Nick Filippone

That’s exactly how I built my vacuform machine, aluminum frames, office clamps and all. Only mine is nowhere near as big- about 4” by 12.” Hence I can only do one piece at a time- and that in 1/72 scale. I am very impressed with the quality of your moldings. Nick

This looks great, Gil! And a natural metal finish no less. What was the actual Vacuform device you used? Thanks. Nick

I did google it. Every Cougar between ‘71 and ‘76 look the same to me! Regards, Nick Filippone

Looks like you have created the proverbial silk purse from a sow’s ear! The only metal car kits I recall from my youth were by Hubley. Is there any relationship between those and these Ertl kits? Beautiful work as always, Ron. Regards, Nick

There’s gonna be a lot of models to judge! Nick

Pete, You may be right. I know that last year the venue hotel also sold out very quickly. Maybe it is, as you say, a demonstration of pent-up demand. I know I am already impatient for it! Nick

Could it also be that some members, especially from different parts of the country, who might share a room under ordinary circumstances, might be social distancing by rooming alone? This would increase the rooms per registrant count. Who would dare to predict what the recommendations and requirements related to the pandemic will be even 13 months from now? I know I sound like a Cassandra and no one will be happier than I will be to be seen as having taken an unnecessary precaution, but unpredictability seems to be the only consistently predictable feature of Covid 19. One thing I am confident of is that we all want this National - and all the future Nationals- to go off without a hitch. Let’s all try to do whatever we can to control this pandemic, however inconvenient, in hopes of us all getting together again in Las Vegas! Nick Filippone

Wayne taught me and many of the other Judges of my vintage how to judge. He always displayed tact and charm and a civilized, cultured demeanor. However, like the good soldier and leader that he was, he demanded excellence in modeling and judging. He inspired us to be discerning and scrupulous in examining every aspect of the model when judging. I recall some of his noteworthy and characteristically pithy aphorisms: “A hole ( cockpit, landing gear bay, bomb bay) is to look in.” “ The modeler finished before he was done.” Even more importantly, he demanded absolute integrity from his Judges. We all sought to be as wise and Solomon-like as Wayne. He was a courageous patriot and pilot. His courtly manner exemplified “an officer and a gentleman. “ His was a life well led. I consider myself fortunate to have been his student. I will always recall him with respect and fondness. Respectfully, Nick Filippone

It wasn’t my fault! Gil made me do it! 🙀 LOL! Nick

I also just made my reservation. Very easy. Gil, thank you for the heads-up! Regards, Nick

Is this an armour colour or an aircraft colour? I cannot find that Model Master did an FS 34558 or anything named ”Italian Interior Green” at all in enamel. However, a company called Life Color does an “ Italian Interior Green.” It is their product number UA 116. Regards, Nick Filippone

I use the Passche H1 single action airbrush with siphon tube from “ bottom load” paint bottles. I use Model Master enamels and, now, Trucolor. I have used this airbrush exclusively since my Bink’s Wren died many years ago. I think of the H1 as the AK 47 of airbrushes- simply, sturdy, forgiving and reliable. Spare and replacement parts are easy to find. I follow Ralph’s regimen for cleaning between colours and for periodic field stripping. I clean the MM with Mineral Spirit- it is relatively low in toxicity. Trucolor must be cleaned with acetone. I vent my spray area when cleaning with both. With respect to spray pressure, I do not even know how accurate those gauges are. The best pressure to spray with is that which takes into consideration paint brand, paint thickness, compressor characteristics, humidity, temperature, airbrush tip size and, most importantly, what effect you are trying to achieve. In other words, the best approach is to practice on scrap plastic until you get the result you are seeking. Experience and mistakes are the best teachers. Regards, Nick

I went back to reread your first post. I think I goofed. You are building in the smaller scale. In that case, you must reduce your 1/350 scale plan to .875 to get to a 1/400 scale plan. Again, a good copier should be able to do this as well. My most common math error- failure to accurately read the question! Nick

If I have done these calculations correctly: (1) Obviously, a 1/350 scale model will be larger than a 1/400 scale model. (2) 1/350 is .00285 - rounded off to five places. (3) 1/400 is .00250 . (4) .00285 divided by .00250 is 1.1428. So, again, if I have done this right, you would need a copier that will “ blow up” a plan in one percent increments, selecting a setting of 1.14 percent. ( I do not think copiers go to thousandths.) I have a commercial grade copier in my office that will do this but a retail copy service I am sure would have such copiers also. Nick Ignore this. See below. Sorry

How long have I been asleep? When did Michigan become an East Coast state? I did not think tectonic plates moved that fast! Nick