Subject: SMML VOL 3038 Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:08:59 +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 Re Modeler's Vacuform 2 Gearbox Ships 3 Re HP Models 4 HELLER 1/400TH HMS COLOSSUS/ARROMANCHES 50'S CARRIER (#6026480190) 5 Re Renwal Polaris kits 6 Regulas Missile and Fleet Operations 7 Regulas Missile and Fleet Operations 8 Deck colours King George V in 1941 9 Re HP Models 10 Re HP Models 11 Planking scale for 1/128scale 12 Re HP-Models 13 Yamato rigging -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1 Classic Glencoe kits ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "Norbert Onaitis" Subject Re Modeler's Vacuform Hi Just over a year ago I bought a a vacuform machine from The Kingston Vacuum Works P.O. Box 3301 Kingston, NY 12402, U.S.A. Toll Free (877) 560-6398 (877) 852-8732 fax Their Web Site is http//www.warmplastic.com Email mailroom@warmplastic.com I've bought 2 of their standard size models so far, and I'm very pleased with them. I'll probably buy at least one more soon. The machines come in 5 sizes The Canopy Master-working area of 3=BD"x3=BD" (8.89cm x 8.89cm), The Kingston Micro-working area of 4"x6" (10.16cm x 15.24cm), The Kingston Junior-working area of 6"x8" (15.24 cm x 20.32 cm), The Kingston Mono-working area of 8"x10" (20.32 cm x 25.40 cm) with a useful diagonal of about 11" (27.94 cm), The Zeppelin Master-working area of 11"x16" (27.94 cm x 40.64 cm) with a useful diagonal of about 18"-19" (45.72 cm - 48.26 cm). They also have vacuum forming tables available in custom sizes. They carry a large selection of white styrene and Clear Acetate Butyrate. Nick Onaitis ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "shaya novak" Subject Gearbox Ships I must concur with Harold about the Gearbox die caste models they are not bad I have added some rigging to the Indianapolis and she looks pretty good. Plus they sell great for us too. http//www.totalnavy.com/diecast.htm The Captain at - Totalnavy.com www.totalnavy.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From Lars Scharff Subject Re HP Models @ Nuno You could order kits by HP-Models by NNT http//www.nntmodell.com/ But the quality of these kits are not consistent with the price. I bought three kits yet (SMS Graudenz, ORP Dragon, HMS Chester) and all are not at current standards of producers like WSW, Kombrig, NNT and Delphis. The guns, boats and other small parts are not usable. Also the resarch about the original are not sufficient, e.g. the SMS Graudenz is depicted as the Italian cruiser Ancona, whereas the kit is offered as Graudenz in 1917. It would be nice to hear about other experiences with this company and/or comment about specific kits. Which kit do you want to order? Perhaps there is a review on a German site. Best regards Lars Scharff ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "paulship57@hotmail.com" Subject HELLER 1/400TH HMS COLOSSUS/ARROMANCHES 50'S CARRIER (#6026480190) There is an Ebay listing that claims the Heller 1400 kit of the Colossus/Arromances has been reissued. Can anyone confirm this? HELLER 1/400TH HMS COLOSSUS/ARROMANCHES 50'S CARRIER Item number 6026480190 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From beyondsun@mindspring.com Subject Re Renwal Polaris kits OK Rick, "under-ice sonar dome" - got it! (Slowly but surely you guys are answering my question. LOL) Now what other upgrade parts could I make in resin for the Renwal Ethan Allan kit? External parts only (I don't know where Tom came up with the idea I would attempt a resin interior! LOL) Happy New Year, all! Cheers, Matty ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Regulas Missile and Fleet Operations I wrote some time back about the SSM-N-8 Regulas Missile and Fleet Operations on carriers, cruisers and subs. In that posting I had asked about what exactly were the crews that manned and operated these weapon systems aboard USN ships. I recently found an article in THE HOOK dated Spting 1992 that was entitled TAKE CONTROL; Guided Missile Groups One and Two and the Regulas Missile. Though I only have a few pages that were torn out of this magazine, there is enough information there to piece together naval operations of these missiles and the crews who operated them aboard ship. These missiles, carrying either a high-explosive or nuclear package, were deployed in the fleet along with their guidance aircraft under the Navy's Regulas Assault Missile (RAM) program; with feasibility studies being authorized in April 1952. As such, the RAM units were operated by Composite Squadron 61 (VC-61, flying F2H-2Bs as escorts and -2Ps as controllers, coded "PP".), VU-3 (later referred to as VC units) and -4 RAM Detachments (Dets), as well as Guided Missile Groups One and Two (GMGRU-1 and -2). The RAM concept had carrier-based fighters using radio control to direct the missile to the target area. Once there, the controller abruptly pulled away to a safe distance and detonated the warhead. The fighter escort/director (F2H-2B/F2H-2Ps, often referred to as "Charlie-One" and "-Two") were to operate from carriers or shore bases and the missile launched from carriers, cruisers or submarines. RAM would allow the missile to quickly reach the fleet while more sophisticated automatic guidance equipment continued to be developed. Fleet capability was to be achieved by early 1954 and each RAM unit would consist of four pilots, a missile preperation team, four F2H-2P Banshee "Banjo" control aircraft, a portable launcher, missile checkout and firing equiment and sufficient Regulas missiles to attack the assigned targets. Aboard the first Regulas launch aboard the Randolph, the launcher was positioned just forward of the insland on the starboard side. Many eager observers were out on "Vulture Row" and instantlyeously became covered with soot from the booster rocket's exhaust. By the time of the next launch, the island's catwalks were deserted. Vectoring of the Regulas missile and its escort/director companions were done by the carrier's fighter director department in CnC. Randolph and Task Group 202 deployed to the Eastern Med on 14 July 1956, and RAM Det 36 (GMGRU-2) was aboard for this voyage. Det 36 was equipped with the FJ-3Ds at this time, and the former escort/director combination was replaced by the then standard of director/back-up director. Flight operations increased in November and December when Randolph spent almost two months monitoring the progress of the Suez Crisis. Combat air patrols (CAPs) were flown over the ship as it steamed off the coasts of Eqypt and Israel. The CAPs often watched the contrails of the RAF bombers as they headed for their Eqyptian targets. GMGRU-2 returned to Chincoteague on 18 February 1957, ending the only Atlantic Fleet carrier-based Regulas deployment. And Det 36's deployment meant that there was an USN nuclear presense during this very tense affair. The third GMGRU-1 Regulas deployment began on 14 April 1957 when Lexington/CVG-12 deployed to WestPac with RAM Det GOLF with three officers, fifteen enlisted men and two aircraft as the deployment team, and they were attached to VF-121. Det GOLF participated in a RAM exercise on 17 June which involved a TM (Tactical Missile) launch from the Helena/CA-75. The Regulas was guided after launch by the cruiser's TROUNCE guidance system, which was only good for line-of-sight limits, and not for over-the-horizon means. Some concern was made mention when the Helena's Special Weapons Officer (SWO) made mention, during the pre-launch briefing the day before, about the fact that there perceptable background radiation levels from the inert capsule as there were some amounts of nuclear material still present, but that there would probably not cause a high order detonation, which it did not when it went off as scheduled. The Lex and Det GOLF returned to Pearl in October. During this same time period it was decided that there would be a permanent GMGRU-1 detachment to support Regulas training for forward deployed and host detachments offloaded in WestPac. As such GMGRU-1 Det SIERRA was established at NAF Naha, Okinawa. The fourth GMGRU-1 Det deployed in Ticonderoga/CVA-14 with CVG-9 as it embarked for WestPac during October 1957. Det MIKE, which consisted of again three officers and fourteen enlisted men, and two FJ-3Ds, and were attached to VF-91 for admin support. Prior to deployment Det MIKE participated in an undetected simulated Regulas attack against the Ticonderoga, which ended in a pass at 200 feet, and 2,500 feet astern of the carrier. This attack proved the worth of anti-ship cruise missiles, and was a first against a carrier. Upon arrival in WestPac, Det MIKE was immediately shore based at Naha for the remainder of the cruise. In thte mean time Det SIERRA operated F9F-2KD drones kept the Regulas delivery pilots proficient in radio control and ready to re-embark at short notice. On the West Coast there was a ConUS Det that kept operating procedures and equipment up to date and worked out new slow run-through proceedure training for real operations aboard carriers on deployment with the Regulas. Carriers Hancock and Bon Homme Richard/CVA-31 both took part in these training proceedures. In closing, if someone is modeling any cruiser or carrier that was Regulas capable during this time period, a Det of at least two FJ-3Ds should be on deck as well as the must have missile. And it should be remembered that training rounds of the Regulas were red overall in color, with operational rounds being in overall blue. If anyone has the full article that appeared in the Spring 1992 THE HOOK, I would appreciate a copy. Thanks. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Regulas Missile and Fleet Operations In my previous post I made mention of the TROUNCE guidance system for the Regulus Cruise Missile SSM-N-8, and the ships that carried them. A lead up should be made about how the Trounce system developed out of hte Navy's LOON sytem. One answer seemed to be submarine-launched SSMs for use against "Shore targets of naval interest." BuAer and CNO hatched up the LOON project as a learn-by-doing program, designed to bring submarines and missiles together. This it did, with the help of NAMTC. Over 100 missiles were fired from the beach or from CUSK, CARBONERO or NORTON SOUND at sea. The original unguided V-1s supplied by the AAF were equipped with aircraft beacons for radar tracking and radio control. Later refinements included control through radar signals and an automatic command computer. These evolved into the TROUNCE guidance system as applied to REGULUS. Despite its inherent lack of reliability, LOON achieved some spectacular operational successes which reinforced the submariners' determina-tion to get into the missile business. It also alarmed Fleet gunnery officers about their ability to defend against penetrations by cruise missiles and, finally, fended off Washington cost-cutters who wanted to emasculate REGULUS in the name of balancing the budget oy substituting MATADOR as a cheaper missile. Examples were a 400 yard miss on Begg Rock by a CUSK to CARBONERO hand-off in September, 1948 and a LOON penetration of the First Fleet's air defense in November, 1948. Many of the LOON technical successes are traceable to the "German Scientists" who migrated to Point Mugu. These included Willy Fiedler, Robert Lusser and Otto Schwede. But Dr. Herbert A. Wagner, now deceased, deserves special mention. One day a young Marine pilot, well known as "Dirty" Dalby, came into an office and complained mildly about the lack of projects of potential benefit to the Marines. I knew he was flying F6Fs as a LOON simulator for Herbert Wagner who was then developing the command control "computer". The next day I sat down with both of them and asked if the LOON system could be modified to yield an all-weather fighter close-air support system. In his methodical way Herbert ticked off the technical problems while Dirty chafed with eagerness to get started. Finally Herbert reached a can-do point and we worked up an in-house project to get it started. In a few weeks they were getting 30 yard CEPs on a buoy off shore. As I recall, the system used an SCR-584 radar for tracking the F6F, a Reeves Plotting Board and command computer and the aircraft's regular voice radio and ordnance payload. The Marines got justifiably excited about this and soon arranged a contract out of Washington to General Electric for a militarized system named APQ-42. This eventually was part of the control system used for guiding the Regulas from a FJ-3D. An early as 1945 under Project DERBY, the Navy flew an "Americanized" version of the German V-1, called a Loon. In 1950 Project TROUNCE was established within Project DERBY. Project TROUNCE was the beginning of a new guidance system that used paired-pulse radar signals for transmitting guidance command to the missile. The new radar command control was given the name Trounce. Design and development of Trounce continued through the Loon program and was to be ready for use in the Regulus program in 1952. Trounce was not without problems but development continued and the problems resolved. A rival bipolar navigation system, which required a launch submarine and two picket signal boats near the target, was also flight-tested. In the end, Trounce was the guidance system of choice for Regulus I. As one wit observed, "An ounce of Trounce is worth a pound of bipolar". The Regulus radio command control system was the first jet-powered use of a command system developed to control propeller-driven aircraft during World War II. The system had two modes of operation. The First was known as "beep" control where only an "on" or "off" command was needed. A selector switch with 20 positions worked together with a switch to "decrease" or "increase" the selected function. Selector positions included parabrake deployment (if automatic deployment failed), landing gear up or down, or any of the automatic flight control system functions such as altitude or climb settings. In more modern computer terms these would be called "toggle" commands. The second mode was a proportional system, and provided for the variable continuous control of pitch, rate of turn, and throttle settings. Since the BPQ-2 Trounce guidance radar and electronic equipment was not yet installed on USS Grayback (SSG 574), USS Runner (SS 476), a Regulus guidance submarine, took control immediately after launch and guided the missile during the 30 minute flight. The next flight was a two-boat Trounce guidance operation in combination with USS Argonaut (SS 473) and Runner and was again successful. Growler arrived at Pearl Harbor 7 September 1959 and was assigned to Submarine Squadron ONE. Missile operations resumed on 2 October 1959 with the first Trounce guidance flight for the Growler guidance team. The operation was successful and the missile recovered at Bonham Auxiliary Landing Field on the Island of Kauai. Below is a list of those that were involved in one way or another in the RAM program. Submarine Five submarines made 40 Regulus strategic deterrent patrols between October 1959 and July 1964, USS Tunny (SSG 282), USS Barbero (SSG 317), USS Grayback (SSG 574), USS Growler (SSG 577) and USS Halibut (SSGN 587). Early in these operations, the decision was made that none of the targets would be left uncovered and thus two boats, in the case of Barbero and Tunny, each carrying two Regulus I missiles; or single boats, in the case of Growler and Grayback with four Regulus I missiles, or Halibut with five Regulus I missiles, was on patrol at all times. Heavy Cruisers Four Baltimore Class cruisers were armed with Regulus I missiles. USS Los Angeles (CA 135), USS Helena (CA 75), USS Macon (CA 132) and USS Toledo (CA 133) each carried three Regulus I missiles on operational patrols in the Western Pacific. Los Angeles deployed with Regulus from 1955 to 1961, Helena from 1956 to 1960, Toledo from 1956 to 1959 and Macon from 1956 to 1958. Aircraft Carriers Ten aircraft carriers were configured to carry and launch Regulus I missiles. Configuration usually mention installation of necessary power and instrumentation lines since storage was a temporary event and guidance was by aircraft escort for all but the last few miles to target. USS Princeton (CV 37) did not deploy with Regulus I but was the site of the first launch of a Regulus I missile from a warship. USS Hancock (CV 19) was heavily involved in the development of the Regulus Assault Mission concept (RAM) and deployed once to the Western Pacific with four Regulus I missiles in 1955. USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) conducted one test launch. USS Saratoga (CVA 60) also did not deploy but was involved in two demonstration launches. USS Lexington (CV 16) conducted one test launch. USS Randolph (CV 15) deployed to the Mediterranean carrying three Regulus I missiles. The RAM concept was deployed to the Western Pacific on six carrier deployments with missile launch conducted by a submarine or heavy cruiser and subsequent control to target to be conducted by pilots from supporting aircraft carriers. USS Shangri-La (CV 38), Lexington, USS Ticonderoga (CV 14), participated in these types of deployments. http//www.wa3key.com/stumpf.html http//www.wa3key.com/regulus.html http//www.vought.com/heritage/special/html/sreg6.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From Maarten Schönfeld Subject Deck colours King George V in 1941 Dear ship modelers, Best wishes for 2006 to all of you! I turned my attention to building a model of battleship HMS King George V, in her configuration when she engaged the Bismarck in her final struggle, 27 May 1941. Her overall colour by that time was AP 507B. Of the colours of the decks I am not so certain were these unpainted wood, teak or fir? Or were these painted over? And for the superstructure, were these decks painted in some sort of grey, or were these clad with Corticene, as some models of the Duke of York suggest (see cover of the Roger Chesneau book on the class), like was the case with Hood and Rodney at that time? Please some help! Kind regards, Maarten Schönfeld PS my earlier question on Rodney's hull plates is solved I ordered a shell expansion plan from the NMM in Greenwich. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From Sab1156@aol.com Subject Re HP Models Hello Nuno, HP is run by one person and therefore it is not easy to get an answer.You can order their models from "NNT" in Germany! Their webside is www.nnt-modell.com Best regards Detlef Hartwig ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From George Colleen Hargreaves Subject Re HP Models Hi As you may be on the continent, try NNT Models at www.nntmodell.com I have had very professional service from them when ordering HP models. Cheers, George Hargreaves Calgary Alberta ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From Graeme Martin Subject Planking scale for 1/128scale I have a couple of 1/128 scale Fleetscale battleships in the loft, that I intend to plank over a sheet plastic base deck. What scale or width of the plank and also length should a plank be for 1/128scale? thanks in advance, Graeme Martin www.shipmodels.co.nz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From "Guido Hopp" Subject Re HP-Models Hello, Numo! Between Christmas and New Year many companies remain closed here in Germany. Should you have no luck getting a reply from HP this week. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail with your order and/or question for HP-Models. I’ll be happy to contact them on behalf of you. Cheers, Guido PS. A Happy New Year to all of you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From abhijit@patwardhans.com Subject Yamato rigging Hi Does anybody have images of Yamato's rigging. I cannot seem to find any clear shots on the web. Thanks Abhijit ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "shaya novak" Subject Classic Glencoe kits The USS Oregon is back 10% off for SMML members be sure to tell us if you saw us on SMML http//www.totalnavy.com/225oregon.htm Yacht Corsair II - 10% of for SMML members. http//www.totalnavy.com/yacht_corsair.htm The Captain at - Totalnavy.com www.totalnavy.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume