Sunday, March 31, 2024

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: March 26, 2024

The good news is that 20 people attended. The bad news is that there wasn't enough time for everyone to speak. Apologies to those we missed.

Mark read the nominations for Bobby P for IPMS Member of the Year and BPMS for Chapter of the Year. Several people gave spontaneous testimonials about Bobby's dedication to BPMS, his efforts to attract and welcome new members and his commitment to the hobby. There were testimonials about BPMS, too - It's not a club, it's a bunch of friends - It's not cliquish - You meet people from all walks of life - and my favorite - We're not IPMS, we're BPMS (no offense to the national organization). 

Noreastcon was last Saturday. Many club members were there. Charlie, Kosta and Gordon placed. Gordon also took a lot of pictures. A link is posted on the club's Facebook page.
In progress and completed work included: Wazbom Blastajet and another Warhammer vehicle (you’ll have to ask Angelo what it is), Nurse Price bust (from American Werewolf in London), Marylin Monroe bust (Kevin is trying out a pink and purple painting technique he saw on the Groundeffected YouTube channel), Dr. Doom bust, F- 6F, Ilyushin Il-2, Stuka, Typhoon, Buffalo, and Little Red Wagon (updated version). 

It was a good night for tools and tips. Gil introduced us to the paint puck, a silicone disc for cleaning paint brushes and Michael showed us that the Dyson vacuum with the green laser can be used to check the floor for missing parts. He also showed us how he used Tamiya Compound and a carefully bent staple to remove overspray from the interior of a sealed canopy. 

We remembered the people who introduced us to scale modeling. Fathers, brothers (who can forget those wind up Zoids?), friends and neighbors either taught us how to make models or encouraged us to build more. One self-motivated builder started making models from cardboard before the age of five, while others found the hobby later in life. Who knows, maybe the BPMS website, Facebook page or Zoom meeting will be someone's introduction to the hobby? Which reminds me, the next meeting is Tuesday, 4/2/24 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there. Tell us how you spent April Fool's Day. 

~Russ

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Photo coverage for 2024 NOREASTCON 52


First thing, congratulations to all the participants who won a place or award at the Region 1 contest and applauses to all the contestants. 

Second, a shout out and big round of applause to our BPMS member, Charlie N. and Kosta, for winnng Bronze. Big congratulation as well to Bobby P. who had been picked IPMS Northeast Region Member of the Year and we are honored to be selected as Chapter of the Year! 
In addition, I am grateful to had placed Silver in 1/100 Gundam category. 

The turnout of entries was good dispite the harsh weather. I had taken over 300 photos of entries at the contest. The photos are stored in a google photo album for anyone interested. Link is below.

~Gordon

Thursday, March 21, 2024

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting Report: March 19, 2024

Fifteen people attended the meeting. We heard that Vallejo paints have changed their packaging and formulations. They've also introduced Triads. Details will be in the next Bulletin. 
 
Noreastcon is this Saturday, the 23rd, at the Freeport Recreation Center. It’s a good opportunity to catch up with old friends, see a bunch models and spend a bunch of money. Also, they're looking for help with judging. 
 
Lou reported three 'I Like Kits' kits were available: Arlighe Burke DDG (1/200), M-48A1 and M-48A5 (1/35). Jimmy has posted several new kits on the club's Facebook page. Full disclosure, most of them are SdKfz 234/2 Pumas. 
 
In-progress and completed work included: S-67 Blackhawk (Vaughn's first resin kit), Dodge A-100 with Jimmy Flintstone body (Gil's latest resin kit), 3D printed Shredder figure (from TMNT), Clicker (from Last of Us), espresso can-based robot (ask Julio), Nurse Price bust (from American Werewolf in London) and Schwimmwagen. Acquisitions included: Challenger 1-Mk3 and Billy Sole bust (from Predator). 
 
Using two screws, Gil attached a hacksaw blade to a board and made a tool to cut sheets of sandpaper evenly. We also saw that a plant clamp is good tool for holding/clamping thin or cylindrical parts. 
 
We finished up with a discussion of things we do to increase productivity. Some people prefer building on a regular schedule (mornings or evenings), others build whenever time permits (including time spent on the phone on hold). Or, a session can be a reward for completing a routine (aka non-modeling) task. Some assemble two or three kits at a time, then paint them in one session to save set up /clean up time. Some say that having music, tv, or podcasts (Kevin mentioned Model Club TV on YouTube) playing in the background makes them more productive. Probably the best way to ensure productivity is to have a deadline. Fortunately, we have one, 6/21/24 and it will be here sooner than you think. 
 
The next meeting is Tuesday, 3/26/24 at 7:30 pm. Frank C will send the invites. 
 
~Russ

Friday, March 08, 2024

BPMS "Bulletin" - March 15, 2023 Meeting

Minutes from the February Meeting
 
Attendance: Members – 20, Guests – 2, Models – 20
President Tom Govia gaveled the meeting to order at 7:50PM.
Business: Upcoming will be the Manhattan Group Model Build on 2/24
  • There is still time to Pledge a build to build for the end of the year.
  • September on the calendar has been filled. Thanks to the Nelsons. Look for Weathering Aircraft in the Autumn.
  • A new year brings the call for dues. $35 pp is due now.
  • Next month’s meeting will be the Decal swap, and Green Model night. Any model that’s green or has green in the name is welcome.
  • A break was called so the members could vote for their favs at the 1st quarter contest.
  • The Meeting reconvened at 8:40PM for a raffle. There were 11 winners.
  • A show and tell of the models on the display tables.
  • The meeting was adjourned at 9:10PM
March Activities:
  • Decal Swap Night - bring in decals to sell, swap, or simply give away!
  • Green Model Night - bring in something that is in some way, shape, or form GREEN!
 

Meeting date:

March 15, 2024

Location: BBSC

 
Business starts at 8PM, but members are at the facility by 6PM. Feel free to join us early!   
  
Download the FULL BPMS Bulletin in PDF format HERE.

Thursday, March 07, 2024

March 5, 2024 - BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting

Fourteen people attended the meeting. No Tuesday Zoom next week, the in-person meeting is Friday, the 15th, at the Community Center in Brooklyn. Doors open around 6 pm, meeting starts around 7:30. The theme is green models. See the newsletter for more details. 
 
Noreastcon is Saturday, 3/23/24 at the Freeport Recreation Center.
 
Congratulations to Frank C for 50 years of IPMS membership.
 
In-progress and completed work included: Cartoon M4-A1, Hotel Transylvania Wolfman (sculpted by Kevin), Wildcat, Challenger, Schwimmwagen, Silk (3D printed figure), Jaguar (Indian Air Force conversion), 45 mm anti-tank gun and Vickers twin turret tank. Acquisitions included: SdKfz 251-1, flying Taxi (from The Fifth Element), S-67 Blackhawk (resin kit) and Cuthulhu.
 
Two tools this week. Gil told us about another dollar store find, the shadow switching sponge. Designed to clean makeup brushes, it's also good for cleaning brushes used to apply PanPastels or dry pastels. Bobby told us about a LED light strip and a LED light bar he got from Temu. Small and inexpensive, maybe they're just what you need for your workbench.
 
The featured topic was what do we look for in a model club. We want friendly, knowledgeable people with similar interests, not overly competitive, not cliquish and no egos. We also want comfortable meeting places with good seating/table arrangements and clubs where people actually build kits and bring them to meetings.
 
Then we got to talking about BPMS. We liked that it's based on friendship, not hierarchy, liked pizza night and BBQ night, liked to see what people will build next and that there's always time for another question. Kevin summed it when he said there are many places to learn on line, but face to face is better.
 
Next meeting is Friday, 3/15/24, at the Community Center. No invites needed. Bring something green. Could be a model or could be cash, if you haven't paid your dues yet. Hope to see you there.
 
~Russ