September 2024 Ship Club Meeting

Greetings all,  it's been a few meetings since I'm provided a follow up so I wanted to get back on track.  

Here's the LINK to the video recording of the meeting.  

The good news is that we resolved the issue with Zoom.  We're now able to display on the big screen in the meeting room while simultaneously sharing with all at home.  

Here's the meeting recap...

The theme I suggested for this months presentation was "high anxiety" and how we deal with it.

I shared my FINALLY completed LST project which I took to the IPMS show as a display only model.  Although I started on this model early, there were lots of distracting things that were consuming my time.  In the end I "settled" for completing it just enough to bring it to the show, as I made a commitment to bring a ship to the show for the group display.  It's important for me personally to follow through on my commitments so there was some additional pressure.  After bringing it home I made the final touches, although it was not what I had originally envisioned for this build.  Oh well, move on.  

I then heard this discussion on one of the podcasts I follow, Plastic Posse Podcast, where they were talking about how they deal with stress and anxiety in model making.  One thing that different people kept bringing up was making lists.  I also keep lists and shared with the group how I keep track of my remaining tasks which is to use the Notes function on my iPhone.  When I get about half to three quarters of the way through a project I organize a punch list of thing I need to do to finish my model.  What I like about doing this electronically is that I can make changes on the fly, create tables, and check off items as I complete them.  When done and with that electronic record I can save it for future reference.  And yes, I've had to come back to refer to what paint or mix of paint I used after a model is done.  Here's an example of what my checklist looks like.  

I decided that this doesn't really help me with stress that much.  For me stress is just part of life.  Stress can be cause by the choices and priorities we make for ourselves.  

But I wanted to know what you all do to manage stress at the workbench and got some great ideas.

Regarding documenting things to do, several of our group mentioned that they keep notes on the kit instructions as they go through the build or mark off completed items.

Reset your desk:  I suspect we're all the same.  When we're working on a model, tools, paint, parts, etc. crowd your work space.  Roger suggested that just cleaning up your work space and putting tools and parts back in their containers removes a lot of stress from your mind and gets you back to better place.  

Keep your desk organized:  Martin brought a tool that he's found useful.  It's a sprue organizer that you keeps your sprue's handy and in order.  Here's an example from MicroMark.  Another thing you can do is add a tag with masking tape identifying each sprue number or letter.

Roger suggested that when he's frustrated with a build that he'll put it on a box and set it aside until he feels he's ready to pick it back up.

Roger also suggested doing an easy build, or what some people call a slammer build that can be done in a short amount of time and with little effort.

Martin suggested that when you're working to make sure you're breathing.  Also take a break and have something to eat.  It will help you relax.

All great suggestions and I'll share that with the podcast as feedback.

Product follow-up

We had a follow up item from the last meeting.  While at IPMS Nats a gentleman named Joe Simon gave a seminar on how to make award winning models.  One of his techniques was to use KBS Self Etching Primer.  I sprayed a spare photo etch fret with this.  It took a couple of coats but it covered the brass well.  When dried it appeared to have a sort of hammered metal finish, but when I sprayed some enamel paint over it it covered extremely well and left a smooth consistent finish.  More importantly it sticks and takes some work to remove it.  I think it performed better than some other paints I've used.  I'm going to keep working with it.

Next up was our old nemesis, SS Models.  They recently put out a 1/350 "Gato" submarine model.  It looked good so I ordered one.  

The kit has some amazing qualities.  

1. The flood holes are unique to the USS Gato and they are opened.  
2. The pressure hole extends behind the flood holes.
3. The top four torpedo tubes are opened and you can either close the shutters or leave them in the open position.  
4. The layout of the deck and features are well done.  
5. The open hatch on the deck is a nice feature.  

Kit Review - SS Models USS Gato

The kit has some bad features too.

1. The bottom two forward torpedo tubes are mostly absent.  
2. The stern torpedo tubes are non existent.
3. The deck planking is done like you would see on a battleship.  This was not the case on fleet submarines.
4. The conning tower is correct for some Gato Class submarines, but not the USS Gato itself.

This shows the problem with the planking.  Is it a big deal?  

The AFV club kit part looks like a perfect match.  Cut off the AFV part and put it on the SS Models kit?  Why not!

So why not cut off the bow of the AFV club model?  Let's think on that!  The SS Model is missing some detail.  

Heavy weathering...

We took a look at a heavily weathered Arleigh Burke destroyer, USS Stout after returning from 215 consecutive days at sea.  

Maintenance is done.  Look at the panels below the CIWS.

Look at all the colors on the boot.

Here's what we've been working on....

Roger Schafer shared this old kit from a company that's long been out of business.  B Resina made this HMS Ajax kit.  The kit didn't come with railings so Roger got creative and took parts from his spares box.  Roger uses his custom shower glass to replicate the ocean for these waterline models.

Roger also completed his first 1/700 Flyhawk kit.  This is the HMS Campbeltown which participated on one of the most famous raids during WWII.  Roger commented on all the tiny parts associated with this kit which is something Flyhawk is well known for.

Then my (David Waples) little nightmare, LST-75 being loaded in England prior to D-Day.  The basis of the kit is the AFV Club, 1/350 LST kit.  I used the Infini upgrade set which consisted mostly of photo etch details.  All of the guns were replaced with 3D printed parts from Black Cat Models and Micro Master.  The LCVP's were also Black Cat Models.  The vehicles are from AFV Club.  So glad to call this one finished!

New kits on the market

From RCsubs.cz, Oto continues to release static models in 3D printed resin.  This is the Type XXI U-Boat.  Oto has released U-2511 and U-2540.   These 3D prints include the internal pressure hull with all the flood holes opened.  Oto is offering these kits to us for $90 each with shipping included.  If interested please let me know.

Torpedo tubes modeled in the open position.  Otherwise shutters are provided and can be finished closed.

Even the voice pipes are printed.  You can also see the printed grab irons and hand rails.

Dragon is releasing many (if not all) of their 1/700 offerings again.

They are also releasing some of their 1/350 scale kits again.

Hobby Boss is also releasing a 1/700 Britanic, the 3rd of the Titanic series kits.

Trumpeter has announced the release of 1/200 Olympic and 1/350 Gerald R Ford class carrier.

Showcase Models from Australia is releasing the HMS Vendetta in 1/350 scale

EVModel.net is releasing a modern RFA Tide-Class fast fleet tanker in 1/700 scale.  

This kit has a ton of brass!

Another offering coming from EVModel.net are these two kits in 1/700 scale.  No details to share at this point.

Vee Hobby is offering a 1/700 Montana

We had a conversation about the Montana Class of battleships.  I found the following information...

Completion of the Montana class would have given the late 1940s U.S. Navy a total of seventeen new battleships, a considerable advantage over any other nation, or probable combination of nations. The Montanas also would have been the only American ships to come close to equalling the massive Japanese Yamato. However, World War II's urgent requirements for more aircraft carriers, amphibious and anti-submarine vessels resulted in suspension of the Montanas in May 1942, before any of their keels had been laid. In July 1943, when it was clear that the battleship was no longer the dominant element of sea power, their construction was cancelled

From OKB Grigorov, who are now producing their models in Bulgaria, have released this very nice 3D printed model of the USS Monitor in 1/350.  The details are quite good for 1/350 scale.

They are also releasing in 1/700 scale the Monitor Faa di Bruno which is basically a gun turret on a barge.  No price listed for this one yet.

A new and different offering from Geko Models is a big 1/350 US Navy Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle.  There are some amazing details in this kit.

Here's an extensive detail set for the Trumpeter SMS Viribus Unitis from Shipyard Works.  I haven't heard anything about this company.  Available from Hobby Easy for about $128.

Last in the new kits is the Pola from SS Models.  Not a lot of details about the construction of this kit.  You can find it for sale on eBay.

Ship models of note...

Finally some amazing models of note, some of which I've sent virtual challenge coins.  

Here's a remarkable build of the 1/350 Trumpeter CV-1 Langley.  A remarkable build.

Last an IJN Yamato by Joe Simon who won best ship at Nationals, and also delivered the seminar on Building Award Winning Model Ships.