Thursday, July 27, 2023

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report: July 25, 2023

Twelve people attended the meeting. The 7/21/23 in person meeting was well attended. Photos of the night's Red, White and Blue Theme models are on the club's Facebook page. Lou reported ICM's 1/35 AH-1G Cobra and US Army WW1 ambulance and Takom's 1/48 AH-64D (British, Israeli and multiple nations versions) are available. Also, watch for Airfix's 1/48 Sea King, MikroMir's XP-51 and an (ex-Renwal) USS Sarasota. 
 
Mark is soliciting questions to ask IPMS President Dave Lockhart when he meets him at the Nationals next month. If you have any, send them to Mark directly. 
 
Julio has arranged a model builder's get-together at noon on 8/12/23, at Pier 57, near 11 Ave & W15 St in Manhattan (flyer on the Facebook page). It's free, it's Saturday afternoon and it's accessible by public transit. Thank you, Julio. Frank shared photos of the Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum in Buffalo NY and the MAPS Air Museum in North Canton OH. Looking for letter/number or stripe decals? Mr. K recommends K4 Decals.com. Railroad related but useful and the service is good. Don is looking forward to getting a 1/18 Mr. Kim's Noodle Boat (from The Fifth Element).
 
In progress and completed work included: F-18F, Wolfie (from Groovie Goolies), Bigfoot bust (Kevin's OSL paint job wasn't challenging enough, so he put a Bob Ross style scene on the back of the bust), Teenage Werewolf, Bell X-1, F-15, NASA F-18 (Angelo does not like this kit!), M151 A2 (this one, he likes), 32 Ford Street Rod, Be-200 (anti-sub version), B-50 conversion, F-14, MS-09 Dom and Tradewind. Acquisitions included: F-22 Raptor and Marshal Jessie figure. 
 
The topic was things we bought, but don't use, things like 3D printers, 3D pens, "third hand" tools, sculpting tools, mini pry bars, propeller blade alignment jig, your second (or third) airbrush, kits that are too big to display and a bone scraper (funny, this never showed up at "Show Us Your Tool" night). And why did we get these things in the first place? Because, as several people said, the time to buy it is when you see it. Who can disagree?
 
Next meeting is Tuesday, 8/1/23 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow.  Until then, stay safe and stay hydrated.
 
~Russ
 
CORRECTION: The Mikro-Mir kit is the martin XB-51 Bomber in 1/72 scale Sorry for the mistake

Saturday, July 22, 2023

News: Community Event

Hello everyone,

Our member and friend, Julio, is organizing a community event. If you're in or around the NYC area, please see the flier and share. Thanks to all for promoting scale hobby.



Thursday, July 13, 2023

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: July 11, 2023

Eleven people attended the meeting. There's no Zoom meeting next Tuesday because the July in-person meeting is Friday, 7/21/23.  Doors open around 6, meeting begins around 7:30. Details are in the newsletter, which is in the mail. 
 
No new releases reported but watch for Squadron's Devastator book and Takom's M-29 Weasel. Michael told us about the Fold 3 website, a repository of military history records and documents, Vaughan told us that V, as in VMF or CV, signifies "heavier than air" and Frank told us Dollar Stores are a good source for inexpensive wood bases.  
 
In progress and completed work included: E A-6A, Teenage Werewolf, Bigfoot (Kevin's exercise in OSL, Object Source Lighting ), B-25, Zero, Wildcat, Roman Warship (no action/adventure movie spoilers, please), Patlabor Griffon, Baby Yoda, A-6 Intruder, F-14 and Tradewind. Acquisitions included: F-16 D, Moon Maiden, Cleopatra's Last Dance, Marilyn Monroe, Norris-thing/head (from 1982's The Thing), brass toothpicks (from Mig Ammo) and toothpick dispenser (from the Museum of Modern Art's gift shop).
 
Gil's tool was the app, TRYCOLORS. It works on iPhones, Androids and laptops. It's inexpensive and helpful for mixing colors, determining a color from a photo and identifying manufacturers.
The topic was toothpicks. It was such a rich topic we ran out of time before everyone had a chance to speak (that's why you saw all those post meeting emails). We have used them to mix and apply epoxy glues, to hold small parts for painting (drill a hole, jam the toothpick in), put pupils in eyeballs, detail dials on instrument panels, apply putty, wedge parts for a better fit, remove excess paint from canopy frames, ream/enlarge holes, remove excess liquid cement form plastic, polish plastic, remove excess plastic putty, even after its dry (wet the toothpick first). Some prefer round toothpicks, some prefer square. They both have their uses. Toothpicks can be put into hobby knife holders. Orange sticks, used for manicures, are an alternative to toothpicks, as are bamboo skewers. And don't forget, you can get them in brass now, too. 
 
Hope to see you at the July meeting. 
 
Russ