Tuesday, February 21, 2023 BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting

Thirteen people attended the meeting. There will a lunch meeting on Saturday, March 4, at noon at Junior's, 386 Flatbush Avenue Extension, Brooklyn. It's convenient to public transit (ask Google Maps) and if you've never been to this Brooklyn landmark, now's your chance. Members, former members, zoomers and guests are encouraged to attend and catch up.

 

We received an inquiry from an individual looking for someone to build the 1/600 Academy USS Enterprise CVN-65. If you're interested or know someone who is, send me the contact information and I'll forward to the individual. Thanks in advance.

 

Lou reports AFV Club's 1/35 Churchill Mk 4 AVRE SBG Bridge and Centurion Mk5 AVRE are both available now. Watch for a Wyatt Earp figure from Atlantis and a 1/16 M4-A3-E8 from I Love Kit.

 

In progress and completed work included: Convair Kingfish, Lysander Mk I /III (Vaughan's glad it's finished, even if he can't see much of the instrument panel), Lysander P 12 (a conversion Mr K just happened to have laying around off-camera), International Scout 2, '66 Chevy Street Machine, Tarzan figure, B-52 with X15, DH-4, B-47, Su-7,(Frank was surprised the old OEZ kit fit so well), Sepecat Jaguar and Jagdpanther.  Acquisitions included: Dodge Ram pickup, Ford Trimotor and 3D printed individual link Panther tracks in 1/72 (what was I thinking?)

 

The topic was restoring clear parts. Chuck shared his step-by-step process (pare down high spots, sand with progressively finer grits, polish with toothpaste on wet paper towel, polish with Mother's Magnesium Aluminum Polish on old T shirt and finish with a quick swipe of oil from the bridge of your nose). Frank uses orangewood manicure sticks to remove paint bleed and fine (the pink ones) sanding sticks to remove longitudinal seams from aircraft canopies. Vaughan recommends children's toothpaste for polishing. Don likes Novus Plastic Polish #2 or #3 (finer grade). Bobby says the Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer Kit can also be used on model parts. 

 

Next meeting is Tuesday, 2/28/23 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there and, at Junior's on March 4. Let me know if you plan to go - headcounts always help.

 

~Russ

 

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report: Tues, Feb 7, 2023

Fourteen people attended the meeting. We met Brian, a modeler form Massachusetts. Hope we see him again. No zoom meeting next Tuesday, as the February in-person is next Friday, the 17th. Doors open around 6 pm, meeting starts around 7:30 pm. The Quarterly Contest and "show us your tool" are the scheduled activities. Details are in the newsletter, which is in the mail. Surprised that we still mail a newsletter, Mark said BPMS was like one of those isolated tribes, who found a way to avoid the modern world. He's got a point. Maybe that's why we've been around for fifty years?
Lou was pleased to report Academy's 1/48 A-10 C and Zero 21 and Takom's 1/35 M-48 family (M48 A-3, M48 A-5 and M-247 Sgt. York) are now available.
In progress and completed work included: A-6A, Lysander (an inspection window mishap is no problem for a man with a second kit), Jagdpanzer 4 L/48 (Border's kit includes Zimmerit paste and applicator tool), Porsche, RF-4 (with a troublesome stabilator), Harrison Ford Blade Runner bust (3D printed in washable resin), T-33 and Jagdpanther. Acquisitions included: S-51 helicopter, FW-58C, Humbrol Chrome Silver paint, Blue Stuff thermoplastic molding material, F-16 A and F-4 B.
We heard many ways to temporarily tack parts in place. Starting ,of course, with Blu-Tack, we moved to Play-Doh, rubber bands, plastic bag ties, mini clothespins, clamps, Aileen's Tacky Glue, white glue and various tape types. Frog Tape is low tack and prevents paint bleed. Japanese Kabuki (aka Washi) tape, is also low tack, and repositionable. Lastly, BPMS Superraffle tape, considered by some to be too sicky for masking, is just right for dry fitting parts.
If you're going to Glendale on Sunday, enjoy the game, but not so much that you miss the Friday meeting.
~Russ

In preparation for June 2023 Theme Contest

In preparation for June 2023 Theme Contest, "Remember the Members Theme", a current BPMS member had asked what type of models for those members we are remembering.
I have set up an album for each of the past BPMS members. I have photos which are some examples of their work. Please use the link to their album below.

Andy Yanchus (only photos of him in front of his display of models): https://photos.app.goo.gl/h1naNtEmVzUcaUVa6

Joe Barrett: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PXjnuVTzRwCfUNpk9

Tim Greeman: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nQENJvorYWrBfk4w8

Ray Keegan: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eA7KSe4CK2KvCTqs5

Hope some of these random photos I pulled from the archive will help inspire your project.
~Gordon

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting Report: Jan 31, 2023

Thirteen people attended the meeting. Lou reports two new Rye Field 1/35 releases: Tiger 1, late production and JTLV. We heard about several upcoming events: Old Dominion Open in Richmond VA on 2/25/23, Replicon in Freeport, NY on 3/25/23, Downeastcon in Sanford, ME on 4/16/23 and Noreastcon in Albany NY on 4/29/23. Closer to home, BPMS will have a lunch meeting at Junior's (386 Flatbush Avenue Extension, Brooklyn) on 3/4/23. 

 

We added the Cesna 195, Airmaster 145, Aurora's Knights and Pyro's antique firearms to last week's dream models list. 

 

In-progress and completed work included: T-33 (Frank thanked Mr. K for last week's tip about a white undercoat for an orange topcoat) and Jagdpanther. Acquisitions included: F-4 E, F-4 EJ and Israeli F-16A decals, F-35 B, F/A-18,  Gundam markers, AH-64 E Guardian and a 3D printed 1/35 Matilda 1 from Vargas Scale Models. The few, but complex, parts (one piece track and suspension, full hull complete with electrical wiring for headlamps) will make an interesting build. Ink was the featured topic. Many of us use Sharpie Markers, few of us use ink. It can be applied with calligraphy pens (nibs come in several widths) or drafting pens ( Leroy, Rapidograph). Ink only works on a flat finish. Colors can be mixed. Don't thin acrylic ink. Once dry, ink is durable. Don has tried airbrushing white ink as winter camouflage. He was semi-satisfied with the results. Gil, who recommends Amsterdam Inks, used a pen to color panels on a spacecraft and was happy with the result.  The tool tip of the week was using Burt's Bees Lip Balm, rather than beeswax, to seal a leaky airbrush nozzle. Another tip, Liquid paper is good for filling small seams. Next meeting is 2/7/23 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Happy Groundhog Day. 

~Russ