Subject: SMML VOL 904 Date: Mon, 08 May 2000 12:09:16 +1000 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Plastic Ship Modeler Query 2: Crashing Val Trivia 3: Re: Mystery Carrier 4: Re: USPS 5: Re: Surface shipping 6: Oshumi class ships 7: Re: Pearl Harbor/Disney. et.al. 8: USA shipping 9: Scratch building time! a mile of styrene... 10: Re: mystery photo 11: Re: USS California Model 12: Resin casting site 13: Digital effects on "Pearl Harbor" 14: Loose Cannon Mitscher 15: 1/96 Bushnell's Turte Instruction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts 1: Bravo Zulu for the SMML Convention 2: SMMLcon 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Books For Sale items -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: YHSAIO@aol.com Subject: Plastic Ship Modeler Query Hello: Anybody out there know the status of the most recent issue of PSM? There was a post in mid-April by Dan Jones about some matters which he had to clear up as well as an announcement that the next issue was just about ready. Since then, there has not been any news. Can somebody clarify the matter? Yunchi Hsaio -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Russell S. Barnett, III" Subject: Crashing Val Trivia The subject the recent "Val" (wherein the "a" stands for AT-6) crash during the filming of Pearl Harbor reminded me of another crash of a Tora3 alumni Val that occured in the mid- 70's. A Confederate Air Force AT-6/Val (with a "13" in it's tail number if I recall correctly) crashed at Scholles Field in Galveston, Texas. The pilot was poor Fred Haise whose previous claim to fame was as pilot of Apollo 13. Fred received some moderate to severe burns and was in the hospital for quite a while after that. (Hell of a nice guy.) The Val configuration flies much less spectacularly than the Zero modification of the AT-6 (or SNJ)--the fixed gear takes its toll on more than airspeed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: NAVYDAZE@aol.com Subject: Re: Mystery Carrier I have already said it but trust me the carrier is the Carl Vinson it was outbound from San Fran to Pearl Harbor for a celebration of the end of the war in Pearl Harbor - I saw them load the aircraft and saw her leave - a fellow artist of mine - Rick Rhuman was aboard to take pictures and few back from Hawaii. Mike NAVYDAZE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: USPS I'll throw in with the satisfaction Flagship Models has had with the USPS over the years. I have had only one parcel lost (but then found 6 months later) using Priority shipping. Since they now allow delivery confirmation for very little extra, it's as easy as going to their web site to check and see if the parcel has been delivered. This is an invaluable tool keeping track of some VERY expensive shipments I send out. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Surface shipping >> Second thing is just a query, how long does it take for an order to reach the UK from the states by surface mail, i ordered the Model slipways paints off them, they say they were dispatched on the 28th March as of yet i am still waiting, am i worrying needlessly?. << First, BAD idea using surface mail from anywhere in the world. They measure delivery time in months. I had my wife mail a parcel overseas and she went the cheapest way which was surface mail. It took over two months to finally arrive. My advice is to splurge and pay the little extra for the airmail postage. You can then get you shipments in three to four weeks. Don't start worrying about your stuff yet. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. http://www.okclive.com/flagship/ "Yeah I want Cheesy Poofs" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "David Rowe" Subject: Oshumi class ships Evening all! Could anybody out there point me in the right direction for full hull plans or pics for the above ships? Other info such as the numbers of rudders and props would be very helpful. TA! Dave. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: "Don Carner" Subject: Re: Pearl Harbor/Disney. et.al. Greetings! Well, I guess I missed something regarding the movie being shot at Pearl. By all accounts, I recall that the movie was to be called, "Tennessee" and was to be a love story, set at the time of the attack. Since "Titanic" was a love story set during the tragic sinking, I guess Disney thought this script concept might turn a few dollars, too. Perhaps the director simply wants to focus on the human story and use the attack merely as a backdrop, rendering historical accuracy a secondary consideration? Frankly, I'd rather see the effort of a historical Navy film based on an incident that no one has done before, such as the typhoon that cost 3 destroyers and thousands of lives or the Tassafaronga engagement. Just a thought... Don Carner -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: "graham" Subject: USA shipping Hate to say this but it depends on hoe it was sent, I ordered some photo etch off Tom's Model works via Credit card and it was with me with in 7 days, a friend sent me a parcel and it took 8 weeks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: Christopher Crofoot Subject: Scratch building time! a mile of styrene... Here's an interesting story....a ship a mile long. I remember seeing an article about this in popular mechanics or pop sci a couple years back...I never thought they'd build it but apparently it will be built. Let's see in 1/700 scale that's about 7.5 ft! Man that is one big puppy! The link is: http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,217795,00.html Is there enough styrene to build a model of THAT!? Chris -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "S Sachsen" Subject: Re: mystery photo just to clear up a little detail regarding some of the other posts on this photo: the Stennis has never visited SF Bay. IIRC, NAS Alameda was closed long before Stennis was commissioned, or at least transited to the west coast (and homeported in San Diego). Post-NAS carrier visits have been the Constellation (last year) and a couple of 'drive-bys' by the Abraham Lincoln during Fleet Week--last year anchoring out in the bay, rather than berthing anywhere. Personally, I'd think it neat if Stennis came to visit, I already have Lincoln's and Vinson's patches... s -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: Anna Marie Summa Subject: Re: USS California Model Hi All, I just wanted to post a thank you and a job well done to Steve Wiper at Classic Warships. A few days ago, I got his 1/350 Kirishima and California models in the mail and they look wonderful. I have yet to scrutinize the Kirishima but have looked over the California kit. The California is in her 1941, Pearl Harbor fit. The original kit was released a few years ago by BWN and then by Iron Shipwrights. Last year, the master pattern ended up in Steve's hands. However, Steve did not just re-release the kit, he revamped it to add more detail and make it more accurate. The kit comes with separate hull and superstructure parts that will make painting much easier. He also added plating detail to the hull which really improves the appearance of the kit. The California had 3"/50 AA guns, however, these did not show up in the BWN or IS releases. However, the CW release includes beautifully executed replicas of these weapons. He replaced the 12 foot rangefinder on the uppermost bridge platform with the more correct CXAM radar, faithfully reproduced in photo-etch and white-metal. The kit also includes a set of range-finder clocks as photo-etched parts, which the California had until Oct. 1941. The resin casting is up to Steve's usual standards and will require only a couple of hoursof prep, not bad for a kit this large (~21" long by ~3.5" wide) and this old. I am hard-pressed to find any air bubbles or noticable blemishes in the resin castings. In addition, the white metal parts are all excellent and won't require much clean-up. As a matter of fact, there is no excess on the white metal and all that is required will be to remove the pouring plugs. It among the best white metal I have seen. As a final note, I did a parts count and did not find any part missing from the kit and every one of them is usable. This eliminates the need to call for replacement parts. Kudos Steve. Ken Summa -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Resin casting site Came across this site devoted to resin casting for models: http://mc.cyklone.com/castlist.htm Thought it might be of interest to many here. Tom Dougherty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Donald Hinton" Subject: Digital effects on "Pearl Harbor" >> The more that I hear, the worse it sounds. Apparently Bruckheimer is so cheap that he's not going to spend any money on the computer imaging which these days could realistically reproduce Battleship Row exactly and other technical effects. Instead Battleship Row will be made up of a bunch of modern DD's. << As an extra on the "Pearl Harbor" movie set (great fun, BTW), I can say with 100% certainty that they will use extensive digital special effects for the movie. Yes, there will be inaccurate ships (DD's, Whipple, Missouri) in the movie, but they will attempt to recreate Battleship Row with digital ships--to what extent, I don't know. Some inaccuracies are intentional (green/gray Zero's), but some you just can't work around: Arizona Memorial, the Missouri, the new Ford Island bridge, Aloha stadium in the background, etc, that make it more costly and difficult to make accurate. As for Steve Spielberg, I too wish he was doing "Pearl Harbor," but even he had inaccuracies in "Saving Private Ryan." I work with Army Rangers, and all agree that that movie has many tactical mistakes that were intentionally added in to make the movie more visually effective. But it was still a great movie. Don Hinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Pieter Cornelissen Subject: Loose Cannon Mitscher Hi gang, I just received a Loose Cannon Mitscher class DL. It is a nice model. It contains photo-etch for the radars, some masts, some bulwarks and the ships'railings. The photo-etch railing is not as fine as Tom's or GMM, but it looks nice even though I'll probably replace it. The SPS 8 radar has a separate 'back' part for the radar dish so I think it is more convincing than the GMM verison on its Supercarrier set (sorry Loren). The hull has the elegant lines that are shown in most photographs. Edges are a little rough, but it really looks like a Mitscher. Superstructure parts are crammed with detail, but thers is some warpage. The DASH hanger may have to be replaced. The parts do seem to fit well. No waveline quality, but a waveline Mitscher would probably be twice as expensive and would not include a photo-etch set. The helicopter (an H34) also looks nice (even though ist couln't be carried permanently) and it gave me an idea about a mini-diorama as I saw The Right Stuff yesterday. Summing up, the kit contains all parts neccesary for a convincing model of a Mitscher class DL. Pieter Cornelissen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15) From: "K. Hagerup" Subject: 1/96 Bushnell's Turte Instruction Does anyone have a copy or scan of the instruction sheet from the resin 1/96 Bushnell Turtle? I bought the kit at the San Jose Nats and have misplaced the instructions. Thanks, Ken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMMLcon Infomation & posts SMML Convention and tour notices: http://www.mikedunn.freeserve.co.uk/smml/help/smml_con.html If your coming to the SMML convention on friday, we need to know which tour you planning to attend so that we can get an accurate head count for transportation. Contact John Frohock ca139johnf@aol.com and let him know which tour you plan on attending. If you are going on a tour, you need to be onboard the USS Salem no later than 10:00am on Friday May 5th. We will open the ship starting at 9:00am for those who would like a cup of coffee and some schoozing before departure. For those of you who are not going on either tour; the USS Salem will NOT be open to the public on friday (Crew will be on watch to repel boarders if provoked ) so please do not show-up at the ship on friday unless you are attending the tours. Check out Convention and tour info at: http://www.mikedunn.freeserve.co.uk/smml/help/smml_con.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Ives100@aol.com Subject: Bravo Zulu for the SMML Convention Now that the First SMML Convention is history, thanks to the many individuals who contributed to its' success. Thanks to John Sheridan, Larry Ouellette, John Frohock and all the others who worked so hard to make the whole thing happen. Thanks also to the volunteers on board the Salem for their informative tours (especially the gentleman in CIC!!). What a fabulous place to hold a ship model convention! Nice to be able to place faces with names and see all the truly awesome model masterpieces we hear about in SMML. Sevral people traveled some distance to attend. Great seminars, and a truly memorable decal demo from Duane Fowler, who hauled a laptop and his ALPS printer from California, to do decals "live" for us. Great to see Jim Corley and Caroline Carter with their resin wares. The only disappointment was the rather large number of "No-shows", causing some last minute issues with the catering costs. We will need a note from each of your mothers explaining why you did not attend..... Thanks to all for a great SMML Convention kickoff!!! Tom Dougherty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: CA139JOHNF@aol.com Subject: SMMLcon 2000 Hi All, Well SMMLcon 2000 is history. There were a number of cameras in evidence so I will have to assume pics will be forthcomming in a few days. The entire event came off nearly flawlessly and what a wonderful time was had by all. We had everthing a shipmodeler could ask for. Knowledgable people who were willing to share their information. Manufacturers and suppliers showing their latest offerings. Actual demonstrations of methods. The cameraderie of many who share this great hobby. And most of all, 45, of the best ship models I have ever seen, and being a curator, I have seen a lot. The museum's vistors were asked to vote on their favorite model. The winner was Gary Kingzett's absolutly gorgeous model of the USS Oregon. Second place went to John Sheridan's USS Salem, third was Charlie Parker's IJN Kirishima. To all that attended, thank you for your support, your attending and most of all your fellowship. To my fellow organizers, John Sheridan, Harold Lincoln, Larry Ouellette, Fritz Koopman and Mark McKeller, my heartfelt thank you. You guys made it happen. I believe over the next few days that those attending will post what their expereiences were and hopefully a few pictures as well. Shane, Lorna and Mike, thanks also to you guys for the support you gave us. Its through you two that the means of reaching so many shipmodelers was made possible. Thanks also to Greg Lee who started this mail list. One final personal observation. The SMML is a terrific medium for the disemmination of information and views and opinions on a truly international scale. I found it emotionally uplifting to actually meet list members from all over the world. I found it very gratifying to recieve kudos from them all when all we did was just bring you all together. You are a truly great group of people and I am very happy to be associated with you all. I will now shrink back into the obscurity of the internet untill the next time, when someone say's, why don't we get together. Thank you all, John Frohock Curator/Model Collection USNSM/ USS Salem Model Dept. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Derek Frost Subject: Books For Sale items For Sale: Postage extra "I MEZZI D'ASSALTO DELLA Xa FLOTTIGLIA MAS 1940-1945". Marco Spertini & E. Bagnasco. 1997 edition. A definitive work on the Italian small assault craft of WW2 & includes the 'Human Torpedo' types and small motorised assault boats. Extremely well researched and many b/w photographs & scale drawings. 12 pages of color photographs taken at Italian Naval Museums. Pictorial board covers. 264pp.New. $42.00US "UNDERWATER WARRIORS". P.Kemp. 1999 re-print. A study of the 'Frogman' and other under water warriors in WW1 & WW2. All Navies that employed this operation. Hc. 256pp. Many b/w photos. New. $20.00US -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for having SMML at your home, why not stop by our home at: http://www.smml.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume