Subject: SMML VOL 2530 Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2004 04:08:32 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Re Civilian Merchant Ships 2 Re USS NORTHAMPTON (CLC-1) drawings 3 Re CLC-1 Northhampton 4 Chinese junks 5 Re merchant ships - large range, constant scale (11200) resins 6 Re Noah's ark 7 Re Karel Doorman conversion 8 Re HMS Pegasus ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "Erhardtsen" Subject Re Civilian Merchant Ships >> More suggested civilian merchant ship kits in 1/700 (consistent scale) are available from Loose Cannon. They include a Victory (VC2), a very nice T2, and an equally nice C1-M-AV1. You can check these see these kits at http//home.earthlink.net/~loosecannonproductions/ If you can find one, there is a C3 in 1/700 molded a few years ago by Naval Works. The mold was purchased by Jim Shirley Productions who did a limited run. Now if we could just get a C1 (model B preferred), a C2 and a C4. << I have made some local build merchant ship - If someone is interested I can cast a few more copies. The models include Danish Falstria/Selandia, Java, Jutlandia, Gertrud Rask. German Warteland and Polish Chroby. I do normally not sell my models (money exchange eat up everything) but I will exchange my models for other WW2 1/700 ships, aircraft or books Erik Erhardtsen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Hogg, Gordon " Subject Re USS NORTHAMPTON (CLC-1) drawings Ralph, you might try Friedman's U.S. Cruisers volume for starters. If that doesn't yield the necessary joy, then get in touch with me and I'll see about enlarging some rather fine 1/1750 drawings that I know are in various editions of Almanacco Navale (the "Italian Jane's") at home. Whether using the 1/700 or 1/350 hulls you mention, your friend would need to bear in mind that NORTHAMPTON's hull was completed with an extra deck's worth of freeboard (yielding a higher hull), which would be rather easily done with appropriate shimming, etc. I've had a CLC-1 plan on one of my many back burners for some time, so it's gratifying to hear of someone else interested in this curious ship--for a time she could boast the tallest pole mast of any ship afloat, and she shared with USS LITTLE ROCK (CLG-4) the only other installation of the monster SPS-2 radar with its unique diamond-shape in the early 1960s. Hope this helps. Gordon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From PaulShip37@aol.com Subject Re CLC-1 Northhampton There is a plan for the CLC-1 still available from www.windjammer-arts.com, it is from the old Ed Wiswesser series of plans. The scale is 1/32"=1 Foot (1384 scale, an old architect"s scale). I also recall that WARSHIP INTERNATIONAL had an article on her long ago with centerfold plans, those plans were 1500 and I believe I still have it packed away in a box somewhere.. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From Kelvin Mok Subject Chinese junks >> The Chinese used a different method for construction of their junks that the Europeans, which probably explains the size of the vessel you mentioned. Wooden vessels in the West were constructed using a purely wooden framework. << Can you elaborate on the details of Junk construction? I was not yet a teenager during the 50s when I used to hang around several junk boatyards in Singapore's Beach Road. The ones built was the length of the boat shed, thus around 60 to 120 feet long. Boys my age in that era didn't dare to bug adults by asking questions and our dialects were mutually incomprehensible anyway. I recall the pleasant aroma of green wood being hewn by hand. I don't recall power tools being used. A bandsaw for roughing out the logs perhaps but that was it. The sawing to fit the construction was done by two man handsaws followed by adzes. Of course there was that cliche' that the junks were built by boat masters who never worked from a plan (true.) My impression then was that those junks were overbuilt as the hull sides were practically solid logs squared somewhat so that they would fit together to form the hull sides. And they must have weighed tons. They were nothing like the sleek sailboats I saw at the yacht club. For a long time I of course held that western technology and designs were the best and had disdain for these ancient holdovers, meaning they should have adopted modern designs, materials and technology. My youthful interests were many and drifted to other subjects. The idea of finding out first hand all I could about junks, when I had that window of opportunity, never occurred to me. Drat. In any case my interest would have been unique for no one else I know of was interested. I think those junk builders' yards were relocated during the early 70s due to urban renewal but the trade soon died out with as there were easier and better paying jobs when Singapore succeeded in promoting industrialization. The boat masters probably couldn't find enough workers who would had the necessary skills or dedication to apprentice. Shoreside land was too valuable anyway for such a slow and poor paying industry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From Subject Re merchant ships - large range, constant scale (11200) resins I second John Reid's comments about Len Jordan's models. One's mind boggles as to how he manages such minute detail in his castings. There are circa 130 ships in his catalogue.One thing, however, that John did not mention was how to contact Len. His address (no e mail that I know of) is- Len Jordan Sunny Home, Whitchurch Hill Reading RG8 7PG UK Tel 0118 984 4628 Painted models available from- Les Hodder Wirral Miniature Ships 24 Broadland Road Great Sutton Ellesmere Port CH66 2JS UK Tel 0151 355 2125 Michael London ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From randall.a.chisum@us.army.mil Subject Re Noah's ark .....I must add that during the 19th Century just prior to the use of iron in hull construction, diagonal bracing of the ribs were used which added greatly to the rigidity of the hull. One must remember that the ark was basically a large, deep wooden box. It wasn't propelled so the hogging wasn't an issue (early Byzantine ships were known to use a "hogging truss" anyway); basically bobbing on the water. Don't underestimate the abilities of the early ship builders. There is more we don't know than what we do. Randy Chisum ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Stephen Allen" Subject Re Karel Doorman conversion Maarten I don't suppose you have any of the Sea Fury or Firefly aircraft from this conversion set available separately? regards Steve ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From "Peter Chant" Subject Re HMS Pegasus >> I recently ordered and today have received the hull for WWI Pelorus class HMS Pegasus. << Can't help with plans, I am afraid, but would suggest you read Rudyard Kipling's "The Fleet in Being" about his cruises on HMS Pelorus in 1898. A lot of indirect technical detail in his prose, especially if you also read the notes on the Kipling web site (www.kipling.org.uk) Peter Chant Plymouth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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