Thanks to those that were able to attend our meetings Saturday.  We were missing quite a few folks for a variety of reasons.  Those of you who missed it can still view if you wish.  Note that during a recent Zoom "upgrade" they turned off my high resolution video.  I've corrected that moving forward.

Video of our meeting: Video Link

Passcode: M=ty#A?5

Follow up from previous meetings

Archer Fine Transfers will be closed November 30, 2022.  As I understand it they ARE NOT making any new product.  So when it's gone, it's gone... maybe.  No product discounts.  Not sure if somebody will take over remaining stock or produce new product in the future.

Speaking or rivets...

Here is the progress on the UB-1 Class from RCSUBS.CZ that Jerry printed for me.  You can see the rivet patterns I obtained from the Micro Mark HO Rivet Sheets.  More on that later.  

Using photos I obtained from the U-Boat museum in Germany, I'm doing my best to replicate the rivet patterns found on the original boats. 

Here is the 3D rivet decal sheet from Micro Mark.  They sell these in HO and O scales.  I find the HO best for our scale models. This proved to be the perfect solution for riveting this boat.  You get two of these large sheets for $19.  You can find these same rivet decals from Archer, but their sheets are about 1/3 the size of one of these sheets for about the same price.  The Micro Mark offering is a bargain if it works for your project.

That said Archer has a lot of interesting 3D resin decals that you might want to look at before they are gone.

David Angelo is finishing up a project for fun.  It's an oiler called the Swiftlite to compliment his black and white series.  Here's the kit so far...

Here's a photo of the SS Malay (previously the Swiftlite) after she was torpedoed and shelled.  

David is also working on a ship from a novel called the Zamora from a book entitled "The Black Tanker".  

I'm working with a company called Above & Below.  They are a small company in Canada doing custom decals.  They were hoping to make a deal with Darren from Hawk Graphics.  But Darren dropped out of the agreement so Above & Below is going to make these on their own.  

Below is an example of the offering from Hawk Graphics.  

I've been unable to find any detail about these pads.  However the USS Kidd museum has them on her deck.  I've reached out to them and they are going to send me the dimensions which I will share with Above & Below.  Because we can't find any detail about these pads, this is going to be a best guess, but certainly accurate enough.  Below is a photo of the USS Kidd and you can see the deck pads around the turret.

Tool time!

I learned about this product while listening to Dr. John Miller (a.k.a. Dr. Strange Brush) from Model Paint Solutions who talked about this product on the podcast "Plastic Model Mojo".  Similar products are used by woodworkers to clean sanding belts and discs.  It's a rum rubber material.  This one is a good size for modelers.  During the meeting I demonstrated how easily it removed filler from sanding sticks.  This will extend the life of your sanding sticks and does a great job of cleaning up metal files too.  They are only $6.00 from Model Paint Solutions.  

Another tool I found at Model Paint Solutions is a product from AK Interactive.  It is a metal filter that fits perfectly over your airbrush color cup.  Pour your thinned paint through the screen and you'll be amazed at the artifacts it removes from your paint.  It cleans out very easily by spraying clean thinner through the opposite side of the filter so it can be used over and over again.  A great way to assure quality paint in your airbrush and to keep it from clogging.  

Note.  Jerry did a quick check and found sets of two on eBay and Amazon for some savings.  Be aware that these sellers in China had ratings below 98% which is an eBay red flag.  I did find an interesting set with two different filter sizes from Green Stuff World in Spain which has a 99.9% approval rating.  You can also find similar items that have more of a funnel shape from Micro Mark and Blick.  Check them out.  Also I think these mesh sizes are as dubious as grit sizes on sandpaper.  

Offering from Green Stuff World

Offering from Micro Mark.  This style may be more difficult to clean but easier to create a larger volume of paint.

Another tool found is this model ship cradle.

Jerry brought in some new tools that look quite nice.  All look like excellent values and of good quality.

First is a razor saw set.  It is nicely machined and fits well in the hand.  It provides great control and can hold the excellent JLC razor saw blades.  The set comes with 5 blades in different shapes.

Next up from the same company a very nice back saw.

How about a mini folding tool!

Finally Jerry brought another folding tool from Dspiae.  You just have to admire the quality of these hobby tools!

We took a look at some new kits

Seed Hobby available at Hobby Link Japan (HLJ.com) has made smaller subjects.  They are now making some larger ships, still in 1/700 scale.  They are worth a look.

Here's a dubious offering.  I Love (Heart) Kit has been re-popping other companies kits.  This is the North Carolina.  It does come with a nice wood deck.  But the combination of some photo etch out of scale and original kit parts and features looks odd.

Another interesting offering from Takom/Snowman.  This is the modern Italian Horizon Class destroyer in 1/350 scale.

Jerry found this interesting kit.  A Russian oiler.  Amazing detail in 1/700 scale.  It comes with an amazing price of $131.99!

YG Model is another interesting company.  You can find their products on eBay.  This is a Chinese Landing Ship.  

Doggie Industries is offering this Dutch Light Cruiser which is post WWII.  They are available on eBay and selling fast.  Very nice looking model in 1/700 scale.

3D-Wild continues to add to its 1/350 air wing offerings.

Eduard continues to expand its ship parts offerings with more 1/350 subjects.