Subject: SMML VOL 2937 Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 14:21:20 +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 Paddle Steamer 2 Re Paddle Steamers in WWI &II 3 Model of Chinese Missile Destroyer Type 052B on ebay 4 Eye Enhancer 5 Patrol Frigate (Tacoma Class) 6 Squadron/Signal Publications quality control 7 Re Paddle Steamers in WWI &II 8 Re Paddlewheel warships 9 Re HMS BURWELL ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Subject Paddle Steamer >> books/articles that cover wartime Paddle Steamers? WWI and WWII. I remember something about a WWII Paddle driven aircraft carrier (!) on the Great Lakes (Fine Scale Modeller)? << Would that be the Wolverine? A Great Lakes pleasure cruiser converted to a training carrier. An article is about to be published I believe. You can check it here http//www.shipmodels.info/mwphpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3804&sid=259d2d4169b603c5ba29f405ac405478 It was scratch built and is a beauty. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Ouellette, Lawrence M" Subject Re Paddle Steamers in WWI &II Gary, This is not a book, but a link to a online article about a scratch built USS Wolverine, a Great Lakes side paddle wheeler converted to a training aircraft carrier http//www.modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/cv/IX-64/72-bw/wolverine.html It is a very well done model in 1/72 scale. Maybe the builder can help with references. Larry Ouellette Volunteer, USS Salem (CA 139) United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum Quincy, Massachusetts, USA http//www.uss-salem.org/ Pizza Fundraiser http//www.bostonsbestpizza.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Jimmy Bloom" Subject Model of Chinese Missile Destroyer Type 052B on ebay I thought this might be of interest. http//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6977251803&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 The seller (whom I've purchased from before and trust) tells me that the models are made by the shipyard making the originals. The models were intended for export as prestige items --- the PRC is quite proud of it's new blue water navy and likes to tout it to the world. But political considerations held up marketing for several months and they are just now being sold outside China. The ships are Guangzhou class after the lead ship of the two...the second, represented by the model, is the Wuhan. I believe that the Chinese name these ships after the shipyards making them. They represent the latest phase of the PLAN's extension of their "defense perimeter" and possibly could, along with the missile frigates, auxiliaries, oilers, etc. constitute a carrier battle group if rumors about the Chinese flattops are true. Last year, PRC model makers were selling an all brass 1200 scale models of the Luhai class DDGs for around $800 a copy. I wonder how long it will be before Dragon or Panda comes out with a kit of this ship or the modified air defense version...the 052C. Anyhow, nice looking ships/models. Jim Bloom Silver Spring, MD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From Subject Eye Enhancer I have been noticing with interest these goggle affairs to help with modelling. My 12 year old is desperate to build models like his dad, but he is severely restricted in his eyesight and simply cannot see the detail. We have tried an angle poise lamp with built in magnifier but he kept getting tangled in it and complained it distorted perspective when used with his glasses and not powerful enough without. I have not been able to locate any sold locally to try but I can order one. Anyone on the list wearing high magnifying glasses already and using one of these goggles? Do they work together? Any recommendations? Better alternatives? Be very appreciative of any advice at all, the low vision clinic only have hand held stuff or reading aids, we have tried them all. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From Steve2316@aol.com Subject Patrol Frigate (Tacoma Class) Does anyone have any information on which patrol frigates were converted to weather ships by removing the after 5-inch gun mount and which yards did the conversion? Thanking you..........Steve ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From EDITOR Subject Squadron/Signal Publications quality control This is in response to Tim Reynaga's comments about poor photo reproduction in our publications. This morning I checked the sample photos that he listed, and I agree that some could possibly have been done a bit better. However, please keep in mind that, almost without exception, the photos used in our publications are supplied by the author(s), and while we can ask for better photos, in many cases what we get is all there is, and there is only so much that can be done with Photoshop without making the image even worse. I am also aware of several manuscripts submitted to us that have been returned and book projects that have been cancelled because the images were of poor quality. Tim also notes a couple of photos that have been reproduced better in other publications, and upon checking, I agree with him. However, keep in mind that many (most?) of the photos of WW II USN ships available today are copies of those held by the Naval History Office or the National Archives, both of which use private contractors to fill orders for their photos. The quality of those reproductions vary widely, as do those available from foreign sources. Now, having thrown down those disclaimers, I will reiterate that we are committed to quality of our publications. I am a historian by education and came to this job from a newspaper, and I personally am committed to (1) factual accuracy, (2) readability, (3) consistency of style, and (4) correct punctuation and grammar. Our artists are committed to accuracy of their line and color art. We are all committed to good photo reproduction. But keep in mind, too, that all books (not just ours) are produced to a budget, and if any publisher were to take the time to produce a perfect book, no reader could afford to purchase it. But I promise to keep a close eye on all our publications to make sure that they satisfy our readers. If they don't, we're all out of a job. All your suggestions for improvements are welcome. Michael McMurtrey Editor, Squadron/Signal Publications ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Doug Wilde" Subject Re Paddle Steamers in WWI &II For the ships of CQTU out of Chicago, USS WOLVERINE (IX64) and USS SABLE (IX81), I suggest the two part article in March and April 2000 issues of Sea Classics Salvaging the Warbirds of the Paddle-Wheel Carriers and Air Classics (42) Battle of Lake Michigan The Story of the U.S. Navy's Landlocked Carrier Fleet Also look at The SEEANDBEE in James Clary's "Ladies of the Lakes II", unfortunately out of print. For video you need a copy of Top Guns of '43 produced by WTTW out of Chicago. Some nice interviews and footage of flight activies aboard the USS WOLVERINE. Paul M. Somers' Lake Michigan's Aircraft Carriers is a supreme disappointment. It has some nice photographs, but the text is minimal and no primary research done. Buy the video. Doug Wilde PS. They were aircraft training vessels, never carriers, hence the IX rather than CV designation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From אלישע Subject Re Paddlewheel warships The USN operated SABLE and WOLVERINE, converted paddlewheel steamers, as training carriers on the Great Lakes during WW II. They had no regular air group. Pilots flew from land bases to practice landing and take-off from thier inprovised flight decks which were about the size of an escort carrier. The Royal Navy made much more extnsive use of paddle wheel vessels during that war. Many ships taken up for emergency military service were employed as minesweepers or armed as auxiliary anti-aircraft platforms for either harbor defense or coastal convoy escort. The minesweepers are particularly interesting because many were survivors of an entire class buit for the purpose for the RN in the first world war. Royal Fleet Auxiliary paddle wheel tugboats survived in service well into the post-war years. I believe some were still around till 1960 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From אלישע Subject Re HMS BURWELL There are two interesting photos of this ship in the World Ship Society booklet "The Towns" by Arnold Hague. The first shows her just after, or possibly in the middle of, receiving the standard, first stage, modifications, mainmast removed, foremast shortened, aft torpedo tubes removed, after 3" and 4" guns removed and replaced by a 12 pdr AA. RN DC throwers added and storage increased and Britsh ASDIC (Sonar) fitted.. The ship was repainted in a near standard pattern based on the Western Approaches scheme. colors, in general, were WA blue, WA green, and White. The special addition to the ex=USN destroyers included a white triangular inclination panel on the bow, and two bits of Black intended to shorten the apparant length (or direction of movement) of the ship. One dark bit was located just forward of the after deck house, and the other, simulating the bow of a ship, complete with white bow wave, angled down from the forward gun. The gun, itself, including shield, was also black. Pennant number H94 was in Black on the hull, and both sides of the fantail. Pattern would be identical on both sides. The second picture, taken later, shows the three after funnels shortened, a 286 radar added, and extra 20mm guns, But the entire paint scheme has been redone! The pattern remains the same, including the black panels, but the main colors are reversed! What was originally white (except for the false bow wave) is now dark, and what was dark (WAG or WAB) is now light. I suspect that the colrs in this case are standard admiralty greys 507B and 507C and they were probably used because of a shortage of other paint in the yard when the last modifications were made. This was not uncommon at that stage of the war. There is a marked contrast between the white bow wave and the other main light color. reversed color patterns were used on other flush deckers that served in the Caribbean. (are there other opinions out there regarding the colors?) For accurate models, there is a difference in both appearance and camouflage, could be fun to do. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume