‘Prez’ Deppe

Of all the things I have done recently that cause me to question my mental competence, missing last month’s meeting is right there at the top of the list. I got my days mixed up and when I spoke to a friend on Thursday morning thinking it was Wednesday, the embarrassing truth revealed itself to me. My apologies to all of you present at the meeting for my absence. In my defense though, I wasn’t feeling too well, having made several trips to “worship the porcelain altar” that afternoon and probably would have missed the meeting anyway. However, had I not gotten my days confused, I would have notified someone to cover for me. Particularly disappointing to me was to miss out on Char and Everett’s presentations as their respective subjects were both of interest to me and I understand they were well done.

Congratulations to Darren McTee and Allen Harrison, our two chapter attendees at the Regional 10 contest, “The Gathering” held in Ogden, Utah on September 27 and 28. On the automotive side, Allen garnered a first and third place in Street Machine, a third place in Curbside, and fourth place in Competition, and just for some variety, a fourth place in Figures with a vinyl John Lennon. As regards to Darren’s awards in the aviation categories, I wasn’t able to speak with him personally, but as near as his wife and I could figure out over the phone he won: Best Aggressor Aircraft, Best A-10, F-15, and F-16 Categories, and Best 1/48 Scale Aircraft. Regards Allen and Darren for your skillful work and upholding the “honor” of IPMS Denver, Rob Wolf. Also, congratulations to our Northern Utah ‘brethren’ for hosting a successful Regional. By all accounts, it was a well run and attended event.

I my not be an armor modeler, but I am looking forward to the “Mountain Post Armor Show” scheduled for November 9^th at the 3^rd Cavalry Museum at Ft. Carson. To our beloved ‘treadheads’ I say go forth and make the rest of us proud of your modeling talents.

Finally, thanks to our able newsletter editor, Shawn Schwaller for organizing the membership roster that was enclosed in last month’s newsletter. I have already found it to be a godsend in getting ahold of club members.

--Tom

“Eye on the Tigers”

by Danny Coremans and the Tiger Team

A book review by Gerry Cole, IPMS #12671

Danny Coremans of DACO Publications has a new all-color book out, a follow on to his well-received F-16 update. If you like those colorful Tiger Meet liveries, plus the often crazy ground support “vehicles” that go along with the units in the event, you’ll love this book. There are 120 pages that cover the NATO Tiger Association meet in Belgium in June of 2001, and coverage of the first ever Tiger Meet of the Americas held at our local Buckley AFB last year.

The Belgium coverage includes some fascinating photos taken during the masking and painting of the F-16 “breaking mirror” flagship of FA-116 and the Tornado ECR 46+44 of JaboG 321. The latter is best described as a tiger under the “pealing skin” of the Euro gray Tornado. The “tiger underneath” theme is also present on the Mirage 2000C of EC 01.012 Escadron de Chasse of the French Air Force. For the impossible liveries, the Alpha Jet of Esquadra 301 takes the prize with its elaborate tiger markings covering no only the fuselage, but also the top and bottom of the wings, with an elaborate yellow and black pattern. There are also lots of tiger F-16s, tiger helicopters and even tiger tankers. Auto modelers will find tiger cycles, mini-vans and cars (at least I think the Smart Car is an automobile).

The Buckley portion of the book includes, of course, the host Mile High Militia Block 30 “big mouth” F-16Cs with black tiger stripes over the usual gray camo coloring. The most colorful tiger award should go to the CF-18B “Cougars” Hornet with 60^th anniversary markings in red, yellow and black. For auto modelers, there is the “Bold Tiger Mobile” in bright yellow body, black stripes and with F-15-style tailfins.

The book is available direct from Danny at the DACO website at http://ultra.glo.be/daco for about $27US including shipping. Danny has promised decals of some of the aircraft, but don’t hold your breath. I’ve waited 2 ½ years for airliner decal instruction sheets with no actual delivery in sight. The best bet might be that Danny’s artwork will again appear in a Revell kit.

MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 2, 2002

Our President, Tom Deppe, thought that it was Tuesday and missed the meeting entirely. Our esteemed duck modeler and vice president took over and called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM with 23 members and guests present.

SHOW & TELL:

Allen Harrison started show and tell out by showing off his many awards from the contests that he attended last month. No models finished, just lots of awards won. He entered the model contest at the Good Guys Hot Rod Show at PPI raceway, and he walked away with Best Custom plus fourteen participation awards. He also entered Mizzel's contest with fifteen models and swept the show with Best Adult, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd. Then he traveled to Utah to the Gathering where he won five awards. He won two 4^th places, two 3^rd places, and 1^st in the Street Machine category. He said that Mark Gustavson was his main competitor. He also participated in the Make N Take program at the Gathering Show and Contest. Char Torbett also entered the Good Guys Hot Rod Show and walked away with seven participation ribbons. She also won a 1^st place at Mizzel’s show. Everett McEwan brought in his completed 1/48 Grumman F-14, a completed 1/48 Douglas TA-4J built from the Monogram front end and the Hasegawa back end, and some A-4M resin conversion parts complete with a clear resin canopy. Mike Gawell showed us a 1/48 Tamiya Dewoitine D520, a 1/48 Tamiya Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden, and a 1/72 Heller Hawker Typhoon that he was working on. He also had a Luftwaffe Colours book and many photos from the War Eagles Museum in New Mexico. Al Gonzalez finally finished his 1/35 Revell Of Germany Lynx, complete with the full array of “disco” lights. Al was also working on a 1/35 Academy M151A1 Israeli Shmira, which he was converting, to a M151A2. Gerry Cole reported that, after 41 years, he has finally retired. Congratulations Jerry! Jeffrey Osborne is currently working on a 1/700 Hasegawa retooled Ise class Hyuga. Doug DeCounter had a 1/35 Alan Bison under construction and currently painted in parade gloss. Bob Nixon showed us a completed 1/72 Italeri Republic F-84F Thunderjet. Terry Tuytschaevers brought in completed a 1/35 Academy M151A1 Israeli Shmira, a 1/48 Monogram F9F-5 Panther, and a 1/400 Mirage Polish torpedo boat. Darren McTee reported that he had won five awards at the Gathering Show and Contest. He also showed us his award winning a 1/72 Hasegawa General Dynamics F-16 block 52 completed with Two Bobs decals. Steve Lawson went to the Grand Junction Show and Contest and won Best of Show with his Albatros Collection, Best Aircraft, a 2^nd, and a 3^rd. He also brought in some Albatross’s, a Sopwith Camel, a Spad XIII, and a Fokker DR.1. Dave Reinecke showed us his entry into the A-4 display and an older Starship model that he was converting to the U.S.S. Ashernar. (I think I got the spelling close) Joe Harness brought in a completed 1/48 Monogram Bell P-39 Airacobra. Martin Sagara didn’t have any models, but he did bring in a 1969 Aurora catalog. Mark (The Duckman) Persichetti had yet another kit of a duck he found all the way back in Indianapolis, plus he had a number of armored items that he was trying to sell.

CORRESPONDENCE:

No Correspondence - Cliff Davis was not present for the nights meeting - again.

TREASURY:

No treasury report – Mark never asked Dallas for the info

NEW BUSINESS:

Mark Persichetti asked that we all look at the present club roster, and if changes were needed, note them down so we could correct the roster.

Mark also reported that the IPMS chapter charters have been sent out and we should probable go ahead and approve Dallas to send a check. It was quickly voted on and approved.

Allen Harrison and Darren McTee talked about the IPMS Gathering regional show and contest. A good number of Colorado Springs people made the trip also. They reported that there was over 1100 models entered and there was an interesting and highly successful blind/silent auction to raise additional funds.

Allen also wants to reinstate the Modeler of the Year program. After a bit of discussion, we appointed Derek Brown to continue his good work. Just kidding Derek. The item was tabled for further discussion until next month.

Mike Gawell reported that there would be a Hobbytown show and contest the weekend of October 5^th in Lakewood at Union and 1^st.

OLD BUSINESS:

None

PROGRAM:

We had a two-part program this evening. Up first was Char Torbett with a dry brushing demonstration showing us how to do wood graining easily. Cal Hawkins was mightily interested even though he doesn’t do much modeling. Then Everet McEwan showed us how to deal with clear canopies. Thanks a bunch for the demos, Char and Everet.

What’s New In Town

By Terry Tuytschaevers

A+V MODELS

1/72 Yakovlev Yak-19

ACADEMY

1/35 USMC M60A1 With Rise/Passive Armor

1/35 IDF M60A1 Blazer With Exterior Armor

1/35 IDF Merkava II With KMT 4-Mine Roller

1/35 IDF Tank Crew Set

1/72 McDonnell F2H-3/4 Banshee VF-11

1/72 Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird & GTD-1 Drone

1/72 Fieseler Fi-156 Storch

1/72 Boeing B-29A Superfortress "The Big Time Operator"

1/72 Boeing B-50D Superfortress "El Paso"

1/72 Junkers Ju-87G-1 Stuka 'Tank Buster'

1/48 GD F-16A/C Fighting Falcon

1/48 Dassault Mirage IIIR

1/48 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt "Eileen"

1/48 Republic P-47N Thunderbolt "Cerry"

1/48 Hawker Hunter F.6

1/48 Vought F4U-1 Corsair 'Bird Cage'

1/48 Grumman F-14A Tomcat VF-143

1/288 Space Shuttle & Booster Rockets

1/288 Space Shuttle & NASA B-747 Transport

1/480 Lockheed C-5A Galaxy

1/30 Star Craft Marine Armored Infantry Trooper CMC-400A Powered Combat Suit

1/3 Star Craft Medium Assault Warrior Hydralisk Space Slug

AMT

1/25 1969 Dodge Yankee Challenge Street Rod

1/25 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

1/25 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

1/25 1994 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

1/25 1996 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

1/25 1997 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

1/25 Bulldozer "Big Yellow Cat"

BANDAI

1/100 Master Grade Gundam Spiegal Neo Germany Mobile Fighter GF13-021NG

1/100 High Grade Wing Gundam Zero0 Custom Mobile Suit XXXG-OOWO Endless Waltz

1/100 High Grade Gundam Heavy Arms Custom EW-4 Mobile Suit XXXG-01H2 Endless Waltz

1/100 High Grade Gundam D-Hell Custom Deathscythe H Mobile Suit XXXG-01 D2 Endless Waltz.

1/100 High Grade Gundam Sandrock Custom EW-6 Mobile Suit XXXG-01SR2 Endless Waltz

1/144 High Grade Gundam H-Arms Custom Mobile Suit XXXG-01H2 Endless Waltz

1/144 High Grade Gundam Endless Waltz Tallgeese III Mobile Suit OZ-OOMS2b

1/144 High Grade Gundam Endless Waltz Serpent Custom Mobile Suit MMS-01

1/144 High Grade Gundam D-Hell Custom Mobile Suit XXXG-0102 Endless Waltz

1/100 High Grade Ew-7 OVA Gundam Endless Waltz Serpent Custom Mobile Suit MMS-01

BILEK

1/72 Mikoyan MiG-19S "Farmer"

CZECH MASTER RESIN KITS

1/72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I - Early

DRAGON/DML

1/35 US Helicopter Crew Vietnam

1/35 SS-1C Scud B With Maz-543 Tel Transporter

1/35 Cross Of Iron Eastern Front 1944

1/35 Sturmpanzer IV "Brummbar" Sd.Kfz. 166

1/35 Jagdpanzer/Flammpanzer 38, Mid-Production

1/35 German Infantry HG Division Anzio 1944

1/35 Windtalkers, 5 Marines, 4-Japanese

HASEGAWA

1/72 Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum 'Hopsten'

1/72 Kawanishi H6K5 (Mavis) Type 97

1/72 GD F-16CJ Fighting Falcon FWS Nellis

1/48 Messerschmitt Bf-109F-2

1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII RAAF

1/48 Vought AU-1 (F4U-6) Corsair Reserves

1/48 Kawasaki Ki-100-I Koh Tony, 244 Ftr Rgt

1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2-N Rufe, Takuma FG

1/48 GD F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Tiger Meet 79th

1/48 Nakajima A6M2-N Type 2 Fighter "Rufe" Takuma Flying Group

1/32 Lockheed F-104C '479th TFW

HOBBYCRAFT

1/48 Douglas A-4M Skyhawk VMA-131

1/48 Douglas Israeli A-4N

ITALERI

1/72 Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter

1/48 MDD F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-122

1/48 Bell AB-205/UH-1D Huey

1/35 German WWII Rest Camp (7-Figures)

1/9 US Army WWII Motorcycle

1/72 T-62 MBT

1/35 DUKW Amphibious Truck

JAG

1/700 USS Virginia CGN-38 Class

1/700 USS Anchorage LSD

PANDA

1/35 Bell UH-1D Vietnam Era 1st Air Cavalry

1/35 Bell UH-1D Vietnam Era "Wasp"

1/144 Rockwell B-1B Lancer "SAC"

1/144 Rockwell B-1B Lancer "ACC"

1/48 Lockheed/Martin JSF USAF F-35A

1/48 Lockheed/Martin JSF USMC F-35B

POLAR LIGHTS

1/25 Ghostbusters Ecto 1 1959 Caddy Hearse

1/25 Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine

1/6 It's The Great Pumpkin, Snoopy

REVELL GERMANY

1/144 Lockheed F-117 Stealth Fighter

1/144 BAe 146-100 TNT

1/72 Grumman F6F-5 Sharkmouth Hellcat

1/72 Vickers Wellington Mk.X/XIV

1/72 Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird

1/72 BAe Harrier Gr. Mk 7

1/48 Sikorsky SH-3H Seaking AS Squadron Ten

1/48 Fokker DVII

1/48 Cessna A-37 Dragonfly

1/48 SE 5A

1/48 Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc

1/48 Messerschmitt Bf-109E-4/7

1/32 Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum Luftwaffe JG 73

1/24 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Rally

1/87 Locomotive German BR 43 WW II

1/35 German Panzergrenadiers WW II

1/35 German Infantry WW II

1/35 Jeep & M34 Tactical Truck

1/35 LAV-25 Piranha

1/35 LVT- (A)1 Alligator

1/72 Half Track 8 Ton 37mm Gun

HMS Bounty Sailing Ship

REVELL/MONOGRAM

1/32 Snaptite American Heroes 9/11 Commemorative Combo Mack Fire Engine & Chevy Malibu Police Car

1/24 #18 Interstate Batteries Grand Prix Bobby Labonte 2002

1/24 #40 Coors Light Dodge Intrepid R/T Sterling Marlin 2002

1/24 #20 Home Depot '02 Grand Prix Tony Stewart

1/25 1948 Ford Deluxe Convertible

1/25 1975 Datsun 240Z

1/24 Quadzilla Ford 4x4 Monster Truck

RODEN

1/72 Albatros D. III Oeffag S.153 (Early)

1/72 Albatros D. III Oeffag S.253

1/48 Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter Two Seat Fighter

1/48 Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter Single Seat Bomber

SKIF

1/35 BMP-1P W/Rocket Launcher, Semi-Amphip

SPECIAL HOBBY

1/48 Spad VII C1 French & Italian Aces

1/48 German WWI Lloyd C.V Observation Plane

TAMIYA

1/12 2002 Antena 3 Yamaha YZR500 Team Dantin

1/20 Ferrari F2001 Full-View Grand Prix Racer

1/35 Carro Armato M13/40 Reissued

1/35 M41 Walker Bulldog Tank Reissued

1/35 US Army Infantry Modern Reissued

1/35 Russian T34/76 Chtz 1943 Reissued

1/35 Schutzenpanzer Marder 1A2

1/35 SdKfz 7/1 Anti-A/C Halftrack Reissued

1/35 SdKfz 222 Armored Car Reissued

1/35 M577 Armored Command Post Reissued

1/35 German Tent Set Reissued

1/35 M5A1 Stuart Reissued

1/35 Centurion Mk III Reissued

1/48 Dornier Do-335 Pfiel w/ Kettenkraftrad

1/100 Boeing B-52D Stratofortress "Pink Panther"

VERLINDEN

1/16 North & South 3rd New Jersey Cavalry

1/16 General Dorsenne, Foot Grenadiers

1/16 Medieval Handgunner

1/32 Roman Legionaries, Defending The Empire Diorama

1/32 Italian Infantry Ca 1375 54mm With Long Lance & Sword

1/32 8-Inch Armstrong Rifle Confederate

1/35 M24 Chaffee Engine Compartment

1/35 Jagdpanther Zimmerit (Brass)

1/35 M60A1 Engine & Compartment

1/35 Get Up!

1/35 Fire! German Infantry

1/35 There! US Tankers

1/35 German Infantry Snow Dress (2-Figures)

1/35 M5 Recon/Command Interior & Exterior

1/35 Tiger I Zimmerit & Details For Tamiya

1/35 M5 Stowage Set Sandbags, Packs, Tools, Etc

1/35 Observations, 2-German WWII Soldiers

1/35 Ball Game, 2-Us Army Soldiers

1/35 General Patton and Staff

1/35 U.S. Tankers 'Letter for Home'

1/48 Me-262 Detail Set

1/48 Luftwaffe Compass Platform

AIRLINER TECH SERIES

#8 Lockheed L-1011 Tristar

#9 Boeing 377 Stratocruiser

AIRTIME PUBLISHING

US Military Aircraft Directory 2000

CASEMATE PUBLICATIONS

SS Wiking, 5 SS Div 1941-45

CHARTWELL BOOKS

Modern Military Uniforms

CLASSIC PUBLICATIONS

Ghost Bombers

Luftwaffe Colors Volume One Section 4 Jagdwaffe Attack In The West May 1940

CONCORD PRESS

The GI In Combat Northwest Europe 1944-1945

US Armored Artillery In WWII

GINTER BOOKS

Naval Fighters #55 McDonnell Douglas A-4M Skyhawk II

HIKOKI BOOKS

Condor, The Luftwaffe In Spain 1936-1939

The Cold War Years, Flight Testing At Boscombe Down 1945-75

RAF & RCAF Aircraft Nose Art In WWII

Luftwaffe Colours 1935-1945

Emblems Of The Rising Sun, Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Unit Markings

White Eagles, Polish AF 1918-1939

Eyes For The Phoenix Allied Aerial Photo-Recon Ops Southeast Asia

OSPREY/AIRCAM AIRWAR SERIES

# 1 RAF Fighter Units Europe 1939-42

# 2 USAAF Heavy Bomber Units ETO & MTO 1942-45

# 4 Luftwaffe Ground Attack Units 1939-45

# 5 RAF Bomber Units 1939-42

# 6 Luftwaffe Fighter Units Europe 1939-41

# 7 USAAF Medium Bomber Units ETO& MTO 1942-45

# 8 USAAF Fighter Units Europe 1942-45

# 9 Luftwaffe Night Fighter Units 1939-45

# 10 RAF Fighter Units Europe 1942-45

# 11 Luftwaffe Fighter Units Russia 1941-45

# 13 German Fighter Units 1914 - May 1917

# 12 USAAF Fighter Units MTO 1942-45

# 14 British Fighter Units Western Front 1914-16

# 15 Luftwaffe Bomber Units 1939-41

# 16 US Navy Carrier Air Groups Pacific 1941-45

# 17 German Fighter Units June 1917-18

# 18 British Fighter Units Western Front 1917-18

# 19 RAF Bomber Units July 1942-1945

# 20 Luftwaffe Fighter Units Mediterranean 1941-44

# 22 USAAF Bomber Units Pacific 1941-45

# 23 RAF Combat Units SEAC 1941-45

OSPREY AVIATION ELITE UNITS

#10 359th Fighter Group

OSPREY BOOKS

Boeing 757 & 767 Medium Twins Airliners

OSPREY NEW VANGUARD SERIES

German E-Boats 1939-45

SPECIALTY PRESS

MiG Alley

VERLINDEN

Building Military Dioramas Vol. V

The Verlinden Way Volume I

F-16 Fighting Falcon

GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN

(BUT ONLY IF YOUR MODELS ARENT BROKEN!)

by Earl Hosmer

Let’s face it…getting your masterpiece to the contest in one piece, whether across town at the mall or across the country to Nationals, can be a challenge. Trying to hold a toothpick full of super glue steady to reattach that snapped-off antenna, all the while being jostled by the eager crowd, is the stuff gray hairs are made of. And more often than not, that tiny blob of glue that your stressed-out fingers managed to get on the fuselage will cost you that trophy you so richly deserved. A small amount of time spent properly boxing up your pride and joy before the trip will save you from this nightmare.

Start with a good sturdy box, sized about 10% larger than the model. You want it big enough so that you don’t knock something off getting your model into it, but not excessive, which makes it more likely to be knocked out of your hands by a careless mall-crawler. Shoeboxes are ideal for 1/48^th and 1/72^nd scale fighters, individual armored vehicles, 1/700 ships, and cars. They are very strong, have tight fitting lids, and are usually free to boot! For larger multi-engine aircraft, 1/32^nd or larger fighters, and large armor/automotive models, consider buying a plastic storage box or Tupperware-style container. They can be reused forever, and are generally inexpensive compared to your model.

Other materials we will need are Styrofoam (larger blocks, like what your computer came packed in), good masking tape, a sharp X-acto knife, and some nice soft cloth, like an old but clean T-shirt. Don’t be tempted to scrimp and use Styrofoam peanuts or those little bubble wrap bags…they will break off more parts than if you packed it with nothing at all. But before you start cutting away, you need to do a little planning. Look the model over and note all fragile items that would break if rubbed against something or touched when inserting or removing the model from the container. Long fragile items which increase the volume the model occupies, like props, pitot tubes, refueling probes, tank radio aerials, etc need to be accounted for, or better yet build the model so these items can be removed and stored separately, then reattached with a drop of while glue at the contest.

While planning how to pack the model, I find it best to secure the model in all three axis. You never know what might happen on the way to the show that might cause the box to tip onto its side or roll over on the top. If you only planned for the box to stay horizontal, you may have a jigsaw puzzle to contend with at the show! You also need to consider something called “chaffing”, which is potential damage caused when two surfaces rub against each other under vibration (like in you car). Fretting can rub off a metal paint job real fast, and can also cause damage to other types of paint and especially decals. The method I describe below will secure the model in all 3 axis as well as eliminate chaffing damage.

For aircraft models, ideally we need to support the model at both nose and tail, and on both wings. Cut two pieces of Styrofoam block the exact width of the box. The thickness of these blocks is determined by how high we need to raise the model so that the landing gear (unless your name is Mike Gawell) or underwing stores will have an inch or so of clearance from the bottom of the box. The width will be determined by how much space we have at both nose and tail that has no breakable details on it. Depending on the aircraft, you may have to get real creative here. Using the X-acto knife, we can cut out sections of the Styrofoam to provide clearance for antennas, pylons, etc. Carving circular depressions in the block to match the fuselage contours will also add stability. Try to think like an engineer and plan for adverse things like shifting and bouncing of the box.

Once we have our underside fuselage Styrofoam blocks cut the way we need them, tape and/or glue them into the bottom of the box in the proper locations. Test fit the model in its completed state to make sure you have an inch or so clearance from the box sides at nose, tail, and wingtips. Put on the lid tightly to insure adequate vertical clearance as well. Cut two more Styrofoam blocks of the same thickness for the wingtips. Cut out a shallow depression for each wingtip using the model as a guide, and ensure you have allowed an inch of clearance for all underwing projections. For long, fragile wings, supporting them at mid-span rather than at the tips may be advisable to avoid breaking the wing-to-fuselage joint under stress. Tape or glue these wing support blocks in the bottom of the box as well. Cover all four of these blocks with soft cloth, taped on tightly at points well away from the model, to prevent chaffing with the Styrofoam

Estimate the height of Styrofoam blocks needed to fit between the upper fuselage (at least two places) and on each wing, to the bottom of the lid. We want these blocks to fit tightly to prevent the model from shifting, but not so tight that something gets broken when the lid is closed tightly. As before, cut out Styrofoam as necessary to clear protrusions and to get a snug fit on the fuselage. Some trial-and-error may be necessary to get it right but this is time well spent to prevent having to fix it at the show. Tape or glue these blocks to the underside of the box lid so that they engage the model at the right places and without compressing the model with the lid closed. Add soft cloth as before, then take a marker and label the blocks to insure that you place the model back in the box with the proper orientation each time. You can add customized storage for loose items like canopies, pitot tubes, and props to the sides of the box in unused locations. Label the outside of the box as to contents and you are finished.

Armor and automotive, typically of a more rectangular shape, can be secured much easier. Cut blocks to fit snugly at front, rear, and sides (and one underneath if you don’t want the wheels or tracks touching the bottom of the box) with appropriate cutouts for mirrors, grab handles, skirt armor, etc. Cover with soft cloth as above. Plan carefully for one central “pillar” Styrofoam block to engage the model on the roof or turret top to provide security in the vertical plane. If the turret or vehicle roof is too cluttered with breakable items for a Styrofoam pillar, lightly tape the turret to the hull and add longer pillars down to the hull top in two opposing locations. You can add custom storage for figures and/or light vehicles along with the main model.

1/700 scale and larger ships pose a problem due to masts and photoetch railings, which make it difficult to secure the model in the vertical plane. Take a flat piece of Styrofoam cut to the exact dimensions as the bottom of the box. Use a toothpick or similar to trace around the hull, then remove this section, making sure you get a snug fit between Styrofoam and hull. Allow for the thickness of cloth you will use to prevent chaffing. If the ship has a full hull rather than a waterline, you will of course have to raise up the Styrofoam sheet on “stilt” blocks, and place some blocks under the keel to provide clearance for props and rudders. If there is an open spot on the upper hull (maybe a turret top or on a carrier) you can make a Styrofoam “pillar” to the box lid to provide vertical security. If not, use some fishing line or thread and “lash her down” to the Styrofoam sheet on the bottom, making sure the lashing does not contact fragile things like railings, AA guns, etc.

That about covers it. Take your time, think like an engineer, and you should be rewarded with an undamaged model at trips end. Maybe you can spend some of your down time at the show helping the next guy fix his model that he just set in a shirt box and put in the back seat of his car!

MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 2, 2002

A+V MODELS

ACADEMY

AMT

BANDAI

BILEK

CZECH MASTER RESIN KITS

DRAGON/DML

HASEGAWA

HOBBYCRAFT

ITALERI

JAG

PANDA

POLAR LIGHTS

REVELL GERMANY

REVELL/MONOGRAM

RODEN

SKIF

SPECIAL HOBBY

TAMIYA

VERLINDEN

AIRLINER TECH SERIES

AIRTIME PUBLISHING

CASEMATE PUBLICATIONS

CHARTWELL BOOKS

CLASSIC PUBLICATIONS

CONCORD PRESS

GINTER BOOKS

HIKOKI BOOKS

OSPREY/AIRCAM AIRWAR SERIES

OSPREY AVIATION ELITE UNITS

OSPREY BOOKS

OSPREY NEW VANGUARD SERIES

SPECIALTY PRESS

VERLINDEN

Calendar Of Events