June NWSM Meeting Photos

A few photos from Thursday’s meeting Northwest Scale Modelers meeting at the Museum of Flight. For more information see the club website.

April NWSM Meeting Photos

A few photos from last Thursday’s meeting Northwest Scale Modelers meeting at the Museum of Flight. Get building for next month; themes are "Mayday" and "May the Fouth be with You". For more information see the club website.

Sharky Wildcat (Martlet)

Here is a neat idea if you mess up the engine, cockpit or prop on your Arma or Airfix Wildcat. Sadly, the only details are "Cleverly decorated cowling hood of a Wildcat fighter plane standing ready on an Eastern Fleet Station 'drome."  © IWM A 25551. This might make a good excuse to try that VMS Paper Shaper that Uncle Nightshift has talked about.

Unique Seattle Aviation Attraction

This isn't going to be popular with everyone, but I finally got to the Capital Hill Station to see the "Jet Kiss" sculpture. Created by artist Mike Ross, it was installed in 2015 and consists of the remains of two A-4 Skyhawks. Sadly, one of them is one of the oldest surviving Skyhawks, A4D-1 (or A-4A, if you prefer, BuNo. 139945 (in pink) and A-4C BuNo. 147722 (in magenta).

Remembering John Cate

We got some bad news on Saturday at the NWSM show that local modeler John Cate passed away. John had been struggling with a brain tumor for a few years. He was an excellent modeler and especially knowledgeable on 30s aviation. John was always a true gentleman and loved to talk modeling and aviation. Rest in piece my friend, and check out John Miller's tribute along with some photos of Mr. Cate's DH.4. The header photo is John's 1/72 Sea Vampire build from the Cyberhobby kit.  It was one of the last few models he finished along with a Matchbox 1/72 Norseman that was in my Canadian Aviation display at the Museum of Flight.  The Norseman is pictured below.

NorthWest Scale Modelers Show: February 19-20!

Tim Nelson has stoped by to update us on the NWSM show.  Take it away Tim...

FINALLY, A LOCAL MODEL SHOW! 

The NorthWest Scale Modelers Show at The Museum of Flight on February 19-20 is fast approaching!  It is an opportunity to show off your models, and promote this great hobby, to a very large audience. It’s also a chance to bask in a weekend of modeling without judging, being judged, or spending your hard-earned cash on vendor wares you really don't need anyway. 

If you never participated, why not start this year? Celebrate the hobby, enjoy the work of others, chat with your fellow modelers, and learn from an eclectic mix of seminars. This 2-day show is a pure exhibition, not a contest, so come enjoy a relaxing weekend immersed in your favorite hobby. Although the main model show is organized simply by modeler, we will have one special group display organized by Jim Bates and Neil Makar on the Vought F-8 Crusader. Eric Christianson has curated a variety of cool modeling seminars - teach, learn, discuss. There will be ample working tables for the public to see modelers in action; bring projects to work on. Museum admission is FREE all weekend to exhibiting modelers (in other words: BRING MODELS). If the urge to shop overwhelms you, our pal Emil will be hosting a NWSM Show Sale a short trip away at Skyway Model Shop. 

With a pandemic still going on, there will be some changes to the working table layout and seminar location to maximize spacing. Ongoing Museum of Flight admission screening protocols are in effect. If you received a show email over the holidays, you’ll see a detailed pre-show briefing the weekend of Feb 12. If this is news, please contact Tim Nelson (email timsan (at) comcast.net) or Jim Bates (rcaflawyerpilot (at) gmail.com) to ensure you are on the distribution list. 

See you at the show!

Airfix 1/72 DeHavilland Mosquito B.XVI

My review of the Airfix 1/72 DeHavilland Mosquito B.XVI has been posted over at Model Paint Solutions.

Vampy is a Fine Girl

My review of the Special Hobby DH.100 Vampire F.3 “European and American Operators” has been posted over at Model Paint Solutions.

2022 NWSM Show

Fingers crossed that it happens!

Vargas Scale Models 1/72 Christie Tank M1921

A Steampunk kinda WW1 tank? Have I lost my mind? My review of the Vargas Scale Models 1/72 Christie Tank M1921 has been posted over at Model Paint Solutions.

Hobby Craft/Academy Sabre

The Academy/Hobbycraft 1/72 Sabre 5 done as the sole Canadair Sabre 3 used by Jackie Cochran to set a woman's speed record in 1953. Then her nemesis Jacqueline Auriol broke that record in both a Mystère and a Mirage and Jackie had to go trump her again in a TF-104. The model was built for a display at the Museum of Flight on women in aviation. 

And when I say, Academy/Hobbycraft it really was a combo. The HC kit was later slightly updated by Academy and I used the Academy fuselage and HC wings. The finish was Tamiya LP-11...awesome stuff...and the dayglo was a cheat with decals.

On display in the case with the Mirage used to represent Jacqueline Auriol's record breaker.  Note the tiny Jackie.

Sword 1/72 TBF-1 Avenger “Over Midway and Guadalcanal”

The Avenger?  No, no, not the comic book, the Turkey. My review of the new Sword 1/72 TBF-1 has been posted over at Model Paint Solutions.