Cruiser SIG Newsletter Issue 10 and 11

By: Shane Jenkins

This is the newsletter put out by Graham Walker, head of the IPMS(UK) Cruiser SIG and it is a very interesting read.

SIG stands for Special Interest Group & is one way of keeping in touch with modellers who share your peculiar interests, be it cruisers, WW1, armour etc. A part of IPMS, SIGs each put out a newsletter approx every 3-6 months (but this can vary). These newsletters, by their very nature can vary in size & quality, but the infomation contained in the ones I have seen make the SIG newsletters a worthwhile addition to any modeller's library. This newsletter usually consists of 6-8 B/W pages & is very useful for anyone interested in cruisers.

Issue 10 consists of the following articles: USS Salem CA-139 by Tim Stoneman. This covers a short history of the Salem, from when she was launched to her present home in Quincey MA. Tim then gives a detailed review of the Iron Shipwright's 1/700 resin kit. Modelling the RN "D" Class AA Cruiser HMS Delhi by John Brook. John shows how he converted the Tamiya 1/700 IJN Tenyru to HMS Delhi. A very good read.

Issue 11 consists of the following articles: HMS Bonaventure. Tim Stoneman converts the remastered WEM 1/700 HMS Dido to HMS Bonaventure. An excellent article. USS Vincennes - Ticonderoga class cruiser. Here, Graham gives a detailed review of the Revell (ex Skywave) 1/700 USS Vincennes (one of two choices in the USS Ticonderoga kit).

As you can see, there's not much in the two issues, compared with other ship modelling publications, but the quality of the content is outstanding. Like many other club publications they survive on what is submitted to them, so if you're into cruisers, subscribe & contribute - it's a very worthwhile newsletter. It should also be mentioned that White Ensign Models sponsor the printing of this newsletter.

I highly recommend it.

Subscription in the UK is free, outside of the UK $5USD. The complete backissue list apart from Issue one is also available for $20.00 USD. Please send cash only as cheques cost more to cash than the actual amount tendered in cheque form.

For further infomation on joining the Cruiser SIG: contact Graham either via email or at the following address:

CRUISER SIG
Graham Walker
249 Horninglow Road North
North Horninglow,
Burton upon Trent
Staffordshire
DE13 0ST
England