There is a very interesting website I recently discovered during one of my frequent modeling research
trips through cyberspace. It's called "Scalemates" and is run by a modeler out of Belgium. I've been a member
of a wide variety of modeling websites and forums for the past few years (Hyperscale, Armorama, Britmodeler,
FineScaleModeler, Airfix Tribute Forum, et. al.) but this one caught my eye for a couple of good reasons.
It allows you to establish an on-line inventory of your model kits by searching an international database.
It will hold your database on-line and will also give you the option of having completed the kit or are
willing to sell or trade it.
I was ready to record my kit collection in an Excel spreadsheet when I stumbled on this site and within a
matter of a few fun filled hours, was able to establish my collection (with photos of the box art) without a
lot of fuss. Joining the website is free but you do have to register. It will also allow you to inventory all
the major brands of model paints you have available in your workroom (Tamiya, ModelMaster, Vallejo, Humbrol
and even Windsor & Newton artist's oils). Of course, there are the contributions of members who have completed
their projects and have them displayed on this site. The real beauty and functionality of this site is that it
will search other modeling websites for a particular topic you're interested in without having to go to multiple
sites individually! So, if you wanted to see reviews from other modelers on the Tamiya 1/12th scale Lotus 49
you can search it on Scalemates and it will pull up reviews from other sites. Click on the review you want to
see and you're good to go.
I took a few moments and entered my profile data and it asked me what my favorite modeling magazines are and
I checked them off. It also asked if I were a member of a modeling club or society. I clicked on the appropriate
drop-down box and there were a whole variety of options for IPMS clubs from around the world. IPMS USA was listed
so I selected it, but much to my chagrin, our own beloved IPMS-Niagara Frontier was not listed! Not to worry, the
web master has an option to send him a private email for any additions. A quick email to him and within two days
he added our club along WITH THE LOGO! How cool is that?
I have not fully explored all the functionality of this really cool and functional modeling website but as it
stands right now, it is my favorite. I did notice that there is an option for a "mobile" version of the site so
I'm wondering if you have a smart phone and are at the Cleveland show and you see a really cool kit you want but
aren't sure if you have it in your "stash" you can access Scalemates and check your inventory or read a quick
review to see if it's a real gem or dog-rot... time to explore this option now and I'll let you know how I make
out at the club meeting on Monday. In fact, for those interested, I'll have my laptop in and on-line so you can
check this site out. www.scalemates.com
Have fun and build a model!
John R. Zaranek
President
IPMS Niagara Frontier
IPMS USA No. 47993
Model Table Round-up for April 2013
Paul Hines brought in two more of his spectacular pencil drawings of a Mustang and Dragster Pick-up. The
subjects were in his collection of old car mags and took about 15 hours each.
Mike Butry brought in his Porsche 911. This Tamiya kit has been endlessly stroked and fondled for 3 years
with numerous rounds of painting and sanding and polishing and 10 coats of wax. It took 2nd at Bufcon.
Ed Button showed up with his "15 year and counting" 1/72 B-36 in progress. He's converting a recon version
to an arctic based A-bomber and plans on hanging the oversize kit from his ceiling - even in 1/72 it's too big!
John Zaranek brought in a slew of wildly varying unbuilt subjects. There was a Zvezda Roman trireme warship
(yeah, that means 72 stinking oars...), a Jo-Han ambulance kit that he will mark up as a Buffalo F.D. unit, a
supacat Jackal recon vehicle and a AugustaWestland Merlin HC3 chopper - when will we see all of those done, John?
Bob Collignon showed off a very nice French infantry trooper from Verdun. Jon Smith Model Bau actually
includes vintage photos of the trooper for reference with the nicely sculpted figure. Bob spent some time
defending the honor of the French nation from various detractions that I was inclined to expand on but held
my tongue. The French fought like lions on too many occasions to count, from Joan of Arc to Verdun and
Cameroon and beyond. They saved our bacon in 1777 and nearly conquered the world for Napoleon. When a
situation stinks beyond all tolerance they say NO more emphatically than anyone else I can think of, such
as 1789 when mobs of untrained peasants in the Republic's army held off most of the professional imperial
armies of europe, or the Paris Commune in 1871, the Christmas mutiny of 1914 and the western front mutiny
of 1917 and so on... I SAY VIVE LA FRANCE! And yeah, they will always be FRENCH FRIES to me.
Frank Blonski discussed his heavily chopped and modified '31 Ford Delivery Rat Rod - nice work as always, Frank.
Jim Lewis brought in a lovely '68 El Camino with tons of mods - street slicks, Holley carb and lotsa other goodies.
Ma Hanna had an impressive group of War Hammer 40k figures.
Dan Marafino brought in a Pegasus snap kit of a Japanese Zero that he had brush painted and weathered with all
kinds of techniques - I don't know how he and Dick get the results they do with brush painting - nice work.
Matt Klukowski brought in his '48 Ford Woody Rat Rod with a Caddy engine and a Chevy HHR resin body that will
go on a PT cruiser kit chassis with the usual heap o' mods car guys can't seem to get enough of.
Justin Hanna displayed his '32 Ford Rat Rod and mentioned the chassis is mainly resin and scratch build, it
includes a '31 Lincoln engine and has hairspray weathering and a lotta other nifty mods.
Renaldo Hanna rounded out the Hanna family's efforts with his Bufcon winning dinosaur, Parsaurolapus (did
I get it right this time?) which had really cool colors and the most life-like eyes I've seen on a reptile in
a while - very nice work, Renaldo!
After years of commercial photography for food ads, Bob Collignon couldn't resist displaying his chops
with nice close-ups of the pizza and wings from the post-BuffCon party.
Finally, some around-the-room shots of the meeting, the party and the tables.
Thanks to Bob Colignon for the photography.
