December Meeting Minutes

The December, 2019 meeting of the HPMS was called to order at 7:05 P.M. on 2 December.  There were 14 attendees.  The minutes of the November, 2019 meeting were read and approved.

Old Business

  The search for a new meeting venue is continuing.  Basically, questions of fees and distance for members are items of consideration.

   The allocation of $500.00 to a charity is still being pursued.  There was the suggestion of donation to the veterans memorial museum among other considerations.

   The position of vice president for the chapter was addressed.  Bruce O'Gorman was nominated for the vp position and, with no opposition, was voted to the vp position.  Congratulations Bruce.

New Business

   The HPMS holiday dinner will be held at the El Coyote restaurant in Madison on 10 January, 2020.  The event will begin at 6:30 P.M.

   The question was raised as to whether an inquiry had been made to the JC Building facility about available dates for our yearly show and contest.  I have not checked with Dave, my plan is to visit the JC Building on Monday and see where we stand.

   The December 'build night' will be 16 December, 6:00 P.M. to 8: P.M. at The Deep Comic Book and Game Store.

Show and Tell   

Andy Brezinski - 1/12th scale 2010 Ford Shelby GT 500 Mustang.  Cut doors out and fabricated door jambs.

Bill Nichols - 1/48th scale Zoukei - Mura F-4J Phantom.  In progress - Cockpit and fuselage assembled. Added GT-resin seamless intakes and Aires resin afterburner cans and nozzles.

Bruce O'Gorman - Small scale USS Discovery and USS Shenzou from 'Star Trek' series.  These are straight builds (OOB).  1/35th scale Tamiya M-561 'Gamma Goat'. Scratch building building plywood (Sheet plastic) shelter of tactical operations center.  Also adding resin cabin cover.  Paint work to take place when weather warms up.  The M-561 was part of Task Force Bayonet, a "jump" T.O.C. circa 1984.

Blake Parker - 1/72nd scratch built Magellan Venus Orbiter.  Built Magellen spacecraft from scratch as payload for 4D Vision shuttle orbiter.  Main body built from a "For Sale" sign and struts built from Evergreen plastic rods of various diameters.  Cut high gain antenna was built from plastic Christmas ornament.  Model is based on 1/48th scale papernkit that was scaled down and traced onto plastic sheet.  I do not typically build in plastic, so this was a bit of a stretch for me.


E. Kyker - 1/1 scale lichen that he found while hiking. This can be rejuvenated and used in dioramas.

November Meeting Minutes

The November 2019 meeting of the HPMS was called to order at 7:05 P.M., 4 November.  There were 14 attendees.  The meeting minutes of the October meeting were read and approved.

Old Business

The subject of a different venue to conduct the chapter's monthly meetings was continued.  A member of the chapter is looking into Hobby Lobby.  He was not at this months meeting, but he did inform another member that there has not been progress on this front.  There were other venues discussed, Straight to Ale, Campus 805, others.  The subject of fees to use a new venue was brought up, but the general consensus was that the chapter could sustain the cost.  The decision was made to continue the search for a new venue.

The matter of donations of model kits to veterans groups that help veterans with PTSD was discussed.  Basically, there has been no movement on this subject.  I have talked with David Carney and he has suggested we contact 'Still Serving Veterans'.

New Business

There was discussion regarding the chapter's Christmas season donations to charities.  The final decision was that the chapter would allocate $1,000.00.  This donation amount will be divided with $500.00 given to Toys for Tots, with the remaining $500.00 given to a charity to be determined. 

The subject of election of chapter officers was brought to the floor.  Basically, Andy Brezinski will remain President, I will remain Secretary, and Dave Lanteigne will remain as Treasurer.  The post of chapter Vice President was not decided.  In conjunction with elections renewal of the chapter charter was mentioned.  A count was taken and there are enough IPMS National members to maintain our status.

The movie "They Shall Not Grow Old" is going to be shown again in Huntsville on 7 December.  A request that a chapter 'movie night' be scheduled for that day was brought forward.  Tom Clark asked that those wishing to attend thye showing let him know.

The November Build Night will be 18 November, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Deep Game and Comic Book Store.

Show and Tell   

Andy Brezinski - 'Browns Tailgate Party'  1/25th scale 1972 Cheyenne pickup truck, mostly box stock with ignition wires added.  The smoker trailer is scratch built, this included plastic shapes and PVC pipe.

Trevor Bennett - 1/35th scale M1A2C.  The basic kit is from RFM and was an M1A2V2.  3D printer parts were added to include updated MILES simulators and additional turret frontal armor.

Ed Kiker - Evolution of Elephants in plastic kit skeletons.  With little change in body but major changes in the tusks. He is doing a set of 7 elephant evolution skeletons.

Martin Burkey - 1/48th scale Eduard P-51D Mustang, 1/48th scale AMK F-14D and Super Star Destroyer from the Star War movies.

Chuck Segar - 1/32nd scale Hasegawa P-47D.  First try at bare metal finish, scratch added details on landing gear and cockpit.  The markings and paint work is of an aircraft flown by Major Tice.

Bill Nichols - 1/72nd Special Hobby Douglas Skyrocket.  This was built for an on line group, "The Year You Were Born". On 19 November, 1953 Scott Crossfield broke Mach 2 in the Douglas Skyrocket.  I was born a few weeks later.  1/48th scale Zoukei-Mura F-4J Phantom.  A beautifully engineered kit.  I started this last weekend and have just completed the highly-detailed cockpit. 

October Meeting Minutes

The October 2019 meeting of the HPMS was called to order at 7:09 P.M.  There were 19 attendees.  The meeting minutes of the September meeting were read and approved.

Old Business

The HPMS was informed by Chattanooga IPMS that the matter regarding the 'special category' is resolved and that no further action is needed.

The shortening of the display table leg risers is proceeding and should be completed in plenty of time for next years HPMS show and contest.

The matter of donating kits to help veterans suffering PTSD was brought to the table.  A couple of our members who had volunteered to contact groups that deal with veterans accomplished this but have so far received no response.  The group 'Big Brothers' was mentioned as was the idea of taking kits to the VA clinic in Huntsville and placing them on a table for the taking.

The discussion of an alternate meeting place continued.  The member of the chapter who works for HEMSI mentioned that while the conference room at HEMSI headquarters is free he would have to be there and this would not always be the case.  The idea of a meeting room at a restaurant was mentioned, and while there may not be a fee involved there would be, on the part of the restaurant, the idea that the HPMS members would purchase food.  The idea was broached of utilization of the party room at an apartment complex.   HPMS has done this a couple of times in the past and it has worked, but location maybe a factor.  The decision was to continue pursue the matter.  

New Business

No New Business was brought to the floor.

Show and Tell 

Martin Burkey - Three new items. Bandai 1/5000th Star Destroyer, 1/48th scale Eduard P-51D Mustang, and 1/48th Caracal decals for the SR-71 'Blackbird. 
                    
Scott Ridley - 1/72nd scale Modelcollect M983A2 HEMIT.  Built out-of-box.  Had to modify some parts for fit.  Last built military subject was 'around' 1992 or 1993.

M.E. Mueller - 1/35 scale DML M4A1.  A straight build, done as MTO, about 1943-1944 period.

Eli Geher - 1/35th scale ICM new kit of World War I Liberty Truck.  1/48th scale 3D printed tail  group for Vans RV-4 homebuilt.

Tom Clark - Muleskinner 14 1/72nd scale Apollo 27 Group Build.  U. S. Navy transport, basically 1/72nd Apollo 27 kit, PVC pipe, styrene dinner ware and lots of plastruct.

Bruce O'Gorman - 1/35th scale Tamiya M151A2. WIP paint and decals, finishing in process. Applied plastic sheet for rear window.  Represents my time in Honduras.

Barbara Denza - 1/25th scale 1940 Ford Convertible.  Painted with Testors One Coat lacquer Root Beer.  Wired engine and alternator, scratch built braided radiator hoses, and added seat belts.  Flocked carpet and door kick panels.  Also added braided oil lines.

Bill Nichols - 1/72nd scale Special Hobby Fairey Barracuda.  Built mostly out-of-box.  Represents an aircraft from HMS Collosus in 1946.  1/72nd scale Hasegawa A-4E Skyhawk.  This kit is 50 years old (1969) and goes together beautifully.  I built this 'in-flight".  Base is from Coastal Kits.  AGM-45 Shrike being launched has a smoke plume made using Raton wool stretched over an acrylic rod.

Ken Denza - 1/25th scale 1965 Chevelle SS (Pro Street).  Billet aluminum wheels from Jim Padgett.  Wired tach and alternator.  The rear tubs from 1966 Nova by AMT.  Braided stainless steel heater hoses.  Custom built exhaust.  Lowered front end, added fuel lines and brake line.  Wired electric fan, flocked the carpet, added speaker grilles, and black washed the grille.  1912 Paddy Wagon.  Painted with Testors Deja Blue. Replaced engine, added spark plugs wires, wired alternator, and MSD box.  The scoop is from 1941 Willys.  Breather caps from Detail Master.  Also added seat belts.

Ed Kiker - Plastic dinosaur and mammal skeleton kits.  They are Pterosaurus, Ornithoheirus, Quetzolcoatlus, Spinasaurus Aegypticus, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Smilodon (Sabertooth Cat), Wooly Mammoth, Glyptodon, Giant Ground Sloth, and Diotryma (Giant Terror Bird).

Correction to September meeting minutes Show and Tell  

Barbara Denza - 1/25th scale 1940 Ford Convertible (WIP).  Paint Testors One Coat-Root Beer.  Modelhaus big and little tires.  Added alternator and wired it.

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.