From: Think Tank Subject: Think Tank Vol.0085 07/08/2001 Think.tank@tesco.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS' INDEX 1: Sd.Ah.116 and boats 2: Transformers 3: Beatties - reborn? 4: Captured Char B1 5: Help & advice 6: Renault R-35 7: 2001 UK MAFVA Nationals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: TWENOT Modelling Show 2: Posts to the group -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: john.baumann@talk21.com Subject: Sd.Ah.116 and boats So far as German engineer units are concerned, the Sd.Ah.115 & 116 were for recovering heavy AFVs and I've never seen any floating devices (boats, dinghies etc.) or bridging kit being transported as a load (unless someone else out there can prove otherwise) since their Pioneers carted all that stuff about on their own specialist trailers [sorry to disappoint you, Malcolm]. This brings to mind two subjects that would make interesting dioramas: (i) the Reichsbahn Tractor hauling the Armistice rail carriage back to Germany and (ii) LCTs being moved by road by the Americans. Regards, John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Bradford Chaucer [bradford.chaucer@snet.net] Subject: Transformers At 06:18 AM 8/1/2001, you wrote: >I have managed to find a transformer to convert US 110V AC to UK 240V. >However, there are two versions available, for up to 30VA and up to 50VA. >None of the information I have on the Dremel Mini-Mite tells me what load >it needs, so can anyone who has one please advise? The charger draws 200ma, at 120vac which equates to 24va. However I'd go with the 50va unit unless there is a big cost difference as it would allow you to handle other devices that might draw more. Remember that at 240 v in 50va would give you about 1/4 amp!!! That's not all that much Regards, Bradford Chaucer Thanks - I should have paid more attention in Physics ;-) Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: John Harris [ukmilmod@ukmilmod.force9.co.uk] Subject: Beatties - reborn? Hello all, Apparently the remaining Beatties (the Holborn and Thurrock Lakeside branches for two) have been acquired by the Model Zone chain. Model Zone is a chain of basically die-cast shops (though they stock a fairly wide range of kits) located South of London, notably along the South Coast and at Bluewater in Kent. The Beatties will be gradually 'converted' to Model Zones. Cheers John I was in what I believe was previously the Bristol branch of Beatties the other day and it has now become one as well. Unfortunately there were no discount price sales on (at least not of anything I wanted!). Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Richard Marks [richard@marks28.freeserve.co.uk] Subject: Captured Char B1 I think the CHAR B1 bis in the Tank Museum is a German capture. Last time I remember it was possible to get at the back end (I'm sure Mike will put me right if it's not a German one - I seem to remember it came from one of the Channel Islands). Richard I too recall that Bovington's was from there (although it may have come from the Netherlands). However the original query was about the variant carrying a 10.5cm howitzer, of which very few photos and (as far as I know) no real examples exist. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Stephen Grogan [steve3161uk@yahoo.co.uk] Subject: Help & advice I am hoping anyone out there can help me. I am an average modeller & basic painter. What I am desperate to learn are (a) how to paint tracks and (b) basic weathering techniques. I have tried several times but end up having to re-spray, as a result I have a collection of brand new AFVs. Please help in any way you can, Thanks in advance, Stephen Grogan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: Michael.Grieve@ipaustralia.gov.au Subject: Renault R-35 Hi there Mike and other Thinkers I have been conducting some research into the Renault R-35 tanks captured by Australian forces in Syria in the archives of the Australian War Memorial here in Canberra, so might be able to make some comment. Regarding the original markings, it would appear that these vehicles originally belonged to the either the 6e or 7e RCA - the Vichy French units that used the R-35 in Syria. In addition to the photo that Robert mentioned, there are a couple of photos on the AWM website photograph database which show these in their original markings. AWM photo P00064.024 shows a colourful vehicle with a large white "7" on the turret, a dark square (red/blue?) with a white heart in front of the number, and just possibly a roundel on the turret rear. Other AWM photos (008268, 008274) suggest relatively dull vehicles sporting only the bridging "grenade" symbol. French registration numbers seen so far are "50805" and "50880". Robert might be right that the captured R-35 he mentions (reg. no. 51324, white "6" and heart, and roundel [IWM photos E3627 & E3628]) was not captured by Australians, but I think the photo also appears in the AWM archive, and is generally credited as such. Originally six Renault R-35 tanks were captured by the 6th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment on Thursday 12th June 1941, and operated by "A" Sqn in two troops of three tanks plus one carrier troop of three carriers (unsurprisingly, these tanks were found to be somewhat superior to the Regiment's original Lt. Mk. VI tanks). One of these vehicles was destroyed by 75mm fire in an ambush on 8 July 1941. The remaining five vehicles appear to have been handed over to the 7th Div Cav in mid-August when they arrived in Syria for garrison duties, this regiment later being fully equipped with captured Renault R-35 tanks. Following capture, these vehicles were repainted in a two-tone camouflage scheme (a darker pattern over a light base) - IWM photo E3665, one of the best photos of a 6th Div Cav Renault (and, oddly enough, not in the AWM photo archive), shows this magnificently (E 3666 and E3667 [equiv. 010759] also show this well). As the AIF in the Middle East largely relied on the British supply system for vehicle parts and consumables, it has been suggested by Mike Cecil that these are British paints - maybe light or Portland stone as the base colour, and khaki green no.3 or BSC. no.34 slate in a disruptive pattern over the top. I must admit that I have not followed this up as yet, so cannot be sure as to which would be the more likely choice. During the painting process, all markings, including the registration numbers and bridging "grenade" were covered. The Australians did not appear to add any of their own markings. If you have ready access to the IWM, the following are the captured Aussie R-35 photo numbers: E3626-3628, E3665-3668, E3911-E3913, and E4107 The following are some of the AWM photo archive numbers (some duplication between AWM and IWM): P00064.024, 008268, 008274, 008989, 010759, 041749, 041750 http://www.awm.gov.au/database/photo.asp Just go to the "advanced search" page, and enter the six-digit number or "P" number into the negative number field. Apologies for the length of this reply, but I hope it has been useful Best regards Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Listmaster Subject: 2001 UK MAFVA Nationals Congratulations to several of you for winning places at the above; the names I spotted included Andy Lang (Best of Show, two 1st prizes and a 2nd), Will Ward (a 1st and a 3rd), Paul Gandy (two 2nd), Mark Hazzard (2nd), John Paulding (a 1st, 2nd and 3rd) and Phill Smith (a 2nd). Apologies to any subscribers that I missed. Congratulations also to Paul Middleton for his considerable efforts in organising it and to all the traders, judges, visitors and helpers. We have been invited back to Duxford for next year, so hopefully it will be a permanent fixture there. We had more entries than last year and what I saw of the standard was well up to that of previous years. One of the lesser-known traders to whom I would like to draw people's attention (I am not connected to them other than as a customer) is AB Figures. If you build 1/76 WW2 vehicles, it is worth looking at AB's website at http://www.ab-figures.demon.co.uk/aboutus.htm to see some of the best vehicle crew figures and infantry types you are ever likely to see. The TC range now has 75 packs, so you should be able to find enough variety to populate an army without duplicating too much. They have real character and the site also has some useful notes about painting the things, useful for the ham-fisted such as me who dread anything that can’t be made from flat plates. Full results (and hopefully some pictures) will be posted to the new MAFVA website (address to follow soon) and others before long. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: MAFVAHQ@aol.com Subject: TWENOT Modelling Show The TWENOT, or Dutch Armour Association, will celebrate her 25th Anniversary with a big international military modelling show on October 13th 2001. This show will host a large contest and lots of international traders specialising in military books, models and accessories. Some manufactures will be present with interesting new models. A big raffle will also be part of the events with very interesting prizes. As special guest Steve Zaloga will attend the Show and give a lecture on AFV Modelling. This great Show will be held at the Postiljon Motel in Bunnik, the Netherlands. This town is located in the centre of our country near Utrecht next to the Motorway A12. We aspect a lot of modellers from Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and of course the UK. The entrance fee is just NLG 5,00. Interested? For further information see our Website www.twenot.nl or contact our secretary at: Tamboerpad 22, 7071 XA ULFT, Netherlands Fax: +31(0)573453392, E-mail: m.j.h.tempels@wanadoo.nl -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Listmaster Subject: Posts to the group Time for another couple of reminders about posting: Please avoid using the ‘Reply’ function to reply to a post as I have to trawl through the entire previous digest to locate your pearls of wisdom. If you want to use the reply function, please delete all the non-relevant stuff before sending it. Leaving in a chunk of relevant text (like post 2 above) is fine however, as it may assist with identifying the original query. The other one is also a familiar plea – please put something (not "RE: Think Tank Vol.0084 31/07/2001", for example) which relates to the subject matter of your post in the subject box - otherwise I have to make something up. Thanks Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Lockie (Think Tank Listmaster) Back issues of Think Tank (thanks to Shane Jenkins) can be found at: http://www.tac.com.au/~sljenkins/thinktank/thinktank.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume