Another interesting meeting.  Sam picked up a Niko Models kit of the USS Terror at the IPMS Nationals.  USS Terror was a mine laying ship.  Sam provided us with the history of this class of ship and the various classifications the Terror and her sister auxiliaries went through.  After the history presentation Sam cracked the box for the first time so this was our first look at the kit.  This is Niko's latest release and it looks like a beauty.  The castings are excellent with no visible flash that I could see on the parts sprue.  The kit also includes a full photo etch detail set.  It looks like she'll build up into a very nice model.

Cracking the box!

Hull casting is excellent.  No air bubbles.  It appears to be very straight with no deformaties as well.  

 Bits and pieces are molded very cleanly with no observed flash.

Directions are well done and easy to understand.

John Widmar started show and tell with his latest creation.  Niko made two appearances today!  This was the Niko models USS Philadelphia CL-41 1945 that John brought to the last meeting.  She was a Brooklyn class light cruiser.  You can read more about this ship at this link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Philadelphia_(CL-41)

John shared with us how he utilized the insect pins in his mast.  They really look great.  The ship was built out of the box.  John reports that the quality was excellent and it shows through in his work.  John also discussed the challenges he had with his water base.  He had to splice two pieces of the base.  In the end the seam was eliminated and John achieved the results he wanted.  Nice work John!

This kit is available from Free Time Hobbies at $69.95.  This kit is also available as her sisters, the USS Boise, USS Nashville, and USS Savannah.

Next Jerry found a new flexible CA called Flexy 5K CA.  It's a product of the EU and purchased from Michigan Toy Soldier Co.   Jerry has a photo etch project under way and is going to give it a try and report his results.  In the mean time this is the video review that Jerry told us about...

Jerry also found some wire from Orvis that does not contain lead.  Outside of the health issues relating to lead wire historically it does not hold up.  In the right (or wrong) conditions lead wire can deteriorate in a very short period of time.  This wire Jerry found may have excellent modeling properties in that it doesn't have memory.  You can shape it about any way you want like lead wire.  It comes in .015, .020, .025, and .030.  Could be a great choice for things like piping or whatever else you can dream up.  Jerry's also going to test it out and report his findings.  It's available from Orvis for $5 per spool.  No indication of length on the spool.

Gerald reported that he had some not so good results using a well publicized naval match mixing chart for Vallejo paints.  I don't recall the colors mixed but Gerald reported that they did not come close to his chip examples.  He also reported separation of the colors after mixing them.  So, proceed with caution!  We may have to have a discussion on model paint options again.



Our club chaplain, Roger gave us some feedback on the ceramic wire we recently acquired.  Roger reported the following...

• It's very durable and tough to cut.  Roger had good results cutting on a matt with his hobby knife but you really have to secure it.
• He confirmed what we knew which was that this wire wants to be dead straight.  If you want your wire to have a natural sag this is not a good choice.
• Roger like the look of the wire.  It has a slight metallic sheet.  
• Best uses for the wire may be on things like stack support wires, mast stays, etc.  

Thanks for the feedback Roger!  

I contacted Kenny at Gators Grip to place our order.  If anyone wants to adjust their order let me know quickly.

Martin came through with a list of modeling events coming up in our area.  Here's what he covered...

1)  Saturday, October 21st.  High Plains Con XXVIII.  This is a nice regional contest and the club does a great job every year. There are usually some vendors and folks selling off their collections.  There are three ship categories.  Under 1/350, 1/350, larger than 1/350.  

Location:
Thomas McKee 4-H building at "The Ranch"
Larimer County Fairgrounds
5280 Arena Circle
Loveland CO 80538
Just northeast of Exit 259 on I-25
IPMS High Plains Chapter (Loveland/Ft Collins) model contest and swap meet
http://highplainscon.blogspot.com

2)  Saturday, October 28 - Sunday, October 29.  Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo.  This formerly was the Train show but the organizer has decided that they need to broaden their scope and capture some other aspects of the hobby such as R/C.  Several clubs will be setting up there along with Colpar Hobbies.  Apparently there's a modeling contest as well?  This show is fee based.

http://rockymountainhobby-expo.com

Denver Mart
451 E 58th Ave
Denver, CO  80216
Interstate 25 at 58th Avenue Exit

Hobby industry trade show and exposition

Popular vote model contest on Saturday

Admission $12

3)  Saturday, November 4, Colpar's HobbyTown USA Annual Model Contest
Colpar Hobbies East
1915 S Havana St
Aurora, CO 80014
HobbyTown USA local model contest
See details at store