Subject: SMML VOL 3075 Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2006 04:31:15 +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 SMS GEIER/USS CARL SCHURZ 2 Blasts from the past - wishes for 1/1200 3 Re Revell Guided Missile Fleet 4 USS MISSOURI booklet of general plans PDF file 5 Photoetching 6 Re Ship articles in magazines 7 Niko Models 1/700 scale new releases 8 Re Ship articles in magazines 9 WEM 1350 County class, Town class and Leander class ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From URUDOFSKY@aol.com Subject SMS GEIER/USS CARL SCHURZ I am looking for plans of the SMS Geier/USS Schurz. Also the SMS Schamien river gunboat (a converted small Chinese river passenger vessel). Any leads would be appreciated. Ulrich Rudofsky ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From Subject Blasts from the past - wishes for 1/1200 A few years ago I went all out and got a number of the Renwal 1/1200 scale ships on eBay and I have to admit that they are pretty sorry models. In the 1950's when I got my first set of Renwal 1/1200's they were great but the passage of time has not been kind to them. Just about every porportion on the ships that I acquired is out of whack (although the Shangri-La looked pretty good, if a little small). As an alternative why not get some of the WWII Superior models of the Baltimore and Cleveland cruisers and convert them to missle configuration? Working with soft metal in so small a scale would present challenges but this is the Scale Ship Modeler's List after all. The result - even by a modeler of modest ability - would be far superior to the Renwall ships and certainly at considerably less cost (if acquired on eBay). Two or three years ago Superior reissued their angled deck version of the USS Wasp (CVS-18) and I can say from comparison between that and the Renwall model (Shangri-La) the Superior ship is much better. Actually the Renwall carrier has to be 11250 as it is noticeably smaller than the Superior ship. Superior also has the Midway (CV-41) in it's original configuration. These ships go in and out of production but all appear on eBay from time to time. Back in the early 1960's Authenticast (Superior's direct ancestor) issued a pretty nice Mitscher (DL-2) in orginal configuration. That would be a nice subject for reissue by Superior. It could be converted to later (DD and DDG) configurations and possibly even used at the basis for a Coontz class DLG model. Superior's Pete Paschal is a dedicated ship-guy and is very much interested in what people want - send him an e-mail about reissuing some of these ships. He answers his e-mail. Maybe he still has the original Mitscher mold. Also, using WWII Superior originals as a start it would possible to convert Rudderow class DE's to post war DER and APD configuration. Gearing and Sumner class DD's could be FRAMmed. Fletchers converted to DDE's. Likewise the Balo/Gato could be altered to any of the numerous post war Guppies with a little filing and installation of sails made from styrene. The Midway could be converted to any of the classes' many configurations. Superior ships are very reasonably priced compared to the European 11250 scale models. You don't hesitate nearly as much converting a $6.95 Superior Gearing to FRAM configuration then you would a $25 Neptun Gearing. Even the Wasp was less then $30. Personally I would advise anyone to save your money and steer clear of the Renwal 1/1200 models - especially on eBay - get the Superior equivalent and just start cutting. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From David Wells Subject Re Revell Guided Missile Fleet "Ouellette, Lawrence M" >> The Norton Sound is 1/400 scale, derived from the Pine Island kit (most recently issued.) This version of this kit (with the missiles) has not been re-issued for many, many years. << I'm not 100% sure on this, but I believe it was released as the Norton Sound first, with a helo pad forward. In either case, it's an old '50s vintage kit, and a classic Revell "flat bottom boat". >> I'll buy the set for the first two ships, and give away the Nautilus! << I'll take it, for evil experiments. (bwa ha ha!) >> I think 1 or 2 of the Renwal cruisers may have been re-issued sometime in the 1980's. << To my knowledge, Revell only released the CLG kit as the Springfield. The put it out circa 1982. (kit 5007) >> Everyone should bookmark http//www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/shiprevs.html While nowhere near complete, 'the list' contains tons of information on many old (and new) kits that you just can't find anywhere else. Warning The entire list is a 1.4 Megabyte, single page of text, so it will take some time to load! << Thanks for the plug, Larry. And it's getting bigger all the time. The current draft of Version 6.6 (due out on March 1, or sometime around there) is over 1.5 megabytes already, and we're far from done. New reviewer William J. Swan has been giving me a spectacular number of 1/700 resin kit reviews. It's all in one big file to encourage exploration off-line. If you've got lots of disk space and not much bandwidth, you can store a local copy, and explore the internal links as much as you like. There's still time to get more reviews in, so if there's some kit that you want to review, contact me off-list. Now is the time! "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 Brooks Rowlett Subject USS MISSOURI booklet of general plans PDF file http//cache.ussmissouri.org/missouri.pdf ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From "John Mills" Subject Photoetching I am progressing through a 1/350 KGV from Tamiya and photoetching time is looming. I would like some advice on how to proceed as it is my first time using photoetching material. I know I use super glue. Is there a helpful article on the internet for me to peruse? Should I deal with the etch parts as they come up in the Tamiya instructions? For example, I can glue on a plastic ladder now and so should I attach the photoetch substitute instead and then move on to the next part of the instructions? Should I paint the photoetch before I cut it off, after I glue it on or what? I am stunned as to how much photoetching there is with the battleship. John Mills Canberra Australia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From "Bruce Buchner" Subject Re Ship articles in magazines Paul, >> SHIPS IN SCALE #5, May/June 1984 - this had an article on the SS President Hoover starting on page 44. << It does indeed. It was also part three of a build article by Alan Raven. I have all three parts and am scanning them for you. I'll get them off as soon as I can. If anyone else wants a copy please contact me off list. Bruce Buchner ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From "Harold Stockton" Subject Niko Models 1/700 scale new releases For those that do not know my penchant for everything that Niko Models releases, here are the three latest from their 1/700 scale mixed media, resin and photoetched, series. The first is of the French cruiser (?, really a Frigate) GUICHEN in 1954, found at http//www.nikomodel.pl/guichen.htm . The CHATEAURENAULT (D 606, formerly the "Attilio Regolo"), this vessel was the class leader, and together with her sistership GUICHEN (D 607, formerly the "Scipione Africano") were originaly from Italian small cruisers with a top speed of 40 knots, and were part of the 1ère flottille d'escorteurs d'escadre. The Attilio Regolo was taken over by France on 1 Aug 1948 as the R4 and later renamed Chateaurenault. She was laid up 13 Sep 1962 and scrapped several years later, and was classified as a Cruiser of the Capitani Romani Class. "As a group they were called the Capitani Romani because they were all named after great Captains of the Roman Republic and Empire. Initially, the Italian navy developed a new category of warship in which to place these ships called Esploratori, or scouts, which were ranked larger than destroyers but smaller than cruisers. Two different classes of ships went into the Esploratori category of ships. One was the Navigatori Class of what were in reality large destroyers and the new Capitani Romani design. Since the new Capitani Romani design were significantly larger ships than the Navigatori Class, they were further distinguished by being called Esploratori Oceanici or ocean scouts. By the late 1930s this intermediate designation disappeared and the Navigatori Class were reclassed as destoyers with the Capitani Romani classed as light cruisers. Indeed they were more accurately called ultra light cruisers. "The Capitani Romani carried the concept of an unarmored, extremely fast cruiser to such outer limits as to make the early Condottieri designs appear balanced in contrast. They were basically very light hulls built around huge power plants. The standard displacement of the ship was 3,686-tons and yet the engines developed 110,000 shp on the two shaft design. In contrast the last class of Condottieri displaced 9,440-tons standard and at 100,000 shp had 10% less power. "It was anticipated that the maximum speed would be 41-knots, even with the provision for minimal protection to vital areas. As the design matured, it was discovered that all of these goals could not be maintained. The design was coming in heavier than planned and the two essential ingredients in the mix that had to be maintained were the firepower and speed. . . . The weight saving measures worked and the three Capitani Romani to be completed all hit 41-knots during trials." http//www.steelnavy.com/RMAttilioRegolo.htm "Protection was minimal, limited to some vital parts, and the maximum speed was to be about 41kts. However, by the late 1930s the capabilities of reconnaissance aircraft had improved considerably, rendering the need for pure scouting vessels somewhat superfluous. In consequence, the smaller scouts were reclassified as destroyers and the larger ones as light cruisers. It soon became evident that the protection would have to be dispensed with if the armament and speed were not to be compromised, but even so the displacement exceeded the intended figure by 350 tons, despite the extensive use of light alloy in the superstructure. "The mixed longitudinally and transversely constructed hull was of flush-decked design, the machinery being installed on the unit principle with the forward set driving the starboard shaft. Both units were completely independent of one another, but the boilers could be cross-connected in an emergency. The turbines were of Parsons design in the ships built at Ancona, and of Belluzzo type in the remainder. On trials, all completed units achieved 41kts. Some splinter protection only was provided to the bridge areas." http//www.world-war.co.uk/index.php3 The actual similarities between their WW-II look and their final appearance in French service would be the same as a WW-II Fletcher class DD and one that had gone through FRAM III modifications. The hulls are the same, and everything else was stripped. Secondly, there is the HMS Nizam 1940 destroyer, found at http//www.nikomodel.pl/nizam.htm . I am confused by this one's title, as the boxart clearly states that it is for the HMS Nizam "N-class" during 1940, but it also states that the model is for the "destroyer J,K,N Class", and the model on the boxart and in the finished model clearly is for a RN destroyer of the "J,K,N Class" (Kelly's), with pennant "G 38" also clearly shown. This Niko produced model is such a beautiful RN subject, and is most welcome. Especially noted is the very fine photoetched set that includes masts, davits, radar, funnel topping and many other very tiny bits. A must have for your RN destroyer collection. A very interesting photograph of G16 Tjerk Hiddes (nearest) with British destroyers G25 HMS Nepal (far) and G29 HMS Offa (centre), can be found at http//www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/n_class.htm#HMS%20Nizam . And what is so interesting about this "N-class" page is the fact that this just mentioned shot shows these three units of this class in three very distinct color-schemes. One would then wonder about whether this kit is a repeat of their earlier O.R.P. Garland (H 37), but it is indeed a completely different model and class. And lastly, there is this company's Model 7021 - USS Bebas 1943 American WWII destroyer of the Evarts class DE. What one is immediately impressed with in the closeup photos of the finished model are the very delicate 20mm guns immediately in front and sides of the bridge, but also the very delicate features that make up the entire open bridge area, hatches, ladders, depth-charge and K-gun racks and throwers, vents and other minutia that seems to be everywhere on this model. And what is truely stunning in a model of this scale is the many photoetched pieces that they use to make up an absolutely stunning example of this vessel's 1.1 inch "Chicago Piano" AAA mount on the rear deckhouse roof, unbelievable. One then wants to compare the Bebas with their earlier releases of the USS Gendreau and ADP Liddle. What is totally evident from the photographic instructions is that the complete hull and superstructure assemblies on all three of these DE class models is absolutely completely different and can then be considered as a basis to construct any of the many various DEs that were built on these hulls. Niko should be congratulated in not just the research on these three DE-class models, but for investing in making three totally new kits rather than just the minute pieces to sell the same kit in another decal sheet version, and even the photoetched sheets between these three kits are all different. And what am I going to do with my old Lindberg kit that has been languishing for years on my modeling table? Christmas or a birthday present for one of my grand-children seems nice. Harold Stockton ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From "Paul R. Mitchell" Subject Re Ship articles in magazines Paul, SS President Hoover Alan Raven published a three-part series on rhe SS President Hoover plus a fourth article containing plans. See the following Ships in Scale magazine index entries. SS President Hoover, Pt. 1 A fully-detailed miniature model of a pre-World War II American liner built to a scale of 1-inch=32-feet Raven, Alan No. 02, NOV DEC 1983, Page 03 SS President Hoover, Pt. 2 Raven, Alan No. 04, MAR APR 1984, Page 58 SS President Hoover Plans No. 05, MAY JUN 1984, Page 44 SS President Hoover, Pt. 3 Raven, Alan No. 05, MAY JUN 1984, Page 48 The plans include outboad profile, inboard profile, deck plans and details. They are marked as being Sheets 1 and 3 of 4. I don't know what's on the missing sheets 2 and 4 of 4. If they contain details, then the information is probably contained in the numerous illustrations accompanying the articles. Also, the May/June issue contained a related article by Scottie Dayton Traveling Meant Going in Style Dayton, Scottie No. 05, MAY JUN 1984, Page 40 Hog Islanders Peter Shreeves published a set of the Hog Islander plansn (lines, inboard profile and deck arrangements) in the following issue of Model Ship Builder magazine. Hog Islander Plans Peter Shreeves No. 040, MAR APR 1986, Page 40 All of these issues are available on the Original Ships in Scale ( http//www.seaways.com/OSISCD.html ) and the Model Ship Builder ( http//www.seaways.com/MSB%20Page.htm ) CD-ROM back issue CD sets from the publisher, Seaways Publishing ( http//www.seaways.com ) . Cheers, Paul R. Mitchell Disclaimer I am the developer of these two CD sets and do have a financial interest. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From Maarten Schönfeld Subject WEM 1350 County class, Town class and Leander class Hello, Having started modelling ships only a few years ago, I'm beginning to find out now several models are not available anymore, but they were in the past! Does anybody have stashed away any of the following old WEM kits, preferably but not necessarily unbuilt, and would be willing to part with them? Of course I am glad to offer a fair price. WEM 1350 County class cruiser HMS Sussex WEM 1350 Town class cruiser HMS Sheffield WEM 1350 Leander class frigate HMS Apollo (or Albion) Kind regards, Maarten Schönfeld The Netherlands ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume