JimZ

GPW2 - 858026

GPW2 - 788091

GPW2 - 554995

GPW2 - 458514

GPW2 - 352729

GPW2 - 154415

GPW1 - 2311032

GPW1 - 951595

GPW1 - 280375

Below are some screwbacks: GPW1 - 158910 (Gerd - I promised you these many months back )

As I am in the long winded process of re-cataloging parts of my collection I thought that I'd showcase some ODM's. May I remind you all that I retain copyright over all the images posted in this thread. I apologise if in a few instances I may opt to blank out some serial numbers (or parts thererof) but I feel that whereas information and notes should indeed be shared amongst genuine collectors, it is sometimes necessary to retain certain details to oneself as fakers of high end soviet ODMS are only a click away. I know some of you may disagree but I nevertheless count on your understanding. Jim

That's why some of us were rather upset when the Russian watchdog started to raise its head and cast its glance at soviet ODMs! Poor naive Roxana - she cannot plead ignorace of the law as a 'crime' is a crime notwithstanding! Even poorer Roxana, as the Russians will want to make an example of one or two people until the message starts to sink in! And that is exactly why I turned my back on a mirror reverse ORB1 with booklet and photo last time I was there in December 06!!! If $60 on some (probably commemorative medals) can land a tourist in such a mess....... think of the higer end stuff! Jim

As for the black paint to hide the carbon stains .... I can see exactly what you're talking about!! Its the same thing they do on fuel oil storage tanks when they paint a black strip down to side so that when samples are taken from the tanks they do not drip down the white sides and spend a few months looking awful! Although having said that, I full agree with Johnsy that they do stand out like a dog's bollocks - which in a situation of warfare is not the best thing around! Of course these craft are indeed so small and ineffective in warfare situations that even if they were painted bright pink, it would not change the situation very much! At the moment, these and other craft form part of the Frontex operations and are very active patrolling Maltese waters with a view of trying to curb the inflow of, and at times rescue, illegal immigrants on their often fatal 'boat trips' trying to get to Europe! Jim

Hey Kev - I take it that's in Romania right? Whereas I've seen the Royal Navy ships on my visit to Portsmouth and Plymouth several years back (and I vaguely remember there was a ship that had been hit by a rocket or missle in the Falklands war docked for repairs), I have yet to see the pride of the Irish Navy. If you would oblige me with some links or pics Kev...... Cheers! Jim

One of the ones that's up for drydocking! Landing craft ready - beware our next invasion ! Well i guess if its seaworthy (?!!?!) it might as well be tied up with the rest of them!!

And some more..... The white ones fly across the waves when running at full throttle!

This is an ex German Navy ... Corvette (?) Two of these were sailed down from North Germany doen the North Sea, across the bay of Biscay and across the Mediterranean till Malta. Relatively good seagoers I'd say!

Sisters! Any comments about why the back is painted black??

Surprisingly, one may notice American, US and German patrol craft amongst the small fleet of the Armed Forces of Malta! Not sure which of them were out on patrol but I thought I'd post these few pics I took a couple of weeks back...... for those of you into machines! Regards! Jim (It was a sunny day and I think the bridge was throwing the only bit of shade )

Interesting observation. Perhaps the designer shall design no more and his family has been billed with the price of the bullet. What's the price of chinese vs japanese models nowadays? When I used to assemble models some 20 years ago or more, made in Japan is what you wanted to buy! Jim

Hi Paul - can you tell me more about Hermann Goering Div units? Re the uniforms....I am ashamed not to have posted these yet! They are boxed away at my parents and I have not had the strngth or stamina to sift through around 8 or so large boxes to find the uniforms and photograph them.....and alas they are not on my database....!!!! But rest assured I will at some stage or other manage to dig them up and post the pics. You'll be in for a nice surprise with the tunic. Jim

I read this thread with interest as I seem to have missed out on what was a hot topic indeed. I'd say the solution is SIMPLE. For me to make my argument I must first state that 1) I believe that medals should not be touched or restored in any way and 2) there is a general abundance of most medals....some less than others but still, more than one specimen can probably be found on the market at any given time. And as luck would have it, specimens exist in varying degrees. My argument is as follows: If you are a single medal collector and you like shiny stuff then buy the shiny stuff!!. Do not buy, say, an ORS with damaged enamel unless you WANT to own the ORS with damaged enamel. Wait for the next opportunity to buy what your heart desires in the condition that you desire it in. Just wait for it to come - it almost always does!!! If you a group collector, I then hope that you are above the face value of the medal knwoing that "beauty is only skin deep" and instead, appreciate the history and research potential behind the group. In such case the prima facia condition of the medal is secondary to the research the group may yield (or has yielded). So next time you want to buy a medal or order do not just throw your money away on any order or medal but "invest" wisely (cringe cringe) in your collection ensuring that you go for original unrestored specimens that you will be able to treasure without any alteration. The simplest solution is usually the right one .... without the need for strong words, hard feelings or overstressing one's point/argument. Jim

Some very nice pics indeed! More subs? Any pics of ships refuelling from other fleet auxiliary ships? Jim

Hey Johnsy! Been a while since I last checked this thread. May I ask you as to what the coloured patches at the bottom and the purple one are? They look more like some sort of unit badges.... mebbe something to do with the ships you served on? Regards! Jim

Agreed Rick! Yet Rome was not built in a day! And for believers in silver linings...... it does not help to hope! Jim :cheers