Subject: SMML VOL 2800 Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2005 02:15:08 +1000 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 Pennant Numbers 2 Matson liner SS Mariposa 3 Scratch builders - railings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1 LCP MIDWAY now shipping ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Tim Stoneman Subject Re Pennant Numbers The confusion over aircraft carrier pennant numbers discussed in the last two or three SMMLs may be due to a misunderstanding of the Royal Navy's pennant number system. Before and during the Second World War, all Royal Navy vessels had an identifying system made up of pennant numbers, which had one or two components. These were used for signalling and also, on the smaller vessels, painted on the ship's side and stern for identification purposes. These two components were known as the flag superior and the flag inferior, for example COSSACK was F03 - flag superior 'F', with flags inferior '03'. Flags superior consisted of a letter or a number, some of which were changed before and during the war and were (generally) the same for all ships of the same type (see below). The flags inferior (usually two digits) were numbers, and identified the actual ship. The numbers themselves were apparently picked at random. It wasn't until well after the war that the larger ships 'wore' their pennant numbers on the hull (or, in the case of aircraft carriers, on the island sides) Exceptions to the last statement include some CVEs (escort carriers), which wore pennant numbers in the Pacific and East Indies in order to fit in with the USN system, and HMS CURACOA. Battleships and battlecruisers were given numbers without letters. These numbers were never painted on the sides of the ships. Heavy cruisers and wartime light cruisers also had only numbers. The older light cruisers started the war with flag superior I, changing to D in 1940. Most aircraft carriers had numbers without letters, although a few carriers started the war with I, which was changed to D in 1940. CVEs were given flag superior D. Smaller vessels were much more confusing, with, for example, destroyers wearing flag superiors F, G, H, I, L and R depending on which class they belonged to - and then some letters were changed in 1940! Those allocated to the British Pacific Fleet (BPF) wore D flag superior, with different numbers, again in order to fit in with the USN system, but reverted to R, G etc when they returned. They then, in 1947 (?) were changed to D (most using the original numbers) to fit in with the NATO system which was adopted a few years after the war, (except by the USN which retained its existing system of Hull Numbers (not pennant numbers)). Some of these flags superior were obvious - C = Cruiser, D = Destroyer etc. However, R = Aircraft Carrier is less so! As for COLOSSUS, her wartime pennant number was 15 (no flag superior); as ARROMANCHES she wore R95. Although I've seen no reference to her being 'R61', a change to R61, or perhaps just 61, is quite possible for Pacific ops, as VINDEX (already in the BPF) had previously been given R15. (VINDEX was D15, changed to R15 when she went to the BPF to avoid confusion with destroyers (HMAS NIZAM became D15).) A complicated saga! Tim Stoneman ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Paul Giltz" Subject Matson liner SS Mariposa I have long admired the looks of the Matson line's trio of sister ships built in the early 30's for their West Coast - Hawaii passenger route(SS Lurline/SS Mariposa/SS Monterey).Recently I found the Volume 1 -issue 1 "Ships in Scale" magazine from 1983 that had first sparked my interest in them. This had a great article with enough photos and scale drawings to make a scratch build of one of these ships seem possible. At the end of the "Ships in Scale" article there is a reference to - ..." a detailed account of the Mariposa's life appeared in the Spring and Summer 1975 issues of "Steamboat Bill" the publication of the Steamship Historical Society of America and was written by William J. Green. " The members of SMML seem to be able to locate nearly anything under the sun. Any thoughts on where I can find this material from "Steamboat Bill" ?? All three ships saw extensive troopship duty during WWII so you can arm them and paint them gray. ( or "colour" them "grey" ,across the pond.). One of them lasted long enough to be chartered by the USN in 1994 to house Navy personnel at Guantanimo , Cuba when the Navy was processing a lot of Haitian and Cuba refugees.It very nearly became a tourist ship in SanFrancisco but sank while under tow to the breakers in 2000. A long life for a liner, almost 70 years. (spell-check programs sure can be funny. mine suggested changing " sisterships" to " sisters hips"...) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From JRKutina@webtv.net (John Kutina) Subject Scratch builders - railings To those who need ship railings and have etched brass product stampings in their right scale, I suggest you try to check your hobby suppliers. The 2005 Walthers model railroad reference books have wooden structural shapes in right angles for a modest price. Northeastern scale lumber in structural shapes have 22" multi packs of 1/32" [$4.48] and 3/64" [$4.48]. I have used plastic railings from old kits to cast my own special railings. I simply glue the bottom of the railing to the right angle structural wood so that the rail bottom rests on the top of the wood piece - the angle facing inwards so that it will be a cap over the gunnel. I then can bend this entire piece as I need it and glue it to the ship sides. As I am into casting - I cast a store of 10" pieces to inventory. Arnold [RR manufacturer] used to make these available as a part for bridge railings, but they went bankrupt and were bought out and this part was dropped. You can make your own or cast them as you need them. To those who need a sample [1/16 scale] send me a self addresses envelope, stamped and I will send you a free sample. Regards, John Kutina ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "david angelo" Subject LCP MIDWAY now shipping To All, I've very pleased to announce that after a gestation period rivaling that of the Blue Whale, Loose Cannon's 1/700 USS Midway 1946 kit is now shipping! Pre orders to Bill Grunner at Pacific Front Hobbies& to Colpar Hobbies are now in the mail. Many thanks to those who pre ordered and have been waiting for their kit. This is one heck of a kit, with a laser cut Lexan flight deck, 12 each Helldiver & Corsair aircraft, 2 photo etch & 3 decal sheets to hold all the details (The deck edge elevator alone is 15 pieces of relief etched brass!!) Plus the usual comprehenive multi page instruction booklet. Markings & painting guide for FDR is also included. You can buy it direct from Loose cannon for $225, and I believe Bill Grunner is offering the kit for $210. I hope to have a built up version on our table at the Atlanta IPMS, see you there? Thanks to Everyone for their continued support, David Angelo Loose Cannon Productions East. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume