StarFest 2022
ModelFest & model contest at StarFest
Hosted by IPMS/Region 10 CoMMiES
Hyatt Regency Denver Tech, Denver Colorado
Mike Blohm
About Mike Blohm
Posts by Mike Blohm:
Desert Scale Classic 18
Model Car Championship & Swap Meet
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Glenn C. Bingham – Obituary
See the attached PDF below for Glenn Bingham’s obituary.
Glenn passed away on December 15, 2021 at the age of 84. He was a founding member of ASM, a US Navy veteran, an avid modeler, and a great human being that will be missed by all.
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2021 Air Force Anniversary Ball
1947 – 2021
The ASM model display at the 2021 Air Force Anniversary Ball was a big success. The event, held on Friday, October 15 at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), celebrated the 74th birthday of the USAF. The USAF became a separate service on September 18, 1947 with the passage of the National Security Act of 1947. The theme of the event was “Casino Night.” There was no secondary historical anniversary theme this year. Therefore, we decided to include the “71st Anniversary of the Korean War 1950-1953” display that we had done at the 2021 New Mexico State Fair alongside the “USAF 1947 to Present” model display as we had set up at the 2018 and 2019 events.
This year we had two large tables set up in the main ballroom that the attendees would pass by as they entered into the event. ASM arrived with 26 tubs and boxes of models and set up a total of 76 models on the tables in a multitude of scales. They were arranged in chronological order from the right end starting with 1947 to the left end at 2021, to go with how the people would walk by the tables. See the pictures posted below.
For some variety and humor the far right end started with my “You Are Leaving New Mexico” diorama with a flashing UFO levitating a cow on a beam of light – that was a big it – and the P-38H Lightning of New Mexico’s fighter ace Capt. Danny Roberts who scored 14 victories in the South West Pacific theater. Next in the lineup were some early test aircraft including the X-1, XF-82, and X-15. The Korean War section was next with 34 total models covering all aspects of the conflict. We had a mix of models from all the U.S. services, including some armor and US Navy beach assault models from the Inchon Landing, a Sea Fury from the United Kingdom, and six aircraft flown by North Korea. The Mercury-Atlas “Friendship 7” model included in the Korea section had a tie-in with the awesome “F-86 Sabre versus MiG-15” diorama done by Glenn Bingham that depicts Major John Glenn downing his third and last MiG-15. So we did have a space exploration model in the display and we did get some questions from the attendees about the availability of space models.
The next section covered aircraft from the Viet Nam war (11 models) including John Tate’s A-1E Skyraider flown by Medal of Honor winner Major Bernard Fisher, and aircraft in the Strategic Air Command and Air Defense Command. These were followed by modern aircraft from the Gulf War through the present time. This area included 1/144 and 1/200 scale models of large aircraft such as bomber, attack, reconnaissance, and cargo/airlifters. Finally, capping off the far left end were models of an F-51D and an F‑16C from the New Mexico Air National Guard’s 150th Fighter Wing “Tacos” in 1/48th scale by Glenn Bingham and Dave Epstein for some more local flavor in the display.
Lots of people stopped by and asked questions about the models and the subjects, and we were thanked for putting on the display by the Kirtland AFB Commander and the AF Ball POC. The POC remarked that the display was great and a visual reminder to all the attendees of the mission of the Air Force. He also mentioned that we should be a part of every AF Anniversary Ball event and that he would pass the word for next year. We did hand out some ASM flyers so maybe we will get some new members in the club.
Mike and Matt Blohm set up the display and manned the tables during the event. Thanks to the following ASM members who loaned models for the display: Frank Randall, Glenn Bingham, Steve Brodeur, Ken Piniak, John Tate, Scott Jaworski, Bob Henderson, Dave Epstein, Victor Maestas, and Mike and Matt Blohm. Note that there were additional models provided by the members listed above that could not be displayed due to space limitations.
2021 New Mexico State Fair – Model Contest and Results
Creative Arts – Division 13
Models – Military, Science Fiction & Others
Sections 471-474 Sponsored by Albuquerque Scale Modelers
Sections
Section 471: Youth (ages 11 and under)
Section 472: Senior Youth (ages 12-17)
Section 473: Adult (ages 18 and over)
Section 474: Professional (anyone teaching or selling for profit)
NOTE: ASM members in the Masters and Intermediate Divisions are required to enter models in Section 474: Professional.
ASM Display
Classes
- Aircraft, Jet – Large scale (1/48 scale & larger)
- Aircraft, Jet – Small scale (1/72 scale & smaller)
- Aircraft, Non-Jet – Large scale (1/48 scale & larger)
- Aircraft, Non-Jet – Small scale (1/72 scale & smaller)
- Diorama – miniature scene, wholly or partially three-dimensional, depicting model in a naturalistic and realistic setting
- Flying Models, including flying rockets
- Helicopters – Jet & Non-Jet – All scales
- Military Vehicles – Fully Tracked –Large scale (1/35 scale & larger)
- Military Vehicles – Fully Tracked – Small scale (1/48 scale & smaller)
- Military Vehicles & Equipment-Non Tracked & Half Tracks-Small scale (1/48 & smaller)
- Military Vehicles & Equipment Non Tracked & Half Tracks-Large Scale (1/35 & Larger)
- Miniature Figure – single-footed or mounted figure
- Miniature Figure Vignette – maximum of 3 related human, animal or equipment figures, no vehicles
- Miscellaneous (none of the above)
- Powered Ships
- Sailing Ships & Oared Ships
- Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures – Including Anime, Gudams, Robotech
- Science Fiction, Spacecraft, etc. (excluding figures)
NOTE: Only one entry per class.
Contest Summary
The 2021 State Fair Contest had a good showing with 50 total models entered in the contest by 25 entrants. Numbers were down due to the COVID pandemic. Thanks to all who participated in the contest and in the ASM display, helped with the model entries and pick-up, and did the judging.
The Youth section had 1 entry by 1 entrant. The Best of Show – Youth was the Apollo 11 Landing by Cayden Guerra. The Senior Youth section had 1 entry by 1 entrant. The Best of Show – Senior Youth was a very nicely done USS Missouri battleship by Cole Darnell.
The Adult section had 30 models by 16 entrants. The Best of Show – Adult was the IJN Nagato battleship by Byron Gore. The Professional (ASM members) section had 18 models by 7 entrants. The Best of Show – Professional was a Warhorse Y-Wing Diorama by James Medina. There were some great models in contention in both of these sections.
ASM’s “71st Anniversary of the Korean War 1950-1953” display filled one case with 33 total models ranging from 1/144 scale to 1/35 scale. Three of the “Korean War” display models were also contest entries. The display included a high level description of the Korean War and maps showing what had occurred during the invasion, the UN counterattack, the Chinese intervention, and the eventual stalemate. Information cards covered the major battles, including the retreat to the Punsan Perimeter, the Inchon Landing, the Chosin Reservoir, and MiG Alley. Cards were also provided describing each of the models.
Registration: August 20-21
Judging: August 31
Opening Day of the Fair: September 9
All Best of Show Winners
Section 471: Youth
Best of Show
Cayden Guerra
Apollo 11 Landing
Entries
| Class | Description | Name | Place | Best of Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 - Diorama | Apollo 11 Landing | Cayden Guerra | 1 | Yes |
Section 472: Senior Youth
Best of Show
Cole Darnell
USS Missouri Battleship
Entries
| Class | Description | Name | Place | Best of Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 - Powered Ships | Battleship USS Missouri | Cole Darnell | 1 | Yes |
Section 473: Adult
Best of Show
Byron Gore
IJN Nagato Battleship
Entries
| Class | Description | Name | Place | Best of Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 - Aircraft, Jet - Large Scale | F-14 Tomcat | Russell Levett | 1 | |
| 03 - Aircraft, Non-Jet - Large | Ju-87 Stuka Tank Buster | Brian Archer | 1 | |
| 05 - Diorama | Panzer III Ausf N | Byron Gore | 1 | |
| 05 - Diorama | RMS Titanic | Darren Wood | 2 | |
| 05 - Diorama | Downed Gotha | Cristian Correa | 3 | |
| 05 - Diorama | Panther G | David DeYoung | ||
| 05 - Diorama | Chuck Wagon | Kimberly Rogulich | ||
| 06 - Flying Models | "Big Daddy" Rocket | John C. Romero | 1 | |
| 06 - Flying Models | Cobra Rocket | Steven Worthen | 2 | |
| 06 - Flying Models | "Nike Snake" | John Walter | 3 | |
| 07 - Helicopters | Apache Helicopter | Mark Chino | 1 | |
| 08 - Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked | Long Track | Byron Gore | 1 | |
| 08 - Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked | M1 Abrams | David DeYoung | 2 | |
| 08 - Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked | PZ38T | Mark Vaughn | 3 | |
| 11 - Military Vehicles & Equipment - Non & Half Tracked - Large Scale | Radschlepper Ost Truck | Byron Gore | 1 | |
| 11 - Military Vehicles & Equipment - Non & Half Tracked - Large Scale | Tractor Trailer and Tank | Steven Worthen | 2 | |
| 12 - Miniature Figure - Single footed or mounted figure | German Engineer | Byron Gore | 1 | |
| 12 - Miniature Figure - Single footed or mounted figure | Parrot | Haley Gibson | 2 | |
| 13 - Miniature Figure Vignette | Carnival | Haley Gibson | 1 | |
| 14 - Miscellaneous | Farm House and Garden | Henry McHarney | 1 | |
| 14 - Miscellaneous | Washington Monument | Norman Carr | 2 | |
| 14 - Miscellaneous | Shark Cage | Selena L Chino | 3 | |
| 14 - Miscellaneous | House | Haley Gibson | ||
| 14 - Miscellaneous | Castle | Haley Gibson | ||
| 14 - Miscellaneous | Invisile Gummy Bear | Mark Vaughn | ||
| 15 - Powered Ships | IJN Nagato Battleship | Byron Gore | 1 | Yes |
| 15 - Powered Ships | USS Young Destroyer | Michael Hatfield | 2 | |
| 15 - Powered Ships | Paddle Wheel Boat | Mark Vaughn | 3 | |
| 16 - Sailing Ships & Oared | USS Constitution | Steven Worthen | 1 | |
| 16 - Sailing Ships & Oared | Black Pearl | Haley Gibson | 2 | |
| 17 - Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures | Dragon | Haley Gibson | 1 | |
| 17 - Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures | Godzilla King of the Monsters | Selena L Chino | 2 | |
| 17 - Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures | German Pilot Skull | Brad Smith | 3 | |
| 17 - Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures | Rayquaza | JD Atkinson | ||
| 18 - Science Fiction, Spacecraft | Klingon Bird of Prey | Byron Gore | 1 | |
| 18 - Science Fiction, Spacecraft | Mercury Capsule | Mark Vaughn | 2 | |
| 18 - Science Fiction, Spacecraft | USS Franklin Starship | Mark Chino | 3 | |
| 18 - Science Fiction, Spacecraft | Millenium Falcon | Haley Gibson |
Section 474: Professional
Best of Show
James Medina
Y-Wing Diorama
Entries
| Class | Description | Name | Place | Best of Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 - Aircraft , Jet - Small scale | F-86 Sabre Versus MiG-15 | Glenn Bingham | 1 | |
| 04 - Aircraft, Non-Jet - Small | Yak-9D | Michael Blohm | 1 | |
| 05 - Diorama | Warhorse Y-Wing Diorama | Jim Medina | 1 | Yes |
| 05 - Diorama | US Self-propelled 155mm Gun M40 | Glenn Bingham | 2 | |
| 05 - Diorama | Custer's Last Stand | Steve Miller | 3 | |
| 08 - Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked - Large Scale | Panther G | Jim Medina | 1 | |
| 09 - Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked - Small Scale | Panther G | Jim Medina | 1 | |
| 11 - Military Vehicles & Equipment - Non & Half Tracked - Large Scale | British Saladin AVC | Jeffrey West | 1 | |
| 12 - Miniature Figure - Single footed or mounted figure | Red Baron's Last Smoke | Chuck Herrman | 1 | |
| 13 - Miniature Figure Vignette | "Who Goes There?" | Jim Medina | 1 | |
| 13 - Miniature Figure Vignette | The Last Conference | Steve Miller | 2 | |
| 14 - Miscellaneous | Armored Assault Tank | Jim Medina | 1 | |
| 17 - Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures | RX-78 Gundam | Matthew Blohm | 1 | |
| 17 - Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures | Grogu | Jim Medina | 2 | |
| 17 - Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures | Joker | Chuck Herrman | 3 | |
| 18 - Science Fiction, Spacecraft | Hammerhead Cruiser | Jim Medina | 1 | |
| 18 - Science Fiction, Spacecraft | Bat Mobile | Chuck Herrman | 2 | |
| 18 - Science Fiction, Spacecraft | Mercury-Atlas 6 John Glenn | Michael Blohm | 3 |
ASM’s “Korean War 1950-1953” Display
The display’s theme was “The 71st Anniversary of the Korean War 1950-1953.” This was the same theme that was going to be used in 2020 until the fair was cancelled due to the pandemic.
We filled up a whole case with a total of 33 models covering the major aspects of the conflict. We had a mix of models in multiple scales from all the U.S. services, the United Nations (UN) allies, and North Korea. The display included a high level description of the Korean War and maps showing what had occurred during the invasion, the UN counterattack, the Chinese intervention, and the eventual stalemate. Information cards covered the major battles, including the retreat to the Punsan Perimeter, the Inchon Landing, the Chosin Reservoir, and MiG Alley. Cards were also provided describing each of the models. Pictures of the models are included below. More pictures of individual models will be posted soon.
The air war had the largest amount of models in the display with 21 total, mostly in 1/72 scale. These included US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps (USMC) jets and propeller aircraft, a Sea Fury from the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (1/48), and six aircraft flown by North Korea. The ground war section had four models. These included three US Army subjects: an M-26 Pershing heavy tank, a M4 Sherman medium tank; and a self-propelled M40 155mm gun of the 937th Field Artillery Battalion. North Korean armor was represented by a T-34/85 tank. These were in 1/35 scale, except for the Sherman, which was 1/48. The Inchon Landing section of the display included seven US Navy and US Army beach assault models–landing craft, amphibious vehicles, and ground vehicles and a soldier all in 1/72 scale. Three of the display models were also State Fair model contest entries. Scale breakdown for the display was 26 in 1/72, 4 in 1/48, 3 in 1/35, and 1 in 1/144 (included in the excellent F-86 Sabre Versus MiG-15 diorama built by Glenn Bingham to create a forced perspective).
Thanks to all the model contributors, who were as follows: Frank Randall (3), Glenn Bingham (2), Scott Jaworski (2), Bob Henderson (1), Ken Piniak (1), Mark Vaughn (1), and Mike Blohm (23). A large number of this last group of 23 models had been built to support ASM’s Korean War display during the “USAF 50th Anniversary” celebration at Kirtland AFB in 1997. 2022 will be the USAF’s 75th Anniversary.
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1-3 – Overall views of the display case, and the left and right halves.
4-6. Top shelf: Aircraft models in 1/72 scale plus maps and historical summary of the Korean War and information on “MiG Alley.”
4. North Korean Yakovlev Yak-9 “Frank” and Lavochkin La-11 “Fang” and the “F-86 Sabre versus MiG-15” diorama by Glenn Bingham depicting the third and final victory of Major John Glenn USMC who later became a Mercury Astronaut and U.S. Senator and flew a Space Shuttle mission.
5. Face off between the MiG-15 “Fagot” flown by Soviet ace Colonel Yevgeny Pepelyaev and the F-86 “Sabre” flown by USAF ace Capt. Joseph McConnell.
6. F-80 “Shooting Star” flown by 1Lt Russell Brown, who was the victor in the first jet versus jet air combat over a MiG-15; and an H-19 “Chickasaw” rescue helicopter.
7-9. Middle shelf: Aircraft models in 1/72 scale.
7. North Korean bombers Ilyushin IL-10 “Beast” (Sturmovik) and Tupolev Tu-2 “Bat,” and U.S. Navy F-2H “Banshee” and F9F “Panther.”
8. U.S. night fighters: F4U-5N “Corsair” flown by Lt Guy Bordelon, the only USN ace in the Korean War; F-94B “Starfire” flown by Capt. Ben Fithian and 1Lt Samuel Lyons who downed an La-9; and the F-82G “Twin Mustang” flown by 1Lt Skeeter Hudson and 1Lt Carl Fraser who scored the first aerial victory in the Korean War defending Seoul. Lastly is the F-86E Sabre flown by ace Capt Harold Fischer.
9. F-84E “Thunderjet” flown by 1Lt Jacob Kratt the top-scoring F-84 pilot with three victories (two over MiG-15s); a B-26 “Invader;” an LT-6G “Mosquito” forward air controller aircraft; and an F-51D “Mustang” flown by 1Lt James Glessner, who scored a Yak-9 victory.
10-12. Bottom shelf showing the ground war with info cards on the most significant battles during the war. Also includes some 1/48 scale aircraft.
10. Diorama of a M40 self-propelled 155mm gun motor carriage of the 937th Field Artillery Battalion built by Glenn Bingham.
11. U.S. M26 “Pershing and M4 “Sherman” tanks and North Korean T-34/85 tank (actually in Soviet markings). F-80 “Shooting Star” and UK Royal Navy Hawker “Sea Fury” and a USAF pilot figure all in 1/48 scale.
12. Models in 1/72 scale covering the Battle of Inchon invasion from the sea: Willys Jeep, M4 Sherman tank, U.S. infantryman, LVT-4 AMTRAC, DUKW, Landing Craft Mechanized Mk III, and Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel “Higgins Boat.”
13-17. Maps shown in the display depicting North and South Korea, the phases of the conflict, and “MiG Alley.”
2019 Folds of Honor “Red, White, and Blue Celebration Dinner”
The Albuquerque Scale Modelers club provided a 1/48 scale A-10A Thunderbolt II “Warthog” model for the auction at the Folds of Honor New Mexico’s “Red, White, and Blue Celebration Dinner” fund-raising event held on September 23, 2019, at the Tanoan Country Club in Albuquerque. The Folds of Honor Foundation provides scholarships and other assistance to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country. The model was built by Mike Blohm. The Monogram model kit was donated by Brian Peck. The Folds of Honor was very appreciative of our donation and thanked us for again contributing models for their auction. ASM had two F-16 models for their 2018 event.
The model was built as an A-10A of the 78th Fighter Squadron “Flying Tigers” of the 23rd Fighter Group while assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Group at Jacobabad, Pakistan, in March 2002. The scheme was from the Print Scale 48-073 A-10 Thunderbolt II decal sheet. The kit came with decals for a warthog-faced A-10 of the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 917th Tactical Fighter Group, Air Force Reserve in a Europe 1 paint scheme (two greens and one gray). However, I wanted to build a three grays scheme with the colorful shark mouth used by the 23rd Fighter Group Flying Tigers, as that would be more appealing to any potential bidders on the model.
The kit was built out of the box other than the decals. It is an older kit with raised panel lines, and a lot of fit problems that required sanding. The 1/48 scale kit is pretty huge. I usually build 1/72 scale aircraft, and the A-10 was bigger than a B-17 model in 1/72. It probably had more parts. too. To avoid it being a tail-sitter, I loaded the front of the fuselage below the cockpit with modeling clay holding a lot of fish sinkers–as much as I thought the narrow nose gear would hold. To my dismay, the model sat back on its tail after I had everything put together. The kit does come with a clear plastic “support stand” that I had not wanted to use, but did use in the end. It is way back by the tail and is pretty unnoticeable. I used a whole lot of Master Model Light Ghost Gray (FS36375) and Dark Ghost Gray (FS36320) to paint it. What I really would have liked was a decal or a template for the fake canopy on the underside of the nose that is in Gunship Gray (FS36118). I ended up drawing the outline of that in pencil and then painting it on. I was surprised at how well that came out. Building the ordnance took a long time. I built six CBU-71 canisters (that is the closest thing the pieces match to), four AGM-65 Mavericks and two LAU-88 triple rail launchers, and an ALQ-119 ECM pod. Getting all those attached to the pylons was a major pain.
The base for the model is a large 18 x 20 picture frame. I inserted a thick grey-colored mat under the glass that looked like an aircraft parking ramp, and had a 3 x 4 inch metal plate built with the appropriate wording about the model. That plate and a smaller plate stating “Model by Albuquerque Scale Modelers” were then attached by double-sided tape onto the glass.
The A-10 model sold for $150 in the auction. The winner donated it to the nine-year-old son of one of the scholarship recipients at the dinner. The boy is a special needs child who is “all about airplanes.” So the model is going to a good home. The 2020 Folds of Honor event will be held at a larger venue, and they do want ASM to put on a large model display for that event. So start building for that!
2019 Air Force Anniversary Ball
The ASM model display at the 2019 Air Force Ball went very well. The event, held on Saturday, September 21, at Kirtland AFB, celebrated the 72nd birthday of the USAF as well as the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. ASM had planned to have three tables in three different rooms on which to display models, but we ended up with just two. One was in the main room where the festivities took place. It was decorated in a USO theme with lots of camouflage netting and we set up 31 D-Day-related models there. The other table was located in the entryway into the club where the attendees checked in. We ended up closely-packing 45 models on that table, covering the Korean War, Viet Nam, Air Defense Command, and Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. We brought 23 tubs of models but due to the space limitations not all were put out on the tables. We did have a total of 76 models on the two tables.
Lots of people stopped by and asked questions about the models and we were thanked for putting on the display. Ken Piniak wore a World War II tanker uniform complete with pistol and submachine gun, so he got lots of questions. Thanks to the following ASM members for setting up and manning the tables during the event: Josh Pals, Frank Randall, Ken Piniak, and Matt and Mike Blohm. Thanks also to John Tate for dropping by with his models and helping with the set up. Thanks to the following people who loaned models for the display: Glenn Bingham, Tony Humphries, Keith Liotta, Larry Glenn, Steve Brodeur, Jim Medina, Len Faulconer, Dave Tingley, John Tate, Josh Pals, Frank Randall, Ken Piniak, and Mike Blohm.
Apollo 11 Display – National Museum of Nuclear Science and History
The Albuquerque Scale Modelers (ASM) club provided a model display to support a 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing event at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. The museum was running the film “The Day We Walked on the Moon” three times on Saturday, July 20th, simultaneously with other Smithsonian-related museums across America. The museum also had Apollo Program artifacts from their collection on display for the duration of the event. The ASM model display was set up at the museum on July 15th and 16th, and has a total of 16 models. Eleven are Real Space models, and five are Theoretical Space models from the designs of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. See pictures below. We have two models from Apollo 11 – the Command Service Module Columbia and docked Lunar Module (LM) approaching the Moon in 1/72 scale, and the Lunar Module Eagle in 1/48 scale; and one model from Apollo 17 – the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) in 1/35 scale. There are also models representing the X-15 program, Project Mercury (Mercury-Redstone 3 – Alan Shepard), Project Gemini (Gemini 3 – Gus Grissom and John Young), and the Space Shuttle program (Challenger), along with an astronaut with Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), a V-2 rocket, the Vanguard TV-4 satellite launch vehicle, and a Soyuz space capsule. Theoretical Space models include the Lunar Lander Concept Design by Dr. Wernher von Braun, 3 Stage Ferry Rocket and Retriever Rocket from Colliers Magazine, the Nuclear Exploratory Vehicle design for a nuclear-powered spaceship, and the Mars Liner from the Disneyland Rocket to the Moon exhibit.
We had five vertically-standing rockets that would have been nice to display, including three from the July 12th “Man In Space” contest, but unfortunately the display case provided to ASM would not accommodate those taller models. The Space Shuttle Challenger with boosters and central tank was displayed laying on its “belly” instead of standing up on the crawler-transporter, to provide a complete set of all the NASA manned space programs. We had a short time to pull this all together but it turned out very nice. Jim Walther, the museum director, mentioned to me that “it was good to have models from the model club back in the museum again.” Hopefully ASM will be able to support future museum programs as well. Because the display lacked an Apollo command module, the “Apollo 11 Lunar Approach” model was started on Saturday, July 13th and the build “raced” Apollo 11 to the moon. The model was completed and delivered to the museum on Friday, July 19th as the real Apollo 11 went into orbit around the Moon, fifty years ago. More on that build in a future article. Thanks to the following ASM members for loaning models for the display: Steve Brodeur (LM), Ken Piniak (LRV and MMU), Frank Randall (X-15 and Gemini), and Mike Blohm (remaining models). The model display will run at the museum until approximately August 1st.
2019 KAFB Air and Space Fiesta
The Albuquerque Scale Modelers (ASM) conducted a model display at the Air and Space Fiesta Air Show at Kirtland Air Force Base on Saturday, May 18. Our goals were to promote the hobby of scale modeling with a display of USAF and space-related models that fit the theme of the air show, and to let the public know that Albuquerque did have an active model club and to perhaps gain some new members. I think that we put on a great display and successfully met those goals.
We had a very primo spot for our display near the center of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Space Pavilion hangar. Whereas we thought we were going to be allowed only two tables for the display due to space limitations, we ended up with room for five. We had brought some spare tables, and they also had one spare for us to use. We had brought a lot of models, thinking we would have to pare down based on what would fit. With the five tables we ended up using them all and had 77 total models in the display. From left to right around our horseshoe setup (see pictures), we had sections on the USAF in the Korean War, the “What is Scale Modeling” P-51Ds vignette in five different scales, the Viet Nam War, USAF helicopters, New Mexico Air National Guard aircraft, the bombers and aircraft of the Strategic Air Command, the Military Airlift Command/Air Mobility Command, the Air Defense Command, and the aircraft in Desert Storm through the current operations in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq. Finally, there was a section with Real Space and Theoretical Space models. Some attendees did inquire about models of World War II aircraft. One thing I had thought about bringing was a 1/72-scale B-17 and a B-24 to talk about Kirtland’s past role as a bomber training base during World War II. Unfortunately I left those at home, thinking that we would not have space. So we will need to look at making sure to bring those next time around.
We were there at 8:00 to set up, so we were well ahead of the folks coming on base for the air show. We heard later that there was a big traffic jam with very long waits. We had a continual crowd of lookers all day long, and had lots of questions and comments on the models. Based upon comments that I heard, people’s favorite aircraft was the F-4 Phantom followed by the A-10 Warthog. A lot of folks mentioned that they had previously built models and wanted to know where they could get kits to get back into the hobby. We pointed them at our favorite neighborhood hobby shop. We passed out a lot of ASM handouts and perhaps we will get some new members. We did get a lot of thank yous for putting on the display. One of the USAF members supporting our hangar came by as we were packing up and told us that there were more than 40,000 attendees at the air show, and that about 32,000 people had visited the STEM and Space Pavillion. There were a lot of cool interactive-type displays in our hangar, plus shade. So I guess ASM and the hobby of scale modeling did get some good exposure with the public during this air show.
Thanks to all who contributed models and to those who set up and manned the display. Model loaners included Victor Maestas, Keith Liotta, Ken Piniak, Jack Garriss, Larry Glenn, David DeYoung, Josh Pals, Bob Henderson, Frank Randall, Mike Blohm, and the Defense Nuclear Weapons School Museum. Manning the display were Josh Pals, Ken Piniak, Larry Glenn, Jeff Frickstad, Ken Piniak, and Matt and Mike Blohm.
