...or, News from The Nameless One

Notes from the October 2010 Meeting

We had a fantastic turn out of models at the October meeting and we needed to add a third table! The Model Table moderator was Bob Conshafter. The photography was done by Peter Gajowka - nice job Peter!

Justen Hanna started off with a 1/48 Accurate Miniatures P-51 A that he weathered with armor techniques to create a seriously beaten aircraft as utilized by the First Air Commando Group in China/Burma/India. These planes would have been stationed at the very end of the supply chain, so re-painting and cosmetic maintenance would have been unlikely. The kit is built out of the box and Justen thinks he might go even dirtier! Justen also brought an Eduard Siemens Stuckert DIII, also in 1/48 scale. He reports that countless shims are needed to get parts to fit properly and that this is typical of the early, slush-molded Eduard kits. Nevertheless, he is working through the challenges and having fun.

Armored Car enthusiast Samantha Hanna showed her newly started 1/35 scale M-706 Commando Armored Car from Hobby Boss. She plans to build it out of box and paint it in the finish suggested by the box art. Sam says the seat looks a little small, but otherwise the kit is going together beautifully.

Mike Butry displayed a 1/48 scale P-47D Thunderbolt Razorback that he originally purchased and started in 2002. The finished model will depict a combat trainer from the 121st based at Bradley Field. This is the first time Mike has rendered a name on an airplane. As a result of the model sitting around collecting dust, Mike reports that the dusting adds a nice orange-peel effect to the paint scheme.

Ernie Yuhnke displayed a paper model of a German Castle-Neuschwanestein. This was one of four castles Ernie visited when he was stationed in Germany. Ernie was able to work on this model at his kitchen table, taking a break from his crowded workbench. The other castle he brought was Castle Lichtenstein, also a paper model. Though he purchased the models in Germany, they are made in California.

In addition, Ernie had on hand a Historex-manufactured Napoleonic carriage - the one he escaped Waterloo in.

Mike Patskin displayed his Fly C9-B in 1/48 scale. This is the same plane he flew during his last tour of duty in the Navy.

Dick Schulenberg brought a 1/72 scale resin Sky Raider from Anigrand, which he is building in a conjectural theme. He also brought a 1/72 Monogram F-82 Twin Mustang which he started a few years ago and has repainted several times. Dick used Starfighter decals, which he reports worked flawlessly. The kit was made in the 1960s and Dick sanded off the raised surface details and brush painted it.

Tom Faith showed a Wehrmacht Gebirgsjager still in the box, which he plans to incorporate into his 20 mm Flak-on-a-sled diorama, which was also on hand. The diorama's trees are from Tank Rats. They are the medium sized trees and Tom is very pleased with them.

Bob Raithel brought his 1/72 scale Hasegawa N1-K-2 "George" Japanese fighter. He used the kit to experiment with an idea for painting the national markings with stencils, rather than using decals, which he thinks is a technique with promise. He also tried out some severe weathering ideas.

Steve Weller shared a P-38 Lightning in 1/72 scale. Steve has done some "extreme" modeling on this one, having broken it, melted it and otherwise abused it over the course of 11 months. The Airfix kit has had the surface partially sanded, and armor weathering techniques were used to give the model a seriously worn look. Steve used pastels and colored pencils for some of his experiments. Steve is an inspiration to us all!

Paul Hines displayed his massive 1/72 scale Gato submarine kit from Revell, which he built for the Naval Park Museum. It will be on permanent display there in the very near future.

Paul also brought a model of the "Harriet Lane" paddleboat from Model Shipways. The model's hull is solid and the copper plating is made from individually applied pieces of cutout copper, which Paul weathered with Patina-it. He also added some extra rigging.

Dan Marafino brought a 1/72 scale Corsair, and a Wildcat made by Hobby Boss, and a ten-year old Hasegawa P-40. Dan hasn't finished the bases yet - he does the ground cover and then applies the wood stain. The biggest challenge was the decals on the Corsair, which had a tendency to crack and fold up.

John Zaranek had his 1/35 scale Tamiya Stag Hound on hand. It is a re-issue from Italieri with some photo-etched detail added. John says the kit went together easily and he plans to put it in a diorama with a Kubelwagen to re-create a scene from Monte Casino. He tried out artist's oils for weathering and is happy with the result.

Mark Gadek displayed a Ki-61 "Tony" in 1/32 scale. He used Tamiya paints and Metalizer on the undercarriage. Mark makes his own 'soot' by burning a bit of sprue and catching the residue in a bottle. He then applies the soot with a soft brush. Mark recommends burning the sprue for this process outdoors, as the fumes from burning styrene are toxic and can be harmful.

Jacob Gadek brought a 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf-109 and a 1/48 Spitfire. He used Tamiya paints to finish the models. He describes his 'spitball' technique for creating the mottling effect on the 109 as making spitballs, sticking them to the model and airbrushing over them. Brilliant! (I really have to try this out...)

Brian McFee showed a 1/48 scale Tamiya F-4 that Brian is going do depict as a British Marlette, stationed in Libya. He will be finishing the aircraft in light gray and is adding a resin seat to the cockpit. (Sorry, no photo.)

Dave Armitage had a Pteranodon diorama on hand that he got at Niagara Hobbies. He enhanced the base with Envirotex and railroad ballast for rocks. The model was painted with acrylic paints.

Dave also brought two shadow boxes - one of the Munsters Living Room and the other the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Both are detailed with scratch built furniture and accessories. The Hunchback's stage is motorized.

Jim Wolfe displayed a giant "Big Frankie" Frankenstein monster. The kit is a Mobius re-issue of a 1950s era kit. Jim reinforced the large kit pieces with rolled-out ribbons of putty and used airbrush and brush-painting to finish the big fella. Although the model is done, Jim may give it a final coat of flat.

Frank Blonski, who is making custom parts for other modelers as well as his own projects, showed some resin casting projects. There is a roll cage, a hood, and a geared tank wheel, which is giving him a bit of trouble. Frank's casting skills continue to progress!

A 1/48 scale EA-6B aircraft by Kinetic was brought in by Joe Szcygiel, who reports that the kit goes together easily and has a fairly basic interior. Joe used wire, foil and masking tape to add details to the cockpit. The kit can be built with the wings folded. Joe used CAM Decals rather than the ones provided with the kit. He also added detail to the wheel struts with stretched sprue. To get the tail decal to apply properly, Joe sprayed a few coats of clear to the tail. Joe used Model Master paints and black chalk to finish the model. He also reports that the two-piece canopy is a real challenge to assemble. He used Tenex to attach the canopy and used 2 cups of Future mixed with 20 drops of yellow, 5 drops of red, and 1 drop of blue food coloring to make the tint for the canopy glass. He dipped the canopy in this mixture three times to get the desired effect.

A good suggestion by Mike Patskin was offered: use watchmakers cement available from Micro-Mark Tools and 3Guyz (don't miss the big sale on November 20!) to attach canopies.

Finally, some photos of members around the room and the model tables.

Appeal for Volunteers for The Kids' Model Building Class
6 Saturdays from 10am to 12pm
January 22-February 26, 2011
By Bob Conshafter

Yep, it's that time again! 2011 will be my 10th year of volunteering with the Kids' Model Building Class. Where does the time go? The 2010 class was attended by thirty-three children, five of whom were girls. I think that's the highest percentage of girls we've had so far and I'm glad that the interest in modeling has endured with these kids as many have returned year after year. It was also nice to see a high level of parental involvement and club member turnout meant that most kids came away with a positive experience with modeling even though we had an ice storm on Awards Day!

Our club members who volunteer to help with this event have also returned year after year and it would be nice to see some new faces. Many thanks to the Old Guard: Frank Blonski, Tom Brown, Bob Collignon, Stan Keysa, Matt Keysa, Brian McFee, Nick Morris (who returned this year for the first time as a Mentor after many years as a builder), Dick Schulenberg, and some new faces who came when they could, Ed Button and Alan Gryfe. Eight tables are used for the event and, as you can see, we're kind of spreading things a bit thin, particularly if we hit our limit of 35 kids.

Please consider being a Mentor. It's okay if you can't make every session. Whatever time you can provide will be greatly appreciated by your fellow members and especially the kids. Every year we strive to make improvements to the Kids' Class and your involvement and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Our main goal is to have every child come away from the class with a finished model and a positive experience with modeling. Remember, it would be great if you could volunteer for the whole class but its okay if you can only attend some sessions. A sign up sheet will be passed out at the next 3 club meetings. The class starts on January 22nd and runs for the following five consecutive Saturdays (10am to 12pm) until Awards Day, February 26th.

2011 Kids' Model Building Class Kit Appeal

The club will graciously accept any and all of your donations. At this point in time we have A LOT of airplanes. More specifically, we are looking for new or pre-owned, un-built plastic model kits and will gladly accept anything you can provide. We're a little short on the following:

1/35th scale armor
Small scale modern civil/warships
1/25 scale cars
Snap-together kits for young builders

If the kit you are considering donating is not new or sealed in plastic, please take the time to make absolutely sure all parts, clear pieces, decals, and instructions are present.

Donations will be gladly accepted by our President, Justen Hanna or any member of the E-Board. Club members were very generous last year and I would like to thank all of you who donated and thank in advance those who will donate this year.

Best wishes always, Bob