JohnRatzenberger

New arrivals, just today, at Airfix/Humbrol/Hornby USA - 2nd row, fix you right up .... http://www.humbrol.com/us-en/shop/usa-new-arrivals.html?utm_campaign=382549_Humbrol%20-%20New%20arrivals%20-%20Week%206&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Hornby%20America&utm_content=new%20arrivals&_%24ja=tsid%3A72926&dm_i=2NTB,876D,4I10,QKAI,1

Try http://www.warshiphobbies.com/ or http://www.hbhobbies.com/ -- they are both US stockists for Sovereign which took over and now produce Colourcoats. I have used WarShip Hobbies but neither stock a full range, and I don't think both combined cover the whole range. Fortunately I stocked up quite heavily when WEM closed (from WEM, FreeTime, and Mid-Tenn) as I use their RAF/RN/Army colors.

Looks good, Dick. I admire you for getting through all of it.

Nope, target tugs saw post-war service for a year or so, I think in India, unsure of any others.

About as easy to find as paints ....

More properly, in British terms, they are OO which is HO to us. These were originally Rosebud Kitmaster, taken over by Airfix when KM folded and yes, most could be motorized but ran better the more of the running gear (and couplers) was swapped out as you might imagine. Ron, I use www.modelmasterdecals.com out of Scotland, I think, for livery decals -- you might find such things as the mis-colored logo there.

Don't forget card models in 1/33, 1/50 ...

Looks good, Gil - you've done a good job taming the surfaces of all that vac-formed plastic.

Welcome, from Nags Head. Have RDUCON on the calendar.

This is where your geometry courses come in handy - we all remember that, right ? And, BTW, Easy-Bilt makes a stick & tissue rubber-powered Fairey Fox - I have one that I'm trying to get built before spring. It has struts

I'm not for non-members displaying -- it is for IPMS members to participate and for non-members to come and be awed and want to join up so they too can display or compete. There would have to be some caveat for a non-IPMS member who might be displaying as part of an IPMS Chapter or SIG display - but not on their own Don't segregate the displays by class -- make a simple sign-up in numbers of tables or portions of a table - say halves - and let the folks who signup display what they want.

Thank you, Gil, very well said.

Let's assume that space and tables are a problem -- it's about universal -- and stick to the national level. Then one way to make space/tables for displays is to reduce space/tables for competition. We have no qualifying events (win at local to go to regional, win at regional to go to national) and probably no way to do that. I won't even spend time what-if'ing that. One of the problems, that I cannot quantify other than by observation, is that we have a number of modelers who bring several dozen models, many in same class, some in same category (48 & 72 SE aircraft come to mind) even though we are a no-sweep contest. We also have the local guys who brings along most everything they built whenever. So, why not place a limit on number of models per modeler, perhaps a decent number total but more restrictive per class (regardless of possible splits). If not an absolute limit, then place a sliding scale charge on models over the limit, but still with an absolute ceiling. Over time, this will shift the space/table calcs such that display space/tables can be accommodated. It also may reduce splits and thus awards and thus costs. It also should reduce the judging burden, allow more time for judging, perhaps allow for comment cards to be left with models. Might work its way down to regional and local level. FWIW, IMO ....

I should have mentioned the friendships -- I have a great deal of fun (and good exercise) working with our little crew roughly two full days to get the aircraft tables organized. Given our geographic dispersion, it's the only time each year that I see them - and many others.

Not really, there are probably a number of folks who do not enter anything (me for example) but do register because: -- the rules (2016 II.20) require judges to be fully registered.. -- it's less hassle than day tickets. -- I get a pin and a baggie with stuff, although the decal sheet is never useful (that's my problem, not the conventions).. I'd be happy to bring models for display, particularly if I could make it part of a chapter recruiting display.

That's a bridge classification plate; it's not a typical location, over a headlight, but not unheard of although I'm not aware of the reason. BTW, Great work, Ron !

I usually try to clamp the warped part in the position I want it to be, then dip it in hot water for a minute, then quench in cold water for a minute, then let it sit a while, still clamped. "Hot", "cold", and "a while" depend on the mass of the part and complexity. For "clamps" I generally use balsa sheet in the jaws of the actual clamp to prevent damage to the part. This may also require slots or notches cut to ensure detail isn't squashed by the pressure. Sounds like yours are small parts and wouldn't need too much except even pressure.

Well done - seems to address many of the suggestions; thanks to the ship guys & gals for being the test bed. FYI, the 2016 category lists are also up.

I am referring to the IPMS/USA National Convention, but note I said it might not happen every year. I know Aris Pappas, as Head Judge, emphasized and advertised it. I know Rusty White pulled duty several years.

Yeah, I found the PE boat cradles - they survived longer than the resin ones did. I also think I spotted the resin gun parts, but make a note to go back and look. I'll recheck my bulkheads vs railings, I thought I had a good handle on them - although I might be too far along to change any without making a bigger mess. BTW, you railings look really good ! Mine are better canvas-covered .... I hope you agonized as long over the real ochre as I did - I see we have different answers

Good work, that's a very smooth paint job. I'm stalled on the Kombrig USS Kansas BB-21 in it's GWF scheme. The small gun assembly looms .... Then I have several others of that period and I intend to do a conversion to make Kansas with cage masts.

Usually, on Saturday, we offer a table where modelers can bring their models to a judge for an evaluation - a set of trained eyes going over it and offering suggestions. Not the same person(s) that judged it, nor will we say "this is why you didn't win" because the other models in competition obviously aren't there. Not sure this happens every year, but I do remember it is not well utilized by the attendees. Also, from the Home Page, select About & National Contest Committee. On the right side menu, at the top, is the Modelers Guide to IPMS Contests.

All my resin cleaning has been a gentle scrub with mild Dawn dish detergent in warm water, then gentle scrub in cold water to rinse off - separate pans and toothbrushes. Have no reason to think it doesn't work. One less thing to dispose of properly and SWMBO lets me clean parts in the kitchen where I can spread them out on the counter on paper towels to dry..

IIRC, there is only one field per member record for Region and Chapter - and that's the where a member will show on a recharter form. Other chapters would have to write that member in and return the form and then it'll be up to the DLC & those chapters to sort out. One reason it might be better to shift this whole effort down to the RC's. FWIW, IMHO.

Looks good, Ron. That kit came to Airfix via Rosebud Kitmaster, who had a great series of engines, coaches, and such. I've been focused more on the rolling stock but have all sorts of engines in the stash, with the 8' Stirling making the most "build me" noise.