BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: 05/19/2026

Discussion Topic: You use it in your kitchen. Ever use it at your workbench? 

 

Thirteen people attended. The Japan Village group build is this Saturday, the 23rd, at 934 3rd Ave, in Brooklyn, from 1-6pm.  Accessible by public transit. 

Lou reports Revell Germany's 1/72 F-15C and Pz 4  Möbelwagen 37mm Flak 43 are available. 

The Vertical Flight theme contest is June 19th, same night as Picnic Night. The contest is free; the picnic isn't ($10.00 per person). 

Planning to attend Noreastcon (2695 Henrietta Rd, Henrietta NY ) on June 13 ?  If so, good luck. And bring back some pictures, please.

In IPMS news, Mark thanked Frank C for his article on BPMS for the Journal (publication date TBD).  IPMS contacted Bobby asking for write ups on models underrepresented in IPMS, like Gundam, fantasy and monsters.  They're interested in people and what they build, according to Bobby.

Getting back to the Semiquincentennial, Jimmy shared photos of a USMC F-18B (MALS 11) in special markings. Very impressive.  Erasmo shared photos of rare, historic, aircraft at the Aviodrome Museum in the Netherlands and the Royal Military Museum in Brussels.  

We saw Erasmo's Twin Mustang, Gordon's MSM 0 3C HyGogg, Simon's vintage Hiller X-18 Convertiplane, Kevin's Alce and the Cheshire Cat (with fluorescent paint highlights) and a sculpted pillow for Salome, Gil's 1/10 Wilma Flintstone, Mark's US Army, Afrika Korps and Iraqi figures, Frank C's HH-53C and Russ' Vigilante RA 5C. 

 

Acquisitions included: M1A2 SEP V-2, T-90 M, McLaren MCL 39 (a diecast from Bburago), and ROK FA-50. 

Eye protection/safety glasses was this week's tool.  Always a good idea, especially when you're using a rotary tool or grinder.  Thanks for reminding us, Gil. 

The topic was kitchen items we use for modeling. First thing to remember- when something becomes a modeling tool, never use it to prepare food again. That said, coffee mug and baby bottle warmers can warm spray paint cans, food dehydrators can speed up paint drying, and toaster ovens can bake sculpted items. Sponges are good for dry brushing, and non-scratch pads are good for weathering. Plastic cutting boards work as well as cutting mats. Paper towels can be used to smooth a surface. Wash parts with a hand strainer, very small parts with a tea infuser. Windex can remove mold release agents from kit parts. Products like Saran wrap or aluminum foil can be useful for masking. Parchment paper works in a wet pallet. Make self-adhesive foil by coating wax paper with gilding adhesive and carefully lay out the foil. Cut the foil as needed, peel from the wax paper and apply to the model. Chopsticks or bamboo skewers or toothpicks make good handles for painting. Toothpicks are also good for removing excess paint from canopy frames. A serving tray can be a portable workbench.  A small coffee frother can mix paint if you're very careful. Salt can be used to give paint a weathered look and baking powder mixed with thin super glue can fill gaps (remove excess material promptly). 

 

The next meeting is Tuesday, 5/26/26 at 7:30pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there. In the meantime, have a good Memorial Day. 

 

~Russ