Hi all, Thanks to everyone who was able to attend our meeting in person or virtually over the holiday weekend.  We had a good turnout and some good discussions.  Here's the recap.

If you missed the meeting and would like to watch it here's the recording

Video recording:  https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/PrkeSP8AaGWWfnRybwK6H0qUZukVQTsCt6nMDDwFfw4P4bCFEpCZN8taqiGMm15P.FfX_A_IPpTI0azrM?startTime=1662220674000

Passcode: x.Atwx2Y

We started out with some history provided by Fred with a discussion on the end of rum rations for all ships and sailors of the British Commonwealth.  Got to hand it to the Kiwi's for holding out so long.

Some hobby news

Archer Fine Transfers has decided to close shop and are liquidating all of their inventory.  They don't seem to be selling out to anyone so this is likely the end of this line of product.  No discounts now, but there may be some after the sales slow down.  They have a lot of nice products, but my favorites are the 3D printed resin decals.

We had some follow up from the news...  The Freedom class LCS is back again!  They should rename these ships to the cats.  They seem to have 9 lives.  Interesting fact about these boats is that the US Navy sailors can't perform maintenance. Routine and heavy maintenance by contract is done by the builder.  For better or for worse they're back with us for a little while at least.

Also in the news the USS. Texas is in dry dock for about a years worth of restoration before she moves to her new home near Houston. 

Following up from previous meetings.  The so called "submarine mafia" called out the forward main ballast flood vents on the Virginia block III submarine.  The information was sent to Oto with RCSUBS who quickly changed them and emailed the print file.  No photo etch was required with this change.  Easy fix!  

If you're interested in a smaller version of this boat, OKB Grigorov is coming out with a 1/700 block III submarine, and Model Monkey (a.k.a. Steve Larsen) is planning a 1/350 3D printed version.  

Another follow up.  Revell didn't listen, or didn't care about this particular release.  PT-160 as configured in this model was a test boat that probably existed two weeks at the factory.  The gun system was never deployed as modeled.  Several polite messages were sent to Revell, but no response.  They may have been too far along in the process.  

And another follow up!  We talked about this back in January before it was released.  Sadly, this will be James Hornfischer's last book.  He past away last year after a long a long illness.  This is his last effort both printed and audio (check Audible).  We good good reports from several members of our group.

On to what we're working on...

David Angelo shared his 1/700 Gambier Bay kit which he made up for a supplier in Japan.  David lamented that the deck was too long, but seriously, who would notice?  Nice work David!

Both Rob and Sam are working on the USS Erie Gunboat.  This is a nice looking ship and NIKO looks like they did it justice.  Rob is in the process of moving his home so it may be a little while before he gets around to working on it.  

There was a good discussion about the paint on this ship in 1942.  Is it Measure 12 Graded System as shown in the drawing?  Is the boat painted in the same color?  Or was it painted whatever was handy as the mast tops indicated that they may be white.  The photo on the left seems to show two colors.  But it's open to interpretation.  

John Widmar shared how he displays his models and this got a lot of attention.  John uses stadium style levels so that the viewer can see all the ships better and also get increased capacity out of his shelves.  John also uses LED lighting in each bay and for the base has a water look.  Very creative John!

Next up I showed how I'm filling the seams in Richard's beautiful 1/700 submarines.  The kit is designed so that it can be waterline or full hull.  to fill the seams in the hull I ran Tamiya tape up and down the top and bottom halves of the model.  I filled the seam with auto spot putty.  After it dries I pull the tape and sand the seam smooth.  

Love the vise!  So far I haven't broken anything off the Nautilus!  

Another small and quick project.  This is the Blue Water Navy kit, and before that the Yankee Model works kit of the WWI submarine, U-35.  After doing some research I'm finding the details not very accurate.  It was missing the gun platforms and the sail just isn't quite right.  Also the antenna system is completely wrong.  My easy project got more complicated.  

The plan is to make a small diorama with a typical WWI submarine encounter with a merchant vessel.  The captain comes along side the sub with his manifest and hopes that the sub decides not to sink her.  I found some 1/350 rowers from Panzers vs Tanks on Shapeways or HOLDEN8702 on Facebook.  Buying direct from him on facebook is better quality and lower cost than Shapeways.  Photo below...  

For Tool Time this week I brought in some glass files from Infini.  To be clear these are made of glass, not for filing glass.  I ran into a guy at IPMS Nationals who almost wet himself raving about glass files.  They live up to their hype.  I brought in some sprue and the files and let a few folks have a go at them.  All positive reviews.  They come in sets of three (Medium, Fine, Ultra Fine) and there are two sizes available.  Price from HLJ is $25.  MENG sells a similar file but in single grits in two different lengths.  They market it as a buffing file.  These files are about $10 each in only one grit from Sprue Brothers.  

Indeed these files actually will polish styrene and resin and behave differently than traditional abrasives.  I will send a message out separately to see if anyone is interested in a group order.

An absolute ton of new kit releases coming out.  Look at the video for more detail.  

From Triumph Models 1/700 Castle Class.  Triumph previously sold under the name Ostrich Hobby.

From AFV Club a new Perry Class Frigate in 1/700 scale.  Expect AFV to release a supporting detail set on this one soon.  This is a dandy!

Hobby Boss is releasing a downsized Trumpeter 1/200 kit of the Missouri in 1/350 scale.  

What!  Another Iowa!?!?  Yes, Joy Yard is releasing a 1/350 USS Wisconsin.  They offer a standard and deluxe version, just like they did with their Missouri release. 

Pit Road is releasing a 1/700 Benson Class destroyer.  This kit comes with some detail photo etch but is void of railings.  It is full hull though.  Only $21.41 from HLJ.com.

They are also releasing a full hull Nisshin Class coastal defense ship in 1/700 scale.

Trumpeter is releasing a 1/700 HMS Kent.  This is the downsized version of their 1/350 kit.  It's currently on pre-order status from hlj.com

Fujimi continues to release 1/700 scale full hull versions of their kits.  The later kits in their line provide exceptional detail.  Compare their weapons to Trumpeter's 1/700 weapons.  

Academy is releasing their anticipated 1/700 Yorktown class carrier.  But don't ask me what "Operation Yorktown Midway" was?  

Kajika is releasing a new kit of the Kongo.  We've talked about them before but I learned that Kajika is actually Flyhawk Models selling only IJN subjects.  Looking at the details it is clearly Flyhawk quality.  They sell three other subjects and a host of accessories.

A new resin kit on the market from Youfeng is the Russian Navy Project 1134 cruiser.  No longer in service but an interesting cold war veteran.  

Now were moving into the hybrid world of resin and 3D print.  Here's a new release from Starling Models in the UK.  It is the HMS Sea Rover in 1/350 scale.  Also included in this set is a nice photo etch set.  

Another hybrid 3D offering from 3-D Wild is the USS Smith in 1/100 scale?  It includes a 3D printed hull and a ton of photo etch parts and detail.  Most structures on the deck are brass.  

Another offering from 3-D Wild is the WWI SMS Seyditz in 1/200 scale!  This kit has it all including torpedo netting and a R/C motors and hardware to take your model on the pond.

 3-D Wild is also continuing to add to their air wing collection.  Let's start with a MH-60S Knighthawk with full interior.  

And how about an CH-53E Super Stallion also with a full interior!  You can see that, right?  You can have this in the ready to fly mode, or with rotors and tail folded.  Stay tuned to the next meeting as there will be another new set to add to this air wing.

How about this 3D printed kit from SSModel.  This is the 1/700 USS South Carolina.  Incredible detail and also includes turned barrels.  

SSModel is also releasing a 1/700 kit of the GN Westfalen.  Also with turned barrels.  You can find these both on eBay.

AJM Models is releasing an HMS Argus 1918.  These kits come from Poland

Kraken Hobbies is releasing conversion upgrade kits for the Trumpeter Kent to convert to a Canberra, and Midship Models to the Mahan Class destroyer.  Both are in 1/700 scale.

Are we there yet?  No?  Okay then.  We have next something we haven't covered much of and that is the super small scales.  How about four 3D printed IJN destroyers in 1/2000 scale!  Be sure to paint in those brass linoleum stays! 

Also offered are the 1/2000 IJN cruisers Tome and Chikuma.  Seriously?  1/2000 float planes?  

Finally I kicked off the idea of a club Navy cap.  I sent an email out about this earlier today.

The idea is to buy a custom cap.  Have stitched on the front top "MODEL SHIP CLUB", and on the back "SPRUE CUTTER NAVY".  Decorate the front with your favorite ship.  You can put your state under the ship.  There are several companies that do these but I got mine from USAMM.  The quality is excellent and the hat is made in the USA.

Put a fork in it!  We're done for this month.  We have build night coming up on September 20th.  Note that we meet early next month on October 1st!  

Everyone take care!