With apologies to Red Peters...
Howdy, all!
It has been a while, no? I had all good intentions of following up the IPMS Nationals, but, as they say, stuff happens.
Let's start with the IPMS/USA National Convention. It may not have been the biggest--estimated registrants are around 650, 2,000 models were entered, and by all measures it was a success. The telling point was at about 3PM on Wednesday afternoon--we opened the show at 1PM, and by 3 we were being asked, "When are you guys going to do this again?" As the Seminar Coordinator, I can tell you this--we had the best seminar schedule that I had seen. Several were moved due to projected attendance numbers, and I'm glad I moved them--the rooms would have been packed had I not moved them to larger rooms. Special mention goes to my friend Mike Roof, who presented his seminar on working with photoetch TWICE. His was one of the seminars in a smaller room, and he had people out into the hallway for the first presentation. He graciously offered to have a re-run in the afternoon.
Everything ran smoothly--all the folks in both hosting chapters worked hard all week, and the results showed. As I told out Co-Chair, if anything went wrong that people objected to, it would have made it 'round the world in 15 nanoseconds. The gripes weren't there. We take that to mean we did a good job. When are we doing it again? We'll let you know. In, I don't know, maybe 15 years...
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We're well into Christmas season at the Hobby Shop. That means longer days, extended hours, and dealing with hectic shoppers. We're managing to keep up with the sales numbers in getting product into the shop, so we're doing well on that front, too...
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Models? Have I worked on any models? Yes...but I don't have the pictures to prove it.
I built the Hasegawa 1/72 Beaufighter 21 for my "Model Building 101" seminar, and I'm well pleased with the result. It was my first use of the Vallejo paints, and so far I like the stuff...
We received the Vallejo Metal Color products into the shop, and I thought I should build a test subject to see how good it actually was. So, I dusted off a Revell 1/72 MiG21 F-13, built it, and shot it with various shades of the Metal Color. Well, the results are stunning. Now, I like my concoction of Tamiya Titanium Silver, Future, and Alcohol, but the Metal Color is where I'll look if I'm building something with a bright metal finish. I'll save the Tamiya mix for oxidized aluminum and silver doped finishes...
As for the other stuff in the queue, the 1/72 ER-2 is in primer, waiting for the finish painting. I have to attach some smaller parts first, but I'm slowly getting there.
The 1/72 F-111F has been primed and the first color, 30219 Tan, has been applied. I'm using the Hataka paints for this one, and I still have some experimenting to do. It's nice paint, but dries quite fast. I need to play with thinning ratios and the use of a fluid retarder before I pass final judgement.
The 1/35 StuG IV is ready for a stain finish and weathering. I also need to finish the base for it. I'll be happy to get this one done.
The 1/48 Macchi C.200 is ready for another attempt at paint. Third time's the charm!
The 1/700 USS Cowpens is in need of some more paint and fiddly work. Softly, softly, catchee monkey...
The 1/48 Gamecock is progressing, too. I need to fit the cabane struts so I can measure for the interplane struts. Once I have the struts to my liking, I can continue installing the wings. The tail surfaces are ready for installation. Next up will be getting the landing gear correct and the engine mounted...
A few new projects are also in the works:
A 1/35 Trumpeter SA-2 Guideline Missile and launcher have had their base colors applied and are in the weathering process now, using Vallejo products. This one will be an Egyptian example from 1973 based on contemporary photos taken by a modeling friend of mine when he was there. Stay tuned.
Also, I led an airbrushing clinic at the hobby shop last month. Rather than trying to demonstrate on a half dozen models, I quickly assembled a 1/48 Bf-109T from the Academy (Hobbycraft) kit and used it. I have a good deal of the camouflage done, I need to touch some areas up, add some mottling, and get it ready for decals. So far, so good...
In case your wondering, I am quickly becoming a Vallejo convert. Just in case I wasn't clear...
Seriously. I love this stuff so far. It sprays nicely--whether it be Model Color, Model Air, Panzer Aces, or their Surface Primer. I'm experimenting with their Chipping Medium, and like the effects I can get. I haven't yet played with their mud effects, but other people who have say it is nice to work with. I don't like to be dependent on one particular line of products, but this one makes that difficult...
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Something else happened between my last post and now, Can't seem to remember what it was, it was about a month ago...
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Other than that, I'm still here. I hope to be more active next year, but we'll see how that goes.
Until next time, be good to one other. And, as always--and especially at this time of year--I bid you Peace.
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