I'd like to start off this month's newsletter in saying that I'm continually impressed with the quality of the models (and artwork!) that you folks bring in to the meetings to share with everyone. It's not always an easy thing to do when you produce a model and then subject it to everyone's view and possible criticism. Even I, who speaks publicly for a living, get a bit tongue-tied when I try to describe what I'm building in front of my peers. If you haven't brought in anything to share I wholeheartedly recommend that you do. If you're having difficulties with a particular technique, there's a whole room full of people who've probably run into the same problems and will have a solution for you.

John R. Zaranek
President
IPMS Niagara Frontier
IPMS USA No. 47993

Model Table Round-up from the February meeting

Car modeler Jim Lewis brought in his current works-in-progress: a custom '57 Chevy and turning a Chevelle into a dragster. Jim's modified the hood on the '57 and mounted a 6" Outlaw scoop. The roof on the Chevelle has been chopped. Jim is using his signature ladies nail polish for the '57 Chevy; this time it's "Carpet Red". For the Chevelle, he's decided on a more traditional Tamiya Silverleaf.

Newer member Nick Carluccio offered up his Monogram military Jeep conversion to a civilian version. Jim said he had to stretch some sprue for forming the tailgate component and to grind off the gun to make it "civilian". He finished the Jeep off by using Testors 1103 Red. The inspiration for this build is his love of Jeeps!

A trip to the fantasy world of modeling is demonstrated by another new member, Jason Wesolowski. He showed us his recently completed Bandai 1/100th scale "master grade" RX-79-03 Gundam G3. This was built strictly out of the box with no modifications. Jim used a craft line of acrylic paint called "Folk Art" - specifically Grey, Light Grey, Yellow and Red. He also used "Snotling Green" by Citadel and some brown ink to the lines as a wash. He finished off the model by drybrushing Light Grey around the edges.

Samantha Hanna brought in a beautiful set of her recently completed Warhammer 40K "Terminators". Sam says they were finished exclusively with Citaldel's line of acrylic paints and washes and she had absolutely no problems with the build or finishing. Nicely done!

Dan Nethercott is continuing to add to his collection of 1/50th scale of trucks and trailers by showing us his current work-in-progress: a scratchbuilt heavy equipment trailer. Dan didn't specify the exact components of the scratchbuild other than that he used balsa wood to simulate the trailer deck which he weathered with black pastel powder to simulate grain. He also explained that there was a LOT of sanding involved and is using Duplicolor acrylic enamels for the final finish. He is also sourcing out lights and reflectors for the trailer and he hopes to complete his first scratchbuilt project soon. Looking really good so far, Dan!

Our Financial Officer, Tom Faith, brought in a breathtaking diorama he recently completed: Verlinden Production's Ardennes Chapel kit. Tom says he scratchbuilt all of the structural framing, roof, rafters and doors and added them to the hydrolcal based kit. He added a Tiger Dioramics statue as an added detail for the chapel. He also used grass, tree roots and gravel from around his home for added realism to the scene. The chapel was painted using brick and clay colors from craft paint lines and used weathering stain products to finish it off. A flat clear coat was added to help with the adhesion of the weathering to the base. Tom plans to use this scene as a setting for a German field kitchen and bake oven modeling projects.

E-Board member Frank Blonski showed us his current project: Monogram's classic Tarantula kit in 1/24th scale. It's another work-in-progress so there isn't any paint on it yet. Frank says that there is a long seam along the side of the body that needs to be joined. He sanded it flush using 150/220 grit paper putting a slight chamfer along the edge. He glued it together with Tamiya Extra Thin cement and clamped it over night to cure. He then finished off the seam by filling it with his own concoction of plastic "goo" filler. We can't wait to see the finished model! (Sorry, no photo.)

Aging member Bob Collignon brought in a computerized slide show of his recently completed long-term project, "French Children of the Holocaust".

Club Secretary Dick Schulenberg brought in a project he's completed that shows that sometimes our jobs coincide with our hobbies. He showed us his completed Hobby Boss 1/350th scale Los Angeles class US Navy submarine with the Advanced SEAL Delivery Vehicle. The kit does have a very small mis-match in the top and bottom hulls which he disguised by using the boat's color division line along the hull. Dick first used Tamiya's Fine Gray Primer and then added the distinctive anti-fouling red coat to the hull bottom (again Tamiya Dull Red from a spray can). The dark gray used topside was a Polly S railroad color. He finished it off by painting the large bronze propellers using a paint marker pen. Dick says that the company he works for builds support equipment for Los Angeles Class submarines and he was project engineer for many of the SEAL Delivery Vehicle structures as seen on the model. Dick didn't apply any weathering to the model because it's a desk display piece. I don't think you can get any better references than actually working with the real thing.

Club internet guru Larry Osolkowski brought in two newly obtained kits. The first is Revell of Germany's 1/24th scale Red Bull Racing RB8 F1 race car. This is a new kit of a recent race car subject (and he already has the proper paint on hand!) and a look at the kit contents shows that there is a decent looking engine, lots of body work detail, excellent decals and very nice tires. Larry feels that this should be a fun build. The second is again, a new kit of a recent race car subject and yet again, from Revell of Germany. This one is a 1/24th scale BMW M3 DTM 2012 Bruno Spengler. A peek in the box reveals that this is a new entry in a continuing line of recent race subjects - good engine and interior detail, excellent decals and tires, and lots of scoops and slots that are molded "open" in the body. Larry feels that Revell Germany keeps improving the quality of their kits (I can attest that their line of modern German military vehicles are also excellent) and is looking forward to building these kits.

Diorama "New Guy" Dave Safe brought in a subject that's close to home, the Dave Safe Trailer. Dave patterned the miniature after his own land trailer and said he did have some issues getting "the dimensions right". He constructed the project entirely from scratchbuilt components, everything from the base, the groundwork, the trailer and it's details to the top cover. He used acrylics that matched the original paintwork and applied powders to tone down the brightness of the colors. A very impressive and different modeling subject!

Former club president Justen Hanna showed us his work-in-progress, the Wingnut Wings 1/32nd scale Albatros D.Va biplane kit from the first world war. Justen is "floored" by the "total awesomeness" of the quality and details of this kit. He also explains that the kit really "needs nothing to be added to it" for improvement. However, he did add some wiring from an old speaker and made his own seat cushion to give it his own personal touch. He used a variety of paints on the project including Tamiya acrylics, Humbrol Metalcote, Citadel and Vallejo acrylics and artist's oil paints for simulating the wood grain. Oil washes and light weathering via the airbrush will help finish off this "awesomely awesome" kit!

Junior Member Renaldo Hanna brought us his Polar Lights kit of "Tarantual Attacks!". Renaldo said there were no problems putting the kit together and he used Citadel paints to finish it off. He did add some scars reflecting battle damage. Good job, Renaldo and it's very cool indeed!

Matt Klukowski showed us the continuing progress on his HO scale "Merchant's Row" street scene. He's using Walter's building components and also some scratchbuilt buildings. Matt is using Citadel acrylics for the paintwork (by brush). Matt isn't having any problems with the construction aspect of the project other than he's been working on it for months and wishes to get it completed. I know the feeling, Matt... I know the feeling.

Cindy Klukowski is apparently establishing a family tradition by building HO Walters buildings. She's working on their "Sunrise Farmer's Union" collection. Cindy enjoys building these kits and is using Tamiya paint to apply the finish. She is also using "mud" for the groundwork and "fake" grass. The downside, she explains, is that the decals "aren't so great". We are looking forward to seeing the finished project.

Our newest Junior Member and third generation IPMS Niagara Frontier modeler, Aaron Butry offers up his 1/72nd scale Hobby Boss Easy Build Supermarine Spitfire. Aaron used Tamiya acrylic Sky, Brown and Green to apply the camouflage colors by brush over an airbrushed base coat of grey. Nice job, Aaron and keep the models coming!

Aaron's dad, Mike showed us his beautifully rendered Tamiya M4 Sherman tank in 1/48th scale. Mike says this is his first attempt at armor in this scale and it was a straightforward build out of the box. The track links are in sections and are trickier to finish compared to the traditional "rubber band" style tracks. He used Tamiya acrylics (black green and olive drab) finished with AK Interactive paints to vary the tones. Finishing was accomplished with Windsor & Newton artist's oils and AK Interactive finishing products. Markings were dry transfers instead of the traditional water-slide decals.

E-Board member and resident "artiste" Paul Hines brings in, yet again, another set of impressive pieces of artwork: Old Race Cars Open Wheel. One is definitely a Dusenberg racer and two "unknown", yet stunning, racers. Paul explains that he "loves" doing this style of old cars especially since they are not available in model kit form and he states that more of these are "in the works".

Eric Hillebrand brings us his newly marketed Teddy Roosevelt figure.

Brian McFee shows off his work-in-progress, the Tamiya 1/48th scale Skyraider.

Last, but not least, our fearful leader shows us is current work-in-progress, the Academy 1/48th scale CH-46D Sea Knight US Navy Search and Rescue helicopter. John explains that a lot of time was spent adding scratchbuilt details to the interior and despite the decent fit of the kit, a lot of seam work is required to yield a good finish.

Still yet again, we managed to miss getting information on a few other items on the tables. Please, don't forget to fill out the information forms if you have stuff on the tables!

Ed Button gave a demo on how to make simulations of spinning propellers for aircraft models (or anything with a propeller, I suppose). He uses disks of clear plastic cut using various size hole saws, which are readily and cheaply available from Harbor Freight.

President John Zaranek presented a demo on a technique for scribing panel lines. John uses the old Dymo Labelmaker tape as a guide for scribing long straight lines. He also suggests applying the tape to Tamiya masking tape first, to give it a more resilient and less tacky adhesive surface, and demonstrated several different scribing tools.

Finally, some around-the-room shots of the tables and the meeting.

Thanks to Bob Collignon for the photography!