Subject: SMML VOL 2732 Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 00:22:40 +1100 The Ship Modelling Mailing List (SMML) is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com For infomation on how to Post to SMML and Unsubscribe from SMML http//smmlonline.com/aboutsmml/rules.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Re Anyone would like to build 1/200 WWII ships? 2 1/200 scale ships 3 Henry IV color scheme? 4 200th scale ships 5 ANZAC Frigate 6 Tamiya Bismark rails at front of admiral's bridge wing 7 Re Liberty Ships 8 Heller 1400 Arromanches (Ex-HMS Colossus) 9 LIBERTY SHIP AK 's ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "Vess Irvine" Subject Re Anyone would like to build 1/200 WWII ships? Hi Luca If you like 1/200th scale steel ships, perhaps you should check out cardstock models from Poland. There are 100s of choices, many with 2,000 - 5,000 parts. Detail and fit is exceptional with the latest CAD/CAM/CAE technology. No painting is required. Build materials are non-toxic (white glue, watercolors, art supplies from Michaels). Storage of your stash is easy with the magazine format of the kits which all slide nicely under your bed. The price of the kits is reasonable for a hobby expenditure. The WOW factor of the built-up models is just amazing. You will need to learn new skills different from plastic models, and perhaps one drawback might be that the instructions are often in Polish. For example, go to ..... http//www.lighthousemodelart.com/ and search for the new 1/200th GPM USS Saratoga in a dazzle scheme; for about $50. Perhaps the best models are newly published models from Halinski, GPM, Modelik, Fly Models, Answer and Quest. Paper models from Germany are nice also, but usually in 1/250th scale and waterline. If you really like added detail, photoetch frets are often available from the aftermarket. Regards Vess Irvine Estes Park, Colorado, USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From wdnoble@comcast.net Subject 1/200 scale ships >> I just bought the Trumpeter 1/350 Nimitz and 1/200 Sovrenemy. Two things struck me 1) how nice is to work with bigger scales, 2) that at the box dimensions Trumpeter got to, with the latest Nimitz and Kutsnesov releases, also 1/200 WWII subjects could be managed. I think Trumpeter could define a new niche like Tamiya did years ago with 1/350. Let's think about a nicely detailed 1/200 Bismarck or Missouri. I, for one, would be willing to pay an adequate price for it (something around 350 $ could be appropriate). After all if you buy a 1/350 Tamiya kit and superdetail with P/E for everything it is missing/inadequate (planking/detail on upper decks, light AA armament, wall details) you will be shelling big bucks anyway. << Greetings from Oregon! Some notes on the question of 1/200 scale ship models Having a 1/200 "Yamato" in perpetual construction, and having extensively read the noted by Mr. Grima (as; I'm presuming; has everyone else), I can say from some experience that 1/200 presents some unique challenges 1. Display space notwithstanding, CONSTRUCTION space is the real issue. This sort of thing does not fit on a small bench or table. Unless you've some full-on hobby-space in an area that will permit such things, attempting 1/200-scale of anything larger than a tugboat poses some real-estate problems! 2. Styrene plastic simply does not work well at that scale for something that large - it warps, and the fit-and-finish doesn't translate into detail. (In fact, if you've read the Grima notes on the "Yamato", he advises that you do not operate the motorized version in sunlight, due to warpage). My own conclusions are that we should take some hints from the 'floaty-boaties', and build large scale warships from fiberglass hulls and metal fittings. I'm convinced that the larger these things get, the more we should be building them like real ships! Best, Will Noble Portland; OR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Tim Burke" Subject Henry IV color scheme? SMML'ers, I am seeking color info on the French battleship "Henri IV."(Entered service 1903) I especially am seeking hull, upper works and stack colors. Also, the kit (Combrig 1/700) has no plank detail on decks. Are the decks some other material and hence some other color than a wood shade? Also, if anyone can recommend any references for this ship, I'd like to hear about them. Thanks very much for your help. Tim Burke Scotia, NY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Tim Perry" Subject 200th scale ships Hi Luca, yes, I agree, 1200 is a very good scale, but Trumpeter haven't done any Western vessels since the Sovremenny, and none at all recently. I would have thought a Fletcher, A Kelly, or any number of other subjects would make excellent subjects. I can only assume the Sovremenny didn't sell well compared to all the other subjects and scales that Trumpeter seem to turn out at an amazing rate! Ah well, back to scratch building.... I have a part-built Sovremenny on my kipperboxes website, by the way! Tim Perry wunwinglow www.kipperboxes.co.uk for 1200 Warship models www.bammo.org.uk for IAM motorcycle training in the Bristol area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "thor" Subject ANZAC Frigate Hi All, I would like to make a start into some large scale (1/72) ship modelling and in particular I want to create an ANZAC class frigate FFH. My investigations have revealed that the kit I am looking for is an APS Models 7204 and that it is made by Allan Pew. However, I cannot find any contact details that have not expired. Can someone please point me in the right direction to an online shop or APS models contact? Many thanks Thor New Zealand ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Jimmy Bloom" Subject Tamiya Bismark rails at front of admiral's bridge wing I can't tell whether there are supposed to be rails at the front of the wings on the "admiral's bridge" or commanders bridge --- the one with the full set of square windows. There are circular 20 mm gun tubs on each wing and I've seen photos of build-ups where there are no rails. The gun tubs are closed. They don't have any apertures leading to the smaller wing platform. I built the model three years ago and no longer have the instruction sheets. I added PE rails, but neglected this tiny triangular area. I have odd bits of 1350 PE laying around so could add them if needed. Some photos of larger scale models show rails in the small gap between the wheel house and the gun tubs, both fore and aft, while others don't have rails. Does anyone have information about this? Thanks in advance for any help. Thanks, Jim ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From ALROSS2@aol.com Subject Re Liberty Ships >> No Liberty ships were converted into AKAs, ... << There were, however, a number of AKs converted from LIBERTY ships. Fahey ("The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet - Victory Edition") lists AK 70-79, 90-97, 99-140. On page 72, there is a photo of ALUDRA (AK72) carrying two LCM forward and at least one LCM right aft of the superstructure. A search of www.navsource.org should provide photos of additional AKs in this series. Fahey also lists a number of LIBERTY types classified as AGs, tankers, and water carriers (AW). Al Ross ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From 03136040@brookes.ac.uk Subject Heller 1400 Arromanches (Ex-HMS Colossus) Hello Everybody! Just wandering if anyone has this kit, I was hoping you could say if it has transfers (if any) for the HMS Colossus and in converting from the French to the British, what changes need to be made? Many thanks to all of you who helped me with the HMS Bligh!! Richard Hunter ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From "david angelo" Subject LIBERTY SHIP AK 's While there were'nt any Liberty AKA's there was the Crater Class AK. This was a Your Basic Liberty ship armed with either 1- 5" , 1- 3", 2 40MM Twins, and 6 20Mm or 1-5", 4 40MM ans 12 20MM. There are overhead & side photos in "UNITED STATES NAVAL VESSELS, ISBN 0-7643-0090-3. In addition there were some other Liberty ship conversions 1. Converted to cary aircraft or heavy tanks. The cargo hatches were enlarged and twin king posts with heaver boom installed. 2. Tankers The cargo hatches were sealed off and roung oil ports put in them. There were other internal changes, but this is about all from the modelers point of view. 3. Colliers. The engines were moved aft, and the hatchways changed to somingthing similar to a Great Lakes ore carrier. "H" type masts were built over the hatches to handle the cargo. There was a center island type superstructure. 4. Hospital Ships. The whole superstructure was rebuilt & a wider funnel to cary the 12' wide red cross. Sawyer's book on Liberty ships has drawings & photos of these variations. HTH David ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume