Hawkeye’s Squawkbox

Well it might be a bit of an exaggeration, but if you look at the clock on the wall and the darkness outside the windows you can see that it was getting late. The three of us (left to right) Gerald, Billy and Shari are at our kitchen table going over some last minute details related to the transition of Aerospace Modeler’s “back office” operations to Zero To Sixty Marketing. Preproduction of issue # 10 has begun and it will be another gotta have issue. Aerospace Modeler magazine is not only for the model builders but the armchair aviation enthusiast as well. The number of aviation minded folks who don’t build models who I have shown the magazine to are thrilled with all of the references and images.

MINICRAFT MODELS
Shari and I visited Minicraft Models yesterday after seeing Billy to the airport for his flight home. We visited with the company’s owner Norma Huff and Lewis Nace. We were given the “Nickel Tour” and introduced to the staff. Then we adjourned to the conference room where the four of us had a lengthy and informative discussion. For those of you out there, Minicraft has several projects in the works as well as some new ideas they’re investigating. Minicraft has been around for more than 40 Years and there is a reason for that…they care about this hobby as much as the modelers who purchase their products do. Minicraft is committed to improving its product quality as well as its variety of subjects offered. Many of which I feel will spark renewed interest in the modeling hobby for generations to come. I want to be one of the first to purchase these new subjects when they come available! What are they…well I can’t tell you but you’ll be both surprised and excited when you do get to see them.

Also, if you’re really looking to build something totally different, check out Minicraft’s Noah’s Ark. This kit is a great educational tool not only for those who follow Christian beliefs, but also those who study the design of ships. If you’ve built one of these models, send me an email with a picture of it. I’d like to include it in my blog. If you haven’t you should, consider donating the built model to your church for use in its youth educational program.

EXCEL

Has released a new Pin Vise that I find a great bargain as well as useful modeling tool. It features two double ended collets which store internally. The cushioned grip and handle end will make using the tool very comfortable on those projects where a lot of holes need drilling. The MSRP lists as $14.98 and has been assigned part number 70035 which will be available soon at your local hobby retailer.

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We spent three very long and intense days at iHobby Expo and it was worth every minute of it. Though if you were to have asked us that while our feet, knees and backs were aching from being on our feet all day, you might have heard something a bit different.

I want to give a special thanks to those who stopped by to say “Hi” to my wife and I. Seeing familiar faces, reaffirming acquaintances and meeting new folks for the first time is always a pleasure. Products aside, it is the people that make this industry and hobby what it is.

The expo showcased not only established companies in our industry but those seeing its potential and joining into the fun and excitement it offers. One such veteran is Lindberg/Hawk, to which I must salute Ernie Petit, a man who has a great passion for modeling and kids. I had the opportunity to have a great conversation with someone new to our industry Raymond Wong at Grex a manufacturer of airbrushes. Our conversation wasn’t centered around products as much as it was about the industry and the hobby. Raymond’s optimism was refreshing and I can’t wait to experience the use of his products…maybe at next years expo I’ll get the chance.

If you think plastics is dead, well you’re absolutely WRONG! One barometer was the attendance at the Plastics and Diecast Division Counsel meeting on Friday evening. It was the best attended membership meeting of the other three including the General Division Counsel which I am a member of. They want to succeed as do the rest but their attendance numbers tell me they are serious too.

An Atta Boy! also goes out to Mark Fothergill at Replicarz and Alian Morot at Minichamps our conversations at the Plastic/Diecast meeting was nothing less than positive and forward thinking. No wonder you guys have been so successful!

A sad note that still has a positive ending. This year we lost David Huff, President of Minicraft Models. I met David and he was a genuine nice guy. His passing was a sad moment for many of us, even those of us like me who barely knew him and of his achievements. But his spirit continues forward through his wife Norma Huff who has taken firm control of the reigns at Minicraft. Supporting her is another really great man, Lewis Nace. Working with folks like this is one of the main reasons I enjoy this industry.

Special THANK YOU! to the crew from Accurate Miniatures. They gave us (Aerospace Modeler Magazine) a place to use as a base camp and display our product. Yes, Accurate Miniatures too is another one of those companies that is forward thinking and understands what it is going to take to keep this hobby vibrant. Bob, John, Steve and Tom…SALUTE!

Xuron. The new sprue cutter I designed was very well received and production tooling is the next step to make them a reality. They’re coming soon! Everyone who stopped by to visit and inspect them said they liked them. Even Michael Gross gave them a look see while he visited the Xuron booth.

Allan Iwig from Excel, is another pleasant highlight at the expo. I can sit and converse with Allan for hours…some of it just for fun, but much more of it is solid business and industry related discussions.

A couple of other tidbits of information. I was able to renew interest in yet another new tool idea to a company that I pitched to them last year. With the preliminary success of the sprue cutter I did for Xuron they are keen to take my idea forward. I can’t tell you who it is, but when I can I will share it with you. I will say it will help make finishing your model much easier.

I’m looking forward to next year! Retailers who make the decision not to attend, should consider doing so. Why? Because it is apparent those who do are being successful in their business operations. This expo provides more than just an opportunity to view product and place orders. There are educational and promotional benefits as well.

Lastly, for those of you wishing to see a comprehensive list of what the manufacturers are releasing, visit Michael Benolkin’s Cybermodeler website. Thanks Michael for composing such a great list!

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I know many of you are aware that this week is the 2008 iHobby Expo in Chicago, the US equivalent to the Nuremburg and Tokyo Toy Shows. We’re putting the final touches on a major project that we’ll be unveiling there, lucky for you you’re a subscriber to my blog, so you get to see it in just a few moments. So we’re winding down our daily operations here and winding up for the trip south.

Aerospace Modeler Magazine has already reached the larger distributors as well as many of the subscribers by the time I post this. Retailers should be seeing theirs too, so those who purchase copies from their local hobby shop will soon find them on the rack.

Billy Crisler will be spending several days with us after iHobby, at which time we will begin the process of getting issue #10 into preproduction. Though I can’t share what will be included in issue #10, I will tell you this, the quality of the material being submitted is FANTASTIC! I am also planning to show Billy EAA’s AirVenture Museum and attend our local model club meeting. If you’re within driving distance, and want to meet Billy come to our meeting. Tuesday October 21st 7:00 PM at the HobbyTown USA in Oshkosh, WI. Drop me a note if you need more details on how to get there.

For those of you awaiting word on the new sprue cutter from Xuron which I designed, a preproduction unit will be available for previewing during iHobby at the Xuron booth. A preproduction unit will be on hand for folks to cut and snip at sprues with. When will they be available for purchase, I wish I had the final definitive answer but things are looking good for a end of year or early next year release. If sufficient interest is expressed by the retailers in attendance at iHobby, it will help the process along.

For those of you order my products, any order received between Tuesday Oct 15 and Sunday Oct 20th will not be processed and shipped until Monday Oct 20th. Why…we’re at iHobby during that time!

Photo Contest winner will not be announced until after we return from iHobby Expo. I know there is great anticipation by some for this announcement, but with the standing up of Aerospace Modeler operations, HMA’s website and other tasks with short deadlines we had to set this aside temporarily.

I’m planning on providing you with show updates while I’m at iHobby, stay tuned!

I’m really hoping that this trip gets me back into the modeling workshop…I need it! The stress relief it provides is awesome…and with everything that has been going on, I need that kind of medicine.

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