Jan - IPMS Patriot Chapter

THE PATRIOT
IPMS Patriot Chapter Newsletter
Pip Moss, Editor
January 2010
Meeting Info
Billerica, MA
www.ipmspatriot.org
The next Patriot Chapter meeting will take place on Friday, January 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Parish Unitarian
Church in Billerica, MA. The church is located on Concord Road, just as it meets Route 3A (Boston Road) at
the Billerica Town Common. The January meeting will be a build session with a business meeting, Show- andTell, and a raffle. We will also be accepting 2010 dues, which are now $20.
Without doubt the most unusual of December’s Tiger theme build models was this NASA TIGER (TransIron Galactic Element Recorder), scratchbuilt by Tom Babbin from Evergreen styrene and wire.The solar
panels wiere inkjet printed on clear decal film, which was then applied over Monokote chrome trim film.
Tom adds, “TIGER was launced by balloon from the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The program was
designed to study cosmic rays, which are thought to be emitted by exploding stars. There were several
incarnations of the program; I have modeled the flight that launched on 12/20/2001 and landed 1/21/2002.
The instruments flew at around 110,000 feet and covered more than 8,000 miles, circling Antarctica twice
in their record 31-day-plus flight. There are no published plans or drawings, so the model was scaled
from photographs; the scale of 1/24 is an approximation. The balloon is not included with the model. At
1/24 scale, it would be nearly 30 feet high.”
In This
Issue
December Meeting Pictures............................................................................................................. 2
Show and Tell Lilst.............................................................................................................................. 3
Show and Tell Gallery......................................................................................................................... 4
Question of the Month...................................................................................................................... 8
Upcoming Events............................................................................................................................... 9
December Meeting
Good food, a lot of models to look at, a number of old friends we hadn’t seen for a while, a big raffle, a Yankee swap, Wings of War …
All in all, the December meeting was a great party. One thing lacking was business, so there really isn’t anything to report by way of
minutes. We decided to let the pictures do the talking, so here’s a sampling of the photos snapped by our Secretary, Rick Lippincott.
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December Meeting (continued)
Show and Tell List
Tom Babbin...... 1/24 NASA TIGER instrument package (scratch)
Tony D’Anjou.................................................1/32 P-40E (Revell)
Bill Michaels...... 1/48 M47A3E8 Sherman “Tiger” (Hobby Boss)
Mechanical Walking Tiger (Tamiya)
Pip Moss........................1/72 Eurocopter Tiger (Revell Germany)
Mike O’Keefe.................................................1/72 Tiger I (Italier)
1/35 Tiger II (DML)
1/35 Sturmtiger (AVF)
Jim Qualey.......................................1/72 F-11F Tiger (Hasegawa)
1/48 P-40B (Monogram)
Dave Schmidt....................... 1/144 Tiger I mini-diorama (Cancio)
John Walker.................................................. 1/35 Tiger I (Tamiya)
1/35 Tiger II (DML)
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Show and Tell Gallery
John Walker’s 1/35 scale Tiger II, built OOB and
painted with Tamiya acrylics. The figure is from
Tamiya.The model was weathered with oils, pastels and weathering powders. John used the kit
decals for a vehicle of schwere Panzer Abteilung
505, Russia 1944.
Jim Qualey’s 1/48 scale P-40B. Jim added antenna
wires, a scratchbuilt instrument panel and other
details to the venerable Monogram kit.The decals,
from Aeromaster and MicroScale, are for the
AVG Flying Tigers.
Mike O’Keefe’s 1/72 scale Tiger I, built OOB,
painted with Model Master enamels, and weathered with oil wash and pastels.
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Show and Tell Gallery (continued)
Bill Michaels’ 1/48 scale M4A3E8 Sherman, built
OOB and painted with Polly Scale and Model
Master acrylics. The markings are for the 89th
Tank Battalion in Korea, 1951.The tiger face was
painted on a number of tanks in hopes of frightening the superstitious North Koreans.
Pip Moss’s 1/72 Eurocopter Tiger UHT (German
version).The excellent Revell GmbH kit (04485,
not to be confused with their other Tiger kit,
04488, which is inaccurate and poorly detailed)
also provides parts and markings for the French
HAP version of this contemporary attack helicopter.The three-color camouflage scheme was
achieved using Model Master flat black lightened
with white, British Dark Green straight up, and
the same color lightened with white and yellow.
The kit decals (numerous, tiny and nearly comprehensive depict an aircraft of the Heeresflieger
(German Army Aviation) Pilot Training Center in
Le Luc, southern France, October 2006.
Mike O’Keefe’s 1/35 scale Sturmtiger. Mike modified the kit with AFV track and A-Tak zimmerit.
He painted it with Model Master enamels and
weathered it with oil wash and pastels.
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Mike O’Keefe’s 1/35 scale Tiger II, built OOB,
painted with Model Master enamels, and weathered with oil wash and pastels.
Jim Qualey’s 1/72 scale Grumman F-11F Tiger,
built mostle OOB. Jim added stainless steel hypo
tubing for the pitot tube and scratchbuilt fixes
for the ejection seat. The kit decals for the Blue
Angels had to be doubled to make them opaque
enough. Jim adds, “a nice fitting kit, basic cockpit,
poor decals.”
Bill Michaels’ motorizedWalkingTiger, built OOB
from the Tamiya kt. It really walks!
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Show and Tell Gallery (concluded)
Dave Schmidt added Pegasus figures to Cancio’s
1/144 scale, pre-painted Tiger I and base.
Tony D’Anjou’s 1/32 scale P-40E, built OOB and
painted with Model Master enamels. Tony used
the kit decals for the markings of Col. Robert L.
Scott of the Flying Tigers.
John Walker’s 1/35 scale Tiger II, built mostly
OOB and painted with Tamiya acrylic Desert
Yellow. John added Tamiya photo-etched screens
and hand-made all other details such as latches
and wiring.The kit decals were used for a vehicle
of 10. Panzer-Division at Kasserine Pass, Tunisia,
February 14, 1943.
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Question of the Month
Of all the modeling projects you have, or will have, completed by the end of
2009, tell us about the one you enjoyed the most.
Since I’ve only completed a couple of models this year, the
choice is not too tough, but my NASA TIGER stands out as one
of the most enjoyable that I’ve built in any year. When I learned
about the Tiger group build, I immediately hit the web for anything
space-related, and quickly discovered that the TIGER balloon was
the only game in town (unless I wanted to model the “tiger stripes”
on the moon Enceladus). I then spent a while trying to figure out
how to model a 600-ft. tall balloon, before finally settling on the
gondola/instrument module.
There are no plans or drawings of TIGER on the web, so I had
to settle for reconstructing dimensions from photographs, most
of which were taken at odd angles and very pixelly. Naturally,
once I had the major assemblies built I discovered other photos
that showed that some of my dimensions were a little off, but I
decided to let it be.
The overall construction gave me the opportunity to do some
things I hadn’t attempted before: dimensioning and planning from
photographs; a major scratchbuild using styrene; working with
Monokote chrome trim film; and printing and applying my own
decals. As with all models, there are things I would do differently
if I did it again, but overall it was a very satisfying build.
—Tom Babbin
While still not complete (surprise), my favorite project was
the Tiger Meet aircraft I worked on for the group build, especially
the Hasegawa F-104. I enjoyed them because they were out of
my normal modeling comfort zone, and they are far enough along
that they still have a good chance of being completed Real Soon
Now.
—Alan Beeber
2009 marked the year of my return to the hobby. It has helped
me in countless ways as anyone who knows Bill W. can tell you.
I’ve enjoyed every project I’ve finished this year and learned
something new on each one. The project I’ve enjoyed the most is
hands down the 1/35 Italeri PT Boat. I did my best to recreate my
Grandfather’s boat, PT-517 Ron 35. When I showed him the WIP to
get some tips for accuracy, you could see the memories come alive
in him—some good, some bad and some sad. He has a thousand
stories of his time on that boat—and about a thousand and one ways
to scare up alcohol while on patrol! Torpedo Juice?!?
Here’s looking forward to 2010. Happy New Year IPMS Patriot!
—Tim Browning
For me, the best model/miniature related experiences include
of course working alone in the shop but also involve working with
others as a team. Isolation has its pluses but I’m one for working
with a crew as well. Of the year’s four projects, all were equally
gratifying and at the same time a great amount of work.
#1. Finishing the Nanotyrannus Bust: 8 months total work
and practice involving research on the likely behavior, coloration
and patterns of extinct animals and that of living predators, two
D concept sketches, and the painting using several media from
airbrushed acrylics to oils and pastels etc. I determined not to put
my brush down until it “breathed with life.”
#2. Fantastic Model Miniatures Exhibit: This was an event that
I committed an entire year to. With help from a dedicated crew, we
were able to share our models/artwork with 930 people who may
never go to the hobby shows. The museum setting was an outstanding environment for our displays. This public introduction to model
miniatures can only help our hobby going forward.
#3. In February and March I flew out to Lost World Paleo
Studios in Missouri to paint life-size dinosaur models for a museum
exhibit. The prep involved was much the same as for the Nano Bust:
research, concept sketches, color studies, etc. One day I painted
from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. with just a handful of breaks! I can’t
remember the last time I was up for voluntarily pulling triple shifts,
but it was all worth it.
#4. At the 2009 IPMS Nats, WonderFest and other shows, I
taught 90 min. seminars on painting realistic dinosaurs in miniature.
Wonderful camaraderie. I still hear from people who attended the
classes.
—Robert Butler
In 2009 I decided to go back and do some of those kits I’ve
rat-holed for a lifetime. Things from a time when modeling brought
fun and a new toy or “attaboy” (and Duco Cement worked just as
well on wood, plastic and the kitchen table top.) Now, age and
its complexities dictated that I best hurry, and I sat down with a
couple of old pfardts at the VA hospital and dug in. As usual, I’ve
ended up with a line of almost finished models needing one thing
or another (anyone seen plans for a Hubly metal Dusenburg or
XF-90 canopy?).
Now, my favorite? Well, at least the most fun is a 35 year old
Eggocentrics PBY Catalina. Rare as hen’s teeth. The story: Suzi
asked me to build her a PBY after we visited the old dirigible hangar
museum up in Oregon. Then this year she wanted Santa to bring
some rather pricey diamond earrings. In a side conversation it was
also mentioned how nice the hand made box was that came with
her daughter’s whatever. BINGO! Combine them all.
I sent back home for the kit, converted it to a yellow wing version, left the bottom half of the egg detachable, lined it with girl’s
fuzzy stuff. PRESTO: A fancy jewelry box and her PBY model, and
I converted all that horrible Christmas shopping traffic and waiting
lines into real FUN modeling time. I feel so clever I’m tickled pink
… Now what the heck is the FS number is for tickled pink?
I hope all my friends on the East Coast have the very merriest
of holiday seasons. —Bart Cusick (WINGsnut54@JUNO.com)
(continued on Page 9)
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Question of the Month (continued)
It is hard to say which particular one I have enjoyed most. With
every project, I try to learn new things. Some of the things I have
learned this year are how to properly mask and paint canopies and
also how to sand clear plastic. I am no longer afraid of complex
canopies! In this regard, one of the most enjoyable projects (not
completed yet) has been the old Heller 1/72 scale Caudron-Renault
714. It should be done soon.
—Ora Lassila
It’s hard to beat the thrill of the Lego airplane (!), but the series
of light military vehicles [Dodge ¾ ton ambulance, anti-tank gun
and command car; Willys command car] I built during the year were
very enjoyable and provided some modeling sanity. They were fun
to put together, easy to paint (being all one color), and I learned
some techniques for achieving a sun-faded appearance.
—Tony D’Anjou
The model I enjoyed building the most in 2009 is a 1/32 scale
Tamiya F-4E Phantom II. I built it as the double MiG killer flown
by Captain Steve Richie and Captain Chuck DeBellevue in July
of 1972. It was a lot of fun doing the research on this particular
plane, trying to make is as accurate a possible. It didn’t come out
half bad, either!
—John McCormick
I’d say it is my most recent build: the Hobby Boss 1/48 M4A3E8
Sherman “tiger face” I built for the 2009 group build. The kit goes
together well, and is reasonably detailed without being too fiddly.
Normally, I don’t like painting anything yellow, but the Tiger markings came out well—it was fun to hand paint the stripes.
—Bill Michaels
I wish I could say that I will actually get something completed
by the end of the year. On the other hand, I can say that what I have
been working on has been satisfying.
Most recently, I’ve been reworking the undercarriage for the
Czech Master Resin (CMR) Supermarine Spiteful Mk XIV. It’s a
delightful kit, and the only shortcomings are an indifferent cockpit
(for which I substituted a Cooper Details Spitfire detail set) and an
all-too-delicate landing gear. The compression struts are cast resin
and far too thin to support any weight or lateral force, but at the
same time the wheel forks are out of scale. I was able to substitute
telescoping brass tube secured vertically into the main wheels while
recreating the suspension fork from annealed brass wire. Once this
is completed the strut assemblies will be mated with the landing
gear door panels. One of the side benefits of using brass tube is
the opportunity to incorporate a secure and robust anchor at the
join within the wheel well. I have a resistance soldering tool with
needle tips, and this will give me an good opportunity to see how
far I can go with it.
—Art Silen
I enjoyed just about all the model projects I completed this year.
In fact, since I stopped building for contests, I find I’m finishing
more models, having more fun, and still being pleased with what
I’m accomplishing.
That said, the F4U-4 Corsair I built for John Zvara was a really special project for a number of reasons. First and foremost was
that it was to be a gift presented to someone for whom it had real
significance. This raised the stakes of the project in terms of the
quality of the workmanship and the expeditiousness of its completion, but also infused it with a warm feeling that this was hopefully
going to make someone happy.
Second, as I described in last month’s article, the old Hasegawa
kit, although not bad in terms of fit and overall shape, required much
modification to bring it to what I considered an acceptable level of
detail and accuracy. Going for the dropped flaps was definitely a
risk, but it and the other mods (engine, cockpit, rocket launch stubs,
etc.) all came out well and yielded a lot of satisfaction.
Third, more than just about any other model I’ve built, I was
trying to replicate a very particular subject. Having managed to
obtain color photographs of several planes in the Air Training
Unit at Corpus Christi taken during the same year that Mr. Zvara
was there, I really enjoyed piecing together the information they
showed to come up with accurate markings for a specific plane in
the unit.
Finally, the whole project was transformed through the email
collaboration with USN aircraft expert and modeler Jim Sullivan.
It was he who sent me the color photographs (along with a bunch
of other ones in response to a query I had made at HyperScale). I
had lots of questions as I went along, which he always answered
promptly, often with helpful photographs. Jim seemed genuinely
interested to know how things were progressing, so I began taking
WIP photos at every stage and sending them to him. In return, he
sent me build reports and WIP photos of his ongoing project, a
Hobby Boss F-105. While both the Corsair and the Thud are now
completed, I know our communication will continue, and I would
be interested in initiating the same sort of communication with
fellow Patriot Chapter members as well.
—Pip Moss
Upcoming Events
March 20........................DownEastCon, IPMS Southern Maine Scale Modelers. Email Tom Ruel: truel3@maine.rr.com
March 28........................ValleyCon 20, IPMS Wings & Wheels, Knights of Columbus, 460 Granby Road, Chicopee, MA.
http://www.wwmodelclub.org/ or email Al LaFleche: ajlafleche@comcast.net
April 30–May 1.............NoreastCon, Region 1 Convention/Contest, sponsored by IPMS Long Island, American Airpower Museum,
1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY. http://www.lisms.org/noreastcon2010.html
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