It's hard to believe that this is the last meeting of 2019!
The holiday season is upon us and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
We are trying something different for this meeting - we will be having a flea market buy / sell / trade session for the first 25 minutes of the meeting from 7PM until 7:25. Bring your kits and see if you can get something you "need" at the meeting. We are also having our annual Toys for Tots collection and I hope we exceed last year's collection effort. Thanks Tom Brown for your efforts again this year. Please be generous!
Please bring your models for our table presentation and then we will have our Christmas pizza party.
I hope to see you all there for the celebration!
Rich Bernecki
President
IPMS Niagara Frontier
IPMS USA No. 11470
IPMS Niagara Frontier Meeting Agenda - December 16, 2019
7:00 PM to 7:25 PM - Place models on tables with description forms.
Club trading / selling session - members trading/selling kits before meeting starts.
7:25 PM - Meeting called to order.
Old Business:
- Approve minutes of last general meeting.
New Business:
- Toys for Tots collection.
Questions from the floor.
Table discussion: Members tell the club about the models they have on the tables.
Break: 10 minutes.
Pizza Party immediately after break.
Presentation of Toys for Tots gifts to Marine Corps representative - Tom Brown Sr.
Call for adjournment.
We would like to encourage all club members to join the national IPMS. Help support your hobby on a national level. IPMS provides the insurance that allows us to have our events, and membership includes a nice monthly magazine. The website can be found at: IPMS, and an application form can be found HERE.
Here is the schedule of presentations for upcoming general club meetings:
The December 2019 newsletter of the IPMS Patriot chapter is available HERE.
Any member who needs a club name tag should see Paul Hines at the meeting. We will be ordering name tags in the near future.
The minutes from the November 2019 general meeting are included below. Thanks to our Secretary, Al Germann, for the meeting minutes.
Nov 18th - President Rich Bernecki led the meeting.
To promote greater transparency regarding the operation of the club and the EBoard, action items from the previous month's EBoard meeting will be published in the newsletter. These will not be detailed minutes of the meetings, but highlights that the general membership should be aware of.
December 9 - President Rich Bernecki led the meeting.
Member Name: Bill Borkowski
What kind of modeling? What scale?
Mostly 1/24 scale automotive with some space/scifi and helicopters in various scales.
How did you hear about the club? Why did you join?
Larry O. told me about the club and urged me to attend a few meetings. I did and I don't believe I
have missed more than a couple meetings since.
How long have you been a member?
About 15 years.
Do you have a large stash of kits? If so, how many?
I have about 80 unstarted kits, mostly sports cars. Don't ask me how many started but unfinished
kits I have!
Are you a National IPMS member? If no, why not? If yes, why?
Yes. I like the magazine. It has build articles and covers shows I am unlikely to attend. It also
provides an insight into the IPMS organization.
What do you enjoy the most about the club meetings?
Seeing the models on the table and the exchange of modeling knowledge.
What would you like to see changed about the meetings?
Nothing.
Do you have other hobbies?
Building models seems to consume all my hobby time. Long past hobbies are: photography, calligraphy
and wheel thrown pottery.
Anything else?
Member Name: Michael Patskin
What kind of modeling? What scale?
Aircraft, U.S. Navy jets and Russian in 1/72 and 1/48 for the most part.
How did you hear about the club? Why did you join?
An ad in Fine Scale Modeler after I retired from the Navy in 1998 and moved back to the area.
How long have you been a member?
21 years.
Do you have a large stash of kits? If so, how many?
About 150. I also have a stash of "collectible kits" from the 1950's, 60's and 70's.
Are you a National IPMS member? If no, why not? If yes, why?
No. I may join in the near future.
What do you enjoy the most about the club meetings?
A great bunch of people. I've learned some great techniques from our folks.
What would you like to see changed about the meetings?
The current format I think is the best and Larry does a GREAT job documenting it. (Thanks, Mike.
The check is in the mail.)
Do you have other hobbies and what are they?
I love both kinds of music - Rock and Roll! I have about 5,000 CDS and LPs. I went to Liverpool,
England a few years ago to visit the Cavern Club where the Beatles played.
I also volunteer a LOT of time at the WNY Multiple Sclerosis chapter.
I go to a lot of concerts.
Anything else?
In the navy I was an aviation structural mechanic (hydraulics) and also flew as a load master and
flight engineer on C-131H Samaritan and as a crew chief/flight engineer on C-9B/DC-9-32 Skytrain II
transports. I also flew on HH-IK Huey gunships (SEAL team close air support) as a crew chief/door gunner.
Total flight time 6,000 hours.
I worked on F-14 Tomcat, TA-4J Skyhawk, P-3 Orion, C-131H Samaritan, C-20G Gulfstream, HH-IK Hueys
and C-9B/DC-8-32 Skytrains. I also spent 2 of my 24 years overhauling hydraulic components for A-3, A-4,
A-5, A-6, A-7, C-1, C-2, C-118, E-2, F-4, F-8, RF-8, F-14, H-3 and S-3 aircraft.
I just retired (again) after 20 years at the US Border Patrol. No more going to work - I am looking
forward to attacking the stash this winter!
JUNGLE CATS ON THE FLIGHT DECK
(U.S. Navy Experiments in camouflaged combat aircraft during the Vietnam War)
by John-Allen Price
Starting as early as mid-1965 and continuing to the end of 1968, the U.S. Navy tried a series of camouflage experiments on their carrier-based combat aircraft. Initially, the experiments were performed stateside by VX-5 at Patuxent River, MD, part of the Navy's Operational Test and Evaluation Force.
By April of 1966 air operations in Vietnam increased in tempo with the start of Operation Rolling Thunder. By then the Navy had decided to carry out full-scale experiments utilizing the air wings of two aircraft carriers: U.S.S. "Kitty Hawk" (CVA-63) and her sister ship, U.S.S. "Constellation" (CVA-64).
Outside of the U.S.S. "Enterprise" (CVAN-65) and the U.S.S. "America" (CVA-66), then undergoing fleet acceptance trials, the "Kitty Hawk" and "Constellation" were America's newest super carriers. With the "Kitty Hawk" already assigned to Yankee Station off North Vietnam and the "Constellation" preparing to join her, their aircraft were painted in a wide variety of camouflage schemes.
These ranged from simple one-tone schemes of either Riverine Dark Grey and even Gloss Black seen on A-4s, F-4s, A-6s, A-3Bs and RA-3Bs, to two-tone Green schemes seen on some F-4s, to the most elaborate three-tone schemes of Grey, Brown, various Greens and Sand/Tan on everything from A-1s to A-4s, F-4s, A-6s and RA-5Cs. Aircraft undersides were generally left Gloss White, though for some experiments some were repainted Light Grey.
While the undersides were left with a gloss finish the upper surfaces had a matt or satin/semi-gloss finish. The repainted surfaces were universally given the much-reduced size national insignia common to other camouflaged aircraft operating in Southeast Asia. On the Gloss White under-surfaces the original large-scale insignia were retained, as was all the necessary stencilling and warning symbols.
Most such markings and stencilling were either retained or repainted and some were highlighted with white trim, in particular the jet-intake warning chevrons. Colorful unit markings were not usually retained or repainted; nor were any individual aircraft names or markings applied, owing to the short duration of the project.
None of the camouflage schemes were factory-applied. They were repainted at overseas U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy bases where depot-level maintenance was performed. Reports/rumors indicate bases in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines as well as South Vietnam and Thailand were possibly used. But it's not yet been detailed exactly which ones.
The "Kitty Hawk" began combat operations at Yankee Station in January, 1966. The "Constellation" would arrive several months later, to participate in the start of the Rolling Thunder strikes against North Vietnam's extensive petroleum and oil supply/transport system. These 2 carriers were joined by the "Ranger", a "Forrestal"-class ship, and at least 2 W.W.II-era "Essex"-class carriers which retained their CVA/attack role: the "Hancock" and "Oriskany".
Combat operations were intense, especially around the end of June and into July with extensive strikes on facilities in the Haiphong area. The "Kitty Hawk" lost at least several A-4s during this period, though for her and the "Constellation" their overall combat losses were comparatively light during their time on Yankee Station.
By the end of 1966 the results of the camouflage experiment were judged by the U.S. Navy to be inconclusive and, once the two carriers returned to their home ports, their surviving aircraft shed all their experimental schemes. In 1967 the Navy retired its last combat A-1 Skyraiders, the U.S. Air Force quickly snapping these up, and began replacing their A-4 Skyhawks with the LTV A-7A Corsair II.
Many of the A-4s would return to Vietnam, as part of U.S. Marine Corps attack squadrons. They would operate, like most other U.S.M.C. aircraft assigned to the theater, from land bases such as Da Nang and Chu Lai. By now the A-4s had returned to their original Light Grey and White gloss paint schemes, ironically at a time when their camouflage might have been useful.
A curious feature of the Navy's short-lived test of camouflage schemes on combat aircraft was that none of the planes were flown by the U.S. Marine Corps, whose land-based squadrons would likely have benefited more so than carrier air wings.
Model tables from the November meeting:
Daniel Price brought in his Demon Prince of Tzeench figure, finished with Citadel paints and
Reaper Metallic pigment. No additional weathering was done, and Dan said there were no issues with
the kit. He picked the subject as an alternate model for his gaming.
Al Germann showed us further progress on his diorama of a scene from the TV show "Most Dangerous
Roads with Lisa Kelly", including a JB Model 1/76 Bedford truck. Al said he used Tamiya paints as
washes for the wall. Al said he's having fun and it's turning out well.
Al also had a Revell 1/25 1956 Henry J on display. He replaced/restored the rear wheel openings,
and used the front fender on the rear. Al said he wanted to make it a modern drag car instead of an
old gasser, and he likes the way it's turning out.
Al had one more item on the table, a Monogram Fokker D-VII, currently in Tamiya white primer.
He's replaced the instrument panel, and said the kit's issues were "the usual stuff". Al said the
kit was a gift, and he likes WWI aircraft.
Maryann Germann showed us her progress on her Airfix 1/12 Anne Boleyn figure. She's using
Tamiya paints with airbrushing and brushed gold accents, and finds the subject interesting.
Tim Grieve brought in a Lindberg Nantucket Light Ship. He used Model Color and Testors paints,
with no weathering or modifications done. Tim said he thought it was an interesting subject, and
he enjoyed the research. It was not a weekend project.
Mark Gadek showed us his Airfix 1/24 Hellcat. He said he used primer so far, and a little
interior green and zinc chromate green for the cockpit and engine bay. Mark modified and scratch-built
the interior, along with Eduard accessories, and added wiring and hoses to the engine. He said
there were a lot of sink marks in visible areas, and the parts fit was tight. He chose the kit
for it's size and the prospect of super detailing.
Tom McGuire brought in a Dragon 1/350 USS Ticonderoga. It was finished with Tamiya paints and
a Mig enamel wash, and had White Ensign photo-etch details added. Tom said there were no issues
with the kit, and he built it in honor of a friend's daughter serving in the Navy.
Larry Osolkowski took a break from his resin Indycar model to display another work-in-progress,
a Hasegawa 1/24 BMW 2002tii. Larry finished the wheels and dashboard, and started working on the
chassis and interior. The chassis had a poorly-molded front sway bar, which he removed and is
scratch-building a replacement. The interior is bucket-style, which meant no door panel detail,
so Larry cut out the door panels and is scratch-building trim and armrests, and will add window
winders and door handles.
Larry also found a couple of new sources for 1/24 wheel valve stems. One set came from
Aber, a company better known for its armor detailing bits; these are machined brass. The other
set is from Decalcas, and comes as a block containing 50 cast resin pieces. They look good and
are a lot cheaper than the machined metal bits.
Dick Schulenberg brought in three models this month. The first was a Valom 1/72 McDonnel
F-101C Interceptor. Dick used Tamiya spray can "Natural Metal" along with Vallejo acrylics for
all other colors. He incorporated a Cobra Company resin seat, wheels and exhausts, and an
Aeroclub metal nose gear leg. Dick said that the kit decals worked great, except that some
stencils were oversize so he substituted Microscale. He added no weathering except for exhaust
staining using blue and brown water color pens. Dick mentioned that the instructions were pretty
vague in spots, and he needed references for things like landing gear placement. Dick loves 50's
fighters, and wants to do an F-101B from Niagara Falls AFB.
Dick's second subject was a 1/72 MPM Hispano Aviation HA 200 Saetta Spanish Air Force Trainer.
He used Tamiya spray can "Silver Leaf" for the fuselage, with Vallejo acrylics for everything else.
The canopy frames are "painted" with a silver Sharpie pen, cleaned up with a toothpick. Dick
replaced the nose gear leg with wire after breaking off the kit part, and the rest is out-of-box.
He said the kit decals, though nearly 30 years old, worked perfectly, and there were no issues
with the kit. Dick mentioned that the subject is unusual, and it's a 50's jet - what could be
better.
The third model shown by Dick was a 1/72 Monogram F8F-1 Bearcat (1967 kit date). He used
Vallejo acrylic Model Air Glossy Sea Blue, which worked great and was a good color match. The
decals came from a mid-1980's reissue of the kit. He added a Hi-Tech brand resin wheel well,
cockpit and wheels. The model has no weathering yet, but the dull finish will be the basis for
weathering later; he has some weathering pencils to try out. Dick said the kit by itself was
fine, but dated, but the resin was problematic, with fit issues and vague instructions. He
picked the subject because he liked the French decals and it continues his current post-WWII
obsession. Dick commented that he broke the landing gear six times, didn't remember to trial
fit the canopy before painting and had to use quite a bit of filler to blend in because the
resin cockpit caused the fuselage to bulge out. Oops.
Jim Greenfield showed us his Zvezda 1/350 Kursk submarine. It was finished with Testors and
Tamiya paints, and Citadel washes, and was built out-of-box with no weathering yet. Jim
mentioned that the kit has only half of the torpedo tubes, so he had to scribe the others. He
was inspired by watching the movie "The Command" on Netflix about the sinking of the Kursk.
Jim also had a work-in-progress, an Eduard 1/48 Henkel 280 Jet Fighter prototype. No
paint has been applied yet. Jim said the stock kit is unarmed, so he's going Luftwafte
1946 and gunning it up. He chose the subject because "it's different".
Eugene Paveljack brought in a Vulcan 1/35 Ordnance QF 2-Pounder British Anti-tank gun.
He primed it with Tamiya flat black and finished it with Tamiya desert sand. The model is still
a work-in-progress.
Eugene also showed us his Bronco 1/35 OQF 40mm Bofors British Army Anti-aircraft gun. He
used Mig British Olive Drab paint, and is still working on this one as well.
Paul Hines had three new automotive paintings based on a hot rod theme. The first two
are 3-window coupes with chopped tops and different front ends. The third is a 5-window coupe
with a chopped top. Paul said he likes hot rods because no two are alike, and he appreciates
the skill involved with the mechanicals, bodywork and paint jobs.
Paul also had a painting of a Volvo P1800 on display.
Dave Armitage brought in another collection of models, starting with a Model Trailways
1/12 Doctor's Buggy from the 1880's. It was finished with acrylics and enamels. Dave said
the kit included photo-etch, soft metal, and wood parts, but the soft metal axles were easily
bent. He likes older subjects.
Dave's next subject was a Woodland Scenics HO-scale plastic kit of an old barn. He
painted it with the usual acrylics, along with washes and drybrushing. It was built for his
model railroad.
Dave also had an ICM San Francisco House model on display, finished in acrylics. He
said he got the kit in a box from an auction, and it will also go on his model railroad.
The next item in Dave's collection was an Estes Industries 1/43 Great Garage with
metal car kit. It was finished with acrylics and enamels, and he bought the kit at an
auction for $10. Dave said he doesn't really care for modern cars, especially Chevys,
but he liked the garage and any 1/43 car will fit.
Dave also had a Thunder Models 1/35 German Gedeckter Guterwagen G10 railroad
box car, finished with acrylics along with washes and drybrushing. He mentioned that he
lost a couple of PE parts to the carpet monster, and had to fabricate replacements. Dave
said the model will be part of a WWII diorama, and he saw the kit in the Squadron catalog.
Dave's last item was a 1/24 Coffee Shop, painted with acrylics. He said the foliage was
tedious to cut and make. Dave mentioned that he has almost a dozen similar kits, and he likes
them because they are not your usual model projects.
Alan Gryfe showed us his Rapido 1/87 (HO) 1970's GM Model T6H-5307N Transit Bus. The model
came pre-decorated, but he will be adding decals and a destination sign. Alan said this was the
most accurate model of this bus in any scale. He mentioned that he's been lusting after one of
these ever since it came out, since it's the closest he'll ever get to owning a real one.
There were a couple of unidentified items on the tables. Please make sure that Larry
Osolkowski gets your info sheet before you leave.
Finally, some around-the-room photos.
Thanks to Rich Bernecki for passing the microphone around for the tables, and Larry
Osolkowski for the photography.
