May 2024 Mile High Model Ship Club monthly meeting.

Here is a LINK to the May 2024 Zoom meeting recording.

So we begin...

It's never easy saying goodbye to a friend.  Jerry Beasley left us on April 27th.  I still expect to see him walk through the meeting room door with a box of donuts and super detail parts to a kit that won't be finished.  But that was our friend.  Thanks to everyone who shared memories of their experiences with Jerry.  Special thanks to Roger who has for years spent his Monday's with Jerry working on the hobby they both love.

Thanks to everyone who shared memories of their experiences with Jerry.  

The following is Jerry's obituary from his memory page.  Please note his wish in lieu of sending flowers, Jerry wished his friends to donate to the Warrior Dog Foundation.   

Jerry Glenn Beasley of Centennial, Colorado passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family at the age of 77. He was born in Casper, Wyoming on March 7, 1947 to Charles and Claudia Beasley. Jerry was raised in Wyoming and continued to live there until he joined the Navy, immediately following his high school graduation.

He was the bravest man we have ever known, serving 3 tours in Vietnam before the age of 24. Jerry spent most of his service on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga as an ETN3 (Electronics Technician, Nuclear Power). During his time in the Navy he earned the Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service with 4 bronze stars, as well as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He took pride in his marksmanship skills and enjoyed target shooting. He also had a passion for parachuting, making over 2000 jumps during his active duty and taking part in many skydiving adventures as a civilian. Upon his honorable discharge, he moved to Denver, CO where he worked as a Logistics Manager for Storage-Tech until his retirement in 2010.

Jerry was an active member of St. Andrew and possessed a deep faith in God. He sang in the Charles Wesley Choir, participated in the Big Serve, Family Promise, and volunteered at Wings Over the Rockies. Jerry never failed to step up when there was a need. He kept beautiful collections, enjoyed grilling in the middle of  a snowstorm (never quite accepting that a coat is sometimes necessary in Colorado), and always had a book to read or listen to. Jerry was an accomplished finescale modeler, honing his skills and creating cherished relationships with valued friends. He never met a dog that he didn’t love. After he married Deborah, he got his first puppy and from that moment on his life was not complete without a furry canine companion. Our beloved “Beas” was a proud Navy Veteran, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, fierce friend, world traveler, culinary aficionado, and avid dog lover, who will be deeply missed. 

Jerry is survived by his wife, Deborah Beasley, who was blessed to spend 35 wonderful years with him. He believed her to be his Princess, and reveled in her sweet kiss that, at long last, turned him from a frog into a Prince. He is also survived by his daughter, Jennifer McKenna (Spencer), step-daughters Julie Dunsmore (Bill) and Sarah Boland (Brent), grandchildren Susan and Lily McKenna, and Asa and Amos Boland. 

Services will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrew United Methodist Church 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Warrior Dog Foundation 

Here's the recap of the rest of our meeting...

I've sent out the image for the virtual challenge coin.  I've started awarding this to special ship models that I've been seeing in Social Media sites such as Facebook and YouTube.  I've also awarded it to several kit manufacturers such as Black Cat Models and RCSubs.com.  This recognition has been well received and appreciated by those I've awarded it too.  There's no special criteria.  If you see a special ship model, attach it to your message.  All it really says to the modeler is that their work has been seen and is highly appreciated.  Give it a try.

Follow up item from last meeting.  Tom's Modelworks has released this 3D printed Aircraft Crane Strongback.  We weren't sure exactly what it was, but while touring the USS Alabama, there it was.  This is the support for the large aircraft crane on the stern of most battleships.  A very nice upgrade piece to a photo etch crane.

Another follow up item from the discussion on the USS Holland.  The gentleman that created this kit I shared at our last meeting sent me this drawing.  There was actually a gun in the bow called a Dynamite Gun.  

Here is some information about this gun.  An airgun that launches charges that include dynamite.  What could go wrong?

Eduard continues their releases of photo etch and detail sets for model ships.  Here's one for the I Love Kit (Trumpeter) HMS Ark Royal 1939.  Too late for Victor who has already finished the kit.  

David Angelo shared this drill set he bought on eBay from Dspiae.  He purchased this for about $24 which included free shipping from China.  David advises that the drills work extremely well.  It was also shared during the meeting that replacement drill bits are available at Harbor Freight.  You can also find them on eBay from various suppliers.

Rob Weilacher has been busy.  First he completed the LCP USS Alamosa in 1/700 scale from Loose Cannon.  Rob described it as being an excellent kit that went together well.  Nice work, Rob!

Rob also completed the Dragon Models LHA-2, USS Saipan.  This was a shelf queen that Rob brought to the finish line.  Nice job!

Next John Widmar completed a couple more kits.  First is a Chinese early steamer.  It's all in Chinese so we really don't know much about the subject or the manufacturer.  These are multimedia kits with very nice photo etch details.

John next shared his 1/700 Ocean Moon Models, USS Newark C-1.  John has shared kits from this manufacturer before with positive reviews.

I shared a project I'm working on for Roger.  This is one of David Angelo's Hog Islander cargo ships in 1/700 scale.  My first printing attempt revealed that with too shallow a print angle, print lines appear on flat surfaces.  More on this at the next meeting..

One of my many projects underway is the USS Colorado, SSN 788 in 1/144 scale.  The Virginia Class submarines are all handled out of the water by these standard supports.  I commissioned the gentleman who made the drawings for the Holland to draw up the different types of supports that I will use as a base for this model.  It turns out there are seven different arrangements for these supports.  I've printed them all and ready to move forward.  I brought some of my original sample prints to share with the group.

Lastly I shared some information about original WWII planking that I obtained from the USS Alabama.  Some questions came up about wether these actually dated back to WWII, and after doing some research I confirmed that they did.  I will true them up and make model ship bases with it.  I have a 1/700 Pit Raod model of the Alabama that I will place on one of these planks.

You can buy finished laser engraved products made from this material from the USS Alabama gift store.  However to buy the planks you have to come in person which I did.  

The planks look like this and come in various lengths and thicknesses, depending on their location on the ship.  They come complete with bung holes too.  More on this later.

Next I shared some photos of finished models that I thought were interesting and well done.  

This first model was built by Harvey Low from Canada.  He scratch built this beautiful S class submarine.  I've been in contact with Harvey and I believe he will participate in our next meeting.

Next up was this model identified as the IJN Mizuhu.  I think this is a mistake as the Mizuhu was a Japanese seaplane tender and not an aircraft carrier.  Battle of Wright Bay is also misidentified and should be battle of Leyte Gulf.  It was built by a Chinese modeler.  Never the less, it is a very nice model.  

The next model that stood out for me was this one from the Black Cat Models offering built by Rob Mathews.  Very nice work!

Finally is this amazing 1/96 model of HMS Skirmisher and built by David Wooley.  

Next we looked at some new offerings on the market.

We continue to see super detailed parts for the 1/200 I Love Kit Arleigh Burke flight I kit.  These parts are available on eBay and made in both 1/350 and 1/200 scales.  If you are planning on lighting up your bridge, this would be the aftermarket item to get.  

Flyhawk is going to release a large scale Ticonderoga class Cruiser of the USS Cowpens CG-63.  Typically Flyhawk releases their kits in a basic and advanced version.  Is this first announcement a basic kit?  We'll be following this one to see what Flyhawk is going to do.  This kit is available for pre-order at Squadron for $74.99.

Very Fire, in conjunction with Beaver Corporation (think Hobby Link Japan) are releasing what they describe as the ultiimate Yamato kit in 1/350 scale.  Looking at the details I can't argue.  It's available for pre-order at Squadron for $297.61.

Next up and more affordable is a kit from Hobby Boss of the RMS Olumpic in her wartime configuration.  This is in 1/700 scale and includes some photoetch details.  This looks like a very nice model.  You can dress it up even more with photo etch parts from Tom's Modelworks.  Search there for both Titanic and Olympic.  

We looked at an Italian company that we have not heard of before.  Thetis Models makes kits in 1/350, 1/200, and 1/144 scales.  they are limited runs and a company that is expanding their 3D printed kits and parts.  

The Alfedo Oriani is their latest offering.  There are not detail photos of this kit, but if you look at their previous offerings (submarines), they make very nice models.  If you're interested in buying one of their kits you can buy directly from them at this LINK.

That's all for May of 2024.  We'll see you at our build night in a few weeks.  I will be forwarding information about Jerry's services in separate emails.