Subject: SMML VOL 1582 Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 00:48:51 +1100 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: to charge or not to charge 2: Shane's magazine comments 3: Payment for contributions 4: What's the big deal? 5: AOS Elco PT boat 6: news 7: Re: 80' ELCO Anatomy 8: Fine Scale Modeler - April issue 9: Re: Show me the money.. 10: That lousy Model Ship Journal 11: HMS Li Wo 12: Kriegsmarine Destroyer Names 13: History Channel shows this week!! 14: Quad Bofors in 1/700 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: New book from Classic Warships 2: new models 3: Re: 1:700 Resin Aftermarket Parts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: to charge or not to charge I feel it's up to the publisher if he or she wants to charge, or the person who writes the articles..its up to the indivual... now for some people that write articles, they may need to get paid for all the effort to write that article(s) searching archives etc or if the publisher takes money from companies to be sponsored well then its up the publisher to take any risks, yet remember these people are working for people like us to help us build better models or communicate with the outside world in regards to hobbies.... nothing is for free so if people want to charge to write an article or charge someone else for so called "sponsorship"..its up the individual & how they do business. I nearly wrote a couple of books years ago...had about a dozen exercise books written up & I rang the air force records section & told them what I was doing & well if I wanted someone to do the research it was something $100 (aussie) an hour or I come down myself & then he said that no one is interested in books like that & it would be very hard to get it published...so I threw all my research in the bin..now im working on it again for the APMA mag's, start on so many yet never seem to finish one...soon Shane & Lorna, they will be an article soon. I swear..scouts honour! blah blah (fingers crossed) .. well anyhow each person, to how they do their business -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: Shane's magazine comments While Shane brings up good points, he glosses over a few as well. I am very familiar with both internet publishing as well as print journalism. As far as the web or print publisher paying for overhead, that is a given regardless of the medium. In this day of electronic publishing applications, we can scan or directly input an article into a layout, output to a disk and have it to the printer on the same day. Long lead times were true only in the past when magazines still used cut and paste operations or have become so large, they move too slowly to make last-minute changes. There's absolutely no reason to wait "years" to see your work in print, unless the editor is holding it to run as a special. A small press can respond quickly to new kits, books, articles etc. and the result is a permanent record of a writer's work. The normal lead time for a title like MSJ is 30 days, max. One comment I hear from a great many ship modelers is that they do not use computers. For them, print magazines are their only source for information and we find that our subscribers compose about 50% of this segment. As a matter of fact, it was quite an eye-opener to realize exactly how many ship modelers are not computer savvy and know nothing of SMML. We usually advise them to go to a local library and access a quality site like SteelNavy, International Marine Modeling, ModelWarships or Warship Models Underway to see what they're missing. So, while a great many modelers are reached by the internet, just as many aren't. And, no, we do not necessarily "Have To Have" the latest kit on the cover of MSJ, it only needs to be something eye-catching and is not necessarily limited to models. For the record, Model Ship Journal does pay for material. Sometimes we pay with cash or trade and other times an author foregoes payment to help us keep our costs down. Best Regards, Victor Baca Editor & Publisher MODEL SHIP JOURNAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Kerry Jang Subject: Payment for contributions The issue of providing payment for an article, web based or in print is really a matter of what the publisher expects from his/her mag/webzine. If the publisher is expecting to make money (for whatever reason), he/she is motivated to get the best authors and pay them to do the work. If the publishger views his/her mag/webzine as a supplement to an income, a hobby or whatver, then they will likely not provide cash for articles. Both kinds of publishers will provide review samples to authors, but typically if they can get them from a manufacturer for free. As a research psychologist at the U. of British Columbia, its my job to write articles for scientific publications. I get no additional pay for it. Its my job to create knowledge and report it in a peer reviewed publication (publish or perish!). I am also writing an academic book this year, and had to deal with a for profit publisher for the first time. What a difference! Marketing and profit consideration took the front seat from the get go! I eventually signed with one publisher over another as the one I chose allowed me more freedom to write the book the way I wanted over the other one, that wanted sooooo many changes and drove the agenda. At any rate, I think anyone who has a new kit, new PE set or whatever should write up an article and submit it anywhere. We are all the better for it, and still to this day, seeing my name in print is still a thrill! I love it when people comment/challenge me on what I say as well. That is the fun of writing, so get out your pen, put away your ego and have some fun. Cheers, Kerry Jang, PhD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: What's the big deal? >> I agree completely with your point about the permanence, or lack thereof, of digital files or records. Years ago I used to do my spreadsheet work on Lotus 123 from DOS as the operating system. I have no practical access to any of that data now. Lets face it, the hardware makers, and Microsoft, are in the business of making our current stuff obsolete. If computers, operating systems, and application software lasted 10 years, they would make a whole lot less money than they do now. How many people have anything older than 5 years on their hard drive? Or have archived material that theycan still read? << I have CAD files (photo etch design files) that I have had for over ten years. All I did was continue to update the programs with the latest version. Their older version were made to be compatible with the newer version operating systems and so on. Once I had the newer version software, it would automatically update older files to newer ones. I don't understand why everyone seems to think our information is destined to be lost by newer, upgraded operating systems and software. As far as Lotus 123 (as an example) goes, when Excel (and any number of new spreadsheet programs) hit the market, you could easily convert Lotus files (and lots of other programs) into the new programs. So what's the big deal? The biggest problem I ran into in the last five years was when I upgraded from Windows '95 to '98. The '98 operating system read files completely different from the '95 system which made a couple of my older programs obsolete when I made the upgrade. That DID piss me off! Especially when no fix was made available from the software company that was made obsolete. ASS***ES! But I digress. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. Purchase on line with your Visa/Master Card/Amex/Discover http://okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: BSteinIPMS@aol.com Subject: AOS Elco PT boat >> In the "for what it's worth" category, the AOS on the 80' ELCO is back on. It should be ready in 2004, after something else (that John L. will probably mention) is completed. << Well, it's worth a lot to me, Al. Can I get an autographed copy? :-) Bob Steinbrunn Minneapolis Nautical Research Guild -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: news HMS Echo, the Royal Navy's new Multi-Role Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Vessel, has been named at Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd, Appledore in Devon. The 3,500 tonne Echo will work with the Fleet in world-wide front-line operational roles, including supporting mine warfare and amphibious operations, as well as undertaking specialist surveying tasks necessary to the long-term effectiveness of the Royal Navy. HMS Echo and her sister ship HMS Enterprise were ordered from Vosper Thornycroft (VT) with construction sub-contracted by VT to Appledore Shipbuilders. The contract with VT also covers the support of the ships throughout their expected 25 year service life with the Royal Navy, with a potential through life value of £130 million. The two ships are expected to enter service in 2003. The 3,500 tonne ships are equipped with the latest integrated survey systems, including multi-beam echo sounders and modern side scan sonars, as well as advanced navigation and communication systems. Echo also has a modern all electric propulsion system incorporating 360 degree podded thrusters ð a first for the Royal Navy. ADI proposes 'composite' solution to RAN patrol boat needs ADI Limited has proposed that its strategy for producing Australia's new fleet of minehunter ships be followed for the construction of the Royal Australian Navy's new patrol boat fleet. ADI would base its patrol boats on an internationally proven design, the Royal Danish Navy's Flyvefisken Class patrol boat, adapted in Australia by ADI to suit the RAN's specific needs. The vessels would be built at ADI's Newcastle facility from advanced composite materials, which offer significant benefits over metal alternatives. Also known as Standard Flex 300 (SF300), the Flyvefisken Class is based on a modular concept - using a standard hull with containerised weapon systems and equipment, which allows the vessel to change role quickly for surveillance, surface combat, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), mine countermeasures/minehunter, minelayer or pollution control. Standard equipment for all roles includes the command system, radars and hull-mounted sonars. HMS Fearless to be retired after nearly four decades of service After nearly 37 years of distinguished service with the Royal Navy on a wide range of tasks around the world, the assault ship HMS Fearless will finally be withdrawn from service when she returns home on 18 March from active operations in the Arabian Sea. A Landing Platform Dock, Fearless has played a high profile role in numerous deployments, ranging from landing amphibious assault troops to retake the Falklands in 1982, to hosting diplomatic negotiations over the future of Rhodesia in 1968.Most recently, she moved straight from the UK's joint exercise with the Omani Armed Forces, Saif Sareea II, in September/October 2001, to active operations in the Coalition against terrorism following the atrocities of 11 September. It had been planned that she would be retired in November 2002, as her replacement, HMS Albion prepares to enter service in January 2003.However, following her long deployment in the Arabian Sea, and given her age, the necessary maintenance work which she would need for another eight months service has been deemed not to be cost-effective.The helicopter carrier HMS Ocean has taken over her duties in the Arabian Sea. HMS Albion will commence sea trials later this year, before entering service in January 2003. HMS Albion and her sister ship HMS Bulwark, which on current plans will enter service towards the end of 2003, will be significantly more capable than HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid. The new vessels will be equipped with vastly more sophisticated command, control and communication systems. They will be able to deploy embarked troops much more quickly - by air and sea - and will use landing craft with 20% more landing capability. They also have a RORO type configuration for rapid embarkation of vehicles. Plans for the disposal of HMS FEARLESS are currently under review. The Romanian government decided on 1 March to start acquisition procedures for two ex-Royal Navy Type 22 Batch 2 frigates - HMS Coventry and HMS London as soon as possible. Romanian military sources said that the upgrade for the two frigates (command system, new guided weapons and the fitting of a medium-calibre gun system) would be carried out by a Romanian shipyard, most probably Daewoo Mangalia Shipyard on the Black Sea coast. The two ships would support Romania's NATO Membership Action Plan and provide the country's obsolete navy with its first modern surface combatants. Submarines to cast off their shackles, take on new roles Submarines are working harder than ever. Although the US fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines has been nearly halved since 1989, the number of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions that they perform has almost doubled. also on http://www.military.com there are security camera pic's of the plane crashing into the pentagon on sept 11 ..doesnt actually show the plane, but the first shot must be taken 1/2 sec before plane hits & then the next 4 shots are taken as the plane explodes inside -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: 80' ELCO Anatomy >> In the "for what it's worth" category, the AOS on the 80' ELCO is back on. It should be ready in 2004, after something else (that John L. will probably mention) is completed. << Way to go Al!! I for one look forward to seeing this book when you get it published by Conway/Naval Institute Press. Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: NAVYDAZE@aol.com Subject: Fine Scale Modeler - April issue Has anyone seen the April issue - there is an article on Astrology for modelers. I thought "Oh is stupid" until I read my own on Aries. Crap, says I never put a model together. Start everyone I buy but rarely finish and so on. Hey I have a lot of models in many stages of production and I am trying to count the finished ones - well actually I am trying to find the finished ones . . . ah . . . can I get back to you on that!! I wonder how many of you can identify with you horoscopes in this issue!!?? Mike Donegan NAVYDAZE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: Re: Show me the money.. John brought up an interesting point. >> Also, and this is blatantly obvious by the content of publications and sites who rely on the "generosity" of manufacturers for both content and "free" review samples, the articles and reviews are clearly skewed in favor of the producers!! Just look at Hyperscale, reviews in Model Ship Journal, and FSM and such. These pubs aren't going to bite the hands that feed them. << As some of you may know, I write a few articles for Model Ship Journal. During this time Victor has asked me to write on various subjects and I have picked some of my own. My basic philosophy with this is.... If I have more negative things to say about some kit or book, then I dont want to review it, or write an article about it. I feel that would give the magazine a negative overtone. I think that is bad for any publication. So, if you dont see an article from me on a current kit, or whatever, then I either dont know about it or dont think it was of a quality I would print. I write the articles for Victor's Model Ship Journal because I see a worthy cause. Also, his success is my success. I send him as much as I have time to write, and he gives me one free ad. Although I do pay for the other ad, I know he would give it to me for free for what I do for him, but again I pay for it to see him succeed. I also create advertisement artwork for other ship model businesses for free, because, again, their success is my success. That, I believe, is the big picture. On another note, thanks for the compliment about my books. I had to raise the prices of the Warship Pictorial books to enable myself to make a living at this. I really doubt that they will go up in price again barring any radical increase in production cost. If you notice that the more expensive books in the series are a higher in page count and/or have color in them. Just a tidbit of info for 'yall, Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: That lousy Model Ship Journal >> I agree with most what Shane has said in response..I do feel that publications, like Model Ship Journal, are in a much better position to be paying for their content than websites, given their high subscription rates.. << Hi John: So you think we're making a ton of dough on subscription rates, huh? That "high subscription rate" doesn't go very far when you consider the cost of good paper and increasing postal rates (not to mention all the copies they lose). And subscriptions don't nearly pay for the $5,000.00 per quarter printer's invoice, not to mention pre-press costs and all the other monetary considerations needed before that labor of love arrived in your mailbox. We just added more content (8 pages) and a new look to the magazine, but you'll never know because you didn't stick around long enough to see how it turned out. How do I manage to deliver consistent quality? I don't get paid for my effort, but I'm having fun anyway. And where in the heck did you think we got those mythical "Free Samples" from? We pay for everything we review and only buy the good stuff at full retail. Any product that comes in gratis is traded for ad cost reductions to the supplier, figured also at full retail--I am beholden to no one for the product we review. If I get really crappy kits, they sit in the round file. We also give away the best kits in our quarterly subscriber drawing (if you had hung around a little longer, you may have recouped your "high subscription cost"). As far as getting free content from dealers, nothing could be farther from the truth. If their writing doesn't pass my muster or appears self-serving, it never sees the light of day. I'd say, John, that you need to check facts before you set yourself up as judge, jury and internet executioner. Frankly, you don't know what you're talking about. You perpetuate old myths about the publishing business by relying on old wives tales and the usual internet hearsay. IMHO your opinion ain't worth much. Best Regards, Victor Baca Editor & Publisher MODEL SHIP JOURNAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Peter Chant" Subject: HMS Li Wo All, just over a year ago I mentioned here the action of HMS Li Wo as an act of courage. A search engine spotted this last week for the grand-daughter of the man who was the ships gunlayer at the time (in between surviving the sinking of the Repulse, and time in a Japanese POW camp!). She has just acquired his account, and colour sketch, of the events of 14 February 1942 and posted them on her family web site: http://www.pencoed-wales.freeserve.co.uk/ww2.htm Please have a look as you will find it a fascinating story, I still am in awe of a crew that would take on several Japanese warships with only 6 4inch AP shells. Peter Chant Plymouth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Pletscher-Lenz-Schneider" Subject: Kriegsmarine Destroyer Names Destroyers of the Types 1936A and 1936A (Mob) were given no official names. They only had numbers. Ten of them, however, were chosen to carry on the tradition of those destroyers lost at Narvik. So the names of these lost destroyers were attached to them as traditional names as follows: Georg Thiele - Z-24 Wolfgang Zenker - Z-30 Bernd von Arnim - Z-29 Erich Giese - Z-27 Erich Koellner - Z-34 Diethmar von Roeder - Z-33 Hans Ludemann - Z-25 Hermann Kunne - Z-37 Wilhelm Heidkamp - Z-28 Anton Schmitt - Z-26 Falk Pletscher -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: Henry Blecha Subject: History Channel shows this week!! The History Channel has a couple of ship related shows this week that may be of interest to the list. One is titled the "Silent Service" and is scheduled for 9pm PST (LA viewing area) starting Tuesday (12 March) and runs for four nights. The second is a show, "Raise the ALABAMA", that ran last week and is again scheduled for this coming Saturday (16 Mar) at 1pm PST. Enjoy!! Henry Blecha -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14) From: Robert Lockie Subject: Quad Bofors in 1/700 White Ensign does some nice quad 40s in resin, with separate shields and rails in p/e if you want them. They also do resin pedestals for single (or twin) 20mms, onto which you assemble the ordnance and the mount from p/e. They are rather good in my view. I am pretty sure there are searchlights in the range as well but I am at work so do not have the list with me. Robert Lockie Swindon UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: SteveWiper@aol.com Subject: New book from Classic Warships As some of you may know I have been publishing a series of soft bound books called the "Warship Pictorial" series. With 16 titles printed and eight more in the works, this is turning out to be a successful venture, not to mention satisfying. I am now starting to work on my first hard bound book and hope to start a new series with this first book. I am looking at what I like and dislike with the "Anatomy of the Ship" series. I plan on publishing this first book in a similar format to the above mentioned series, but with some changes I think will improve the quality. Like the "Anatomy" series, I plan on having extensive drawings and photos, along with a good deal of technical data and a chronological history. I am setting a target of approximately 200 pages. One of the pluses with my future publication will be a section in color, which none of the "Anatomy" series has done. Another will be a table of contents, again, not in the "Anatomy" series. I am thinking about mixing the photos in with the drawings, so you wont have to flip back and forth. I and my draftsman hope to publish about one title per year, so we have started to choose a selection of subjects, listed below. I plan on calling them the "Warship Technical" series. The first book will be on the battleship USS Arizona. Second book is the cruiser Indianapolis. Other subjects being considered are the battleship Bismarck, cruiser Prinz Eugen, battleship Tennessee, a Benson/Gleaves type destroyer, carrier Enterprise, battleship Kongo and others. While I work on these subjects, I will continue to publish more books in the soft bound "Warship Pictorial" series. I would like to hear from those of you on this list that would like to see some of your favorite subjects in a book such as this type. Please post your list on the SMML, not to me directly. While you list these subjects, try to remember, they should be of a subject that would be popular. The cost to print a hard bound book is really high, so I have to make sure that each subject is a good seller. Battleships, cruisers, carriers and some destroyers are good sellers, but a minesweeper is not. Thanks, Steve Wiper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Leodegar Berger" Subject: new models I have two new 1/1250 models in stock A typical american lighthouse and a steamtractor. Please visit also my homepage http://members.aon.at/bermod Leo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: John Snyder Subject: Re: 1:700 Resin Aftermarket Parts Hi Derek, We can partially help (all prices in Pounds): Quad 40mm - unshielded: WEM PRO 7029, 2.95 for a bag of 3 (and WEM PE 735 gives you a fret of photoetched brass details [railings, sights, shields] for 1.95); Single 20mm pedistal mount: WEM PRO 7025, cast resin Oerlikon pedestals, 2.95 for a bag of 25, to be combined with our WEM PE 704, 20mm oerlikons & shields, 0.97 for a fret of 16 guns; Search and Signal lights: WEM PRO 7015 for Searchlights, 1.57 for a bag of 8; WEM PRO 7016 for Signal Lamps/Small Searchlights, 1.57 for a bag of 8; Round and square life floats: WEM PRO F001, Small Carley (round) Floats, 1.57 for a bag of 8; WEM PRO F002, Large Carley Floats, 1.57 for a bag of 6; Also Hedgehog mounts, WEM PRO 7009, 1.57 for a bag of 6; and Twin Oerlikon mounts with cast resin pedestals, WEM PRO 7005, 3.36 for a bag of 25 mounts. We also have Corsair Armada's Oerlikons with cast resin pedestals, priced at 5.25. Sounds like you need our free list of kits/parts, Mate. Best, John Snyder White Ensign Models http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/white.ensign.models -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Backissues, Member's models & reference pictures at: http://smmlonline.com Check out the APMA site for an index of ship articles in the Reference section at: http://apma.org.au/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume