Subject: SMML VOL 2939 Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 00:15:34 +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 eye enhancers 2 Kit survey 3 Micro-Mark 4 THE GAS MAN COMETH 5 PADDLE TUGS 6 Re Graphics software 7 Eye Enhancer 8 Re Paddlewheel warships 9 HMS Burwell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Ron Crawford Subject Re eye enhancers A couple of vision notes from another modeller in his advanced youth. I second the Optivisor suggestion. 1)The value of magnifying visors can be enhanced with a variety of lenses sold by hobby, craft, and professional suppliers. The basic choices in the same general ballpark are visors, loupes, ring magnifiers (often sold with built in lights and mounted on table lamp bases), and inexpensive binocular assembly microscopes. 2. Before spending a lot more, look closely at your task lighting. For exacting detail work a couple of 50W halogen desk lamps with flexible arms will do wonders for apparent visual acuity. Just watch the heat from those puppies. The bulbs get extremely hot and can inflict serious burns, melt plastics, and start fires. 3) The next level of precision, cost, and reduced fatigue comes with looking at the tools offered to folks who do fine detail work for a living. I recommend suppliers to the jeweler trade like Romanoff and Rio Grande – note also that the catalogs and web sites are filled with wondrous items that can also be used by hobbyists. Suppliers to the pattern making trade like Freeman, and the electronics industry seems to have another cluster of useful sources. Your local entré will probably be your optometrist or opthamologist. He or she will be prescribing for dentists, surgeons, medical-dental technicians, and others who have special occupational optical needs. 4) It is also wise to check with your eye specialist on whether and how to use your everyday spectacles with various vision aids. Just as “reading” and “computer” lenses can be handy, it may be helpful to have something similar for close up, fine detail work. Ron ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Frank Stile" Subject Kit survey Fine Scale Modeler's magazine web site has a survey about what new model subjects are wanted. This is a good time to put a plug in for those ships (or other wingy or crawly things) you always wanted to be produced. Frank Stile Canyon Lake, Texas ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Loren Pike" Subject Micro-Mark Michael, Try www.micromark.com for an "eye enhancer". They are an on-line/mail order "small tool" company that has several magnifiers that fit on either glasses (like jewelers lupes) or on your head and flip down over your glasses. Search their site and you may find what you want HTH Loren A. Pike ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From HGYL@aol.com Subject THE GAS MAN COMETH Ah, John, with acknowledgments to Flanders and Swan, it all makes work for the working man to do! Nice to hear from you again at long last and best wishes in your new home. Regards to all, Yours aye, Harold Lincoln ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From HGYL@aol.com Subject PADDLE TUGS The last paddle tugs in service with the RN were the Director class, built in the late 1950s. They were indeed designed specifically for handling aircraft carriers. The last one, "Forceful" lasted until 1980. There was one in service at Gibralter as recently as 1978 when I called there but I cannot remember which one. "Model Boats" magazine produced a detailed plan of the class and ran an extremely well illustrated series on building a model of the class in 1980. Regards to all, Yours aye, Harold Lincoln ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Rick Nelson" Subject Re Graphics software Tim Wrote >> Another excellent little program is Expression 3, which I downloaded from the Microsoft site; Uncle Bill bought the company he was so impressed, apparently.... Go to http//www.microsoft.com/products/expression/previous/expression3_home.aspx for more details, tutorials and download. Free! << I followed up on his advice and found out that the URL he gave is no longer in existance. However, searching for Expression on the Microsoft web site I came up with http//www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/default.aspx It doesn't say what Uncil Bill now sells Expression Graphic Designer for yet. It was just announced in a press release on 9/14. Rick Nelson "Damn the Pressure, Six-Zero feet!" "Boomers Hide With Pride" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From Skyking918@aol.com Subject Eye Enhancer I, too, have an Optivisor which I only bought about a month ago, but I don't know how I ever got along without it. Mine has the #3 lens with a 14-inch focal length, which I have found to be the best all-around magnification. I also got the Optiloupe, which attaches to the same mounting hold for the lens plate and magnifies another 2 1/2 times (one eye only, but no reason you couldn't add a second). There's also a clip-on battery-powered light available. My wife says I look like the Emperor of the Nerds wearing the ensemble, but I won't part with it after using it a few times. Shameless plug We sell the Optivisor and all accessories at Squadron! Buy one so I can keep my job and produce more ships 'in Action' and 'On Deck' books! Michael McMurtrey Editor, Squadron/Signal Publications Carrollton, Texas ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From "Doug Wilde" Subject Re Paddlewheel warships The flight decks on USS WOLVERINE and USS SABLE were not improvised, rather as close to standard navy issue as could be mounted on the hulls. They were fitted with standard arresting gear, barriers, and yielding elements drawn from NSDs. The USS SABLE was the first real testbed for the Navy for all steet flight decks. BuShips decided 19 November 1942, during conversion from SS Greater Buffalo to USS SABLE, to forego the usual wood flight deck for one of steel. The Navy incorporated two designs in the flight deck, a "standard Navy" and the Roberston design, to see which was stronger, more durable, and economical. This resulted in the further testing of non-skid coverings. After a fair amount of discussion (and unsolicited offers from manufacturers) at least five different coatings were initially installed in a checkerboard pattern. Weather caused a delay in applying some of these and that delayed the commissioning of the vessel. Non-skid coatings were replaced and new ones tested. Just take a look at photographs and you'll see. "Improvised"? No. "Experimental"? Yes, at least for the USS SABLE. Doug Wilde ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From "Chris Christenson" Subject HMS Burwell Funny how small a world it is. I manage the local hardware store in Burwell Nebraska, graduated from Burwell High (class of '79) and until 1996 lived there till we moved 16 miles south to accomodate my wife's job. I remember a picture of HMS Burwell hanging in the town library years ago. Not sure what happened to it. IIRC Burwell NE was named after a Union Officer from the Civil War era. Burwell's also the Outdoor Rodeo Capital of Nebraska--YeeeHaw! So if you're ever in Central Neb. look me up on the south side of the town square, Chris Christenson Ord/Burwell Nebraska ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume