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

Saturday, April 5th

What a great meeting!  Lots of attendees and great discussions.  It was fantastic to have Scott talk about his article in the IPMS Journal and to see the new and improved Woody’s Garage diorama.  Scott is the man!

Speaking of the man as well, congrats to Randy and Mark on their recent contest wins!  Way to go guys.

As discussed, send your ideas for the March 2026 contest.  I would like to get this finalized by the next meeting to afford everyone time to build.  The first rule of the March contest will be no entries for any model/dio/vignette that has won anything anywhere- – it has to be a new build!

Several of us will be at NOVA Apr 12. Wear your club shirts to all who are going so we can show our colors and club camaraderie.  

Thanks to Tom Lacy for bringing samples and talking about that new paint he discovered.  He is a master at finding new tools and talking about them each meeting.

Thanks to all who have joined Discord.  It has been a great way  to share and communicate ideas and techniques.  Good on Chad for setting that all up for us all.

So far this year we have not had any lectures/presentations on skills. We pride ourselves on being a teaching club so let’s remember to do this.   Send me your “wish list” of topics to hear and learn about or tell me you want to present on X topic.  

-Chris

Woody’s auto salvage yard updated!

Hey Gents!

Woodys auto salvage yard diorama has been a real success and fan favorite. BUT! I didn’t like some parts of it. The truck and flatbed just didn’t look right. There was a car that wasn’t believable. I removed them and re-thought how it could be improved.

Moebius just released a Ford Tow Truck! I built the truck and a 1941 Plymouth Coupe along with a 1948 Ford convertible. I weathered each of the vehicles accordingly. Rust and Crust is just my game!

I scratch built new light poles and lights for the yard. I used cedar tree branches and plastruct with Just Plug lighting.  It looks much more believable! I added an American flag to go with the Arizona state flag on the building.

Last but not least I had a Woody’s plaque made and attached to the baseboard.

Scott

International 4070a


Hey gents it’s been a while since I shared a build.
Latest endeavor AMT International 4070a COE with AMT post dry trailer.

Pretty much box stock build with the exception of the Bud wheels on the cab by Chad Kennedy, and the Bud Wheels on the trailer by KJ Humphreys! The rig was weathered up using AK weathering enamels airbrushed. This rig is part of my large diorama idea. There’s a phone booth coming, along with a 1970 Ford police car. Stayed tuned!
Cheers!

Scott

Latest Mack

Hey Gents,

This is a bit long winded, but here is my latest. It’s a Mack R700. The trailer is a Mobius 53’ smooth side that I added the reefer option to. No real problems with it and I’m pleased how it turned out. The truck on the other hand, well, it gave me fits from the beginning.

I stretched the frame 2” and that went smooth. Then time to fabricate the hinges for the hood which is a resin piece. Didn’t notice at the time, but it is a horrible casting. The front isn’t square which makes sense why I had issues getting the hood to line up correctly. Also noted that one wheel well is 1/8” longer than the other. Ugh!

Powering through because it’s the only one I have at this time, I mocked up everything else and soldiered on. After fab work was completed, time for paint. Hahahahaha! Didn’t wash the sleeper or the hood well enough and the paint didn’t stick. Had to strip and scrub the crap out of them before paint would stick. Totaled 3 times before paint stuck.

Moving onward, started assembly when I noticed some small runs in the paint. Sad. I only have enough for touch ups and being old Model Master, I can’t find anymore. So I tried to hide as best as possible. Then I noticed the front wheels weren’t even in the wheel wells. Scott to the rescue! He suggested that I relocate the front axle slightly and success!! Thank you to Mr. Saylor!

Chad came through with parts for me. I used his air deflector, fuel tanks, wheels and air cleaner. Thanks again Chad, great pieces!

All in all, this build tried my patience but I think it turned out well for what it is. If my builds continue to be this much of a headache, I may rethink this hobby!! Hahahaha. Anyway, hope y’all like it.

Jeff

Frontline Update

Hi gents.  i visited Frontline Hobbies on 16 March.  I picked up a 1/48 Academy F-4J in USMC livery.  Ooga ooga.  I saw Chad’s detail products for sale and Christian pointed car detail stuff from a seller in Virginia (see picture). Christian said that product line was a big thing for car modelers – so now you car guys know Christian has them.

Christian asked how to get the club to come to his shop like we did en masse last year.  I suggested he run a contest in the fall that we would judge.   He said he could use his whole 2nd floor for it.  I opined it would help both of us-him with exposure and business and us with an opportunity to get some new members.   Welcome your collective thoughts on this idea.

-Chris