RT

Besides being a member of IPMS/USA I am also a member of IPMS/Canada.  I have been for quite a number of years.  One of my fonder modeling memories is attending the Canadian “Nats” in Ottawa in 1992.  Ottawa is beautiful and the Canadian National Avation museum is just a fantastic museum.

In any event, one of the best things about being a member of IPMS/Canada is their magazine, RT.  Until Chris B. and his gang took over the IPMS/USA Journal, RT was by far the best of the IPMS national magazines.  The only problem is that it wasn’t published on any real schedule.   Well, now RT has announced that they have a new editor and are going to a 36 page, 4 times a year format.  Hopefully this will allow them to get on to a regular schedule.  The latest issue, Vol. 30 # 5&6 is a double issue, and an attempt to get caught up.  The production quality was up to their usual high standards, and the UB build article was particularly nice.  We should know soon what the magazine will look like in its new quarterly format.

I’m back

Sorry for the absence.  The last two weeks have been somewhat of a whirlwind in my life.  An unexpected job change and the accompanying upheveal in my life caused me to put modeling, as well as blogging about modeling on the back burner.

The good news is that my life appears to be returning to normal.  A life changing event such as this makes you realize how many friends you have.  I especially appreciate all the friends I have in the modeling community.  Their support was a real boon to me and I hope I don’t soon forget it.

Now, I will return you to the regularly scheduled tripe normally seen here.  Enjoy.

Neat website

One of my many areas of interest is WWII Italian a/c.  I’ve got a ton of kits on the subject and a lot of plans.  Only one actual completed model, an Me-109G in pre- Sept. 1943 markings.  I came across this website and have bookmarked it.  A nice site with some good info.  Go by if you ave any interest in Italian aircraft.

Ohhhh, I want one.

I didn’t know this was coming out.  I have an interest in the V-1.  I built one in 72nd scale a couple of years ago from the MAC kit.  I have several others I was to build .  The new Bronco Models kit in 35th scale has some real diorama possibilities.  I will have to put it on my list.

Here is my 72nd scale build.

V-1

Fired up!

Man, I am in a modeling frame of mind.  I am in a mood to build.  Part of it is the beginning of the fall season.  This brings the Nats followed by the local fall shows.  Seeing others completed models always inspires me to build.  The weather has a little crispness in the air and that also seems to get my blood up.

Not satisfied with what I have currently on my plate, I am already planning what to build in the future.  This is dangerous I know, but I can’t help it.

Right now, I have in process and nearing completion the following:

Revell Hawker Hunter (in the decaling stage. Should be finished by this weekend.)

Tamiya Jeep (in the paintshop.  Going to try a number of weathering techniques on this one.)

Trumpeter P-40 (Ready for initial priming)

Trumpeter Su-15TM Flagon-F ( Under construction)

Well, that should last me a few years at my current rate.  However, I am still thinking about what is next.  Here is what I am thinkingg about now.

Acc. Min. Predator (Small kit, Quick build. Very topical)

Tamiya P-47 (A true OOB. A chance to play with some OD fading techniques.)

Revell Hunter (I know, but the Hunter has grown on me, the Revell kit is great and I have tons of great markings for it.)

MiG-17 (Yes, I know I just finished one, but I want to build one with all the bells and whistles and correct the DML kits’ flaws.)

Well that should keep me until I die.  Guess that means I should sell off the other 1000 kits I have. Not!

2008 Huntsville show wrap up

Now that a day has past, I’ve had time to reflect on the Huntsville show.  First, I enjoyed myself, as I always do.  Huntsville is always a good time.  This show was no exception.  That having been said, I found the show worrisome.  The attendance was down, way down.  I can only speculate that this was due to the ongoing financial crisis and the high cost of gas.  While new kits keep coming out and people seem to be buying, I wonder if shows will see lower attendance, and if so what effect this will have.  I will know more after Cinci.

Here is a TB-3.  You don’t see this one often.

TB-3

This next one is a 48th scale Ki-84.  Very clean and a nice bare metal finish.

Ki-84

This next one is a figure vingette, WWI German leaders I think. (Thanks to commenter Fabian who notes that this is a scene from the Franco-Prussian war, not WWI.)

Franco-Prussian war scene

2008 Huntsville show liveblog

Its 2:20pm local time here in Huntsville and the judging is well under way.  The show is this year’s IPMS Region 3 regional, but it feels like a typical Huntsville Invitational.  In fact I don’t think there are as many models entered as there were in the last two years.  In fact, there are several categories with few or no entries.

On to the photos.

Dr. Terry Hill in front of the model display area.

Dr Terry Hill in front of display area

In 72nd scale, this Ju-87 is nice.

Ju-87

Also in 72nd scale, this B-26, the new Hasgawa kit.

B-26

Now, here is one for the armor guys, a 35th scale 251.

Sdkfz 251

Finally, the obligatory trip to Hooters for lunch.

Lunch at Hooters

Sooo close

Well, the Hunter won’t be done for Huntsville tomorrow.  However it is very close and will certainly be done for Cincinnati on October 18th.  I like the way it is looking.

Decaling in process

Here is a side view.  I love the Jordanian markings

Decaling the Hunter

I will try and liveblog from Huntsville Saturday if I can.