Subject: SMML VOL 2607 Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 00:54:31 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Narrow Seas Kits 2 Re HMAS Perth 3 Malaysian frigate KASTURI 4 1/250 ARII IJN Yamato WWII Super Battleship ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information 1 Small Warship Special Interest Group -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1 FS Classic Warships 1/350 USS Alaska ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Subject Narrow Seas Kits Roger I have built one, PT 34, of the the Narrow Seas kits and and nearly finished with another, MGB 660. Both were quick and fun builds with excellent details. I have several others that I have yet to build, and I would like to see more in this series such as a Fairmile C boat, an R-boat, a F-lighter and perhaps German and British armed trawlers. My only complaints would be the use of photoetch guns and lack ot decals. As an aside, there are a couple of photos of my PT 34 on Timothy Dike's modelwarships.com in his coverage of the recent IPMS/USA nationals. It certainly was the smallest model entered. Speaking of the nationals, I want to thank Bill Luther for organizing the SMML luncheon at the show. It was without a doubt the best SMML gathering at the nationals to date. Great job, Bill. It was great to see many old friends there, and I was happy to make several new friends. My thanks also to Rodney Meade for showing me his technique for making signal halliards. For those who didn't make it to the show, it was, in my opinion, the best national in the past six years. The ships were also the best both in terms of numbers and quality. I was blown away. I do have a couple of questions for the group at large. First. On Fairmile D boats, how much of the cockpit/bridge flooring is covered in natural wood surface? Second On Italian WWII warships using the red and white foredeck air recognition system, were deck fittings also painted red and white? Thanks, John Collins Franklin, TN USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Michael Brown" Subject Re HMAS Perth Back in 2000, I spent several days ploughing through Professor Dakin's camouflage records held by the NAA. A summary of what he did is below Tests were carried out on Dakin's yacht in 1940 (no US Navy in the war then) and the best colour was a "dirty dark blue", Dakin comments in a letter concerning his experiments that it was "a much darker colour than any in use on naval ships at that time and approximating the present tone and colour adopted by US Naval authorities in this area". Dakin started using painted sheets of Sisalkraft on his own 30' yacht and observed it from Sydney Heads. The sheets were 35' x 2'6". HMAS Kyabra was originally lent for paint testing in 1940 and observed from the air at varying distances. Kyabra was repainted 4 times in 3 weeks. The best colour being dirty dark blue grey. In May 1941, Perth, Australia & Adelaide returned from the Med etc. bearing differing camouflage patterns which was the first indication in Sydney that the Admiralty had accepted patterned camouflage! But the designs had been left to the Captains of the ships and Perth's was that from a competition that a rating had won. Tests were carried out and concluded that far from aiding the deception of inclination of Adelaide, the scheme aided the enemy. H.M.A.S. Perth was put at Dakin's disposal for camouflage testing in October 1941. In a letter to Garden Island re Perth from Dakin October 1941, Dakin states that he handed over a painted model of Perth and one plan with instructions for the experimental colour scheme to be painted. The colours were Starboard Side disruptive, half light grey, half olive green. Port side, half blue grey, half dark grey. Deck same dark grey as hull. Bow wave & stern bow wave > white, patches on deck at bow & stern white. Also attachments were tried on the funnel In a Letter to Dakin on 3/10/41 "Ordered the paints you requested. The colours are a) White for deck & bow wave b) Blue Grey as on the Kyabra for one side of the cruiser c) Green as on the Kyabra for one side of cruiser d) Light Grey for the disruptive side e) Dark Green Grey for the disruptive side Light and Dark Greys are standard naval Greys." As the Australians only knew of the AP colours at that time, they must surely have used 507A & C. (see below re MS colours) Observation of Perth was that the blue grey was better for concealment. The pattern was not more conspicuous than the other side. The darker tone on both sides was felt to be best. After time in service with this colour scheme, a report was provided in April 1942 i.e. after she was sunk. Contrasting colours of the pattern made her more obvious at night and easy to spot in good visibility from the air. The one tone scheme was not considered as good as the pattern except at night. Photos were taken of ships on the horizon (no details for us to see) to determine the effectiveness of the camouflage scheme in delaying detection and angles of approach. Perth was also viewed out to sea from a Catalina. It seems likely that she wore this odd colour scheme to the end as there are no records of her being repainted. Also on file was a letter From Grace, Flag Officer Commanding Anzac Squadron to Dakin in April 1942 stating that Achilles has been painted according to an Admiralty design and the paints ("for which no formulae are available") were made up on board and matched to a coloured sketch, which was forwarded to the ship. "These colours were numbered in accordance with the patterns which are being forwarded under a separate cover" Comment from Dakin that "The scheme worn by Achilles which had not been seen in Australia was considered better as the contrasting tones were not so greatly different. " On 4th May 1942, Professor Dakin, wrote a letter saying a memo had been received from England which refers "to paints M.S.1, M.S.2, M.S.3 and M.S.4. Is there any possible way in which I can get samples of these colours? Otherwise their nature is unknown". On 5/5/42, there was a letter from Dakin saying a parcel of samples had arrived. A Garden Island memo dated 16/5/42 says that they had inspected the samples of paint panels of English specification and that the painter is having difficulty matching the sample as it was painted on unprimed plywood. Hope that helps. Michael Brown ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Brett Morrow" Subject Malaysian frigate KASTURI Can anyone on the mailing list help me? I am looking for some detailed reference pics of FS 1500 Type frigate,of either the Malay variant `KASTURI`, or the Columbian variant `ALMIRANTE PADILLA` classes. If anyone has good close in shots of this missile frigate, please contact me offline, alternately,if you know of a website, I would be very appreciative if you could direct me. I can`t find any decent shots on my web searches, except a couple of small worthless pictures, good for nothing. Thanks, Brett Morrow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Graeme Martin" Subject 1/250 ARII IJN Yamato WWII Super Battleship Can anybody tell me whether this kit @ $169.99 is superior in detail and quality than the cheaper kit 1/250 Doyusha IJN Yamato @$119.99? thanks in advance, Graeme Martin ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From brownatfareham@surefish.co.uk Subject Small Warship Special Interest Group The website of the Small Warship Special Interest Group (IPMS-UK)- www.smallwarshipgroup.org.uk - was updated earlier today. Regards Les Brown ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Subject FS Classic Warships 1/350 USS Alaska FOR Sale Classic Warships 1/350 USS Alaska, $300 plus postage. Contact Paul at pcotcher@mindspring.com. Thanks, John Collins Franklin, TN USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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