Hi all,

During my morning workout I watched this video from David Damek (a.k.a. PLASMO).  Some especially interesting points about this video have to do with weathering and his approach to photo etch.  He said it took him a year to make this model and I believe it.  Like his other videos, this is entertaining and instructional.  Enjoy!

Hi all,

Here's something a little different.  I haven't heard of this show or group before.  There's a little something of everything at this conference ranging from 1/700 ship models to wood sailing ships.  

Here's a LINK to the USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild that puts on the show.
They've done a nice job of photographing their models at their own show.  If you happen to be in Boston, this would be a great group to belong to.

Olha Batchvarov is an outstanding modeler.  She has a YouTube channel which you can find HERE.  If you've wondered how to build wood sailing ships, she has some excellent videos that show you how.

Thanks to all who were able to attend our meeting today.  Here's a recap...

If you would like to view the meeting, here is the LINK to the Zoom recording.

A follow up to our last meeting.  You may remember that somebody presenting at the Nats in Vegas suggested using a dehydrator for "curing" paint and decals.  After doing some research I learned that this may dry your paint and decals, but true curing comes from UV light.  You remember those black lights we had as kids to light up those psycho posters?  The range for "curing" is 280 nm to 320 nm.  The bad news is that lights in this spectrum are not common.  So a curing booth sounds like it would be a good idea, but you'll have to hunt around to get the lighting you need to make it work.  

The new ship model book is out and I highly recommend it.  It's very comprehensive covering tools and techniques, and has a nice section on water bases.  It's available from Amazon and also on Kindle.  If you have the Kindle application on your iPad that's a great way to go.  

Sam led an interesting discussion on accuracy of the USS Tennessee model(s) at the IPMS Nationals.  There were two different models with the same color.  While there was a USN document that specified the Tennessee and one other to have their decks painted, there is some question as to whether a correct paint was available at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack in December of 1941.  We do know that  the new blue paints at Pearl Harbor.  Without question, this was a fantastic model!  

Here is the latest update to David Angelos newest models that I missed in my email.  The top photo is the Chicopee and the photo below is of the Housatonic.  David noted how he modeled the hull as if she were empty.  The bow is slightly higher.  I like this for purposes of modeling into a water scene.  It provides a little room for the water.  They're coming along great!

David and Jerry are working together on ways to market David's ship models.  Since they're being printed in Colorado, it makes sense to ship them directly from here.  The parts are fantastic!  Keep in mind that these rafts are smaller than a kernal of corn.  Looking at them in person you are hard pressed to see the holes in the raft.  The ships boats also look amazing.  

Rob Weilacher gave us an update on his models.  In the background is the Corsair Armada, USS Chicago and in the foreground is the USS Rhind which is a Kraken models upgrade.  Interesting note about Kraken models.  Rob mentioned that one of his barrels broke and Kraken is re-printing a new one for him.  

Next up John Widmar shared the model and kits he purchased that we were unable to really see during the meeting.  First up was the IJN Nagato using the Fujimi kit along with the Flyhawk detail set.  

 

And deck from Infini

John also bought a bunch of kits from AJM Models.  John purchased these from a company in Poland called Jadar Models.  As John explains..  "They give you a discount after you have purchased a certain amount. It's best to register and show that you are ordering from outside of Europe so you see the price without the VAT added".  Looking at their web site they seem to have good prices and lots of stock.  check them out. 

John also picked up a kit from IBG Models.  Roger Schafer bought several of these as well.  Great reviews but if you want railings you'll have to invest in some aftermarket sets.  

Another gem John found is from Foresight Models and their line of "Seal Kits".  This is their latest release.  Remarkable detail at an excellent price of about $33.  

Foresight Models also has a line of resin models in 1/500 scale?  Oh well.  Anyway, they look quite nice but are pricy at the mid to high $200's.  Still a nice kit and interesting subject.

John DuGene alerted us to some interesting articles coming in the next issue of Dioramag modeling magazine.  It contains several ship model subjects.  Here's a quick preview.

Check this one out!  Look at everything going on in this diorama.  As Deacon said he could feel himself in this model. That's the sign of a great diorama.

Some more kit updates on the horizon...

From Trumpeter

New from a traditional resin and armor model company out of Poland.  

We test drove a scraper I picked up from Trumpeter.  It works extremely well.  They make this curved blade like I just picked up, as well as a straight edge blade.  I bought something similar from Zoukei Mura at an IPMS show for about $42.  These from Trumpeter which are every bit as good cost $20.  You can get them from Sprue Brothers.

We took a look at 2 part or 2pk primers.  These are used in the model car community mirroring what is done in body shops.  These paints are a color mix with a resin hardener added.  Normally in a 2:1 or 4:1 ratio.  The hardener makes for a durable and hard finish.  We compared a test sample of the Gravity Colors Red Oxide 2K surface primer with Mr. Primer Surfacer 1000 thinned with 60% Mr. Color Leveling Thinners.  We found both to be extremely durable and in our case the 2pk primer was a tiny bit rougher.  That said, I've used the white primer and found it to be very smooth, like the Mr Primer.  An important thing to remember with both primers is to clean out your airbrush immediately after use because when it cures, it's not going to want to come off.  

Advantages of 2K Paint

• Incredibly hard wearing
• Very high chemical resistance
• Typically used on steel or concrete

Disadvantages of 2K Paint

• Application time - due to the mixing of the hardener application time can be reduced over single-pack paints.  Some 2-pack paints have a short pot life once mixed
• Health and Safety hazards - 2-pack paints are highly flammable and some contain isocyanates, which are the main cause of occupational asthma in the UK. Make sure you wear suitable PPE and set your spray booth up correctly.
• Poor UV stability

Where do you get it?

Model car paint suppliers have these products.

• Gravity Paints
• Zero Paints - Hobbyworld USA
• Splash Paints

Advantages for ship modelers:

• Dries incredibly hard and smooth.  
• Adheres extremely well to metal, resin, and plastic.  Perfect base for photo etch as it resists chipping

Figures

Tom asked about ship figures.  We'll talk more about figures in our next meeting.  In the mean time, one of my favorite sources for figures is from Luis Hildago found on facebook at "HOLDEN8702", and on Shapeways as "Panzer vs Tank 4".  Search his figures at Shapeways, but buy them directly from him at the Facebook site.  Buying directly from him is a better quality of print and resin.