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Archive for Just For Fun!

Mad-City Modelers Show

by Gerald Voigt
May 9th, 2012

This past weekend I and a few others from our IPMS Steve Wittman Chapter ventured over to attend the Madison based club’s event. As always it was great to see familiar faces I hadn’t seen in some time, but it was noticeable that many of the regulars one usually sees at such shows were missing. We all have other obligations which prevent us from attending but one comment I heard even before the event was…it wasn’t promoted very well.

For some reason, if you asked those running the even you got different reasons as to why. Though the event was listed on the IPMS-USA event directory, no link to the club’s website was provided, nor one to the event itself. For those of us were are capable cyber detectives, we could find it but for those who are computer challenged…a definite missed opportunity to increase turnout.

Vendors. Well there were essentially three. John Vojtech, UMM-USA was there with kits tools and accessories. He said he decided at the last minute to attend. The boys from GC Laser had their awesome display of their products and a diorama showing them in use. Guys if you build military, you need to check out their stuff, their wood products add so much realism to any project! There was also someone selling kits too. In years past the vendor turnout was much better. Sadly, given the space available, there wasn’t really enough for more vendors.

Raffle. This event is known for its raffle! This year there were plenty of items given away and as usual one of our club’s own scored his typical bounty of kits. ;0) He now has enough to keep him busy throughout the year until next years event.

Models! Those models that were on the table were fantastic. The winter weather in the upper midwest  does provide ample time for building. Though this year, we didn’t have much of a winter here in Wisconsin. Record warmth with minimal snowfall.

A diorama of a swimmer inspecting a tank submerged underwater gave such a variety of perspectives. This image shows one from behind the diver. I also have one taken from behind one of the colorful fish swimming near the tank.

Though it could have been better promoted and attended it still was a good show! I’m looking forward to April 2o, 2013 for the next Mad-City Modelers event which will be held in the same location in Cottage Grove (Madison), Wisconsin. I’ll do my best to help them promote it here on the Squawkbox as well as give them some air time on The Plastic Scale Modeling Hour!

 

 

 

Categories Editorial, Just For Fun!, Scale Modeling Contest
Comments (2)

Scratchbuilding

by Gerald Voigt
April 25th, 2012

Today we have a vast array of aftermarket parts, decals and accessories to help us add a greater level of detail to our scale modeling projects. Some of these manufacturers also offer us some very unique parts to modify and or provide stand alone subjects to accompany our projects. One such company which I have mentioned here on the Squawkbox before is Belcher Bits.

Michael Belcher is a scale modeler who loves scratchbuilding what doesn’t exist. His efforts were admired and sought after by other modelers who saw his workmanship. So he decided to start sharing his efforts by selling them at a local venue. Since 1994 Belcher Bits has grown its sales from local, regional, national to international reach.

Michael resides near Ottawa, Canada so it goes without saying that many of the subjects which he scratchbuilds or creates are those which the Canadian military used or are using. His resin sets and decals are first class!

This week I interview Michael on The Plastic Scale Modeling Hour, so you’ll have a chance to learn more about the modeler and his passions for the hobby.

Tune in! Visit Belcher Bits today to see all of the great products they offer!

Categories Just For Fun!, News, Scale Modelers, The Plastic Scale Modeling Hour, Warbird Radio
Comments (0)

USS LEXINGTON

by Gerald Voigt
April 9th, 2012

My recent journeys had me in South Texas which compelled me to make a stop in Corpus Christie, Texas to visit the USS LEXINGTON. If you want to see first hand how the brave men who served aboard these Essex class carriers lived and worked, you need to visit the USS Lexington Museum.

 

The tours of the ship are self guided, but you can request a volunteer guide to escort you or your group. They also offer a behind the scenes tour known as a “Hard Hat Tour” which will take you deeper into the ship which are not normally visited by the public. Well worth the time and extra costs…just remember to take a flashlight as these spaces do not have lighting. I suggest you get one of those lights that clips onto the brim of a baseball cap as well as a small light you can hold in your hand.

The normal tour areas are well lit, but those off the public tour are dark often with zero light other than what is in your hand. Taking pictures in complete darkness even using your cameras flash is hard due to the camera not being able to focus on something it can’t even see. The spaces are cramped, narrow and filled with tripping and head banging hazards…hence the need for a hard hat.

Your senses are keen to what it would have been like on this ship as you make your way through the passageways and compartments. Climbing up and down the steep ladders always aware that one misstep could result in injury or even death really sinks home the life the brave men dealt with each and every day. A ship is a living breathing machine and as such can be either pleasant or mean depending on her mood and that of the sea.

Some of these areas are still functioning, such as those that supply power and communication throughout the ship. Here are a few images which I snapped during our tour of those areas.

So whether your into building models of naval aircraft or ships, touring the USS LEXINGTON will serve as inspiration for your project. It will also give you a greater appreciation of those who served during those difficult times of war.

My thanks to our tour guide, you know who you are. ;0)

Categories Aviation, Just For Fun!
Comments (2)
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