Subject: SMML VOL 3020 Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:51:00 +1100 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 Super Bug 2 Re Old US model kits 3 A Modeling Opportunity - DC-3s onboard the Philippine Sea 4 Re 1/35 scale Masterpiece Models' Program 5 converted LCM (6) Command and Communication Boat (CCB) 5 Re This model of a Submarine - What is it? 6 Re Jovial is Invincible 7 1/72 Plastic Models 8 Re 1/35 scale Masterpiece Models' Program 5 converted LCM (6) Command and Communication Boat (CCB) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1 Program 5 Command and Communication Boat ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From Subject Super Bug >> The strongest rational for continuing with "old" computers is the software issue. If you want to see some really ancient computers, go to a FAA Inroute Center. << I was shocked when I joined ESA (European Space Agency) years ago, I expected to find state of the art gear, but satellites and tracking systems were at least a decade behind. The rational and practicality were simple enough, it takes ten years to put a launch together, you don't want to extend that and put the whole mission at risk by trying to keep upgrading to the latest technology and introducing the latest bug. Six months after I started the then new Pentium some of us felt should have been incorporated into the latest project turned out to have the infamous floating point bug, it would have been a disaster for the mission had it been used instead of the proven 8080 based system specified. Another case in point is the Type 23 frigate, the first units sailed with no command and control system because it was decided to upgrade the system during build, the already completed older computers rotted on a scrap heap while we left trying to utilise MACs and PCs to desperately get some kind of system up while the promised new system went years behind and millions over budget. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "Rick Nelson" Subject Re Old US model kits When I saw this reference I immediately thought of a couple of old wooden kits my father had that I built. This was back around '56. I was 12 and my father had just passed away. In rummaging around in his stuff I came across two wooden kits, a Jeep and a Sherman? tank. I think they were 1/16 or possibly 1/8 scale (everything looked big when you were 12!) and the wood was much more substantial than balsa. I specifically remember when I built the tracks for the tank they started off with a brown paper strip with glue on one side, kind of like the old brown paper tape used to wrap packages. The track blocks were attached by moistening the paper tape and then the tape was looped to form a continuous set of tracks. I have no idea who made the kits or when my father obtained them. It would be a kick to see one of them again. The reference "Old US model kits" also reminds me of the Monogram balsa wood kits with plastic bit features that I built in the '50s, specifically a P-51 and a F-80. They were most likely in the range of 1/32. My cousin and I used to argue about whether to sand the leading and trailing edges of the wings/stabilizers or not. I couldn't convince him that the leading edges had to be rounded and the trailing edges tapered, he was lazy and bigger than me! However, his planes sure looked stupid! That balsa sure absorbed a lot of silver paint!! Another great find if I could. Does anyone else remember such kits or am I "out to lunch"! Rick Nelson "Damn the Pressure, Six-Zero feet!" "Boomers Hide With Pride" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Robert Mosher" Subject A Modeling Opportunity - DC-3s onboard the Philippine Sea I'm watching a 1948 documentary "The Secret Land" about "Operation Highjump" - the US Navy expedition to Antarctica. As part of the expedition, Adm Byrd had Navy DC-3s (RD-4s?) craned aboard the carrier USS Philippine Seas, which then carried them as deck cargo to Antarctica. They were then launched from the carrier and flown to the bases being set up in Antarctica. Thought I would pass the word to anyone adventurous enough to want to try their hand at this. Robert A. Mosher ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Re 1/35 scale Masterpiece Models' Program 5 converted LCM (6) Command and Communication Boat (CCB) Masterpiece Models at http//www.masterpiecemodels.com , has released their latest 1/35 scale Riverine craft of the 56 foot Program 5 converted LCM (6) Command and Communication Boat (CCB, similar to a LCM Monitor 2) like C-91-1 at http//www.rivervet.com/ccb.htm , and http//www.rivervet.com/images/boats/ccb1967.jpg . A photograph of this model can be seen at http//www.masterpiecemodels.com/images/ccb1.jpg . What you have here is a limited edition 20 inch long resin model of this riverine command craft that has a command and control bunker in the place of the conventional mortar pit on a regular LCM Monior as was used in Vietnam during 1969/70 to support 9th Army troops around the Delta. These vessels were to provide command facilities for river assault squadrons and ground force commanders. From the sent PDF file of the instruction sheet, this model looks to be a real monster when finished. As the Program 5 boats were designed for the command and control assignment, they did not have the heavier armament of an Alpha Boat, of which more later. The instruction sheet looks like this is a first generation boat with the twin 0.50 calibre machine guns, single 20 mm and 40 mm cannons, two each of the Mk-18 and M-79 grenade launchers and the assorted individual weapons that the crew of eleven would carry. The regular ASPB was the Destroyer/Minesweeper of the fleet. Two Alpha's usually headed each column of boats and one generally took up the rear position in the column (generally considered the worst place to be). Other releases from Masterpiece Models is their Program IV Monitor, to be followed by the Program V Zippo Monitor. They also have in the works the Program V Monitor with Howitzer, just released, PCF Swift Boat and the ASPB (Assault Support Patrol Boat) or Alpha Boat. Their "Zippo" looks really great, as does their master of the Program IV Monitor. When they get their "Tango Flat Top" Armored Troop Carrier released, we will have a place for all of those Trumpeter Hueys to land on. Makes you want to crank up all of your old 8 track tapes of protest songs, open up a bottle of what ever, start your copy of "Apocalypse Now", and get to some real modeling. Dated aren't I? Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From Reynold.Oh@defence.gov.au Subject Re This model of a Submarine - What is it? G'Day SMMLies, 1. Many thanks to all those who replied to my questions on the Alanger model. The concensus is that it is an Akula.1 submarine named Dragon, but recently changed to Samara. It seems that any combination of masts & periscopes can be raised while it is on the surface. The blade & 'hotdogs'/spindles on the deck are fixed items. Could it be used for the insertion of a covert group? - well, any submarine could do that job. George, out............... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Allan and Crystal Plumb" Subject Re Jovial is Invincible From ives100@aol.com >> "It contains half a million lines of Jovial code and assembly language that was first installed in 1972 and ported from IBM 9020 onto IBM 3083 computers, starting in 1985". In the interim, they apparently were looking for someone, anyone, who could still program in Jovial, an ancient and obscure computer language. ... << Ancient and obscure? I resemble that remark. I worked for IBM as a sub on an Air Force program that used a design we were told was similar to the FAA stuff, during 1981-1984. In JOVIAL (Jule's Own Version of an Iterative Algorithmic Language), thank you. My company did a piece of the telemetry processing. So I'm officially ancient and obscure, I guess. -) But on topic Commanders Series says their 1/350 HMS Invincible (WWI) is available, never mind their web site. Has anyone any comments? Now that I've said that I'll go check out Rajen's list. Allan "Hey, the first battlecruiser!" Plumb ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "LES ROGERS" Subject 1/72 Plastic Models I wish to thank all those modellers who replied to my request for information regarding boat models available in this scale. I stated that I had built the Revell Snowberry and enjoyed that scale to work on. For years I have built in timber and always at a larger scale 120 to 1/72. but have become hooked on the plastic magic. Recently completing the 1/200 Sovremenny with WEM photo etch. Armed with details supplied by you I have purchased the Revell U-Boat and for good measure the 135 Italeri LCM Landing craft. For Aussie readers..... Super cheap Auto have in stock an air brush compressor 1/8 HP 30 TO 42 PSI with glass collection chamber for $89.00 AUS. I got one and it works well. Cheers Les Rogers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Re 1/35 scale Masterpiece Models' Program 5 converted LCM (6) Command and Communication Boat (CCB) For those wishing more information about Masterpiece Models at http//www.masterpiecemodels.com , latest release of their 1/35 scale Riverine craft of the 56 foot Program 5 converted LCM (6) Command and Communication Boat (CCB, similar to a LCM Monitor 2) like C-91-1 at http//www.rivervet.com/ccb.htm , and http//www.rivervet.com/images/boats/ccb1967.jpg . A photograph of this model can be seen at http//www.masterpiecemodels.com/images/ccb1.jpg , and an expanded historical record of these boats can be found at http//grunt.space.swri.edu/ccb.htm . According to this last site "The CCB (command control boat) was a Monitor with radios in the well deck and dozen antennas topside used by the Army for communications between the troops in the field and the battalion TOC (Tactical Operations Center). There was a canvas roof over the radio space so you couldn't see out unless you stepped up the ladder that was the only way in or out. The radios where stacked on a table where we kept a written log of all the radio activity. There were bunks for at least two. The radio deck was manned by an officer and two radio operators, and an FO (Forward Observer - artillery). At least two people were awake at all times but four could work at the same time if need be. It was a confined space and there was never enough air movement. The heat could be brutal. "Six radios were standard operating procedure on a CCB. One radio was set on the battalion command frequency, one on logistics, one on fire support, one on brigade, one for utility (for a company frequency or for calling in dustoffs, etc.) and one spare. Each had its own telephone-style handset. There was routine traffic on some of the radios but when hell broke loose, all demanded attention at once. The VC/NVA knew that we depended on our radios and they watched for antennas. The more antennas, the more important the target. CCBs were usually in the thick of it and with the guns onboard firing the noise was deafening. There was never enough time to look outside during a firefight. Whatever there was to know about it came over the radios." This makes Masterpiece Models' Program 5 converted LCM (6) Command and Communication Boat (CCB) a most welcome addition to your Brown Water Navy. Their other products include the Monitors or "Mike boats" (had the heaviest firepower), if you took the gun out of the forward turret of a Monitor and replaced it with a flame thrower; you got a Zippo boat, or the on Tango boats. These Tango boats had the ramp in front with a little added armor. The well deck was covered with a canvas roof. Later versions were equipped with flight decks, the "Flat Top" that could handle helicopters as big as a Huey. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From John Geigle Subject Program 5 Command and Communication Boat Now Avaliable the 1/35th scale Program 5 Command and Communication Boat This limited edition Resin assembly kit is 20” long Price $199.95 Paint and glue not included Skill level intermediate To order please send a check or money order to Masterpiece Models 7907 NE St Johns Rd Vancouver WA 98665 For credit card order please call 360-256-1488 First kits shipping Jan 1, 06 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume