Subject: SMML VOL 2965 Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2005 02:46:33 +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 RN Type 12 Frigates 2 Seeking sources of plans for A-I class destroyers 3 Re Revell Germany Essex class carrier 4 Parting Shots ... 5 WorldNetDaily New Chinese subs add to threat ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information 1 So. California Model Contest ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "anthony jackson" Subject RN Type 12 Frigates I've been following recenty discussions with interest so I thought I'd throw my two-bobs worth in; I served as a stoker on two type 12's HMS Brighton & the "derry" through just about all sea states and weather conditions and it has to be said life was bearable even in the worst harry roughers... That said the hull had one major flaw; in later life they started to crack !!, on a line aft of the funnel! It certainly made life interesting when it rained between decks from an inch wide hole in the deckhead; at the time the buzz was that the older leanders had similiar problems which is why some paid off quicker than expected. They tried to repair our crack but a few minutes out of Guz, there was an almighty bang and the weld split!!...the chippy did try to fix it with maskers to no avail ) After much searching I have taken ownership of a 1/96th scale type 12 hull from cammett ltd and have started building HMS Londonderry circa 1984, at that time derry was fitted with experimental "pump jet" propellors, if anyone has plans/drawings or photo's of these I'd be most grateful. Jacko p.s sorry for the slang, I always was anchor-faced ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Reid, John (AFIT)" Subject Seeking sources of plans for A-I class destroyers Many SMMLies are aware of the Mountford Metal Ships range of 1/1200 models, which are sold as kits and as painted models by other SMMLies. These include both WW2 and modern subjects; the quality of moulding and the accuracy of the original are impressive. The range includes RN Tribal and J/K/N destroyers. I am trying to persuade Mountford’s proprietor to do a model of the RN “A-I” class destroyers built in the 1920s and 30s. Yes, I know that the hulls varied in length by about 10 feet (0.1”) and that there were differences in outline, especially for I class forebridge, various fit-outs and numerous wartime mods, and yes I have small-scale drawings. Precisely because there were many variants, I am interested in acquiring a significant number for my own collection, but I am not interested in selling them. Questions 1. What I seek is (good quality) large-scale drawings which could be used as basis for mould research. National Maritime Museum is an obvious possibility, but are there any other sources? Are there museum-quality models of any of these vessels in any collection which SMMLies know, e.g. perhaps in Glasgow? 2. I know that there are few small-scale anoraks on this list, but if Mountford DO do such a model, is anyone else interested apart from Martin and Duncan who are established Mountford dealers? Off-list or on-list replies welcome to either question – email address above. John Reid Rome ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From David Wells Subject Re Revell Germany Essex class carrier wrote >> Has anyone heard anything more about the proposed reissue of the Revell SCB-27/SCB-125 Essex class carrier by Revell Germany? It is really going to happen? When? What air group will be included? << I've heard no word on this at all. When and if it does happen, we can only hope that they can do either the original airwing with A-4 Skyhawks and F-8 Crusaders, or maybe one of the spacecraft recovery sets. The "trainer" airwing that we've seen for the last several reissues is pretty bad, IMHO. I'm not holding my breath while waiting for the re-issue. "There seems to be something wrong | David R. Wells with our bloody ships today" | Adm. D. Beatty, May 31, 1916 | http//home.att.net/~WellsBrothers/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From Ned Barnett Subject Parting Shots ... Our recent discussion here about FAA aircraft got me interested - so yesterday I bought "Fleet Air Arm - British Carrier Aviation, 1939-1945" by Ron Mackay - and today I read it cover to cover. Fascinating stuff - I had no idea, for instance, that by late 43, US-built fighters had all but replaced every British-designed fighter on their carriers except for the Seafire - an excellent plane with short legs and wobbly knees, but a superior short-range CAP fighter. Also, I had no idea that the Avenger was superseding the Barracuda on their carriers, even while the Barracuda was still in production. Some of that (in the Pacific) was no doubt to ease supply and replacement issues, but I was impressed that the Brits used the Wildcat, Hellcat and Corsair at D-Day/Normandy - and even launched the Wildcat to fly escort for the Tirpitz strikes in late-summer '44, going up against the Germans (Corsairs also flew those missions, and Hellcats might have - but that was not clear). I was also surprised to learn that the Fulmar was transitioned from fighter to army liaison and recon by the time of Torch, and that all the combat fighters there were Wildcats (OK, "Martlets") and Seafires. BTW - the book gave two performance figures for the Fulmar - 280mph as the "book value" and 256mph as the "practical" value on top-speed. But it did say that the Fulmar repeatedly performed better-than-expected against Italian and German bombers. Part of this, it seems, is that unlike most USN and FAA strike missions, the Axis pilots could be "deflected" by fighter opposition - they'd salvo their bombs and beat-feet for home as soon as they started taking losses. This was very unlike the FAA, which pushed home Stringbag strikes (against the Scharnhorst and company in '42) even against spirited Bf-109 opposition, or like the USN and "Torpedo 8" (in both cases, all the torpedo planes were lost, but none of them turned back). Mostly, though, I was surprised to learn that the Brits faced far more fighter-protected air strikes than we'd discussed here. For instance, at least three strikes against the Pedestal convoy were escorted by Bf-109s and Italian fighters - and RN carriers faced both Bf-109s and Bf-110s escorting strikes against the PQ/QP convoys in '42. Again, however, even with fighter support, the Luftwaffe bomber crews apparently didn't have the sand to push through to the convoys (even with fighter cover) as long as even relatively weak FAA opposition was present. In one Pedestal air strike, 100 bombers supported by 40 Bf-109s (the Italian fighters carried small anti-personnel bombs intended to take out flight-deck crews, so were counted as "bombers") were turned back, short of the convoy, by just 20 FAA fighters, a mixed bag of Martlets and Fulmars. BTW - this book is one of the Squadron-Signal books, lots of photos, including one of a very early escort carrier in RN service (HMS Avenger) with a three-tone deck camouflage that looked for all the world like something the French in '40 would slap on one of their Morane Saulnier fighters (or one of their Souma tanks). Does anybody know if this ship is the same class as the USS Bogue, or of any other escort carrier for which a kit is made? I'd love to model that flight deck! Ned Barnett ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From JRKutina@webtv.net (John Kutina) Subject WorldNetDaily New Chinese subs add to threat http//www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=46848 Regards, John Kutina ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Richa5011@aol.com Subject So. California Model Contest IPMS Orange County would like to extend a formal invitation you to join us at this year's IPMS Region 8 Regional Contest - OrangeCon 2005. OrangeCon 2005 will take place this coming Sunday, October 16th and will be held at the Wyndham Anaheim Hotel (Formerly called the Anaheim Park Hotel) located at 222 West Houston Avenue, Fullerton, California. This is located immediately off the Riverside (91) Freeway at Harbor Blvd. The doors open to the public at 900am, Model Contest Registration closes at 1130am, Contest Judging begins at Noon and ends about 200pm (the contest room is closed during that time). The Awards Presentation begins at 330pm and should end before 500pm. The vendor room will be open from 900am to 430pm. The contest itself should prove to be quite an event. Last year's OrangeCon featured nearly 500 model entries, making it one of the largest contests in this part of the country. We anticipate that this year's event will be larger still. Along with 45 Contest Categories, OrangeCon 2005 will feature two special parallel contest themes Best 1950's Subject - Any subject as it appeared in the 1950's Best Disney Subject - Any subject related to Disney - Parks, Movies, TV, etc You can see additional information on OrangeCon 2005 on our website at www.ipmsoc.org We hope you can make some time in your day to join us at Southern California's premier model contest! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume