Subject: SMML VOL 2810 Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 01:16:13 +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 PANDRAGONDML 2 AKA Definition and Ship Design Types 3 USS Pueblo 4 Angled deck Intrepid 5 Re PANDA DML....and ESSEX angled deck.... 6 Re PANDA DML....and ESSEX angled deck.... 7 Re Trumpeter Saratoga 8 HMS Ark Royal 9 Trumpeter to do Saratoga 10 1700 Essex PE boat cranes? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From beyondsun@mindspring.com Subject PANDRAGONDML Hey, Ray! Thanks for reminding us who I'd heard was going to come up with a 1/350 scale angled-deck Essex. Now, could you please tell them to re-release their 1/700 scale Soviet Delta-III boomer? Or, better yet, do it up in 1/350 scale - to go with their Hampton (688), Ohio and Alfa, etc.; I predict such a cool-looking Soviet boat would sell very well. At least, here's one vote! Will you pass it along for me (us), buddy? Cheers, Matty ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "William B. Smallshaw" Subject AKA Definition and Ship Design Types Ken, You are correct, there were AKAs that were of the C2-S-B1 design type, the Andromeda class. The later was the design type of the ship assigned by the US Maritime Commission the former is the US Navy designation for the "function" of the ship. The Navy initially started WWII with cargo ships, designated AK. These ships were configured for carrying maximum tonnage. During operation Torch (North Africa landing) it was realized that maximum tonnage did not necessarily make for rapid availability of cargo. The Navy set about creating designs for ships that could be off loaded rapidly for amphibious operations. These ships did not efficiently carry cargo but were loaded in an order that the cargo was required during a specific operation. These ships were called attack cargo ships, AKAs. The Navy had numerous AKAs constructed from varying ship designs. Those that I am aware of were Converted merchant men originally designated AKs C1-M-AV1 C2-S-B1 C2-S-AJ3 S4-SE2-BE1 I also seem to recall a couple of C1 types (different ship from the C1-M-AV1) being defined as AKAs, but do not see these documented. The US Navy disliked the C1 in this role, but the Royal Navy found them to be very useful. I believe Pueblo was a C1-M-AV1, but I need to verify that fact. I hope this clarifies the role and types of the AKAs. Bill ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "William B. Smallshaw" Subject USS Pueblo In a previous post I stated that the USS Pueblo was a C1-M-AV1 type. This is incorrect, the Pueblo was converted from an Army Supply Ship, FS-344. At 700 tons displacement and 180 feet in length this army vessel was much smaller than a C1-M-AV1. Of interest Pueblo was originally commissioned as am AKL, subsequently changed to a AGER. I do not find references to AKLs in WWII cargo vessel designations. The AKL must be a post war designation. Can anyone shed light on the use of the AKL designation? Bill ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From Mark McKellar Subject Angled deck Intrepid >> Panda has pushed back the 350th angled deck ESSEX because they want to release it in 700 scale FIRST as the INTREPID. << Yeah! 'bout time! Mark Boston ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From AAA Hobby Supply Subject Re PANDA DML....and ESSEX angled deck.... >> PANDA is not dead. Some rumor started a couple months ago..... << The main source of the rumor being the fact that all distributors in the US and Japan have removed all of their future releases from the catalog HobbyLink Japan, Rainbow Ten, Stevens, Squadron, Sentai, Legacy, Hobbytyme, etc. Their absence at the fall hobby shows this past year was also a very good sign they are gone. Dragon was there but they didn't manage to bring a single item of the catalog of one of their divisions. It doesn't matter if they are dead or not. If they cannot produce a single kit (of about 100) from a list released in 2002 by 2005 they are functionally dead. They have even failed to follow through on promised decal variants of existing kits in the last year. I hope Dragon can manage to resuscitate the lifeless body of this division, they really had some neat items in the megalist they promised us years ago, not all of them ships. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Steven P. Allen" Subject Re PANDA DML....and ESSEX angled deck.... >> PANDA is not dead. Some rumor started a couple months ago..... PANDA, DML, DRAGON, all the same company, different boxes go out different back doors. Panda has pushed back the 350th angled deck ESSEX because they want to release it in 700 scale FIRST as the INTREPID. Good plan. Get more sales in first, see how it goes. Forthcoming ESSEX kits are late war Short and Long Hulls, names not released yet. Panda is healthy and strong. I talk to them every day. Their web site really does need updated and I have suggested that strongly. I am not an employee or agent for them, but have been a consultant for/with them and its ongoing, for over a year now and assisted in launching the ESSEX kits. RANDOLPH early war fit is due out in a month with SB2Cs and TBFs. << Mea Culpa, Ray, and I'm glad to hear it. Still, I'm very anxious about the 1/350 release. I suppose 1/700 sells more, so it makes sense, but I've gotten to where I really limit my kit purchases, and I stick with 1/350. I hope nothing about this marketing plan deters the 1/350 release! Tell them that there IS interest. Thanks for the info! Steve Allen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Allan and Crystal Plumb" Subject Re Trumpeter Saratoga Trumpeter claims to be planning a 1/350 Saratoga. No date seen yet. As always, if you want to make it appear sooner, start work on a conversion... I, myself, have Lexington and plan to build her that way. Of course, maybe I'll convert her to the pre-war configuration... Allan "not always battleships" Plumb ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From MOR <54mor@012.net.il> Subject HMS Ark Royal Hi Modelers Thank you all for the help. I hope that in the near future I will post in progress pictures. One last question - was the deck green, or grey all over? Thank for the help S. Mor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From "Ed Grune" Subject Trumpeter to do Saratoga In SMML 2809 Victor asked if Trumpeter was planning on doing a 1350 scale Saratoga. In the New Kit report in April's Fine Scale Modeler, Trumpeter is indeed planning on doing a Saratoga. There was no date listed. Trumpeter historically does not announce a release date until about 90 days before the fact. That announcement has not been made so you are looking at a late-summer/early-fall release date at the earliest. Ed Grune Mansfield, TX ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From Ken Durling Subject 1700 Essex PE boat cranes? Anyone know of a PE set that includes the boat cranes? I suppose it's possible these same cranes were used on another class of ship? Ken ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume