Subject: SMML VOL 2938 Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 00:15:37 +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 Refreshing to be back! 2 Paddle Tugs 3 US mag & CF modellers 4 Re Eye Enhancer 5 Kamikazi motor boat 6 Re Eye Enhancer 7 HMS Burwell 8 Re Paddle Steamers of the USN ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "John Lambert" Subject Refreshing to be back! Hello to you ALL. Contrary to what some friends abroad have suggested, I have NOT been put down. Margaret and I have moved about 3.6 miles to a new "Park Home". I have read that a move can be very stressful. In theory ours should have been straightforward - But. We moved out of No 24 on 1st July as per our contract. Our new Park Home was up, the new turf laid and only awaited the connection of the main services. Water, Electricity and Gas. WE anticipated a wait of about 10-14 days! Very fortunately we have a mobile home up in Norfolk which saved on the cost of a hotel or B & B. Half way through July we started to get excited. We were then informed that British Gas had lost the paperwork in a company shuffle, so the plot would need to be re-assessed. By the end of the month we were informed that the gas man had attended, but he had not brought the correct, meter - But he would return, with the right one! Having paid for our home we decided to return, and put up with the slight delay. We drove back on 2nd August and signed the papers. (But still no gas). (I was shaving from the electric kettle and having cold baths). After more telephone calls to British Gas, we were repeatedly promised that the job would be completed ASAP. It took until the 9th August. (I was NOT impressed). We ordered our new telephone line on 3rd August. We were given a connection date of 24th or 25th August. On that date we received a call from B/T that our line was up and running. Our internal line would be installed the next week. When he came he was most helpful, but informed us that our line was NOT working. We had been connected to the wrong exchange and the number I had been given (and passed on to friends and relatives) did NOT apply. We were given a new number. The good news is that all the "White" bits in the kitchen are in place and plumbed in. Net curtains and most lamp shades are up. Two new door bells, and the pictures are up. WE ARE NOW SETTLED IN. This machine is up and running, my drawing board is back in commission and I hope to set up a NEW Web Site in the near future. (With some help). Our New address is 6 Chestnut Close, Pine View Park, Maulden, Bedford, MK45 2FR. The new number (honest) is 01525 864862. My plans chest is full of drawings, (to sell) and I will be selling some of my library to make space. I hope to attend both the Warwick and Telford exhibitions. Yours "Aye" John Lambert ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From Subject Paddle Tugs >> 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 << Later than that! The paddle tugs were still in service when I joined up in 1978, I was told they were needed to get carriers in and out of port in Plymouth, there were two of them and they used to look a grand sight churning up the Sound in their black and orange livery. I think one was Industrious and the other was something similar. Sadly I don't seem to have ever pointed a camera at them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "roger pearson" Subject US mag & CF modellers Greetings fellow Aussie based SMMLers, 1. Can anyone help with locating the new US ship modelling magazine, (only released this year and called 'Warship Modeler' I think) is it available here and if so, where? 2. Are there any others here in OZ keen about modelling 'Allied Coastal Forces', both WW2 and WW1? Roger Pearson. Bendigo -- 03 5447 8693 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Gary Mansfield" Subject Re Eye Enhancer Hi Michael, Being disabled myself (two-stem stroke), will your local eyesight shop suggest anything? Ours in the UK are very helpful. My Grandma is 90 years old and they have given her (well sold) some very good tools, yes I known they are hand held, but can you not fix up some special clamp to the workbench? I known the SMML Think Tank will come up with something! All the best Gary Mansfield ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "RAY MEHLBERGER" Subject Kamikazi motor boat Just a quick question. Is there a model kit available of the kamikazi motor boat, used by the Japanese at Okinawa? Ray ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From Mike Settle Subject Re 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. << My 55 year old eyes are very near sighted. If I remove my glasses I can see for about two feet or so, which is OK for modeling. I bought an Optivisor several years ago. It is great for seeing fine detail such as photo-etch and adding bare metal foil. (yes, I do car models, too.) You can get additional lenses to change the magnification. The one I have magnifies 2x, but you can get lenses from 1.5x to 4x if I remember correctly. Your depth of field will change with the magnification, so additional lenses may work just fine to allow your son different working ranges. I have read that some other brands have a bit of distortion, so I would stick with the Optivisor if possible. Mike Settle ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Jill Ferreira" Subject HMS Burwell Hi, A quick question some what off the subject, can anyone tell me if and when White Ensign plans to put out their 1/350 scale kit of the HMS Burwell? Bob ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject Re Paddle Steamers of the USN The sternwheelers Delta King and Delta Queen also served the USN in WW2, as receiving ships, ferrys, and emergency hospital transports, around San Francisco Bay. One idea I came up with was a "what-if" of them as combat vessels, armored and armed to fight on inland waterways, landing troops on riverbanks. -) Joe Poutre ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume