High Plains Modelers

High Plains Gazette

Region X Newsletter of the Year 2011

Volume 2, Issue 6

February 2013

January Meeting Notes

By Chris Nugent CoMMiESFest is Feb 16th. Jeff asked about carpooling. Re: the theme build for July, ideas floated were something Polish, Yellow, a Colorado theme. Looks like Colorado wins it. Theme for October show: Korean war theme, a 1953 theme, Lucky 13 theme, decision tabled until next month. Financial report was a general $3500 for now, written report to be submitted later. Flyers: postponed for now pending Larrys return. Regarding clinics- Tomas offered to do a clinic on track colors for armor, in March. Last year a decal clinic on complex and large decals was requested. Jeff asked about 72nd scale antenna installs on aircraft. Dave Dardine offered to do this one. Jeff also floated the idea of glosscoats, esp. using Future. Chip wants to see a clinic on masking clean lines. Jeff is doing an A/V presentation in February regarding winter weathering for armor. Dave D. discussed the group build for the Nationals show. Diorama of German airfield, captured and now used by the Americans. Everyone would contribute a portion. Hangar would occupy corner of the dio, with a captured German aircraft being worked on outside the hangar in a field, and occupied hangars with US equipment. Took a vote and the dio build for Nats has been approved. Jeff discussed bringing in WIPs to the monthly meetings for the rest of the club to critique before these are ready for Nats. Took a vote and this was approved as well. Carpool to CoMMiESFest? To be discussed at January B&B CoMMiESFest sponsorships? Voted on a $50 sponsorship for the CoMMiES and was approved. Randy stated dues are due next months meeting (February).

CommiesFest Diorama

Inside this issue:

January Meeting Notes Valentines Day Rant The Carpet Monster Book Review by Pablo National Contest Update March Calendar IPMS Membership App

1 1 2 3 4 8 12

Whats New This Month:

IPMS National Update Pictures of Models

Did you get a Model for Valentines Day?

By Jeff Brown
Neither did I. Apparently this is a one-way holiday where men shower women with chocolates and flowers and a nice dinner and in return we dont get a gift. As it was pointed out to me, buying you a model so you can lock yourself in your room alone is not what Valentines Day is about. Its not like I was going to work on the model on Valentines day. Most model builders I know arent out carousing, so I dont understand why significant others dont really appreciate our hobby. Oh well, maybe for my birthday then again.

The Italian Campaign CommiesFest Recap Clinics on Page 13

Volume 2, Issue 6

The Carpet Monster: Editors Opinion

By Jeff Brown (Editor) Physics cease to exist when building a model. In fact a lot of things cease to exist when building a model, including patience, anger management and sanity. them they are yards away from where they first hit the ground. How does a small part that weighs so little fly so far bouncing on a soft carpet when it was dropped from only 12 feet? Mind boggling. Anyway, some missing parts you can scratch build, some missing parts you can cover with mud, so it isnt a total loss, yet we all crawl around the floor looking like an idiot with our visor on scanning every piece of carpet for a missing part. Sometimes we find other parts, ones that have been missing for years, despite having vacuumed the floor a hundred times. Where do they go? The same void as socks? Probed by aliens like Larry Hersh? How do they find their way back? I dont know the answers thats why Im asking all I know is when I drop something I get as angry as the Fuhrer.

I cant find the part for my Focke Wulf.

I am sure we have all dropped a part on the floor, never to find it. Despite hours upon hours of searching for some parts where they should have landed, and if we do find

Despite hours upon hours of searching for some parts

REVIEW: Miniart Park Wall Diorama

By Jeff Brown This review is of the MiniArt Diorama with Park Wall; that is part of their Diorama series of bases for armor models. It was a pretty easy build, and it looks nice when finished, but it did take some work and some modifications to make it look good. First of you get a sheet of Page 2 very soft plastic to use as the base. This has some very nicely done details with the pathway and some small rocks in the road. The base is marked off for where you will put the wall. First you have to cut the wall pieces out of this single sheet of soft plastic. You have to be very careful doing his as one slip from the blade can ruin a piece, or cut off some detail. Building the wall was a challenge in that the pieces have nothing to grab onto when you glue them. I ended up using some styrene strips to help hold the walls together. Once they were set, I used some white putty to cover the seams, and a small stiff brush to add some texture. Once this dried I glued the walls to the base. While it took some work, in the end they look very nice, and when painted they are well detailed. The next step is assembling the extras that come with the kit. In my opinion these are more than worth it, since you get items that you might not use here but can use on other dioramas. The park bench is really neat, as are the manhole covers and drains. While I did not use them for this base, I am going to use them in another MiniArt build that I should finish reviewing soon. The plastic for the extras seems to me to be of a little better quality than the walls and base, but in the end everything worked, and that is the main point. I finished it in a winter theme, adding a little snow and a Wespe. All in all it was a nice little project that is not too time consuming, and provides a nice background for your vehicle. I would like to thank MiniArt and IPMS/USA for the review sample.

Miniarts Park Wall Diorama Base

Review: Romanian Fighter Colours (Yellow Series #6123)

By Pablo Bauleo

High Plains Gazette

The Romanian Air Force in World War II saw extensive combat in the Eastern Front against the Soviet Air Force and against the USAAF and RAF in home defense roles. Later, in late 1944 Romania changed sides and saw combat against the Luftwaffe. This book covers all the fighter aircraft in the Romanian Air Force during World War II. The fighter aircraft inventory included British, German, Polish, and locally

the Hawker Hurricane, Bf 109E and 109G, He 112, Bf 110G, PZL 11 and PZL 24, IAR 80/81, plus captured Mig-3, I-16 and Fw-190A/F. The book has chapters for each aircraft type in detail, including a brief history of the aircraft service in the Romanian Air Force before moving into a section on camouflage and markings for the given aircraft being depicted in the chapter. This section also includes infor-

Finally the book has a few appendixes covering details on Romanian Air Force ranks, paints and colors used in the aircrafts (including color code and FS equivalent) and a very detailed section on the evolution of the Romanian Air Force markings, including both Axis and Allied markings.

Romanian Fighter Colours

fighter aircraft inventory included British, German, Polish...

Romanian Hurricane

mation on lettering, numbers and factory logos applied to each aircraft. After the section on camouflage styles and markings, the main feature of each chapter follows: numerous and gorgeous color profiles (sometime even 3-view or 4views) of different aircrafts, next to a historical picture of the airplane, which in some cases is in color, but in most cases is in black and white.

Ive truly enjoyed reading this book. The information provided on it makes it very valuable to the modeler and several of the pictures have not been published before. I know that I will add more Romanian models to my collection now that I have what could be the definite reference on the Romanian Fighters in World War II. I would like to thank Mushroom Model Publications for the review sample.

This book covers all the fighter aircraft in the Romanian Air Force during World War II.

Romanian Bf 109Gs.

designed airplanes, plus captured soviet airplanes, yielding to a rather varied set of camouflage styles. Specifically, the book covers

Romanian Messerschmitt

Another Romanian Messerschmitt

Romanian IAR 80C

Romanian Numbering for Aircraft

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Volume 2, Issue 6

IPMS National Report By Mark Persechetti

Mark brought sign up sheets for volunteers. Need people good with keyboard, runners to act as guides for contestants, security, raffle. Discussed volunteer info needed and club association so as to divide up the profits, if any. 4hr shifts were discussed. 3 shifts 9-1, 1-5, and 5-9oclock. If volunteering, plan on doing more than one shift and more than one job due to small size of NoCo clubs and limited pool of volunteers. Mark also discussed fundraising. Asked all NoCo clubs to chip in on purchasing a vendor table from Hobbytown $100. Therefore we would chip in 1/3. Randy cut a check for $33.34. Mark discussed computers networked together to handle registration. There is software designed for IPMS conventions. The software is updated for every year. Mark asked for volunteers knowledgeable in computer networking and building the network for this convention. Tony and possibly Paul may assist with this. Marks update as to whats going on so far: IPMS registration is online and live for the con. Online store is live. This is very similar to the same way IPMS online memberships are bought. Mark discussed tours: the Buckley tour is very limited, (38 people), as are one or two more. The Buckley tour involves an emailed USAF form to fill out. Tour includes the 120th and possibly the helicopter squadron. Bus size dictates tour size. Mark discussed sponshorships for award packages. An email from that coordinator is pending. Sponsorships are $85 and $100. We can purchase these online as well. Jeff stated the last notes he got were that depending on what award we sponsor, members from this club get to pick the winner for that category. Nats chairperson prefers that judges are more scattered from different clubs in order to preserve the objectivity of the judging. Mark discussed judging at Nats and the guidelines to be followed. He talked about judges who find one model with flawed paint, one with flawed construction, and one with mediocre detail, resulting in an apples-toapples problem. Its a function of negotiation between judges basically. Also Mark mentioned judging training for noobs. They go through a judging OJT for one years contest, then the following year they are considered a regular judge. After 3 yrs, they get a certificate. Mark asks that all Colorado participants get registered by Tuesday the week of Nats in order to give the registration staff a practice run in preparation for the rest of the week. Tomas asked Mark regarding name spelling for contestants and ensuring that those names, especially foreign ones, are spelled correctly. Tony asked regarding the overall health of the Nats. Mark stated that, given the turning of the year, things are starting to move faster and the committee is beginning to take more action and take it seriously. Pablo also added that he did not volunteer due to lack of confidence in the convention as its being run so far. Also one of our members stated was that this show is happening in our backyard, and proper respect has not been rendered considering that. Mark Ps answer to that was that most modelers are introverts and thus do not possess the soft skills often required when interacting on a diplomatic level. Thus the snub was accidental and unintended. Mark went over some

August 14-17, 2013 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado.

CommiesFest Focke Wulf

CommiesFest Dale Jr.

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IPMS National Report By Mark Persechetti (Cont.)

issues at previous shows that caused those shows to be less than spectacular in answer to Pablo and Tonys concerns (as well as the rest of our concerns) Jeff discussed issues regarding the publication of the newsletter and whether it should be paper or electronic (DVD/ROM). Jeff conducted an informal poll in which most participants want a paper issue as opposed to an electronic version.

High Plains Gazette

IPMS 2013 National Contest Update

This Update is pulled from the contest website. Registration is now open! For more information, go to our Registration page, the IPMS/USA online store, or download our mailin registration form.

August 14-17, 2013 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado.

CommiesFest Recap
By Jeff Brown On Saturday February 16th, 2013, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden the IPMS Commies held their annual CommiesFest contest. Pablo, Randy, Gary, Chip, Tony and yours truly entered the contest. Word has it that Da Prez, Michael Adams, went down and took some photos and hung around for a few hours as well. second for Tony in a category where he had the only model! Actually the biggest surprise for me was that I actually swept a category. I took home first, second and third in Star Wars. Pablo picked up three firsts, a second and a third. Gary got a first and a third, and Chip took home a third.

...a surprise second for Tony in a category where he had the only model!

I think we did rather well in the contest having won several firsts, seconds and thirds.

I think we did rather well in the contest having won several firsts, seconds and thirds, and even a surprise

CommiesFest Ferrari

CommiesFest Second Place Towing!

CommiesFest Stug III G

CommiesFest Star Destroyer

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Volume 2, Issue 6

Some Judging Humor

By Kevin Cummins, IPMS #35536 10. "We felt that the cross-eyed effect on your figure was too exaggerated."
CommiesFest B-25

9. "What toy store did you buy this from?" 8. "We needed some comic relief, so we counted up the flaws on your aircraft. You should be able to view it in the Journal in several months. Should be about 3 pages." 7. "We really admired the finish. What is that, Sherwin-Williams industrial semi -gloss latex?"

You are NOT a modeler, you are a butcher. Your work should be crushed and melted as a warning to others."

6. "Out of curiosity, was there any historical significance to the "one blade at a different angle" propeller design?" 5. "We really liked the effect that the 1:1 scale spider living in the cockpit had on the judges. That's a nice touch." 4. "You mean you actually entered this? We didn't judge it, we thought someone put it out here as a prank." 3. "We thought it was really neat the way that you painted the rocks on the base so that it looks like nothing is holding that section of tank track off the ground. Oh wait! Nothing is supporting that track, is it?" 2. "Does the upside-down national insignia indicate that the pilot is in distress, or that the air force is surrendering?" 1. "We didn't know that this many flaws could exist on one model. We took about 40 digital pictures and slammed them out on rec.model.scale for comments. We used your name..." And one I've been tempted to use, but had the courtesy not to: "You are NOT a modeler, you are a butcher. Your work should be crushed and melted as a warning to others."

CommiesFest Best Figure

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Italy: The Forgotten Campaign

The Tigers were older models, the Panthers were older I was recently reading a hismodels, my guess is that the tory of the Battle of Anzio high command was saving from the British perspective. the best stuff to defend the Of course the slant was proFatherland. I have yet to British, just like I imagine find a King Tiger in Italy, most history written by a which is interesting considAnzio is one of those major country is pro-that country. ering that the Germans in There are lanItaly put guage differup a better ences, howfight than ever, for exthe ones in ample during France. In one attack, the fact there British writer were more said, .one Allied night we beat casualties off the Gerduring the mans. Yes Italian here in Amercampaign ica we would than all of have used the the Westphrases beat ern Theaback or ter comThe Gustav Line - The often overlooked Italian Campaign fought off bined. since in our The Italian country the Campaign British verincluded black combat campaigns that is much forsion has a very different troops (the Buffalo Solgotten. Maybe forgotten is a meaning. diers), and Brazilian troops stretch, but it is safe to say Anyway, back to Anzio. I (the only South American Anzio is overlooked. In fact have a few Shermans, and country to send troops to much of the Italian Camthey call for a different paint fight during the entire war). paign is overlooked by not There were literally troops only historians but Hollyfrom just about every Allied wood. Not to mention the nation including Britain, battle for Monte Cassino, or France, Poland, Canada and the invasion of Sicily, or the Italy part II. northern mountain battles.

High Plains Gazette

By Jeff Brown

to research these schemes and searching for a decent picture of a Sherman with these colors when I came across some interesting things about the Italian Campaign.

Two tone Sherman in Italy.

...troops from just about every Allied nation including Britain, France, Poland, Canada and Italy

A Panther in Italy.

scheme, yellow with olive drab. I was discussing alternate paint schemes a few months ago, and was trying

Reading as many of the histories I could get my hands on I became fascinated by the theater, and the battles, and the equipment. In Italy the Germans used a lot of different types of armor, but the Wehrmacht did not get the latest and greatest there.

I for one plan on learning more about these battles. I find it fascinating . I also found over 120 photos in Germanys Bundesarchiv of panzers in Italy, which gave me some great ideas for some of my unbuilt kits. Viva Italia!

An Elefant in Italy.

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Volume 2, Issue 6

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High Plains Gazette

Photo of the Month for October

The usual suspects at CommiesFest on February 16th.

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Volume 2, Issue 6

Model of the Month for October

Best Diorama from CommiesFest

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High Plains Gazette

January Model Gallery

Photos by Jeff Brown

Pablos P-47

Chips Chinese Fighter

Chriss Mirage

Randys Van

Garys Truck

Daves GTO

Monthly Contest Entries: Pablo - 1/48 P-47 Jeff - 1/48 Citroen civilian Chris - 1/48 Mirage 2000C Gary- 1/52 Honest John Missile & Transporter with Kenworth tractor Chip - 1/144 Chinese J-8 Interceptor Tomas 1/35 Panther Cody 2011 Ford Mustang GT Randy Ford Van Dave D. GTO Monthly winner: Tomas

Codys Mustang

Tomas Polish Panther

Jeffs Citroen

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Volume 2, Issue 6

About IPMS/USA
IPMS/USA is the United States Branch of the International Plastic Modelers' Society, whose roots can be traced to the startup of the first IPMS National Branch during the 1960's in Great Britain. In 1964 a US-based modeler applied for a charter to start the US Branch. In the ensuing 4 decades, IPMS/USA has become a 5,000 member, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the modeling hobby while providing a venue for modelers to share their skills in a social setting, along with friendly but spirited competition in the form of local, regional, and national contests and conventions. As this is written, there are over 220 active US chapters (including groups in Canada and the Philippines as well as one "cyber-chapter" existing entirely on the internet). These chapters are organized into 13 geographically-determined Regions, overseen by Regional Coordinators. The IPMS/USA Executive Board, made up of elected and appointed members, serves as the overall governing body for IPMS/ USA. IPMS/USA produces the Modelers' Journal, an allcolor magazine supplied to our members 6 times each year. Sample copies of the Journal are available upon request, and you'll find several cover shots elsewhere in this handout. In addition, IPMS/USA maintains one of the largest and most-visited public websites in the modeling community (www.ipmsusa.org). Members and visitors can view product reviews, chapter and contest information, see examples of members' work, and view images of contest, museum walkarounds, and the like. A members-only Forum allows discussion of specific topics of interest amongst our membership. The remainder of the website is open to the modeling public and sees thousands of hits weekly. From: www.ipmsusa.org

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High Plains Gazette

High Plains Modelers

Meetings are the last Tuesday of the month at The Ranch in Loveland. They start at 7pm and end around 9pm. Editor: Jeffrey Brown jgdtiger007@yahoo.com President: Michael Adams Vice President: Jeffrey Brown Treasurer: Randy Robinson Secretary: Chris Nugent

Our club has plastic modelers from Northern Colorado, mainly from the Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont area. We also have a few members from Wyoming. Honestly, if you need an excuse to get away from home a few days a month, join our club. Your skills will improve and you will have a few laughs. Stop by a meeting, the first one is free!

Website http://ipmshpm.blogspot.com/

Next Meeting March 26, 2013. 7pm at The Ranch.

Clinics for this year are: January: None First Meeting of the Year February: Chris-Polishing canopies March: Tomas, track colors for armor April: Dave Dardine- 72nd scale aircraft antenna installs May- club auction, no clinic June- Pablo-NMF clinic July: Chris-masking clean lines August: Randy R. Decals September: no clinic due to planning meeting for High Plains Con October: Larry H.- Airbrushing November: Jeff Winter Weathering December: No Clinic Christmas Party

Classifieds and other Happenings

For Sale or Trade: . *** Posting Ads are free for High Plains Modelers Members to post items for sale or trade. If you are not a member of the club it cost $2 to post an ad which goes towards our annual club contest.

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