Current List of Vendors for the 2018 Old Dominion Open

With over two months to go, we have a large list of vendors who have reserved tables for the February 24th, 2018 ODO.  Here is our current list. We only have about 34 tables left to rent for a sell out!

 If you are a vendor and would like to have a table at our show, use the Vendor form link below to print out this form.

Click here for the Vendor Form

2018 ODO Photo in Time

Check out our 2018 ODO Brochure for full details on the show and all the new categories. A copy can be found at the link below.

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnewTgZc4MmSgjLcx6KFiLPpbcfJ 

If you are looking for a project for the 2018 ODO, may we suggest the new Photo In Time category. 

Find a picture of a subject you like, and recreate it for your entry.  You may use any source and any subject  for your model within our standard rules. Just bring in a photo copy or printout of the historical subject  to display with your model.



For the armor modelers,  below is a link to several collections of WW II German Archive photos from which the interesting  picture above was taken from the Bundesarchiv I collection. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a list of these collections. 

https://www.scribd.com/search?content_type=tops&page=1&query=Bundesarchiv

-Bob Walls

Vendor Update for the Old Dominion Open

Calling all modelers
If you are thinking about attending our Model Show and Contest on February 24, 2018 please remember to bring extra spending cash. As of this post, 23 vendors have committed to attend the show and they have reserved 73 tables! We expect a sellout of our 115 table vendor mart.

Stay tuned as we update the vendor list starting next month and each month until the show. 

Also, look for our special promotions for those attending and those entering the show.  More to follow!

Scale Model Challenge 2017

While not a U.S. show, the Scale Model Challenge in Veldhoven, The Netherlands features some of the best models in the world. Stats from this year's recent show:

Over 3.000 visitors, 138 exhibitors divided over 122 stands, over 50 clubs, and a contest with a mind boggling 1.987 (!) entries. Those entries were by 575 participants from 40 countries.

Enjoy the photos of some of this year's entries:

32 pages of mind-blowing models!

--Mark Groth

Well, Are There?

2018 ODO: Vendor Registration

Vendor registration for the 2018 ODO is now open. A link to the fillable registration form is at the end of this post as well as in the 2018 Old Dominion Open tab.

• Vendor reservations MUST be paid by January 31, 2018 to hold table requests.
• Requests may be cancelled at any time up to January 31, 2018.
• No refunds after January 31, 2018 for any reason.
• Tables are eight feet long; $35.00 per table.
• If you need more than two chairs, please bring them with you.
• If you plan on using your own tables or free-standing display(s), please contact Bob Walls so you can decide how to best situate them.
• Additional information is on the form.

Bob Walls

804-740-3736

robertwalls@comcast.net

Link to ODO Vendor Registration Form

It's Here: 2018 ODO Brochure

The full 2018 Old Dominion Open brochure is now available! The link has been added to the 2018 ODO page above and a link is also at the end of this post. Click it for the official rules, categories, and all forms. Be sure to mark your calendar now!

Click here for brochure

November 13th Meeting Demo: Using Acrylic and Polymer Products

,

As a child, my favorite show was Watch Mr. Wizard. This month's demo will sort of be like that show. The demo will cover using various lesser known products in different ways to improve your model building.  As time permits, the demo will cover using Future as a glue for photo etch; wood glue for filling seams and injector pin marks; using clear-drying kitchen caulk for making water-like bases for 1/700 scale ships and other uses; using artist mediums to make mud, glue ground work, dilute paints; using fabric paint for rivets; and many other topics including even making your own acrylic model paints.  These won't be super in-depth, but quick how-to's.

After the demo, I will be pulling out winners for door prizes of some of the products used.
 - Bob Walls

Chapter Contest Entry Form

The theme for our December Chapter Contest is "1962-1972 Kits." For those who want to get a head-start on completing their paperwork, the entry form can be accessed from the below link:

December 2017 Contest Entry Form

Next Meeting: November 13, 2017

The next meeting of IPMS Richmond will be:

Monday, November 13, 2017

6:30 p.m.

Smoketree Community Center

11100 Smoketree Drive

North Chesterfield, VA 23236

In addition to Show 'n' Tell and our quarterly raffle, Bob Walls will be presenting a demo on

"Using Acrylics, Polymers, Resins and Other Paints/Pastes/Products in Modeling"

Bob will be demonstrating many uses for Future floor wax; artists acrylic gels, pastes, and matte medium; clear two-part epoxy glues; carpenters glue; and glazing medium. Bob will have door prizes for those that attend this must-see demo so be sure to be there!

Groundwork Tip

I found a light-weight modeling clay called Modelite made by Cra-z-Art. It is a finer and easier to use Playdoh-like material which air dries. It dries softer than Playdoh and has a little give to it when dry. I rolled out a ball of it in a zip lock bag to a uniform thickness and applied it over the base. I first built-up  the base with cardboard pieces to reduce the amount of Modelite clay I would need. I also cut holes in the base so the model's wheels would be lower.  

The base is far  from finished but you can see how this might work for your next model project. Mine is a 1/35 Trumpeter SFOR USMC LAV-25 stuck axle deep in mud.

Crayola makes a version of this and probably others. Whichever brand you buy make sure it feels soft when you squeeze the bag. 

It does dry-out if left open, so store it in a zip lock bag.  I got mine at the local craft store next to the Playdoh.  -Bob Walls

Next Meeting: October 9, 2017

The next meeting of IPMS Richmond will be

Monday, October 9, 2017

6:30 p.m.

Smoketree Community Center

11100 Smoketree Drive

North Chesterfield, VA 23236

This will be a "movie and build night" so be sure to bring your current project to work-on while you watch a movie!

The October edition of our newsletter, "Spare Parts," may be accessed from the link at the top of the page.

October 7: IPMS Hampton Roads Kit Swap Meet

New IPMS Region 2 Chapter

The following message was received from Tim Ward:

To all members of IPMS Region 2:

Please join me in welcoming IPMS Lehigh Valley to IPMS Region 2.  Club President and Chapter Contact John Mattaboni has received official notification from John Noack, Director of Local Chapters, that their club is now a chartered member of IPMS.

John and his new club will be meeting at the A.C. Moore Center in Allentown, PA twice monthly.

More details to come.

We look forward to working with John and his club members to make IPMS Region 2 even better.

Look forward to seeing you in the near future at the next show.

Tim Ward

R-2 Coordinator

HobbyTown USA Fall Model Contest

HobbyTown will hold their fall contest on October 21, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at all five Virginia locations. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Looking for an interesting project? How about this for a Picture in Time Category?

This has to be the most unlikely "hot rod" a motor pool ever put together. 

 Good description and conclusions by posters to the site.  One suggests:

" my opinion is that they had reversed the drive train. Rear axle under the engine and the front diff was placed where the rear axle was originally attached. The crew compartment was reversed. the driver is now over the front axle and sat on the right side."

For more info click this link to G503 Military Vehicle Forum.

Korean War Armored Jeep with 3 machine guns and a Recoilless Rifle

Review Alclad Klear Kote and Kit World Decals

Not Exactly Plastic Model related but interesting to think about these.

From a quick search of Google looking at mechanical/science magazine covers from the 20's-40's.

  How many of these anticipated inventions actually made it? More than you might think.

Click on the Facebook link below  to scroll through a album of inventions from the "future".  

Face Book pictures 

Next Meeting: September 11, 2017

The next meeting of IPMS Richmond will be

Monday, September 11, 2017

6:30 p.m.

Smoketree Community Center

11100 Smoketree Drive

North Chesterfield, VA 23236

Be sure to bring all your finished and in-progress models for Show-and-Tell . . . let us see what you've been working on!

Test of Four Acrylic Primers

After reading some comments on a model forum about acrylic paints and primers, I made up my own test.  I sprayed Vallejo Gray Primer (V), Badger Stynylrex Gray Primer (S), Tamiya Flat FX-63 Panzer Gray paint (T) and AK Dark Yellow Primer (AK).  I let them cure for 4 days. 

The first picture is the four primers sprayed on white plastic and a toothpick pressed and dragged across all four samples.  They all passed.  The only issue was the tooth pick "polished" a line on each flat paint/primer but left the test primers undamaged.

The next picture is the after effects of doing the same test with a cut piece of plastic sprue.  The Badger Stynylrex shows a little paint scrapped off. The rest passed fine.

The third test was using the end of a metal ruler.  Only the Vallejo passed, while the Stynylrex did better than the Tamiya and AK. A result I did not expect.

The last tests were masking and "rip" off.  First Tamiya Yellow tape was applied and burnished down like you would do when masking a straight line. Instead of pulling it off gently, I pulled it off with a quick pull. The AK pulled up along the line left by the mark made by the steel ruler. I think if the paint was not already been scratched, the AK would have been fine.

The final tape test was with actual cheap painters masking tape. Again, a quick pull and the results were a mess for the AK.  The others test samples did okay.

What does this prove or show? If you let any Acrylic cure, you probably can handle without too much concern and not chip or scratch off the paint.  You can  tape it and certainly if you are gentle, you should be fine removing the tape. 

This is far from scientific and the results would need to be repeated to prove that there was not an oily fingerprint that caused the AK Primer to scratch and then fail under masking. But I think it does prove that if you have been thinking about switching to Acrylic paints and primers (due to the smell, chemicals, clean up, etc), you probably will be safe and happy with the results if you take your time, don't scrape metal rulers over the paint, and don't use cheap painters masking tape!  - Bob Walls

M1 Abrams History and Versions

Bob Walls's nice M1 with mine-clearing thingy

With all the Abrams models floating around, Bob Walls found the link below which discusses the history of the Abrams and all the versions in great detail.

Click here for link

Pictures from the Aug 12th IPMS Roanoke Valley Shoot Out Model Contest

For those who missed the show, below  is a  link to the Roanoke Valley website with many pictures of the models on display last week. - Bob Walls

   IPMS Roanoke Valley chapter website 

 

IPMS Richmond 2017 Group Build

IPMS Richmond displayed their 2017 group build at the Roanoke Valley IPMS Virginia Shootout on August 12. Members building various marks of the Bradley IFV were Mark Groth, Chazz Klanian, Gene Rasmussen, Alex Valz, and Bob Walls.

Kit Build: 1993 Dodge Viper

Chazz Klanian's build of Provence Moulage's 1/43 scale 1993 Dodge Viper:

Kit Review: Airfix P-51D

World War Toons--More than Meets the Eye

** NOTE: This post in no way endorses Meng Models **

World War Toons are taking Richmond! Being the trendsetters that they are, Bob Walls and Tom Dailey recently acquired two of Meng's recent World War Toons releases and were seen working feverishly on them at IPMS Richmond's Movie & Build night this past Monday.

World War Toons is an under-development cartoonish FPS game for the PC. Meng is issuing several armor kits representing tanks in the game. They have issued six to-date: Tiger I, Sherman M4A1, King Tiger, KV-2, Panzer III, and T-34/76. All are snap-tite kits requiring no glue. Don't let that fool you, however--with careful construction and a little paint they can be built-up into award winning models (as seen at the Roanoke Valley Shootout).

Tom Dailey's KV-2 under construction.

Bob Walls's Sherman M4A1. Note that he actually finished his kit in under two hours (sans decals and paint)

Tamiya / Ebbro Chat

Chazz Klanian came across the following interview published in Model Graphix magazine between Shunsaku Tamiya, President and CEO of Tamiya, Inc. and Makoto Kiya, President of MMP, Ltd. Both companies are major sponsors of the Old Dominion Open and this conversation certainly makes for interesting reading.

Link to the interview

(Links to additional parts of the interview are in the right-hand column of the webpage.)

Modelcollect announces yet another make believe tank

What do you think of this? Would you buy it?  -Bob Walls

Estate Sale of Aircraft and Helo kits on Saturday July 29, 2017

IPMS Richmond is helping an estate liquidate a fellow modeler's kit collection. There are over 1000 kits. Many are US NAVY and US Marines WWII to Present.  Also for sale are boxes of decals, and 100's of PE and resin detail parts.  Kits are from all manufactures and in all scales (see link below).  The sale will be held at 10847 Sunset Hills Dr., North Chesterfield, Va. 23236  This is a one day sale starting at 9:00AM and ending at 5:00PM or when all the kits are gone. Prices are very reasonable at 50% or less of retail with 100's of kits marked at $5.00.

Here are a few pictures from tonight's setup and pricing event.

The following link will give you a PDF listing all the kits at the start of this process.
 ALPHA LIST OF KITS

-Bob Walls

Roanoke Valley IPMS 2017 Virginia Shootout Model Contest Saturday August 12th: Need forms?

If you plan to attend this year's Virginia Shootout you can see and download Categories, Rules, Directions, Forms and the like at the Roanoke Valley IPMS website.

Click to visit IPMS Roanoke Contest Page 

For those who like to fill out and print your registration and entry forms instead of completing them by hand, here are the forms you will need converted to fillable PDF's.  A nice model should have a nice entry form.  Download and Save these two files to your computer and you can type your  information and print them.

Fillable Registration Form 

Fillable Model Entry Form 

Doing these in advance  can save you some time the day of the show and you can make sure they are correct and include all those little things you want to tell the judges. 

IPMS Richmond hopes you attend the Shootout and we look forward to seeing you all at the show. - Bob Walls

Model Forum/Discussion Group Picture Posting Mess

If you visit the various  Model discussion  groups on the Internet, you may be in for a terrible surprise. Photobucket is a web Photo Hosting service that many sites and modelers use to post pictures of their models or modeling topics to the web. At the end of June Photobucket stopped allowing photos on their servers from being posted on "third party" sites. Unless you paid $399 per year. It went from free to "NO WAY JOSE'". That would be bad enough if it only applied to postings after June 28th, 2017. It applied retroactively to any posting done in the past.  So, if you go to sites that exclusively use Photobucket or posts by users who used Photobucket, instead of seeing the pictures they posted, you see this. 

So be careful what "free" services you use.  This does not impact every site or every posting, but it does impact  a large percentage. -Bob Walls

IPMS Richmond Club Display Case

We have moved the club display case to the Chesterfield County Airport terminal and it is now pretty close to being full. If club members have commercial or private type aircraft models, please contact Mark Elder to make arrangements to have them put in the display.  We are getting rave reviews form the folks who visit the airport.