IPMS/Techmages - Adventures in Imaginative Scale Modeling

Models By IPMS/Techmages Members

February, 2007 Meeting

^ Today's guest, Kelly is a Star Wars fan	^ Walt Fink came and talked about IPMS Judging
^ George Joined us today, he had his 2001 Space Odyssey's Discovery with him

February, 2007
	4:30-5:25PM Buona Beef Techmage Pre-meeting Dinner
	5:30-7:51PM Hoffman Estates' Blackhawk Recreation Center Techmage monthly meeting:
From the President (Fireside Chat)
	We had another good turnout, with 17 people in attendance. We also had our first celebrity speaker- the honorable Walt Fink. Thanks again Walt for your talk on judging. I heard a lot of positive comments from the group. Please feel free to come back, you are always welcome.
	I would also like to welcome new member Kelly 'Redirk2,' who was able to attend his first meeting after years of prowling the Starship Modeler site. We hope to see you back at future meetings.
Attendees:
	Jon Kunatz, Terry 'Ter_or,' Tony Augustin, Larry J. 'scifi58' and wife Cynthia, Neil 'Mechmoneky,' Joe 'Sparky,' Larry 'lds20', John 'Onezero,' James 'ambassador_londo,' Ken 'Valkyrie,' Chad 'ChadR', Ed 'Tayed-Gachi,' Bob 'bobber', Kevin 'sundance14', Special Guest speaker Walt Fink, Guest George 'saintg', and another Guest Kelly 'Redirk2.'
Club Business
		John Lester brought up a helpful section on the IPMS site called - ABCs of Modeling. IPMS members can download this section, and is designed for "beginners of all ages and for people getting back into the hobby". Pleased check it out.
		Recruitment of new members is a priority this year. The officers are currently working on: a Techmages flyer, revision of the Manifesto, and business cards for group members; with a goal date of April 2007. We will plan on posting flyers at local shows, Venture, Ron's, Al's, Des Plaines Hobby.
		John Lester reported no new interest re: the sale of the Space Station from the Starship Modeler website.
		The group voted in favor of having new T-shirts made: "Techmages Heavy Industries". John Lester asked members to email with design ideas. "Please no light grey - it makes me look fat", Quote from yours truly- El Presidente. Please E-mail John if interested.
Upcoming shows/ Events:
	2/25/2007		Weaton IL, DuPage County Fairgrounds 49^th Plastic Kit/ Toy Show
	3/10/2007		14^th Annual Roscoe Turner Chapter Model Contest; Indianapolis IN
	3/31/2007		Quadcities Scale Model Show; Davin Port, Iowa
	4/21/2007		Mad City Modelers 12^th 12th Annual Contest; Madison, WI Great raffle and a chance to see the Great Zog.
	5/5/2007		IPMS Duneland Show; Portage, Indiana
	5/26/2007		18^th Annual Wonderfest (Memorial Day Weekend roadtrip); Louisville, Kentucky Live Web updating for this Wonderfest is scheduled
	6/8/2007		IPMS Region 5 Convention; Ottawa. IL
	Editor's Note: Events marked in Bold are 'traditionally' attended by Techmages, contact the officer's about carpooling if you'd like too
Introduction of new members:
	Welcome Kelly 'Redirk2,' a first time visitor to a Techmages meeting. Welcome, and hope to see you back.
Techmages Activities:
	Group projects/ Build days:
		Current group project is 1/32 Mech Bay Project with tentative completion date of May 2007; project is progressing well. Please look at Joe Suttie's site for latest info. Anyone interested in donating kits or building support vehicles let us know. John Lester reports he will be donating M-113 Fitter Recovery by Academy. Next build day is scheduled for Sunday 2/25/2007 at Joe's house. We're on schedule to see the walls for 2 Mech Day Doors & 2 Mech Bays side by side.
	Dues/ Collections:
		Joe Suttie (Treasurer) reports we are on target and that all members who owe dues have been emailed.
	Awards:
		Productive Model Builder Award goes to Walt Fink- guest speaker, with 21 completed last year - WOW!!
	Kit Reviews:
		Severl new SSM kits are in progress by John Lester, see the show-n-tell section.
	Greeblie roundup:
		Joe Suttie reports he is busy casting all of the greeblies for the Mech Bay Project, and will have the majority finished by the 2/25/2007 meeting. Joe Suttie had some castings rolled flat with glass backs, they came out nice if you're planing on framing them, he switched to some poly-material labeld replacement picture-frame glazing. We'll see how many castings these last (sign stryene dies after 2 or 3 castings if that).
	Announcements for Next Meeting:
		Next meeting will be held at the Blackhawk Center on 3/10/2007.
		Tentative demo set up for March meeting. Neil P. &/or John, will show us how to paint 1:35th scale figures.
Onto the meeting:
Demo / Speaker:
	Judging, first celebrity speaker - Walt Fink. Walt is a frequent contributor to FineScale Modeler and the IPMS Journal, and a very experienced contest judge. He talked about what judges look for in a model. A member of IMPS/USA since 1967, and a national judge since 1975. He was one of 3 Society Head Judges and Chairman of the National Contest Committee for 6 years. He is currently a member of IPMS/ Lakes Region Scale Modelers, IPMS/Richard I. Bong chapter, and IPMS/ C.A.R.S. in miniature.
Show and Tell 2-10-2007:
	Jon Kunatz:
		Jon was able to get some more work done on his vehcile for the Mech Bay porject
			1) Mech Bay Project parts - crates;
			2) Ammunition truck and trailer (originally a Russian vehicle) 1/32 scale, which is nearly complete.
	Terry 'Ter_or':
		F-2 (F-16 upgrade) conversion for a Pat Labor Future Version with stealth features, reshaping tail and intake. Terry continues to modify this kit. Looks good so far.
	Tony Agustin:
		Tony was able to bring in several projects:
			1) Skinned walls of Mech Bay doors;
			2) Colonial Shuttle studio scale 1/48 from SMT;
			3) Michael Myers studio scale Scarlet Viper Kit this design is from the first attempt at a New Series) (Tony reports this is a poor casting and is difficult to get ordered);
			5) 1/32 scale Mad Cat for the Mech Bay project. Tony has grafted on the Polar Lights Scorpion just for fun.
			5) Blueberry shuttle from Battlestar Galactica - Rotocast from Federation models;
	Larry J. 'scifi58' and wife Cynthia:
		Larry J brought in:
			1) Completed a Paper Mech (Shadow Cat) 1/32 scale which he gave to Jon for reference for a future paper-to-styrene build;
			2) Larry also brought his wife Cindy to add character to the group.
	Larry J. 'scifi58' and wife Cynthia:
		Larry J brought in:
			1) Completed a Paper Mech (Shadow Cat) 1/32 scale which he gave to Jon for reference for a future paper-to-styrene build;
			2) Larry also brought his wife Cindy to add character to the group.
	Neil 'mechmonkey':
		Had some of the Latest from the SSM store's Order:
			1) Nearly completed 1/32 scale Hover truck from Bandia - sweet!!;
			2) 1/20 scale Armor suit.
	Joe 'Sparky':
		Joe had lots of stuff for the mechbay porject, lots of 1:32 diecast vehciles.
			1) A battlefiled supplies War hammer set with neat containers for the Mech Bay project;
			2) Binder with photo record of current Mech Bay project;
			3) 1/32 scale die cast fork lift for Mech Bay project.
	Larry 'LDS20':
		2 scratchbash vehicles for the Mech Bay project:
			1) 1/32 scale MALP (Mobile Analytic Laboratory Probe) flatbed vehicle which will be casted by Joe and used in the Mech Bay project;
			2) 1/32^th scale Hover platform which is about % complete. This will be used in the Mech Bay project
	Kelly 'Redirk2':
		2 Big Star Wars projects, one completed one in progress
			1) A Star Wars dinorama from Star Wars- Return of the Jedi Shield Bunker scene, complete with speeder bikes and Imperial troops;
			2) Cutaway Millennium Falcon from AMT.
		Welcome Kelly!
	John 'Onzero':
		Lots of projects in the works, several Review Buildups for new SSM Store kits:
			1) Scout conversion Polar Lights 1/350 scale (Review build up);
			2) New 1/72 black Sun Human Viper Mrk.7 (Review build up);
			3) Viper Monogram Kit with Launch rail.
	George 'saintg':
		Discovery from 2001 Space Odyssey is a resin kit (150 parts with photoetch and laser cut display stands)- $775; Please contact John if interested in purchasing this kit, it will be for sale through Starship Modeler on demand pre-ordering. George is also working on more Galactica Rag Tag Fleet kits for future sale (In scale with the Revel TOS BattleStar Galactica).
	Walt Fink:
		Lots of projects in the works, several Review Buildups for new SSM Store kits:
			1) 1/72 scale Texan Plane with after market decals and different metilizer panels;
			2) Space Shuttle kit bash
		Walt tells us that he completed 21 models last year, Wow!
	James 'ambassador_londo':
		James had no show & tell, but did bring styene dvd rental display backings for sale. Please e-mail him if interested.
	Other members present:
Thanks to everyone for coming!!
Larry 'LDS20', President

Techmage February Meeting:

Image: Good Turnout

Image: Start of Business

Image: Tony's Dramatic Photography

Image: A Guest invite from the SSM Boards, Kelly

John Talked about IPMS' beginner's classes aka ABC classes:

Image: Updates from John

Image:

He also talked about another Run of Techmage Heavy Industries' T-shirts:

Image: Maybe just the BorgWizard on the front nothing on the back

We had plenty of time for after session chats, and close examinations of show-n-tell items:

Image: Mech Bay updates

Image: If you can build a support vehcile for the project please let us know otherwise piss-off

Image: Talking with the guest about the Endor Dio-rama

Onto Show-n-tell:

Image: Show-n-tell rounds

Tony's Scarlet Viper, after much sanding and cleanup:

Image: All this was covered with bubbles

Image: Looks nice now, but not recomended

Kelly's, Cutaway MF:

Image: All the floor lights were made from vynil on a sign cutter

Image: Jedi trainig session scene

Image: With top plate in place

Image: Over head with top plate removed

Image: Engine details

Kelly's RTOJ, Shield bunker Dio:

Image: Encased Dio of the shield bunker scene, RTOJ Forest Moon of Endor

Image: Back of the AT-ST

Ter_or's:

Image: The F2 Conversion inprogress

Image: New intakes & vectored thrust outputs

John's Reworking a TOS BSG Viper & has one of MMI's lunch rails for it:

Image: Revell Viper on MMI Viper launch rail

Image: The female from the Hover Truck set is now BSG

Image: Each vane has been beefed up

Image: Lots more bits will go in

John got a monster truck for the wheels but the body inspired another project:

Image: Brass cartridges array

SSM's new Viper Mark VII:

Image: Over head view with console

Image: Close-up of Console

Image: The belly detail is awsome

Image: Another shot of the Viper

SSM's ¹/₃₅₀^th Refit Scout conversion:

Image: Upper saucer

Image: Lower saucer with deflector converion

Image: Close-up of the in saucer defelector mount

Image: New neck and enginge, some parts for the neck are not present

George brought his big 2001 Space Odyssey's Discovery:

Image: George talks about the final touches to the kit

Image: A Photo Etch set, and the laser cut stands

Image: Very long, the spine is brass wraped with styrene

Image: With engines in view

Image: Bob checks out the kit

Image: Head section (hollow cast)

Image: Pod bays

Image: Com array, where it really hit the fan

Image: Overhead view of the Com array & it's mounting cluster

Image: Back of the com array

Image: Close-up of the detail on the engine section

Image: I think this is the habitat ring.

Tony's giant SMT BSG Shuttle:

Image: 2 halves of SMTs short run BSG shuttle

Image: They look like a good fit

Image: W/Blueberry Alliance Brand Shuttle & Scarlet Viper next to it

Walt Brought a Built up Texan:

Image: Texan on a slice of a taxi-way

Image: Nice wing level close-up, antenna is almost visible

Image: Over head view

Image: Overhead closeup of multi-shading on the metalized wing

Image: Texan antenna is from stretched spru

Image: Heat the end and draw out a spot from the blob

Walt Brought a Sci-fish Scratchbash, could be a NASA X plane:

Image: Nice Sci-fi space ship or plane

Image: Some detail under the flap there

Neil started a quick build of the Hover Truck:

Image: Neil's got the Hover-truck assembly nearly completed

Image: Gun position w/armored ring removed

Image: Plow deployed, yes the fans articulate as well

Neil also picked up the ¹/₁₂^th Mobile armor suits:

Image: He got some Mobile Powered Armor suits

Mech Bay Stuff
Mech Bay wall with Platform Girders

Image: Neil had the template platform in as well

Image: Close-up of the platform

Tony's Vinyl MadCat (VMC):

Image: There's a spoon sun visor on it now

Image: Some Aves panels are marked for removal

Larry S' building a hover platform:

Image: Will have a crane or something on it

Larry S' mastering a MELP type robotic taxi/welder:

Image: This is almost ready to go, add an arm

Joe's Cheater Support Vehicle, diecast jeep:

Image: Remove the markings & stick it in the display

Jon's Mech bay vehicle:

Image: Munitions truck w/skirts instead of wheels

Image: Larry J built up a ShadowCat paper model, and Jon will do the styrene conversion

Image: The ShadowCat & truck

Tony's Cladding the Mech Door Walls (MDW):

Image: 2 inch foam backed with a 1 inch piece, w/door openings

Image: The 'shared' wall, will stand next ot the other door set

Walt Fink Talks about IPMS Judging:

Image: The main thing is the Integrity Rule you get one Chance at that

[Home] | [December 2006 Meeting] | [January 2007 Meeting] | [Charter] | [Hobby Shop Directory]

January Meeting	Home	February Meeting
	Up