Subject: SMML VOL 2761 Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 02:46:14 +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 Alanger Russian Sub Models 2 Re Kriegsmarine figures in 1/72 scale 3 German captured RAF Vosper MTB 4 Re schnellboot 5 News from Toy Fair in NYC 6 Re U-Class Deck Gun 7 Nicholas Lambert's 1998 essay on the RN Battlecruiser Losses at Jutland - Thanks 8 Trumpeter Lexington = opinions? 9 Re Piorun - Van Gahlen 10 Re exploding Battlecruisers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Bill Bryant Subject Alanger Russian Sub Models For other SMMLies interested in submarines, by e-mail confirmed that these models are injection molded plastic in 1350 scale. As to distribution, Alanger advised that they're partnered w/ Creative Models in the U.K. [the cardboard model outfiit?]. Hannants supposedly was to place an order thru Creative, but that hasn't happened yet. Alanger also advised that they don't have a U.S. partner. Selling opportunity for WEM in the U.K. &/or one or more of our good U.S. hobby shops? Alanger's models of the Akula SSN [w/ apologies to YMW] & Typhoon SSBN look like they'd be the most accurate models of those boats currently available, & might therefore be reasonably good sellers-they're the current first line boats in the Russian Navy. Although the Alanger model of the Delta IV might be of less popular interest, to my knowledge no other model of this SSBN is available in any scale. Personally, I've got YMW's Akula sitting on my closet shelf waiting to be built, but I'd buy the Typhoon & the Delta IV. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Chris Hughes" Subject Re Kriegsmarine figures in 1/72 scale Revell-Germany have just announced a set of Kriegsmarine figures, designed to be used on their Schnellboot and U-Boot kits. They've been pretty well covered in reporting from the Nurnburg Toy Fair Due release in May 2005, 48 figures in the set. Chris ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Osvaldo Leandri" Subject German captured RAF Vosper MTB Does anyone have any info on British Vosper MTB's captured by the german in WWII? Thank you, Oz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From Wardleh@aol.com Subject Re schnellboot hi guys to the chap looking for 1/72 scale german navy figures try a company called cmk website www.czechmasterskits.cz they do a range for the 1/72 u-boat and e boat by revell. good luck and happy modelling dave ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "shaya novak" Subject News from Toy Fair in NYC 1] I spoke to DML pertaining to new items they had on display a new full hull Essex class carrier (what the industry really needs) the detail was that of a Skywave kit. The small guns and radar were superbe for a plastic kit. 2] PANDA IS GONE THE COMPANY WENT BELLY UP. 3] Otherwise same ole stuff Revell/Germany has a new modern German sub coming out. 4] We started shipping USS Reagan models today. The Captain at - Totalnavy.com www.totalnavy.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "David N. Lombard" Subject Re U-Class Deck Gun From "David N. Lombard" >> Also, I'm looking for a relatively clear picture of the (3", 10 pdr, 76mm) deck gun of the British U-class, or, more specifically ORP Sokol (ex HMS Urchin) or ORP Dzik. Dzik was later the Danish U1, "Springeren" << Answering my own request, Geoff Chalcraft, who runs "British Submarines of World War Two", at http//web.ukonline.co.uk/chalcraft/sm/ww2sm2.html has been wonderfully helpful, providing high-resolution images from his website and elsewhere. Thanks Geoff! David N. Lombard Rossmoor, Orange County, CA http//www.fourmilab.ch/cgi-bin/uncgi/Earth?imgsize=320&opt=-z&lat=33.8&ns=North&lon=118.08&ew=West&alt=7&img=learth.evif ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Joy and Nick Rogers" Subject Nicholas Lambert's 1998 essay on the RN Battlecruiser Losses at Jutland - Thanks Greetings, SMML is wonderful. Thanks to a fellow SMML reader I now have a copy of the Lambert's eye popping essay on the Grand Fleet's and in particular the Battlecruiser Fleet's dodgey cordite handling methods. Also that the ships were crammed with overloads of extra ammunition. Admiral Sir John Jellicoe's part in suppressing the initial reports blaming poor cordite handling for the loss of Indefatigable, Queen Mary & Invincible was most unexpected. Admiral Beatty's devotion to rapid fire rates rather than accuracy and safe cordite storage appears to have been disasterous. Cheers, Nick Rogers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From "Michael Smith" Subject Trumpeter Lexington = opinions? Anyone have any opinions on the accuracy of the new Trumpeter Lexington? I haven't compared the online review photos to the books, but the tripod portion of the island looks a little simplified (I may be wrong - just initial impression). The flight deck looks like it is missing a lot of details, but I'm comparing it to the original 1922 builder's plans, and I don't know to what extent the deck details (gutters, tie-downs, etc.) was changed. I know the bow was completely rebuilt in 1936 or 1937, and the landing system was changed after she was initially designed, so maybe the deck was as well. Just not sure. I drew a complete set of plans about twelve years ago to scratchbuilt in 1/350 scale based on the original 1922 construction blueprints, but it never went anywhere, and I'm not sure what changes were made by May 1942 that I may have missed. But it looks like a really, really impressive piece of work. And especially for the price. But I agre with one reviewer's "cons" that "you need a bigger house." But for a 1942 Lexington, I don't mind - I have always liked the way that ship looked. Michael Smith Marshall, Texas ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From "Chris and Kayo Amano-Langtree" Subject Re Piorun - Van Gahlen >> First, this forum is the greatest! Christopher Amano ­ Langtree was kind enough to provide more info on the naming of this ship. The name Noble was definitely mentioned in a much earlier post from another member. Forgive my ignorance, but what was the "Van Gahlen"? << Hi Tom The JKN class consisted of 24 ships, 3 leaders and 21 ordinary destroyers. Whilst the J and K classes were Royal Navy manned the N class was entirely manned by other navies. Hence Piorun by the Polish Navy, Napier, Nestor, Nizam, Norman and Nepal by the Australian navy and the two Dutch destroyers. These were actually purchased from the Royal Navy by the Dutch government in exile after a fund raising drive. The two ships were N class destroyers due to be named Nonpareil and Noble. However on buying them the Dutch could chose whichever name they wanted. So Noble became Van Galen and Nonpareil was named Tjerk Hiddes both important figures from Dutch naval history. Van Galen was also the name of a previous Dutch destroyer lost during the defence of Rotterdam against the Germans. As the Dutch ships were purchased they remained with the Dutch navy after WW2 and Van Galen actually served during the Korean war. Tjerk Hiddes eventually became the flagship of the Indonesian navy (1951) and was renamed Gadjah Mada. Christopher Amano-Langtree ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From "Andy Airlie" Subject Re exploding Battlecruisers Recommend everyone reads the link to CPO Alexander Grant's memoirs, fantastic insight to a bygone era. Cheers, Andy Airlie ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume