May 30, 2023 BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report

Thirteen people attended the meeting. Lou reports that Minicraft is now part of Academy. New releases- 1/700 USS San Diego (V model?), 1/35 German Infantry (Tamiya), 1/32 Hurricane (Revell Germany), 1/72 M1-A2 (Meng), 1/35 Apache (Meng) and 1/16 Sd Kfz 251/1D (Das Werk). 

 
In progress and completed work included: T-34/85, Wildcat, Pz 4 (70/A) & Pz 4 F1 (Jimmy's making up for lost time), 1980 Ice Patrol Jeep & Ski Mobile, Ju- 86 (Swiss markings), Bf-109 E on skis, Phantom of the Opera figure, Landbattleship (not satisfied with his 1/144 version, Don is building one in 1/72), DFS 40, F-16, Matilda, Valentine, Sheridan, Mary Jane Watson figure, Eagle (the old Space 1999 kit), F-104 and Sherman Calliope. Acquisitions included: T-rex Pz 4 tracks, Annular Monoplane 3, Ruitool nippers (similar to, but cheaper than, GodHand nippers).
The week's tool/product was JoSonja Magic Mix, a sealer/extender. Gil tried it and liked the results. 

 
The featured topic was, which do you prefer, building or painting? Builders like seeing the kit take shape but they don't like overly large parts counts or tiny parts. Painters like the opportunity to individualize their work. Also, starting to paint means you're close to finishing the kit. Paint availibility, different procedures for acrylics and enamels, humidity and other environmental factors and poor color perception make painting a struggle for some. Better putties/fillers make building easier for all. At least one person gets the most enjoyment from putting on decals. Our discussion on the "freeloader" remark in the March/April issue of the IPMS Journal was cut short and will have to wait for next Tuesday's meeting. It's at 7:30pm and Frank C will host/send the invites (thanks, Frank). Stay safe. 

 
~Russ

 

5/23/23 BPMS Zoom mini meeting report

Ten people attended the meeting. Last Friday's in person meeting had about twenty-five attendees, most of whom participated in the quarterly contest. Jimmy shared photos of the entries from the BPMS Facebook page. Kosta reminded us about Fleet Week (the parade of ships was held earlier today) and the Bethpage Air Show, which is 5/27-28/23 at Jones Beach State Park. If you go to either one , take photos for next Tuesday's meeting. Mark shared photos of Noreastcon and, after the meeting, sent this link http://www.ipmsneny.org/noreastcon2023.html . 

In progress and completed work included: Panzer 4/70(A), A-6 (a challenging build, as Vaughn politely put it), EA-6A, 77 Dodge (with Joker figure), PKZ-2 helicopter, female archer bust, M551 Sheridan, Eagle (from Space 1999) and Sherman Calliope. Acquisitions included: more Reskit items (from Ukraine), a German Infantry figure in 1/16 and 1/35, F-27 A/B, F-16 C, F-18 C, CH-1Skyhook, YH-41Seneca and F/A -18F. Gil started using Jo Sonja Brush Soap and Conditioner on his brushes. It works on acrylics and oil, but the steps differ, depending on the paint type used. 

We asked everyone if they worked seated or standing. Many sit at a desk and several complained about their non-ergonomic chairs. Seated on a stool at a craft bench works for some, while others prefer standing at the bench, especially when airbrushing. After this discussion (and post meeting comments from Michael, Vaughan and Bobby), we can expect people to reevaluate the way they work. Next meeting is Tuesday, 5/30/23 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Lastly, since the Brooklyn Bridge is a prominent element in the BPMS logo, I want to remind everyone that the Brooklyn Bridge opened to traffic 140 years ago today. If you're in the area, make a walk across the Bridge part of your Memorial Day weekend. You won't regret it.
 

~Russ

05/09/2023 BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting

Fourteen people attended the meeting. There's no Tuesday Zoom next week as the in-person meeting is Friday, 5/19/23. It will feature our second quarterly contest. Doors open around 6pm, and the meeting starts around 7:30 pm. For additional BPMS info, see the newsletter, which is in the mail. 

Lou reports three new releases from Takom, 1/35 M103-A1 and M103-A2 and 1/16 Ontos. Vaughan told us of a F-7U walk-around on the USS Midway website, Kosta told us the Kalmar Nyckel opened its sailing season in Wilmington, Delaware and Chuck recommended Lee Sims Chocolates on Staten Island (hey, there's more to life than plastic). Sweeden's S-Tank was the subject of our technical discussion.

In progress and completed work included: chupacabra, Frankenstein monster, Large Marge, an unidentified figure (Kevin is working on a new Speedpaint basecoat technique), 69 Dodge Daytona, VZ-9 Avrocar, several 1/144 C-47s and DC-3 in various markings, 73 VW bus, Eagle 1 (from Space 1999) and Sherman Calliope. Acquisitions included: Reskit aftermarket sets (shipments from Ukraine are moving well), SS United States (vintage kit, partially painted) and Silver Knight. Gil found a new tool. It's called an oil brush cleaner. Think of it as a toilet for paint brushes. Google it, when you see the image, you'll agree. 

The featured topic was paint brushes. We use all kinds, from the cheap, white handled ones from Testors to the costlier Windsor & Newton series 7 Kolinski sable brushes. We don't throw away damaged brushes because even stumps have uses. Kevin, and others, use larger sized brushes (like 10, 6, 1) as long as they have good points. Japanese style calligraphy brushes give good results, once you learn how they work (same goes for Nail Art brushes). Don recommends Jerry's Artarama as a good source for brushes. Brushes from Pisio were said to be good. 

Next meeting is in person on Friday the 19th. No invites necessary. Hope to see you there.
 

~Russ

05/02/2023 BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting

Fifteen people attended the meeting. No new releases reported. Mark, Kosta and Gil went to Noreastcon last Saturday, where Kosta and Gil placed. We'll see photos at a later date. We heard that a restored F7-U Cutlass was delivered to the USS Midway in San Diego.

 

In progress and completed work included: A-6, EA-6, F-16, Valentine and Matilda tanks (rescued from the shelf of doom), Marlon Brando bust (from On the Waterfront), BA-20 armored car, Soviet Submarine Project 628, Kyushu Q1-W1 Lorna, An-2 and Ju-52 (in Milka Chocolate markings- see the actual Ju-52 on our Facebook page), anti-tank gun, Sherman Calliope and Jeep Rubicon.  Acquisitions included: XB-70 Valkyrie, KC 135R, OV-1 Mohawk, Javelin AAWS-M and Jimmy's latest finds (see our Facebook page for the full list). Gil showed us how a Blow Off Duster can be used to clean out Testors spray paint nozzles. Kevin explained how he applied layers of splattered color to get a realistic skin tone for his Marlon Brando bust.

 

We discussed various ways of keeping track of our work. Some people don't document anything other than unbuilt kits, others record the manufacturer,  when it was built and give it a rating. Some use Blogspot to create a building log. A picture with a date stamp is sufficient documentation for most. Some put dates on instruction sheets and file them away and some put the completion date on the model itself. 

 

The next meeting is Tuesday, 5/9/23 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Stay safe, whether you're celebrating Cinco de Mayo or The Kentucky Derby. 

 

~Russ