Subject: SMML VOL 3024 Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 00:53:25 +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 OLD GUILLOWS KITS 2 Re Computer Thread 3 Re Highjump and that photo 4 Re Revell Polaris Sub propeller 5 Re Revell/Renwal Polaris Submarine (propeller) 6 Re My first gift ship 7 CMB's 8 Re Computer Thread 9 HMCS Snowberry, USS Saucy, HMS Bluebell 10 More on High Jump 11 CMBs, 1920 pseudo war 12 Re This model of a Submarine - What is it? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "DUCKMAN" Subject OLD GUILLOWS KITS HOWDY ALL, FORGIVE ME FOR THIS QUESTION, SINCE IT INVOLVES THOSE THINGS THAT USUALLY DON'T FLOAT VERY WELL. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE "DOPE" THAT IS USED ON GUILLOW'S KITS? THANKS, DAVID IN DIXIE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From SantMin@aol.com Subject Re Computer Thread Back in the early '60's I was programming a Univac Main Frame Computer and back then we didn't have any kind of disk, file storage consisted of tape drives and a gigantic spinning drum shape coated with magnetic media, called a FastRand Drum. To this day the term "drum" slips out every now and then and everyone gives me that dumb look. Bob Santos ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From "Rod" Subject Re Highjump and that photo >> . . . the larger ones look like USAF C-47s (the MATS is a dead give-away, I think). << Not necessarily . . . The USN also flew transports as part of MATS. Later it was strictly the USAF when it became MAC. Nice picture, by the way. Rod ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Rick Nelson" Subject Re Revell Polaris Sub propeller David writes >> For my Renwal 1/200 projects, I measured the diameter of the 5-blade "stock" propeller, which turned out to be about 1 inch (25mm) in diameter. << The propeller included in the Renwall kit and I'm sure the Revell kits also, does not reflect what the actual propeller on a FBM (Fleet Ballistic Missile) submarine looked like. The propeller included in the kit was a compromise between the kit manufacturer and the Navy. In the mid-60's the Navy had realized that their propeller design technology should be classified as it was a significant contributor to the "quieting" of the boat. (Some may remember the flap in the '60s over a Japanese company, I think it was Toshiba, after they sold milling equipment to the Soviet Union which could be used to mill "variable pitch" props.) Therefore the Navy would not allow the kit manufactures to offer an accurate rendering of the 7-blade prop that was operational at the time. The 5-blade "stock" prop was never on a boomer nor was there a "retrofit". Neither was the 3-blade prop found in Revell's Skipjack model ever used. The standard boomer prop in use for the Polaris boats was a 7-blade scythe-shaped prop, approximately 15 feet in diameter overall similar to what is shown at the URL below http//americanhistory.si.edu/subs/anglesdangles/taming6.html Even though the drawing claims to be of a 637-class attack boat the prop is very similar to what boomers were packing. At 1/200 scale (Renwall) this gives a model prop diameter of 0.90 inches. I have a picture of the Sam Houston SSB(N)609 (a Ethan Allen Calss boat) in a floating dry-dock in Holylock in 1965 when I was aboard her. It just barely shows the prop but I was able to scale it and it confirms the "15 foot diameter" number. Bottom line is, don't pay any attention to what is supplied for a propeller in a submarine kit. Seek other sources. Rick Nelson "Damn the Pressure, Six-Zero feet!" "Boomers Hide With Pride" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "Rick Nelson" Subject Re Revell/Renwal Polaris Submarine (propeller) Thanks a bunch for the lead, Will. Rick "Damn the Pressure, Six-Zero feet!" "Boomers Hide With Pride" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Rick Nelson" Subject Re My first gift ship Not exactly a gift but it was my first attempt at building a ship. At around age 7 ('51) I had a sailboat with a length of 14" at the waterline, and no pond to sail it in. So I converted it into an aircraft carrier! A bit of a stretch!!! I cut off the mast added a piece of 3/4" pine about 4" by 14", added bits of pine for the island, slapped on some navy gray and white deck markings and I had myself an aircraft carrier. Who cared about the extremely "Long" keel it had! I think my blood was starting to change from red to navy gray about then. Rick Nelson "Damn the Pressure, Six-Zero feet!" "Boomers Hide With Pride" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From Sell4853@aol.com Subject CMB's Re Coastal Motor Boats of the Royal Navy have a look at http//smmlonline.com/reference/walkabouts/cmb/cmb.htm Norman SELLS Tenterden UK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From Kr01a@aol.com Subject Re Computer Thread Spent a lot of time programming various computers including the granddaddy of the PDP-11, the PDP-1. Used it at ITT in NYC to develop one of the first automated teletype message switches for airline usage (EAL) in the early 60's. Also worked with IBM 1401, 1610, Univac 490 & 494, Burroughs D825 (on the USN Bullseye project), plus most of the later large IBM machines up to the 3033 systems at TWA. To add some nautical flavor, I did ship out on a fairly new (in 1947) T-2 converted from the USN's Point Pleasant to the SS Mercury Sun by Sun Oil. Still have a plastic model T-2 sitting on the shelf waiting to be reworked info the Mercury Sun if I can ever get enough info to do a decent job. Didn't think of carrying a camera in those days. Did get some shots of naval activity during the 1950-52 Korean War period including a couple of what I believe to have been a British carrier in Pusan harbor, the same for the BB Missouri, various DD's, and some LSI(?) types in Inchon harbor being used as shuttles to the shore. All these taken as an army type from a transport deck (g) Ed MacDonald ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From 03136040@brookes.ac.uk Subject HMCS Snowberry, USS Saucy, HMS Bluebell Hello, Was wondering if someone could help me out here.. Remember the 1/72 Flower Class corvette released by Matchbox a long while back (which could be built as HMCS Snowberry, USS Saucy or HMS Bluebell)? -Although Revell re-released the kit to be built as HMCS Snowberry or USS Saucy, they kept the parts for HMS Bluebell BUT they didn't put the instructions or decals in for the Royal NAvy option. While the parts exist to build all 3 options, does anyone know where I can get a copy of these instructions and decals for the HMS Bluebell? Many thanks, Richard ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From CaptainOD@aol.com Subject More on High Jump An easier way to get the reference is National Geographic put all of their issues on CD's. I have the complete set and it is great for research on Navy/Marine related stuff and you don't have a ton of moldy magazines to contend with. Bob O'D ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From "Reid, John (AFIT)" Subject CMBs, 1920 pseudo war One book you need is “Footprints in the Sea”, the autobiography of Captain Augustus Agar VC, commander of CMB-4. Long out of print, but it does turn up. I saw CMB-4 at the Duxford annexe of IWM years ago, outside at the time. Recent visitors, in which building is she now located? BTW, in 1978 there was a CMB (55’ I think) moored as a houseboat in the river at Shoreham-by-Sea, E Sussex; does anyone happen to know what became of her? John Reid Rome ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From "Chuck Messer" Subject Re This model of a Submarine - What is it? George wrote (on Dec. 15) >> 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. << I believe those are the non-accoustical sensors carried by Improved Akula, Sierra II and Victor 3 class submarines. They detect chemical & other changes in the water caused by a sub passing through it. I think the system is called, 'Kolos'. Chuck ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume