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Next Club Contest

The June 7th Meeting is the

Double Theme (Points) Contest:

Theme 1: "Cold War"

Theme 2: "Cherche La Femme" (Look for the Woman)

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The May 3rd Meeting was the

"Single, In-Lined Engined Aircraft"

Special (Non-Points) Contest

Model Workshop:  Rigging Aircraft by Brian Peck

______________________________________________

Upcoming ASM Contests Info

June 7th -  Double Theme Points Contest:
Theme 1:
"Cold War"
Theme 2:
"Cherche La Femme" (Female-named subjects)

July 12th - "Open" Theme (Points) Contests

August 2nd - ASM Swap Meet with no contests

For further details on upcoming contests, click on the link below to the

ASM Contest Schedule section of the websiteContest Schedule

------------------------------------------------------------

Please stay tuned for changes to the schedule

February 1 What Judges Look For, Especially at IPMS Contests
March 1 Building / Filling / Sanding With Cyano-Acrylates - Postponed
April 5 Building / Filling / Sanding With Cyano-Acrylates
May 3 Rigging Aircraft & Stretched-Sprue Antennas
June 7

Weathering Armor

July 7 Airbrushing Effects
September 13 Applying Decals
October 4 Washing and Weathering with Oil Paint
November 1 TBD

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Next Sponsored Contest

May 3rd:

"Revell 1/32nd Scale He-219 Uhu (Owl)"

Hosted by Hobby Proz

*** Note:  The He 219 Sponsored Contest has been postponed until further notice ***


 

Upcoming Sponsored Contests:

July 12th:  "North African Armor" - Sponsored by Jim Guld & Tony Humphries

September 13th:  "Rotary Wing Aircraft" - Sponsored by Gil De La Plain

For further details on upcoming Sponsored Contests, click on the link below to the

Sponsored Contest ROE


Upcoming Events Calendar

January 12-13, 2013 Albuquerque Comic Con, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Albuquerque NM. 
See ASM Trip Report from the 2011 event.  See ASM Trip Report for the 2012 Event.
January 13 Matilda Group Build Meeting at 1:00 PM at Tony Humphries's house. 
January 20 5th Annual Plastic Model Swap Meet & Contest, Tucson, AZ; Region 10, IPMS/Tucson  Contact: sigandtoby@q.com  520-575-9045  
February 2 Model Car Contest, sponsored by the Albuquerque Model Car Club, at Expo New Mexico, in conjunction with the 21st Annual Super Nationals Custom Auto Show
February 16 CoMMiESFest 4, Golden, Colorado; Region 10, IPMS/CoMMiES
Contact: Mr.Badwrech64@gmail.com
February 24 NM AMPS meeting at 1:00 PM at Dave Miller's house.  Contact Jim Guld or Dave Miller for directions.
March 7 Albuquerque Aviation History Group Presentation: Steve Whitman's "Buttercup" (Home-built aircraft). 7:00 PM, Community Fellowship Church, 4800 Indian School NE, Albuquerque
April 4 Tulsa Modelers Forum Open Contest European Autospecialist, 4121 S. 72nd East Ave, Tulsa OK.  Tulsa Modelers Forum - Region 6.  Contact: David Horn   918-810-1880
April 4 Albuquerque Aviation History Group Presentation: Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft in Dakar, Senegal. 7:00 PM, Community Fellowship Church, 4800 Indian School NE,  Albuq
April 18-20 AMPS 2013 International Convention , Atlanta Marriott Century Center, Atlanta GA
April 19-21 StarFest 2013 Science Fiction Convention, Denver Tech Center, Denver Colorado. 
Model Show hosted by IPMS/Colorado Modeling Militia Enjoying Sc-Fi (CoMMiES). 
Click here for further information.
April 20 Westfest 2013,  Grand Junction, CO,  Region 10, IPMS Grand Junction Modelers Society.  Contact:  Jim Hockett,  shermaholic@aol.com
April 27 Model Mania 2013, Stafford Center, 10505 Cash Road, Houston TX.  IPMS Houston - Region 6.  Contact:  Richard Kern   713-320-3599
May 2 Albuquerque Aviation History Group Presentation: The Boeing B-47 Shakedown (Test Flights);  7:00 PM at Community Fellowship Church, 4800 Indian School NE, Albuquerque
May 4 Best of the West 18, Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino, 2800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson NV.  IPMS Las Vegas - Region 8.  Click here for additional information.
May 11 Scalefest, Hampton Suites & Convention Center, 1700 Rodeo Dr, Mesquite TX. 
IPMS North Central Texas - Region 6.  Contact:  Don Capone   214-957-2907
May 19 NM AMPS meeting at 1:00 PM at Paul Kirchner's house.  Contact Jim Guld or Paul Kirchner for directions.
June 6 Albuquerque Aviation History Group Presentation: Career of Admiral Parsons, Naval Ordnance & Manhattan Project. 7:00 PM at Community Fellowship Church, 4800 Indian School NE, Albuquerque
June 21-23 Albuquerque Comic Expo 2013 (ACE) at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Click here to see ASM Model Display at ACE 2012.
June 20-22 Squadron EagleQuest XXII, Grapevine TX
August 3 HAMS Seventh Annual Model Car Contest, Cypress Creek Christian Community Center
6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring TX.  Houston Automotive Modelers Society - Region 6.
Contact:  Rob McQuown   281-537-6957
August 8-11 Star Trek Convention - Las Vegas 2013, Rio Suites Hotel, Las Vegas NV
See Star Trek Trip Report from the 2011 event.
August 14-17 IPMS/USA National Convention, The Thin-Air Nationals.  JQ Hammons Conference Center, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland CO.  IPMS Centennial - Region 10. 
Contact:  Chuck Holte   719-590-6270
August 23-25 Bubonicon 45 Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, Albuquerque Marriott Uptown
2101 Louisiana Blvd NE (Louisiana & I-40), Albuquerque, NM
September 6-7 New Mexico State Fair  ASM-Sponsored Model Contest; Model registration dates are TBD: Probably Fri Sep 6 & Sat Sep 7 from 8 AM to 5 PM. Judging may be Mon, Sep 9. 
September 7 IPMS Reno High Rollers 14th Annual Invitational Contest, Desert Heights Elementary School, 13948 Mt. Bismark, Stead NV.  IPMS Reno High Rollers - Region 9. 
Contact:  Douglas E. Summers   775-835-0140
September 14 SuperCon 2013,  Bob Duncan Community Center - Vandergriff Park, 2800 S. Center Street , Arlington TX.  IPMS - Fort Worth Scale Modelers - Region 6.
Contact:  Bryan Tucker   817-505-8979

Please notify the ASM Webmaster of any additional events that should be included.



Notes and News Items


IPMS Region 10 Chapter Award Winners for 2012-2013 Announced

 

Mike Mackowski, the IPMS Region 10 Coordinator, announced the Region 10 award winners for 2012-2013 in the below E-Mail:

Subject::  IPMS Region 10 Chapter Award Winners Announced
Greetings,
I have completed my evaluation of all of the great work the clubs in Region 10 have done over the last year.  

Congratulations to the following chapter award recipients for 2012-13:

  Chapter of the Year - Phoenix / Craig Hewitt, Keith Pieper, president
  Website of the Year - Albuquerque Scale Modelers, Mike Blohm, webmaster
  Newsletter of the Year - High Plains Gazette, editor Jeff Brown

There are more details on this link .
At some point the national office will send a plaque to the regional chapter of the year.  The other two award winners get my unending admiration and the justification to announce such achievement on their website and newsletter. All winners are forwarded to the Director of Local Chapters for consideration for national level awards.
Thanks,
Mike Mackowski
IPMS Region 10 Coordinator


 

ASM at Albuquerque Comic Expo 2013

ASM100.jpg (82854 bytes)   IPMSUSA%20Logo%20LD.jpg (17589 bytes)

 

ASM will be participating in Albuquerque Comic Expo 2013 as we did in 2012.  ACE 2013 will be held at the Albuquerque Convention Center on 21-23 June.  ASM will conduct its model display on Saturday, 22 June and Sunday. 23 June.  Stand by for more information on where ASM will be located in the convention center and whether any new events such as Make 'N Takes or modeling demonstrations will be held.  Click here to see the trip report on the ASM Model Display at ACE 2012.  It was a really fun time in 2012, so mark your calendars and get building on your science fiction and comic-related models. 


New Mexico AMPS Meeting

Sunday, May 19th at 1:00 PM

by James Guld

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The next meeting of the New Mexico (NM) Armor Modeling and Preservation Society (AMPS) will be held on
Sunday, May 19th at 1:00 PM at Paul Kirchner's house.  Please contact Jim Guld or Paul Kirchner for directions.
Bring your latest armor projects or finished pieces.  Click here for more information on NM AMPS.

 


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ASM 2012 Model of the Year Winners

2012 Model
of the Year
Juniors

2012 Model
of the Year

Basic

2012 Model
of the Year
Intermediate
2012 Model
of the Year

Masters
Aleya Montano Matthew Blohm Gil De La Plain Dave Straub
Darth Vader
TIE Fighter
F4F-3 Wildcat
Butch O'Hare
Buick Grand National Gun Carrier USS Langley
Seaplane Tender

 

Modeler of
the Year
Juniors
Modeler of
the Year
Basic
Modeler of
the Year
Intermediate
Modeler of
the Year
Masters
Aleya Montano Matt Blohm Tony Humphries John Tate



Current Articles

________________________________________________________________________________

Deadline to submit proposed ASM Newsletter articles to

Joe Walters is the 20th of the month prior.


ASM E-Board Articles


The Prez's Fez

by Tony Humphries, ASM President

This month I would like to look at a less obvious area that sometimes affects us as modelers. When we buy a kit and it looks cool in the shop, it's an interesting subject, in the right scale etc. we often don't think about what will happen if there are problems with it. What if you are missing a part? Or what if one or more parts are not molded correctly?  Maybe the decals are mis-aligned? Or a part is broken?

Well, a number of manufacturers have services in place to assist with this. Unfortunately, the quality of these services varies enormously. Let us look at a few examples:

DML/Dragon: They are certainly famous within the armor modeling world (and presumably aircraft too) for the quality of their parts and after sales service. In much the same way that Attila the Hun was known for his scented-candle export business. I have heard of people who have waited for more than a year for parts and even more who never received them no matter what they did. Others seem to have had no problems, however, so there must be a trick to this. Whether it requires bribery, corruption, threats, pre-emptive drone strikes, hostage-taking or sheer dumb luck, who knows? DML certainly aren't saying.

Revell: Another hit or miss service. Having dealt with them a couple of times now, I have certainly been tempted to hit them but at my age would probably have missed. They regularly drop products from their own product line without even telling their own staff or removing them from the website(s) so that any attempt to order the kit, get parts or decals etc. from them stands a 72.8471% (approximately) chance of the item being oop and them therefore telling you to depart forth and multiply.  On a small but relentlessly cheerful postcard. After a fourteen-week wait.  Otherwise they will refer you to the parent company in Germany who have an arcane and fiendishly difficult system to negotiate (their phone system being in a bewildering mix of medieval German and robotically spoken Enigma code). Much of the time it's difficult to tell whether they're asking you a question or making fun of you. Often, by the time you find out, the product is oop there too. They seem to actually make so few kits that I assume their only factory is in Italy. They won't actually sing Deutschland Über Alles at you, but you can tell they're thinking it. To be fair, they do have what initially looks like a well thought out online part ordering system. Unfortunately it never works (often due to the oop situation) and can really only have been created to act as a diversion to distract your attention while they bomb Warsaw.

Cromwell Models: The poster child for appalling service. The very name is enough to strike terror into the heart of any armor modeler, no matter how bold. The company is run by a Scotsman, which should probably tell you a lot and certainly explains why he grabs your money like Blackbeard on crystal meth and never lets it go again. Ever. This wouldn't be so bad if he ever actually released any products in return. But no. That would be asking far too much. Buying the products is hard enough. It would be easier to find the Holy Grail than to get spare or replacement parts out of them. The Scottish concept of service is generally a headbutt in the face accompanied by much coughing, cursing and the gratuitous throwing of porridge - the "service" part being that they did you a favor and didn't kick you in the unmentionables while you were on the ground bleeding. So be grateful for small mercies. Cromwell have taken this idea and run with it.  A long, long way   In fact, they are probably still running. Dressed in a blue and white striped t-shirt and black face mask, carrying a large bag with "swag”"written on it, if I'm not mistaken.

Tamiya: Again, another mixed bag (well, the woman I spoke to there the first time could probably more accurately be described as a miserable old bag, but I digress).  If parts, or the kits that they are from, are in stock with their us company/distributor, they're usually pretty good and deserve credit for this. If they're not, it would be quicker to swim to Japan and get them yourself, sharks or no sharks.

Heller: Customer service from a French company?!?  I am not even going to dignify that with a response.

Airfix:  if you live in the uk, their service is pretty good. Quick, efficient and thorough. If you live outside of the uk, however, then you may be in for some disappointment.  Airfix take the traditional English approach to foreigners.  If at all possible, distract them and invade their country. If not, shout at them slowly and wave your arms around randomly, assuming that they could all speak English if they weren't so bloody lazy and assuming that they're just being stubborn and difficult. Or deaf. The English concept of customer service is generally similar to the Scottish one but without the initial headbutt and with the addition of the outstretched pinky finger and stiff-upper-lip, to add the element of style and sophistication. The customer is always wrong, but is told so politely at least (this is somehow worse) although always with the suggestion that you are somehow inferior, you've trodden in something nasty on the way-in and who invited you over here anyway?  Airfix are happy to embrace this approach.

So the experience for the modeler varies widely. Some companies such as Academy, are actually pretty good in my experience at least, and deserve some recognition as such.  Others, such as Cromwell, are clearly the spawn of Satan and deserve to be nailed to a large lump of driftwood and left there for the seagulls. So, you pay your money and you take your choice.  Except of course, without some rigorous research ahead of time, how do you know what to expect?  Even then, will your experience be typical?  It's a lottery I'm afraid and without the miniscule chance of $150 million in your pocket at the end of it.

Let's face it-some of these companies really need to pull their finger out and address the needs of their customers. Do some market research and look up what after-sales service actually means!  Also, don't just assume that we're sheep and we'll buy the 47th hypothetical Panzer that they've released this year, that only ever existed as a hastily completed pencil drawing on the back of a cigarette packet after last call in the local Bier-keller the day before the Russians arrived.  We know that it only differs from the other paper panzers because of the inclusion of one different decal and a neatly molded squashed stoat on the running gear. Actually, if they really did the stoat part, I'd probably buy one.  Otherwise, no thanks. So come on, manufacturers. Some of you are doing a great job but some of you really need to do your homework. You know who you are. So do we!


Vice President's Report

By Mike Blohm, ASM Vice President

A Report on ASM in 2012

I would like to thank the members of ASM for the support they gave to our major club projects during 2012. These include two Make & Takes with local Cub Scout packs in March and October, conducting a great model show at the 2012 Albuquerque Comic Expo in June, and sponsoring and judging the New Mexico State Fair Model Contest in September (which included a great ASM display-only Mustangs! model exhibit). ASM also supported the New Mexico State Centennial by building ship models and model bases for the Cavalcade of Wings's New Mexico Named Ships project. We have approximately 70 club members and normally have about 40 attendees at the monthly meetings with a pretty good number of models on the tables, too. We had two great presentations by noted aviation authors on the Dambusters Raid and the Century Series of USAF fighters in September and October, and we had two "Super-Clinic Nights".  Additionally, ASM won the IPMS/USA Region 10 Chapter of the Year and Region 10 Webmaster of the Year Awards for 2011 - 2012, and also the IPMS/USA Webmaster of the Year Award for 2011 - 2012. So all in all, I think ASM had a pretty good year. Thanks again for supporting the club, and let's all strive to continue to have fun building models, and promoting the hobby in 2013.

ASM Model Display at ACE 2012  -  June 2012

                           

               

ASM Make 'N Take with Cub Scout Pack 336  -  October 2012

                       

ASM-Sponsored Model Contest at the 2012 New Mexico State Fair-  September 2012
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ASM Make 'N Take with Cub Scout Pack 747  -  March  2012

                       

                       

ASM-Built Model in the New Mexico Centennial Hall History Exhibit - August 2012

                       

           

 


Contest Director Update

by John Tate, filling-in for Ken Liotta, ASM Contest Director

On March 1, 2013, ASM held the first points contest of the 2013 contest year, with an open theme.  Turnout was excellent, with all skill levels represented on the contest tables, including a number of works-in-progress entries.   Judging that many good models was difficult, so special thanks to volunteers Patrick Dick, Tim Wood and Larry Horyna for tackling Intermediate and Masters judging.  Standout models included Marie Smith's "Breyer Horse" in Juniors (Best of Show and People's Choice), newcomer Fred Behnken's "USS Ward" in Basic (Best of Show and People's Choice), Steve Brodeur's impressive "Saturn Ib/Apollo 7" rocket in Intermediate (People's Choice) and Jim Guld's "Final Push" diorama in Masters (Best of Show).

Best of Show in Intermediate went to Frank Randall's excellent 1/48 P-36 model in natural metal, and People's Choice in Masters went to Brian Peck for his new Wingnut Wings 1/32 Fokker D.VII.

The March contest night also had an E-Board Sponsored Contest, for best Revell 1/48 Ventura; Larry Horyna was the only modeler brave enough to tackle this beast, and did a nice job with an Aleutians-based PV-1 Ventura in a mid-WWII USN intermediate scheme.  Best wishes to Larry Horyna, a popular former club president and longtime ASM member, on his upcoming relocation to Maine.

Next month's points model contest, on April 5th, is the first of Contest Director Ken Liotta's "dual-theme" contest nights, with Theme 1, More than One Radial Engine, and Theme 2, Famous Motorsports Vehicles.  It's also a Sponsored Contest night, with Don Smith holding a Best Sci-Fi Spaceship contest.  Up to five models can be entered by modelers on this contest night.

Thanks and congratulations to everyone who participated in the March contest, and remember to keep to your building schedule- the IPMS Nationals in Colorado is only five months away.

 



Spider_web (2).jpg (150780 bytes) Webmaster's Tales

By Mike Blohm, ASM Webmaster

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Here's a summary of updates made in the months of January - March 2013: 

New 2013 webpages were built for Contest Results, Modl Pictures, Meeting Pictures, Points Standings and Model of the Year Contenders.  Thos ehave been updated with the results of the contsets and meetings since January.

Two new trip reposrts have been added since January on the Group Field Trip to the Chino California to visit the Planes of Fame and Yanks Air Museum, and a visit to three museums in Tennessee and Oklahoma. 

One change to the Meeting Pictures of note is that "Major ASM Events" such as model dipslys, Make 'N Takes, and ggroup field trips will now have the original articles archived onto that page with links by subject to articles posted at the bottom section of the page, or to the Field Trips page for trip reports. 

Some reminders about the ASM website:

The “Marquee Banner” that scrolls across the top of the Home Page will always have the latest info on club activities – contests, events and speakers for the upcoming month, notice that new schedules and Newsletters have been posted, and whether an event has been postponed – so always check that out first when you visit the ASM website.  If the weather looks bad enough that the meeting might be cancelled - check that banner before you drive to the meeting.  We did use it once in 2011 when a meeting was cancelled by UNM due to a snow storm (all campus buildings were closed).  There will probably also be an audio alert (beeping sounds) that will go off when the page initially comes up if a meeting has been cancelled. 

There ia an  "ASM Review Articles"  page listed in the "Index" at the top of the Articles Page.  This page is an archive of all previous review articles authored by ASM members - it has links to different sections of the page based upon the review topic - aircraft, armor, automotive, books, etc.  Please take the time to write up a short blurb if you are building a new kit and submit that and some in-progress / final pics to the website and ASM Newsletter. 

There is also a "NM State Fair Model Contests" page listed in the "Index" at the top of the Articles Page.  This page includes links to the NM State Fair contest resuls pages from 2005 to 2011.  It also includes all the current Section and Class entry criteria.  Read through this information to learn what models you should be thinking about entering in 2012.  Note that ASM Master and Intermediate modelers are asked to enter in the "Professional" Class.  Please note that there is a link in the Upcoming Events calendar that will take you to the actual NM State Fair site. 

ASM Newsletters are available on the website going back to January 2004. 

We have other webpages going Way-Back to: Model Pics - 2006; Meeting Pics - 2005; Contest Results - 2003; Modeler of Year - 2003; Model of Year - 2005.

The “New and Potential ASM Members” web page has all the info that new and prospective members need to review to understand how ASM is set up and the policies that govern club operations – the By Laws, Contest Guidelines, etc.  The link to the New Member page is on the Home Page.  Both new members and “old heads” should review these documents every so often. 

Some of the links on the "Website Updates" page back to older article postings no longer work .  If you cannot find an older article mentioned in the Website Update listings, it would be best to check the "Archived Articles" page as it was probably moved to that location.  Articles moved to the Archives are always posted at the top of that page, so the most recently removed articles will be found at the top of the page.  Scroll down to go back in time - the ASM Time Machine.

As always, let me know if you have any ideas for changes or additions to the website, and please send me any articles, reviews, or trip reports with pictures that you’d like to post on the website - and also send your inputs to Joe Walters if you'd like your article  included in the  the Newsletter as well.    Thanks!


ASM Member Articles


Field Trip Report - Military Vehicle Technology Foundation

By Jim Guld

This past month I had the chance to stop in at the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation in Portolla Valley, Ca during our vacation to Oakland and San Francisco.  It is about 1-1/2 hr. drive from Oakland. For those of you not familiar with MVTF, http://nonplused.org/panos/mvtf/ it is the foundation set up by the late Jacques Littlefield to preserve his military vehicle collection of over 240 vehicles from WW1 to the present.  Cost of emission is $20 for adults and $10 for children.  You are led on a guided tour of the four buildings and the surrounding grounds which holds a number of vehicles which need restoration. Chris "Toadman" Hughes was our tour guide. He has a website that has walkarounds of various vehicles both from the MVTF and from other sites around the world.    Some of the pictures are free and he also has cd's for sale of various vehicles. http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/

A few of the more interesting exhibits are the cut aways of the M4 Sherman turret and the turret simulator for an M1 Abrams.

If you ever find yourself up in that neck of the woods I highly recommend stopping in. You do need to make reservations in advance. They do tours usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays. http://www.mvtf.org/contact.html

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Sci-Fi Update

By Joe Walters

First off, the annual StarFest sci-fi convention, which includes a large and aggressive model competition, takes place in Denver this year on the weekend of April 19–21 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.  Details are on their web site (http://www.starland.com). The hotel is filling up fast, so if you're interested, move quickly!

Polar Lights (http://round2models.com/models/ polar-lights) has been busy, and has introduced a full-blown kit of the 1960s George Barris Batmobile (the deluxe kit is 1/72; a 1/25 kit is also available). Parts are included to build a big block engine or a full jet-turbine engine. Photoetch parts are also included for some details. The obvious figures are included, along with extensive decals.

Along with the Batmobile, they are also offering the Black Beauty from the 1966 television series The Green Hornet. This kit is in 1/32.

   

Moebius Models (http://www.moebiusmodels.com) is bringing out a new Battlestar Pegasus, in scale with their Galactica model. See photo for comparison.

   

On the Star Trek front, Polar Lights is issuing old and new kits, some with new box art.  A special snap-kit edition of the old TV-series Enterprise will come with an in-scale Botany Bay from the episode "Space Seed". Go ahead, you know what to shout!

A Klingon battlecruiser is also offered, shown here in Romulan livery.

And are we finally going to get a kit of the new movie Enterprise?  Starship Modeler has this photo from Revell Germany (http://www.starshipmodeler.com).

       


Aviation Road Trip

 By Ken Piniak

This past summer, I took a road trip to visit my uncle, who lives in Sevierville, Tennessee. During this trip I visited three different air museums: the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, the Charles Hall Aircraft Display, and the Stafford Air and Space Museum.

The Tennessee Museum of Aviation (TMA) is located in Sevierville, Tennessee at the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport. This 50,000 sq ft facility is a private museum; most of the aircraft belong to private individuals who maintain them in flying condition. The aircraft are often flying, and other aircraft frequently drop in, especially on summer weekends, for impromptu flying demonstrations. The first part of the display area, after you enter/exit through the gift shop, has a large collection of artifacts from aviation history, WWII, and Vietnam. The main area of the museum is the hangar bay, where the aircraft are. For me, the highlight of this trip was a fully restored, flyable, A-1H Skyraider from Vietnam, "Lieutenant America".  This is not a plane painted up to look like a combat veteran, this is the real thing. The display includes photos of the plane and pilot from the war, and an original cowling panel that shows not only the artwork for "Lieutenant America" but a previous name that was under the paint. The museum also boasts two P-47s, both in flying condition. When I arrived, one was outside of the hanger, and the other was in the air. After the second "Jug" landed and shut down, we were allowed to go out and see the aircraft up close. It is amazing how dirty/oily these planes get, and these are lovingly cared for prizes; not barely maintained combat aircraft. The bellies and tail wheel of both planes were covered with oil. Other exhibits include an H-34 and Airwolf (Bell 222) helicopters, two MiG-17s, a MiG-21, an OV-10, a B-25 nose section, and a number of engines. Normal hours are Mon thru Sat 10:00 to 6:00, Sunday 1:00 to 6:00. Admission $12.75 adults, $6.75 children. Website: http://www.tnairmuseum.com/ .

My next stop was the Charles B. Hall Air Park. This is not really a museum; it is more of an open display, located on a strip of land between Interstate 40 and Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City.  The site is dedicated to Major Hall, a Tuskegee Airman who later worked as a civilian for the FAA at Tinker. The display area is well maintained by base personnel, and had a number of interesting aircraft, including a B-1B Bomber, and an AGM-129 Advanced Cruise Missile. Other aircraft include a B-29, B-47, and B-52 bombers, a C-135, a C-47, an F-4D, an F-105, and an A-7. This display is outside of the base and entry is free.

My last stop was the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, OK. This is a small museum that is very easy to miss, I knew about it because I picked up a flyer at a rest stop. Despite the fact that this is a small facility, there is a lot of stuff to see. I arrived late in the day, spent over an hour there before they kicked me out (it was passed closing time and I was the only one left) and I still did not see everything. The museum is dedicated to Gen. Tom Stafford (Ret) who was a fighter pilot and astronaut. Among his many accomplishments, Stafford flew Gemini 6 and 9, and Apollo 10 and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Program. Among the many space exhibits there are the actual space suit worn by Stafford during the Apollo 10 mission, as well as a dress uniform and actual in space flight gear worn by his good friend Alexei Leonov during Apollo-Soyuz. Besides lots of space suits and suit components, other space exhibits include the ejection seat from a Gemini spacecraft, an F-1 and J-2 engine from a Saturn V, a complete Titan II rocket; and a turbopump, a solid rocket booster segment, and a complete set of tires from the Shuttle. On the aviation side, there is a Wright Flyer and a Wright Brothers wind tunnel. There is also a Curtiss pusher Model DIII, a Bleriot XI, a replica of the "Spirit of St Louis", a Sopwith Pup from WWI, a MiG-21 and an F-16 with an AIM-9 Sidewinder. The Stafford Museum is located at the airport in Weatherford, Ok. Hours: Mon to Sat 9:00 to 5:00, Sunday 1:00 to 5:00, regular admission is $7.00. Website is http://staffordmuseum.com/ .

If you ever get a chance to visit Oklahoma or Tennessee, stop in and visit these places, they are well worth it.

 

 

 

Webmaster's note:  More pictures from this trip report are posted on the Field Trips page.


Product Review

Fine Scale Modeler 25 Year Collection DVD

By Ken Piniak

 If you are like me, you have a big stash of back issues of Fine Scale Modeler magazines, full or articles and how to tips to help you out with that special model you want to build. Well, now you can throw those away, because FSM has put 25 years worth of back issues, from the first issue in 1982 all the way through 2007, on a 2-disk DVD-ROM set.

You need a computer to run this (PC or Mac) with a DVD drive.  There is a lot of material here, as they have literally reproduced every page of every issue, ads and all.  Navigating the search system can be a little tricky; they include an insert with installation instructions and helpful tips to make things go a little easier.  Once you get the hang of it, searching goes pretty well, and you can find all kinds of stuff.  After spending hours looking for a specific article with no luck in my pile, I tried it in the CD and it took about 5 minutes to find it and open it up. That sold me.

The CD set sell for $99.95, and can be purchased directly at finescale.com.  At first I thought that the price was a little high, until I realized that today this is just the price of a nice aircraft model. I think it is well worth the price.


ASM Trip Report - Planes of Fame and Yanks Air Museum

 By Gil De La Plain

Brian scheduled another awesome ASM road trip for September 2012 and it was really fun even if there were only four of us that could make it. On this trip we flew Southwest out to Ontario, California and then drove on over to the Planes of Fame and the Yanks Air Museum in Chino.

 The weather was sunny and it was downright toasty in the hangers but the planes on display were just amazing. Had we been just a little earlier arriving we would have been able to see a really mean Hawker Sea Fury land at Chino. The aircraft is "September Fury" and she was in transit from the Reno Air Races where they had finished second in the unlimited class. When we arrived the engine cowling panels were propped open and you could hear the distinct popping sound of cooling sheet metal as things contracted.

                   

One of the neat things about the Planes of Fame Museum is the fact that so many aircraft that they have on display are airworthy and get flown routinely in air shows. It's nice to be in a museum that has drip pans under so many of these old warbirds and enjoy the smell of hydraulic fluid and engine oil.

                   

They also have quite a collection of racing planes and it was surprising to me just how compact many of those aircraft were (and still are). It seemed more like you strapped them on to head out and tear around those pylons at high speeds and very low altitude.

               

And if you keep walking you will find quite a bone yard and a small collection of military vehicles out in "the back 40".

               

Well that was it for the Planes of Fame museum and we felt like the trip was already worth the effort.  But we weren't done yet. T he last stop for the day was a visit to Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Grove and it's definitely worth a visit if you are ever in the area. It's a very "old school" shop that is jam packed to the ceiling everywhere you look. I wish I would have thought to take some pictures in the store since they probably had more completed plastic models on display than any other shop I have ever seen. I think my favorite display was an entire "box" of 1:72 scale B-17s suspended from the ceiling with a couple of FW-190s slicing down through the formation. We also couldn't resist bringing home a few goodies to stash in the luggage.

The next stop was the Yanks Air Museum on day 2 and they have an exceptional collection of aircraft as well. They have more in the way of jet aircraft but it appears they do not have as many airworthy aircraft in their collection.

                       

 One of the truly unique (and airworthy) aircraft that they have is a recently acquired Lockheed Constellation EC-121T Warning Star airborne early warning radar platform. This was another impressive product to roll out of the famed "Skunk Works". This particular aircraft was one of the last Warning Star aircraft to be retired from the Air Force, and it is definitely an interesting aircraft to see. They are in the process of starting a restoration of the aircraft as funding and resources allow.

               

Another nice thing about the Yanks Air Musuem is the large and very active restoration hanger that you are allowed to walk through. The amount of effort and time it takes to restore old aircraft is just amazing and much of it is volunteer labor. One of the things that has always fascinated me about seeing aircraft during the resoration process is the fact that you are able to see the advances in technology over the years at more than a surface level. The progression from wood spars, ribs and linen coverings to steel tubing, machined aluminum and flush rivited aluminum skins makes you realize just how much research and development was taking place. It also makes you realize that totally new paradigms in assembly and mass production had to be implemented in order to produce these flying machines in the quantities needed.

                       

Yanks Air Museum also has the requisite bone yard out back and they had just rolled an F-15 in on a flatbed for future resoration. Now that would be a cool project to work on!

       

Well that wrapped up this ASM trip and it was really worth the time we spent.  Great friends, great machines and a few kits brought home in the luggage, what more could you ask!

Webmaster's note:  More pictures from this trip report are posted on the Field Trips page.

 


 

Field Trip Report - National Naval Air Museum

By Mike Blohm

I had the opportunity to visit the National Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida in October 2012.  It's a wonderful museum and well worth the visit.  It has two large buildings full of aircraft and displays, plus a flight line area of parked aircraft that is also worth seeing via a narrated bus tour.  According to the museum's website, there are about 175 aircraft, helicopters and airships on display in the museum buildings and on the flight line.  I saw a lot of aircraft that were not included in the website list.  Several pictures of the aircraft and displays are included below.  More pictures and museum maps are available on the ASM website's Field Trips page. 

The main building has displays from the inception of US Navy aviation through the Early Cold War arranged by periods of time (see maps).  There is a great display of aircraft carrier models right as you come in the entrance doors in the "Quarter Deck" area, so be sure to spend some time viewing those.  I recommend starting in the "South Wing" with the World War I, Early Aircraft and Early Cold War displays and then working your way through that to the "West Wing" that has World War II and additional Early Cold War displays.  There is a "second deck" balcony in this building which provides for good shots of the aircraft on the "main deck" area, but there are also displays tucked away in a few areas on the second floor that are easy to miss.  One of these is the "Carrier Exhibit" which is an "in-action, quick-turn below decks on the carrier" display of an F6F Hellcat in the "Minsi III" markings of top US Navy ace David McCampbell.  You also view the airship control cars up on this level.  Aircraft of note in the main building were the Curtiss NC-4 that was the first aircraft to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in May 1919, the D-558-1 Skystreak test aircraft, Sopwith F.1 Camel, P-40B Warhawk in American Volunteer Group markings, an SDB-2 Dauntless that participated in the Battle of Midway, the whole Grumman "Cat" series of fighters, K-47 and L-8 Airship control cars, Skylab Command Module, and a four-ship of Blue Angel A-4E Skyhawks suspended in formation in the "Atrium" area.  There are also several captured/foreign aircraft, including an A6M Zero, NiK2-J George, Me 262B, and a MiG-15. 

The second building (Hangar Bay One) houses aircraft and displays from Viet Nam through present time, presidential support and Coast Guard aircraft, plus a few large aircraft that would not fit in the main building.  Aircraft of note include the P2V-1 Neptune "Truculent Turtle" that set an un-refueled long-distance flight record of 11,235 miles over 55 hours and 17 minutes of flight in September 1946 (note: this was finally broken by a B-52H in 1962), a huge SP-5B Marlin flying boat, and aircraft that flew in Viet Nam (A-1, A-4, A-6, A-7, O-1, F-4, F-8) and Desert Storm (F-14, EA-6B, F-18).  The F-14D "Bombcat" on display flew the last operational F-14 combat mission.  An A-3 Skywarrior is parked outside between the main buildings. 

If you have the time, it is worthwhile to take the tour of the museum's aircraft parked on the flight line area awaiting renovation and inside display.  If you want to take the tour, be sure to get a ticket (free) on a specific tour time when you first get to the museum.  It takes about 45 minutes, and the trolley car-looking bus leaves from in front of the museum.  Aircraft of note include a PV-2 Harpoon, SP-2H Neptune, C-46, AJ-2 Savage, PB-4Y-2 Privateer, and RA-5C Vigilante. 

The museum is located in the northwest corner of Naval Air Station Pensacola, and you enter the base through the gate off Highway 295 (South Navy Blvd / Duncan Rd).  The signage to get there was not the greatest, so it would be good to have either a GPS in your car or a map application on your smart phone to help you find it. 

Plan on spending almost a full day at the museum if you want to see everything.  I spent five hours looking at the displays, and probably could have used at least two more.  There is a souvenir shop that I did not have time to check out, and an IMAX theater in the museum.  The museum hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, and admission is free.  You will need a valid ID to be able to enter into NAS Pensacola. 

Check out the museum's website at:  http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

 

 

 

 

 


ASM Make 'N Take with Cub Scout Pack 336

By Mike Blohm

ASM conducted a Make 'N Take with Cub Scout Pack 336 on October 17, 2012 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in Rio Rancho.  There were 13 Cub Scouts present and five ASM members: Jim Guld, Victor Maestas, Larry Glenn, Patrick Dick, and Mike Blohm.  The purpose of the Make 'N Take was to give the Cubs an introduction to modeling, have fun building a model, and then take it home with them afterwards.

Mike Blohm started the program by discussing "What is Scale Modeling" using a large group of models (approximately 50) in different scales, including aircraft, armor, automotive, ships and science fiction models.  The discussion explained what "scale modeling" means, what the different scales are and the pro's and con's of each, and gave a quick overview of going from what was in a typical model kit box – sprues, instructions and decals – to getting a finished model.  Lots of finished kits were on display to show what could be built and there were a lot of good questions.  It was obvious that the Cubs really liked the Star Wars models and the "UFO Fly-In at Roswell" diorama.  Jim Guld also talked about the hobby and demonstrated how a sprue-cutter works. 

The next step was the fun of model-building.  The kits, supplied by IPMS-USA, included the F-117 Night Hawk, F-14 Tomcat, SR-71 Blackbird, '68 Camaro, Hummer, '34 Hot Rod, and Space Shuttle.  The Pack set-up was very well organized with five tables each with one ASM member, three to four Cubs, and a couple of parents.  ASM members provided coaching, tips, and recommendations as they worked their way through their kits.  The F-117, F-14, and Space Shuttle kits each had their own little challenges to work through, but the Cubs persevered and had a lot of fun.  Feedback from the Pack leadership was that the Cubs enjoyed the Make 'N Take and had a lot of fun.   Hopefully we'll see some of these Cubs get the spark and decide to take up the hobby and have some great fun while doing so.  Please check out the pics below.  Thanks to all who helped out. 

 


2012 New Mexico State Fair Model Contest Results

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Creative Arts Division 13: "Model - Military, Science Fiction and Others"

Sponsored by ASM

By Mike Blohm, ASM Webmaster

This year's New Mexico State Fair model contest was very successful, with perhaps a record number of entries.  There were a total of 56 model entries made by 36 entrants, and the display cases were packed to overflowing.  Several pictures of the display cases and the model registration and judging activities are posted below.  Specific contest results and pictures of all the models are posted on the 2012 NM State Fair Model Contest webpage.  Overall, counting the Youth, Senior Youth and Adult sections, 94% of the entrants and 87% of the models were by non-ASM members, and they received 89% of the ribbons awarded.

There were 5 Youth entrants with 6 total models across 4 classes (out of 18).  Flying Rockets was the most popular class, and the Best of Show - Youth award was won by Alena Royball for her nicely done "Purple Rocket.There were two Senior Youth entrants with two models across two classes.  The Best of Show - Senior Youth award was an outstanding 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Patrick Brimley.  All of the Youth and Senior Youth entrants were non-ASM members.

The Adult section had the most participation, with 24 entrants and 30 models across 16 of the 18 classes.  There were just two ASM members (8%) entered in the Adult section with 5 total models (17%).  Non-ASM members took 81% of the first place ribbons.  Byron Gore took the Best of Show - Adult award with a superb 1/16th scale non-skinned (no fabric) Curtiss JN-4D Jenny trainer aircraft.  The Professional section had 5 entrants (all ASM members) with 18 total models across 9 of the 18 classes.  Competition was pretty fierce with most of the classes having multiple entries.  Patrick Dick won the Best of Show - Professional award with his excellent 1/48th scale F4U-1A Corsair. 

ASM also put on the "Mustangs!" non-competition display that included 26 total models.  These included one 1/144 scale model, thirteen 1/72 scale models, six 1/48 scale models, and six 1/32 scale models.  One of the 1/72 models was an F-82G Twin Mustang. 

Thanks to all the ASM members who entered the contest.  As can be seen by the numbers above, there were not very many ASM participants, and we can certainly do better next year.  Thanks to all who helped with the model entries and model judging, including Glenn Bingham, Patrick Dick, Fred Franceschi, Victor Maestas, Josh Pals, Frank Randall, and Mike Blohm.  And finally, thanks to the "Mustangs!" display contributors that included Frank Randall, Glenn Bingham, Victor Maestas, Pete Beck, Adrian Montano, Tim Wood, Juan Benitez, and Mike Blohm.  Start brainstorming a theme for the 2013 ASM display-only presentation.

Display cases with all the 2012 model entries are shown below. 

Pictures of model entry registration and the model judging are shown below.  



Danny Roberts - New Mexico's Fighter Ace

by Mike Blohm

 

 

This article is written to coincide with ASM's "New Mexico Centennial of Statehood" contest in September 2012. 

Capt Daniel T. "Danny" Roberts Jr. is a little-known but fairly high-ranking fighter ace born in Tucumcari, New Mexico.  At the time of his death in November 1943 Roberts was one of the top-scoring aces in the Pacific theater with 14 aerial victories.  He was barely behind Dick Bong and just ahead of Tommy McGuire in scoring. 

Roberts was born on 20 Sep 1918 and graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a degree in music and became a music teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He joined the U.S. Army Aviation Cadet Program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant and rated a pilot on 16 Sep 1941.  He initially served at Mitchell Field in New York, but after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor he was sent to the Pacific.  Due to his quiet nature - he never drank, smoked or uttered a strong curse - he almost ended up being assigned as a base commander out in the desert.  However, he was able to influence a general that was passing through and instead joined the 80th Fighter Squadron (FS) "Headhunters" of the 8th Fighter Group (FG).  The unit was equipped with the P-400 (export P-39) Airacobra which was not much of a dogfighter but Roberts used it to gain his first two victories.  Roberts was involved in a surprise attack on Milne Bay early on the morning of 26 Aug 1942.  The 80 FS caught the Zeros of the 2nd Wing just as they had just begun their takeoffs and Roberts scored a "double" and 1 damaged.  He scored another "double" over two Vals on 11 Apr 1943, at that time flying the P-38G Lightning. 

8th Fighter Group 80th Fighter Squadron 475th Fighter Group 432nd Fighter Squadron 433rd Fighter Squadron


Roberts joined the 475 FG "Satan's Angels" when it was formed in May 1943 as the first "all P-38 squadrons group".  He initially served in the 432 FS "Clover squadron" as the Operations Officer and scored 5 victories in Aug - Sep 1943 while flying the P-38H.  Roberts was unusual as a fighter pilot because of his meticulous habits and gentle speech and manner.  He easily won the trust and affection of his comrades and showed a knack for leadership.  Roberts was the commander of the 433 FS "Possum squadron" from Oct - Nov 1943 and knew how to get the best from his men by fully understanding them and leading them with the example of his hard work.  Roberts quickly impressed the pilots with his enthusiasm for their survival as well as maximum efficiency in accomplishing the mission.  "Stay together like a pack of wolves" he would repeat to his men.  During his short time as squadron leader the 433 FS was credited with fifty-five victories against the loss of only three P-38s.  Roberts himself downed five Zekes in one week, including two "doubles" on 17 Oct and 23 Oct 1943. 

 

Roberts was killed in action on 9 November 1943 during an escort mission of B-25 Mitchell bombers hitting Japanese airfields at Alexishafen on the northern coast of New Guinea.  Roberts had scored one kill - a Hamp - and was engaging an Oscar at low altitude when Roberts own wingman collided with him during a hard turn, destroying both P-38s.  He was posthumously promoted to major.  Roberts is buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial on Luzon in the Philippine Islands.  Roberts credits were 14 destroyed, 1 probable, and 1 damaged.  Various sources credit Roberts with 15 victories but the official USAF Historical Study No. 85 and Air Force Aerial Victory Credits: WW I, WW II, Korea, and Vietnam documents both list him with 14.  His awards include a Distinguished Service Cross and three Distinguished Flying Crosses. 

Had Roberts not been lost in this accident, he may have become one of the top-scoring aces and fighter leaders in the Pacific theater, such as Charles MacDonald, who commanded the 475 FG from Nov 1943 to Aug 1944.  Overall, Roberts is the top-ranking ace of the 433 FS (tie), the 9th-ranking P-38 ace (tie), the 38th-ranking American ace (tie), and the 33rd-ranking USAAF/USAF ace (tie). 

Roberts neither swore nor drank, but is still remembered affectionately today as "The Quiet Ace."   

Sources:

Stars & Bars - A Tribute to the American Fighter Ace 1920-1973 by Frank Olynyk

Attack & Conquer - The 8th Fighter Group in World War II by John C. Stanaway & Lawrence J. Hickey, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1995

 Possum, Clover & Hades - The 475th Fighter Group in World War II by John Stanaway, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1993

 USAF Historical Study No. 85 - USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II, Albert F. Simpson Historical Research Center, Air University, 1978

Air Force Aerial Victory Credits: WW I, WW II, Korea, and Vietnam, Edited by Dr. Daniel L. Haulman and Col Willam C. Stancik, USAF Historical Research Center, 1988

Pictures of his P-38H aircraft are posted below, built by Mike Blohm from the Heller 1/72 scale P-38 kit
Spinners and props are from the Hasegawa P-38J/L kit, with wheels from True Details

 



New Mexico Centennial Hall History Exhibit

USS Beranillo County LST Model Featured in Exhibit

by Mike Blohm

Bernalillo County held a grand opening ceremony of the New Mexico Centennial Hall History Exhibit on Friday, August 3rd 2012.  The exhibit features historical photos and other items from Bernalillo County's history, and is located at the City/County Government Center, One Civic Plaza, in downtown Albuquerque.  The model of the Landing Ship Tank (LST) USS Bernalillo County, built by ASM member Mike Blohm and Larry Neiderman, is on display in the Bernalillo County Commissioners office and was able to be viewed by everyone attending the opening ceremony.  Harry Davidson, Mike Blohm, and Larry Neiderman were invited to attend due to the support to the New Mexico Centennial from the Cavalcade of Wing's New Mexico Named Ship Project - see article below.  Pictures of the exhibit and LST model are posted below.  The exhibit, located on the 6th floor, will run through October 31st, 2012.  The County Commissioners Office is located on the 10th floor of the building, and the model will be on display continuously.  The model is to the right as you come in the front door to their offices.

 


"Pussy Galore" Aerial Refueling Diorama

by Victor Maestas

 

This diorama is of a KC-135A refueling Vic Vizcarra's F-105D "Pussy Galore II". The scene takes place in 1966 while he was based at Takhli Air Base in Thailand during the Viet Nam war.  The diorama was built for display at the F-105 pilot reunion of 34 TFS to be held in Colorado Springs, Co. in May, 2012.  The request to build this diorama came from Howard Plunkett, an ex-coworker that has a great interest in the F-105 Thunderchief.  He also helped Albatros decals with the research to produce the markings for several F-105s including Pussy Galore II.

 

This specific aircraft is the second aircraft to carry these markings, both by pilot Vic Vizcarra.  They were applied to help boomers to connect with his plane when air-to-air refueling. These particular markings were put on but only lasted about two weeks before having to be removed. 

 

Having worked on aerial refueling simulators for the KC-135 and always wanting to do "those" markings on the F-105, this seemed like an interesting project.

 

F-105D

This aircraft is shown in a photo (see below) with the following loadout: 

- Centerline hardpoint: MER with six 500 lb bombs

- Two fuel drop tanks on the inboard hard points in un-camouflaged finish, which is unusual, but when the original tanks are damaged during side-slip 
  maneuvering after a bomb run they are replaced with new ones without the camouflage.

- ECM pod on left side outer hardpoint

- Empty right hand outer hardpoint

 

The starter kit for the F-105D is a Hasegawa kit. This kit has very fine recessed panel lines but an extremely basic cockpit and pilot. The kit also didn't have the gun camera or refueling receptacle.  The kit fuselage did include the afterburner cooling intakes on aft sides of fuselage which were appropriate for this specific aircraft.

 

An Aires cockpit set (meant for the Trumpeter kit) was added that included a resin cockpit tub with side consoles, throttles, HUD as well as a more complete instrument panel and glareshield. The set also included a nice resin ejection seat. A pilot figure from a Hasegawa pilot set was added to complete the front office. Since the set was intended for the Trumpeter kit, it did require a lot of chopping and filling to get it to fit in Hasegawa fuselage.

 

The refueling receptacle was added to give the boom a place to plug into with the open in-flight refueling door.  A set of line drawings from one of my reference books were used to determine the size of the cutout and locate the opening in the correct position on the nose. On the F-105, the receptacle is located off center to the left. After the correct size cutout was made, the panel lines around the receptacle were scribed.  The actual receptacle inside the fuselage was built up from blocks of styrene glued to the inside of the fuselage. The receptacle was sanded and drilled to the correct shape and angle to mate with the boom extension. The receptacle door/ramp was made from brass sheet from a piece of spare photo-etch and rolled to match the contour of the fuselage.

 

On the outside of the fuselage, additions to the Thud included adding the gun camera under the nose from carved styrene and an aftermarket brass pitot tube on the nose (from Master Models).  The afterburner cooling scoops were drilled out as they were molded solid.

 

Reinforcements made from sprue runners were added inside the fuselage aft of the centerline pylon and forward of the ventral fin to accept an insert made from brass tubing.  This was sized to fit a 3/16 inch diameter stainless steel support rod. The hole for the insert was drilled at angle to match the correct angle of attack of the aircraft during refueling, about 10 degrees, as seen on pictures of the aircraft. The upper end of the insert and the lower end in the base were crimped in-line with the fuselage centerline and then glued in place. Both ends of the support rod were ground to a chisel point.  The shaped rod and insert self-aligns the aircraft on a single support rod.

 

After masking the clear parts, the nose and canopy frames were painted black along with pre-shading the panel lines. The nose was then masked off and the camouflage was applied starting with the tan.  The medium green and dark green were then applied freehand with the airbrush at a low pressure and the tip just off the surface.  The yellow seals around canopy panels are thin strips of yellow Tamiya masking tape cut by clamping two X-Acto blades together and cutting strips of tape on a glass surface with a straight edge.  After touching up missed spots and some overspray and letting it all dry, the whole plane was covered with several coats of Future floor polish applied with a wide soft brush. This provided a smooth finish for the decals and sealed in the yellow tape around the canopy.

 

The Albatros decals went on well with no problems.  For the refueling "target", the receptacle door was placed in the closed position by supporting it with a small chunk of poster tack from inside the receptacle opening.  The whole decal was placed over the nose making sure to have everything aligned.  After the decal had dried, the outline of the door was cut out with a sharp X-Acto knife.  The door was then repositioned to the open position and glued in place. After all the decals were applied, the plane was again sealed with a coat of Future.

 

The aircraft was weathered with a black wash in the panel lines followed by a brown wash around moving surfaces and especially on the bottom of the aircraft. A final flat coat was sprayed over the aircraft. Pastel powders were applied to break up the colors and show paint fading.

 

The final steps included loading up the bottom of the aircraft with the MER, fuel tanks and ECM pod and unmasking the canopy.

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KC-135A

The KC-135A used for this project was an Esci kit. It has the correct configuration for the A model with the proper engines.  The kit has engraved panel lines and generally good detail. The wings parts were warped and taping them together showed that they wouldn't stay straight.  One wing tip pointed up and the other drooped down.

 

In the interest of time, all the internals were blacked out and only structural internals were used.  The clear windows were installed and painted black on the inside before the fuselage halves were put together.  The windows were then all masked with liquid mask on the outside.

 

The fuselage parts were reinforced all around with bits of styrene sheets at all the joints.  Reinforcements were added just forward and aft of the landing gear bays, which is where the wing spar went through.  These were added to support the two rods that would hold up the plane.

 

On the wings, supports were added at the joint between lower center section and outer lower wing sections.  The wing spar was extended by installing nested brass tubing and rod (3 sizes) to the lower wing halves.  These were covered with two part epoxy to hold them in place inside the wing.  The wing was clamped to sections to square tubing sections on the outside to ensure the wings stayed straight until the epoxy set.

 

All the doors were installed in the closed configuration and most didn't fit well, especially the main landing gear doors. The seams and joints were cleaned up as much as possible before paint.

 

The plane was painted with one coat of Bare Metal Silver from Tamiya rattle can as a primer and all blemishes cleaned up.  After the second coat of silver, the nose, tail top, ruddevators and wingwalk areas were painted in black and these areas were then masked.  The wing walk lines were masked with long sections of thin pin striping tape. The boom extension markings were painted with red / orange / yellow / green fluorescent paint decanted from Tamiya rattle cans.

 

The decals used were the kit markings for a standard refueling aircraft used in this particular timeframe. After the decals had dried, the entire plane was then sealed with a coat of Future floor polish and then overcoated with semi-gloss and flat top coats to vary the sheen of the silver paint.

 

For final assembly, the boom was installed free to rotate vertically and the boom extension free to extend for ease of assembly to the fighter.  When installed between the planes, they would adjust to the correct extension and angle.

 

Support structure

The support structure consisted of a main wood dowel with two cross dowels passing through.  The ends of the cross dowels were supported by wood balls with flats on the bottom.  The three holes for the aircraft support rods were then drilled into the main dowel after setting the planes directly on the main dowel and marking the correct locations.  The goal was to have the boom extension at half throw to allow easy assembly while still remaining stable when on display. All drilling had to be set up on a drill press to ensure that they were all parallel and perpendicular to each other as needed.  The vertical support rods were then trimmed to ensure that the correct relative height between the two aircraft was maintained.

 

The final touches, done by Howard, included a wood base, white batting to represent clouds (and hide the support structure) and a Plexiglas enclosure to protect the diorama.

 

 

The report from the reunion was that the diorama was well received.  This was a challenging project, but it satisfied several of my modeling goals, stretched my skills a bit and provided an accurate depiction of an event that occurred forty-six years ago.

Webmaster's Note:  The pictures below were taken at the August 3rd, 2012 ASM meeting:

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ASM Support to the New Mexico Named Ships Project

by Mike Blohm

       

ASM has supported the New Mexico Named Ships Project throughout 2011 and 2012 as part of the Centennial of New Mexico Statehood.  The purpose of the project is to build models of each of the New Mexico named ships and to either present them for display at the locations they were named after, become resident in a New Mexico museum, or become part of a touring model display that visits locations and museums.  ASM has built ship models and model bases in support of this effort.  Greater details on the project are provided in the paragraphs below.  Pictures of some of the completed models are posted below. 

New Mexico Centennial of Statehood

New Mexico's Navy

by Harry Davidson

New Mexico (NM) became the 47th state in the Union 100 years ago in 1912.  In 2012 we are celebrating our centennial by reviewing every aspect of our history.  One of the heretofore little know pieces of information is that this southwest, landlocked state has had 69 ships that have been named for New Mexico cities, counties, indigenous tribes, Pueblos, rivers, and some famous NM citizens.  Their peacetime and combat records have been an honorable part of the nations naval history.  Hundreds of our native sons and daughter have served in the US Navy and some on the ships bearing NM names.

The first ship to bear a New Mexican name was the 1889 tugboat USS/USCG Apache (1891).  The battleship USS New Mexico BB-40 was the most modern ship in the US Navy to be commissioned after we became a state in 1912.  She was nicknamed The Queen because of her state-of-the-art engineering and combat capability.  The USS New Mexico along were her sister ships the USS Mississippi BB-41 and USS Idaho BB-42 were modernized in 1923 and continued to serve until the end of WW II.  As an aside, the USS Mississippi was converted to a missile research launching vessel platform in the 1950s.  New Mexico named ships continued to serve the nation during the Korean Conflict, the Viet Nam War, the Cold War, through to the present.  The nuclear submarine USS New Mexico SSN-779 was commissioned in 2010. 

As part of the celebration of NM's Centennial of Statehood, a project has been created to build models of as many of the NM named ships as possible.  This project is citizen-funded, and has been endorsed by the NM centennial of Statehood Committee.  Some city and county governments are funding the building of ship models named for them. 

During this Centennial Year, the models will be displayed at the sponsor's facilities.  An official history and photos of each ship will be displayed in a Power Point presentation wherever the models reside.  A complete file of ll the ships histories will be provided to museums and educational institutions upon request.  After the centennial, thee models will become their property of government agencies, museums, and other related facilities.  At some unnamed date in the future, the Museum of New Mexico may host a "Flotilla" display of all the ship models.  The models will be placed on loan to the Museum for the duration of the display.

There are three 1/96 scale full-hull models of the battleship USS New Mexico.  The first was donated to the USS Kidd Museum in Baton Rogue, Louisiana.  The second model of the same scale was donated to the Nimitz Museum of the Pacific War in Fredrichsberg, Texas.  Both of the models were built by former members of the battleships crew.  The third 76 inch-long model was created as a lifetime project by Mr. Cecil Whitson on Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Mr. Whitson spent many years researching the ships history to build the model as the ship was configured at the end of WW II.  Every part of the model ship up to the 85 per cent completion level had been crafted by Cecil when he suffered a disabling stroke in 2004 that put a halt to his endeavors.  In August 2010, the director of the NM History Museum, Mr. Francis Levine, attended the commissioning of the submarine USS New Mexico SSN-779.  The NM Chapter of the Navy League commissioned 24 models of the submarine.  These models were donated to the Museum of NM, the NM Tourism Bureau, the Cavalcade of Wings, and other sites throughout NM.

A display of the memorabilia of both the battleship and submarine was planned for January to May, 2011 at the NM History Museum.  The director asked if Whitson's incomplete model of the battleship could be finished in time for the display.  Mr. Whitson gave his permission to allow the Albuquerque Scale Modelers club to complete the model and prepare it for the January 2011 display.  Mr. Keith Liotta assembled all the parts that had been completed and painted the model for the Museum display.  The Navy League contributed funding to build the showcase and pedestal for this model.  They also created a Power Point program which contained the history of the battleship and covered the commissioning of the new submarine. 

Model of the battleship USS New Mexico under build (pic 1), at the New Mexico History Museum (pics 2&3), and at ASM's Chile Con 2 (pics 4-8)

The archives for the battleship USS New Mexico reside at the University of New Mexico Library.  And so, the University of New Mexico Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps complied additional memorabilia that became part of the Museum's display.  Under the supervision of Mr. Whitson, the Albuquerque Scale Modelers club will complete the model by the end of 2012.  The model will be donated to the NM History Museum.

Additional models of the 69 ships will go on display as they are finished.  Each will be displayed in its own customized showcase.  The USS Bernalillo County model shown below was built by Mike Blohm.  Its "assault landing" diorama base, and most of the other models below, were built by Larry Neiderman.

Completed models of other New Mexico named ships

USS Pecos
(AO-65)
Fleet Tanker
USS Pecos
(AO-65)
Fleet Tanker
SS Roswell Victory (VC-2)
Merchant Ship
SS Roswell Victory (VC-2)
Merchant Ship
USS Eddy County (LST-759)
Landing Ship Tank
USS Eddy County (LST-759)
Landing Ship Tank

USS Albuquerque (PF-7)
Patrol Frigate
USS Albuquerque (PF-7)
Patrol Frigate
USS Pecos
(AO-65) Fleet Tanker (2nd Model)
USS Pecos
(AO-65) Fleet
Tanker (2nd Model)
USS Bernalillo County (LST-306)
Landing Ship Tank
USS Bernalillo County (LST-306)
Landing Ship Tank

USS Bernalillo County (LST-306)
Landing Ship Tank
USS Bernalillo County (LST-306)
Landing Ship Tank
USS Bernalillo County (LST-306)
Landing Ship Tank
USS Bernalillo County (LST-306)
Landing Ship Tank
USS Bernalillo County (LST-306)
Landing Ship Tank
USS Bernalillo County (LST-306)
Landing Ship Tank

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ASM Model Display at Albuquerque Comic Expo 2012

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The Albuquerque Scale Modelers (ASM) put on a model display (show) on June 9-10 in support of the Albuquerque Comic Expo (ACE) 2012.  The purpose of ASM's display was to promote the modeling hobby, possibly gain some new members, and to have fun.  ACE 2012 was held at the Albuquerque Convention Center in downtown Albuquerque, and ASM had a primo location right in the middle of the main traffic area where attendees came in to the building and also transited back and forth from the large vendor area to where the guest speaker presentations and seminars were held.  We had hundreds if not thousands of folks stop by to look at the models and a lot of them asked questions about the models or what techniques we used to paint them.  You'd be surprised at how many closet sci-fi model builders live in Albuquerque. 

The theme of the model display was "Science Fiction, Real Space, Fantasy, and Science" - the same as what ASM has for its January Special Contest each year.  We had a total of 108 models on five tables - actually 155 models if you also count each individual figure that Mike McNichols brought in.  The models were pretty much grouped by theme and genre, and the ASM "What is Scale Modeling" display board was right in the middle, with four P-51D models ranging from 1/18 through 1/72 scales.  Pictures of the display are included below. 

                           

ASM members that helped man the tables included Jim Guld, Joe Walters, Ray Ayles, Mike McNichols, Blaine Couch, Ken Piniak, Frank Randall, Adrian Montano, and Matt, Laura, and Mike Blohm,  Members who provided models but could not attend included Patrick Dick, Victor Maestas, and Gorham Smoker.  We normally had at least three ASMers available to watch the models, answer questions, and pass out ASM and NM State Fair model contest promo sheets.  Thanks to all who manned the exhibit and provided models. 

                           

I believe that we met our three objectives.  I think ASM put on a great show and it was very well received by the both the ACE attendees and the ACE leadership.  It was like a super mall show, where the attendees knew what the subjects were, and really wanted to see and talk about the models.  There were some highly-charged "words of excitement (expletives deleted)" expressed by a few of the visitors as they saw their favorite subjects.  We also had "celebrity judging" by a cast of characters that reviewed all the models and picked out their favorite - those award certificates will be passed out at the July ASM meeting, and they are posted below.  You'd be surprised at who attended ACE, sometimes incognito.  Matt Blohm won the prestigious "Most Liked Award" (picked the most) with his NX-01 star ship from "Enterprise" (Star Trek).  We passed out a lot of ASM promo sheets and it looked like a lot of folks were interested in the club.  There was also interest in bringing models to the NM State Fair, especially amongst the junior modelers.  It turns out that the Cylon Centurion warrior who stopped by to chat and judge is actually an avid model builder.  Not sure how much time he has to build models between raids on the Colonials, but he might be showing up at one of our meetings.  As for having fun, one of the bennies was free tickets for the ASMers manning the tables, and we all did have a fun time.  If you've never been to one of these conventions, you should definitely check them out.  And you will get the chance to check ACE out next year, as it looks like ACE would like to have us back, and maybe incorporate some other aspects such as a contest.  We will provide more info on that as we receive it.  I think this would be a tremendous annual thing for ASM to do as a promo event.  So now you have another reason for building those models for the January contest - we need another 150 brand new models to display in 2013. 

                       

                       

                       

                      

                       

                        

                       

                           

                       

                       

ACE 2012 Celebrity Judging Awards

                           

                           

                       

                           

                           

                           

                    


2012 Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
(AMPS) Nationals Report

by Jim Guld

This past April 26-28th, I attended the AMPS Nationals in Auburn, Indiana at the World War 2 Victory Museum. They have used this venue before in 2008 and 2010. I attended the show in 2008 when I drove out from Santa Fe. This time I decided to fly and I am glad to say I did''t have any problems getting my models there. In fact the TSA screener at the Santa Fe airport asked me if they were tanks in the container. The only problem I had was my model box was too large to fit under the single isle seat of small jet we flew out on. Luckily the person across the isle traded seats with me.  Other than that everything made it out and back without any damage.

For those of you who are not familiar how AMPS administers a contest, you can check out this link for the full details: http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/contestRules.aspx

I'll give you a quick overview. Your model is not judged against anyone else's model except in the case of Best of Show awards. You are judged by a group of four modelers on a points scale that adds up to 30 points and the lowest score is dropped. The awards are Gold,Silver, and Bronze and depending on what level your at, this will determine what your score will be. The different levels are on the website. When you enter your models at the show, they are put in the judging room and as they are judged are brought out to the tables for viewing. So once the show begins  judging begins. They run two hour shifts and have six tables going per shift. The only models that are judged out on the floor are dioramas, vignettes and figures. This year I took the judges certification class and I'm now an AMPS certified judge. It consisted of two hours of classroom training on Thursday night and at least two judging shifts. I ended up doing a total of four shifts. This year they had a record number of models entered, 648. Judging was done by 3pm on Saturday.

Along with the contest they had seminars and a raffle. This year some of the seminar presenters included Mig Jimenez and Adam Wilder. I had a chance to talk to both of them at the show, and they were both down-to-earth guys. This show it was also an opportunity to meet up with old friends or a chance to meet someone I might have talked to online. I did both this year. It was a great show and the only real criticism I have of the venue is the lighting in the display area of the museum where all the vehicles are kept. It is poor and most of the vehicles have barricades around them so you can't get up real close to take detail shots. Other then that it was a great show with a ton of great armor. So if you ever get a chance to go to one I would personally recommend it. If you ever want to come to one of our NM AMPS meetings, E-mail me and I'll add you to our mailing list. There is no cost to join but we do encourage you to join the national AMPS organization.

Webmaster's Note:  More pictures - 65 total - are available on the Field Trips Page:

                       

                        


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ASM Make 'N Take with Cub Scout Pack 747

by Mike Blohm

ASM conducted a Make 'N Take with Cub Scout Pack 747 on March 21, 2012 at Vista Grande Elementary School in Rio Rancho.  There were eleven Cub Scouts present and five ASM members: Jim Guld, Josh Pals, Victor Maestas, Larry Glenn, and Mike Blohm.  Two sisters of the Scouts were in attendance and they participated too.  The purpose of the Make 'N Take was to give the Cubs an introduction to modeling, have fun building a model, and then take it home with them afterwards.

Mike Blohm started the program by discussing "What is Scale Modeling" using ASM's Scale Modeling display as a visual aid, featuring multiple aircraft, armor and science fiction models in four different scales.  The discussion explained what "scale modeling" means, what the different scales are and the pro's and con's of each, and gave a quick overview of going from what was in a typical model kit box - sprues, instructions and decals - to getting a finished model.  Lots of finished kits were on display to show off what could be built.  Jim Guld also talked about the hobby and demonstrated how a sprue-cutter works.  The Cubs had some pretty good questions. 

After that, it was jumping into the model building!  IPMS/USA supplied ASM with a lot of different Snap-Tite car kits, including the Corvette, Camaro, and GTO.  Hobby Proz in Albuquerque donated the Snap-Tite SR-71, F-14, F-117, Apache helicopter, and Space Shuttle kits.  The kids had a lot of fun putting them together.  The Cubs worked at their own pace, and ASM members provided coaching, tips and recommendations as they worked their way through the kits.  Lots of lessons learned from the days when we were at their stage.  There were a lot of parents helping out with the model building too, which will certainly help when the kids are at home putting together more kits.  It looked like a good time was had by all.  The Cubs also got to take another kit home to work on.  Den Leader Erik Johns remarked that he hoped the Cubs would put down the video games for a brief moment and build some models.  Hopefully we'll see some of these Cubs get the spark and decide to take up the hobby and have some great fun while doing so.  Please check out the pics below.  Thanks to all who helped out.  

Webmaster's Note:  A slighty-altered version of the above article was published in the May/June 2012 edition of the IPMS/USA Journal

Cover Image


Field Trip: War Eagles Air Museum

by Mike Blohm, Brian Peck, Patrick Dick, and Danny Williamson

The Albuquerque Scale Modelers (ASM) conducted a group field trip to the War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on Sunday. March 18, 2012.  Six ASMers braved the gale-force winds and dust storms to make the four hour drive down to the museum, which is just northwest of El Paso TX.  The trip was organized and led by Brian Peck with Tom Perea, Patrick Dick, Danny Williamson, and Mike and Matt Blohm in attendance.  The museum is a large open bay area where you wind your way around the items on display  and quite a few display cases featuring uniforms, ammunition types, navigation equipment, personal stories, and military history such as "flying the hump" in a C-47 in the China-Burma-India Theater.  They did have quite a few cases with models, and some were very well done.  According to their brochure (posted with the pictures), they have 34 aircraft, 6 military vehicles, 38 cars, and 4 motor cycles.  Most of the aircraft are flyable.  Quite a few of the aircraft had open cockpits and platforms where you could take a look-see.  A lot of time was spent taking detail pictures of cockpit interiors and wheel wells, especially of the P-51D and the MiGs.  According to Brian, who had visited before, a lot of the aircraft had been restored and repainted. 

Outside the museum building on display are three aircraft - an F-84F, A-7E and a Chinese Tu-2 twin-engine WWII and Korean War era bomber that was delivered in crates and put back together, equipment for a US Army Hawk unit, and Patriot missiles in canisters.  Those were an adventure to look at with the fairly steady winds which make it sound like the building was going to blow down and resulted in the chasing of blown-off hats.  As usual you "enter and exit through gift shop" and everyone spent time looking and spending money.

Aircraft of note included the P-40E Warhawk, P-51D and TF-51D (2-seater) Mustangs, F4U-4 Corsair, Hawker Sea Fury, A-26C Invader, F-156K Storch, ,P-38L Lightning (modified - looks like it has some racing history), TBM-3 Avenger, Tu-2, DC-3 / C-47, BT-13 Valiant, AT-6F Texan, T-33 Shooting Star, T-38B Talon, L-5 Sentinel, J-3 Cub, F-86 Sabre Mk VI, FJ-2 Fury, F-84 Thunderstreak, A-7E Corsair II, MiG-15, MiG-15UTI, and MiG-21PFM.  Military vehicles of note included an  M-163 Vulcan (M113 APC) and a Ford Chassis Searchlight truck.  Several pictures are posted below; more - 84 total - are available on the Field Trips page.  Tom Perea led the first ASM field trip to the War Eagles Air Museum back in January 2004 - click here to see that trip report.

Definitely recommended for a one-day trip or a stop if you are driving through El Paso on a trip.  Plan on about three to four hours to see everything.  The entry fee is $5 for adults, $4 for military and seniors, and children and students for free.  Check out their website at:  http://www.war-eagles-air-museum.com/

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More pictures - 84 total - are available on the Field Trips page


Walk-Arounds: M2A1 Half Track and M-18 Hellcat

by Jim Guld

Jim Guld posted two pictorial "walk-arounds" on the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society website covering the M2A1 Half Track and M-18 Hellcat. 

Click on the following link and scroll down to find Jim's two entries:  http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/preservation.aspx


Website Point Out - "The Matchstick Fleet"

by Gordon Pegue

I thought it was pretty dang impressive what this gent has done.  Numerous amazing photos are on the web site:  http://tinyurl.com/ASM1202 http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pinniger/matchstickfleet/index.html.

From a separate report:  79-year-old Phil Warren from the UK spent 62 years to build this incredible fleet of 432 ships.  All vessels are built entirely of matchsticks and boxes of wooden matches.  The collection includes nearly 370 American and 60 British ships.  He began creating his first boat in 1948, when he was only 17.  This uses a razor blade, tweezers and sandpaper to carve the pieces and boxes, then stick with balsa wood glue.  In total more than 650,000 used matchsticks to create an amazing collection of 1⁄300-scale models. Even 1200 aircraft made even more realistic appearance to dress the decks of aircraft carriers.

                   


IPMS/USA Links

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

IPMSUSA%20Logo%20LD.jpg (17589 bytes)

IPMS/USA Home Page

Click HERE for information on joining IPMS/USA and an application form.

Click here for an IPMS application form (pdf file).

IPMS/USA Region 10 Home Page

Region 10 Chapter Links

Click on the Region 10 IPMS Chapter names below to connect to their website.
Chapters without websites are not listed.

Chapter Name Location
IPMS Northern Utah Scale Modelers Association Ogden UT
IPMS / Salt Lake City Salt Lake City UT

IPMS / Craig Hewitt Chapter

Phoenix AZ
IPMS / Ernest A. Love Chapter Prescott AZ
IPMS/Sonoran Desert Model Builders Tucson AZ
IPMS / Legacy Colorado Springs CO
IPMS / Centennial Chapter Colorado Springs CO
IPMS / Denver-Rob Wolf Chapter Denver CO
IPMS / High Plains Modelers Loveland CO
IPMS / Colorado Modeling Militia Enjoying Sci-Fi (CoMMiES) Lakewood CO
IPMS Grand Junction Scale Modeler's Society Grand Junction CO

 


IPMS/USA Nationals 2013 Links

IPMS/USA Nationals : August 14-17, 2013

JQ Hammons Conference Center, Loveland, Colorado

The 2013 IPMS/USA National Convention will be held at the JQ Hammons Conference Center
in Loveland, Colorado on 14-17 August 2013

Check out the Official 2013 Convention Website at:

2013 IPMS/USA National Convention

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Click here for information on: Past IPMS/USA National Conventions


Local Contest Information

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hard copy handouts on local contests are available for viewing in the ASM Book at Hobby Proz

For information on other contests not posted immediately below, please see the Upcoming Events Calendar


Best of the West 18

May 4, 2013

Henderson, Nevada

Railroad Pass Hotel, 2800 Boulder Highway

Click here for the contest website: Best of the West 18

Click here for Contest Categories (pdf file) 

 


Westfest 2013

April 20, 2013

Grand Junction, Colorado

Location:  Center for Independence, 740 Gunnison Blvd, Grand Junction CO

Host:  IPMS Grand Junction Scale Modelers Society

http://www.gjsms.org/wordpress/

Contact:  Jim Hockett,  shermaholic@aol.com


StarFest 2013 Model Show

April 19-21, 2013

StarFest 2013 Science Fiction Convention, Denver Tech Center, Denver Colorado

The Model Show hosted by IPMS/Colorado Modeling Militia Enjoying Sc-Fi (CoMMiES)

Denver's largest sci-fi convention is on April 19th thru the 21st.  For the first time, the StarFest Model Show is open to anyone, not just convention members.  If you have any science fiction, science fact, horror, anime or fantasy models, you are invited to bring them to the Model Show for display; we'd like to fill the tables up.  There is a $5 fee for unlimited entries.  If you are already a convention member, entry to the Model Show is free.  There will be some very nice prizes awarded, including a 1:350 Polar Lights USS Enterprise kit.  

Click here for a pdf file containing further details and contact  information

 


 

 

CoMMiESFest 4

February 16, 2013

 

 

Jefferson County Fairgrounds

15200 W. 6th Ave,  Golden, Colorado

IPMS / CoMMiES (Region 10)

 

CoMMiESFEST Website

For Info Contact: 
Mr.Badwrech64@gmail.com

 


 

Model Car Contest at 22nd Annual Super Nationals
Custom Auto Show

February 2, 2013

Presented by the Albuquerque Model Car Club

In conjunction with the

22nd Annual Super Nationals Custom Auto Show

Model Judging on Saturday, February 2nd

Entries must be submitted before 12 Noon on Saturday

Models accepted for entry at the Art Exhibition Hall (South of the Manual Lujan building)
on the Expo New Mexico grounds on Thursday, January 31st from 6 PM to 9 PM through
Saturday, February 2nd until 12 Noon when registration closes

29 Senior Classes for Adults 18 & Older
15 Junior Classes for ages 13-17
11 Beginner Classes for ages 12 & under

Pictures from the 2011 and 2012 Model Contests are posted below

For further information contact:
Richard Hansell at 505-837-1346
Tim Burkhardt at 505-891-8935

A Flyer with Entry and Classes information is available at the local hobby shops.
To view or print the Flyer pages, click on the thumbnail below:

  

Albuquerque Model Car Club
 
AMCC

 


5th Annual Plastic Model Swap Meet & Contest

January 20, 2013, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

 Tucson, AZ

Presented by Tucson IPMS

Click here for a copy of the event flyer

Contact: sigandtoby@q.com  520-575-9045  



  

ASM's CONTESTS OF NOTE


IPMS Region X Contest and Convention
May 20-21, 2011

Click on the logo above to go to the Chile Con 2 website.  Click on the links below to see contest results and pictures.

 
Pics from Chile Con 2:

Armor, Autos, Vendors, and Outside Vehicles

Everything Else

Contest Results & Pics from Chile Con 2

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Links to information on ASM's 2006 Region 10 Contest:
Chile Con wpe1A9.jpg (1223 bytes) 2006 
Region 10 Convention & Model Contest
May 5-6, 2006
wpe1F2.jpg (1522 bytes) Chile-Con_2006_Logo-4.jpg (23932 bytes) wpe1AF.jpg (1593 bytes)
Click here for to go to Chile Con 2006 home page:  Chile Con 2006
Click here for Pictures from Chile Con 2006:  Thumbnail Pictures
Click here for the Contest Results Listing from Chile Con 2006:  Contest Results
Click here for the Contest Results with Pictures from Chile Con 2006:  Contest Results with Pics

Alternate Links to ASM Website Pages:

 HOME    ARTICLES   MODEL PICTURES  CONTEST RESULTS   BY-LAWS  CLUB ROSTER  ASM MEETING PICTURES
MODELER-OF-THE-YEAR POINT STANDINGS   CONTEST GUIDELINES    CONTEST SCHEDULE  ARCHIVED ARTICLES    FIELD TRIPS
MODEL OF YEAR CONTENDERS    MODEL DISPLAYS     MEETING LOCATION    NEWSLETTER   ENTRY FORMS   HINTS AND TIPS     MODELING LINKS

 

ASM HOME ARTICLES MODEL PICS MEETING PICS CONTEST RESULTS POINT STANDINGS
MODEL OF YEAR CONTEST SCHEDULE NEWSLETTER MODEL DISPLAYS FIELD TRIPS ENTRY FORMS
MEETING LOCATION CONTEST GUIDELINES ASM BY LAWS HINTS & TIPS MODELING LINKS ARCHIVED ARTICLES