Subject: SMML VOL 2734 Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 02:14:39 +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 AKA vs LIberty ships 2 Re LCT 4 plans 3 Re Anzac Frigate 4 French ships named Henri 5 1/200 Scale Ships 6 Re Liberty Ships 7 1/200 ~ why not card? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Kdg345@aol.com Subject AKA vs LIberty ships I just finished a 196 scratch built model of AKA93 (the Yancey). I purchased the hull (fiberglass) from Scale Shipyard. The plans came from Floating Drydock and the microfilm of the AKA class of ships from the National Archives. The microfilm was taken to the library and I copied sections of 8 1/2 x 11 inch prints, taped these together and printed the assembly to scale at Kinko's. The Floating Drydock prints were 148 scale, limited in detail and faded with time. I purchased small detail parts from Bluejackets ship models. There enough differences between liberty ships appearances and AKAs that I did not want to try that conversion. I understand that Scale Shipyards now sells a complete kit for AKAs. Some of the problems with the prints that I used is that I had no frontal or rear views for detail - at least they weren't easy to find. I used photos that I obtained from shipmates and my own that I had taken in the 50s. I don't know that I saved money so much as having the pleasure of building it myself. Also, I noted minor differences between the ship from its commissioning to later years such as the Korean War and its final configuration. Ken Groom ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Tim Perry" Subject Re LCT 4 plans >> I was wondering if anyone knew where (if?) I could get some British LCT (4) plans? I was thinking of modelling one in 1/72 scale. << Chris, go to http//www.modelboats.co.uk/ and search for plan pack MM1290. That is the set I used for my models. I am working on the same subject and scale! Hope this helps, Tim Perry wunwinglow www.kipperboxes.co.uk for 1200 Warship models www.cardmodels.net for the best paper and card website on the net www.bammo.org.uk for IAM motorcycle training in the Bristol area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From John SLATER Subject Re Anzac Frigate Alan Pew's 1/72 scale kits is fantastic. Alan does not have a web page, his technical expertise lies in his product. He is contactable by phone and fax His number is +61-2-4972-5825 Regards John Slater Sydney Australia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Paul Giltz" Subject French ships named Henri In the last post I saw that the subject listings included "Henri IV" and "Henri VI" did they ever get up to "Henri VIII " or was that a British ship? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From wdnoble@comcast.net Subject 1/200 Scale Ships >> FWIW There have been mentions of the 1/200 Yamato kit by Nichimo. Remember that Nichimo also has done several World War II and post war Japanese destroyer class ships in 1/200 and they would definitely be less daunting projects than that Yamato monster, especially as starter kits. The W.W. II Kagero is very nice. << Dear Bill I think you just verified my earlier post! "That Yamato monster" is truly just that --a monster, and the sad fact is that styrene plastic just WASN'T intended to build anything that large -- the 1/200 Nichimo destroyers would make far better projects, I'm sure. In retrospect, I don't know what possessed me to to attempt the beast, save for the fact that it's a 'personal best' sort of thing - in the late '70's, I constructed the ex-Otaki "Life-Like" Yamato in (I believe) box-scale - (and in retrospect, I'd've been better off saving the money I spent on Bondo and green-putty for a good bottle of Scotch; the net effect would have been far better than the frustration!). The Life-Like kit was motorized, and I completed it as such -- its final resting-place is somewhere off the southwest boat-ramp in Henry Hagg Lake, which is south of Forest Grove, Oregon; it's about thirty feet out and twenty feet down. You're welcome to it if you can find it. Cheers! Will Noble Portland, OR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From George H Levine Subject Re Liberty Ships >> This list misses six AKs- AK 221-226. The first four ships in this group were originally commissioned as AP 162-165 in November of 1943, and were later reclassified as AKs in August of 1944. Liberty ships were classified as the following types AG AGM AGTR AK AKN AKS AP AR ARG ARV AVS AW IX T-AGM T-AKV YAGR/AGR YAG << What Chris left out was that these were the classifications for those ships diverted to Navy use. The commercial cargo ships were classified as EC2-S-C1 for the basic 2,580 ships completed EC2-S-AW1 for a modified design for 24 colliers for US East Coast trade Z-EC2-S-C2 for a modified design for 8 tank carriers Z-EC2-S-C5 for a design modification for 36 ships to transport aircraft Z-ET1-S-C3 for a design modification for 62 ships as oil tankers George Levine At anchor in Edgewater Florida ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From chris Tilley Subject 1/200 ~ why not card? I'm with Vess Irvine on card kits for big scale models. If, like me unfortunately, you're something of a zen modeller (buy lots, build few, dammit) card kits take up a lot less storage space than plastic or resin! They're a lot cheaper too. The positively venerable 1/200 Nichimo Yamato costs something around £120-£150 last time I looked, whereas there's a card kit for less than £40! Card kits aren't that difficult to build either, and you don't have to worry about messing them up with the paint job. They're already painted! You can still do extra detail weathering painting though, plus as much superdetaling as you see fit. There is another advantage to card kits, though this is probably pushing copyright. You can increase the scale by enlarged photocopies! My half-built 1/200 Mikasa is blown up from a 1/400 original. I sometimes think there's a bias against card kits in some parts of the modelling community, in all genres. I mean, when do you ever see reviews of card kits on general modelling websites or in magazines? Chris Tilley ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume