Bulletin: March 2007

T H E
M I N U T E S

by Bobby the Blue

February was a good meeting despite the “off” turnout due to the poor weather from the Valentine’s Day Ice Storm. We had 26 members, one guest and bringing in 13 models for display and the contest.

FEBRUARY MEETING!!!

SHOW US YOUR TOOL: Members brought in an array of tools and had some explanations for methods. A very educational activity.

CONTEST NIGHT 1Q07: The entries were a bit off, but it was sort of expected with the snow storm earlier in the week. The quality of the work on the tables was spectacular.

KIT SALE: Guys brought things in to sell. It looks like it went well that night.

RAFFLE: We had our first raffle in a while. There were a couple of really nice items on the block.

MODEL OF THE YEAR: The numbers were crunched, and the winners were as follows:

Air
Frank C: F-15DJ, 3Q

Armor
Ray K: Tiger, 3Q

Figure
Bobby P: Catwoman, 1Q

Sea
Nestor M: Coastal Freighter, 3Q

Misc
Kevin B: Saber Tooth Cat 1Q

Congrats to the winners! You get bragging rights for the next year!

THEME DISCUSSION: We already know what the first theme contest for 2007 will be, VINTAGE 1965 sponsored by our Lord of Awards, Ed D. But what about December? There were several ideas kicked around the last meeting. There’s an anniversary for the Air Force. There’s also an anniversary for Thet Offensive. But there did seem to be a lot of interest in “We Mean Business” theme that would be about corporate placement. You can do real stuff, or use your imagination. If you are interested in any of these concepts, please speak with the officers during the next meeting. June is approaching quickly, and we want to be on top of things for the next theme as soon as possible.

On the agenda: March

DECAL SWAP NIGHT: Decals! It’s as much a part of this hobby as glue and paint. We all have them. So bring in some to sell trade, or give away if you wish. For everyone else, bring some cash as you never know if those markings you’ve always wanted will show up!

DESERT THEME NIGHT: This will be the first theme meeting of 2007. It’s not a contest, but a theme night. A Desert Theme Night! All you have to do is bring in something that can be somehow tied into the desert. There’s a lot of stuff that fall in that category, so I hope to see a table filled. Please be prepared to say a word or two about the desert items you bring in.

SPEICHER UPDATE
Supporting the Modelers in Iraq in 2007

First, I’d like to thank everyone for their generous donations in 2006. And though we all want our troops to be coming home this year, the reality is that our support of the Speicher Model Group will be needed for 2007. As you canvas your collection for potential donations, or as you think of our troops while shopping at the local hobby shop, the Internet, or the dollar store, please keep the following in mind:

• No flammable liquids, so no enamel paints, lacquer paints, and no model airplane cement.
• Acrylic paints and superglues are OK, as are white glues.
• Please check kits to make sure that all of the parts are there - especially the clear parts and decals.
• Tools of all kinds are needed - brushes, knives, sandpaper, sanding sticks, tweezers.
• Decals and hobby magazines are welcome.

Thanks,
Hugh

Editor’s Note: At the last meeting we discussed some items they can really use over there. So here’s a shopping list: tweezers, sprue cutters, super glue, and other supplies. Thanks guys! ~Bobby

Our Location: Bergen Beach Sports Complex

From Belt Pkwy: Take exit 11N - Flatbush Avenue North. Go North on Flatbush Avenue and make a right onto Avenue U (Kings Plaza). Continue on Avenue U to Bergen Avenue; Make a right onto Bergen Avenue. Go straight on Bergen Avenue 3 blocks. Sports Complex on left.

THEME FOR JUNE 2007

Ed D, our fabulous award master, will sponsor the first theme of 2007! Called "Vintage 1965," The guidelines are thus:

“A modeler can submit a kit of any subject in any scale but it must be a kit that was available from 1955 - 1965. The idea is that you could walk into a hobby shop (or Five and Dime) back then and spot this kit on the shelf any time in that decade; an era which many consider to be the "Golden Age" of plastic kits.

The kit can be a re-release too, for example a Revell "Special Subjects Program" edition from 1997 of a kit originally produced in 1960 is OK.

However, I ask that modelers resist enhancing the vintage model with too many modern day doodads like resin and photo-etched parts, things you would not be using in 1965. You can add a few but don't go nuts with aftermarket goodies. Scratchbuilding parts is OK though, since you could have done that 40+ years ago.

Modelers can choose from these manufacturers: Aurora, AMT, Revell, Monogram, PYRO, Jo-Han, Airfix, Hawk, Precision, Lindberg, Palmer and Renwal - all companies operating back then.

I already have an award design in mind and will make all of them myself. (Probably even the honorable mentions too!)

Modern supplies such as PAINT are perfectly fine to use.

Meeting Date:
March 16, 2007