Great to see everybody again.  

I began the meeting discussing my dilemma with 1/700 containers for the Colombo Express.  My idea of making disposable jigs and using sanding sticks/Dremel tool to square up the bottoms where the pour blocks were was not going to work.  I could not get a perfect flat bottom.  I think you can see in this picture that this container is slightly bowed.  

As they stacked the ability to stay square became progressively worse as you can see.  These should be flat across the top.  This clearly won't do!  So much for plan A.

Thanks to Jerry I have a better solution which is working well.  I'm now using a vertical mill to shave off the bottoms of the containers to make perfectly flat bottoms.  

I tried it after the meeting and it's doing the trick.  Here's the little beast.  This is an expensive tool,  but using this or something similar is key to getting this right.  I'll either bring this to the next meeting or have a video demonstrating how I used it.

Next Victor brought in his 1/350 Russian 1904 Tsesarevich Battleship.  This kit is from Trumpeter and they make it in two versions, 1904 and 1917.  Although it gave Victor some fits, as we've come to expect he mastered it.  Beautiful model Victor!  

Roger treated us with his work on 1/700 Corsairs.  Roger used some great sets from Starfighter Decals.  He used paints from some Vallejo model air sets which left an excellent sheen.   Roger set up his models on an assembly line basis and then went down the line duplicating the markings on each aircraft.  As you can see they came out amazingly well.  

John DuGene shared a 1/350 Type VIIC U-Boat that he's been working on.  John took a photo etch set designed for the Revell kit of the same type and scale.  It's really bringing this kit to life.  

Maximo shared with us his wood cruise ship.  Rodrigo advises that the two of them are working on some other ships.  We'll look forward to seeing those!

Bill shared with us a very nice book on the US FRAM program.  It's in Germany and Bill advises that there is a translation floating around on one of the modeling web sites.  Bill advised the he'll put together a presentation on the US FRAM program.  We'll look forward to that!

Same shared his lates project that he's working on.  A 1/700 US "S Boat" class submarine kit.  Sam had some excellent photo references of the prototype.

Kit hull plus the scale drawings he's working from.  

Martin finished up by telling us about his Christmas trip to Sweden where he visited the Vasa museum.  The Vasa was a famous 17th century sailing ship that sank on her maiden voyage.  Much has been discussed about this ship and why she sank.  It was interesting to get the Swedish take on what happened as relayed by Martin.  Hopefully I'll be able to visit this museum someday.  

See you all next time!