It's getting close! This is the last general meeting before Buffcon! I hope you're all ready to assist at the show and I hope you bring entries to the contest. The Board will meet on the first Monday in April (instead of the second) to clear up any last minute issues that may arise. The April meeting will be our annual, post-BuffCon Pizza party. I believe Tom Faith and Dave Schwab have paid the down payment for NoreastCon 2020. Speaking of that, I hope many of you make the trip to Albany the weekend following BufCon this year to support this year's NoreastCon.

IPMS Niagara Frontier Meeting Agenda - March 18, 2019

7:00 PM to 7:10 PM - Place models on tables with description forms - members trading kits.

The club had some very sad news recently. Long time member Samantha Hanna passed away unexpectedly on February 27th. Sam was the wife of Justen Hanna of Section 8 Hobbies, and the mother of Renaldo, and was active in IPMS Niagara Frontier. Our most sincere condolences to the Hanna family.

In case of inclement weather, members are advised to watch WGRZ, Channel 2 TV or check their website at the WGRZ Alert Center for information on meeting cancellation.

We would like to encourage all club members to join the national IPMS. Help support your hobby on a national level. IPMS provides the insurance that allows us to have our events, and membership includes a nice monthly magazine. The website can be found at: IPMS, and an application form can be found HERE.

The March 2019 newsletter of the IPMS Patriot chapter is available HERE.

The minutes from the February 2019 general meeting are included below. Thanks to our Secretary, Al Germann, for the meeting minutes.

February 18th - President Rich Bernecki led the meeting.

• Rich called for motion to accept previous meeting's minutes. There was a motion, a second, and membership accepted the minutes.
• Old Business:
  • A reminder that membership dues are due and must be paid by March.
  • Larry Osolkowski discussed building the membership directory on the website that can include photos. He will limit personal information and access in this section of the website.
  • Rich stated he is looking for more volunteers for the "meet the members" in the club newsletter.
• BuffCon April 7th volunteer signup sheets were passed around.
• NorEastCon in 2020: update to initial exploration to co-hosting this event was provided which included:
  • The Rochester club can support the financial obligations as previous outlined and with manpower for planning and operations.
  • There will be a bi-club planning committee that comprises 3 members from each club. For our club it is Tom Faith, Al Germann, Justen Hanna and for Rochester it is Dave Schwab, Armand (missed last name) and one TBD.
  • Hotel is the same at the same price as 2018. Food will be at current price which is expected to be slightly higher and depends on selection but this will be passed on to attendees choosing the dinner.
  The E-board recently voted to continue with organizing NorEastCon for May 1st & 2nd, 2020. There was a motion and second to continue with this. The floor was opened for questions that were then answered. The general membership voted with results of: approximately 38 - yes, 0 - no, 0 - abstained. The motion passed. There is a need to approve a $500 deposit to the hotel for the event. There was a motion and second motion to approve the deposit. The general membership voted with results of: approximately 38 - yes, 0 - no, 0 - abstained. The deposit was approved.
• New Business:
  • Upcoming shows were announced that included Hamilton and NorEastCon in Albany.
  • The general meeting in March will include a focus group round table discussion organized by Tom Faith.
  • Rich acknowledged visitor in attendance.
• Floor was opened to the members:
  • Tom Brown Sr. talking about a hobby store on Main street out in Clearance, NY.
  • Another member brought up a suggestion for additional categories in Science Fiction and Gundam. This is a growing section of the hobby with younger people. It was stated that the E-board had invited someone involved with modeling Gundam to the E-board meeting but they did not attend. Tom Sr. stated that if there is a large number entries in the limited categories at BuffCon, categories can be split and there are some extra trophies to do so.
  • Rich also included that the E-board meetings are open to members that want to attend and provided day, time and location.
• Models on the tables were presented via "passing the mic".
• Demonstration on holding and handling parts for painting was presented by Al Germann.
• The raffle at the end of the meeting was conducted and Tom Faith won.

To promote greater transparency regarding the operation of the club and the EBoard, action items from the previous month's Eboard meeting will be published in the newsletter. These will not be detailed minutes of the meetings, but highlights that the general membership should be aware of.

February 11 - President Rich Bernecki led the meeting.

• Al Germann motion to continue with exploring/planning the NorEastCon 2020 between IPMS Rochester and IPMS Niagara Frontier, to match the $500 deposit for the hotel, Bi-Club Planning Committee (3/3) and that expenses and any net profits (if applicable) will be 50/50 split. This motion was second by Ed Button and approved by E-board that were present.
• Rich sent email reply to the Gundam Knights Model Group stating the club can offer a $5 each discount for the 2 vendor tables.
• For the upcoming demonstration at the February general meeting, Al G. will present.
• Dick Schulenberg stated that while he was approved to spend $250 dollars on the club's sponsorship for NorEastCon 2019, the categories were $85 each resulting in a total of $265 for 3. The addition was approved and the categories will be any Air, Military and Auto (1 each).
• BuffCon 2019:
  • A reminder that during the award presentations, the name of the sponsor for the category needs to be stated. Ed B. stated he can add that to the sheets used for the awards.
  • There was an email question that Dick received earlier in the month on the criteria for scratch building. While IPMS national was very generic and non-specific, we used the value of 75% although there are still criteria left out, such as purchased aftermarket material, parts count, time to build, etc. If this becomes an issue, it will be deferred to Chief Judge Tom Sr. unless there is time and/or need for further evaluation by the E-board.
  • The topic of sponsorship at events was discussed during which Larry brought up the memorial/honor category, such as "category x in memory of (name)". Some are paid as Dick S. stated that he pays for some. Ed B. considers three types of sponsored categories: paid, exchange between two clubs and club memorial. This will be reviewed on an annual basis or as needed.
  • Further review for Gundam categories will be put off till next year as no members from their club were present at the E-board meeting.
  • Security for vendor entrance needs to have access limited to the vendor plus 1 guest unless otherwise approved by Rich B.
  • Action item for Area Coordinators to bring in volunteer signup sheets to the February general meeting.
  • The April E-board meeting will be on the first Monday (April 1st). This will be prior to BuffCon and allow final discussion on preparations.
• Rich called for feedback on the use of "pass the mic" for presentation of the models displayed and the results are still favorable.
• Tom F. stated that AMPS club may ask to borrow event table cloths for their event this May.

Model tables from the February meeting:

Tom Brown Sr. brought in some Harry Potter molds for making figures, that included Harry Potter, Lord Voldemont, Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore. Tom said he bought them when Harry was little, and had fun making Dumbledore and will try the others some day. He brought them in to share with another mythical figure builder.

Brian Mcfee showed us his Hasegawa 1/48 F-16A ADF Block 15 work-in-progress. It was finished with various shades of Model Master grays, including gunship, light ghost and neutral.

Al Germann displayed his 1/48 Glencoe James Bond Seabee from the movie "Man With the Golden Gun". He's using Tamiya paints to finish it, and modified it by cutting and positioning the control surfaces and scratch building the interior. Al said he always liked the Seabee aircraft, and this will be a good entry for the TV & Movies theme award for BuffCon. The model will be displayed on the beach like in the movie.

Maryann Guest-Germann had an in-progress figure model called "The Messenger" for us to see. She is using Tamiya paints along with a Vallejo leather paint set, and gold metallic trim on the cloak. Maryann said she's using a pin to attach the owl to the shoulder of the bust, and will be mounting it on a wooden base. She also used a Tamiya smoke wash through the beard, and added small mushrooms to the base of the pedestal. The kit was a Christmas gift from her husband Al.

Ilya Grinberg showed us his three latest creations. The first was a 1/72 UAZ-469 resin kit from Tankograd. Ilya modified the headlights and taillights and added some photo-etch.

Ilya's second item was a 1/72 UAZ-462 resin kit from Alex Miniatures. This model also received new headlights and taillights as well as new wheels.

The last model from Ilya was a 1/72 GAZ-69. It was based on a Gran kit but very little was used from the kit. Ilya added lots of photo-etch parts and resin wheels.

Larry Osolkowski displayed further progress on his current project, a Tamiya 1/20 Ferrari F-189 Formula 1 race car. The engine/gearbox assembly now has brake assemblies added from a Studio 27 white metal detail set, along with a vent line from the oil catch tank made from aluminum wire. He also closed in the front of the engine airbox, which was molded open, using plastic sheet. Paints used include Tamiya acrylics, Alclad metal lacquers and Model Master enamels.

Larry also brought in a couple of recent acquisitions: two 1/43 kits he got on sale from Grand Prix Models in the U.K. The first was a Tameo white metal kit of a Ferrari F1 race car from 1986, and the second was a Provence Moulage resin kit of a Panoz LMP Spyder from the 1999 Le Mans race.

Larry also brought in the usual stack of modeling magazines, which disappeared rapidly, and a box of various spools of picture hanging wire for the taking.

Dick Schulenberg had a couple of models for our perusal. The first was an MPM 1/72 Douglas A-17 ground attack plane. He finished it with Tamiya Camel Yellow spray paint and Vallejo acrylics, and used the kit decals. Dick commented that this was a typical short run kit, with a vacuum form canopy, that required a fair amount of fitting. He said there was not much available in the way of references, but the model fits his growing collection of pre-WWII US airplanes, and is a nice looking plane.

Dick's second model was a Minicraft 1/144 KC-135A Stratotanker. He used Tamiya glossy Aluminum spray paint and Vallejo acrylics. The model still needs a Vallejo flat clear coat to dull the finish to represent the Corogard paint overall. Dick said he added a square tube for the pylon mount, and the long, skinny decal strips were a bit of a trial. He mentioned that he had a chance way back when to ride in several KC-135s out of Plattsburg AFB when they were refuelling B-52s and FB-111s.

Paul Hines' latest collection comprised three automotive subjects. The first was a Top Fuel Dragster at night; the second was a basic Gray Primer Rod, and the last was a Hot Rod at the dragstrip. Paul said he likes to paint "representational" rather than photo realistic, because it gives him more wiggle room for artistic expression.

Nick Carluccio presented his Revell 1/24 1977 Jeep CJ-7 finished in Testors metallic purple. He lettered the tires, and said he had no issues with the kit. Nick said he likes 4x4s.

Tim Grieve displayed three models. The first was a Glencoe Models US Coast Guard Rescue Boat. He painted it with Testors Model Master paints in white, brown, brass, blue and yellow. Tim said that rigging is always difficult, and mentioned that the real boat is on display at Cape Cod. It was designed to be unsinkable and, on one occasion, saved 37 seamen from waters well above the 25' limit it was designed for.

Tim's second model was a Testors/Italeri 1/24 Mercedes Benz 540K, finished with Testors and Model Master paints in black, grey, rubber and silver. He added spark plug wires to the engine, and built it because he likes Mercedes Benz cars.

Tim's last model was an AMT 1/25 Wild One '36 Chevy that he received in our club's Secret Santa gift exchange. He again used Testors / Model Master paints in red, white and silver. Tim said the decals were too thin and disintegrated easily, but it was a fun build and something different.

Dave Armitage brought in another large collection of finished models and kits. The first was a Pyro Design-A-Car kit from the early 1960's that he bought at an auction. Dave said he thought members would like to see this interesting kit.

Dave's next item was a pair of HO warehouses finished with acrylics. He added boxes and freight made using Hydrocal casting.

Dave also showed us an HO Dentist Office made from a Campbell kit. It was finished with acrylics, and had added paper shingles and painted figures, one of which has a toothache.

Dave displayed an HO Cabinet Maker's Shop finished in acrylics with washes and dry-brushing. He said the furniture was very small and the chairs were hard to assemble.

Another HO structure from Dave was a Train-Truck Transfer Depot made from a Finescale Miniatures kit. It was painted with acrylics and drybrushing, and had paper shingles, a wood building, cars, figures, and added details.

Dave also had a Farm Diorama in HO scale, finished with acrylics. He said the house is a wood kit, the barn is plastic, and all figures and animals were hand painted, including the chickens. Dave said he wanted to do something rural.

Dave also had a train bridge on display, but the info sheet was misplaced (sorry, Dave).

In a completely different direction, Dave had a Tamiya Sherman Tank finished with rattle can and acrylic paints. Dave said he scratchbuilt the machine gun because the kit part was missing, and used chalk and Xerox toner for weathering. He said he wanted to do something different.

Dave's last item was a collection of Game of Thrones Dungeon and Dragon figures. He painted them with acrylics and Testors metallic. Dave said he got a box full of unpainted figures at an auction for $15, and did them all in four days.

There was one remaining item on the tables without a description sheet.

Finally, some around-the-room photos.

Thanks to Rich Bernecki for passing the microphone around for the tables, and Larry Osolkowski for the photography.