11/22/22 (TUESDAY) BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report

By now, Thanksgiving 2022 is a memory. Hope your memories of the day were pleasant, even if your teams lost.
Nine people attended the 11/22/22 meeting. IPMS members are reminded to see Frank C's 11/22/22 email concerning proposed revisions to the IPMS Constitution and vote on them on IPMS website before 12/7/22.
Lou reported several new releases: 1972 Ford pickup truck with snowplow (Mobius, 1/25), F-35A (Tamiya 1/35), Type 7 C U-Boat conning tower and deck section (Border 1/35). Figures available separately. The Modeling News has a write up on this kit.
Julio told us about the figure show in Freeport last weekend.
In progress and completed work included: F-7U3 Cutlass (Vaughn is glad it's done, but it sounds like he'd build another if the opportunity arose), Lysander, DC-3 (an unusual subject for Julio), three Wildcats (Michael is comparing the Tamiya, Hobby Boss and Edward kits. BTW, he recommends Pigma Micron pens for marking instrument faces), Marilyn Monroe figure (father and son effort), F-111 C, Hattori Kiriko figure and Me-163. Acquisitions included: 1/144 B-29 (which Mr. K will convert to a B-50 and use the leftover parts to build a XC-97), MiG-31and FA-18A. Inspired by a recent casual reference, this week's tool was The Chopper by NorthWest Shortine. It was surprising to see how many people had this item in their toolbox. Equally surprising, everyone was happy with theirs. Talk of the Constitution gave way to thoughts on behavior, judging, constructive criticism, and the importance of remembering the whole point of the hobby is fun. The next meeting is 11/29/22 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Maybe we'll see photos from the 2022 Turkey Challenge. Mark? 

 ~Russ

 

BPMS Bulletin: November 2022

BPMS Bulletin

by Bobby B2 Blue Pokorny

October meeting was another busy meeting. We had 25 members and 1 guest who brought in 13 models, several of which were pledges.

October Meeting

NOMINATIONS: With the unscheduled break in BPMS Meeting continuity, everyone agreed that President Tom Knoll and Vice-Prez Tom Govia are entitled to a smooth final year for their terms. They aren’t getting away that easily! They won an unopposed election for a second year up front. Congrats guys!  

BPMS 50^th Anniversary: It’s in the books! The BPMS 50^th Anniversary Luncheon took place on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at Buckley’s in Brooklyn. We had a nice display, a couple thoughtful speeches, and an all-around good time with friends and family. Many model clubs don’t get to see this sort of milestone, so we made the best of it. We look forward to the future! Thank you to all the members, past and present for your contribution to the ongoing life of the BPMS!

 MODEL PLEDGES: A hand full of members had their pledges ready for display and discussion at the meeting. Others had them ready in advance. Everyone who completed a pledge will have an additional FIVE tickets for the November Super Raffle! 

 DECEMBER THEME CONTEST: With the year speeding by we can look forward to the December theme contest: The Golden Age of AURORA Models. Find contest details on the final page of this Bulletin. Sponsored by Joe B and Kevin K. .

 raffle: We had another fun raffle this month. We’ll likely have another for October. The club is always looking for donations for these activities. The only raffle in November will be the SUPER one!

 Photo-phone list: Gordon started taking photos of the group for the photo-phone list. If he didn’t take your photo at the last meeting, please see him at the next meeting. 

 WEEKLY ZOOM: Even though we are back to having regular meetings, the weekly ZOOM will continue! New day and time: Tuesdays at 7:30 PM. Every week EXCEPT for weeks with an in-person meeting. 

 On the agenda: NOVEMBER

 Contest Night – 4th Qtr 2022: This is the final installment of the quarterly BPMS Annual Contest so it is your last chance to try to rack up some votes for 2022. Pledge models are welcome as well as anything you haven’t already entered into a contest previously. 

 Super Raffle: This is the reason why you must fill out your paperwork at each meeting. For every new model you brought in over the course of the year you get ONE SUPER RAFFLE TICKET. If you completed your pledge model you get an additional FIVE super raffle tickets. You cannot buy tickets for this raffle. You must earn them! The more you built the more tixx you get. We’ve been buying items for the Super Raffle all year, but if you would like to donate anything, feel free to do so! [Thanks in advance!] Who built the most in 2019-22? I’ll announce the name at the meeting.

SPOTLIGHT MODELER

CHI WANG

Chia-Chi Wang might be the most recent member voted into the BPMS, but to members, we have known him a long time. The 47 year old graphic artist is back in Queens, New York, so he finally got to join our club.

 Chi’s life would change while he was in Junior High School. His start down the model hobby path started in 1988 when he purchased and assembled his first model, a 1/144 Nu Gundam by Bandai. His life continued along an artistic path. He attended the New York High School for Art & Design and afterwards pursued a career as graphic artist and even worked at Marvel Comics.

 While his career progressed, so did his taste for the hobby. He would add figures and scratch-building to his achievements. His preferred spot to build a model would be, comfortably, at home in front of a desk. He has his reliable tools and airbrush which he has been using for years. He gained the bulk of his hobby knowledge, like most of us, through the various model magazines. Chi says that aircraft by Hasegawa are among his favorite to build because of the challenge.

 After the turn of the century, when internet messaging groups were at their peak, Chi met your humble narrator on a couple hobby boards. We became friends and I invited him to come to a meeting in 2003, and he had a great time. Unfortunately for us, the next stage for Chi took him to Orlando, Florida. There he joined up with the local IPMS chapter and continued with his independent comic book company, and was the proprietor of an Anime Shop. When he felt he ran his professional course for Florida, Chi returned to New York.

 In conclusion, Chi says: The current state of modeling hobby is without a doubt in a new golden age thanks to the internet. It is now easier than ever to find, select, and buy new & old model kits from companies around the world. Videos of open box reviews, building advice, tips and tricks are also plenty on YouTube. The only drawback I see are the constant rising prices, and this could be an obstacle for beginners and children to get into the hobby. With so many other cheaper alternatives such as games, toys, and social media as competing for entertainment options, this hobby needs to offer more entry level kits with better prices and selection in order to be carried on by the next generation of model building enthusiasts.

~BP

  

Our next meeting will be on November 18^th

^{at the BBSC}

^{Business starts at 7:30 PM}

^{People show up before 6:00 PM}

 

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: 11/08/2022

Thirteen people attended the meeting. No Zoom meeting next week as we meet in person on Friday, 11/18/22.  Be there for the Super Raffle and Quarterly Contest, coffee and, maybe, snacks. Kits to watch for: MiniArt's 1/48 P-47, Tamiya's 1/48 F-35 A, Roden's 1/72 AJ1 Savage, ICM's 1/48 JD1D Invader (w/drone), Trumpeter's 1/48 Mi-4 and reissues of '53 Ford pick-up, '64 Mercury Caliente and '68 Road Runner.

 

Frank asked about paint color equivalence charts. Mark suggested "Urban's Color Reference Charts" at IPMS Stockholm's site, www.ipmsstockholm.se, and Russ offered to share his hard copy of Humbrol's chart. He also likes the paint conversion chart at www.modelshade.com. 

 

In progress and completed work included:  F-7U3 Cutlass (leading to interesting discussions on the aerodynamics of tailless aircraft and metal fatigue in aircraft), Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate USS Simpson (with rigging and paper flags, in 1/700), Freedom Class LCS, USS Zumwalt, T-34 (Michael explained how he gets rubber band type tracks to look like individual link tracks), EC-121 R, RF-4, Harrier, F-104, Me-163 and Tanker Truck (from the TV Movie, Duel). Gil told us about the "Circular-hole Digging Tool" set he found on aliexpress (GodHand has a similar product but it's more expensive). It can make recessed holes, like a Forstner bit. Gil uses them in a handle from OLFA but other handles may work too. 

 

The topic was correcting overdone weathering. This can be difficult, if not impossible, depending on paint type (acrylic, enamel, oil, lacquer), color scheme ( single or multicolor) and other materials (pigments, pastels). You might be able to lightly overspray or buff out offending colors or you might live with it and display the model with the bad side out of sight. There's no simple fix, but Tom's simple rule will save you a lot of time and aggravation, "If you're tired, stop working!"

 

Next in-person BPMS meeting, Friday, 11/18/22, at the Community Center. Doors open around 6pm. No invite needed. 

 

Thank a Vet this Veterans Day.

 

~Russ

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: 11/1/22

Fifteen people attended the meeting. The 11/18/22 in person meeting will be busy with the Super Raffle and the quarterly contest. Doors open around 6pm. Hope to see you there. It's chapter renewal time. IPMS numbers should email their membership numbers and expiration dates directly to Frank C so he can begin the paperwork. Thanks in advance. 

Fifty thousand people will compete in the NYC Marathon next Sunday. A smaller, but equally dedicated, number will compete in the Turkey Challenge later this month. Registration is closed for the NYC Marathon but the Turkey Challenge is still accepting entries. Contact Mark N directly for details. 

Lou reported AMT's 1/48 Star Wars: A New Hope TIE Fighter and Hobby Boss' 1/72 Scud B and 1/35 BT-2 tank were available now. Xtrakit's 1/72 Saunders-Roe SRA-1 was also noted. In progress and completed work included: F-7 U3 Cutlass, Lysander, F-8 Crusader, C-47, FW-187, F-13, Delphin-1 midget sub and Millenium Falcon. Acquisitions included: 66 Chevy Nova , Crying Freeman bust and a 1/16 4x4 (between the bust and the 4x4 Julo will be plenty busy). In the tool segment, Gil told us about Kimwipes, the low-lint, non-abrasive, absorbent wipes he uses to clean parts before painting and Bobby told us about the Knipex nipper/sprue cutter he recently got. 

In the trick or treat discussion , we asked which kits were disappointments and which were delights. Some complaints were specific, a Minicraft 1/48 F-111 from 20 years ago, an Armored train from a long-gone French manufacturer, Academy's 1/72 F-117 A, Takom's M-3 Lee and AML-60, Atlantic's 57 Cadillac, the early Trumpeter T-55, Sfik T-55, Bandi's Mandalorian figure, Meng's King Tiger and ICM's MiG-25. Other complaints were more general in nature, any kit from Amodel, most kits from Lindberg, any Italeri kit re-boxed by Tamiya, and resin kits from unfamiliar producers. We also remembered problems dealing with Model Airplane Depot. Bandai's Stormtrooper and Kamen rider Zero One figures were singled out as good kits as were Revell Germany's F-16s and Phantoms. Tamiya's Char B1 bis is a personal favorite. 

The next meeting is Tuesday, 11/8/22 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. If you or a family member is running the Sunday, have fun and stay safe. 

~Russ