Category Archives: Modeling

WonderFest 2019

Last weekend I attended the annual WonderFest sci-fi model show, in Louisville, KY. For those that have attended JerseyFest here during the fall, this is a somewhat similar show, yet much larger, and the break-down between ships/hardware and figures is about an even split (whereas the JerseyFest show is predominately figures). WonderFest set a record this year, it’s 30th, with over 800 models entered in the contest. The quality of work is amazing, and I was quite stunned to take away a bronze award for my USS Sentinel kit build. This year I also took part in a group build display, with the theme of Star Wars Concept Models. Each of us picked a Joe Johnston concept drawing and built a model based on it. My B-Wing wasn’t finished, but that didn’t stop me from taking it to the show as an in-progress.

The show’s dealer’s room is quite impressive as well, with at least 125 individual dealers, according to the show’s flyers, as well as personalities taking photos and signing autographs. The two conference rooms taken up by the dealers is easily 1.5 or 2 times the size of our usual MosquitoCon.

If anyone’s looking for an excuse to visit Louisville the weekend after Memorial Day, I highly recommend WonderFest. They have the date set for May 30-31st, 2020, with more information on their website: https://wonderfest.com/

I took photos, per my usual of not trying to get everything, just the stuff that really catches my eye, all of which have been posted HERE.

Model Completed: F4F-4 Wildcat F-21

This one has been done and photographed for some time. As usual, it took me a while to get around to editing said photos and doing the write-up. Tamiya 1/48th scale kit, in the markings of Scott McCuskey’s (no, not McCluskey) mount onboard USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Midway. Yes, I do have a bit of a Yorktown obsession.

Photos and words HERE.

Model Completed: Air Racer “Thunderbird”

This is one of those builds that went rather quickly, in two parts. I did almost all of the initial construction several years ago, then chucked it in a box on a shelf. After using a lot of Draw Decals’ amazing markings for the airliners at Gulliver’s Gate, I was inspired to order their decal set for this airplane. While the model itself ins’t a show-stopper, the decals are great, resulting in something that looks good sitting in the display cabinet. It’s nice to have a splash of color every now and then.

Added to the model gallery HERE.

Model Completed: Battlestar Galactica

I’ve added a page for the Moebius Models Battlestar Galactica model that I finished a few months ago. Overall a fun build, and I’m really happy with the result. That’s really the only problem with building commissions for others (as this model was): If it turns out really well, then it’s really hard to turn it over at the end of the project.

As with all of the other Battlestar Galactica series ship builds in my gallery, this model now belongs to a private collector. One of these days I’ll build something Battlestar related and actually hold onto the thing.

Photos and such are HERE.

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Gulliver’s Gate

gulliversI recently realized that, other than updating my biography, I hadn’t made official mention on my website of my new job. As of September 2016, I have been working as a model builder at Gulliver’s Gate, a new edutainment attraction opening in Times Square this year. My daily duties involve 3D CAD design, 3D printing, assembly, and painting of models for the exhibits. To say this is my dream job is an understatement. For an idea of what to expect when we open in April, check out the Gulliver’s Gate website.

Review: IPP Lacquer WWII Navy Hobby Paints

This is part of a review of a new product line by IPP out of Korea. The original post, as below, that I did on the US Navy colors, and the follow-up review if the IJN colors can be seen HERE on the Modelwarships.com website.

bottlesMatt of Kraken Hobbies sent along some samples of the new lacquer based ship paints from IPP of Korea. The range is mostly made up of USN WWII colors at this point, but does also have some WWII IJN colors, as well as modern colors. The lineup as of now is, per Matt’s ability to order:

IJN: Sasebo Grey, Kure Grey, Linoleum Brown

USN: 20B, 5-O, 5-L, 5-H, 5-S, 5-N, 5-P

Modern USN: Deck Matt, Flight Deck Matt, Freeboard Superstructure Matt

JMSDF: Freeboard Superstructure Matt, Deck Matt

Per Matt, they also offer their own brand of thinner and leveling fluid, which I would recommend. More on why later.

The following paints were tested by myself and IJN expert Dan Kaplan. I’ll comment on the three USN colors, Dan will chime in on this thread with his thoughts on the IJN offerings. Testing was done by spraying the paints on white styrene, unprimed, to match as close as possible the Snyder and Short paint chip cards (hereafter S&S) that both Dan and I possess. Continue reading