...or News from the Nameless One
With the summer months fading off into the distance and the "daily grind" starting to factor in, it would seem that September would be a rather depressing time. For me, however, this means less grass-cutting and more sprue cutting.
Fall is actually my favorite time of year. The weather is perfect, chores become less toilsome and garden work almost goes away completely. This has historically (since high school) been the kick off of my "modeling season." This is a time to wrap up started projects and swiftly and ambitiously get myself in over my head in new ones. Shows will be starting up again (ROCON is Sept. 25th y'all!) as will our club E-board meetings. Despite having not actually gone anywhere, it's good to be back.
Back to business: as usual, our next meeting will be Monday, Sept. 19th in the basement of the Harlem Rd. Community Center. That's right folks, we are still in the basement. There was an issue that arose late last week with the venue and there was a good chance that we were going to have to meet in another spot in the Center. However, the issue was cleared up and nothing has changed. Again, we are meeting where we always do, in the basement of the Community Center.
We are going to have a "Photographing Your Model" demo by Bob Collignon. From what I'm told, Bob has taken a picture or two in his day and is willing to share his knowledge of "shooting up close." Folks are invited to bring their own cameras to try out some of Bob's techniques on the spot to see what they may be doing wrong or right. This one should be really good folks. If anyone should be putting on a photography demo it's Bob. He has, after all, been able to feed himself and his family for decades with his photographic skill/art and still have plenty of loot leftover for all those snazzy sandles.
Also, I have a couple of reminders to throw out there. Firstly, this month will be the "exchanging of the Timmy's." For those of you that were on my team for this summer's Timmy's Challenge, please bring in the $5 Tim Horton gift card that Bob Collignon's team so rightfully earned. Thus closes another chapter in our club's fine tradition of ill-advisedly mixing models and caffeine.
September also means that E-board is back in session. This month's E-board meeting will be held at Joe Szczygiel's house. The meeting will be at 7pm on Monday, Sept. 26th. Please ask Joe or myself for directions.
That's all for now folks,
See you Monday!
Justen Hanna
President
IPMS Niagara Frontier
IPMS USA #45680
Notes from the August 2011 Meeting
Brian McFee was the model table moderator for August.
Mike Butry had a British Red Arrow in 1/32 scale by Revell. He reports that it's a
nice kit. Or at least it seems that way - he hasn't had time to look at it closely because
he is busy at work. He is bugged by the fact that the instrument panel is a decal.
Mark Budniewski showed his 1932 Ford, one of two he had on hand. He noted the differences
in the kits, one an AMT from 1981 and the other a newer edition. Mark scratch built the under
carriage and used automotive touch-up paint for the finish.
Eric Hillebrand shared a pair of 1/16 scale figures to display with his finished FT-17
tank. Eric points out that the torsos on both figures are exactly the same and that, although
one figure is holding a pistol, the holster on his belt holds a pistol. Eric also brought
along a 120mm Desert Rat figure.
Tom Faith brought a couple of very cool miniature statue diorama accessories from
Tiger Works. One is a religious statue and the other is a cylindrical display for posters
and hand bills. Tom also had a 1/35 scale tractor that he intends to convert to a captured
German version. Tom did some extensive scratch building on the model.
Dave Armitage brought along a couple of well-done shadow boxes. One depicts a Buffalo
manufactured by Atlantis, another of a Bear family. He also brought a shadow box of an
abandoned 1/25 scale car. Dave replicated the chicken wire used to upholster the roof of
the Model T by using a bit of bridal veil material. All Dave's shadow boxes were detailed
with tree stumps, signs backgrounds and wildlife.
Mark Gadek shared a 1/32 scale Ki-84 Frank Japanese Fighter which he refinished by
removing the old paint with oven cleaner. The result is spectacular!
A P-47 Thunderbolt by Hasegawa in 1/48 scale was displayed by Steve Donacek. He's built
it right out of the box, having only added tape seat belts. He also brought a 1/48 Hasegawa Bf-109.
Then it was on to the Timmy's Challenge models...
Dave Schwab started off with the "Nuclear Rodeo" model from Squadron, depicting a famous
scene from the movie "Dr. Strangelove." Dave finished the model in a monochromatic gray color
scheme. Dave photocopied a photograph of a launch base to use on the base of the figure.
Tony G finished his 1940 Ford while watching the races at Watkins Glenn. He reports that
he had an audience of about twenty people asking questions and observing his progress.
A Fieseler Storch was Frank Del Russo's entry for the contest. He built it out of box
and it's the third airplane model he's built. The 1/72 scale Aurora/Heller kit had some fit
problems, but Frank got it assembled, and that's what counts!
Dick Schulenberg brought a French armor carrier in 1/35 scale. The gun is from an old
Heller kit as are the figures.
Bill Borkowski showed his Pegasus Apollo Space Vehicle which he says went together very nicely.
An F-16 was entered by Joe Szciegel who was out for a smoke.
Brian McFee displayed his AC-13 helicopter. He did a few modifications to it and got the
display base from JoAnne's Fabrics.
Bob Raithel showed a 1/72 scale Italieri Skdf-234 Armored car. It went together easily
and produced a stunningly well-crafted model. According to Bob, anyway.
Jacob Gadek proudly displayed his 1/48 scale Zero Japanese fighter. The Pegasus kit
went together easily and Jacob had fun building it!
Justen Hanna - team leader of the defeated Timmy-builders - showed a nicely done Me-163
Komet complete with diorama base. The biggest challenge was getting the canopy to stay
open, which he solved with Gator Glue.
Bob Collignon's Space Ship consisted of five parts. So he added some more parts: two
marbles, some tubing and a couple of lights. Bob is just happy that it was on the winner's table!
Tom Faith entered a 1/35 scale Russian Truck. He detailed the engine, opened the doors,
used the clear plastic from shirt collars as replacement windows, added photo-etched treadplate
for the steps, build the box on the back of the truck out of scale lumber, and added
after-market tires.
Steve Weller brought a 1/124 scale USS California ship. The kit had two dozen parts
and he made a new radar screen out of spare photo-etched scraps. The War-game scale ship
made by GHQ, is very accurate, according to Steve. (Sorry, no photo.)
Jerry Fuglewicz built a Cartoon Network Stock car for the Timmy Challenge. He reports
a few fit problems, but got the model together for the deadline!
Mark Budniewski brought a second 1932 Ford, this one in a burgundy paint scheme. The
Revel kit was built mainly out of box with a few details scratch-built and replaced with
after-market parts. Mark reports that the kit was well engineered and went together easily.
Frank Blonski's Shelby Cobra was displayed on a revolving stand. After applying the
paint to the model, Frank gave it three coats of clear lacquer to give it a high gloss
finish. He used Alclad for the chrome parts and detailed the headlights.
Larry Osolkowski had a few paint problems with his Mercedes Benz race car, but was
able to remove the paint with 91% Isopropyl alcohol. He then applied Model Master Metalizer
followed by automotive 2-part clear coat. Larry reports that the decals from the 25
year-old kit went on flawlessly with the use of Micro Sol setting solution. The fluorescent
green mirrors were a nice touch!
An Su-27 Frogfoot was John Zaranek's entry, and he didn't enjoy the building process.
The model required a lot of filler. He mounted the model on a tripod stand because he lost
the landing gear.
A MIG 3 was brought by Rich Bernecki. He accessorized the model with a tarp to conceal
a problem with the aileron.
Dan Marafino had a Me-109 for the Timmy Challenge. The 1/48 Eduard kit had a couple of
fit problems. The finish was done in a drab, but accurate scheme.
Mark Gadek displayed a 1/48 scale Me 410. The canopy was a challenge, coming in several
parts. He used after-market seat belts. The ariel wires were made with beading string.
Samantha Hanna entered a 1/35 scale Tamiya rocket-equipped Jeep. She reports a lot
of filling and sanding was needed. She is generally pleased with the camouflage paint job
and the over all results.
Finally, some photos of members around the room and the model tables.
As always, thanks to Bob Collignon for the photography.
Renewal of our Special Offer for All IPMS Niagara Frontier Members for 2011 - 2012
We had another good year at BuffCon so the Executive Board has determined that we
can extend our special IPMS USA national membership support offer for a third year,
through the end of April 2012.
We will rebate ½ of the cost for a one-year membership to IPMS USA for new national
memberships and renewals. The tangible benefit to this membership is 6 bimonthly copies
of the excellent modeling publication IPMS Journal.
Adult memberships are $25.00 per year and Juniors (17 years old and under) are $12.00,
so your rebates are $12.50 and $6.00 respectively.
You complete and submit the application (you can get one from Dave Schwab) along with
your payment directly to IPMS USA or do it on line at the
National website.
You will receive a membership card in the mail a few weeks later.
To get your rebate, you just have to show your current IPMS USA member card to Dave
Schwab and he will give you money. How simple is that?
The E-Board encourages everyone to take advantage of this offer. It's a good way to
get your feet wet and see what IPMS USA is all about.
2011 Tim Horton's Challenge Teams
| Justen Hanna's Team | Bob Collignon's Team |
| Justen Hanna | 1/48 Me-163 | Bob Collignon | Fantasy space ship |
| Tony Gliszczynski | 1/25 1940 Ford Convertible | Samantha Hanna | 1/35 M151A2 |
| Bob Raithel | 1/72 Sdkfz-234 armored car | John Zaranek | 1/48 Su-25 Frogfoot |
| Joe Szczygiel | 1/48 F-16C/J | Jerry Fuglewicz | 1/24 NASCAR Cartoon Network |
| Frank Del Russo | Storch | Mark Budniewski | 1/25 1932 Ford Coupe |
| Joe Saccomanno | 1/25 Don Garlits Dragster | Scott Udave | Weird-Oh Hot Dog Hang Ten |
| Kayla Nichter | P-51B Mustang fighter | Rich Bernecki | 1/48 MiG 3 |
| Dave Schwab | Thermonuclear Rodeo figure | Dan Marafino | 1/32 Bf-109E |
| Brian McFee | 1/48 Bell 47E | Steve Weller | 1/2400 Oklahoma |
| Bill Borkowski | 1/72 Apollo 27 rocket | Larry Osolkowski | Sauber Mercedes C9 |
| Tom Brown Sr. | 1/1 Miquelet pirate pistol | Tom Faith | GAZ-AAA |
| Dick Schulenberg | 1/35 UE armored carrier | Frank Blonski | Shelby Cobra 427 S/C |
| Jacob Gadek | 1/48 Japanese Zero fighter | Mark Gadek | 1/48 Me-410 |
Thunder of Niagara Air Show Thanks IPMS Niagara Frontier
by Stan Keysa
Reprinted below is an email received from Paul Faltyn, Vice President and Curator
for the Niagara Aerospace Museum, extending thanks for the great job done by club members
at the "Thunder of Niagara" Air Show on September 10th and 11th. I understand the Air Force
officers considered the P-39 exhibit and your associated models to be one of the top drawing
exhibits.
Please accept my appreciation also for your generous donation of time and expertise. My
only regret is that so many models ended up with damage. I guess that was part of the process
of engaging so many - especially youngsters - in understanding the tremendous impact this area
made on aviation history.
Again, many thanks!
Stan,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees I want to thank you and the group of volunteers that
you assembled to present the Bell P-39Q to the public at the Thunder of Niagara Airshow.
I was very impressed that the volunteers made the effort to learn the history and story of
Miss Lend Lease. As I observed and the positive comments I received during the event about the
knowledge, courtesy and professionalism of the volunteers, you portrayed a very positive image
on behalf of your association and the museum and our goals.
As with any event of this size there were a few obstacles, but in the end it all worked out
and I believe everyone involved had a great time. As I told your members, we would be very happy
to host an event at the Wheatfield facility and show them the aircraft we have stored at the other
end of the building.
Again, thank you for your assistance and I look forward to working with you again in the near
future.
Sincerely,
Paul D. Faltyn
Vice President / Curator
