class frigate in the R.N. supplied under lease lend from the U.S. These were designed and built in the U.S. to guidelines supplied by the R.N. Bullen was the same type as the U.S. Buckley and I know that at the least Revell, made a kit of the Buckley. I do not know when or if it is still available. It is almost certain that other smmlies will be forthcoming on this subject. Incidentally my service records indicate that I was drafted to H.M.S.Gould also a Captains class frigate,( Although I have never been able to figure out what a "birdie' would be doing on a frigate!) during WW2, I am glad to say that I received a "pierhead jump" to an Aircraft Carrier, and after the war,learned that Gould had been sunk in march '44. "Yours Aye" (TaT). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From HAZEGRAYADM@aol.com Subject Warship Pictorials I finally had a chance to sit down & really look at Steve Wiper's last two booklets, #22 & 25 / Ticonderoga & Yamato. These are both a truly classic example of a modeler's dream reference book. When you have any questions on detailing a model, the photos are the true answer and these are handled like the pro that he is. If there is any subject that vaguely interests you in the series, or if you're a collector, get them while you can. And now he promises the Takeo class CAs? Can't wait. If there is a viable version of the long hull Essex kit in our future, then the #22 (My personal favorite) is a MUST. Thanks Steve; your work is definitely appreciated. Bert McDowell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Addendum to Book Review of French Destroyers What I had intended to mention about the book "Les Torpilleurs De 1500 Tonnes Du Type L' ADROIT" by Marc Saibene was the information about the three L'Adroit class destroyers that were delivered to Yugoslavia; the BEOGRAD, LJUBLJANA, and the ZAGREB. These vessels were inspired by the BOURRASQUE class, but were ordered in 1936 at a slightly smaller tonnage of 1210 tonnes as against this class' regular 1500 tonnes. The BEOGRAD was launched on 23 December 1937, with the ZAGREB on 30 March 1938, and the LJUBLJANA following on 28 June 1938. Both the BEOGRAD and the LJUBLJANA were captured by the invading Italians on 17 April 1941, with the ZAGREB being lost at the port of Kotor. Impressed into Italian service as the LUBIANA, the former LJUBLJANA was sunk by British aviation units off the coast of Tunisia on 1 April 1943. The BEOGRAD was impressed into Kriegsmarine service after the Italian Armistice as the zerstorer TA 43 and was found at Trieste on 3 May 1945. This expands even further the possible choices of what the Niko model's kits of the Burza and Wicher can be finished in, especially when these three vessels are not even mentioned. in my "JANE'S Fighting Ships Of World War II." And as a final side-note to this series of vessels, it must be remembered that the HMS CAMPBELTON was modified into looking like one of these three-stackers in order to complete its deception on its raid to St. Nazaire. I also found out recently that the French destroyers had their linoleum decks in a medium brown color rather than either a grey or green, most unusual from what I had thought. Happy Modeling. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Ray Bean Subject NIMITZ CLASS CVNs Volume I CD, report from Ray..... Hi all......further to previous announcement on upcoming CD release...my first ever venture into the wide world of CD Publishing and Distribution... Looks like the first four ships will be NIMITZ, IKE, GEORGE WASHINGTON and JOHN STENNIS. Images have been finalized after lengthy sorting of thousands of slides and pic scans. These are primarily all my photos, with several donated from friends from near and afar and are copyrighted under my STILL MOTIONS PH0TOGRAPHICS Collection. In many cases I was heavy in views on one ship and drowning in pics of another, Each one will have island and mast shots, and starboard side detailing. I have opted out of pictures of CIWS and ships Boats...those are generic and can be obtained anywhere. Also, in only a FEW CASES will I include aircraft pictures. These CDs are about the ships and are I have no intention of dumping pretty airplane pics that are so available on a hundred web sites and books. There will be no interior photos of hangar bay and compartments..I simply didnt shoot any or collect any. Perhaps those can be found elsewhere. In many cases the NIMITZ carriers seemed almost identical in certain areas, like the bow flares, the port side flight deck overhang area and even the starboard side elevator wells. So I have chosen quite a few angles and views from assorted ships showing the busy starboard side details, and the fantail areas. So, if you cant find a certain view of the NIMITZ you want, you can find it on the WASHINGTON. I am really short on pics of JOHN STENNIS. Every time I was in Norfolk or Newport News she was out. None of my pics are pulled from the net. All are scanned from Kodachrome slides or hi quality negs. Some older NIMITZ pics from 1975 are in black and white but tack sharp. There should be at least 100 scans per CD. I also plan on coding each image with a reference sheet of the dates these were shot...maybe on the back cover hard to say. If volume I sells then I will go to Volume II, and then I would love to put out a CD on the USS RANGER CV 61 and INDEPENDANCE combined, since there are existing plastic kits of these. One step at a time. And thats all I wrote for today. Ray in Canada ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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