August Meeting and IPMS Nationals follow up

Hi all,

Thanks for attending the meeting today and thanks for your patience as I worked out a solution for the slides.  As it turned out it wasn't a Zoom issue, but rather an Apple IOS update that kicked Zoom out of the security settings.  I guess Zoom didn't fork out enough payola!  😎.   Anyway, we got it done, so thank you.

Here's the link to the video we recorded.  Don't worry, the first meeting was deleted and I think I edited out some of the dead space when we logged back in.  

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/EOBgkxJWb8Z6Smt0C8NQhxOuxv-4cnfN1FIxrH2hGAgkyxQ4UuxN65XVxICCxYbz.9DgrZpXCN6Ya91Sw?startTime=1659802329000

Passcode: yX4C5Z3?

Our next build night is August 16th.  I'll send a notice out when we get a little closer.

Here's a quick summary of the meeting.  Yea, we covered a lot of territory!

We started off with a discussion of exchange rates.  Now would be an excellent time to buy Japanese kits from Japan as the Yen isn't holding up against the dollar very well.  Same for the European Union nations as the Euro is not quite 1:1 with the USD.

Here's an example of how much the dollar has improved against these currencies.

We had a discussion about handling small models while you work on them.  Richard's amazing Nautilus kit has some very fine detail in the print that my fat fingers knocked off.  I was looking for a better solution for handling the model.  I came across this used by figure painters and jewelers.  It's a hand vise which you can buy from Amazon, Micro Mark, etc.  What I did was glue a post in the hull of the ship which I then clamp down in the jaws of the vise.  The jaws are well machined and VERY strong so no worries about the post coming out of the jaws.  If I need to I can clean up the hole from the post later.  There is a 5/16 hole in the handle.  My plan is to build a wood base and slip a 5/16 dowel into it.  Then I can slide the handle onto the dowel.  I'm going to give this a try and see how it holds out against my clumsy hands.  

The IPMS Committee has added a new category for next year's contest.  Naval Technology.  This includes parts of ships, but not complete ships.  We'll see how confusion that creates.

We had a discussion about the awards from the show.  This link will take you to the awards presentation slides.  Note that awards start with third and work their way to first.

IPMS Awards Slides

Rob told us about his Tom's Modelworks Nevada kit.  Rob reported that he was very happy with the kit.  This was the first time he'd build a kit with so many 3D printed parts.  

Next Rob told us about his USS Long Beach, which was the first non submarine ship in the US Navy.  This is the old Dragon kit and Rob reported that it built up nicely.

Chris shared his work with us, modifying a 1/350 PT Boat kit to include a wood deck.  Looking forward to seeing how this comes out!

Chris also shared with us his Egyptian Felucca which proved to be quite popular.  We're going to talk more about sails in an upcoming meeting.

On to new items... While at the IPMS Nationals I found this new decal sheet from Eduard.  One of the aircraft on this sheet was flown by our very own John "Deacon" DuGene.  You can find some very nice detail photos from after the deployment in the Detail & Scale "Colors & Markings of the F-14 Tomcat" volume 4 which is available in print or on Kindle.  

Next we looked at some new releases from Trumpeter in 1/700 scale.

HMS Calcutta

HMS Belfast

While we're talking about it.  How about the new 1/200 scale release from Gallery Models (part of Trumpeter) of the IJN Yamato.  This is the kit Roger was talking about at our meeting.  This was a separate drawing at $5 per ticket.  Trust me, they got their money back!  I told Roger he should get one and make a kayak out of it.  

As I mentioned in our meeting I had no interest in 1/700 submarines (and I like submarines) until I saw this at the Nationals.  This is 1/700 US Submarine Nautilus SS-168.  This is a 3D printed kit with photo etch parts.  The design work I believe was done by Ben at Black Cat Models.  There is more detail in this submarine that there is on the best 1/350 submarine kits.  That's how good it is.  This is when I decided I needed that hand vise that I mentioned earlier.  The most challenging part is filling the seams between the top and bottom hull.  That said the two halves match up perfectly.  The coning tower, guns, screws, and photo etch are exquisite.  Richard is thoughtful enough to include extra 3D printed resin guards and if that fails a set in photo etch.  Plenty of room for error.  I liked it so much I ordered the USS Argonaut SM-1 which a makeover of one of Richard's previous kits.  This is a home run!  Highly recommended.  

Speaking of Ben from Black Cat Models.  Here is his latest announcement.  A 1/350 LCS-L Landing Craft support Vessel in 1/350 scale.  These ships were used to support landing craft operations.  It's a unique and interesting looking small ship.  

Another submarine coming from Starling Models in the UK is the 1/350 HMS Sea Rover.  If the CAD drawing is any indication of the quality of this model then I would expect another winner.

New from Eduard are additions to 3D printed ship parts.  Here's what's been announced so far...

Life preservers.  Note that these are 3D printed in color.  When you peel them off the color is all the way through on both sides.  No need to paint.  Available in 1/700 and 1/350 scales

All the 12 inch search lights you'll ever need in 1/350 scale.  

And how about some 5"/25 caliber open gun mounts in 1/350 scale!

3D Wild just announced their latest releases.  Check follow this LINK their web pages for more detailed

This is a "what if" model.  it was started but never finished by the Japanese during WWII.

Also announced is the 1/350 IJN Oyodo, which was the last flagship of the IJN Combined Fleet during WWII.  It's actually a very interesting looking ship.

Finally a nice reference from Fred that he thought we might find interesting about the IJN Kongo.  Not only is it a great little article, but the facebook page is excellent.  The person running this is affiliated with a nautical museum in Lima, Peru.  I'm working on Karen to schedule a vacation to Peru now!  She won't mind! 😇. Anyway, check it out.  There are some great period color photographs in the photos section.  Thanks for this reference Fred!

See you next time!