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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Monogram Theme Contest - December 16, 2011

Monogram Theme Contest
December 16, 2011
Some thoughts on the December theme contest:

We would like to challenge the members to select a Monogram pre-merger (Revell/Monogram) kit of any type, air, sea, armor, auto or anything in their line and build it using some of the techniques you have learned, the skill you have acquired and the material you have collected to build the best representation of the prototype you can. See just how good some of these kits really were.

A chat between Jimmy M., Frank C. and myself at the March meeting with regard to some of the models displayed for the ‘my favorite model’ segment led to the idea that maybe we should encourage the members to build some of the ‘older’ kits we built in our youth.

Frank’s Monogram Phantom became the focus of our discussion as Monogram produced some of the first really accurate (outline) and really detailed (variant choices) models available to us in the 60’s. They began to move away from the toy-like features like bomb drops and retracting landing gear and on to cockpit detail and multiple variants.

True they all had raised panel lines and details, but that was the state of the mold-making art at the time. It cost far less to remove small areas of the mold to create the detail than to remove vast areas of the mold to leave the detail behind.

Truth be told, when some of the early models are finished with care and painted with some shading and weathering they are as good visually as any kit today. It is only under close scrutiny that their age becomes apparent and the way the detail is depicted becomes evident.

We would like to exclude kits from molds after the merger with Revell and any kits from 3rd party molds acquired by Monogram. We would also ask that you limit the aftermarket ‘stuff’ to a minimum. Why put $40.00 worth of PE on a $5.00 kit. Use your parts box and take a shot at scratching some extra detail.

If you have any doubts about a particular mold call one of the sponsors (or email) and we will do a little research and let you know. Frank C., Frank T. Rich B. and Jimmy M.

To sum up – will these kits build into models that will compete at the contest level – probably not without a lot of work – but considering what they can be had for in $$, when compared to the TamyGawa or limited run kits go for, they can be built into very respectable likenesses of the prototypes. There seems to be a pre-conceived notion that these older kits are not worth building – that notion is BS. The majority of us don’t build for the ‘CONS’ so give it a try.

~Rich B.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

BPMS Bulletin

T H E
M I N U T E S


by Bobby B2 Blue Pokorny

May was a busy meeting. We squeezed in a lot in relatively little time. We clocked in 29 members and no guests who brought in 22 models, for a busy meeting.

May Meeting
PART-BOX NIGHT: Members brought in parts. Members brought home parts. Worked out perfectly! Remember, Gordon brings the big bin of community parts each month if there’s something you’re looking for, or parts you want to add.

ANNUAL CONTEST – 2Q2011: The second installment of the annual contest is in the books. Your next chance to rack up some votes will be in August.

MAY MEGA-RAFFLE: After much fanfare and excitement we finally had the draw, and I REALLY wish I took a note of who won. But I know someone went home happy with such a great kit as that Tiger. Thanks to the members who bought raffle tixx, and a special thanks to Joe Bergman for his generosity by donating the kits.

You can see pics from each meeting either at the Club Website or on the Photo-Blog: http://gmobile17.blogspot.com/

On the agenda: June
BAR-BE-QUE NIGHT: I was thinking that this isn’t a very long run activity in the BPMS timeline, but we’ve had BBQ Night almost as long as our stay at our current home, The BBSC. This is simple, you bring yourself in, be sure your dues are paid up, and pay approx $6 (definite price will be settled at the meeting because everything has gone up in the last year!). Then eat. We just ask for a little order and consideration. Please wait for everyone to get their first helping before heading back for seconds and thirds. If you’d like to donate chips, sausages, etc, feel free to do so. Also, we must thank Vinny Rosati for allowing us to use the facility grills, and I’m sure El Presidente Don Illjes will lead the way of volunteers lending a hand.

TWILIGHT ZONE THEME CONTEST: Time flies. Our first theme contest is already upon us! These guys will have some WILD awards ready for this, so I hope you builty! More details HERE.

Our next meeting will be on
JUNE 17, 2011

See you at the Bergen Beach Sports Complex!