The Rumor Mill

There was a post seen on one of the Facebook Figure Models groups that there will be no JerseyFest for 2024.  The person that saw the post, also came back the next day and reported that the post making the announcement was gone.  So, he’s not sure what’s going on.  Your intrepid editor looked into it and saw that the JerseyFest FB Group hasn’t been updated since Nov. of 2023, and the webpage (jerseyfestfair.com) is completely gone. I’m afraid JerseyFest is most likely no more… unless someone steps up for the save. 

Check back with us to keep in touch with whats happening.

BPMS Zoom Mini-Meeting Report 6/25/24

With most BPMSers still gorged from Friday’s Brooklyn barbecue meeting, nine [number updated] members attended the June 25 Zoom session.

Lou’s new-kit arrivals included the Trumpeter Porsche King Tiger in 1/16 scale, Academy Panzer 1D in 1/35 scale, and Trumpeter S-300 air defense system in 1/35 scale.  Jimmy reported Hasegawa has re-issued its 1/48 [scale edited] Betty bomber in a commemorative set with Admiral Yamamoto clutching his sword.

Work just completed or forever in progress included Gil’s Space Ghost, Jimmy’s German halftrack, and Frank’s Mirage 2000-5. Bobby and Jimmy shared images of D-Day models from the BPMS live meeting.

Bobby’s 3-D-printed D-Day effort was a modeling challenge – two tiny Goliath unmanned tanks with detail parts too fragile to cut from their supports.  He aligned the broken parts in puddles of Crazy Glue on a silicone mat. When dry, the Crazy Glue sticks the pieces together but will not stick to the silicone, so the parts pop off.

Gil’s ingenious tool tip of the week was a baby beach tent suitable for use as an outdoor spray booth. Available in different sizes, the inexpensive tee-pee has screened window vents to keep leaves and insects from landing in weight paint.

The night’s Zoom theme was paint-masking, and the group named the usual suspects – Tamiya Tape, Gunze and Vallejo liquid mask formulations, and immortal Silly Putty and its new, more costly successors.

Chuck noted his success with good-ol Blu-Tack adhesive putty. He also reminded the group to burnish the edge of Tamiya Tape to keep paint from leaking under the mask.

Gil revealed a Volkswagen bus partially masked with painter’s tape to save on the expensive Tamiya stuff. Green Frog Tape and low-tack Magic Mending tape will not peel undercoats from newly painted surfaces.

Jimmy noted many new kits come with pre-cut masks or masks outlines cut by the modeler.

Frank showed how he uses Silly Putty “worms” to define camouflage colors for airbrushing. He hopes to complete his ROCAF Mirage with its two-color camouflage before Taiwan is invaded.

The next Zoom will be July 2.  Invitations to come. 

~Frank C

June 11, 2024: BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report

Twelve people attended. No Tuesday Zoom next week, the in-person meeting is Friday, the 21st, at the Community Center. If the D- Day theme contest sponsored by Charlie and Steve isn't enough to get you out of the house, it's also BBQ night. The cost is $15.00. Joey Chestnut isn't expected to attend, so there'll be plenty to eat.

 

Lou reported Ryefield's 1/35 Tiger 1 (mid production) and Panzer 4 G with winterketten were available. Kevin wants the diorama builders to know that Scenic Express is running a Father's Day sale this week. Jimmy often finds bargains on the Lucky Model website. 

 

Vaughan shared photos from the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach (it was Yak-3 day) and Mid Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA (lots of aircraft, armor and re-enactors). Thanks, Vaughn. 

 

In progress and completed work included: Frau Blucher (from Young Frankenstein),  P-38 Lightning, Me-262 Mistel, EA-6B, P-47 D and Mk 1 Male tank. Acquisitions included: Cheshire Cat (from Alice in Wonderland), the aforementioned Panzer 4 G with winterketten, Egyptian archeological dig vignette and Shaanxi Y-9 transport aircraft. 

 

The featured tool was the optivisor. Prices vary with features, materials and style. Harbor Freight has one with multiple lenses and a light for about $15.00. Well worth looking into ('ats some joke, eh boss?)

 

We talked about what scales we build and why. Lou observed that most purchases are 1/72, but most people prefer 1/48.  Our choices can depend on what we're building. 1/6 is fine for figures, problematic for armor. Switching from 1/32 to 1/72 saves space and 1/144 allows large ac to be displayed on a base. Even so, we'll buy a bomber in 1/32 or a 1/16 Tiger 1 if the price is right. Car guys like 1/24 and1/25. Box scale is OK, if that's all there is. 1/72 ac may lack details but some experimental ac are only available in that scale. Bobby has a simple rule, whatever it is, the finished piece should be about 6"so it's easy to display, transport or store. Cthulhu may not be happy to be that size but, hey, he's free to build his own model.   

 

The next meeting is Friday 6/21/24 at the Community Center in Brooklyn. Doors open around 6pm. You don't need invitations but you do need $15.00 for the BBQ. The D-Day theme contest is free and, you might win a nice award. Hope to see you there. 

 

~Russ

June 2024 Bulletin by Kevin K

Minutes from the May Meeting
Attendance: Members – 21, Guests – 3, Models – 25
President Tom G. gaveled the meeting to order at 8:00PM.
Business: Tonight’s meeting is Parts Box Nite + 2Q Contest.
•May 25 – Manhattan Group Build Meet. Bring a model to build, meet friends, make new ones.
•Was discussion of the possibility of a model exhibition at the Manhattan location.
•Was discussion of adjusting the timings of the Manhattan build.
•The June Meeting will be the D-Day Special Theme. There will be a number of categories, including a ‘What If’ for the sci-fi members.
•The Facility we meet at asked that the club buys a ticket to their function. Since we do not get involved in politics in any way, a number of members volunteered to buy a ticket.
•In a similar fashion, members volunteered funds to sponsor a category at the IMPS Nationals. With the money received, the BPMS was able to sponsor 2 categories. They ended up being AFV Open Top or Fully Detailed Interiors and Airplane Diorama.
•A break was then called. The meeting reconvened at 8:50 with the monthly raffle. There were 11 winners. Final activity of the night is the Show & Tell.
•The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM, next meeting is July 19.

 

 

Next Meeting:

JUNE 21, 2024

Events:

D-Day 80th Anniversary Theme Contest

BBQ Night: $15 per person

Location: BBSC

Doors open by 6 PM 

 

 

Find the FULL Bulletin in PDF format HERE

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: June 4, 2024

Fourteen people attended.
Lou wasn't one of them, but in a post meeting email, he reported Tamiya's 1/35 Leopard 2 A7V and Kinetic's 1/48 RF-5 Freedom Fighter were available. Jimmy posted some new kits on the club's Facebook page. 

 
Big changes at Kalmbach with many of their publications, including Finescale Modeler, sold to other companies. 

 
Erasmo is making a presentation on the Lockheed Electra tomorrow, 6/6/24, at 7pm Central Time. He graciously offered to send invites to interested parties. Please contact him directly.
Bobby shared photos of the Pier 57 Memorial Day group build organized by Julio and Mark shared photos of the Hudson Valley Club's recent make-n-take event. Looking beyond the Summer, October will be busy, with Armorcon on the 4th and 5th, the Hudson Valley show on the 26th and a Cape May NJ event about U-boats off the US East Coast during WW2 (details to follow). 

 
In progress and completed work included: Wildcat, Canadian Leopard. Sherman Jumbo, NASCAR racer (a Salvinos JR kit), Lockheed Electra, de Havilland Comet, Zaku tank, Trog figure (maybe not a good movie, but a good figure), M-4 Sherman, Monocycle (3D printed), F-15, P-47 and Mark 1 male tank. Acquisitions included: KFIR C-10 and a couple of aircraft kits costing $6 or $7, with free shipping, from China (who could resist). 

 
This week's tool was a magnetic tool tray/dish. They're inexpensive, come in many shapes and sizes and are handy to have around. Maybe, with a couple of nails, nuts and suchlike, you could make a cheap magnetic jig? 

 
Mark also had a tool, a "Drawing Gum Masking Fluid Pen" from Jeanoko. Intended for watercolor painting, it has applications for modelers. 

 
On the topic of excesses, there was a common thread. Most of us admit we have too many kits. Even after downsizing, if that dream kit comes along, we snap it up. Other items we buy even though we know better- new types of paints, fine sandpaper, and, Tiger 1 kits. One guy was completely honest when he said he had too much of everything. Of course, he didn't put it in writing. 

 
The next meeting is Tuesday, 6/11/24 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there.
 

~Russ