NEWSLETTER

May 18 2008

It is Victoria Day once again. First celebrated in 1854 in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday it has become commonly known as May two-four. I hear mutterings about changing the name of the holiday to "The Long Weekend". I for one, hope that the name is not changed.

Torcan 2008 is only 6 days away. If you get a chance to attend, please do so. It has been a good number of years since the last Torcan on Dixie Road. We have scheduled three guest speakers, Shep Paine, Jim Mesko, and Brian Wildfong. All three of these gentlemen are leaders in the hobby and I am sure you will find the seminars interesting and a major help in any of the fields of interest. We have lots of raffle items donated by many great supporters so your chances of winning a cool prize are quite high. Of course the more tickets you have the greater your odds.We have lots of vendors confirmed suppling items for your browsing and modelling needs. After the show I will be posting the winning models on this website under the Torcan section. Give me a week or so and drop by. I will also a live link to all our sponsors and donators that have websites. We hope to see you at torcan 2008.

June 10 2008 is the last evening for our monthly meeting. It is also the night of our bi-yearly swap and sell night. Paid up members of IPMS can make use of this oppurtunity to sell your unwanted or excess models to me for a very low price. If you are not a member or your dues not up to date there is a charge at the door. We hope that you will be able to come out.

One last thing. We were very pleased to have Ron Volstad as a guest on May 13 2008. Ron is a member of IPMS Edmonton and while in Toronto for several days had the oppurtunity to attend a meeting with us. Ron is also an artist of some renown, having box art on some of the Dragon armour kits. Thanks for taking the time to come and visit with us Ron.

March 20 2008

Busy busy busy, what with snow and all. Part of my job includes the removal snow at the entrance's of the historical building I have custody of. Actually it's a wonder I get time to model, and I don't mean cavorting about in my BVD's. So far this year I have 3 models completed and twice that many started. Sometimes its like a job or career, but with a significant stash of kits Im not about to change midstream and start a leaf collection or some other equally thrilling hobby. Anyway, now its spring officially and the yard and garden work starts. Soon I'll be able sit out in a lawn chair, sand a fuselage or scribe a wing and watch while my lovley partner pursues her hobby, crawling about in the dirt, planting flowers and shrubs.

Congratulations are in order and in no particular order, Bill Dingle, Best Armour, Welcome XII, John Wong, Best of Show Welcome XII and Trevor Murphy, Best CWH Heritagecon II. You can see these great models in the On the Tables section of this website. If I missed anyone sorry and well done.

Twenty eight years ago this month, Canada was still trying to decide which of the F-16 or F-18 to equip the CAF. Tthe most noteworthy model release was the 1/72 Matchbox Fiat G.91Y and Esci announcing the 1/48 G.91 yet to be released. It makes one stand back a bit and look at where the hobby came from

Dont forget, Torcan 2008 is fast approaching. The Torcan committee is working hard to ensure that the show is a great success. We have lots of vendors lined up and our sponsers and friends of Torcan are filling our raffle tabels with heaps of cool stuff. Of course none of this means anything if you dont show up at the show. Peel Scale and IPMS Toronto hope to see you and your models May 24 2008.

December 23 2007

This will be my first newsletter in three months. As some of you may know we have had serious troubles with our web hosting company. As much as I would like to rant and rave and seek satisfaction, I keep reminding myself with the help of my partner, "it's just a hobby and is supposed to be fun". In any case we now have a new host and I am very happy with them.

You will note that the Torcan section has all the updated info for the show, complete with rules and forms. As well we have hit counters so we know how many folk drop in for a look.

I want to express my thanks to the Torcan committee and the hard work they are putting into the upcoming show. Harvey does a great job of keeping us on track and Dave is so good at refreshing our memories. This is my first venture into the world behind the scenes and I now know that the shows dont just happen. A piece in the latest IPMS US mag talks about the recent Anahiem show and the work put into the shows by the committies. Where do they find time to build models?? Wierd hobby with so many areas to it and the things we do to 'play' with plastic.

Here it is two days before Christmas and all I need do is thaw the turkey. I am hoping to get some modelling time in between family, work times and my e-bay stuff. So to all the nice folk I have met this last year and to all the folk I meet regularly in the hobby, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year


September 22 2007

Congratulations to all of the winners at the three latest shows. IPMS Toronto walked away with many awards at the Rochester, London and Ottawa shows. Also in order are congratulations to all the other contestents winners of medals or not. Its great to see so much interest in the hobby.

Please note that the next year meeting date has changed to the second Tuesday of each month.

I recently had the honour to meet Don Merideth who flew 30 missions as a Lancaster pilot in WW II. I was able to chat with him at length and was interested to learn that his heros were the men who piloted MTB's in the channel during the same time period. How we ever repay these ordinary but great men and women, I am unsure, but should you get the opportunity, shake their hand and say thank you. Another way to say thank you, is to excersize your right to vote in the upcoming elections.

September 8 2007

Just a quick note to remind all, memberships fees are due on Monday night. $30.00 is the monetary cost of membership with IPMS Toronto. See you Monday.

August 20 2007

The September meeting is being held on Monday night September 10 2007, 7-ish I should expect at Wheels and Wings Hobby Store.

July 4 2007

Here we are into summer and I am late with the update as I am working on my very elderly house almost daily. Its modelling in 1/1 scale. Good news though, I am also working on my kits. I was given a Valentine in June and am near complete. Also on my table, (I have a big table) to name a few are an EA-6E, Anikins Pod Racer, Su-7, Pfalz D-III, Tu 128, and my now nearly complete Monogram Tomcat (poorly half built) I got for $2.00 at Value Village. I think I need a holiday from all the fun I'm having.

The September meeting is being held on Monday night September 10 2007, 7-ish I should expect at Wheels and Wings Hobby Store. Click the link for directions. Bring money, 'cause Im told you need to be there to believe it. Lots of good stuff.

Here one that I should have had up sooner and I apologize. Keiths Hobbies is having their annual BBQ on Saturday July 7, 2007. Click the link for directions and then bring money and an appetite.

I hope that the guys Ive had the pleasure to meet and chat with at the monthly meeting, and the all the other folk you have a great summer. Dont drink and drive and dont superglue yourself to the cat.

May 17 2007

IPMS Toronto has a venue (place) for the 2008 Torcan show. We are moving ahead with this event.

On June 4, 2007, our final meeting until Septmeber, we host our June flea market. The cost of using the hall and table(s) to sell off your excess models is included in your IPMS Toronto membership. If, however you are not paid up or not a member, the cost is $10.00 at the door and $30.00 per table. It seems that a year membership would be the way to go in this case.

For the time, place and date of the September meeting check back at the newsletter, since the centre will be undergoing a cleaning when we are to meet September.

April 12 2007

IPMS Toronto would like to apologize for the disruption of our web site recently. A slight communication problem between our host and ourselves that has bee resolved.

I would like to congratulate Harvey Low on his recent awards at the IPMS Region 4 Pittsburgh show. He took a first in 1/72 armour and with his scratchbuilt Vickers Gunbus, a 1st in class, best a/c and best of show. Well done.

Don't forget that Buffcon is on Sunday April 15 and COMS at CFB Borden on April 29.

I was looking through some old magazines recently and in the one May 1977 issue the 1/72 Hasegawa Mig 25 and the 1/48 Monogram B-17 were advertised as the the new releases. Photo etch and resin were not mentioned, but Vacforms had a separate release and description page. I still remember the 1/32 Monogram armour of that era and recall them as great kits of very neat subjects. Just thought this may help put the hobby in perspective.

Mar 13, 2007

It seems like spring now, at 12 C or so. Now comes the time for gardens and yard work, but I sometimes model outside. Of course I need to be extra careful, because a lost part is not so easy to find on my patio area. I often wonder about modeling in other climates. My friend in the UK does his airbrushing in the shed set up in the garden, and he does award winning stuff. My friend in Moscow, shares the kitchen table with his son, and I guess supper as well. Maybe they are not so different from me. I watch TV and have a little set up on the coffee table. 'course my partner tolerates this gracefully (thank God) but I have a real set up in my basement C/W airbrush and tools. All this so's I can build scale replica's of the machines I read about. Well its a nice little escape and naturally it is, if you will, a harmless pursuit.

Feb 15, 2007

I am a little slow this month and well last month too, but here it is. Three things I would like to bring to your attention. First and very sadly, there will not be a Welcome 11. Because of other engagements and commitments, the Guelph Plastic Model Group has decided to cancel this great show this year. Hopefully next year it will continue on as the well run show we are accustomed to.

Secondly is the First Annual Heritagecon at the Heritage Warplane Museum in Hamilton on Feb 25th. We hope that this show will be a great success for IPMS Hamilton. As well, dont forget to bring an unbuilt kit for the "Kits for Kandahar" model kit drive.

IPMS Hamilton has their model contest coming up on Feb 25 and they will be collecting kits and suppllies for the troops in Kandahar.  They have made the decission to hold a Kits For Kandahar drive at the contest and will run it until the end of March. Their goal will be to fill a cargo container with kits and supplies. The club is even getting a TV spot on their local station on the 23rd and will be promoting it there to as well as modeling and the contest. Details will be on the website soon. The museum is behind them 100% on this and the club is very excited about this.  Here is the museum's addy......

Kits for Kandahar
c/o Canadian Warplane Heritage
9280 Airport Road
Mount Hope, Ontario
Canada
L0R 1W0

Thanks to Steve Bamford at ARC for letting me cut and paste this. Oh, I kind of didn't ask beforehand, so lots and lots of thanks to Steve.

Last but not least, we are pleased to inform you that Sentry Models and Hobbies is offering a 10% discount on regular priced kits to all current card carrying IPMS Toronto members. Please support our local model shops

Dec 17, 2006

In little more than a week and Christmas will be on us. A time for family and friends and a time to reflect on the "reason for the season". I personally want to take this chance to wish all of the Toronto IPMS membership a Merry Christmas and all the best to you in the upcoming year. Arthur

From our club President this greeting goes out.

November 23, 2006

You are aware that the Christmas season is on us now. Just listen to the radio in the store and the TV adverts. I for one have my shopping done well in advance of December 25. Why you may ask? Since I generally do not care for the crush of people in the stores, it seems contrary to the fact that I am quite at ease in the crowd at a model show looking at the latest and greatest presentations. Then again, I am just as content to sit at my workbench or coffee table watching CSI or Jag as I build my latest model. It seems that the hobby lends itself to periods of time with no interaction with other folk, but then a show, or a meeting and we gather to talk, share technics, drool, and just be impressed. Well since I am talking about shows and meetings. I wanted to thank the organisers of Ajax for the excellent show. I always come away with a renewed desire to build more and better models, and not in that order. Dont forget that the next meeting (Dec 4, 2006) is our semi annual swap and sell meeting. It is of course free for all paid up members of IPMS Toronto. Others will be asked for a fee of $30.000. Again I will likely leave with something really cool that I do not have. I am sure that you will as well.

October 28, 2006

I have just a quick link to post prior to my journey to Ajax. This link directs you to the OV-10 Bronco Assossiation. They have been give the oppertunity to aquire F-14D BuNo 159600. "Christine" is the longest serving Tomcat in the US Navy. Of course money is needed to meet the government requirments, so if you can help, you will have the pleasure of saving this great A/C from the scrappers.

October 20, 2006

Just to remind you that Ajax is coming fast and that pre-registration forms are available in the Events section. Word and PDf formats can be printed.

We have just been informed that, Panther Hobbies has joined with the ranks of local model shops that are offering a 10% discount on all regular priced model kits. This is offered to paid up IPMS Toronto members. Present your membership card to receive your discount. Check them out and I think you will be pleased with they have to offer the modeling community. I simply have to keep saying it, but this is one of the perks of your paid up IPMS Toronto membership.

Now, lastly a link to Hobby Expo 2006 sent to me by my friend Roger (IPMS Harrow) in the UK. I am sure this will be of interest to many of you. So many neat models waiting release, so now, just bring on the 1/48 Fencer.

October 6, 2006

I am consistently amazed at the range of interests in out club. Not only is there a large range of subjects, but a passion about them as well. As an example, one of our club members builds multiples of a subject and builds lots of them well. As I spoke with this person on Monday night I got a history lesson that took me to the mid 40's. There is a vibrancy and enthusiasm during a story that is almost infectious. It almost makes me want to build a model I would have never considered before.

This brings me to the area of research, books and lots of them. Most of the modelers I know have a large library and I suspect that they read almost as eagerly as they build. I know I do. How do I ever get anything built, between work, renovations, computer time and reading about my subject, A/C. And then the models shows. Just to remind you, Ajax is on the 28th of this month. See you there.

September 22, 2006

Where does the time go? Thanksgiving is nearly on us and then Christmas, AGAIN. I think I shall get me a?? Oh now what do I need? Actually a big supply of wet sandpaper is the prudent thing to get. As I work towards the shows of the Fall and early Spring I expect to use a pile of it. My fellow modelers often admonish me to buy a "good " kit. As much as I would like to have a Tamiya Lavochkin 15 or Hasegawa Short Stirling I dont expect to ever see them. At the end of my short run models and bumpy Airfix kits I am still happy with the results, and it can only get better. See you at Ajax October 29th.

A note about the monthly meeting is in order, as we are returning to the North Toronto Memorial Community Center, 200 Eglington Ave West, Toronto, Monday October 2, 2006.

Wheels and Wings Hobbies is offering a 10 percent discount to card holding IPMS Toronto members. In this age of E-bay and online shops it is eay to stay home to shop so we urge you to support your local model shops.

August 9, 2006

The Summer it seems, is not a time for Modelling in large blocks of time. Well at least for me that is. I get about half to three quarters of a hour per day, and that is about all I have time for. Of course, the closer the autumn shows get the more time I need to spend to complete one of the projects I have on the go. That is, if I want to put something new on the tables.

Speaking of new, past President of IPMS Toronto Garfield Ingram has done a magnificent job on his 1/48 B-17. It is currently in the 2006 September issue of Fine Scale Modeller. Well done Garfield. Also noteworthy, are two IPMS Toronto members having their work published on Hyperscale.com. Tony Bell with his Heinkel He 162A and Derek Pennington with his Canberra Prototype. Both these men are to be congratulated. IPMS Toronto is indeed fortunate to have in its membership a rich and diverse group of excellent modellers.

Just a reminder to all who will be attending the first meeting after the summer break. The meeting will be held, (due to the holiday Monday) the second Monday of the month. The date will be September 11, 2006. Also keep in mind that the meeting will be at Hornet Hobby due to renovations taking place at the regular spot. After September 11, 2006 the meetings will be at the regular place. Click on the Links section and scroll to Hornet Hobby to get the complete address.

One last item, and here it is. Your IPMS Toronto Steering Committee is planning a Torcan 2008. We are very excited about hosting a major model show and we hope that all IPMS Toronto members will lend their full support to this venture. Now what are you going to build?

June 25, 2006

Well the summer is on us and I am late with the June update. The foremost newsworthy item just has to be the election of William (Bill) Dingle as our new club President. Hail to the Chief and all that sort of kudos'. If Bill's modeling skills are representative of his leadership qualities, then I expect we are in for an exceptional ride.

Keith's Hobby Shop (Toronto's oldest?) is now offering a 10% discount on all plastic kits (I expect this excludes sale items) to PAID card holding IPMS Toronto members. You must show your card to receive this discount. This discount equates to a tax and a half price reduction. This is just one more perk of your IPMS Toronto membership. For hours of operation and the address, click on the Links section and scroll down to Keith's.

I for one do appreciate the support that the area Hobby Stores give IPMS and the modeling community at large. Truly we are blessed in Southern Ontario, for within a one hour drive of my house in Guelph, there are a minimum of 12 Hobby Shops. My friends from the UK are understandably jealous, but we do have fun when they come to visit, going about to all the shops.

The June 5th meeting and sale was well attended and most of us came away with some form of the newest treasure for our collections. I will try to get the photos of this meeting posted very soon. We look forward to seeing all the IPMS Toronto members in the fall, and we of the Steering Committee want to wish you all a safe and happy summer. Please drive safe.

May 1, 2006

Just to remind you avid modellers, IPMS Toronto's bi-annual model sale will take place at our regular meeting on Monday June 5, 2006. Your membership entitles you to buy and sell at no cost. Non-members are welcome, but must pay a $5.00 entry fee at the door. Non- member vendors are also welcome, but will be charged a fee of $30.00 which includes entry.

You may have heard that, William Dingle has agreed to assume the role of President of IPMS Toronto only if we hold an election and by popular acclaim make him our leader. He also wants a paint job on the Presidential Connie shown below. How about gold and blue William? Be prepared to vote on June 5th, and if you want to run for President of IPMS Toronto yourself, let one of the Steering Committee be aware of your interest on the night of June 5, 2006.

March 6, 2006

There's a meeting tonight!

Save the Connie!

If you havn't heard, the Super Constellation parked up near the airport is being moved to Seattle. The Toronto Aerospace Museum is making efforts to keep it here and to base it at our museum. Please visit the website and think about signing the petition on-line. Go to:

                                      http://www.canadiansuperconnie.org/

February 14, 2006

I have just received word from Grant Goodale that Arthur Hill is willing to take on the job of Webmaster for this site. Many thanks to both of these good guys to step in and help out.

Dave Nelson's 1/7nd Lancaster

In the meantime, I will be tying up some loose ends. The January and February models are finally up in On the Tables.

I have also posted a lot of dates for the upcoming shows this year on the Events page.

February 7, 2006

January 7, 2006

The next meeting will be on Monday, January 9, 2006. Please have a look at 'About Us', for all future dates.

In the Gallery are a pair of articles by Bernie Hengst- a Lufthansa C-46 and a Buffalo Air Cargo C-46.

December 31, 2005

Happy New Year!

In the Armour Gallery is Will Alcott's Tiger 1 and Nemanja Pavlovic's T34/76

December 20, 2005

Derek Pennington sent in a bunch of shots of the model brought in for the December meeting. Have a look at 'On the Tables'.

December 13, 2005

In today's Gallery is Harvey Low's IS-122 in 1/72 scale and the last of Bernie's Hengst series of Hellcat featuring an F6F-5 'Minsi'.

December 10, 2005

In the Gallery is Nemanja Pavlovic's Red Army M4A2/76.     Also in the Gallery is Lynda Pelly's Naboo Royal Starship   and Lorezo Vitali's phabulous F4J Phantom

December 8, 2005

I know it is kinda late but here are the November On the Table shots. The December meeting was a very well attended one and the pictures are on the way.

We welcome a new member Eric McDougall, who shows us his  F4J the Gallery.               Also in the Gallery, Bernie Hengst continues with his Hellcat collection with an F6F-5

The Vampire Flies Again!

It caught me unaware as I was visiting Sheldon, my Dentist, when Ted Graham called. Unfortunately I didn't get his message until late this afternoon.  Ted reported that Dave Van Liere arrived in town this morning and Vampire 17072 was pushed into a hangar for servicing. Dave checked the old machine over thoroughly. As pilot and AME mechanic, he is very careful. It's his neck. This Vampire has probably had better maintenance than it ever had in it's RCAF days, since John Travolta had it re-built and maintained. (It was
his valuable neck too.)
 Then the old Vamp was pushed back out into the -5°C cold and filled with 200 gallons of JP-4, from the outboard tanks, until the fuel burbled out of the filler on the fuselage tank. (Ted watched all this very closely.) Then Dave climbed in and spooled up the old Goblin. Ted said that you could hear
the igniter clicking as it tried to ignite a flame. The first start attempt was unsuccessful within the start time limit, and Dave called for an external APU.   While they were looking for a suitable one, Dave tried again on the internal battery and managed to get ignition and a good initial wet flame, which caused some disruption of the adjacent hangar doors and the simultaneous ignition of some kerosene soaked asphalt, which quickly burned itself out.
The engine settled down to a flameless roar and David pulled the cockpit closed and taxied out to the south end of the runway.
  With a take-off roll of only half the runway length, a Vampire 3 was again back in cold Canadian skies, and headed for Winter storage in Peterborough.
 We have lots of photos now. (But none of take-off, sorry Cam) When Al Rubin brings Vampire 17072 back to civilization we want to get some good Videos and especially to capture that unique sound.

Bill Coffman

December 1, 2005

We have a new Toronto resident. I went past Buttonville Airport today and did a double-take as I passed this Vampire. When I had finished my meeting, I went by and talked my way onto the tarmac. Take a close look at the name under the cockpit. The aircraft has a new owner, flew in and will continue to fly up here. That's all I know.

Flea Market Night coming up!

The December meeting is Flea Market night and has been a traditional hit. Bring out your old models to sell and or a pile of doe to enlargen your stash.

November 30, 2005

In the Gallery is another masterpiece by Bernie Hengst. Bernie continues his Hellcat collection with another F3F-3 in US Navy colours.

November 10, 2005

There are two new releases from Alclad. Here are some notes right from the manufacturer's email...

ALD119 Airframe Aluminium 1oz
ALD303 Clear base 4oz

The clear base is a tough enamel, like our Grey or Black. Use 303 over grey or silver plastic then use Airframe Aluminium. The grey / silver moderates the final finish by refelecting some light back which in turn reduces the 'Christmas decoration' effect of the high shine finishes but maintains the effect of pristine metal. You can also paint some panels gloss black, then cover the whole model with 303, and using just one shade of Alclad, get good tonal differences.

It also works well under "applied finishes" (116 Semi-matte Aluminium, 117 Dull Aluminium and now, 119 Airframe Aluminium) or "exotics" like 118 Titanium, where some depth of weathering will be effected over top.

Our first shipment of these, plus a complete restock of all shades, is due in mid to late next week.
Thanks and regards,
Terry @ SkyGrid
 

November 3, 2005

The Ajax show has come and gone and I would like to thank all of those that pitched in to help. I was truly impressed with the efforts made by our members of IPMS Toronto, those of Peel Scale Modellers and IPMS DeHavilland Scale Modellers, wives and others. In particular, John Wong, Bernie Hengst, Dave Bailey and Wayne Bowman, our Joint Chiefs of Staff, did a fantastic job of doing the overall organization of the Show. My own job as Judging Co-ordinator was made easy with the help of Yvette Bowman, Tony Bell and Lino Campoli along with an army of Judges. Harvey Low, Grant Goodale, Tom Karnas, Nick Shearman and Dave Bailey were my Head judges and they did the job without a hitch. An extra thanks goes to Derek Pennington for his entertaining reading of the awards.

I am very proud of the people of this region who put out world class models while being just plain, good, hard working folks who are always willing to help.

Garfield Ingram, President IPMS Toronto

November 2, 2005

Joe Chan wins Best of Show at Ajax

Best in Show Judges Choice- Neuman Porsche 956 by Joe Chan

Ajax 2005 was a big hit! Due to the hard work of Wayne Bowman, Tony Bell and the photography team, we have a lot of shots of the great models. Click on the photo or on

September 30, 2005

Yes, there is a meeting on Monday! Go to About Us for details. This is looking to be a great year. Already, out members have participated in the Military Show and have pitched in to help out with club activities and the Ajax Show. If you miss a meeting you will have missed a lot!

September 13, 2005

I have finally added a link to the new website of IPMS DeHaviland Scale Modellers. Click on the logo above.

Wayne Bowman sent in some shots from the IPMS Ottawa show last weekend.

Go to On the Tables- Capcon 2005

September 6, 2005

We just had a well attended an spirited Steering Committee meeting last Friday month and we hammered out a number of things for the upcoming year. We are anticipating one of the best seasons that we have had in a long time and invite you to read the Minutes to get an idea of what will be happening.

For more shots by Tony Bell click on the logo below

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