Subject: SMML VOL 2685 Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 02:53:48 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Post-Renaissance era vessels 2 Re Japanese Kate Camo - Dec. 1941 3 Re Japanese Kate Camo - Dec. 1941 4 Pearl Harbor "Kate" camouflage 5 BB23 Mississippi 6 Oscar II Sail Fittings ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "Will Noble" Subject Post-Renaissance era vessels >> Something I always wanted to ask. We see in paintings of galleons and other sailing ships of that era resplendent with flags and pennants flying fully spread by the wind. Questions. 1. The flags present a lot of surface area to the wind, especially the one on the stern is often as large as a mainsail. Is there ever enough wind to spread it to its full glory? 2. What about the stability of the ship? Surely that much untethered surface forces must make keeping stability pretty chancy. << I'm something of an 'expert' on this topic, having two degrees in history and done some rather extensive research on the subject of post-Renaissance era warships. It's important to remember that this era -- which saw the construction of the galley, galleon, and 'modern' wooden warship - had one foot in the Middle Ages and one foot in the modern era. It was very common for the commander of a warship to design a flag that not only incorporated the 'national' colors, but his own family crest as well as religious symbology if desired. There were oftentimes various 'sponsors' flags that were part of the display, as well as regional flags and a 'national' flag if one had been designed, an admiral's banner, a king's banner, as well as a Papal banner if a ship was so 'blessed'. One only has to go to the sinking of the "Mary Rose" to see how a combination of too much sail and open gunports - and, perhaps, too many flags and standards - could contribute to the sinking of a warship. The capsizing of the Mary Rose has been somewhat-officially attributed to open gunports on the lower deck - however, if you look at the more-or-less-official drawings of the vessel from the era, you'll see many of the pennants and standards you described - -and Henry V was VERY fond of displaying his family's crest from multiple mastheads!! Perhaps the reason that this hasn't surfaced in too many accounts is that many of these banners -- especially the long ones -- were made from silk. This would account for the ability of the banner to unfurl even in a light wind, and would also make the banner so lightweight that it would not be a hindrance to the operation of a ship even in a heavy sea. Silk was used for flags even during the Middle Ages, as trade with the East had not abated much from the Roman era. Your comment is intriguing -- although there's no 'official' statement I've ever found or seen that would attribute a sinking or instability to the display of flags. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From dan@lcpremiums.com Subject Re Japanese Kate Camo - Dec. 1941 >> I am making up a set of the Aichi Val, Mitsubishi Zeke and Nakajima Kate in the colours that they would have had at Pearl harbour. I have one reference that shows a green mottled camo on the upper wings and a Bare metal body, but it specifies that this was used only by Kate’s deployed from land bases. Can anyone provide references that would help me. I am on a limited budget due to disability and would prefer not having to but a Squadron book or the like. Web reference would be ideal. << The absolute best place to ask this question is on the IJN aircraft board at www.j-aircraft.com. Those folks are acitve in the research and restoration of IJN aircraft. No one is more knowledgable, at least on this side of the Pacific. Dan Kaplan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "John Snyder" Subject Re Japanese Kate Camo - Dec. 1941 Hi Tom, Go to http//www.j-aircraft.com and you should find everything you need there. Best regards, John Snyder White Ensign Models http//WhiteEnsignModels.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Reynaga, Tim@EDD" Subject Pearl Harbor "Kate" camouflage Tom, The camouflage of the Pearl Harbor "Kates" is an arcane and surprisingly intricate issue; check out the discussions on j-aircraft at http//www.j-aircraft.com/faq/B5N_pt2.htm Also, there are online pictures of machines from Shokaku and Zuikaku used in the attack on the "B5N page" at http//home.interlink.or.jp/~katoh00/kaigun/kate/b5n2.htm If you are a real die-hard, Word IQ has a list of literally dozens of Nakajima B5N sites at http//www.wordiq.com/web/Nakajima%20B5N.html Have fun! Tim ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "Lou Meszaros" Subject BB23 Mississippi Can anyone tell me what to expect in WARSHIP PROFILE No. 39 dealing with BB23 Mississippi? Found plans on Ebay, just need a few more reference materials. Any leads to other photos or plans would be appreciated. Thanks, Lou ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "John Rule" Subject Oscar II Sail Fittings Hi Robert Nice to hear you are thinking about building a model. If you want to increase the number of parts on your Tamiya Oscar, why don't you add the crew. Maybe you could have one of them dancing, one playing the balalaika and the rest clapping in time to the music. This will draw the viewers attention away from counting the thingies sticking out of the sub's sail. If you need tips you could call Jim Baumann. Couldn't resist. Sorry Robert. John ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & reference pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume