Subject: SMML VOL 1874 Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 13:01:08 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: Awards 2: Re: USS DIXIE 3: Minsk 4: Re: Oklahoma 5: Re: USS DIXIE 6: Re: Criticism 7: Re: USS DIXIE/VULCAN 8: Re: Modeling Tips 9: More on Monitor 10: Re: JB's shrinking rigging 11: here's one for you russian fans out there 12: Re: Model paint jobs 13: Astute submarine programme hit by design delay ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information 1: Model Expo - Brisbane, Australia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: GI Joe Gang! 2: HAVE YOUR MODEL IN A BOOK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: BECJPARKER@aol.com Subject: Re: Awards I've been watching this IPMS thing about judging and awards and the like and finely decided to jump in with my 2 cents worth of opinion. I have a basement full of awards from IPMS at every level and they were nice to get, I've been a judge at every level of IPMS judging and that was one of the biggest pains in my ass that I've ever had. If you want to loss friends and make enemies be a judge it's a thankless job. But I thank all the guys that do it even if I don't agree with their decisions sometimes. My main reason for commenting however was to express my opinion about the remarks about how some European show and some US show that use Gold, siver, and bronze medals as apposed to trophies packs work. My opinion is the medal system as I have seen it used is a much more valued and true awards system for a couple of reasons. First it's not a have to give award. You can have a category or group that no award or only a silver or bronze award is given in, if that's all it deserves. Let's face it a poorly built model in an unsupported category that gets a 1st place award is of no value and lowers the value of awards from the competition overall. Second it kills the trophy hounds that build junk just to fill up categories to get awards. Third you can give more than one deserving model a gold or silver in a category as the awards are not category dependent but quality dependent. Fourth it's cheaper in the long run for the competition as a standard award can be used (A medal) year after year and a printed certificate can be give to say what year and what it was for. Just my thoughts. Charlie Parker ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: "Sills O'Keefe" Subject: Re: USS DIXIE >> Has anyone built or seen the resin kit from Loose Cannon of the 1/700th USS DIXIE. I really like ships that are not from the mainstream but have a lot of history to them as she, at the end of her career, flew the "Don't Tread On Me" flag (now on my old ship the KITTY HAWK). Just getting the feel for some of the resin kits, now that I am going to make the big plunge into resin I am already looking ahead at possible future kits. Of course I am dead meat if my better half finds out how much they cost compared to plastic. << Michael, I bought the same kit for the same reason. IT's a great kit but NOT the best choice for a first resin kit. There are LOTS of little pieces and big pieces too. And the photoetch fret is HUGE. I would suggest some thing else and come back to this one after you have a few under your belt. But, by all means build this kit eventually. It really is a beauty. Sills O'Keefe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: AAA Hobby Subject: Minsk >> Is this one truly 1/700? << The measurements are as follows. Real dimensions taken from Jane's 91-92 Real 1/700 Kit LWL 818.6' 356.4mm 357mm LOA 899' 391.5mm 390mm BWL 107.3' 46.7mm 47mm BMax 154.8' 68.7mm 67mm D 32.8' 14.3mm 14mm The max. beam reading is the only one significantly different, but I only measured the hull, with the flight deck installed it could expand the hull by 2mm or more. I would guess the kit is as close to 1/700 as is possible. >> 2. Do it look like they will release a Kiev and a Novorrysk (sp), e.g. is the port platform at the forward end of the flight deck a separate piece? << The sponson is molded outside of the parts tree and there is a similar set of arms snipped off the opposite side, suggesting there is another variant in the mold. It is made in such a way that any 4 of the general design can be built if the proper parts are provided in the future. >> Do any of or all three models come with PE brass? << No. But sets are available from GMM and Toms, not so sure about WEM on the Minsk. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: "Doug Marrel" Subject: Re: Oklahoma Oh, there are some of us who might know where a few places in OK are :). Speaking of, has anyone been to the USS Batfish exhibit lately? Is it still worth the trip? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Timothy Dike Subject: Re: USS DIXIE >> Has anyone built or seen the resin kit from Loose Cannon of the 1/700th USS DIXIE. I really like ships that are not from the mainstream but have a lot of history to them as she, at the end of her career, flew the "Don't Tread On Me" flag (now on my old ship the KITTY HAWK). Just getting the feel for some of the resin kits, now that I am going to make the big plunge into resin I am already looking ahead at possible future kits. Of course I am dead meat if my better half finds out how much they cost compared to plastic. << I did a review of a similar Loose Cannon kit, the Vulcan AR-5. It is a pretty nice kit. Loose Cannon uses a two part mold to cast the parts of this kit, so it assembles much like a conventional plastic kit. The parts are cast on trees with the exception of the hull which is one piece and solid. I have dry fitted the superstructure parts and they line up nicely. The kit even has it's own photo etch fret. http://modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/misc/ar/ar-5/lcp-vulcan.html If you've already tacked a few plastic kits and used photo etch you should not have any problems with this one. Timothy Dike Webmaster and Editor ModelWarships.com http://www.modelwarships.com/index1.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "David Griffith" Subject: Re: Criticism Edd Pflum wrote, >> Criticism: Although I agree with Bob's comments on criticizing other's work, I believe he will agree that pointed, or even harsh (though compassionate), criticism from a friend or person you admire, can help you >to improve your skills. << I agree wholeheartedly with this; criticism is about much more than saying what is wrong with something. We would do well to avoid thinking of this term in its pejorative sense. After all, literary criticism is about describing, analysing, comparing and praising, as well as saying "I don't like it, and this is why." From our point of view, criticism can be either destructive or constructive. Destructive criticism probably says more about the person making it than the subject being criticised, it shows the criticiser in an unflattering light. On the other hand, constructive criticism, where the intention is to show someone not just where they have gone wrong or failed to succeed, but rather to help them to improve, to do better next time, and to share with them knowledge and experience is an entirely different matter. Of course, it all has to be done sensitively, as egos are often fragile things. It brings to mind a management concept I heard of once, "warm fuzzies" and "cold pricklies." This means that you say something nice to the person before the harder truth. Something along the lines of, "We have all really appreciated the effort you've put into the marketing department over the last year, Fred (warm fuzzy), but the figures show that sales have actually dropped by 25%, so clear your desk! (cold prickly!!!)" To be sensitive constructive criticism, and not to wound someone's pride, I think it needs to have warm fuzzies at the end too. Sort of, "I can see the work and time you've put into it, and such-and-such is pretty well done, but the doodleflops could be a lot better. How I do them is by using this-that-and-the-other, and you might like to try it that way too. I'd like to see the next one you do." That sort of approach demeans nobody, and everyone gains something, whether it be knowledge, pride or respect. That's my three ha'p'orth. Happy modelling, David Griffith ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: stillmo@mb.sympatico.ca Subject: Re: USS DIXIE/VULCAN The VULCAN DIXIE kits come with their dedicated photo etched frets and are magnificent. They are portrayed in the WWII variant so to do up a Vietnam era or more current you will have to delete a lot of splinter shields, gun positions and perhaps some turrets. These are not kits for the feint of heart, Michael and will be complicated builds, as Loose Cannon's biggest shortcoming is their instructions sheets, they need some improvement. The kit will be a complicated build and time consuming and I do not recommend that one for your first resin build.........perhaps a couple JAG kits FIRST or a Corsair Armada ARD or GARCIA to get your feet wet. RD Bean, writer for Plastic Ship Modeller Magazine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: MIKE.LEONARD@customs.treas.gov Subject: Re: Modeling Tips Franklyn mused: >> Now, if I can only think up a modeling use for empty pizza boxes!!!!! << Oh, I'm sure there's somebody out there who has one under his bed -- filled with tins of Humbrol paint. MWL ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: JRKutina@webtv.net (John Kutina) Subject: More on Monitor In the August 19, 2002 issue of Time Magazine there is a color page of the "Clash of Iron" -- i.e. U.S.S, Monitor vrs C.S.S. Virginia. The Monotor"s revolving turret's roof was made of railroad rails pushed together; the turret weighed more than 120 tons without the cannons, and was held in place by its sheer weight. The entire ship was built in 147 days.. An innovation was a flush toilet below the waterline. Regards, John - Seattle ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) From: "graham and melanie" Subject: Re: JB's shrinking rigging Awwwww John you have just burst my idea of JB and his pet spider ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: here's one for you russian fans out there I was asked what CCCP on old russian equipment stands for I figure it was initials of Russia/USSR in their own script Andrew ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12) From: "Rod Millard" Subject: Re: Model paint jobs The paint jobs on model ships have always bothered me. I see so many perfect paint jobs on model ships and this is far from what they look like. Of course alot of judges go Ga Ga over these paint job so thats probably why guys do them that way. Ships are working pieces of machinery that get a lot of weather and rough seas thrown at them. and to me they should represent that. That to me is the beauty of these vessels. I see so many ships so polished up they look like they just come off the showroom floor they are not motor cars. The modelers that make ships look real make me stand up and take notice. That goes for steel or wood ships. Only one ship modellers opinion. Rod Millard ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: Astute submarine programme hit by design delay Janes By Richard Scott Delivery of the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) first Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) has slipped by up to 18 months as a result of design, engineering and programme management difficulties encountered by prime contractor BAE Systems. As a result, HMS Astute, which was originally due to join the fleet in June 2005, is now not scheduled to enter service until late 2006. In an associated move, BAE Systems has announced a major reorganisation of its Astute-class management structure to improve performance on the contract. The delay has also forced the RN to consider running on an ageing Switftsure-class boat to maintain force levels ahead of HMS Astute's entry to service. Responding to a parliamentary question on 9 July, Secretary of State for the Armed Forces Dr Lewis Moonie said that the prime contractor had "made slower progress in the detailed design and in the build-up of production than anticipated". He added: "The first-of-class, HMS Astute, is now not expected to enter service before late 2006, though this date has yet to be agreed with the contractor." Dr Moonie continued: "BAE Systems is taking a range of management and other actions to minimise the slippage. This includes a reassessment of the optimum time to perform the launch during the build sequence. Revised launch dates will not be available until later in the year. "After the initial entry into service, the plan calls for a considerable trials and work-up period before the boat will become fully operational. The MoD [Ministry of Defence] will work with BAE Systems to recover as much as possible of the delay in this period." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model club & SMMLcon Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Shane Weier Subject: Model Expo - Brisbane, Australia Hi all, Just a reminder to the Aussies that the Queensland Model Hobbies Expo is on at Brisbane Table Tennis Association Centre 86 Green Terrace Downey Park Windsor .... starting at 9am on 24 August and closing at 4pm on 25 August. More traders than ever before, more variety than ever before, and more club displays than ever before. Plus the Queensland Scale Modelling Championship for 2002......and Shane and Lorna will be present!! More details - http://www.qmhe.com (which isn't entirely up to date - it still lacks a full trader list - but is otherwise okay) ....or phone me on 0417 763 528 Shane Weier QMHE'02 President ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "shaya" Subject: GI Joe Gang! We sell this for 10.00 cheaper than TOYS- R - US Shaya Novak Naval Base Hobbies www.modelshipbuilding.com http://www.modelshipbuilding.com/gijoe40mm.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: WVeigele@aol.com Subject: HAVE YOUR MODEL IN A BOOK For my new book about small ships of World War Two, I would like photographs of models of subchaser, escort, minesweeper, and Coast Guard cutter type ships. They include PC, SC, PCE, PCS, AM, YMS, PF, 125' and 165' cutters. If you have such models and want photographs of them included in the book please contact me by email. Wm. J. (Bill) Veigele www.astralpublishing.com/pcraft.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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