Subject: SMML VOL 2518 Date: Fri, 28 May 2004 12:58:13 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Monitor/Merrimac 2 Ark (as in Noah) 3 Re Trip to California 4 Smart ship painting 5 Scratchbuild in plastic from card model template ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Ned Barnett Subject Monitor/Merrimac I've dug out the old Monitor/Merrimac Lifelike kit, and am thinking about completing them (I'm on a Civil War kick, and just finished/thoroughly enjoyed the Osprey book on Civil War Blockade Runners). Any decent references out there (on the originals, or kit reviews?). I imagine that the two ship kits are only vaguely like the originals (this IS "Lifelike" and very old, eh?), and while I'd like to accurize them a bit, I'm going more for "display" than "competition" on this - still, I'd like references if available. Thanks Ned Barnett (ned@barnettmarcom.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From Ned Barnett Subject Ark (as in Noah) Some years back, I started a scratch-built project - Noah's Ark (in, as I recall, 1/350 scale, but I'll need to check my notes). Now I'm planning to go back and finish it, and wanted to describe it (then ask for a bit of help). Based on my research, I drew up plans for a barge-like hull (very deep) with a long/strong wrap-around keel, and a free-standing wood-frame deck house. I laminated some balsa or basswood of the right width, and carved out the basic hull, then used Evergreen scored sheet plastic to create the exterior of the hull, the keel, etc. Separately, I built the deck house (also Evergreen siding over a wooden core). I experimented a lot (finding that Krazy Glue is not, after all, the best material to bond plastic to wood - not unless you first saturate the wood with the stuff to create a hard, non-porous surface). As noted, I also did a lot of research into various schemes of the original (as interpreted by various folks) to come up with my design. A critical element was in the interpretation of a "cubit" (I think I settled on 18 inches - there are many interpretations, ranging from 17.5 inches up to maybe 26 inches, but 18 seemed right to me at the time, based on the sources I'd found to date). Anyway, my question. I'm looking for additional references (online preferable, but books are also possible, budget-permitting, and so are video documentaries, etc.). Anybody know of new and particularly reputable research on Noah's Ark? Thanks Ned (ned@barnettmarcom.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From Ned Barnett Subject Re Trip to California >> As is usual for me, I'm planning a big trip this summer to coincide with the Nationals. This time I get to visit the west coast of the US, which I haven't done in a while and am looking forward to!! I've got lots of things on my list to see and do, but would like to know if there is anybody who would like to get together to shoot the S---? So far my itinerary looks something like Aug 1-3 in Vegas (Gambling) 4-8 in Phoenix (IPMS) 8-10 in San Diego (navy base, Midway) 11 Long Beach/LA (QM, Hollywood) ((want to drive through fast so's I don't get shot! )) 11-14 SF (bay tour, visiting family, Hornet) 15 Portland/Seattle (spruce goose) 16-17 Victoria, BC Lot's of driving and quick tours (just the way I like it!), but will make the time to meet and visit with all who want to. So please send me a note and we can arrange a time to get together! << Darren Two items 1. I'm in Las Vegas - don't know what my schedule is going to be like in August (I'm not sure of my schedule tomorrow), but you can reach me at ned@barnettmarcom.com and, if schedules permit, I'd be glad to get together. Also, the only hobby shop in town that I know of that has decent ship models is on W. Sahara at Decatur, not far from the Sahara end of the Strip. 2. In SF, don't miss the maritime museum on the Embarcadero - it's got a Liberty Ship and a Gato/Balao class submarine - the tours are well worth it! Also, somewhere in the area you can go on a seaplane tour of the bay - I've never done that, but I imagine it's well worth the price. 3. (I know I said two, but math's always been my weak point) - in Long Beach, tied up next to the Queen Mary, is a Foxtrot-Class Soviet Sub - well worth the price to tour it! I first saw it just weeks after I'd toured the Gato Class sub in Philadelphia, and I was amazed at the similarity in technology, though nearly 25 years seemed to separate their construction. The Foxtrot is actually far more capable than the Gato (deeper diving, better batteries - probably German in design, but that's just a guess), but the look and feel is almost eerily similar. I also enjoyed seeing the wooden wedges (stored throughout the sub) intended to fix leaks - I shudder every time I think of THAT. Enjoy your trip - hope to catch you in Vegas if our mutual schedules permit. All the best Ned ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "John Rule" Subject Smart ship painting For waterline ship models one method is as below 1. Paint waterline and above the colour used for the stripeused between the upper and lower hull. (e.g. white) 2. Cut masking tape to the width of the waterline and attach around the waterline. 3. Using above masking tape as a guide, apply new masking tape against the top of tape noted above. 4. Remove tape previously placed at waterline. 5. Now paint waterline colour of lower hull. 6. Remove upper masking tape. 7. Cut new masking tape strip the width of waterline + white demarcation stripe. 8. Apply strip along waterline. 9. Paint hull colour. 10. Remove masking strip. Voila! Hull colour, white stripe, lower hull. Sincerely, John Rule ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "milstudy" Subject Scratchbuild in plastic from card model template This has been touched on in previous posts and I'm trying to find anyone that has successfully used a card ship model as a template for scratchbuilding. Specifically I'd like to discuss Fixing templates to plastic stock Selecting appropriate plastic card thickness Removing templates from trimmed plastic To bend or to cut? Any references specific to this method of ship modelling that may be on the web (although I have had zero success in that matter so far!) If anyone out there has had experience in this, I'd greatly appreciate any assistance (off-list is fine if the majority find this a bit boring ;-) Thanks in advance. Adrian Webster Australia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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