Leaderboard

I just sent this email to the IPMSUSA Eboard about the Journal and Chris Bucholz's resignation: Dear Eboard members: As a concerned IPMSUSA member of almost 50yrs, I'm contacting ALL of you to ask the board to please provide an explanation on the IPMSUSA Discussion Forum as to exactly what is going on with the Journal. There are already at least two different topic areas discussing Chris's resignation as well as the Journal in a more general sense (as in when is the next issue and why is it running so late?). Please note that this email is NOT written to provide me with a personal explanation, but for someone on the Eboard to go to the DF, read the questions posed, and provide some answers. As an aside, I WILL say that in my own personal opinion, as officers EACH ONE OF YOU should be on the DF at least 1-2 times per week; JUST to keep up on things that directly concern the Eboard. Since there's been no answers coming from ANY of you after several days, I decided to contact all of you directly so that you have no excuse for not knowing about the questions on the DF. As I stated in my post, the Journal is the ONE tangible asset every member gets for their money. Except for its tardiness, it has steadily improved over the years under Chris's leadership and over a constantly changing group of Eboards. Its future, and YOUR plans for the direction you want to take the Journal in (and that Chris felt he could not abide) will have a huge impact on membership AND IPMSUSA income for the treasury. I hope you'll quickly discuss this among yourselves and designate someone to AUTHORITATIVELY provide some answers on the DF. I'll understand if you move the discussion to the Members Only area at the bottom so as to keep the explanation and discussion more "in house". I respectively await for your posts on the DF. Until then, I'll be copying this email ONTO the DF so that the concerned members there will know you've been asked directly to respond. Thanks! Gil Hodges IPMS# 10803 (since 1977)

Here is my latest aircraft completed this month. This is the ancient Matchbox kit of the Swedish SAAB J-29 in 1/72 scale. I used the kit's original decals to complete it. Sprayed with a rattle can of metallic aluminum: Thank you all for looking in, comments are welcome!

A few months ago, I was approached by Col. Arnie Franklin (retired) about restoring a Space Shuttle for a museum. The model was built by Rockwell International (The builders of the actual Space Shuttles). They were given as a gift to NASA. NASA in turn, transferred them to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The one I’m currently working on was on public display at the Johnson Space Center. Rather than just paint it, I’ve decided to tile it, and apply the thermal blanket material (Athletic Tape) Christopher

This was started as a "kill time" model while paint/stuff dried on my main project, but I got into it and I think it came out pretty well. The underside parts are a bit fiddly and the whole hood assembly took wedges and clamps to get it in place with no gaps. Some of the seats had sink holes in the cushions, so I covered them up with the rifle and musette bag. The only additions I made were to add glazing to the windscreen which you can't see, the props holding up the windscreen armored cover and the tilt hoop attached to the rear. I also substituted two other 30 cal. MGs as the kit one was rather basic looking. It's painted as a vehicle used by the 2nd NZ division artillery in Italy in '43. It's not perfect, not by far, but looks nice in my armoured car collection.

Would someone on the Executive Board please enlighten us on the “changes behind the scenes” that caused Chris Bucholtz to resign the Journal editor position?

In attending the Madison convention I noticed small and large changes in how the Convention was run. Almost all of them were from the current E-board and whoever they designated to the task for the National Convention. I'm sure others were involved. First off the Registration process was the smoothest I'd have ever seen computer based and individualized for each member either entering models or just to get a t shirt and a decal sheet. Totally customized to cater to the membership. In my mind it was a eye opening experience. Second Judging with the NCC changes since the San Marcos Convention was a big question mark . I think it went very well. That being said I'm sure other clubs may have considered bidding but before you commit 2 yrs of your life the clubs wanted to make sure what they are committing to. That in itself may have dampened enthusiasm to make a bid at this time. Third going into the future I feel in my opinion the operations are being streamlined to enhance the member experience. Systems shouldn't change year to year at every National going forward. No more Chiseling a new wheel for the National Convention. Also this is the first year that the National E-board has opened access to the membership in a social setting a nice way for members to discuss concerns and criticisms and what members think what IPMS is doing right. And another meet and greet session was held with club officers and RC's to hear concerns and to exchange questions and share ideas and suggestions. I'm definitely seeing a trend towards transparency and seeking member input. Fourth volunteers the lifeblood of any organization. In my opinion that is what the host club will provide in hosting a National Convention. If you saw a red t shirt in the Madison Convention, you could get directions to where to go from registration to vendors to help unload into the vendor area and help them at the end of the Convention. And many clubs outside of the Madison club stepped up and helped the Convention run as smoothly as humanly possible, adding to the experience and providing value by them being there. In conclusion IPMS will see other bidders in the future in my opinion. I think we're in a wait and see period. Like anything, new clubs and modelers want to see how this goes. Local clubs are the lifeblood of the Society. Ron Thorne Jr RC 5

Though it probably won't comfort you, the Mar/Apr issue is the last one I have sitting on my shelf, and the May/June issue is FAR overdue even if you allow for the usual one month late mailing in July. It would be VERY gratifying if someone on the Eboard actually took the time to read the IPMSUSA DF and respond to member concerns here, especially now that the Journal may actually be without an Editor since Chris Bucholz resigned last week. The Journal is the ONE tangible asset that every member gets for their money, and your legitimate question, as well as how the Journal will be handled going forward is probably THE most pressing question at this time. Tackle the problem of late mailings, get it back on schedule, and have an Editor take the helm who shows they have a purpose and direction for the Journal going forward and the membership can be maintained. Failing to solve those problems for the next year will start a downward spiral of NON-renewals since people aren't getting what they paid for, and THAT can have far reaching consequences that will take years to recover from, if at all. Gil

Bidding on a Nats is no small matter, nor something that can be approached like preparing for a local. I sat through the bid presentation and Ft. Wayne presented a well prepared bid that covered all of the needed basic info, and then answered some questions from those there on other items. They have a team of people from more than 5 clubs across the OH/MI/IN area who have previous Nats and contest prep experience. I'm convinced they know what they're taking on, will learn from both Madison and the coming Hampton Nats to give us the best show they can deliver. As to other bids.... IF anyone else had been organized and ready to bid (not just show up and say "We wanna do it"); the Eboard would have given them time and considered their proposal. NO ONE ELSE SHOWED UP! As Nick pointed out.... we should be thankful there's a group WILLING to do it in 2026, even if having more choices would be preferable. So.... if you're out WEST or in the CENTER of the country and want the Nats nearer to you in 2027; PUT A BID TOGETHER AND MAKE IT AT HAMPTON! But be prepared to have a firm grasp of the deep end of the pool you're diving into! Gil

Young Miniatures 1/10 Templar in Jerusalem. In reading about these knights, I learned the sergeants wore a brown tunic. I chose this scheme for a little unique flavor. The shield is weathered with pastels. The face is painted with the AK Gen 3 flesh tones and hte rest in Vallejo acrylics.

Originally scratch built before 1998, Still looks the same in these photos from last year. Working from factory drawings and photographs, reworked resin copies of the tires from a Payhauler 350 kit.

Mission accomplished! 611 hours. Thanks for having a look. Meeting Col. Wilcutt was the highlight of my year.

1/25 scale scratch built Oshkosh R-11 refuel / defuel tanker in US Air Force trim. Finished in 1999, still looks the same, was one of my favorite builds.

Thanks to some extra time and mojo, I have managed to finish off a few extra vehicles. One of them is a model I've been wanting to do for many decades, and I finally have it in my collection. This is a 1/72 scale Syrian Panzer IVH from the ancient ESCI kit and modified with a scratch built machine gun mount. The 12.7mm machine gun came from Modelcollect: This next one is a Syrian StuG III from a Dragon kit. It has Arabic writing on the sides, so it is not accurate, but I had those decals soaking. They were originally for the PzIV but I realized they were wrong for that kit so I decided not to waste them and put them on this StuG: The final one is the UM Models Egyptian Su-100 that had extra resin parts to more accurately make it an Egyptian vehicle: And there they are. My latest vehicles so far. I have more coming down the pike so stay tuned. Thanks for looking in comments are welcome.

Two Tamiya kits, just having a little fun with these guys.

As you know, I completed my 900th model back in February. After some time, I was able to arrange to have all 900 of them placed on display at our local Knights of Columbus/St. Crispin's Irregulars hall. These were set up on 8x3 foot tables and numerous pictures were taken; and I kept them up for three days so people could come and see them all. I also edited these pics to be a bit bigger than usual so a little mode detail can be seen. Without further ado, here are the pictures of the: The first thing I did was to set up all the German railroad equipment I have. I apologize for the poor quality of this pic, it's the best of all of them: The the German Army was all set up in front of that. I was experimenting to see if I could get better pics, sometimes it worked out: Next came the Russians as they were the next largest army in the collection: In front of them came my US Army and US Marines. The Marines are on the far right: I then placed my European and Commonwealth armies on the next table: Finally, I added my Japanese and Middle Eastern armies to the last table: And now, the entire collection for you to inspect. I apologize for the poor quality of these pics; I did everything I could to get sharper pics using notes everyone gave me the last time I posted my collection: During this time I also took advantage of the opportunity to update individual armies. You've seen the biggest ones: German, Russian and American armies since they all have their own tables, so here's some specific shots of all my smaller armies for your closer inspection. We'll start with my British Army: Here is my Australian Army: my Canadian Army, everything in front of the flag: my French Army: My Italian Army: My Swedish Army: and my Polish forces: Next is my Japanese Army: Then my Iraqi Army: My Syrian forces. The tank off to the left is a T-90 from India, I just haven't made a flag for it yet: And my Egyptian Army: Finally, here's my Israeli Army: Just for fun after that I decided to take pics of some of my select groups of models. For instance, these two Sherman tanks with two different rocket launchers on top of their turrets: Then there's these M109 Paladins: Here's all my Stryker vehicles all completed: This is every ambulance and fire truck I have: And all my civilian vehicles from all countries: And there it is, my entire collection of 900 small scale vehicles all on one set of tables. Now it's time to get started on the next 100 so I can reach my next milestone. Thank you all for looking in, comments are welcome and I appreciate all your support and compliments.

Getting ready to paint. The vertical stabilizer and beaver tail have been permanently attached. Currently working on the payload bay doors. Thanks for having a look

Made a lot of progress the past two weeks. Working myself around the shuttle to the other side. Everything on one side of the shuttle is either covered with plastic, sheeting or athletic tape. To knock down the fuzz on the athletic tape, it was coded with Woodland scenic spray on glue. After this dries , it can be sanded the 400 grit sandpaper. It easily knocks off any roof stuff, or standing fibers. After that, it will get one more coat of straight, seen it glue not cup with water. Thanks so much for having a look. Chris

I’ve been fortunate enough to make some pretty decent progress the past few days. Everything from the nose of the shuttle to the beginning of the payload bay has been covered with either plastic squares, or athletic tape that will simulate the thermal blanket shields. I drilled shallow holes around each window frame. Painted all the holes white this morning. When they dry, I will take the bolt heads and glue them in the center of each one. Thanks for having a look. Christopher

Good afternoon fellow modeler’s I’ve finally made some much needed progress. All of the tiling from the nose of the orbiter to the beginning of the cargo bay is complete. I’ve got a few small areas that need to be puttied prior to primer. Every place that you see purple tape is where the thermal blanket material will go. (athletic tape.) All of the thruster nozzles have been cut. The next step is to make a cone out of very thin plastic and put it in the end of each thruster. The company that is making all the graphics for this project has come up with a very good idea. For the windows, an image of the inside of the shuttle (Crew members, and cockpit), will be laminated on the back piece of plexiglass. This plexiglass will then be installed on the inside of the shuttle. Thanks very much for having a look. Christopher

The bottom is now complete. I wrapped the tiles around as much as I could. Tomorrow, I will clean up the glue spots, then blow the entire bottom of the shuttle off to get any dust out of the cracks before it’s primered. It will then be flipped over in the cradle so that we can start tiling the top. My buddy Chris, from Ohio, is driving down for the day to give me a hand. Thanks for having a look. Chris.

Chris and I have made some progress on the shuttle

Great job, so far, Chris. If you need any photos of one of the shuttles (Discovery), I have 24 Mix photos of a walk around. I have distance shots, but the closeups may be the most valuable to you. Here are some samples:

The completed engine bells, and finished vertical stabilizer.

Hi All ... My former publisher; CHRIS DALEY PUBLISHING was kind enough to revert the rights to the two books he published, my ITALERI PT and my REVELL PT kits books back to me when he went out-of-business. He was also kind enough to upload them to my CREATESPACE account. I just got my copies from CREATESPACE today ... I am impressed with the outcome; the photos are of better quality. Garth