Dave65

When I get my scanner working again (or replace irt) I will post the title page of book and supplement

After ordering from Uschi van der Rosten in early April and receiving nothing up to today (apart from an acknowledgement - my chaser was ignored) I have claimed a refund via Paypal. I am thus looking for a supplier for elasticated rigging thread. suitable for 1/200 ships. As I have posted before my project with the 1/200 HMS Hood is outside my comfort zone and thus would appreciate a guide on a good UK supplier from experienced maritime modellers. (I will certainly not be using this company again.) Thanking any for looking in advance

I originally posted this on the "inter war maritime section but an reply there prompted posting this item here as well. I have acquired the Government Telegraph Code book with amendments to 1938. This is the code used (consisting of 5 letter groups) for the government comms in the Empire. To add these to the name plate of a model ship was an immediate obvious use. However also people modelling dioramas of aircraft, vehicles from specific units or specific establishments may also like to add this code to any name plate made. The book contains the code groups for all RAF squadrons extant in 1938 and British and Indian army units to battalion level. If anyone is interested in a code, post a note here (not sends a PM) and I will look at it from time to time and list the ones requested.

Your comment is taken as read. Modelling either as a subsidiary or main interest is a "gateway" hobby to any number of related matters. I would guess if we looked at the other interests on here we would find above average knowledge of many aspects of history and numbers volunteering at museums to name but two related activities.

Mike - I wonder if you can confirm a procedure on this. I believe there are two books and the one I have is the "decode" one given that the key of the index are the code groups themselves. I suspect there is an additional one (an "encored" listing) with the key reversed so you can get code groups for all the words and phrases a message would need. Is this correct?

I do not post much on this site as it is rare I can add anything useful to the discussion so prefer to keep quiet. However I have acquired an item (the Government Telegraph code with amendments to 1938) which may have something of interest. This includes the letter groups used in government communications and includes codes for army battalions, RAF squadrons etc which are obviously of very limited use or interest to modellers in these fields. However it also includes the code groups for all UK, Dominion and Indian navy ships in service as this date.(and also merchant vessels) Maybe marine modellers would like to add this code to the labels of any models of ships they make For example HMS Hood's code is "XLNUA". If anyone is interested put up a note on this thread (not send me a PM) I will look at the thread from time to time and reply with a collective list list the codes for any ships named. This telegraph code listing covers everything from capital ships to fleet oilers..

Thank you for these excellent reviews. However one point on the markings for the W.O.T. 6; the option D with a registration number rather than a census number would be a post mid 1949 vehicle when this system was introduced. Vehicles already in service were numbered from the end of the alphabet - from "ZZ" and new ones from "AA" with some letter sets reserved for reconned vehicles - RA [I think] to Rx. A vehicle would be probably painted gloss bronze green for Europe. (It would also likely to be bulled to the eye balls with red and white wheel nuts etc.) I believe the last were sold surplus in the early 1960's.

Looks to me that it is on a man handleable skid. However the plate on centre section in your photo is a wiring diagram and could help if still legible. (If to WO standard it will in my experience so far). I assume it has a petrol engine and these are normally from a major manufacturer. Also different nations have different standard connectors and thus some detail photos could assist. (I am assuming what data there is is in English.) If you draw a blank here I suggest the Historic Military Vehicle Forum may have some members who could assist.

Many thanks to all who replied on this matter on the question posed and for the tips on sources and the warning on the funnels. I now have bought the kit and will actively search for a British supplier for the Pontos upgrade kit as none appear on a Google search at the moment (Unfortunately the FTA with the USA is not yet agreed!) On reading through the instructions I am planning to do a couple of simpler ones first to get my hand in. (Really back to memory lane initially with the Renwall/Frog Deluxe Atomic Annie) This model of Hood could make almost a museum grade model if done properly and that is down to me. I still do some military vehicle work at 12" to the foot scale so hopefully will be able to return the favour to members in that particular section.

This is my first post. I am returning to a hobby I last did about 30-40 years ago and also on this particular purchase moving outside my main area of interest (grand strategic bombers) to make this model. The model is no issue and is clearly a good one reading the various reviews.. However I would appreciate some advice on the upgrade kits. Namely do I buy the Mk 1 kit (which looks pretty well "an all in one") or the Eduard ones and others which it looks like cover the same ground? I would appreciate some advice on this from the specialists in naval modelling. Many thanks in advance (I will certainly not claim any expertise in this hobby now as it has changed out of all recognition since I was last actively involved.)