Subject: SMML VOL 2927 Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 10:59:32 +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 Kaiten victories 2 Re Graphics software 3 IJN Submarine Tenders ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Ives100@aol.com Subject Re Kaiten victories Ken, According to the book "The Japanese Submarine Force and World War II", there were several issues with the Kaiten. It was extremely difficult to manuever the 40 knot torpedo, and there were frequent accidents during training. In fact, one of the original propoenets of the manned torpedo, Lt Hiroshi Kuroki, was killed in such an accident during trials in 1944. The torpedoes were unstable, and the periscope fitted of limited use, and virtually useless at night. Also, the Kaiten was limited to 80 meters diving depth. There was also a disconnect between the actual on-the-scene submarine commander's effectiveness assessments, and the home naval staff assessments. The Gen operations entailed using the small manned torpedoes against US ships' anchorages. There were two Gen operations in which Kaitens were launched from submarines, and the launching submarine commanders complained about how difficult it was to successfully approach the protected targets close enough to launch the Kaitens. They recommended instead using the manned torpedoes against underway ships at sea, much like a regular torpedo attack (but with manned "guidance"). There is at least one operational report of a premature, but the overall high success claims appear to be largely due to staff exaggerations of attack success, at variance with the actual field experience. Tom Dougherty ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "DarekL" Subject Re Graphics software Besides software mentioned in previous messages you might consider GIMP. It's almost Photoshop equal package except is 100% free. Below a couple of websites to get you there. Good luck. http//gimp-win.sourceforge.net/ http//www.gimp.org/ Darius www.paperlab.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From Richa5011@aol.com Subject IJN Submarine Tenders Does anyone have information on the operations of the sub tenders in the IJN? Were they forward deployed to bases like Rabaul, Truk, Singapore, etc? If so, which ships were deployed to which locations? Nat Richards ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume