The Ravens Fly!

Good day gents. Recently, the Shenandoah Valley Modelers participated in the IPMS/USA Nationals at Hampton, Virginia. This Nationals was one of the biggest in recent times, with well over 2,000 models entered into the contest. The competition was fierce and as is usual at Nationals, the quality of models across all the categories was superb. Undaunted, five members of the Ravenhood took to the challenge – and all five placed! Maybe that is a record – a club that has all of its members enter Nationals and all win!

The lead winner was Gabe, who in his very first Nationals took First Place in his category. Wow! The other members who placed at Nationals were our dio expert Scott Saylor with his famous Woody’s Garage dio, John with his excellent large tow truck, Marcin and Mark. This achievement says a lot about our young club and everyone should be very proud not only of these five members, but of the club as a whole for doing it right! Oooga Oooga

A5M4-K Conversion in 1/144

It’s been a while since I finished a model but I finally managed to wrap up this A5M trainer. It sat on my shelf for many months while I worked up the courage to modify a canopy for the rear section. And by then I forgot how I mixed the orange color so I wasn’t able to get a perfect match. Regardless I’m happy with it.

The kit started as a standard A5M by Sweet. It was turned into the 2 seat version using a conversion kit from RetroWings. The resin fuselage fit the wings pretty nicely but has noticeable lines down both sides. I regret not taking more time to sand them down but it’s fine.

Because the Sweet kit doesn’t have decals for the trainer version, and RetroWings didnt provide any, i had to make my own. I used some scans from a 1/72 kit and modified them for what i needed. They ended up being pretty thick and didn’t respond well to MicroSol, but it was good practice.

Its not something ill ever take to a show, but i didn’t try to make it a show piece.  I think it looks great just sitting on my shelf. I’m trying to get back to building just for fun and not for perfection, but boy is that hard when you go to shows and see what people are capable of.  Really makes me want to push myself, even though I’m perfectly content with results like this.

Saturday, August 2nd

Good day gents.  The August meeting went very well with 24 folks in attendance.  Every one say hi to our new member Coby!   Coby brought a super sharp US WW2 destroyer to show.  Welcome to the Ravenhood Coby.

We had several other guests attend and I am sure we made a good impression and they will join the chapter at the next meeting. It is so great to see the chapter continue to grow and to add to the talent pool – especially with Warhammer subjects!

It was great seeing John attend-he brought a stunning Quarles truck that he intends to take to Nats.  Good luck John!   Equally great was Ross being there and seeing his car carrier with luxury sports cars on it.  That will be at the PennCon show in September.  Good luck Ross!

Tom Lacy is our project manager for Ravencon 2026.  He will be recruiting members to help with the show so raise your hand to help out when he reaches out to you.   Club members can compete in Ravencon but members can only enter one subject per category.  Lets be gracious hosts!

September is the auction month so bring that kit you never will get to and are willing to have it be sold to raise funds for the club. Randy’s never-used 3D printer will be raffled.  The model theme for September are The Big Wars – so bring models of anything built from 1914-18 or 1939-45 civilian or military.   Remember December is helicopter month and the best helo builder gets a cake!  October is airbrush demo lessons and November Todd is giving an update fiber lighting demo.

Keep building!

Chris

Saturday, July 5th

Happy 249th birthday to all!  The July meeting was very good.  Mark’s insights into this year’s and follow on Nationals were interesting.  Mark’s industry insights were very interesting as well!  Get whatever kit(s) you want now!!

The vignette theme was a big hit.  Bruce’s WW1 tank was superb. Pats early USN jets were fantastic. Pat is good at doing the uncommon aircraft subjects.   Big and lil Bob’s cars were zoom-zoom good.  Kj’s self made flat bed trailer was superb.  Amazing skill.

Thanks once again to Scott for another good lecture on dio construction.  The completed Sinclair dio is going to an eye catcher for sure.

See you all in August.

Chris

Saturday, June 7th

Good days gents. The June meeting was packed and highlighted by the attendance of a new member!  The Cold War theme of the models on display.  The A-37 and USN cruiser were very sharp looking as were all the models.  Jeff’s trucks are getting ever bigger in scope and complexity.  Keep it going Jeff!

The July meeting theme is vignette, so bring your model on a grassy field display base to show off.  The August meeting will be Foreigner 4 themed.  Basically any model tied to any foreign country.  Polish, South African, German, whatever.  For Todd, a sci fi kit represents a model from the 5th Dimension so that would work too!

Nationals is coming up and best of luck to those entering.  Randy is one. Our member at large John is also entering.  Mark will be there as a vendor and possibly entering and Scott will enter too!  The Ravenhood will be well represented by these superb builders.  

See you all in July!

Chris

Saturday, May 3rd

The meeting went very well with about 16 members attending. It was a pleasure to honor Marcin for his award as Region 2 Member of the Year for 2024!   

Scott gave an in depth presentation on rust applications using a blend of techniques he knows and a new product from AK that produces a rough texture for a 3d rust effect.  Thanks Scott for a great demo.  I did a short presentation on how bases can set your model off better and make it stand up (literally) from the crowd. 

We got a new member too!  Welcome Mark and thanks for your service with the Coast Guard. 

The models on the table were fantastic. Todd’s scratchbuilt Star Wars ships were stunning and Tom is becoming quite the figure modeler!  Pat’s P-40 was super; what a great save by Pat!  Mark’s sports car looked like it was ready to race!  Good job by all. 

Remember that June is the Cold War era theme. Bring a model or figure from that time frame (1960-1990).  Thanks Pat for the theme idea!

Chris

Go fund me Jamie Rahmoeller

Jamie has been fighting for his life in the ICU for weeks now, and the updates have been both hopeful and heartbreaking. After battling severe pneumonia that escalated into sepsis and septic shock, he’s now stable but faces the potential loss of his hands and feet due to infection. Jamie Jo, his wife, has been by his side, managing not just his care but also the family’s daily needs, including mortgage and utilities.

As Jamie continues his recovery, the journey ahead is daunting. He requires multiple surgeries and a long rehabilitation process. Any support you can offer, whether through a donation or by sharing this campaign, will make a significant difference. Your kindness can help ease the financial burden during this challenging time. Let’s rally together to support Jamie and his family.

Thank you for considering helping in this time of need.

Best regards,

Scott


https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-to-aid-jamies-recovery-and-family

Facebook page for Jamie’s model truck parts site also has the go fund me link on it for donations.

Update from Chris

Hi gents,

After going through three other figures and deciding after getting them done that they just did not “fit” the scene.  This figure from Airborne Miniatures finally worked.  The base is all one molded piece and was painted with AK lacquers with weathering from pastel powders, oil based washes, and Vallejo weathering products

The figure’s smock was based painted with lacquer but after that everything else was hand brushed with acrylics from both the AK and Vallejo family of paints.  The straps on the rifle and anti tank weapon are foil strips.  

The helmet in the mud puddle under the tank came from one of the three figures I tossed ahead of the figure that finally fit.  The muddy water is the AK puddles product.

-Chris

NOVA Model Classic ’25

Hi gents; here is a report from the NOVA show.  The club did well!  Chad was indeed the man at the show, winning three Silvers and one Gold.  Scott walked away with two Golds!   I got two Golds and one Silver and Jeff nabbed a Bronze.  What a great Raven hood showing.

The REALLY big news is that Martin was presented with the Region II IPMS member of the Year Award for 2024!!!  Everyone in our club should be proud of Martin and our young club for this significant accomplishment!   Congrats Martin!!

-Chris

Note from Chad:  Below are photos of the club entries and some photos of the tables and some other models that seemed photo-worthy.  However, if you want to see EVERY model that was entered, Wes Shull of the NOVA club has a video up that looks like it does a good job of showing everything:  https://youtu.be/kL4W_jFrJlo?si=k4P_UHS50_bA4woX