IN THIS ISSUE 5 Years of scale model building! PLUS - Model Mania! We bring you the exclusive coverage of the 2015 SDMB scale model contest. - In Tips and Tricks, we bring you a collection of modeling ideas from our club members. - Club News brings us all the coverage of past and upcoming events from the Sonoran Desert Model Builders. 1
Mold Lines is the official publication of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders Modeling club. We publish it on a monthly basis and it is your source for Club news, interviews, model reviews, photos or our member s modeling work as well as articles on modeling techniques and other articles of interest to our members. MEETING DATES 2015 JANUARY 8 th FEBRUARY 5 th MARCH 5 th APRIL 2 nd MAY 7 th JUNE 4 th JULY 2 nd AUGUST 6 th SEPTEMBER. 3 rd OCTOBER... 1st NOVEMBER... 5 th DECEMBER.. 3 rd WHO ARE THEY? The Sonoran Desert Model Builders is a chartered IPMS model club in Tucson, Arizona dedicated to advancing each other s skills through tip sharing, encouragement and, most importantly, hands-on building. Our members enjoy a deep camaraderie and level of respect for each other as well as a passion for model building. We build it all... cars, airplanes, armor, ships, figures, sci-fi... Our mission is simple LET S BUILD! WHERE CAN I FIND THEM? We meet at the Patrick K. Hardesty Midtown Multi-Service Building from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. 1100 South Alvernon Way Tucson, AZ 2
3 Editor s Workbench Hello fellow modelers and dear friends. Last month the first issue of Mold Lines went out to members of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders and many IPMS members all over the U.S. I am totally thrilled about how well the newsletter was received. The response has been totally overwhelming and I want to thank everyone for their support, enthusiasm and help. I am looking forward to many more issues in the future. This month marks the 5 th year anniversary of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders modeling club. Five years is a short period of time, but when you look at the list of achievements of the club during this period, the list is impressive. I have only been a part of the SDMB for two years but while compiling this month s article I have come to one conclusion; you guys are awesome! Recently, we had a fantastic time at Model Mania 2015. This swap meet event also hosts our annual scale model contest. We had an amazing turnout with many stunning models. This year we broke the record for models entered in the competition with over 100 models! This event just gets getting better and better! Has it been 5 years already? Ja!!! This calls for a celebration!
CLUB NEWS RECENT EVENTS Make and Take at the Pima Air and Space Museum - This event is designed to introduce children to the hobby of model building and the math and historical research used to build accurate scale models. It was held on January 3 rd, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Monthly Club Meeting The SDMB held their monthly meeting on January 6 th, 2015 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This month we had quite a lot of in-progress models brought in by the club members. Proof that everybody has been busy during the holidays. The air was full of excitement as our annual model contest was in sight. We also recognized Steve Barlow s amazing contribution as webmaster for our club with a nice surprise! Well done Steve! Joseph Godwin II s Russian KV-1. Models on display at the SDMB January meeting. 4
CLUB NEWS RECENT EVENTS Kent Weeks Lend/Lease 1/35 Valentine. Great work on the Hair Spray winter white wash! Simon Herbert s Hansa Brandenburg W.12 amphibious biplane Don Ickes beautiful 1/249 th Destroyer Escort USS Buckley 5
UPCOMING EVENTS CLUB NEWS Make and Take at the Pima Air and Space Museum - This event is designed to introduce children to the hobby of model building and the math and historical research used to build accurate scale models. The event will take place on February 7, 2015 from 1:00 PM 2:30 PM. Scale Model Display at the Downtown Public Library Every year the SDMB club puts up a display at the Joel Valdez branch of the Pima County Library in downtown Tucson. The display is held thoughout the month of May and features a specific theme. This year the theme is Models in the Movies, TV and Books. Visit the library and come enjoy modeling work from your favorite movies, TV shows and books. Model by Annette sostarich 6
5 Years of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders As I chatted with a fellow modeler at a local swap meet my friend pointed at a tall gentleman and a lady that were browsing through the models at a vendors table. You see them two? he said. Those are two of the best modelers in all of Arizona. The year was 2012 and I was intrigued when my friend mentioned this supposed modeling club that was frequented by those two modelers. I decided to check this a little further and went to one of their monthly meetings. There I met the two modelers from the swap meet who were none other than Dave Brown and Clara Triem. From the start I was impressed by the club. I was welcomed and treated with respect and I was inspired by the quality level of their work. That night I could not wait to get home and build something! I thought to myself, that s what a scale model club should do! Inspire you to build That night I decided I would join. It s been a few years since then but the history of the Scorpions goes back a few more years. The SDMB was formed on February 2010 with the primary goal of promoting and encouraging model building. That very activity is part of their name, it is what they do, it is who they are: Model Builders. Their focus is to provide an environment where model builders of all skill levels can have a voice, where they can share their enthusiasm, their knowledge, and their desire to continuously improve their model building. Ever since the beginning one of the primary goals was the sharing of modeling ideas and techniques. The club continuously offers modeling demos during their monthly meetings. Dave Brown offers a demo during the November 2010 club meeting. I like the high camaraderie and respect we have for each other's work and our techniques. The sharing of these techniques has helped my modelling skills increase tremendously. - Steve Barlow The Scorpions at Model Zona 2010 in Phoenix, AZ. 7
5 Years of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders While the main objective of the SDMB is to have fun Building Models, they are no strangers when it comes to competitive shows. Over the past five years their members have participated in countless IPMS sanctioned model contests, including Nationals, ModelZona, Regionals and many other local shows. The quality that club members constantly bring to these events is amazing as they have accumulated over 200 awards in the past five years! These include Best of Show, People s Choice, several Best in Category and countless other awards. I continue to be inspired by the activity and enthusiasm of my fellow Scorpions! They make the meetings fun and worthwhile. - Dave Brown Derek Campbell shows his People s Choice award For his 1/350 USS Arizona during ModelZona 2011. Derek Campbell s USS Arizona 8
5 Years of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders Dave Brown s 1/20 Ma.K Falke I went to my first SDMB meeting in the spring of 2010, when the club was in its fledgling state. There were only 6 other people there. Now as the club enters its sixth year as a modeling club, I look back at the first five years with fondness, and a bit of pride that we have come a long way for a relatively new club. - Clara Triem Clara Triem s 54mm Cavalrymen on Foot got her a Best of Show at ModelZona 2010 9
5 Years of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders Pat Harrington s Bf-110D (Fujimi): 1997 El Paso, 3rd Annual "DesertCon": 1st Place 1:48 Multi-engine prop / 1998 IPMS Craig Hewitt 5th Annual Contest: 1st Place, Senior Aircraft / 1998 IPMS Tucson: 1st Place 1:48 Aircraft, and the Kitchen s Sink. Annette Sostarich s Mercury capsule. Third Place at ModelZona. 10
5 Years of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders Some of the club member s work has been featured in scale model publications such as Fine Scale Modeler and Model Military International. Simon Herbert also received a Best Military Vehicle for his 1/25 scale 1940 station wagon in North Africa. 11
5 Years of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders One thing that has developed in these first five years of the club s existence is a strong relationship with the community here in Tucson. "Small Scale Skirmishes", an exhibit in which the club participated at the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures in January, 2013, presented scale dioramas of warfare from history and fantasy, introducing many youngsters to model building and educating them about history through the art of modeling. The club s annual (since 2011!) model exhibits at the Joel Valdez branch of the Pima County Library engage a large audience and reminds the viewers, both young and old, of the fascination inherent in the interpretation of life in scale miniatures. 2014 marked the 100 th year since the start of World War I (The Great War) and this was chosen as the theme for the cubs exhibit. The display turned out to be the best one yet! Display at the Mini Time Machine Museum in Tucson, 2013.. Display at the Pima County Library in Tucson, 2014. 12
5 Years of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders This amazing 4ftx3 ft, 1/72 trench warfare diorama was a collaboration from at least a dozen club members. The Scorpions during the set-up of the library display in May 2014. 13
5 Years of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders The SDMB continues it's ongoing relationship with the 390th Bomb Group/Pima Air and Space Museum as they follow their well-received Control Tower Diorama with an elaborate (and not-sosmall!) small-scale representation of their airfield and the surrounding English countryside. They also have a monthly Make And Take program at PASM, where children can learn about aviation by building a model they get to keep. Their association with Model Mania Tucson has led to regular plastic model swap meets with SDMB hosted model contests. They continue to take an active role in participating with our colleagues in Phoenix, the Craig Hewitt IPMS, as they host their yearly ModelZona scale model contest. Connecting with others in our community, while promoting the hobby of scale modeling, has proven to be an important component of the Sonoran Desert Model Builders.. After almost five years as a Scorpion" I can say, without reserve, that the members of SDMB are the most active, prolific and talented men and women I've ever been associated with - Dick Smith First Make and Take at the Pima Air and Space Museum 14
Tips and Tricks Did you know 1 that when using the hairspray technique the best paint to use is Tamiya acrylics thinned with tap water? By using tap water the resulting acrylic layer does not dry as strong and allows for paint to be removed easier. 2 that dipping clear plastic parts like canopies and windows in Future floor polish can remove small scratches and protect them from further scratches? Once the part is clean of mold lines, dip it and allow it to dry before fixing it in place. Before After 3 that using warm water when working with decals will help the decal stick better around details as well as help prevent decal cracking? Keep your decal water warm by using a coffee cup warmer. 15
Model Mania 2015 Every year the Sonoran Desert Model Builders hold, in conjunction with Model Mania of Tucson, their annual scale model contest. On January 15 th 2015 hordes of modelers gathered at the Fraternal Order of Police, in Tucson, AZ our annual model contest, model shopping, and all the aspects of our hobby. There were thousands of models for sale as well as raffle prizes that were given away every hour. We would like to thank Model Mania of Tucson (and Derek Campbell) for making us part of their swap meet and we look forward to an even better show next year. 16
Model Mania 2015 This year one of the club s goals was to have 100 models entered in the contest. The air was full of enthusiasm and when I saw we had 28 entries before the event opened at 9:00 a.m. I knew we would achieve our goal. As it turned out we had 102 models entered! The event featured our Gold-Silver-Copper award system that rates each model individually as well a Best of Show, People s Choice and Best in Category awards. As always, the success of the event was due to the efforts of all the club members and other modelers who volunteered, especially those who helped judge all 102 models! 102 entries!! This gets me so emotional I so hate the Federation! But I HATE silvering on decals!!!! 17
Model Mania 2015 Best of show & people s choice This year Clara Triem surprised us all not only taking the Best of Show award with her beautiful 1/32 Albatross biplane, but also taking the People s Choice award with her 1/16 Steam Tractor. Amazing work!! 18
Model Mania 2015 Best in categories Best Automotive Subject Dick Ihrig 1/24 1967 Ford GT MKIV Best Naval Subject Dave Brown s 1/35 Seahund mini submarine Best Aircraft (Small Scale) Mike Bilcik s 1/72 IAI Kfir C-7 Best Aircraft (Large Scale) Clara Triem s 1/32 Albatross Biplane Best Armor Dave Diaz 1/35 ZSL-92 Chinese IFV Best Figure John Brubaker s Templar Sergeant 19 Best Miscellaneous Keith Pieper KV Hover Conversion
Model Mania 2015 Best in categories Best Diorama Mike McFadden Best Sci-Fi Annette Sostarich s Atomic Mining Prop See more amazing entries at www.sdmb.yolasite.com Best Junior Trista Ismail s The Last unicorn 20
HOW CAN I JOIN THE SDMB? Test the water before you join! Here's how: Drop by and say "hello" at one of our monthly meetings (see our Next Meeting page for date and location details). If you like what you see and hear then drop by again the next month and be sure to bring your questions and we'll help you get started! The first two meetings are free so drop on by! After your second meeting we would appreciate you joining our club. Our club dues pay for various things such as community programs and sponsorships of trophies in contests. We are happy to have visitors but even happier when you join our club of award winning modelers. Visit our website at www.sdmb.yolasite.com You can also find us on Facebook. SDMB is an affiliated club of the IPMS www.ipmsusa.org SDMB Club Officers Dave Brown (PRESIDENT) Damon Blair (VICE -PRESIDENT) Clara Triem (TREASURER) Derek Campbell (SECRETARY) David Diaz (NEWSLETTER EDITOR) Mike Bilcik (CLUB IPMS POINT OF CONTACT) arizonadesertdave@gmail.com ec130crewchief@yahoo.com mylkwood1@gmail.com 4nagato1@gmail.com EDITOR_SDMB@Yahoo.com mbilcik1@cox.net 21