June 2014 Meeting

   Greetings,

     We here at HPM hope you all had an excellent Independence Day holiday. I would have had this blog entry up before then, but I've been busier than a one legged man in a bbq eating contest. Ummm.....no, wait.

   High Plains Modelers convened on June 24th under a threatening sky that later evolved into a spectacular lightning storm which shattered the peace of the plains for miles. We had fantastic attendance once again, and eleven models to drool over. Gary also gave an awesome presentation on inexpensive resin casting with an emphasis on replacement parts and creating diorama and figure accessories. Thank you Gary!
 

95 Days Until High Plains Con XXV!

   Set your clocks!  There are 95 days until our 25th model show and contest becomes reality. That's a little over three months to get your seams filled and your clearcoats on. Just glue it!

Upcoming Events

 July 11-12--Chili Con 3 in Albuquerque. Up for a road trip? Pack the models, let's go!

July 18th-27th--Cheyenne Frontier Days, Featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on July 23rd at 9:30am. Also featuring Fort D.A. Russell days, historical events on Warren AFB all week.

July 24-27--B-29 bomber "FiFi" stops at Fort Collins-Loveland Airport. Don't miss the chance to see this magnificent piece of WW2 history up close!

Meeting Alert!

    Due to a scheduling conflict at The Ranch, the July meeting for the High Plains Modelers will take place at HobbyTown USA in Fort Collins at 6pm on the usual last Tuesday of the month.

  But, enough of my blathering. I'm not nearly as attractive as the many models you're about to ogle, so fine, go ogle. See if I make you pie again.

Pablo is still dreaming of Argentina with this gorgeous Hobbycraft 1/48 A-4 Skyhawk.

Gary brought Airfix's new Bomber Resupply Set in 1/72. 

72 Scott is right on target with this Luftwaffe gun truck by Revell.

John C's unique Fowler Plowing Engine in 1/72 by KyleCraft.

The Russians have overengineered and overkilled everything in sight since 1917, and this armored river craft is no exception. Nice job, Michael.

New Scott rolls in with this German Mobilwagen AA rig in 1/35 by Tamiya.

Another excellent -109 by Tomasz, complete with drink umbrella for thirsty Mustangs. ;)

Sam's good looking P-40 Warhawk in 1/48.

A great looking Heller 1/144 Rafale M by Chip.

Luckily no one else caught this bug that Cody brought in. Tamiya '66 VW.

     After showing off our latest builds, Gary schooled us in the finer arts of making replacement copies of model parts for dirt cheap.

      That's it for now. Stay tuned for more modeling excitement when HPM meets again at the end of July!

May 2014 Meeting

      I'll bet you're wondering, "Gee, haven't seen an update from the High Plains Modelers lately." And you would be right. But I have a good excuse. I was taken down by a bad case of stomach flu the like of which only exists in a dark, dirty corner of Mos Eisely station, much like a hive of scum and villainy right there in my digestive tract. It was not pretty. Fortunately I was afflicted the day after the May club meeting, so all you other club members should be safe. I hope. If not, umm...sorry about that LOL.
   BUT! On to the juicy details of the May meeting. We had a spectacular attendance, with 21 folks showing up. This is likely due to the fact that we also had our yearly club auction that night. After taking care of a little business, we got right to brass tacks.

         128 Days Til High Plains Con XXV!!

Welcome aboard to new members Samuel and Kolby!

    We also had time for a little bit of Bring & Brag action, which featured nine models constructed by members this month. Take a gander below:

Michael continues  his aircraft trend with this snazzy F4U Corsair.

A good looking Matilda light tank with an unusual camouflage scheme brought in by Gary.

Pablo rolled in with this 1/48 liquid transport truck.

That way! NO, THAT way! Tomasz sets the commander straight on this HobbyBoss Panzer 1F.

Chip's predilection for unusual kits and penchant for near disastrous results is always entertaining. Here's his F3D-2 Skynight.

John S. rocked it with this classic P-51D in 1/72 scale, by Tamiya.

New Scott's Heller 1/72 Sabre IV.

72 Scott's Italian church. I'm hoping he brings the whole village back in someday.

        Apologies to Cody, whose Porsche 944 somehow eluded my camera. Sorry Cody!

   If there's one thing modelers love to do besides build models, it's buy and sell models! Here are a couple pics of the auction. Michael did a stellar job, as always, of being the club auctioneer. Thanks Michael for standing for two hours while distributing schwag!

Club members inspect the offerings.

Michael rattles off details as the club waits with itchy trigger fingers.

     That's it for this update of the High Plains Modelers! See you in June!

HobbyTown USA Model Contest

     Everybody likes a model contest, and especially if you can enter for under five bucks. Saturday, May 10th saw HobbyTown hold their annual model contest. Along with that, HPM was invited to rise up from their usual Build & Bull dungeon in the basement to conduct a day long Build & Bull right alongside the model contest. By all accounts the contest and build session were a great hit. Let's also give a special shout-out to Dave Dardine for organizing and coordinating the day's events. Thanks Dave!
      Here are a few pictures for you to salivate over while you ponder your next build:

Morning preparations just underway.

Leftwards out of the Hobbytown entrance like the B&B tables.

Kids of all ages got in on the action. ;)

The aircraft table.

Another shot of aircraft.

A very nice looking Me-262, I believe done by Pablo.

Mustang, Cadillac of the Skies.

Armor was well represented also.

Sherman tank.

Colorful cars brighten this end of the table.

"I. Am. Speed."

Best In Show winner John C.'s corvette. Amazing work.

Bridge of the corvette.

The gun crew takes aim.

Local modelers gather for some Vietnamese lunch. All were smiles before the indigestion kicked in.

Every kid should fly an airplane indoors.

Winners on the aircraft table.