Thanks for everyone who attended the meeting today. I think we had 17 online which is a terrific turnout. We covered a lot of territory today!
Here's the
LINK for the meeting recording.
Here's the recap...
Thanks to David Angelo and Rob Weilacher for attending today and talking about their experience with Loose Cannon. David, I hope the Philippine postal service opens up to international shipping soon. Thanks for making great kits. I'll keep you on our mailing and invite list unless I hear from you otherwise.
My ice breaker took me down another rabbit hole that left me with a conundrum. The photo that I shared and was taken during Operation Torch indicated my picture was from the USS Sangamon. Later today I found the same picture credited to the USS Santee. Both escort carriers were built from the same T-3 Cimarron class oilers. However they were also built in two different ship yards. They both participated in Operation Torch. My guess is that it's the Santee but who knows. At the end of the day a very interesting photo.
There are a couple of kits available of the USS Sangamon. One in 1/700 from Loose Cannon East ($90 delivered from Philippines), and another from Iron Shipwrights in 1/350 ($295 plus shipping direct from ISW). The USS Sangamon was engaged in Operation Torch as well as many of the major battles of WWII in the Pacific. She was with Taffy 1 during the battle of Samar. This is a unique ship in that her original purpose as an oiler remains intact and is visible through the side of the hull. Hugh showed me David's hull a while back and I was very impressed.
What you listen to or watch while modeling...
We had a good discussion about what you listen to, or don't listen to while you're modeling. I would like to recommend you try audio books and podcasts.
Podcasts can be played on your smart phone, tablet, or from the groups web site. The Podcasts I share are the following...
On the Bench. David, Ian, and Julian are hosts for this Podcast. They are based in Australia and are currently publishing weekly in support of COVID-19. Normally they operate every fort night. David and Ian are both ship modelers so we get some respect here. There is a lot of discussion about modeling techniques, products, and other modeling subjects.
The Scale Model Podcast. This comes to us from Toronto area in Canada and hosted by Stuart and Anthony. What I like about this one is that they bring on a lot of special guests from modeling companies, authors, etc. They also have a very down to earth approach to modeling in general. They started the Moosaroo Cup (Moose and Kangaroo) with the guys in Australia. Anthony has a cottage industry business called Goodman Models and sells a product called Super Sanding Blocks.
Plastic Model Mojo. Hosts Mike and David come to us from Kentucky. They are on monthly. They begin their episodes discussing what "modeling fluids" they are using that night. This isn't Tamiya Extra Thin but rather Kentucky Whisky, Bourbon, craft beer, etc. They also have a very down to earth approach to modeling
Scale Model Shed. Hosted by Dan, Graeme and Ivan. These gentlemen come to us from the UK. They are on monthly but sometimes have special editions. They have some fun activities including stash or cash where they vote on kit subjects sent into them by listeners.
These are all free of charge to listen to. Some of them do solicit funds to support their efforts. This is usually done through a service called Patreon.
We also discussed audio books. I just finished listening to Nimitz, by EB Potter. I'm not sure what it is but audiobooks are easier to listen to while modeling. You can gain a lot of inspiration listening to an audiobook and learn about the subjects you model and the people involved. There are a huge number of books available to listen to now. Some naval related books I've listened to are USS Seawolf, Tin Can Sailor, Carrier Pilot, PT-105, At Close Quarters, etc. Some of these books I would not have had a chance to read otherwise. There are a number of options for listening to audiobooks. I use my iPhone. I could also use my tablet. Jerry had a good suggestion using his Alexa to read Kindel books from your collection.
New Products and Tools...
Jerry told us about this pen sander that he recently picked up. Here's a
video review of this item. Jerry is looking at putting in a group order. If you're interested get with Jerry. I believe the price is $99 plus shipping from Singapore.
Here's something I came across down in Australia. It's an acrylic base for supporting your ship models while you work on them. I've ordered one from Wargame Miniatures in Australia. It's expandable to support different sizes of ships. Adding foam to the support pieces protects your model and finish. I'll share this with you all after I get it. Cost is about $35 US plus shipping. Very competitive to similar products sold in the US.
I just saw this after the meeting at Hobby Link Japan. From Minicraft Models. This will be released in October. It costs about $55 and you can pre-order now. And before you ask, no, I'm not buying one.
I forgot to tell you about this upcoming release from Fly Hawk models. This is a 1/700 USN WWII air wing set number 1. I guess that means there will be a set number two later! Anyway, this is a much improved release over their previous offering with was a photo etch nightmare. This set includes well detailed aircraft and markings. No nightmare photo etch needed. Just nightmare little pieces. ๐ณ You can pre-order these from Hobby Link Japan now or purchase them now from Hobby Easy (currently only surface mail available).
Bill told us about the AFV re-release of the 1/700 Knox class kit. An excellent kit going back to the 90's. As Bill mentioned you can find it for around $15 plus shipping.
I mentioned AFV club was going to release a detail up set but I was wr... wrr... wrong. They actually released a detailed up version of the kit which includes photo etch, resin detail parts including helicopter, and a pretty nice looking base. This kit is available at Hobby Link Japan and costs around $99 plus overseas shipping and here's what it looks like...
Now there more than one way to skin a cat. Flagship Models has a very nice photo etch set for this kit and here is the fret. It looks complete for this kit. It sells for about $27 plus shipping. This set looks pretty darn good to me. $99 or $42. Is it worth another $58 for the resin, photo etch, and water base? You decide. I think I'll stick with my 1/350 Orange Hobby kit. ๐
Rob discussed attaching photo etch carrier deck. He suggested 3M Super 77 adhesive. This product allows you a little time to move your part around before it's permanent.
How are the retailers doing?
We spent some time talking about which retailers are doing well and which aren't. It sounds like they are all making efforts to take care of their customers. Much as we've seen with other businesses.
Please support Colpar and Fred if you can. It sounds like his doors will be open soon but it may come with restrictions.
The biggest challenge are from international shippers. David Angelo told us about his business effected by international shipping out of the Philippines. China is mostly limited to surface shipping (several months transit). New Zealand just came off of shipping restrictions. Poland has also been shut down to international shipping. Check with vendors to find out what their shipping restrictions are.
What's everyone working on...
Rodrigo sent some photos of model cases he had a carpenter make up for him while he was having some wall units built in his new home. This is a very classy look to show off and protect his good work.
Bill Smallshaw continues working on PT Boats with this new version Revell PT-109 kit modified to PT-143. This has the unique "beehive" radar. Bill is adding a lot of extras using the radar from Holden8702, toe rails from PT103dotcom at Shapeways, Eduard photo etch, and a vent of his own creation printed at Shapeways. When I saw this kit (1/72 scale) I thought it looked like a larger scale model. Excellent work Bill!
Victor shared his 1/350 HMS Exeter from Trumpeter. For those of you who are now aware, Victor hand paints all of his ships using Tamiya paint. You would never know it to look at his models. Every time I hear somebody write that you can't hand paint Tamiya paints I have to laugh. Nice work Victor!
I shared my annual Easter project which is the Fujimi Chibi-Maru IJN Ise. I look forward to building these every Easter. This kit was made up with the basic kit and some extra upgrade parts including photo etch set and wood deck. It was a nice way to take the edge off this virus. It took about two weeks to complete.
We were talking about the aircraft assigned to this ship. They included the Achi E16A (Paul) and Yokosuka D4Y (Judy). As discussed tests were conducted but did not go well. Apparently these aircraft assigned to the Ise did participate in one action but it's not clear if they operated from the ship.
Achi E16A
Yokosuka D4Y. It's unclear if the D4Y was ever a float plane.
Blake shared a rotating table that he built up. Really nice and functional design. There is a locking pin at 45 degree intervals so that you can lock the table in place. The aircraft is 1/72 scale for reference. If you want one you'll have to work it out with Blake or make it yourself. ๐
See you next time!
