May ship club meeting

 Thanks to everyone who attended our ship club meeting for May.  Here's a recap of our meeting...

Zoom meeting recording Link

We started with a recap of our attendance at CoMMiESFest 2025 at the Jeffco Faiur Grounds.  Our primary goal was to have an estate sale for member Jerry Beasley.  The event was very successful, selling off most of the kits.  Brian Hatek later that day put many of the kits for sale on Facebook and was successful in selling everything he posted.  

We also handed out flyers promoting the club.  We had several people interested in participating, so we'll see...

Tim Senecal and David Waples also participated in the contest.  Of the five entries we took three first place and two second place in the ship and aircraft categories.  

As a club we are accumulating some funds out of Jerry Beasley's and John DuGene's estates and started exploring ways to set up our club to independent of any individual.  Talking to a few people I decided to establish us as a "non-profit social club".   The challenge is what to do with the funds.  I wanted to set up a high yield savings account and let that generate funds supporting our Zoom hybrid meeting.  After talking with several members who belong to different organizations, I think what I will do is set up a seperate account for the club in my name, then invest the funds in a high yield account or CD to generate additional funds.  I will also set it up so that in my untimely departure the funds get back to the club.  I will keep you all informed on this as we move forward. 

International challenges to our hobby was the next discussion point.  

Much to discuss here... Let's start with some non US sellers...

Starling Models announced that they will no longer accept PayPal.  This created quite a stir with their customers.  I don't think this is related to current US Executive Branch actions.  

HobbyLink Japan announced that they will only ship via the Japanese postal system.  This eliminted about five different options such as DHL, FedEx, etc.  

White Ensign Models/Tom's Modelworks.  Richard advised that they are now paying tariff's on imports.  He's made a decision to absorb that cost for now.

The big elephant in the room is between the US and China.  The Executive Branch of the US has focused their attention here.  For us who buy products that originate from China there are two ways this effects us.

US sellers and distributors like Squadron, Sprue Brothers, Andy's Hobby Headquarters, Stevens, etc. they can't predict their costs because of the constant fluctuating of tariffs and threats.  Therefore they have cancelled all their orders out of China.  In short, no new product coming into the country.

For us who buy directly from Hong Kong/China, the above e-commerce rules are taking place between the US and China only.  Below is an example of what it might cost to buy directly from a selling in Hong Kong based on the current duty/tax rate on parcels from Hong Kong, assuming current non acceptance of parcels in Hong Kong ends.  Right now sellers can't even ship from Hong Kong. 

De minimus rules for other countries still apply so you are not likely to have to pay any duty/tax/tariff, as long as you keep your purchase under $800.  For example I purchased a replacement LCD screen for my 3D printer, made in China, but bought from Austria.  DHL delivered it without requiring any duties, taxes, or tariff's. 

We'll keep our eyes and ears open and let you know of any changes as they occur.  

Finally, be aware of crazy shipping prices added to eBay sales from China.  They are marked up from $200 to over $1000.  And they can't even be shipped anyway.  

Okay, enough of that, let's move on!

John shared several of his current 1/700 builds.  

David Angelo shared his work on his 1/350 conversion project with his own 3D print designs.

I shared the progress on my little Bathurst model.  Most of my work so far has been preparing the base.  In this case I used high density insulation foam clad with expanded PVD trim and topped with epoxy resin simulated water surface on the top.  It's been primed and ready for the paint shop.  

I found a good tip for cleaning the nozzle of your airbrush.  These are called Paper points used by dentists.  Unlike metal scrapers these will not damage or cause the tip of your nozzle to become deformed.  They come in different sizes.  A pack like this is a good starting point to find the size that works best for you.  This is the least expensive set I found, but you can find others on eBay for around $6.

While working on the Bathurst project and another one for Blake, I was experiencing a problem with the quality of the prints.  In short the pixels on the screen were failing.  When they fail they turn dark keeping light from exposing the resin to light.  Elegoo claims a screen will last about 2000 hours, but also say that how you use it can shorten that life span.  I was able to get a new screen and my printer is running like new again.  

Some exciting news from Squadron is that Jeff Herne is designing some highly detailed 3D parts for ship models and other subjects like tank tracks.  But for our purposes he's producing parts on par with what we see from companies like Micro Master, Model Monkey, and others.  Squadron is hoping to unveil these new parts at the IPMS Nationals in August.  Several of us are attending and will no doubt be bringing back some of these to share with you.  

Finally some good news about Colourcoats enamel paints.  The new manufacturer has delivered the paints to Richard under the White Ensign Models web site.  If you're not familiar, here's a LINK to the site.  Richard advised that he didn't get as much or everything he ordered.

What's new!

Triumph Models (closely associated with Border Models) out of China have produced a new 1/350 IJN Destroyer, Mutsuki.  This is a resin hull model with 3D printed detail parts.  I was an idiot during the meeting.  What I thought were walkways are actually photo etch rails.  Kit also includes turned brass parts.  Details like the hand rails on the stacks are 3D printed.  Fear not, you can purchase this kit outside of China from Hobby Link Japan or Hobby Search.  Note that this kit is following the trend of offering a basic and advanced version.  Below is a photo of the finished model...

I also came across this from Triumph Models.  1/700 Carrier deck and crew.

I thought this was different and amazing.  Tori Factory out of South Korea has made a kit of the entire propulsion system of the RMS Titanic.  It includes everything from the coal bunkers to the screws.  It's also available in a number of scales.

How amazing would this be displayed next to your Titanic model.

I completely geeked out on this one!  

Trumpeter is also releasing their HMS Naiad kit as her sister ship, HMS Scylla with new appropriate parts.  Both were Dido Class Light Cruisers.  You might have to wait a while to get this one.

Rob Weilacher picked up this kit of the USS Casablanca Escort Carrier from S Model.  You can buy the basic kit, or you can pick up the Five Star Models super detail set and go all out.  Rob advises that the deck is really well detailed and doesn't need the big brass flight deck.

The upgrade set includes a ton of structural improvements.  Also note that Tom's Modelworks makes a photo etch fret and is working on an upgrade to that set for this model.  

And now yet another 3D parts company called Muyi Model Studio.  During the meeting we were wondering about the full tower.  Turns out this is the bridge for the IJN Akagi.  

I glossed over this during the meeting.  A deeper dive reveals that this new partner with 3-D Wild, Dutch Fleet Naval Miniatures actually offer this as a bundle in both 1/350 and 1/700.  They are fully 3D printed models.  The 1/350 kit is split at the hull, where the 1/700 prints as a full size model.  The 1/700 model is waterline only, where the 1/350 kits can be purchased as either full hull or waterline.  The finished kit will include photo etch railings and details which are currently under production.  

We came across another 3D ship model maker called Yacare from Chile.  They have a variety of Chilean ship models.  

The larger scale models are split at the hull with alignment holes which should help the sections come together easier.  Note the intricate detail in the mast.  These models look to be well printed.

Here's an example of the Article class ships printed in three different scales.  

Their lates release is of the Karel Doorman Class Frigate which is Dutch.  Note the railings are 3D printed.  That's a little scary!  

The quality looks very good.  The hull sections come together well.  Note that there are print lines which should sand out easily.

Lots of press around the Trumpeter 1/200 Fletchers.  Looks like they scaled it down to 1/350 to produce the USS Stevens which supported a float plane and related gear for handling the aircraft.  Will this be one of the kits that Jeff Herne produces an upgrade set for?  Hopefully things will free up so that these kits can be imported.  

We talked about Blandy Maquetes Navais kits that are on the horizon and being marketed through 3D Wild.  This is their first release of the Cannon Class Destroyer Escort.  It's available in three scales.  Can you imagine this in 1/144 scale!

Finally we have a new company out of Great Britain who are re-popping existing kits.  This is the Trumpeter kit, HMS Belfast in 1942 configuration.  Off topic they are also re-popping the old Thunderbird series in 1/144 scale.

That's it for this month.  We'll see you in June!

 April 2025 Ship Club Meeting

Due to CoMMiESFest (The Colorado Modeling Militia Enjoying Science Fiction) being held on our normal meeting date, we held our meeting early on March 29th.  Here's a LINK to the recorded meeting.

So what's up with CoMMiESFest?  The People's Glorious Modeling Contest is a local IPMS show which will be held on Saturday, April 5th at the Jefferson County Fair Grounds.  The only information posted is that it will be at 15200 W. 6th Ave, Golden, Colorado.  When I asked which building to go to I received these instructions:

There will be signage, but it’s the second right once you enter the grounds. Follow the road past the livestock space and into the parking lot, continuing west past the single story office bldg. the facility is on a bit of a hill. If you have non-vendor unloading to do, you can bring it in and park it in guest seating, then move your car out of the loading zone and into the greater parking lot. Will have someone out front of the building directing traffic.

More information is available at their Facebook Page.  

So what are we doing at CoMMiESFest?  A number of things...

• We have sponsored the ship category for the awards.
• We will have a table in the Vendor area with an Estate Sale for Jerry Beasley's remaining kits.  Proceeds for the sale will go to Warrior Dogs Foundation at the request of Jerry's wife, Deborah.

There are a few seminars which are in this attachment I stole from their Facebook page

One of our members, Martin Sagara, will be giving a seminar on Modeling Motivation.  

Here's the flyer for our table...

Okay, on to our meeting...

We started the meeting with an excellent presentation from Sam on Bathurst Corvettes.  Please review the video for a full rundown.  This is in support of our group project.  

I think everyone who wanted one of the models at the meeting got one.  Those not in attendance, yours are on the way in the mail.  I'll get right to the paint schemes Sam shared with us...

Here is a color chart that Sam shared with us.

Some photographs...

What we're working on....

David Angelo's finished Victory in her case that David built.  We've enjoyed watching this one come together!

Here's David's next project...

David is designing and 3D printing parts to convert this ship to the HMS Bellerophon.

Next John Widmar shared with us the Corsair Armada ARD-2.  This kit was re-released by Mike at Corsair Armada.  John added some photo etch cranes and parts from his spares box to add some detail.  He also added the 1/700 Balao class submarine which I believe is from Aoshima.

John also built this Spanish Battleship Pelayo from Armo Models, also in 1/700 scale. 

Rob Weilacher finished his Kraken Models, USS Patterson 1944 in 1/700 scale.  Rob gave overall favorable reviews of this kit and enjoyed building it.  

Len advised that he's working with somebody who may be able to help Mike out with his kits.  We'll keep an eye on that development as Kraken is producing some really nice products.

L'Arsenal offering free shipping on their kits ordered before April 13 while they are down for Ramadan.  If you're looking for some of their parts now is a great time to buy.  

I took some photos from their Facebook page to prepare this slide of what they are coming out with.  The CAD drawings look good and I know Rob has reported that their products continue to be of good quality.

Flyhawk has released a new 1/700 kit of the USS Enterprise.  I put in my order in hopes of beating the tariffs and Customs figuring out how to charge for duties.  We'll talk more about this at the next meeting.

We took a look at Very Fire's new 1/350 IJN Takao.  There is some incredible detail in this model.

Helenic Models is releasing a 1/350 PGM USS Crockett, Asheville-Class Gunboat.  Note the 3D printed railings!  Be sure to take a look at their web site to see the other parts and kits they're releasing.  

Len's contact in Italy has released a new kit of the HMVS Cerberus in 1/350 scale.  He has several other kits being sold through the 3D-Wild banner.  Very interesting looking kit!

Note that the kit comes with a 1/144 scale "Turruet w/Interior".   An interesting display piece.  

He's also released a USS Lexington in 1/350 scale.  Quite a group of notable experts helping him with this project!  It can be purchased with the cage masts or the later tripod mast.

Can also be purchased waterline or full hull.

Another release from 3D-Wild is the HMS Hermes (R12) Light Carrier in 1/350 scale.  This is a very interesting looking ship!  Lots going on here!

Hobby Boss is releasing a really odd ship.  This is the 1/350 Lord Clive.  That aft gun is really odd looking!

From Trumpeter we have a lighting kit for the 1/200 Olympic and Britannic.  Hmmm... I thought these ships were supposed to be blacked out at night?

Orange Hobby is releasing one of their epic 1/700 kits.  This is the Royal Navy Type 22 Frigate.  I think this is the kit that Rodrigo had hoped for!

Black Cat Models is releasing a new French ship kit in 1/350.  Can you name that ship?  And no, it's not the X62!  Geesh!

It's the French ship Mogador which an also be made as the Volga.  This is typical Black Cat construction.  Resin cast hull, lots of 3D printed details, and minimal photo etch.  The casting on the hull is impeccable!

Starling Models in the UK has a few new releases which look very interesting...

First the 1/700 3D printed kits of the HMS Stord, Scorpion, and Venus.

My personal favorite the 1/350 HMS Brave, Algerine Class Mine Sweeper

My friend, Oto, at RCSubs.cz continues to surprise with this 1/350 USS Colorado, Virginia Class Submarine.  This is a much more manageable size than the 1/144 kit I've printed.  He floated the idea of this kit and got a very strong response.  So he's decided to move ahead with this kit.  Look for this kit to be coming out soon!

Here is a much talked about kit.  This Chinese manufacturer is hard to track.  I believe they sold with 3D-Wild, but now may be working with Very Fire?  Anyway, this is their latest release.

An interesting release from Fujimi.  This is the carrier Shinano.  What makes this kit interesting is that they have molded it in close to actual colors.  It also includes photo etch which isn't color.  

The kit also includes camouflage decals... I think they're decals.  

Revell is releasing a two ship kit.  The Fletcher was advertised as a new tool model and the Indianapolis is a re-release.  Both in 1/700 scale.  Revell released a 1/700 Fletcher back in 2014 so I'm guessing that this is not a new kit... and probably not the Fletcher we've been waiting for.  

Last new release is from S-Model which is the 1/700 USS Casablanca Escort Carrier.  This is a nice looking kit and there are some nice detail sets available for it.  Best place to find this is at hobbyeasy.com.  We'll talk more about this kit later.

Some models of note we found are the Flyhawk 1/350 CG-63 USS Cowpens by Won-hui Lee.  Another beautiful model from that team.  

Also the 1/700 HMS Naiad which is also a Flyhawk kit.  Really amazing work by Kelve Chan.

That's all for this month!