Thanks to everyone who attended our first meeting of 2021.  As you know I lost my primary computer hard drive so I'm going to do the best I can with my old HP laptop.

I successfully recorded our meeting video.  You're welcome to watch using this link...

Meeting Recording:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/aYYK2XpxeokTHeraykSXBnVlFrKG3sji_cyDmVd20x5e0zPjI9OpobcccIe0xcr0.3ul4F1hCtBeM_hiq

Access Passcode: $1cf=IER

We started the meeting looking at an old photo of a Flower Class Corvette deck gun.  These are typically 4 inch Mk. IX Naval Guns used on these ships throughout the war.  We decided that there was a lot going on in this photo.  This boat does not include the typical wood foredeck planking.  The crew were cleaning the gun.  We noticed the object above the gun breach attached to the top of the shield which was determined to be a light for night operations.  The crew did not look dressed for action.  We determined that the gun fired a 31 pound, 4 inch shell which typically were stored on racks around the perimeter of the gun deck.  

This photo shows another Corvette with the same gun.  No light as we see above.  However you can see the business end of the rounds next to the railing in the foreground.  As with the above, there's a lot going on in this photo as well.  

Next Jerry introduced Mattias Linde who joined us from Sweden.  Mattias has done some incredible work with 3D printing to super detail his 1/35 Tiger Model CB-90 kit.  Jerry is converting his to a US Boat.  Hard to say if Tiger Model is still in business.  

Next Rob shared with us his collection of CGN Cruisers.

First up is 1/700 CGN-37 USS South Carolina from JAG Models

Next up is 1/700 CGN-25, USS Bainbridge from JAG Models

Third is 1/700 CGN-38, USS Virginia from Dragon Models

Currently Rob is building the 1/700 JAG Models Belknap class cruiser.  This is the same class Cruiser that our own, Gerald Schafer, served on.  Gerald served proudly on the USS Jouett.  This is a really good looking kit.

All of these kits are out of production.  You can occasionally find them on eBay commanding very strong prices.  

Next Roger Schafer shared with us his Seed Models IJN Mine Sweeper in 1/700 scale.  This model is about an inch and a half long, molded in resin, and contains photo etch detail parts.  As you can see, there's a whole lot going on in an inch and a half!  Roger reported that he had good luck with Gorilla CA glue.  It has good viscosity and has a little play time.  

Roger found that some of the photo etch was too small to work with.  He also reported that the mast is photo etch and will bend very easily.  He also said the navigation lights were too small to deal with.  You'll definitely want your high powered optivisors for this one.

Roger also decided that he preferred to use guns from his spare box rather than try to use the photo etch guns in the kit. Roger liked the natural droop of the railing simulating rope or chain.  

As you can see the model is coming along nicely.  As I mentioned to Roger earlier, all the parts look nice and square to the ship, which is a hard thing to do with a subject this small.  Roger said that when he painted it, all the detail seemed to vanish.  It's definitely easier to see unpainted.  

Next Roger shared with us another kit from IBG Models.  This is the G-Class destroyer Glowworm.  IBG is better known for aircraft and armor/vehicle kits.  But they released a series of British Destroyers in British and Polish service.  They are waterline kits in 1/700 scale and include a comprehensive photo etch sheet and decals.  Roger describes them as similar in quality to Flyhawk kits.  Detail is very crisp and the moldings are clean.  Several of these are on sale at Free Time Hobbies and are very reasonably priced between $20 and $25.  Looks like a great value.  

Next I shared the 1/350 Flower Class Corvette, the basis of which is the Mirage kit.  The basic structure of the hull and deck houses is very good.  However parts such as vents and depth charges are lacking in detail.  So I lost my mind and went completely overboard.  I added details from the following...

Black Cat Models (Large vents, 2 Pound Pom, Cable Reels, Twin Lewis Machine Guns, Ships Pelorus)

Micro Master (Anchors, 4in deck gun, Mushroom Vents, small vents, ships boats, life rafts, Roll off rack, depth charges loose, depth charges with arbors.

White Ensign Models (photo etch everything as none included with kit.

Hunter or Wood Hunter (wood deck).  

Holden8702 (figures)

The ship is being modeled as the fictitious K-49 Compass Rose from the book and movie, The Cruel Sea.  There is a scene in the movie where the Compass Rose has detected a U-Boat directly under sailors who were survivors of a ship that just sank.  The captain drives his boat to the U-Boat, launches and rolls depth charges, ultimately killing the survivors in the water.  One of his crewmen from the 2lb Pom yells "murderer" at the captain.  Would this have happened?  I'm not sure but it made for a very dramatic scene in the movie.  

I went on to talk about how I modeled the dodgers that cover the railings on the bridge.  I used a method I learned about from Jim Bauman.  It's a very simple process.  First the rails must be painted.  Then I dip a tooth pick in PVA glue and run it around the inside of the rail framework.  The PVA has enough tension that it stretches across the opening and dries that way.  In the photo below I used Elmer's Glue All on the two right sections.  Interestingly it dried completely tight without any bulges or wrinkles.  It also dried frosty.  The next two moving left I used Gator's Grip.  You might be able to make out that this was more wavy.  It dried crystal clear.  Both glues have their place, depending on the look you want to achieve.  The single section on the far left is an example of the Gator's Grip painted.  I had originally read that water based paint would dissolve the PVA glue.  I used Tamiya paint and that didn't happen to me at all.  The next step is to paint the outward facing side of the rails.  In the end you have what looks like canvas on the outside, but on the inside where the glue is clear you can still see the original color of the railing.  Keep in mind that the large the gap between the railings, the harder it is for the PVA to do its thing and keep the railings covered.  It's perfectly okay to add more PVA after the original layer dries.  I think the key is to make sure the PVA is 24 hours dried before painting.  

This photo shows the difference between the Elmer's and Gator's Grip glue.  On the sections that I painted you can see the gray pained railings and also the waviness of the Gator's Grip.

Of course, as soon as I invested in all this, Black Cat Models comes out with a 1/350 kit.  I'm sure I have more invested in my build than in the cost of this new kit.  Oh well, it's a good thing I don't drink much.  😎

Next Rob shared a board game from his youth.  These are available again from Board Game Geek.  

Finally Rob was generous enough to offer as a fund raiser for the club, a 1/700 JAG Virginia Class Cruiser.  As I write this the current bid is at $45.  I'll keep the group up to date on the bidding.  Here's a link to a review of this kit.  Good luck on the bidding and thanks again Rob!

I will be scheduling some build time meetings soon.  Stay tuned for updates on that.

You all stay well!

Dave