September Meeting Minutes

      The September meeting of the HPMS was called to order on 9 September at 7:05 P.M.  There were 16 attendees.  The minutes of the August 2019 meeting were read and approved.

Old Business

     The IPMS National Convention held in Chattanooga, Tennessee was discussed.  Those of our chapter that attended this event enjoyed it and spent money.  Our chapter was suppose to provide the award for and judge the special category that themed around the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon.  As it turned out HPMS did not judge the special category and Chattanooga IPMS supplied the award.  After further discussion it was decided that HPMS would attempt to reimburse Chattanooga for the special category ward.

      Our show and contest was evaluated.  We a total of 302 entries in the contest and 69 entrants.  We were in the positive on the monetary side.  The vendors had no comments regarding the tax forms, appears they are used to them by now.  The vendor table spacing did appear to be tight, so that is something that will have to be watched next time.  There was discussion regarding the height of our display tables with the final result being that we will shorten the table risers to 16 inches.

      The subject to donate money to veterans organizations that assists in the recovery of military personnel who have PTSD was brought up.  The idea that we could donate kits to such organizations was also mentioned.    We did recently acquire a large amount of paints, model tools, figure kits, and figure related items, through Tom Clark, from a veteran dealing with PTSD, but who found it was not a good route for him.  This event generated a question as to what complexity of kits we would donate, relatively basic 'starter kits' or or others that vary in complexity.  One of our members volunteered to take point and would contact the organization Still Serving Veterans.

New Business   

      There is a contest and model show Little Rock, Arkansas 28 September, not if any of the chapter people will, distance matter.

      Hotel Reservations for the IPMS National Convention 2020 accepted beginning 10 September.  The convention will be 27 July thru 1 August 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. The convention hotel has already been booked solid.

      The chapter maybe relocating to a new meeting place.  We were holding our meetings at The Deep on the first Wednesday of each month.  The problem was it was 'game night' and the second floor area was noisy.  We changed to the first Monday of each month as there was not a lot gamers  on that night so it was relatively quite.  For whatever reason that has changed.  During the course it was mentioned that one of our members who is involved with HEMSI said one time that the meeting room in their office building could be made available.  Further research will need to be done on this.

      The September 'build night' will be 16 September, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at The Deep comic book and game store. 

Show and Tell 

Curt Haskell - Presented the 1/48th scale P-38 Lighting kit.  He won this at the IPMS National Convention, the kit is a pre-production run.  This is a  Tamiya kit and is then early P-38.

Robert Osborne - World War II Toons Pershing, was built for a friend.

Andy Brezinski - 1/25th scale 'smoker' trailer.  This will be all scratch built and will be towed by his recently completed 1/25th scale Cleveland Browns Chevy pick-up truck. 

Bill Nichols - 1/72nd Special Hobby Fairey Barracuda.  Being built mainly OOB, except for the vacuform canopy he had to make when he broke the kit canopy.  Also had a space craft kit to show.

Ken Denza - 1/25th scale Revell 1965 Chevelle SS Pro Street.  Paint is Tamiya Coral Blue.  The engine, alternator, electric fan, and tach are all wired.  Also flocked the interior and added seatbelts.  The trim is done in bare metal, also polished aluminum drive shaft.  Added speaker grills, back half is from the 66 Nova tubs.  Added fuel line and brake lines.  Billet aluminum oil filter.

Blake Parker - 1/72nd scale space transport - Original concept for near-future Lunar/Low Gravity, No atmosphere Planetary body.  Design almost entirely designed in MS Word using "shapes" function plus nose  section borrowed from Star Trek shuttle craft.  Plastics parts taken from 1/200th scale Saturn rocket kits or thermoformed from scrap plastic material.  1/72nd space shuttle cutaway - Altered paint scheme to reflect early Atlantis (Previously Discovery).  Added Real Space Models decal set and scratch built figures.  Currently scratch building Magellan Venus orbiter payload based on paper model template.   
                     

August 2019 Club Minutes

      The August 2019 meeting of the HPMS was called to order at 7:10 P.M. on 5 August.  There 19 attendees.  The minutes of the July 2019 meeting were read and approved.

Old Business

      The IPMS national convention people asked for the use of our 'Do Not Touch' table signs.  This will be done with one of our members volunteering to take to convention a couple of days before and other chapter members returning them to Huntsville.  There was also the reminder to take flyers for our show to the convention.  We have been informed that the convention will take care of the special awards.

      The chapter was informed that the check for the use of the Jaycees Building was delivered today to the building staff.  The proof of insurance form will presented to the Jaycees building staff on the day of the show.  The shortages for items that we use to conduct our show were noted.  The items noted were raffle tickets, entry forms, table cover material, and judging forms.  The final decision was that the required items will be procured after our chapter functionaries return from the IPMS national convention.  The place awards will be circular, gold, silver, and bronze medals.  Based on a conversation with the Jaycees building staff there are 120 rectangular and 16 round tables available.  As of the this meeting 33 vendors tables have been purchased.

New Business

      A motion was brought to the table to donate money to a veterans organization that assists in the recovery of military personnel who have PTSD.  The motion was approved, the amount of the donation will be determined at a later meeting.

      The placards for the models for the group build at the IPMS national convention were distributed to those taking their finished model to the convention.

      The August 'Build night' will be 19 August, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at the Deep Game and Comic Book store. The first part of the session will be used to catch up on our status just prior to the contest.

     The 'build night' on 19 August was also used to finalize status on various items and table sales for our 2019 Show and contest.  In addition the subject of the chapter meeting date for September was brought up.  Due to the first Monday of September being Labor Day our chapter meeting will be held on Monday, 9 September with September 'build night' being on 16 September.  

Show and Tell

Skip Hassler - 1/32nd scale Astronaut

Curt Haskell - 3D printed Mech Warrior, around 400 hours of printing time.  Work-in-progress

Andy Brezinski - 1/72nd scale Apollo 27 Rocket car. IT's DONE! (Group Build Project)

Bill Nichols - 1/72nd scale Convair B-58 Hustler.  Scratch Detailed interior and engine pods.  Detailed landing gear and scratch built tail minigun.  Added navigation position lights.  Painted with AK Interactive Extreme Metal. He also brought his Apollo 27 entry, a diorama depicting the opening scene from "20 Million Miles to Earth".

Bruce O'Gorman - 1/35th scale USMC MRAP.  Completed assembly still working decals and weathering, about finished.  1/35th scale Tamiya M151A2.  Just started, paint and assembly.  This M151 is from my Army days, will model with broken drive shaft.  Finished the USSR Luna'Kond 4 hypothetical lunar probe. 

Dan Thompson - his Apollo 27 entry, a model representing the sort of space ships described in 1950's juvenile SF works like Heinlein's "Space Cadet". And another Batmobile. 

Robert Osborne - 1/350th (?) Millenium Falcon

July 2019 Club Minutes

The July 2019 meeting of HPMS was called to order at 7:05 P.M. 1 July, 2019.  There were 13 attendees.  The meeting minutes of June 2019 were read and approved.

Old Business

The memoriam to Ed Maslin that appeared in the July+August IPMS USA Journal was mentioned.  An excellent piece of work by our chapter president.

There was some further discussion regarding our chapter's show and contest.  We have not had input from Tom Clark about the status of a new club banner for our show.  We still have a 'build session' and a meeting prior to our how and contest so we can wrap up show concerns then.

New Business

The 'Do Not Touch' placards that we place on the model display tables will be picked up by Skip and be taken to the show.

Since the time between the IPMS Nationals and our show is short the idea of having a special meeting prior to our show was put forward.  There was also concern about attendance at our show.  This has been discussed past meetings with the general view being that who ever attends, attends, and that low attendance at our show would not be a disaster.

Our chapter has offered to assist at the IPMS Nationals, so far we have had not received a definite reply from Chattanooga.

The July build night is 15 July, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at The Deep Comic Book and Game Store. 

Show and Tell

Mark Saunders - 1/48th scale Airfix P-40B and 1/48th scale Hasegawa P-40E.  Resin seats and exhaust, Eduard Zoom cockpit details, and Modelkasten elastic rigging line.

Andy Brezinski - 1/72nd Pegasus Apollo 27.  Got paint! Yellow on engine nose cones.  Black-out shade of canopy over pilot.

Bill Nichols - 1/72nd Pegasus Apollo 27 "20 Million Miles to Earth". In process Build. Based on scene of crashed spaceship in the 1957 movie "20 Million Miles to Earth".

Charles Segars - 1/72nd scale Pegasus Apollo 27 club build.  Modified kit ti resemble Marvin the Martian's ship to include Marvin and his flag.

Bruce O'Gorman - WIP , 1/35th scale Meng MRAP 6x6 (BAE configuration) MRAP is first modern military vehicle model with significant use of PE parts and aftermarket accessories.  WIP, Meng World War Toons Panther tank converted into Soviet moon probe Lunokhond 4.  Meng Panther conversion took a bunch of left over parts from other builds.  Made own Soviet style decals.

Barbara Denza - 1/25th Scale 1964 Chevy Pickup. Wired engine (Correct firing order), wired alternator and fan.  Added throttle linkage, heater hoses, aftermarket air cleaner and bare metal foiled bed strips.  Flocked carpet, added seat belts, scratch built tailgate hinges, added radio antenna, black washed grille, added Thrush muffler from VCG Resin, lowered front end, ran fuel line, and scratch built tailpipe.

Ken Denza - Revell 1/25th scale 1965 Chevelle SS.  Paint is Tamiya Cobalt Green.  Aluminum wheels, engine has fuel line, and spark plug wires.  Chassis has been cut and added a 1966 Nova Pro Street back half.  Also added aluminum valve covers.  AMT 1/25th scale 1931 Ford Vicky.  Paint is Tamiya Racing Blue. 1932 Ford chassis, scratch built exhaust, wired engine, added throttle linkage, and seat belts.  Wheels and tires are from 1932 Ford Hi-Boy.  Also fuel lines and brake lines added.

June 2019 Minutes

The June 2019 meeting of the HPS was called to order at 7:00 P.M. on 3 June, 2019.  There were 11 attendees.  The  minutes of the May 2019 meeting were read and approved.

Old Business

Tom Clark gave the members a report on his visit to Wonderfest on 1 June in Louisville, Kentucky.  There were 840 entries which set record for the show.  A very impressive display, much use of 3D printing  and lots of electronics, lights, sound.

The subject of the trophy for the 'special category' at the IPMS nationals was discussed.  Initially the idea to use a trophy design similar to our 'best of show' was presented.  An alternate idea based on the 50 year marking of the Apollo landing on the moon was also presented.  This would utilize a representation of the Apollo command module with a photo of the moon landing and data on the capsule on a metal plate at the bottom.  This was the idea that was favored by the chapter and will proceeded with.

A club banner for our show and contest is moved forward with capability of being able to change the year display.

The numbering of the forms used to enter models in the chapter show and contest was brought to the floor.  There has been previous discussion regarding how to alter the forms such that the model does not have to lifted or moved to read the information on the forms.  After a bit of additional discussion it was decided leave the forms as is but look at the forms used by other chapters.  As to the numbering of the forms, the basic purpose of numbering the forms is give a count as to how many models were entered.  A suggestion was made that an entrant with multiple models could place the total number of models on on of the entry forms and then that number noted on a note pad by the chapter member working at the registration table.  The final decision was that the entry form would remain the same but that numbering each entry form maybe become optional.

The subject of the use of table risers was brought to the floor.  There were points, both pro and con, brought forward.  The final decision was made that observations regarding the use of table risers would made at the IPMS nationals.  A formal request that we not use table risers at our show was made by one of our chapter members.

New Business

  A request by our chapter president for judges for the model car contest that was part of the Mopar Club show at Huntsville Drag Strip was made.

   Mention was made of the meeting of the Marshal Space Flight Center Retiree's Association Meeting at MSFC on 13 Jul, the theme MSFC 1945-1975.

   Dan Thompson has been E-mailing newsletters generated by other IPMS chapters to our chapter members for quite a while.  As with many other entities there is both a beneficial aspect and a negative aspect.  The final outcome of a discussion on this subject was that should one not want to continue to receive these newsletters from Dan let him know and he will drop you from his mailing list.

   Our chapter president mentioned that at times, for whatever reason, conversations among chapter members will commence while an individual is giving a narrative on his work during Show and Tell.  Basically, his request was "please be courteous to the individual that is giving his narrative."

   There is apparently, in Huntsville, a group of individuals who build Gundam model figures.  They meet at the 'Lucky Dice Cafe'.  Meeting time is ever Tuesday night.

The June 'build night' will be 17 June, 6:P.M. to 8 P.M. at The Deep Comic Book and Game store.

Show and Tell 

Eli Geher - Manufacturers Promotional Model.  Restoration project for the Veterans Museum.  Prototype helicopter night vision system from Northrop Aviation.

Dan Thompson - Spaceship Pathfinder  Lengthened the 1/72nd scale Apollo 27 kit.

Andy Brezinski - 1/72nd Apollo 27 as a land speed-record setter.  Scratch-built cockpit painted and pilot prepared.

Bill Nichols - 1/72nd Italeri B-58 Hustler.  Scratchbuilt pilot, navigator, and weapon operator compartments. Scratchbuilt engine intakes and resin afterburner cans.  Natural metal finish by AK Interactive "Xtreme Metal" enamels.

Bruce O'Gorman - 1/6 scale Moebius 'Lost in Space' robot. 'LIS' robot added light and speech kit, glass bubble bolted to base with switches.  1/35 scale Apollo era M-113 escape/rescue vehicle.  Modified Tamiya M-113 kit for Apollo era configuration, fabricated speaker and exhaust.  1/24 scale AMT Dodge Shelby Charger, created decals.  1/32nd Revell Volkswagen with MENG WWToon Panther(Hitler's legacy, war and peace).  Modified Volkswagen, added Panther turret, machine gun, and accessories inside. Used decals from car and tank.

Blake Parker - Northrop Grumman Antares 230 1/100 scale AXM paper kit.  Fairly simple build.  Base is generic wooden shape from Hobby Lobby.  Model depicts NG-11 launch vehicle for S.S. Roger Chaffee launched in 2019 and currently berthed to ISS Node 1 Nadir CBM.  Space X Falcon m9 with Crew Dragon 1/00 scale Started with AXM paper kit, added metallic details with Molotow chrome pen on heatshield and engines. Windows were done with mylar film.  Sloar panels covered with clear packing tape and used vellum paper for grid fins.  Base is a generic Gundam base bought at The Deep Game and Comic Book store. Model depicts Space X DM-1 mission launched in March 2019.

Correction to May 2019 Show and Tell 

   M.E. Mueller - Completed 1/72nd scale Curtiss 81 'Tomahawk'.  This model was brought to April Show and Tell close to being completed.  Completed model was then displayed at May Show and Tell but not mentioned in the May 2019 meeting minutes.

May 2019 Minutes

The May 2019 meeting of HPMS was called to order at 7:10 P.M. on 6 May.  There were 16 attendees.  The minutes of the April 2019 meeting were read and approved.

Old Business

A 'thank you' letter was received from 'Rescue Rangers of Decatur' for the chapter donation to this organization to honor Ed Maslin.

Our contest rules are now finalized and will remain in effect till as such time changes are warranted.

We were informed by Tom Clark that the announcement for our August show and contest have been placed in Fine Scale Model Auto and the IPMS Journal.

New Business

A question was brought to the floor regarding the status of models of Soviet spacecraft that are relevant to the American space program.  An example of this are Russian craft used to transport crew to the International Space Station.  The decision was made to address this at the contest on model by model basis.

There was mention made that the chapter is sponsoring a trophy package for rotary wing aircraft at the nationals. 

Wonderfest will be 1 June in Louisville Kentucky.

The monthly build night will be 20 May from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at The Deep Comic Book and Game store.

Show and Tell

Barbara Denza - 1/25th scale 1964 Chevy Pick-Up Truck.  Painted Tamiya orange and pearl white.  Ran fuel lines, wired engine, wired electric fan and wired alternator.  Bare metal foiled bed strips, added Thrush muffler, flocked interior and added seat belts.

Ken Denza - 1/25th scale Revell 2001 Corvette Z06.  Wired electric fan, alternator, and battery cables.  Added air conditioning lines, seat belts, grab rail on dash.  Flocked the carpet.  Paint is Tamiya Italian red.

Andy Brezinski - 1/72nd Apollo 27.  Changed from rocket to land speed record car.  This is the group build for the 2019 nats.

Tom Clark - 1/72nd Apollo 27 kitbash.  "Crew module" built out of the Apollo 27 kit.  This is the group build for the 2019 nats.

Robert Osborne - TOS Destroyer, USS Xerxes is a 1/1000 scale conversion.  1/72nd Nanchang Q-5C is a model of a Chinese aircraft based on the Mig-19 derived as a ground attack jet.  A group of 25MM Norman war game and D&D figures.

Bruce O'Gorman - 1/35th scale NASA hazmat response vehicle prototype(M-577).  Finished NASA hazmat response vehicle diorama of hypothetical dump site scenario.  1/35th scale Apollo era NASA emergency rescue vehicle(M-113).  This is a WIP.  Primed the 1/35th scale M-113.  Scratch built exhaust modification and loud speaker.  Basic vehicle kits are Tamiya kits.    

April Meeting Minutes

The April 2019 meeting was called called to order at 7:05 P.M. on 1 April.  There were 17 attendees.  The minutes of the March 2019 meeting were read and approved with corrections.

Old Business

The matter of a new club banner design and revised contest forms for our yearly show and contest was brought to the floor.  A decision was made to postpone further discussion on these two topics until a time closer to the show.

A draft copy of the contest rules for our show and contest was given to chapter members at this meeting. There was noted by Tom Clark that definitions on a couple of matters are still needed

Advertisements for our show in various modeling publications will be addressed during the May 2019 time period.

The chapter has donated $100.00 to organization 'Rescue Rangers of Decatur'.  This is an organization located in Decatur, Alabama, involved in animal shelter work.  This was done at the request of Ed Maslin's family as a way to honor Ed.

New Business

Our thoughts are with chapter member Jerry Slaughter whose sister passed away recently.  

A visitor was at our meeting this month, Jim Babett.  We hope to see him again, he builds armor and an occasional plane or two.

Correction to the March Meeting Minutes

Tom Clark did well at the Atlanta AMPS Show.  While there is, I believe, an AMPS chapter in Huntsville, this was not a show conducted by them.

Show and Tell

Tom Clark - 1/72nd scale Apollo 27 group build.  Lot of scratch build using PVC pipe, fishing bobber, and sections cut from a plastic champagne flute. He also brought a paint shaker from Amazon.  This machine is sold to shake nail polish bottles, but works with bottles up to the size of Tamiya paints, and can be powered by battery or AC 110 volt.  The cost is $25.00.  Also presented, a SF modeling guide book 'Gravity'.

M.E. Mueller - 1/72nd scale Curtiss 81 'Tomahawk'.  Replaced all the flying controls and modified fuselage to Curtiss 81 configuration.  Markings are RAF 1941-1942.

Mark Saunders - Tamiya 1/48th scale F4F Wildcat.  Basically 'out of box' build, did use Modelkasten elastic rigging line. (First time - recommended)

Andy Brezinski - 1/25th scale 1972 Chevy pick-up.  Cleveland Browns colors, still working on decals of the Cleveland Brown's logo.  Added spark plug wires and heater hoses.  Also showed Pro Modeler Revell 1/25th scale Dodge Charger Daytona kit recently obtained. 

Ken Denza - 1/25th scale AMT 1932 Ford Vicky.  Paint: Tamiya Racing Blue. Chassis: 32 Ford, from Revell/Mongram kit.  1/25th scale wheels are 32 Ford Revell/Mongram kit.  The engine is wired.  Other details include polished aluminum drive shaft and Bob Dudac rear end cover.  Also added door knobs,window track, CD player, and gauge panel.

Dan Thompson - Resin 1/350 scale Light Attack Craft.  An 'out-of-the-box' build, craft is from the 'Honor Harrington' series of Sci Fi books by David Weber. Dan also brought a repaired table lamp honoring one of Soviet anniversaries, with a nice art deco rocket on the top.