January 27, 2022 BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report

Sixteen people attended the meeting. No new releases were announced. Deliveries to distributors are 6 weeks behind. The next lunch meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, 2/12/22 at Nurnberger Berghaus, 817 Castleton Ave, Staten Island. Details to follow. We agreed to sponsor a trophy package at MosquitoCon, 1/72 armor in memory of Tim G. We had a good example of why virtual meeting are worthwhile. Frank asked if Wildcats carried on-board life rafts. Within a minute, he had the answer and the name of the book it came from. This led to a discussion of aircrew safety measures and aircraft flotation device designs. Very interesting. We saw examples slide molded gun tubes (Tamiya's M-551 Sheridan) and fuselages (AMK's MiG /-31 and F-14) and wondered if modelers are getting spoiled (no one complained). Don reports a very large barge mounted crane (it's actually "The Left Coast Lifter", last used on the Mario Cuomo/Tappen Zee Bridge job) is tied up at Richmond Terrace & Clove Road on Staten Island. Not open to the public but worth a look if you're in the area. In progress and completed work included: (Young) Frankenstein's Monster, SAAB J-32, Millenium Falcon (1/43 DeAgostini kit with interior and lighting), P-40 Flying Tiger, B-25 B (Doolittle Raid markings), M-551Sheridan, IDF M-113, scratch built Russian Artic Explorer, M-3 Grant (Lulubelle markings), Stearman crop duster conversion, BTR-80 (these last 5 built by friends of Mark), F 4F Wildcat, Mirage 2000, L-39 Albatros, Yak-42 D, 76 Chevy Sport Pickup, Convair Manned Observation Satellite, Panzer-4 G, Battlestar Galactica and Roman Warship. Distributers may not be getting kits, but our guys are. Acquisitions included: two Polish submarines, two German torpedo weapons, Autogyro, and F-50. The tool was something Bobby has been curious about for some time and Gil answered his questions when he told us about the "EWK Patented Aluminum Refillable Aerosol Spray Can, Pneumatic Compressed Air Sprayer for Lubrication and Anti-Rust". It's an inexpensive, refillable alternative to Dust Off. The transparent paint discussion was brief but informative. Maybe we'll revisit it in future. Groundhog Day is 2/2/22. The next meeting is 2/3/22 at 8pm. Unless, well, you've seen the movie, you know what can happen. Invites have been sent. Hope you can make it.

~Russ