BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting - August 4, 2026

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting

Part 1 starts promptly at 7:30 PM EST.
Part 2 starts at 8:10 PM if we need more time.

Members and guests are cordially invited to join our group for our weekly online meeting! 
All are welcome! If you would like to join, DM us your email address and name so we can include you in the email list with Zoom Meeting details (meeting numbers and passwords)!

On the agenda:
BPMS Club News.
IPMS News.
Other clubs news.
Hobby News.
What's on your workbench?
Featured Discussion

 

  

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting 07/28/2026

Featured Discussion: What's the oldest kit you started but have yet to finish?

Twelve people attended. The next in-person meeting is Friday, 8/21/26. It's the 3rd quarterly contest and it's Pizza night.

To promote the club, Bobby and Gordon have designed a cutting mat with a BPMS QR code, for group build give aways or raffle donations. Thanks, guys.

Lou reports Italeri's 1/35 VTLM Lince and Tiger 1 E are available.

To the club members attending the IPMS Nationals next week - the Bulletin will appreciate your comments and pictures. Thanks in advance.

Asked about glazing mediums, Kevin explained they were somewhere between a paint (stays put) and a wash (runs to low spots). They're good for building up color. Several companies make them. And Kevin was pleased to learn Starbond superglue accelerator comes in a pump bottle. The elongated nozzle produces a mist, rather than a spray, allowing more control.

Vaughn's Eurocopter Tiger is finished, but his S-64 Skycrane has a long way to go, thanks in part to the need to paint the engines and the other externally mounted components separately, then attach them to the painted fuselage. But it's a labor of love, so...

We saw Lee's X-29 cockpit (3rd time's the charm), Kevin's Frederick Frankenstein bust (from Young Frankenstein) and Chinese food take out container (a paper card model for Star, from The Lost Boys), Gil's Munster Koach semi-trailer conversion and Frank C's vintage 1/144 Otaki F-111, which built up surprisingly well.

Jimmy was disappointed when his latest acquisition, Zimi's 1/35 ACV-P, arrived in a wet, beat-up box, but he was impressed to see metal gun barrels directly attached to the plastic on the sprue.

The featured tool was a reamer. Designed for aligning holes in metal parts, they also work on resin. They come in various sizes, in Metric or English units. Gil finds the 5mm, 1/4" and 5/16" sizes particularly useful. If you don't have a reamer, Bobby remembered his father's trick of chucking a needle file into a drill. 

 
Simon thanked Gil for introducing him to the Ultrasonic Cutter (not to be confused with the Ultrasonic Chef's Knife). Bobby had another useful item, albeit at the other end of the budget spectrum, a silicone parts tray. Available at Hobby Lobby or Harbor Freight or online.

Why do some models take so long to finish? We get bored. We get frustrated. We get distracted. We sell the model to someone else, try to buy it back, find out they sold it, and we track it down (no guarantee we'll build it, though). We relocate temporarily and when we get back, it's not there. 

 
Getting more specific, Lou recalled the 1/48 Matchbox Skyraider AD 5 he started and hasn't finished yet. Simon hasn't finished the XFY-1 Pogo he started 20 years ago, and he showed it to us at the meeting. Gil has a similar story for a Battlestar Galactica/Star Wars kit bash project begun in 1982. Russ doesn't remember when he put his reissued Lindberg Space Base on the shelf of doom. Frank C remembered the Italeri SR-71 and the Eduard Mig-21 that never made it off the bench. Michael C never started his VEB Plasticart Tu-144 from 1976 but now that he has ICM's Tu-144, he may build it for comparison purposes.

The next meeting is Tuesday, 8/4/26, at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there.

~Russ

   

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting: July 21, 2026

Featured Discussion: Hot Weather Work-arounds. Share your tips for building when the weather is hot or humid.

Twelve people attended. Vacations, family duties, and medical issues reduced attendance recently. It was good to see everyone again.


Bobby went over the highlights of July's in-person meeting: the Red, White, and Blue themed display, and the surprise Hot Dog Feast (thank you, Vinny). The August in person meeting will feature the third quarterly contest and Pizza Night.

A good news/bad news report from Lou. The good news, many kits from Hong Kong Models, four Do-335s (two fighters, a trainer, and a night fighter), two Mosquitos (Mk 4 and Mk 16), two B-25s (J and H) and one A-20 Havoc, all 1/32, plus a 1/48 A-20 Havoc, are available. The bad news, they ain't cheap.

If you're looking for someplace to go? Mark recommends visiting the USS Norh Carolina, in Wilmington NC.

We saw Vaughn's Eurocopter Tiger, S-64 Skycrane and S-48 (a very challenging resin kit), Chuck's Do-17, Kenin' s Childs (from 1982's The Thing ), Mark's vintage Porsche 911- 78, Gil's 3 D printed Lock 'n Load figure and Frank C's Red White and Blue Phantom, vintage 1/144 F-111 and 1/144 Russian tracked SAM launcher, a $3 purchase he made to meet shipping.
Lee acquired an X-15 A 2 " White Ablative Coating"; Kevin got a Virgil Earp /Sam Elliot figure (from Tombstone).

Not surprisingly, air conditioned and dehumidified workspaces were the most common hot weather workarounds. Those without access to ac limited their modeling to subassemblies and, maybe, brush panting details. Know your work area. Is it cooler in the morning or evening? How long does it stay comfortable? The only foolproof workaround is don't work. Read, watch TV, enjoy a cold beverage (or two) as you tidy up the workbench. Just don't use your airbrush. No one thought it was a good idea to airbrush in humid weather. And problems can occur even if you don't think it's humid. Ask Kevin, he had to repaint Childs three times. Ouch!

The next meeting is Tuesday, 7/28/26, at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there.
 

~Russ 

  

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting: 7/7/26

The Live meeting of the Brooklyn Plastic Modelers Society will be next Friday, July 1, at the Bergen Beach Sports Complex. It will showcase a Red, White, and Blue theme, so bring in your patriotic models for display in honor of America’s 250th Birthday.

NO BPMS ZOOM next week – 7/14/26

The 7/7/26 BPMS ZOOM drew nine participants.

Lou reported the Tamiya 1/35 scale M24 Chaffee and Tamiya 1/48 scale Me109G6 Late kits are now available.

The virtual meeting addressed Smelly Stuff -- workspace ventilation and safe materials -- and Contest Judging.

Hugh summarized, “To my mind, the best way to get rid of stinky stuff is never let it in -- be selective who you let in.” His purpose-built modeling room has a bathroom-style exhaust fan to expel airbrush overspray and other pollutants. A quick check with local building inspectors confirmed spark-less, explosion-proof fan motors are unnecessary for hobby spaces. Toxicity aside, Hugh finds lacquer-based Mr. Color gloss white airbrushes especially well using the company’s leveling thinner. He is currently applying lacquer-based Alclad to his 1/32 scale Japanese fighter.

Recalling his own house-hunting considerations, Frank long ago positioned his basement airbrushing station beneath an existing window exhaust fan. A respirator mask from Harbor Freight also helps protect from spray particles. A small desk fan provides workbench ventilation at the other end of the basement. Frank generally paints with odor-free acrylics – Vallejo, Tamiya, and Gunze. He uses rattle cans of lethal Tamiya white primer only outdoors.

Michael has a spray booth and uses a rechargeable desk fan on his workbench to disperse the heady vapors of plastic cement. “I just put this fan next to the glue to blow the fumes away. Don’t aim it at the model; it dries the glue too fast.” Michael finds professional respirator masks are heavy and hot, so he buys Pandemic-style fabric masks with built-in filters on Temu and Ali-Express.

Chuck conceded, “I’ve been banned from using turpentine to clean my brushes in the house.” He showed how he had repaired, re-sanded, and re-decaled his Do17 in progress and observed, “If you’re using something more lacquer-based, it’s a bigger issue. Acrylics not so much.”

BPMS President Kevin noted fancy waterfall fume hoods can cost more than $450. The retired New York firefighter observed, “I’ve inhaled more crap, so a couple of sprits or airbrush acrylics aren’t going to do anything more to me.” He added, “You’d have to spray all day, every day for months to do harm to yourself.” Kevin generally works with Vallejo water-based acrylics. His preferred Krylon matt varnish provides a good finish with a bad smell, so Badger Stynylres primer is an excellent alternative for styrene, vinyl, and resin kits. New Gaahleri Kaleido water-based primers are also very good. Benign Vallejo primers work but requires lengthy curing. “You need to leave it sit for a whole day. I’m not that kind of builder. I keep moving along.”


Simon agreed acrylic fumes are a non-issue but his modeling putty remains a mystery. “I can’t read Japanese -- I wonder what the level of toxicity is in those.” Simon advised modeling in a well-ventilated space. “I open a window over my desk and another across the hall.” After a career in healthcare, he concluded, “The need to make everything safe has made all of us a little bit crazy. Just use common sense.”

Back from Noreastcon in Rochester, New York, IPMS Region 1 Coordinator Mark admitted he does not have an exhaust fan in his windowless basement. “I do try to wear a respirator if I have a long paint session. Obviously, lacquers are the most toxic.” Even Tamiya acrylics go on better with their own lacquer thinner. A cheap hobbyist spray booth can keep air moving, but the filter soon builds up the lacquer smell unless cleaned frequently. Mark advised to spray water mist before painting to protect the finish from airborne particulates.

Mark noted that, for Region 1 modelers, the IPMS National Convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana promises to be “the last drivable Nationals for the foreseeable future.” Future conventions look to be in Huntsville, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Shreveport, Louisiana. Efforts to find a northeast National Convention chapter continue.

Mark also said a column by IPMS Journal editor Bob Lomassaro has sparked outrage with the writer’s comments on “expert” judges who sometimes impose arbitrary criteria on contest models. Frank agreed with the writer and said, “No-one likes a nasty know-it-all.” Kevin observed that competitive judging simply makes modelers model better. Hugh suggested, “I think the best things local clubs can do is popular vote.”

The next BPMS Zoom meeting will be on Tuesday, July 21. Invitations to follow.

~Frank

June 30, 2026 BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting Report

Featured Discussion: STENCILS

Fourteen people attended.  July's red, white, and blue theme display is just around the corner. 

Lou reports Tamiya's 1/35 M-24 Chaffee and 1/48 Bf-109 G6 (late) are available.

Frank C asked if anyone could identify the unfamiliar jet he saw in flight and assumed it was part of the July 4th Jones Beach airshow. Turns out it's a L-15 Falcon of the UAE and, yes, they'll be at Jones Beach. 

Hugh is passing the time applying, removing, and reapplying Alclad coatings. 

 

Chuck told us about a good experience he had getting decals for his vintage Do 17 from WingsAndRails,  a vendor he found on Etsy. 

 

Veering a little from the upcoming US sci-fi theme contest discussion, Kevin recalled meeting Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov,  the first man to walk in space, at an autograph event, where he signed the base of a Voskhod 2 spacewalk model Kevin was working on. Then we saw the finished model. 

We also Jimmy's F-18 C cockpit and Ornithopter (his first time using AK gen 3 paint), Chuck's P-40 (two, actually) and Do- 17, Erasmo's F-101 Voodoo and Macci C-200, Lee's Grumman X-29, Kevin's busts of Childs (from The Thing) and Frederick Frankenstein (a Jeff Yager sculpt from, well, you know), and Russ' Huey Cobra.

 

A 1/35 Kubelwagon and Schwimmwagen from Hero - Hobby the acquisitions. At $10 each, why not?

 

Bobby presented this week's tool, a 3D printed miniature painting vise with jaws. At $3, why not?

The topic was stencils, all kinds of stencils - decals, masks, and templates. Many agreed with Erasmo, that 1/72 aircraft stencil decals are more trouble than they're worth. Like Simon said, "decals can be stressful." Lou remembered photoetch stencils for numbers and national markings were popular 10 years ago. Bobby showed us an assortment of flexible plastic stencils he got online suitable for sci-fi and military subjects, and he remembered Don used a lot of stencils for his hypothetical Luftwaffe aircraft. Jimmy posted a link to stencils available from Amazon on the group chat. Temu and AliExpress have them, too. Michael C showed us several metal templates (from Hobby Mio and Easycutting) for use with adhesive backed paper to make camouflage pattern shapes. I expect we'll learn more about these items in future.

The next meeting is Tuesday, 7/7/26 at 7:30 pm. Frank C will send the invites.  Thanks, Frank.

Stay cool and have a safe 4^th of July. 

 

~Russ

 

June 23, 2026 BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting Report

Featured Discussion: Glue, paint, thinner, pigments, Liquid Gravity, whatever - tell us what you do to prevent spills, protect your work bench from spills and contain/clean up spills.  

Ten people attended. Turnout was good for last Friday's Vertical Flight theme contest. Of the 37 models on the tables, 30 were for the contest. Photos are on the BPMS Facebook page. Winners' names will appear in the next Bulletin. 

Lou reports Airfix's 1/24 Bf 109 G5/G6 and 1/48 Sepicat Jaguar GR.1/GR.1A (new kit) are available. 

Even though the official opening date is 7/10/26, a group went to Wiseguys Hobbies at their new location in Plainview, LI, where Bobby found that trash bags full of cheap kits in busted-up boxes constitute an offer that can't be refused. 

Frank C shared photos of the IPMS Region 1 Noreastcon 53, held in Henretta, NY on 6/13/26. There were around 700 entries, lots of Gundam, Spacecraft and Cars. Julio was there, too. And he placed. Congrats, Julio. A link to his show photos is on the BPMS Facebook page. 

Michael C's problems painting polyethylene got us to talk about options to prepare soft plastic for painting.  

We saw Simon's 3D printed 1/18 scale LA-7, Gil's 3D printed 1/10 scale Alita Battle Angel and motorcycle, and Frank C's Phantom II. 

 

Hugh was pleased to acquire a 3D printed Wright R2600 engine and Frank C was glad to find reasonably priced Gunzie Aqueous Paints. 

This week's tool was a hollow punch set. Gil uses them on wine bottle foil to make reflectors for headlights, which he fills with UV curing resin. A 3/16" disk approximates a 1/25 scale auto headlight. With the demise of MV Lenses a few years ago, punches may be the best way to make lights for vehicles.

Tips on spill prevention and control - Use a Forstner bit to drill shallow holes in a 2x4 to hold bottles in an upright position. Don't have tools? Find a centerpiece tealight holder at a home decor store. Citadel, among others, have anti-spill paint pods. Look online. Or, if you're the DIY type, tape the bottle to an old jar lid with double faced tape. Many people use kraft paper, newspaper, or a silicone mat to protect their work surface. Spills are easily removed from tempered glass or metal work surfaces. Using pipettes or a syringe to load an airbrush is safer than pouring directly from a bottle. 

The next meeting is Tuesday, 6/30/26, at 7:30. Invites to follow. Hope you can join us. 

 

~Russ 

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report: June 9, 2026

Thirteen people attended. There's no Tuesday Zoom next week, the in-person meeting is Friday, 6/19/26, at the Community Center in Brooklyn. It's the Vertical Flight theme contest and Picnic Night. The contest is free; the picnic isn't (around $10 per). The meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Doors open around 5. Come early to help set up and hang out. See the club's blogspot for more details.

Simon reports AAA Hobbies in Magnolia, NJ continues to sell its remaining inventory at discounted prices, but he expects they'll close their doors soon.

We saw Erasmo's Twin Mustang, Vaughn's Eurocopter Tiger, Skycrane (with an expert's explanation of differences between the A and B cranes) and S-38 (with replacement struts made of stiff wires wrapped in paper), Kevin's Evel Knievel figure and Vanguard satellite, Gil's Lock & Load figure, Simon's Hiller X-18, Frank C's HH-53C and Russ' Huey Cobra. Acquisitions included: Etendard VP/IVM, Super Hornet, Bronco NOGS, Leopard 2A8, Sea Harrier, F-15 E Strike Eagle, and Vulcan B-2 (two of them, actually).

The tool was a cradle for an ultrasonic knife. Gil uses his ultrasonic often, and the cradle is a safe and convenient way to store it.

The featured topic, the first model I built, became a wide-ranging discussion on the kits we built, why they appealed to us, memorable mistakes, and the people who either encouraged us or thought we were wasting our time. And these are the models we remember building - Aurora Hellcat, Airfix Mig 15 , Revell Sherman tank, Hawk Project Vanguard satellite, Aurora "monster kits", Airfix Fokker Dr-1, F-86 Sabre, P-61 Black Widow, Aurora CH-54 A Skycrane, Aurora Demolition Demon, Tamiya Ford GPA, Strombecker Spacecraft, ITC US Navy Frogman, Lindberg Triceratops, Tamiya M-113, and Lindberg aircraft with build it yourself electric motors. A lot of these kits are still around, either as vintage kits or recent reissues or lurking in your stash. Go look. 

 
The next meeting is Friday, 6/19/26 at the Community Center, 2303 Bergen Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11234. Picnic Night and Vertical Flight. Until then, keep cool. 

 

~Russ

 

  

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: June 2, 2026

Featured Discussion: Using AI in the hobby.

 

Thirteen people attended.

This coming Saturday, 6/6/26, Frank D will host a tour at Floyd Bennett Field's Hanger B at 10 am. If you're interested, let Bobby know by Friday. 

The June theme contest, Vertical Flight, is Friday, 6/19/26, at the Community Center in Brooklyn. It's also Picnic Night.

Lou reports Great Wall's 1/72 Me-323 D-1 Gigant and 1/48 Fw-189 A-2, Takom's 1/35 US Army 1/4-ton Armored Truck (aka Jeep) and Ryefield's 1/35 M-109 A-7 and Tiger 1 (maybe Tiger 2? Sorry, I don't recall) with full interior and clear hull & turret are available.  

We saw Vaughn's S-38 (the kit's resin struts caused him no end of problems. Simon suggested some options), S-64  Skycrane, and Eurocopter HAP Tigre, Hugh's Kawanishi N1K2 "George", Michael C's large-scale 3D printed AT-ST Walker, Kevin's Regan (from The Exorcist) and Evel Knievel, Simon's Hiller X-18, Gil's Battle Angel Alita on a motorcycle, Russ' Huey Cobra and Bobby's VF-1 Valkyrie Gerwalk. Just one acquisition, 1/144 JMSDF P-1. 

Last week's tool was the endoscope. This week's tool was a lot smaller, an otoscope; a Bluetooth enabled camera designed to inspect ears. Around $5 on AliExpress. It's similar to the paintbrush camera Micro Mark offered a while ago. Maybe ship builders could use it for rigging/tying knots?

We had a very informative session on artificial intelligence (AI). Hugh shared made to order images generated by AI for contest materials for his club. He had less luck getting an accurate document about the history of a Squadron he served in, back in the day. Lee uploaded reference photos and kit instructions to Google Drive and had Claude AI look at the information and make suggestions to improve his vintage Convair Pogo kit. It gave him a panel scribing guide. Claude also handles simpler tasks, like tips on painting. When he's going to be a vendor, Gil uses AI to check prices. As we talked, Frank C. asked Google Gemini for 1/144 markings for a Zairian C-130. He didn't get what he expected but, by the next day, he was a lot closer to what he wanted. You can ask him about it at next Tuesday's Zoom. Meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there. And/or at Hanger B this Saturday. 

 

~Russ

 

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report: 05/26/2026

FEATURED DISCUSSION: Gotham City uses the Bat-Signal. What do you use when you run into a problem, your personal reference library, a fellow modeler, Website/YouTube, or something else?

 

Fourteen people attended. Frank D will host a tour of the aircraft restoration facility at Floyd Bennett Field's Hanger B on 6/6/26 at 10 am. See the club's website for more details. 

Lou reported I Love Kits' 1/16 Pak 40 75mm gun, ICM's 1/72 CH 54 Tarhe, and Trumpeter's 1/35 BMP 3 were available. He also reported hobby distributor Sevens International is now officially closed.

Last Saturday's Japan Village group build was attended by about 80 people. Many were from Queens and New Jersey. Needless to say, Bobby gave BPMS flyers to everyone he met. 

Russ shared photos of the Wildwood Naval Air Station Museum, and Mark gave a brief update on Noreastcon. It's at 2695 Henrietta Rd, Henrietta NY on 6/13/26.

We saw Vaughn's S-38 (a tough build, but it's coming along) and his now complete Century Series collection (F-100, RF- 101, F-101C, F-101 G, F-102, F-104, F-106, and F-107), Hugh's Kawanishi N1K2, Gordon's RGC-80 GM CAnnon, Simon's Hiller X18 and H8 K2 Emily, Kevin's Evel Knievel figure, Gil's Number Six (Battlestar Galactica) figure, Frank C's HH-53C and F-4, and Russ' Vigilante RA 5C. Acquisitions included Vietnam era aftermarket armor and artillery items, Schwimwagen update package, metal gun barrels, and Radar Men Rocketship.

The tool was a 7mm endoscope. If you're one of those guys who detail aircraft cockpits or tank interiors only to close them up, this is for you. Or use it to fight the Carpet Monster. Or to retrieve that screw that went down the drain. 

The topic was where do we go for help. Even though we have lots of books and magazines, the internet was the most common place we go for help. We've also asked other modelers, made Google searches, visited sites like Scalemates or Armorama, and watched YouTube review/build videos. Some prefer to develop solutions on their own. A few guys tried artificial intelligence and got mixed results. With that in mind, artificial intelligence will be next Tuesday's topic. If you've achieved something with AI, tell us the details. If you have an idea for AI but don't know where to begin, we'll talk about it. 

Next meeting is Tuesday at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there. 

 

~Russ

 

  

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

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting Report: 05/05/2026

Fourteen people attended. No Zoom next Tuesday. The in-person meeting is Friday, 5/15/26, at the Community Center, in Brooklyn. Be there for Parts Box Night and the second Quarterly Contest, not to mention cake and coffee.

There's a group build at Japan Village, 934 3rd Ave, in Brooklyn, from 1-6 pm on Saturday, 5/23/26. Thanks to Julio and the co-organizers for setting it up.

Lou reports Heller's new 1/72 E 2C Hawkeye, with folding wings, is available.

We saw Vaughn's F-101 C and Sikorsky S-38, Nestor's DC-3 to LC-47H conversion, Mr. K's Challenger (the British tank, not the American car), IL 28 (marked as a Finnish target tug), Bristol Beaufighter (another target tug paint scheme), '56 Chevy Bel Air and '32 Ford Street Rod (both painted with nail polish), Simon's Ju-52 (the old Airfix kit), Saab B16, Kawasaki P1, Westland Wyvern, and Mitsubishi A5M, Kevin's 3D printed Alce in Wonderland figure, Frank C's AV-8B Harrier, Bobby's 'Buddy Cuthulhu' and Russ' Vigilante RA 5C. Acquisitions included: T34-85 (the 1/16 kit was free, provided it gets built), 3D printed Kubelwagon crew in winter gear, marbling masking tape, US Civil War Zouave, two 3D printed female figures copied from 19th century paintings, Preiser German and Soviet Infantry figures (see, not everything is 3D printed), and a headband magnifier.

The tool of the week was the Peasug deburring tool. Designed for heavy duty work on metal, it's also good at cleaning up softer material, like 3D printed parts, or wood, or plastic. Gil got it from Amazon. Similar tools are available elsewhere.

3D printing was the featured topic. No one disagreed when Simon said 3D printing was the future of scale modeling, yet half the people at the meeting had little to no experience with 3D printed parts or kits. Joe commented on the detail of the 3D printed N scale railroad equipment he found. Jimmy, a convert from photo etch to 3DP, is very familiar with manufacturers and suppliers from around the world. He's impressed with all the aftermarket he's seen - AFV tool clamps, brush guards, and woven mesh engine vent covers, jet exhaust nozzles, and ordnance, pilots, and military figures, in any scale you need. And if you can't find what you want, you'll probably find a STL file you can have printed. Just Google the item name with the letters STL added or visit the Cults 3D website. Other observations: Prints from resin printers are more detailed than prints from filament printers. High resolution printers were mentioned but not really discussed. t's a good idea to wash the printed piece before handling it, especially if it's tacky or has a strong odor. Bobby says exposure to full spectrum light can eliminate the odor. Play it safe and wear gloves until the piece is thoroughly cleaned (ask Julio). Removing large items from their supports is usually easy, not so for small scale items. Frank C found this out after getting a 1/144 aircraft ground support crew and equipment print. Gil thinks an oscillating knife would work, but it's not cheap. A soak in hot water, a hair dryer, a razor saw and patience may be the way to go. Surface imperfections caused by removing supports can be filled with UV curing resin. Finally, be aware that hollow or partially hollow printed pieces must breathe. They need a functioning vent hole, or else the piece will self-destruct.

The next meeting is Friday, 5/15/26 at the Community Center, 2303 Bergen Ave, in Brooklyn. Doors open around 5pm. Parts Box Night and the second Quartey Contest. Hope to see you there.

~Russ

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: 04/28/2026

Featured Discussion: Plans to build for the USA's 250th Birthday? If so, how did you find decals? 

  

Fifteen people attended. It's getting busy, the Japan Village group build is 5/23/26, in Brooklyn, and June's Vertical Flight theme contest (and BPMS Picnic Night) is 6/29/26. The Pier 57 group build will be in September, in Manhattan.

BPMS is supporting the 2026 IPMS Nationals in Ft. Wayne, IN, with an ad in the Convention Journal and sponsorship of the "Mecha Non-Gundam, less than 8 inches tall, All Entries" category. 

Floyd, Jimmy, Jeff, and Michael C met at the MFCA show near Philadelphia last week. Jimmy posted photos to the club's Facebook page, and he shared many at the meeting. Overall impression, the models were great, the vendors were "OK".

We learned why aircraft have Buzz Numbers, why you shouldn't leave a spray paint can in a baby bottle warmer for more than 30 seconds and how long it can take to restore the family car's readiness codes after the battery has been removed (it takes a long time).

We saw Vaughn's Sikorsky S-38 (a challenging build with equally challenging decals) and F-101C,  Chuck's Do-17 and B-25, Gil's 3D printed jig for building 1/6 scale wire wheels, Frank C's Harrier, Mark's Porsche, Toyota, and Honda (he's in painting mode), Erasmo's Macci C-200 and Cuban Missile Crisis F-101, Bobby's VF 1A Valkyrie, and Russ' RA-5C Vigilante. Acquisitions included: BAC TSR-2 and bases from Orange Lion DIY.

The tool of the week was from Amazon, a tube/handle arrangement with an assortment of cosmetic sponges, which should be good for stippling, applying pastels, and dry brushing. Link to follow. 

A few people are thinking about red, white and blue models for the July meeting, but no one is building anything to commemorate the nation's Semiquincentennial (aka 250th anniversary). At least not yet. Aside from the decals Jimmy found for the USMC's 250^th anniversary, there's not much available for modern military equipment.  

The next meeting is Tuesday,5/5/26 at 7:30. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there.

  

~Russ 

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting: 04/21/2026

Featured topic - always and never: What should a builder always do, and what should a builder never do? And remember, we're only talking about building models.

Erasmo shared photos of the very large Luchtvaart Hobby Shop, aka avationmegastore.com, near the Amsterdam Airport, where actual aircraft hang from the ceiling, and the Royal Military Museum in Brussels, where aircraft, armor, artillery, uniforms, and more are on display. Thanks, Erasmo. Mark shared photos of the Hudson Valley club's Pokémon make & take. But to be honest, he was more excited about sharing a photo of his new grandchild.

Kevin was impressed with the work he's seen on Box Dioramas.com and Frank C was impressed with the Harrier decals he got from Twobobs. 

 
We considered the pros and cons of allowing professional model makers to compete with people who build as a hobby. What's your opinion?

We saw Vaughn's F-101 C and Sikorsky S-28 (anticipating masking difficulties, he painted the components prior to assembly), Kevin's Star figure (from The Lost Boys) and Gigantor, Gil's 3 D printed Wedge car trailer, Jimmy's Ornithopter (from Dune), Mark's Honda Prelude and M 5 A1 Stuart (he says the National Archives website is a good source for reference photos), Hugh's captured FW-190 F8 in US markings and Bobby's VF 1A Valkyrie. Jimmy acquired a lot of aftermarket items including an Angry Kitten ECM pod, which led to an interesting technical aside.

The tool of the week was a handheld, single AA battery powered, Ansai reciprocating sander, about $16.00 on Amazon. It comes with a selection of 3D printed sanding heads. Gil believes another 3D printed attachment could turn the sander into a light duty saw. We'll see if he's right.

The topic was things we should always do and things we should never do. Lou kicked it off by saying we should always buy kits and never return them. Nobody disagreed. We heard a lot of things to always do: Study the instructions before starting, look for errors or alternate construction sequences. Look for a YouTube build of your kit. Look up the history of the prototype. Wash any release agents from the parts. Add aircraft nose weights early in the build. Have all paints, tools, and aftermarket items on hand before starting. Once you pick the variant to build, don't change your mind halfway through. Double check part numbers. Put each part in a secure container, not the kit box as soon as it's off the sprue. Pick up a part as soon as you drop it. Dry fit parts and sand mating surfaces before gluing, especially on older kits. As for things we should never do: Never work when you're tired. Never give up, just walk away and return to the problem with fresh eyes. Never try new paint types on your model, use a paint mule. Never have too many (you pick the number) half-built kits on your bench. And never miss a zoom meeting. The next one is Tuesday, 4/28/26 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there. 

 
~Russ

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting: April 7, 2026

Featured Discussion: Putty Do's and Don'ts

 

Thirteen people attended. Somebody asked how long we've been having Zoom meetings. I looked it up later. Our first Zoom was Thursday, 4/2/20. Happy Sixth Anniversary to the eight of you who attended!

There's no Tuesday Zoom next week; the in-person meeting is Friday, 4/27/26, at the Community Center in Brooklyn. It's Work in Progress night and your last chance to declare your 2026 Pledge Model. 

Several BPMS members were at Mosquitocon in Wayne, NJ, last Saturday. Jimmy talked about the entries (lots of Gundam), the vendors (he'd like them to put prices on their kits) and parking (lots of spaces at 8am, not so many by 9am). Lunch, as usual, was at Grasshopper Too. Photos are on the BPMS Facebook page. 

 

Julio has arranged two more group builds, one at Japan Village, in Brooklyn, on 5/23/26 and one at Pier 57, in Manhattan, on 9/5/26. Both are accessible by public transit. Details to follow. 

Lou doesn't expect Tamiya's 1/35 M-24 Chaffee to be available until July. 

We saw Vaughn's completed F-106 (the old Hasegawa kit builds up well) and F-101 A (the Valom kit doesn't), Erasmo's Macci C.200 (the old kit needs a lot of work), Kevin's Salome and Star figures, Gil's post-apocalyptic "Lock and Load" bust (made into a figure by adding legs), Mark's 1/48 Stuart and 1/35 tank crew figures (cheap ones, to practice painting faces) and Frank C's AV-8B Harrier. Acquisitions included ICM's new 1/72 S 64A (Vaughn couldn't resist) and Tamiya's old 1/35 Schwimmwagen (neither could Jimmy). 

The tool was UV resin, aka light curing putty, a UV curing multipurpose adhesive repair filler with the consistency of Vaseline. This led neatly into our featured topic, putty. One thing was clear; nobody likes to use putty. Better to dry fit and adjust as necessary to eliminate/minimize any gaps. You'll and save time and aggravation. If you have to use putty, there are a lot of products to choose from, like Tamiya's White Putty and Basic Putty (White is thinner and smoother than Basic), AK Interactive 103 Modeling White Putty and Vallejo Plastic Putty. They have different consistencies, drying times, and hardnesses. Some are easier to apply and clean up than others. Check manufacturers' websites and modelers' videos to see what works best for your situation.  Aves Epoxy Sculpt and Milliput are popular two-part epoxy putties. We've used household and products, like spackle or wood filler(for large applications) or BIC Wite Out or plain old white glue (for very small applications). We've also used automotive bodywork products, like Nitro Stan Glazing Putty or Icing Polyester Finishing Putty. Some people mix chopped up styrene with liquid glue to repair nicks and fill holes. Gap filling super glue is good as long as you sand away the excess as soon as it sets. If we didn't mention your favorite product, let us know. Thanks in advance.

 

The next meeting is Friday, the 26^th at the Community Center in Brooklyn. Doors open around 5pm; meeting starts around 7:30 pm. Bring your latest Work in Progress or any other model you'd like to display and talk about. Hope to see you there.

 

~Russ 

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: March 31, 2026

Featured Discussion: Decals Dos and Don'ts

Fourteen people attended. We heard that seventeen BPMS members and two former members were at Replicon last Saturday, where Nestor's 727-100 was a winner. Congrats. Photos are on the BPMS Facebook page. Mosquitocon is next Saturday at the PAL Hall in Wayne, NJ. Pictures, please. Speaking of shows, Mark suggested people participate in judging whenever the opportunity arises, not so they can criticize others but to develop their powers of observation and improve their own work.

We saw Vaughn's F-106 A and F-101C (the Valom kit is a delightful mix of styrene, resin and photoetch parts) and Frank C's Harrier. There were acquisitions too, thanks to the vendors at Replicon: F-15, Phantom II Wild Weasel, Hornet, and A-4 M.

Gil found a new tool, a silicone stamper. It's designed to decorate fingernails but also works on models. Goblin Hobbies has a video on their website showing how to use their stamping set for miniature figures. Even if you're not into Warhammer (yes, Angelo, there are such people), the video shows how useful silicone stampers can be, even the cheap ones available online.

Decal dos and don'ts was the featured topic. We focused on waterslide decals. Dry transfers are hard to find, since Archer went out of business. Decaling can be stressful. Quality is unpredictable, particularly with aftermarket decals. Test the sheet with a decal you don't need for your build. Decal bonders are recommended for old or fragile decals. Frank C's favorite, Testor's Decal Bonder, is out of production, so he's trying Krylon Workable Fixative. Several people use Microscale Decal Film. Decals look best when applied to a layer of clear gloss paint, but must you gloss the entire model or just the parts that get decals? That depends on what you're building. Ships have few markings, armor has more, aircraft still more, and race cars can be completely covered in decals. Many companies make decal setting solutions. A lot of us use the two-part Micro Set - Micro Sol system. Walthers Solvaset is stronger so be careful using it. Tamiya's Mr. Mark is another product we've used. Dspiae recently came out with a setting solution, and Michael C will be trying it out. The amount (use a shallow tray) and temperature (warm is better than cold) of water makes it easier to manipulate the decal as it soaks and to remove the decal from its backing. Some slide the decal directly on the model; some remove it from the backing with a sponge or with tweezers. 

 
Helpful tips: Scan the kit decals. The scans can be used as spares. Also, scans allow faded or damaged decals to be restored. In the absence of a gloss undercoat, lay a warm sponge on top of the decal. For smaller decals, scrubbing the model surface with a clean coffee filter smooths the surface almost as well as a gloss coat. Cut long decals into manageable sizes. A LIGHT overspray with a mist coat of the base color blends the decals into the paint scheme. 

 
The next meeting is Tuesday, 4/7/26 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there.

~Russ

 

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report: 03/24/26

Discussion Topic: Scribing, and dealing with mistakes

 

The sixteen people in attendance heard Mark confirm that BPMS was the IPMS Region 1 Chapter of the Year for the third year in a row, something no other chapter has done, to the best of his knowledge. More good news, our own Julio L was named Region 1 Member of the Year. Congratulations all around.

Several BPMS members were among the 60 or so modelers at last Saturday's Japan Village group build. Photos are on the BPMS Facebook page. 

Replicon is Saturday, March 28 at the Freeport Recreation Center in Long Island and ValleyCon is Sunday, March 29 in Chicopee, MA. Whichever one you attend, take photos for the people stuck at home. 

Lou reports Border Models' 1/35 He-111 and Dragon's 1/48 Bf-109 E4 are available. Not surprisingly, Jimmy has already acquired the 109 and he gave us an impromptu in box review - 3D printed engine (with piping and wiring), single piece rear fuselage, different colored sprue. It comes in a plastic box with a cardboard sleeve, in case you're interested. 

We saw Vaughn's F-105, Kevin's Gamora and Medusa busts (Medusa is mounted on a wedding cake pillar), Mark's Goliath (he tried AK quick gen paint for the figures) and Porsche 935 (he stripped the wrinkled paint from the body by soaking it in isopropyl alcohol), Angelo's World War Toons Panther and Egg Plane Osprey, Russ' Huey Cobra and Vigilante and Gil's 3D printed RDA Helicopter (from Avatar). An Ornithopter (from Dune) and VMFA 232 decals were also acquired. 

This week's tool was from Amazon, not the Dollar Store. It's a set of flexible metal scribing templates from Hasegawa. Very useful for scribing geometric shapes.

We use various tools for scribing: the back of a hobby blade (#11or #12 or #22), a model company's scriber (like Tamiya's), a model tool company's scriber (too many to name), an awl, a wood chisel (for larger scale models), carbide scriber, old dental tools, and micro saws.  "Official" scribing guide tape is available but label maker tape, flexible rulers, and masking tape work too. Kevin has used a coat of UV curing resin to fix scribing mistakes, and Michael C used a thin layer of Nara air hardening clay (available at Hobby Lobby), to fix mistakes. Just remember to sand it before painting. Simon has used Mr. Surfacer 1000 and Tamiya's Surface Primer. Even though we use different tools and different techniques everyone agrees the key to successful scribing is to work slowly and carefully.

The next meeting is Tuesday, 3/31/26 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow. Hope to see you there. Or in Freeport. Or in Chicopee. 

 

~Russ 

 

 

BPMS Zoom mini Meeting: 03/10/2026

Featured Discussion: Airbrushes Part 2

 

Fourteen people attended. No Tuesday Zoom next week; the in-person meeting is Friday the 20th at the Community Center. It's decal swap night and Green Model night. If that's not enough, you can declare your pledge model and pay your 2026 dues, too. The next day, Saturday, the 21st, there's a group build at Japan Village (934 3 Ave, in Brooklyn) from 1-5pm. Stop by if you can. Thanks, Julio, for setting it up. 

Replicon is Saturday, the 28th at the Freeport Recreation Center in Long Island and Mosquitocon is Saturday April 4 in Wayne NJ.

Lou reports Tamiya's 1/35 Schwimmwagen Type 166 is available. 

We saw Vaughn's F-105, F-106 and F-101C (cockpit), Lee's P-47 (cockpit floor), Kevin's Medusa bust (expect it on Green Model night), Frank G's Mummy's Chariot, Simon's Westland Whirlwind and Frank C's Harrier (ask him about the decals from Spain). 

A F-18D was acquired, and Jimmy plans to acquire an Israeli F-15C with conformal tanks, as soon as someone makes a kit of it.

The tool was a 3D printed workstation Gil designed for holding an airbrush for cleaning/disassembling.  He'll be offering them for sale (at discount for group members). Contact him directly for details. 

We continued last week's airbrush discussion. Erasmo thanked Michael C for his airbrush advice. Gordon's workbench camera was very effective at showing us the features of different airbrushes and their components. Gil showed an easy way to clean a Paasche H nozzle with a wash bottle. The dos and don'ts of using products like Purple Power, Simple Green, OxiClean, Bleche-Wite and Windex for cleaning airbrushes were discussed. Just because they're good at cleaning mold release agents doesn't mean they can't corrode metal. There was a lot of talk about cleaning double action airbrush needles. We wondered about airbrush lubricants, like NeedleJuice. Are they for the needle or the gaskets, or both? Special thanks go to Michael C, for his informative after-meeting email on corrosion and to Steve N for his email about Badger's airbrush refurbishing service. 

Our next meeting is Friday, the 20th at the Community Center in Brooklyn. Doors open around 5pm; meeting starts around 7:30. No invites needed. Don't let the Leprechauns keep you away. 

 

~Russ 

  

 

  

BPMS ZOOM Mini Meeting Report - 03/03/2026

A big crowd, sixteen people attended.

March will be busy. The Japan Village group build is the 21st at 934 3 Ave in Brooklyn (1-5pm) and Replicon is the 28th at the Freeport Recreation Center on Long Island (9 - 4pm).

We saw Frank C's Harrier and large-scale Sparrow missile (an impulse buy on Temu), Mark's Pikachu (test build for an upcoming Hudson Valley Make & Take) and vintage, pre-owned, partially built Moby Dick Porsche 935, and Kevin's Ekranoplan (he covered the Micro Crystal Clear cabin windows with UV curing resin to improve their appearance), Medusa bust and Star figure (if you don't remember this actress from "The Lost Boys", she was also the woman who "couldn't spare a square" on Seinfeld).

Acquisitions included: 3D printed Navy/Marine Phantom drop tanks, Gigantor and Inga (from Young Frankenstein).

This week's tool was a product, Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. Gil puts it on the threads of his airbrush nozzle to ensure good paint flow. Rather than wax the threads, Michael C used Loctite's Fun Tak to make a gasket. Just be sure the Fun Tak hasn't dried out. Gil showed us the DIY airbrush stand he built to hold the airbrush in place while cleaning / changing parts.

Airbrushes turned out to be a great topic. So great that we'll continue the discussion at next Tuesday's meeting. Here's some of what was heard last night. Many attendees like the Paasche H 1 for its simplicity and reliability. Gaahleri airbrushes are popular because of their cost, performance, and hand feel. Angelo appreciates that Gaahleri makes one with a trigger. We also use airbrushes from Iwata, Autolock, Sparmax, Harder & Steenbeck. We remembered Aztec and Badger airbrushes. Simon coined the phrase "paint personally" to describe how paints from the same manufacturer can differ from each other. So, experiment with thinner ratios, spray pressures, and paint volumes, then use an old model or scrap household plastic as a paint mule. Once you're satisfied, spray your model. We heard that operating pressures differ on gravity feed and siphon feed airbrushes. Gil mentioned ink is the right consistency for double action airbrushes with smaller diameter needles. Michael C and Gil have each modified at least one of their airbrushes to suit their specific needs. We were warned that using lacquers and lacquer thinner in cheap airbrushes will corrode the metal components. Airbrush tips come in different shapes. Some attract more paint than others, and they all should be cleaned frequently as we paint. And even though it's possible to paint over different types of paint provided they're fully cured and appropriately top coated, it's risky. Ask Mark. 

As you can see, a lot of useful things were said, and not everyone had a chance to speak! They'll have their chance next Tuesday at 7:30 pm. So will you. Invites to follow.
PS - Links to items discussed can be found on the Zoom Chat page.

~Russ

 

  

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting Report: 02/24/2026

Featured Discussion: PAINT CONVERSIONS - What do you do when all your paint is from Tamiya and the instructions call for Humbrol's Beige Green? What charts, apps, etc. do you use? Or do you just eyeball it? 

 

Fourteen people attended, including Lee, who attended his first in person meeting last Friday. Welcome aboard, Lee.

Lou reported Trumpeter's 1/700 HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and Border's 1/35 75mm PAK  40 are available. 

We talked about the difference between Vallejo Model Color and Model Air paints. Basically, Model Air is for airbrushing, Model color is for brush painting. 

 

Frank C commented on the availability and cost of Mr. Surfacer 500, a product he finds useful for filling seams. Can anyone suggest a source or equivalent product? Vaughn asked about stripping paint from a resin kit, and Gil suggested soaking it in a tub of Simple Green.  Frank G asked about rigging for his Wright Flyer. Chuck suggested thread run thru beeswax, Russ suggested fly fishing line, and Simon suggested 5-0 or 6-0 surgical sutures. 

 

We saw Vaughn's repainted F-105, Michael C's SR-71 Blackbird and a cutaway, motorized, RD-33 engine for a Mig-29, Kevin's Ekranoplan (the Micro-Mir/AMT kit has been a headache, to put it mildly), Gil's 3D printed pin up inspired Paratrooper (painted with airbrushed inks), Frank C's  AH 64A Apache and Harrier and Russ' Bell Huey Cobra.  Acquisitions included: M4A1 (76) W VVSS and M51 Degem Alef (Takom's latest Big Box offering) and Sd. Kfz. 250/3 "Greif".

The tool of the week was the Mix Paint app Gil has on his iPhone.  It can match colors from an uploaded photo and provide exact mixing ratios. A similar app for android phones was said to be available. 

It turns out we each approach paint conversions differently. Some guys are comfortable mixing their own colors, some buy the colors/brands specified on the instructions, and some use any paints that match Federal Standard colors, color profiles or color photos.  Companies, such as Mech9.com, have paint conversion tables online. Urban's Color Reference, Parts 1 and 2 can be found on the IPMS Stockholm website. Model Shade.com is very helpful for matching Federal Standard colors. Scalemates. com has a color search feature. At the larger shows, vendors often hand out hard copies of conversion tables. And if you get confused, just remember, if it looks right, it is right. 

 

The next meeting is Tuesday, 3/3/26 at 7:30 pm. Invites to follow.  Hope to see you there. 

 

~Russ 

 

 

  

BPMS Zoom Mini Meeting: Feb 10, 2026

Featured Discussion: Dealing with dust! 

 

Twelve people attended. There's no Tuesday Zoom next week; the in-person meeting is Friday,  the 20th, at the Community Center in Brooklyn. It's the first Quarterly Contest and Show Us Your Tool night. 

Lou reported AFV Club's 1/35 M51A2 Gun Truck and Academy's 1/144 Boeing 737 E7 are available. 

We saw Erasmo's Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet and English Electric Lightning, Mr. K's 29 Ford Woody, Wildcat crop sprayer conversion,  P-51 air racer, B-25, and 3 Soviet submarines, Simon's HP 52 Hadley Page Hamden, Kevin's Ekranoplan and Yak-36 and Gil's 3D printed hubless 3-wheel motorcycle. 

 

The acquisitions keep coming: F-101C, Z-37A Cemelak crop duster, M 2128 Bradley, MS-06 Zaku 2 Thunderbolt, A4 E & A4 M Skyhawks, books and too many aftermarket sets to mention here (see the BPMS Facebook page) and Battledroid Valkyrie VF-1S (with more aftermarket stuff).

This week's tool was a wire bending jig. Gil uses the simple tool to bend coat hanger wire into pretty much any shape he needs. Doesn't take up much room in the toolbox, either. Michael C showed us some tools he uses for dust control, a blower/vacuum, and a dust collector designed for manicurists but useful for modelers. He sent links to these, and other, products to everyone on the group email. Thanks, Michael. Gil warned us that "Dust Off" is too highly pressurized to use on models. He has a refillable aluminum cannister that he can fill to a pressure suitable for delicate cleaning. I'll forward the link. Thanks, Gil.

Fortunate modelers have cabinets to keep dust away. Slightly less fortunate ones use any (preferably) transparent containers they can get. Joe likes the scrapbook boxes at Michael's. You can repurpose containers, too. Russ likes the ones Ferrero Rocher uses for the holidays; Kevin recommends the lidded, plastic containers restaurants use for leftovers. Purpose built (not cheap) dust covers are also available commercially. 

 

If your models are kept in the open, do like Mr. K and spray them with a 50/50 mix of water and Murphy's Oil Soap, let sit for a few minutes, and rinse with water. Jimmy does something similar, putting a model in sink, running water with a little dish soap through his hands and over the model and letting it dry.

 

Lou had the most interesting method of the night. He recalled a story in FSM where a guy said he used dust mites to clean his fully rigged USS Constitution. I don't know, maybe it was their April edition?

 

The next meeting is Friday, 2/20/26, in Brooklyn. Doors open around 5pm and the meeting starts around 7:30. 

 

Bring your tool, your contest entry, your pledge model, and, most importantly, your 2026 dues. Hope to see you there. 

 

~Russ