Another popular club contest has passed with an impressive amount of entries. The 1st Annual Tony Bartozek Memorial "I'm Not A Modeling Loser" Challenge had twenty-six entries submitted and 24 finished models were entered. I'm very impressed with the quality of the subjects, because sometimes when we modelers have a dead-line, we tend to rush through them just to get them done on time. This year, it looked like everyone tried to do a good job and that's impressive all by itself. This is the first time that I completed my entry a full two-weeks before the deadline and I didn't feel rushed at all. In fact, I got cocky and actually built a mostly scratchbuilt base for my jet to sit on. This is a project I've never done before and I'm pleased on how it turned out. The winning team (captained by Rich Bernecki, who ironically, did not complete his entry) got to enjoy a $5.00 Tim Hortons gift card at the cost of the losing team (captained by Brian McFee). Congratulations to all who completed their entries and better luck next time for those who didn't.

John R. Zaranek
President
IPMS Niagara Frontier
IPMS USA No. 47993

Model Table Round-up from the August meeting

Dick Schulenberg offers up for our viewing pleasure several of his projects. The first is a Hobbycraft (or Academy, he doesn't remember which) 1/144th scale WV-2 Lockheed Warning Star (Constellation). Dick is posing the airplane "wheels up" and will use aftermarket metal props. He's finished it in Polly Scale and Tamiya paints.

Secondly, another 1/144 scale model, a Bell HSL-1 Helicopter by Anigrand, again finished with Polly Scale and Tamiya finishes.

Thirdly, an RS Models XP-79B Northrup fighter from very late in WWII. Dick says he posed it with the wheels up to match a photo from Northrup he obtained in 1956. He explains that it is a very cool airplane, of which the press called it the "Flying Ram".

Lastly, Dick brought in a 1/72nd scale F3D Skyknight by Sword. It was built straight from the box with the exception of the intakes, which he states, "are weird". The tubing supplied in the kit is very undersized, so he substituted them with a drinking straw. He explains that he really likes post-war US Navy aircraft, especially in blue.

Mark Budniewski finished his "Tony" entry in fine style - his Revell 1957 Chevy, of which this is his first of all the cars he's built. Mark said he used this kit to try out different ideas and new techniques that he will incorporate into future projects. He finished the Chevy in white and tropical turquoise with Testor's spray lacquer.

Paul Hines was busy producing yet more outstanding watercolors of muscle cars. This month it's three Chevy's - a Chevelle, Nova and Camaro, along with a 1974 Pontiac Trans-Am SD455. Paul says there are more exciting cars to come!

John Zachritz has been equally busy with his projects. This month he brought in a Panzerwagen IV Auf D from the Japanese anime show "Girls Und Panzer". John explains that the figure sets that go with the panzer are about $100, so he opted to convert the key chain figures and simply filled in the hole. He used the AK Interactive Blue Filter for early panzers and finished it with Citadel Dull-Cote. He also attempted to put wood grain on various tools on the tank and is happy with his efforts.

He also showed his Airfix Pteranodon, which was originally built by deceased club member, Ray Weicke. The paper used for the water is from the AC Moore scrapbook aisle. He used watercolors to highlight the waves and greens to make it algae filled. Gloss-cote was applied to the fish to make it look wet and a series of acrylic washes to achieve coloration.

John's third offering is a Fossil Excavation Kit of unknown manufacturer. He used Testor's enamel flat rubber wash on it.

Lastly, John showed us his Bandai "Thousand Sunny Ship" from the Japanese cartoon, "One Piece". The model is a submersible/flying/sailing pirate ship. He relates that the build was "a snap" and he used some paint, but mainly relied upon the sticker sheet supplied with the kit. "Stripes were never so easy", he rejoiced!

Larry Osolkowski has added the Marsh Models Chaparral 2 Mosport 1965 to his Chaparral collection. He plans on using MCW Chaparral White lacquer on it. Larry explains that it's a nice kit, simple, but good detail for the scale and it should be a fun, easy build. It was also a rare bargain on eBay.

Larry also showed us a detail set he will be using to augment his Revell of Germany BMW M3 DTM kit. The detail set will replace the weak details provided in the kit and he's planning on building the BMW driven by the American driver, Joey Hand. All Larry's waiting for are the correct decals.

Jim Lewis offers up a current work in progress - turning Dan Fink's 32 Speedwagon into a funny car.

Tom Mooney is another busy fellow this month. First off, he shows us a work-in-progress diorama: a couple of buildings in 1/72nd scale, one by Verlinden and one he built from scratch. The ruined one is one he built from balsa wood and plaster of paris. All paints used were Windsor & Newton artist's oils and pastel powders for weathering. Tom explains that the completed diorama will have a total of four structures, three of which will be in some degree of decimation.

Tom's second offering is his Tamiya 1/12th scale motorcycle, which he finished with Testor's Model Master and Tamiya paints. He explained that it was simple to build and had great details.

He also brought in his collection of World War II armor in 1/72nd scale: an M4 Sherman tank with a 105mm Howitzer, a M4A3 Sherman tank, a Jagdtiger and a Tiger 1 (late) tank. Tom's inspiration in this collection is a typical "face-off", the good guys vs. the bad. The models were finished with a variety of Tamiya paints and Windsor & Newton artist's oils. He also added some scratchbuilt items in the form of canvas tarps and bags.

Al Germann displayed his Heller 1/32nd scale Messerschmitt Bf-109F kit. Al said he re-scribed all of the panel lines and added rivets by using a straight pin. Most of the kit was painted with Tamiya paints, including a custom mix to show a faded look. Al picked this subject when he saw a similar one in a magazine with a desert weathered finish.

Eric Hillebrand demonstrated his interpretation of a SdKFz 250/9 German half-track from WWII. Despite there being some fit issues and the link and length tracks were a "pain", his love of half tracks overwhelmed these obstacles.

Ed Button showed his really neat diorama of Revell's 1/48th scale B-26 Marauder in a factory setting. He kitbashed the interior and plans on finishing with heavy weathering of the grey and olive drab by using the hairspray chipping technique. The title of the diorama is "Glen Martin, Co., Omaha, Nebraska Plant, October 13, 1944"

Justen Hanna offered up his "Ant-nee" challenge, the Eduard Focke-Wulf FW-190 D-13 in 1/48th scale. Justen says he built it straight from the box and used Tamiya, Vallejo and artist's oils for the final finish. "The landing gear fought me on alignment. This one won't be winning any contests." A very fine effort none the less, Justen!

Another model challenge offering is from Jacob Gadek. His Tamiya 1/18th scale Nissan R381 was completed without paint. He relied on the colored plastic instead, but gave it a good wax coat. Jacob used a NASCAR sticker set as the final decoration because the kit decals were all cracked and not worth using. He says that it's a very simple kit and fit "Tamiya perfect"!

Jacob's dad, Mark brought in his completed entry as well, the Mirage 1/48th scale RWD-8 with Polish Air Force markings. Mark explains that it had all the challenges that limited run kits provide; lot's of sanding and dry fitting, but it was a subject not normally seen. Mark finished the kit with the elusive "Polish Khaki" by Pactra.

Mike Szadek chose a "different" subject as well. This one is the Tamiya US Amphibious Ford 1/4 ton GPA Jeep for his challenge entry. Mike used Model Master paints as the final finish.

John Zaranek continues to build his beloved British subjects. This is the newly tooled kit by Airfix, the 1/72nd scale Folland Gnat trainer jet used in the early 1960's by the Royal Air Force. Despite a few fit problems that were easily sorted out using basic modeling skills (filling and sanding), John built it for the challenge straight from the box. He used Tamiya Chrome Silver acrylic, over which he sprayed Humbrol Fluorescent Orange enamel. He also masked and sprayed Tamiya Flat Black for the anti-glare panel on the model's nose. After a Future acrylic gloss coat, he highlighted all panel lines with Payne's Grey artist's oil and added a streaking effect to the flying surfaces. All decals are from the kit and were applied and sealed with Future acrylic gloss. Lastly, and feeling smug, he scratch built a simulated concrete aircraft taxiway by using a discarded award plaque and a sheet of plasticard. The plasticard was sprayed Tamiya Flat Black and then a grid of 4cm x 4cm lines were scribed into the plastic to lay out the concrete blocks. Several coats of various shades of Tamiya greys were applied in a misted pattern between the blocks. The white marking lines were laid out with Tamiya masking tape and sprayed with Tamiya Flat White. The "06" markings were applied with spare decals stolen from an old Grumman Avenger kit. Everything was sealed with Future acrylic gloss, followed by a coat or two of clear matt.

John also displayed a recently discovered sign from the club's NorEastCon XXVII show; apparently, we need a club historian. We also seem to be better at building models than painting signs.

Here are some additional pics from the tables, showing other entries in the Tony's Challenge contest, and other items, including our National contest trophy winners.

And finally, the contest winners and LOSERS.

Thanks to Bob Collignon for the photography.