WWI Digest 394 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: [Fwd: Ultimate ragwing in 1/48] by mbittner@juno.com 2) Re: Improving older Models (New Thread) by mbittner@juno.com 3) Hustad by aew (Allan Wright) 4) Re: Jean Navarre by Peter Kilduff 5) Re: WWI Swap Page by aew (Allan Wright) 6) Re: Jean Navarre by Mark Shannon 7) Address for ICARE magazine by Peter Kilduff 8) Re: Jean Navarre by Sandy Adam 9) Wednesday, 10 January 1917, Plessis by "Marian Hollinger, Bradley Omanson" 10) Re: Duxford? by SOPWITH@worldnet.att.net 11) Re: Nieuport articles by alfb@sn.no (Alf Bakken) 12) Re: Biggles by Alberto Rada 13) KAE Hannover CL II/IIIa review by Joseph Gentile 14) RE: Nieuport articles by Shane Weier 15) Re: [Fwd: Ultimate ragwing in 1/48] by Alberto Rada 16) Re: Biggles by DavidL1217@aol.com 17) Re: KAE Hannover CL II/IIIa review by DavidL1217@aol.com 18) Re: Tuesday, 9 January 1917, Plessis by bucky@mail.prolog.net (Mary-Ann/Michael) 19) Biggles by bucky@mail.prolog.net (Mary-Ann/Michael) 20) Re: Re[2]: Nieuport articles by bucky@mail.prolog.net (Mary-Ann/Michael) 21) Re: Biggles by "Ray Boorman" 22) Re: Jean Navarre by "Ray Boorman" 23) Re: Improving older Models (New Thread) by "Shelley Goodwin" 24) Re: Embarassing Top Aces question. by bshatzer@orednet.org (Bill Shatzer) 25) Re: Improving older Models (New Thread) by bshatzer@orednet.org (Bill Shatzer) 26) Re: Embarassing Top Aces question. by bshatzer@orednet.org (Bill Shatzer) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 05:51:24 EST From: mbittner@juno.com To: wwi Subject: Re: [Fwd: Ultimate ragwing in 1/48] Message-ID: <19970110.045255.14550.5.mbittner@juno.com> On Thu, 9 Jan 1997 11:42:03 -0500 Sandy Adam writes: > I reported elsewhere on the work so far put into the Junkers but > it is such a beautiful (ie ugly) subject that I had to have it. > I won't bother with the Nie 28 as I am quite happy with my > Aurora conversion of some years back, but all reports on the > Blue Max kit are good. What is it about the Nie 28? - for such a > crap aeroplane it is such a popular subject! I know that the US > had it foisted on its pilots for want of anything better when > they entered the war and Campbell and Rickenbacker flew it. > Surely this doesn't mean that we have to have ore, and/or > better, kits of this than Camels or SE5s for god's sake - after > all, if you are a chauvinist the US did use the latter two as > well! One reason why it is so well liked you already said: it was the first, official US warplane. The first plane flown by US-trained pilots to record a "kill". And it wasn't that bad of a plane. It would have been a lot better had the wing fabric stayed on a bit better. Matt mbittner@juno.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 05:51:23 EST From: mbittner@juno.com To: wwi Subject: Re: Improving older Models (New Thread) Message-ID: <19970110.045255.14550.1.mbittner@juno.com> On Fri, 10 Jan 1997 00:49:24 -0500 "Ray Boorman" writes: > Before packing my Testors /Hawk Nieuport 17, I printed Shane's > list of improvements and put them in the box. So when I finally > do unpack and get around to building it I will have a lot of > ideas on how to improve it. Which gave me the idea for a new > thread. Or at least an idea for an occasional thread. What I am > suggesting is once a month or so we come up with an older model > and see who has ideas on what to improve and how to go about it. > This will mean various people can practice on models that are a > lot less expensive, and improve there skills with at least a > fair chance of finishing the projects rather than starting to > improve everything and getting to the point of giving up, which > is where an awfull lot of models end up. > In the end this will also help on the more expensive Eduards and > Blue Max's since after a few Smer or Glencoe projects your > confidence will that much higher. > pennance for building only 1/72 last year!-) > Too late, Ray. I'm working on the *1/72nd* Revell Nie.28, and as soon as I get done - or at least all the major components on - I plan on posting my findings. Interesting, to say the least. Oh, and if I ever *do* get around to the Glencoe Nie.28, I'll post my findings as well. However, due to wrath incurred by my 1/72nd brethren, I won't post until it is completely finished, and out of harms way. ;-) Matt mbittner@juno.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 08:15:08 -0500 (EST) From: aew (Allan Wright) To: wwi Subject: Hustad Message-ID: <199701101315.IAA12091@pease1.sr.unh.edu> Unfortunately nobody was able to help me with Steve's ever-bouncing mail so the server unsubscribed him. If you see him ask him to get the people that run the USPS e-mail server to fix it! -Al =============================================================================== Allan Wright Jr. | You fell victim to one of the 'classic' blunders! University of New Hampshire+--------------------------------------------------- Research Computing Center | WWI Modeling mailing list: wwi@pease1.sr.unh.edu Internet: aew@unh.edu | WWI Modeling WWW Page: http://pease1.sr.unh.edu =============================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 8:14:12 -0500 (EST) From: Peter Kilduff To: wwi Subject: Re: Jean Navarre Message-ID: <970110081412.202a3653@CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU> More info on Navarre appears in the book titled _Over the Front_ by Norman Franks and F.W. Bailey (not to be confused with the historical journal of the same name). The book -- pp. 196-197 -- outlines Navarre's career, gives his complete victory loist and citations for some of his awards. The book has LOTS of photos, mostly of the aces themselves, but some with their aircraft. The book deals with U.S. and French aces. PK ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 08:32:05 -0500 (EST) From: aew (Allan Wright) To: wwi Subject: Re: WWI Swap Page Message-ID: <199701101332.IAA12183@pease1.sr.unh.edu> Bill C. Wrote: > Graham wrote: > > As a matter of interest, couldn't the WW1 Modellers HomePage carry > > details of wants/swaps? > > Check out http://www2.firstsaga.com/lfendy/fof_site.htm > This was advertised on the list a week ago or so. > Allan, how about adding him to the links? Yes, yes, YES! Done! I can't believe I missed this the first time through the list. -Al =============================================================================== Allan Wright Jr. | You fell victim to one of the 'classic' blunders! University of New Hampshire+--------------------------------------------------- Research Computing Center | WWI Modeling mailing list: wwi@pease1.sr.unh.edu Internet: aew@unh.edu | WWI Modeling WWW Page: http://pease1.sr.unh.edu =============================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 07:29:10 -0600 From: Mark Shannon To: wwi Subject: Re: Jean Navarre Message-ID: <32D64426.5FCB@ix.netcom.com> Bill Shatzer wrote: > > Ray Boorman queried: > > > >After all the Nunguessor Nieuport messages. I wonder if someone can answer > >what happened to Jean Navarre. I have read peices in Various Datfiles which > >have piqued my interest. Red painted Morane's, when Richtofen was still > >flying in two seaters. Then of course there is the Tricolor Nieuport. What > >made him so famous at Verdun and what happened to him. > > Poor lad, went absolutely barmy. Ga-ga. Combat stress syndrome. Whatever. > Shot down and wounded in June of 1916, he spent the next 2 plus > years in facilities with cool green painted walls and understanding > staff. (The British would have probably called it Lack of Moral Fibre > and begun appropriate disciplinary action but the French were more > understanding, at least with a genuine ace and Certified National Hero. > Presumably, they would have been less gentle with a run-of-the-mill poilu.) > > He was restored to active duty just before the armistice but apparently > didn't see any action before November 11. Alas, this story does not > have a happy ending. While practicing for a victory parade in which > he intended to fly through the Arc de Triomphe (!!!) he crashed and > was killed in July of 1919. > > As to his, fame, well, I suspect that was mostly the propaganda machine > at work. Verdun was, after all, a nasty affair for all concerned and > it was hard to create "heroes for the homefront" out of ordinary > soldats cowering in trenches acting mostly as targets for German > artillery. Now Navarre, with his brightly painted aircraft and > lady's silk stocking for a flying helmet was eminently more suitable > for newspaper copy to inspire the homefront. Still, he was one of > the first French pilots to claim an actual aerial victory (with > rifle fire, no less!) and was one of the first French "Aces". And, > 12 aerial victories prior to June of '16 is not to be sneezed at. > Only a handful of pilots had done better - For instance, Boelke's total in > June, '16 was 18 and Immelmann's was 15 so Navarre was certainly up there > with the elite. > > Ah, perhaps more than you wished to know? Oh well! > > Cheers, > > -- > - Bill Shatzer bshatzer@orednet.org - > ............................................................................ > - This space for rent - -- Actually, between the initial ga-ga press over Garros, and the rise of Nungessor and Guynemer to worship status, Navarre was the 'Great Ace'. Looking at the lists from our perspective, his 12 confirmed kills is small change, but he was the first Allied ace to look like an answer to Boelcke and Immelmann. As for his insanity, it is suggested in several references that his wound damaged his brain. One reference (and I forget where I read it) suggests that the bullet destroyed a lot of one temporal lobe. This part of the brain controls raw aggression and short-term to long-term memory transitions. Apparently, the poor man was quite literally turned into a raging lunatic. -- This has been Mark and/or Mary Shannon at Shingend@ix.netcom.com Remember that every cliche started out as a stroke of genius. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 8:35:16 -0500 (EST) From: Peter Kilduff To: wwi Subject: Address for ICARE magazine Message-ID: <970110083516.202a3653@CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU> ICARE Tour Essor 93 14-16, rue de Scandicci F-93500 PANTIN ====== France ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 17:32:06 +0000 (GMT) From: Sandy Adam To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Jean Navarre Message-ID: > > Poor lad, went absolutely barmy. Ga-ga. Combat stress syndrome. Whatever. > - Bill Shatzer bshatzer@orednet.org - Was he not the guy who reputedly drove around city streets running down French policeman and shouting out that he was the 'Eagle of Verdun' adding to his victory score? Sandy ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 17:12:36 -0800 From: "Marian Hollinger, Bradley Omanson" To: wwi Subject: Wednesday, 10 January 1917, Plessis Message-ID: <32D6E904.78F1@host.dmsc.net> 891. Fair. Wrote in my diary all morning and went up on twenty minute flight with a "Baby" this afternoon. Recieved letters from Uncle Lock and Cousin Kate Mackie and wrote to Miss Miller, my old high school French teacher, and Dorothy Barrett. Got an advance of fifty francs from Bonbright, 1\3 my next months allowance from the Franco-American Corps. Found out that we three Americans will be "disponible" beginning with to-morrow and consequently will be at Liberty to be sent to the front as soon as orders for us arrive. That is good news. Parsons and Bigelow are in Paris so I'll have to get word to them of this somehow. *************************** from the War Diary of E.C.C. Genet ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 22:53:11 +0000 From: SOPWITH@worldnet.att.net To: wwi Subject: Re: Duxford? Message-ID: <19970110225308.AAA13139@LOCALNAME> At 12:55 AM 1/9/97 +0000, you wrote: >Greetings brethren- > > The bride and I are off to London for school vacation in February. >I have heard that the Imperial War Museum has an annex with goodies at >Duxford near Cambridge. Is it worth a day trip? Comments? > >Cheese- Gerry > >Gerry McOsker- Newport Rhode Island. > > "The whole dream of democracy is to raise the proletarian to the >level of stupidity attained by the bourgeois" Gistave Flaubert >or is it to lower the bourgeoise to the level of stupidity enjoyed by the >underclass? ...machs nicht! > > > Time might be better spendt at the RAF musseum in Hendon. It is but 20 minutes away by the Tube. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 23:57:35 +0100 (MET) From: alfb@sn.no (Alf Bakken) To: wwi Subject: Re: Nieuport articles Message-ID: <199701102257.XAA11658@mail1.sn.no> >First, a public thank you. Thanks, Mark. Your copies arrived >Monday (I've been extremely busy to post earlier). Thanks, Shane. >Your copies arrived yesterday. And don't worry - I have every >intention of scaling down the plans. ;-) > >However, I still need part one of the series. I'm not sure what >it could have been on (I'm secretly hoping for the Nie.IV), but >was wondering if someone might have it so they can copy it >for me. Part two was February 1981, so I'm *guessing* part >one was in January of that year. > >Can anybody help? TIA! > > >Matt >mbittner@juno.com > > Part one was November 1980 (in 1/48 only), and it is the Nieuport IV. I have the issue in my collection and can send you a copy. I need your address though. If you are interested I can also e-mail you a scan of the drawings to 1/72. Alf Alf Bakken Smalgangen 21, 0188 OSLO. Norway. Tlf. 22 17 00 07. E-mail: alfb@pop.sn.no ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 18:57:33 -0400 (AST) From: Alberto Rada To: wwi Subject: Re: Biggles Message-ID: <199701102257.SAA26505@fw.true.net> At 07:35 PM 1/9/97 -0500, you wrote: > > OK, here's a request I'm sure someone can help with. Ever since >learning about Biggles a few years ago, I wanted to pick up one of the books >just for nostalgia sake. I tried a bunch of old bookstores, but none even >knew what I was talking about. One store in Athens, Ohio found the titles >and author(A pilot named Johns...pretty good article in C&C a year or so >ago) and assured me they'd be able to find one. That was 18 months ago and >I've yet to hear anything. Anyone have one they are willing to part with for >not too much? I think one called The White Fokker(or maybe The White >Albatros) is supposed to be a typical one. >Mike Muth > > In 1994 Cresset Editions, they are part of Random House Group, in England, published a book called : " A Biggles Omnibus " this is the reprint of three books : Biggles Learns to Fly - Biggles Flies East - Biggles in the Orient All this stories are set in WW 1 scenario but not necessarily are aviation stories, I would say more of the "clock and dagger" ( did I say it correct ) stuff , but it is good reading and I must confess I enjoy a lot the character, price is OK and as it is a recent edition you can find it in a lot of stores, I bought it in the States at: Crawford-Peters Aeronautica P.O. Box 152528 San Diego, CA. 92115 619 287 3933 They have a Huge new and second hand library on WWI and a separate catalog on the subject. I have also been trying to obtain some of the original publications but with little success, if any of our British friends find anything on the subject in their whereabouts I would appreciate the information SALUDOS ALBERTO ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 17:16:01 -0600 (CST) From: Joseph Gentile To: wwi Subject: KAE Hannover CL II/IIIa review Message-ID: <199701102316.RAA11840@Walden.MO.NET> Since there has been a lot of talk regarding vac kits, I thought this review of my latest project would be appropriate. Koster Aero Enterprises kit number 17 is a 1/48 Hannover CL II/IIIa and one of the nicer vac kits I have seen, in it is a relatively "complete" kit with little to no corrections needed. At $32.95 USD it is not cheap but IMHO worth the money. A detailed instruction sheet is included and has an exploded view of all parts as well as a few tips on assembling the kit and a rigging diagram The kit is a true multi media adventure so I'll break the review down into five (5) sections: Vacuum formed, cast resin, cast white metal, photo etched brass and decals. VACUUM FORMED There are *only* twelve (12) vacuum formed pieces to be released from the one sheet of white plastic. (2) fuselage halves, top wing bottom, top wing top, bottom wing bottom, bottom wing top left, bottom wing top right, gunners seat, floor, front and rear bulkheads and rudder bar housing. The fuselage measures quite nicely when compared to the Datafile drawings and are close enough to "spot on" for me. Detailing on the fuselage is accurate though a tad soft. Louvres, cooling vents and access panels are all present and should make an accurate presentation. The problem with the two engine access panels and camera door on the bottom of the fuselage is that they are split down the middle and when the join line is removed there is a risk that they will be too. I am thinking that they can be fabricated and replaced easily by a piece of styrene or scrap brass if this should happen. The five wing pieces measured up to the *scale* drawings and all rib detail is present and accounted for. The wing pieces have been molded on raised sections in *typical?* vac fashion and it appears that the dihedral has been taken into consideration. The gravity tank on the top wing is molded into the top and bottom halves. The radiator location is marked and will need to be cut out as Bill provides one with cast resin pieces that are quite. All strut placement points are marked for ease of drilling. The same should be mentioned for the cabanes as well as undercarriage. The bottom wing will be attached to the fuselage via saddle cut. The front and rear bulkeads, along with the floor board, rudder bar housing and observers seat make up the last of the vac parts. These are very tasty indeed. The front bulkhead has molded on switches and a magneto and the rear bulkhead has a leather back/head rest molded to it. Both parts have a grain effect molded in that is brought out nicely by a wash of raw umber over Model Master wood. The floor has the same grain molding as well as the two rudder bar pulley's and a fuel tank which sits directly below the pilot (ow!). The rudder bar housing is attached to the back of the front bulkhead and will also assist in centering the engine later on in the assembly. CAST RESIN There are ten resin pieces which are casted in a bubble free cream color. The Argus engine is one of them and as with all the pieces very nicely done It is as nice as any aftermarket white metal product I have seen with very little clean up required. The cylinder heads are smooth with no references or attachment points indicated for the intake or exhaust manifolds but that is being somewhat picky IMO. In this day of etched everything it is nice to have a little bit of built in dimension. Bill Koster provides the modeller this with the resin radiator pieces. The detail is crip and no plastic shim will be required when installed in the top wing assembly. Ailerons, stabilizers, rudder and elevators make up the remaining resin parts. Position them any way you want! No cutting, bending or scoring one piece wings required. CAST METAL The kits 72 cast metal parts are incredible!. They are simply superb! By utilizing white metal in lieu of photo etched brass Koster brings depth to the model. The cockpit deserves special mention here. Control stick, air and water pump, clutch and wobble pump levers are all present. The pilots seat as well as two sets of seat belts are presented as well as a mg mount and rudder bar. The rear observers gun ring is casted in metal and there are parts for the parabellum mount and rest too. The modeller has their choice of a jacketed parabellum or an unjacketed gun that comes with an oigee (sp?) sight. The modeller also has the option of wurfgranates or flares. The grenades are wonderful with very fine scribing along the shells and very thin fins. There are even twelve individual valve lifters included for the engine. The intake and exhaust manifolds are metal items as is the remainder of the engines plumbing. All struts, cabanes and undercarriage are cast in this medium. With 72 tidbits included I could write for hours on these part so I'll leave this paragraph as is. PHOTO ETCHED AND DECALS A generic small brass sheet is included and one gets a couple of machine gun jackets, bezels and other assorted goodies including compass, bezels, etc... Koster supposedly includes enough lozenge decal for the kit. The only *problem?* is that it is of the four color variety. Most Hannovers I *think* were covered with the five color lozenge. The lozenge looks like it was supplied by Proprag Team. There are individual markings available for six different a/c including 2714/18 "Wandervogel" and 3892/18 that appears on the cover of Datafile number 23. Eiserne Kruez and Balkan Kruez have been included as well. HITS Detail galore, lot's of everything to make most tech narcs happy campers. The engine assembly itself is made up of nineteen pieces. The white metal needs very little clean up and adds dimension that is sorely missed in the Eduards kits. Even the aileron cranks and control horn are cast items. Plenty of options available with little scratch building necessary. MISSES Not many here. One may need to replace the four color lozenge for some five color stuff. The spandau's feed belt and ejector chute are molded in a drum like fashion much as a "Tommy gun" would appear. With all the white metal it will weigh a ton OVERALL IMPRESSION Great kit! For those who suffer from an acute case of vacaphobia this baby should cure you. KAE only sells direct and does not accept credit cards. His address is included in the FAQ. Joe ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 10:16:23 +1100 From: Shane Weier To: "'wwi@pease1.sr.unh.edu'" Subject: RE: Nieuport articles Message-ID: <01BBFFA8.7FC92D60@pc087b.mim.com.au> Matt, Those leetle planes are softening yer brain me boy. >However, I still need part one of the series. I'm not sure what >it could have been on (I'm secretly hoping for the Nie.IV), but >was wondering if someone might have it so they can copy it >for me. Part two was February 1981, so I'm *guessing* part >one was in January of that year. If you'd told me this before I'd have put them in the same envelope. November 80 in fact, and the subject is the Nieuport IVg 1:48 plans again !!!! I have copied them and they are in the post. You should get them within a week. Shane ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 19:06:19 -0400 (AST) From: Alberto Rada To: wwi Subject: Re: [Fwd: Ultimate ragwing in 1/48] Message-ID: <199701102306.TAA26901@fw.true.net> At 02:30 AM 1/10/97 -0500, you wrote: > > Retail price for BM Pfalz is 19.95 pounds sterling. The exchange rate >on 1/9/97 was: US$1.6967/ 1.00 pounds. Thus a 19.95 pound kit will be >US$33.85. Don't forget that Squadron wants and additional $4.25 or so to >send you the $39.95 kit. > > Blue Max will take your VISA card also. And they send it real fast, and are really nice people, the material comes all in a protected envelope , with the box included but flat. SALUDOS ALBERTO ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 19:57:24 -0500 (EST) From: DavidL1217@aol.com To: wwi Subject: Re: Biggles Message-ID: <970110195000_911889629@emout03.mail.aol.com> In the new politically correct versions, Biggles and his sqaudron mates will be portrayed as Smurfs. Ouch!! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 20:05:53 -0500 (EST) From: DavidL1217@aol.com To: wwi Subject: Re: KAE Hannover CL II/IIIa review Message-ID: <970110195701_911889651@emout15.mail.aol.com> I also have the kit and I agree that Koster did an excellent job! Many of his features outdo the other manufacturers. The resin control surfaces should be mandatory on all 1/48 kits! And decals for 6 subjects would also be a nice SOP. It's a shame that Eduard is copying his subjects and I believe driving KOE out of WWI models. It's a shame. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 20:26:58 -0500 From: bucky@mail.prolog.net (Mary-Ann/Michael) To: wwi, Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Tuesday, 9 January 1917, Plessis Message-ID: <199701110126.UAA14661@pease1.sr.unh.edu> At 03:46 AM 1/10/97 -0500, mark wrote: > >My $.02 worth at this point is that Genet is going to turn out to be a >classic dual personality, Jekyll and Hyde type - whining mushwimp on the >ground, but get him up in his Nieuport and he'll be a full-bore aerial >Psycho Killer (Que'st que c'est...), a veritable Lee Harvey of the wild blue >yonder, chortling with insane glee as he sends Hun after Hun down in >glorious flames, and shouting "I did it for you, GERTIE!!, >Bwaahahahahahahahahahah"... > >If he was alive today, he'd be working for the Post Office... Let's see, I think the appropriate response is ROTFL Mike Muth ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 20:50:34 -0500 From: bucky@mail.prolog.net (Mary-Ann/Michael) To: wwi, Multiple recipients of list Subject: Biggles Message-ID: <199701110150.UAA14725@pease1.sr.unh.edu> Thanks to everyone about the Biggles information. I didn't realize the books were so controversial...then again we still ban "Huckelberry Finn" and "Tom Sawyer" here in the States at many high schools due to PC violations. Mike Muth ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 20:50:40 -0500 From: bucky@mail.prolog.net (Mary-Ann/Michael) To: wwi, Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Re[2]: Nieuport articles Message-ID: <199701110150.UAA14731@pease1.sr.unh.edu> At 11:11 PM 1/6/97 -0500, Bill Shatzer wrote: > > > >Michael wrote: > >> What I've been doing is mixing the Smer kit and the Testor's for the >>struts closest to the cockpit. I know I've seen sone Bebe's with the struts >>not meeting at the middle. > >Them that don't have the struts meeting in the middle are Seimens Schukert >D.I's and not Nieuports, I think. Pretty sure the Nieuports only came >in the inverted "V" arrangement. Damn...yet another good lesson learned. Every time I try and write something from my memory, it seems like it goes haywire. I looked at all my books and I'll be damned if I can find any Bebe's without the inverted v arrangement. How the hell did I get this idea into my head? Thanks for rewiring some rather loose circuits. Mike ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 20:23:13 -0800 From: "Ray Boorman" To: Subject: Re: Biggles Message-ID: <199701110427.UAA23554@cessna.lynx.bc.ca> Oh no, My entire childhood reading matter is politically Incorrect. Its no wonder I grew up to be such a deviant soul, this explains so much. Why I build models with two wings not one. Why I hate 109's, and of course the most terrible curse 1/72 1/48 1/72 1/48th ... Just can't be consistent obviously a bad personality trait developed from to much Biggles and of course his buddys' Algy (sp) and Ginger! Ray Boorman (rboorman@lynx.bc.ca) ---------- > From: Brian Bushe > RE: Biggles > > In New Zealand the libraries removed, or were not allowed to purchase > Biggles books (and Enid Blyton) books as far back as the seventies > due to their politically incorrect content (though of course they > were still available in bookstores.there were a number of short story > anthologies (such as _Biggles of 266_) which are very enjoyable. > > I've just been told that the Enid Blyton books are being 're-edited', > I suppose to a pc state, so maybe the Biggles books will also be > done. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 20:27:18 -0800 From: "Ray Boorman" To: Subject: Re: Jean Navarre Message-ID: <199701110431.UAA23746@cessna.lynx.bc.ca> Thanks to everyone who replied to this. Wow this guy has a really interesting if sad biography. Although Sandies was funniest did he really go around running Gendarmes down in his car ... ---------- > From: Bill Shatzer > Poor lad, went absolutely barmy. Ga-ga. Combat stress syndrome. Whatever. lots snipped ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 97 22:31:43 PST From: "Shelley Goodwin" To: wwi Subject: Re: Improving older Models (New Thread) Message-ID: <9700108529.AA852964460@mx.Ricochet.net> I'll start this off... Get one Testors/Hawk SPAD 17C.1 and *Compare fuselage to current set of plans *Remove and replace/reposition cylinder-head covers/cowlings *Fill in/sand off any excessive fuselage detail *Remove detail from central rectangle of round radiator; add small engine 'plug' with hole for prop shaft. *Check dimensions of prop and replace from spares or scratch if necessary *Enlarge gun troughs and make/seek replacements for 'machine-sticks' *Remove molded-on exhaust up to headers with razor-saw and sand fuselage smooth. From beneath, partially separate header from fuselage with saw until small gap shows between the two. Round off inside edge of header. Replace exhaust using stretched sprue or other material. Consult plans for location of mounting bolts. *Reshape cockpit opening by widening aft portion; add padding using white glue, putty, thickened paint or ? Add basic cockpit detail. *Remove fin/rudder and sand fuselage smooth. Thin one of the halves, score & reposition rudder and re-attatch fin to fuselage. Horizontal surfaces may need thinning as well. Score & reposition elevator. *Correct upper wing cutout with plasticard insert, trim to shape and thin accordingly. Don't sweat the wing tips. Remove molded-on decal locations; replace rib detail with strip styrene, stretched sprue or? Cut and reposition ailerons. *Sand struts to aerofoil section. *Drill pilot holes for rigging *Consider aftermarket markings options/cool camo schemes Note: All these corrections are suggested; I am not going to do all of them myself. IMHO, it is not really worth it to try to completely accurize this old kit. The wing shape is particularly problematic, and if this is important to you, buy the DML kit. A SPAD 7 might be made using the fuselage, but I'm not that ambitious. QOTD: Did any S.XIIIs make it to Russia before the Revolution? FWIW, Riordan ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Improving older Models (New Thread) Author: wwi@pease1.sr.unh.edu at Internet Date: 1/9/97 9:51 PM Before packing my Testors /Hawk Nieuport 17, I printed Shane's list of improvements and put them in the box. So when I finally do unpack and get around to building it I will have a lot of ideas on how to improve it. Which gave me the idea for a new thread. Or at least an idea for an occasional thread. What I am suggesting is once a month or so we come up with an older model and see who has ideas on what to improve and how to go about it. This will mean various people can practice on models that are a lot less expensive, and improve there skills with at least a fair chance of finishing the projects rather than starting to improve everything and getting to the point of giving up, which is where an awfull lot of models end up. In the end this will also help on the more expensive Eduards and Blue Max's since after a few Smer or Glencoe projects your confidence will that much higher. Ray Boorman (rboorman@lynx.bc.ca) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 22:49:26 -0800 From: bshatzer@orednet.org (Bill Shatzer) To: wwi Subject: Re: Embarassing Top Aces question. Message-ID: <199701110649.AA05504@ednet1.orednet.org> > >er, Hello, > >Some one asked me this question the yesterday and I was embarassed to >not actaully know the answer! > >I was asked (for a competition so I wanted to be sure) who were the >top German, American, and British pilots. Generally accepted but not definitive "top aces" were German: MvR American Richenbacker British: Mannock and, just to complete the list: AH Godwin Brumowski Belgium Willie Coppens France Rene Paul Fonck Italy Francesco Baracca Russia Alexander Kazakov There are those who would make the argument that Bishop and not Mannock was the highest scoring British (or, at least British Empire) ace. Their arguments should be given the same weight as Bishop's victory claims - i.e., divide 'em in half and you'll be approaching the truth. Cheers, -- - Bill Shatzer bshatzer@orednet.org - ............................................................................. - This space for rent - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 22:55:45 -0800 From: bshatzer@orednet.org (Bill Shatzer) To: wwi Subject: Re: Improving older Models (New Thread) Message-ID: <199701110655.AA08239@ednet1.orednet.org> Riordan typed: > I'll start this off... > Get one Testors/Hawk SPAD 17C.1 and -snips- I am reminded of the ancient instructions for sculpting a statue of an elephant: 1. Get a block of marble. 2. Remove everything that doesn't look like an elephant. :-) Cheers, -- - Bill Shatzer bshatzer@orednet.org - ............................................................................. - This space for rent - ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 01:05:46 -0800 From: bshatzer@orednet.org (Bill Shatzer) To: wwi Subject: Re: Embarassing Top Aces question. Message-ID: <199701110905.AA10808@ednet1.orednet.org> I wrote: >Belgium Willie Coppens OK, I wrote "Willie" instead of "Willy" - so shoot me! :-) Cheers, -- - Bill Shatzer bshatzer@orednet.org - ............................................................................. - This space for rent - ------------------------------ End of WWI Digest 394 *********************