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DELAWARE VALLEY SCALE MODELERS is a Chapter of the International Plastic Scale Modelers’ Society USA, chartered 1972. We meet on the first Friday of each month at 7:30 pm, at the Artisan’s Hall, located at 8100 Roosevelt Boulevard (U.S. Route 1), just North of Cottman Avenue at the Pennypack Circle in Philadelphia, PA.

You can visit us on the Web at: .

You can also visit the Philadelphia Area Club Modelers on the web at: .

DVSM Officers

President ……………………..…. Dennis Sosna

Vice President ……………….Walter Hughes Jr.

Secretary………………………...Jason Rothgeb

Treasurer & IPMS Contact……...Joe Vattilana

Contest Chairman…………………Dennis Levy

Program Chairman.…………….…Jim Rosado

Membership Chairman……...Vince Buonfiglio

Theme Chairmen…..Tommy Kortman & Bob Doebly

Newsletter Editor & Webmaster…Tony Wootson

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February's Business Meeting

By Tony Wootson

February's first-of-the-month meeting for Del Val once again found very poor weather in the air (and on the ground). A major snowstorm had just arrived, dumping a pretty good amount of snow down.

Although most of the major highways were clear by the time our meeting started, the snow undoubtedly deterred many from attending, since our numbers were once again lower than they usually are. There were still 35 members and visitors who signed in, though.

Because our Secretary was unable to make the meeting I ended up doing the note-taking honors.

Dennis Sosna began the business meeting at around 8:30. He started out by thanking those who were able to attend.

He then talked about our raffle kits, asking for donations from those who have spare kits accumulated that they'd like to get rid of. We can especially use car kits.

Joe Vattilana announced that he would be reviewing the end-of-year financial report for the club for 2002, along with the proposed budget for 2003 directly after the raffle was held.

Joe also discussed the membership numbers briefly. Last year we started out with 83 members. We ended up adding 13 new member, 12 dropped out of the club, and 14 did not pay their dues. This year, we are starting out with a membership of 70.

Those who have not yet paid their dues were reminded to please do so. (Payments can be mailed to Joe at: 2414 Garydon Road, Wilmington, Delaware, 19803. Checks should be made out to DVSM).

I (Tony Wootson) ended up making three announcements.

The first pertained to the quickly approaching 2003 East Coast Hobby Show. It takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 22nd & 23rd. The show's organizer Scott Pressman contacted me, asking for volunteers to help conduct a Model Building Make it Take it (MITI) program.

Roughly 8 volunteers would be needed, with someone serving as the focal/contact person.

For those interested, please contact Scott by phone at 1-800-252-4757, or email him at .

My second announcement also pertained to the upcoming East Coast Hobby Show. We have once again been requested to help conduct (informal) airbrushing demonstrations for Iwata. Last year Joe Smith, Joe Baxter and I assisted Iwata with the demos.

We needed 2 - 4 additional folks to help out this year. (However, since our meeting, three have volunteered to help out. So, this need no longer exists).

My last topic dealt with a MITI Model building program combined with model building seminars that are geared towards our junior club members.

Instead of just having the kids slap a model together (quickly) to get that immediate gratification, these programs will be a bit more focused. We would all select the same model to build, and each session would concentrate on a particular aspect of the model building process.

I (or some other adult helping to conduct these sessions) would first show the kids how to do a particular aspect of model building - (like using liquid cement to glue their parts together). Then, the children would try it themselves, (with the assistance of a parent if necessary), on their model that they are working on.

The kids would then take their model home with them - (sort of like a modeling homework assignment) – and finish that particular modeling task, bringing the model back to the next scheduled building session, where we would pick up with the phase of the building.

The different sessions will be something like:

1) Getting started & basic construction.

2) Seam/Gap Filling.

3) Priming and (possibly) airbrush preparations.

4) Airbrushing (possibly).

5) Fine detailed (hand) painting.

6) Finishing touches.

Some final thoughts on this are that this program would only be conducted if enough are interested in participating. I think it is very important to have a parent or guardian participate with their child(ren), and I'd like the cost for the kit (along with possibly a small number of modeling supplies) to be covered by the parent(s).

I'll see if anyone is interested in participating during the next couple of meetings, and we can take it from there.

Dennis Levy made an announcement concerning our July meeting dilemma. The problem is our July meeting coincides with July 4th. Although we were previously contemplating meeting on Saturday, July 5th, the building is unavailable then.

Dennis gave two alternatives. The first is to meet on the second Friday in July, and the second suggestion was to just skip July's meeting. The club voted to meet on the second Friday in July.

Jim Goldsmith announced that a Painting Theory class will be held by Bob Knee Jr., in conjunction with this year's MFCA Show. It will take place on the Thursday before the show, (on May 1st), from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. (See the notes found below for additional details).

Jim Rosado announced that he would be conducting his third part of diorama construction seminar following the business meeting. He also asked for volunteers to conduct seminars this year - (currently, no one has signed up) - and is interested in hearing about what folks would like to see covered in these seminars.

Jim Durso asked a question pertaining to IPMS. In general, IPMS requires that all (elected) club members also be IPMS members as well. For this, they supply liability insurance for all of our club meetings, along with insuring any events or shows that IPMS Chapters conduct.

(For particulars related to IPMS, see the advertisement box found at the bottom).

A request for members to list their phone numbers (on the sign-up sheet) was given, and ended up closing out our business meeting.

Joe V. then conducted the raffle, followed by giving the treasury report. Jim also conducted his seminar.

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Models and their Builders

Name / Model / Manufacturer / Type / Scale / Details
Dave Anderson / 1957 Chevrolet / Monogram / Automobile / 1/16 / Mirrored base & car history books.
Dave Anderson / 1957 Chevrolet / Monogram / Automobile / 1/12 / Turntable (mirrored), with motor & lights & car history books.
Vince Buonfiglio / Classic Batman / Andrea / Figure / 54 mm
Dave Anderson / 1962 Ford T-Bird / Monogram / Automobile / 1/24 / Diorama street scene and G2 T-Bird history
Wyatt Erb / Ford Bronco White lightning / AMT / Automobile / 1/24 / Lightning parts and front end grated. (Under construction).
Wyatt Erb / Ford F150 / AMT / Automobile / 1/24 / Custom 100th Anniversary. 2003 style side with the front of a 1953 F160 grated on. (Under construction).
Bill Garner / 1965 2-Door Chevelle / Jimmy Flintstone / Automobile / 1/24 / Interior of AMT Station Wagon; Willow green paint - original factory color); 6-cylinder.
Ariel Hernandez / 62 Pontiac Catalina / AMT / Automobile / 1/25 / 57 Chevy Vette Street Machine, alternate wheels added, engine wired, seat belts added.
Jim Durso / 62 Studebaker Lark / Jo Han / Automobile / 1/25 / Custom Wheels
Jim Durso / GI Galaxie Starliner / AMT / Automobile / 1/25 / Ebay Deal
Walter Hughes / Junkers Ju 87 / Ultimate Warrior / Aircraft / 1/16 / Desert Scheme
Ed Kolbush / B-52 / Revell / Aircraft / 1/144 / OTB
Ed Kolbush / Ju 87 "Stuka" / Lindberg / Aircraft / 1/48 / OTB - Aftermarket decals.
Ed Kolbush / Mc-202 / Artiplastic (Italy) / Aircraft / 1/48 / OTB
Keith Jones / 1925 Model T / AMT / Automobile / 1/25 / Paint Testor’s copper, wheels- AMT parts pack, resin body- replica & miniatures
Michael H. La / Tornado
Michael H. La / F-14 Tomcat / Revell / Aircraft
Michael H. La / Plymouth Road Runner / Revell / Automobile / 1/24
Michael H. La / 69' Dodge Super Bee / Revell / Automobile / 1/24
Bill Liebold / Dutch Lancers 1810-1815 / ? / Figure? / 30mm / Trumpeter & trooper Flat figures.
George Ragusa / ??? / Testors (?) / Aircraft / 1/48 / Bullet holes in tail, additional battle damage added.
Lou Ursino / M4A3 Sherman & 4 Verlinden U.S. Marines / Italeri / Armor / 1/35 / Eduard photo-etch parts added, tank workshop wood appliqué sides, putty sandbags, Jordi barrel.
Lou Ursino / Soviet T-34/76 (1943) / Italieri/Zvesda / Armor / 1/35 / Mayette track links.
Lou Ursino / British Centaur MK. IV` / Tamiya / Armor / 1/35 / Verlinden engine screens added.
Lou Ursino / U.S. F4U-1 (Birdcage) Corsair / Tamiya / Aircraft / 1/48
Joe Vattilana / Jet Ranger Delaware State Police (1978). / Heller / 1/50 / Added searchlight interior.
Joe Vattilana / Jet Ranger Delaware State Police (1975). / Fujimi / 1/48 / Detail interior & storage added, along with searchlight & skid pads.
Joe Vattilana / Uh-1B (Helicopter) / Monogram / Aircraft / 1/48 / Modified to Helicopter.
Joe Volz / F-15E Strike Eagle / Hasegawa / Aircraft / 1/72 / Eagle Strike decals, modified pylons & cockpit, dropped flaps.
Tony Wootson / Star Wars Episode 1 Trade Federation Battle Tank / AMT/Ertl / Sci-fi / 1/32 / (Theme) Added "Battle-damage."
??????????? / 1961 Valiant / SMP / Automobile / 1/25 / Pegasus wheels, resin brakes & speakers added.

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Additional News and Updates

John Rucks’ Models

I received the follow email message from Ben Howells. He has been working on moving and organizing John Rucks' collection of models, for an auction to take place at an upcoming Del Val Meeting.
Benjamin Howells wrote:
"John Cunningham and I have been entrusted by Jan Rucks, John's widow, to remove John's kit collection and auction them away at DVSM, asap. This is not an inconsiderable task, and there are some logistics involved: First, an appropriate meeting date, second, storage at DVSM until said date, third, the auction itself. Add to these, transport will probably require two or more trips with John's minivan stuffed to the gills!"

- - Ben

Additional Children’s MITI items

Another item I have on the Children’s Make It Take it front is that I have a number of Testors 1:48 Scale Corsairs and Spirit of St. Louis aircraft kits that I’ve somehow collected from previous ECHS MITI Programs. I’m looking to clean them out of my attic. So, anyone interested in obtaining some for either their own children (or someone else’s children) to build, please let me know.

I have more of the Spirit of St. Louis kits than the Corsairs. However, both kits are pretty good for children, since there aren’t a lot of parts and their fit is reasonably good.

They are being offered on a first-come, first serve basis, and I’ll be bringing them with me to our March meeting.

Any kits I still have come May will be donated to Jeff Garrity, to be distributed at his shows.

In addition to the kits I have a number of sprue cutters and Testors liquid cement - (that comes in those black, square plastic applicator boxes) - to loan to anyone interested in conducting their own MITI. Since these are from my own personal stash, I only ask that if they are used please keep an eye on them, since they tend to “sprout legs and walk off” if one is not careful. Thanks!

PACM's January Newsletter

By Jim Durso

Wash your car and surely it will rain; schedule a model club meeting in the winter, and it will snow. Many from the suburbs made it in, so for those who didn't ---Whimps!! 

We discussed the progress in scheduling our own NNL type show. Initially we wanted to just have our own version of the John Carlisle show, but attendance isn't what it used to be at those shows. So in order to make it more attractive we figured it would be better to go with an NNL event with the vendors present to sell their goods. That way there will be the lure of many quality model cars on display, the contest, and the kits/parts/aftermarket vendors all at one shot. The major headache was to fit our show in among all the other major events throughout the year. Realizing that Len Feinberg used to hold a January show, we thought this might be a nice post holiday event to de-stress from all the holiday activities. The only other alternatives would be

early or late June, just before or after the graduation/ communion rush; mid to late October may be a possibility also. January seems to be the best time, but we also need to consider weather problems; if we can get snow dates without a penalty, we'd be in good shape. Now on to the location; the Cornwells Fire House has the best value per square foot and is convenient to major highways, but we would have to rent straight tables. The other likely possibility would be to accept the invitation to combine our show with the MFCA show in Valley Forge. Strategies on

advertising and admissions would have to be worked out. We are looking at a target date of 2005 because we need time to raise front money for rentals, supplies, etc. We have been offered help from the Tri State and MAMA's clubs in the actual planning and running of the show, but we would really need as many of our own members, and possibly family members, to be on hand. All this will be further discussed in the upcoming meetings.

A reminder that this year's Parsippany NNL is approaching quickly, set for March 22nd. The theme is Hollywood Blvd -- TV and movie cars. Can you guess the minimum number of Batmobiles will be displayed? Get your rides lined up now.

We would like to visit Andy Such on a Saturday between our March meeting and the NNL if possible, so check your calendars and pick a date.

Wyatt previewed the next generation PACM t-shirt. We all feel the club's name should be spelled out instead of just having the initials shown. Wyatt's proposed composite graphic/photo had everyone chuckling; what a great

concept.

We have been asked once again by the East Coast Hobby Show to help out with the make-it-take-it program. We advised Scott Pressman to get better kits than the ones we had last year, so he is attempting to negotiate with the major kit manufacturers to provide some quality kits.

Our only compensation will be free admission for both days of the show plus possibly our pick of the remaining (if any) kits. The show is slated for NNL weekend; so if you want to help on Sunday, or Saturday if you are not going to Parsippany, please contact Tony Wootson.

(Ed Note. No, that's not correct. If interested, you should contact the Show's Organizer, Scott Pressman directly, at 1-800-252-4757 or email him at . Thanks!)

The new kit releases have been announced and can be found on the Hobby Heaven website. Looks like there might be something for everybody's taste.

This month's tip: if you want to make realistic snow-scene dioramas, gather some of the excess snow that is outside your house right now and apply and sculpt it to your diorama to meet your desired effect. To prevent melting, spray your snow with either Krylon acrylic semi gloss, or Testor's semi- gloss or luster enamel. Do not use lacquer clears as this will eat away the snow. Enjoy your model building, but be safe.

With Bob Knee, Jr.

Bob Knee, Jr., author of Color Theory and Application once again has consented to share his supreme knowledge of chromatology with his painting brothers and sisters. Since Bob’s book (was released) in 1997 he himself will admit that he has learned much more than what was presented in his landmark publication. The color theory seminar will be 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Thursday May 1st, 2003 prior to the MFCA Convention at the Valley Forge Convention Center in historic Valley Forge, PA.

Some of the topics that will be presented in this all day, hands on, seminar include:

• Primary and secondary colors
• Proper use of a color wheel
• Complementary colors
• Mixing hues from secondary colors
• “Gray down”
• Warn and cool whites, grays, and blacks
• Highlight and shading, base colors
• Making parchment, sky blue, butternut, olive drab, skin tones, and many other military colors.

This will be a “hands on” seminar with each participant making his or her own standard color library for future reference and refinement. Each student will be supplied all the oil paints and mediums needed plus mixing pallet and work sheets. The only thing that will be required for the students to bring is a color wheel, paintbrush, and a pallet knife for mixing.

Last years painting class was a complete sellout and the feedback from the participants was excellent. Several of the finished busts won awards!

We would like to keep the attendance at approximately 20 and the cost will be $40.00. Checks are to be made out to MFCA. We will get back to everyone who signs up with an outline of the days events, directions, and accommodations in and around the Valley Forge area.

To reserve your spot at the seminar, write or call:

Jim Goldsmith

3781 Warfield Dr

Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006

215-938-1077

Upcoming Events

• New Jersey/IPMS presents their Mosquito Con 2003 Model Show and Contest on Saturday, March 15, at the Wayne PAL Hall, located on PAL Drive in Wayne, NJ. The show takes place from 9 am to 4 pm. For more information, you can call Bill Connolly at (609) 737-8596.
• The Tri-State Model Car Club welcomes all car model builders to the 17th Annual NNL East. The show takes place on Saturday, March 22 from 9 am to 5 pm, at the PAL Building, located at 33 Baldwin Road in Parsippany, New Jersey. For more information, you can call Ken Walkley at (201) 641-0344 or email him at , or call Tom Geiger between 7 and 10 pm at (732) 264-9305 or email him at . In addition, they can be visited on the web at: .
• The 2003 East Coast Hobby Show takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 22nd and 23rd at the Fort Washington Expo Center located in Suburban Philadelphia, off of Exit 26 on the PA Turnpike. The hours of the show are 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. For more information. You can reach them by phone at (800) 252-4757 or by email at . In addition, they can be found on the Web at
• The Northern Virginia Modelers will hold their Model Classic 2003 on Saturday, March 29th at the Fairfax High School, located at 1500 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax, Virginia. Hours are from 9 am to 4 pm. For more information, you can call Tom Henderson at (703) 680-9354 or email him at , or call Vince Mankowski at (301) 247-8552.
• The PennCon 2003, 4th Annual Show and Contest, hosted by IPMS/Central Pennsylvania, takes place on Saturday, March 29th at the Harrisburg Holiday Inn. For details, contact Harry Crossley at (717) 236-4866, or email him at .
• The Niagara Frontier Chapter of the International Plastic Modelers' Society will hold their BUFFCON20 on Sunday, April 6 at the Knights of Columbus Club, located at 2735 Union Road at William Street, in Cheektowaga (Buffalo), New York. For more information, you can call Bob Collignon at (716) 837-2204 or email him at .
• The AMPS 2002 Show will take place on Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th at the Havre de Grace Community Center in Havre de Grace, MD. The theme of the show will be The Korean War, 1950 - 1953. For more information, you can "Snail-mail" them at AMPS, P.O. Box 331, Darlington, MD 21034, or email them at . In addition, they can be found on

the Web at