April 2015 Meeting Minutes

Looking back, I have to apologize for neglecting this blog. My new work responsibilities have piled on and I have neglected to update as I should have.

The April 2015 meeting of Marietta Scale Modelers IPMS commenced at 1:00 P.M. on April 11. We had a packed house of 22 members in attendance: With 13 models on the table, it was a feast for the modeler’s eye.

Attending were Dave Lockhart, Mike Idacavage, Rob Morales, Fred Heil, Mark Grzenia, Joe Driver, Andy Roberts, Bill Ficke, Brit Bunkley, Mark Vickery, Buz Pezold, Martin Hatfield, Keith Scruton, James Young, Rob Holfels, Greg Dyar, Paul Crawley, Jim Pernikoff, McLean Gilbert, Darryl Cordell, Patrick Cook, Kevin Westphal

Dave Lockhart kicked off proceedings with coverage of the IPMS Atlanta Modelcon held in March. As a club we had 11 members participate not only as contestants but in assisting, judging and helping out.  Participants included Paul C, Mac, Fred H, Mike I, Darryl, Tom Rice, Buz, Rob H, Keith, Art M and Dave.

Keith also gave a show report for Anniston as he made the trip, and sold some of his cool jigs.

Kevin from HTUSA displayed some of the latest arrivals on the store shelves. Great things continue coming forth from the styrene factories.

On to show and tell. Rob Morales had his “Medic” group build WIP. He is making the Academy 1/35 kit of a M977 HMWWV Maxi Ambulance. Rob plans on upgrading the kit with resin wheels from D-Vision, SKP headlights and Resiscast Medical Supplies. At this point the frame has been assembled and numerous pin and sink marks have been puttied up.

Rob also had a WIP 1/35 scale Schutenpanzer Marder 1A2 mit Milan ATGM. This is the “updated” Tamiya vintage kit, and Rob used scrap plastic to replicate many missing hull details such as hatch locks and Tamiya liquid putty to simulate weld beads. He base coated it flat black as pre-shading to the multi-tone NATO camouflage.

Fred Heil displayed three of the Hasegawa Egg Planes from the Orlando Nationals Group Build. He hadn't been able to complete them for the show so here they were. All three fighters were finished in Model Master paint and kit decals.

Dave Lockhart completed the Tamiya V-1 rocket in 1/48 scale. This is the Tamiya kit finished in Model Master RLM colors.

Additionally, Dave had his WIP Yacht America for display. Dave used a copper adhesive for the under-the-waterline hull area and used a chemical to produce a patina finish. Dave also used a self-adhesive wood planking to replicate the deck. The Revell kit represents the winner of the “One Hundred Sovereign Cup”, which became the “America’s Cup” in yacht racing.

Mark Grzenia made nice progress on his WIP Spitfire Mk IXC Late. The 1/48 Eduard kit is used to replicate Polish Air Force pilot Henry Dygala’s mount. Mark has 3 good photos of the prototype for reference. Mark free-hand painted the camouflage to create tight demarcation lines.

Brit Bunkley displayed a nicely done 1/48 scale early Spitfire. Unfortunately I didn't get a brag sheet so I really have no other details to share on the Spit.

Mac Gilbert had his continuing magnum opus, the Academy M3A1 Stuart tank. Using photo etch and scratch building with strip plastic, Mac finally has the interior remodeled to accurately depict the M3A1, as the kit details were both sparse and inaccurate. Mac also had modified the fenders to depict “Pain in the Ass”, a Marine M3A1 on Bougainville in WW2.

Mac also began to work on a Bell H-13 MASH Helicopter. This was the Revell kit in 1/35ish scale and he’s got the booms together. We’ll see what “plastic surgery” the whirlybird will be subjected to.

Mike Idacavage continued to challenge himself in 1/72d scale. He’s crafting a Swiss Airforce F-18C Hornet from the Hasegawa kit. Mike has added a new cockpit and will arm it with AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. Mike reports that the Academy kit is a much nicer build but since the Hasegawa was in the stash, he’d knock it out.

Mike is also dabbling in armor, although it really is an anti-aircraft missile launcher. Mike is taking on DML's SA-9 Gaskin SAM, which is mounted on the BRDM 2 chassis. He's getting some close up photos of the missile launch tubes for extra detailing.

Paul Crawley had a couple of more from the “Gangbusters” series of MPC kits completed. First up, he displayed the 1928 Lincoln Police Car. Building the kit straight OOB, Paul used Testors Spray paint enhanced with several coats of Future/Pledge to finish the car. The figures, weapons and accessories (such as whiskey barrels and jugs from “The Beverly Hillbillies” truck kit) were all hand painted. Paul mounted the vignette on a Tiger Werke cobblestone base.

Paul’s other “Gangbusters” series automobile vignette featured the 1932 Chrysler Imperial Touring Sedan. Once again finished in Testors Enamels, the car, figures and accessories were mounted on a Tiger Werke base.

Keith Scruton added to the WIP parade with his Airbus A300B4. The kit is distributed by Daco, from the old Airfix molds. Much of the airframe is assembled and Keith has reported it took two cans of Mr Surfacer to base coat the kit.  A white and orange TNT freighter livery will be added to the aircraft.

Paul C explaining his airliner methods to Keith (and all)

Rob Holfels finished up show-and-tell with his beautifully finished F-8J Crusader. Rob built the 1/48 scale Hasegawa kit. Rob used Gunze paint Furball Aero decals and a metal pitot tube. Oil washes and other weathering techniques helped Rob bring this late Vietnam War fighter to life.

Rob's Crusader won Model of the Month.

Next meeting May 16th 1:00 P.M. at Hobbytown USA Kennesaw GA.