IPMS OC Newsletter Jan 2020

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY

Newsletter – January 2020 Volume 28 # 1 Southern California’s Premier Model Club

The President’s Column In This Issue By David P. Frederick Table of Contents Page Meeting Time and Place 3 “Happy New Year Welcome 2020” Monthly Contest Themes 4 Financials 6 As I look upon the 2019 in review, we have several changes IPMS USA Membership 7 that went well. The separation of the OrangeCon event to be IPMS OC Membership 9 held in the Hotel Fullerton was a big step. IPMS has hosted IPMS OC Contest Table 10 the OrangeCon contest for twelve years at California State Tri-Motor Challenge 20 Fullerton. New out-sourced university management seem to Modeling Shows and Swap 21 look down on the vendor room as a liability for the college Brookhurst Hobbies Sprue Fest 22 and wanted to enforce a NO CASH policy, thereby Planes of Fame Living History 23 protecting the University of the possibility of theft on their There Was Always Hope 26 property. The war gamers had there gaming show First Class 1953 Corvette 31 maintaining the same facility at Fullerton on same weekend What Have You Been Working 41 as OrangeCon 2019. They had only three vendors, so the The Happy Wanderer 45 university seem to have a blind eye verses the thirty vendors Model Club Meetings in SoCal 47 that OrangeCon commands. California State University Upcoming Events 50 administrators said, “We do not think this (OrangeCon) is the kind of event that is suited for our facility.” I am glad that the IPMS club invested its time and efforts in finding a new venue and making it work. The venue should not dictate the outcome of the event. It’s the volunteers like you and me that put for the time and effort to make the event a success.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

President’s Column

This year the challenge is to replicate what we did last year and enhance on the positive. Some of the things that proved to be positive are the following: 1. The split of the room for judging (talked about for long time but finally implemented) 2. The selling of the sponsorships for trophies. 3. Vendor room sell out. 4. Make and take sponsored by the Gundam Girl Gang. 5. Increased amount of walk in traffic. The walk-in traffic seems to be a mystery as it is hard to judge what brought people to come into the show who normally do not build models. This year we plan on making a separate line to allow those walk-ins to pay without waiting in a long line. Speculation for the larger amount of walk-ins could be the Tamiya P-38 lighting kit on presale, or the hotel patrons who had discover that the show was going and wanted to take their kids. Possibly the make and take which was offered at noon and was successful with the younger kid’s (whose parents were in town visiting California or Disneyland). In any event, I hope the IPMS Orange County can recreate the same success for OrangeCon 2020. Let’s have a great year! DF

Raffle Czar Sneak peek of models for January Monthly raffle: Aircraft: 1/72 Hasegawa Hellcat Mk.II “Fleet Air Arm” Armor: 1/35 Tamiya Russian Heavy Tank JS-2 Model 1944 Chkz Auto: 1/25 AMT The fast and the Furious 1995 Toyota Supra Ship: 1/500 Renwal U.S.S. King Destroyer Mis. 1/35 Tamiya U.S. infantry weapon set

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Meeting Notice & Agenda Date: January 17, 2020 THEME: FIRST CLASS Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. or earlier Meeting: 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. Location: La Quinta Inn & Suites 3 Centerpointe Drive La Palma, CA 90623 Right Off the 91 Fwy at Valley View 2019 Chapter Officers

President David Frederick

1st Vice President Sean Fallesen

2nd Vice President Position Retired

Treasurer Jeff Hunter

Secretary Split Duties – Nat Richards – Badges or “batches” Mike Budzeika – Scribe Gordon Zuther – Audio

Contest Director Dan Matthews

Volunteers Chapter Contact Mark “The Duke” Deliduka [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Terry Huber (714) 544-8908 [email protected]

Webmaster Julian English [email protected]

Mail IPMS Orange County Club Website www.ipmsoc.org P.O. Box 913 Garden Grove, CA 92842 National Website [email protected] www.ipmsusa.org 3

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Orange County Contest Themes for 2020  JANUARY - First Class: Any subject that was the first or lead in its type or class  FEBRUARY - Tri-Motor: any subject that through intentional design possesses three power plants.  MARCH - Korea 1950 – 1953: Any subject in use during the years on or off the Korean peninsula  APRIL - Black out: any subject whose paint job is predominantly black  MAY - Spanish Civil War: Any subject (in appropriate paint and markings) actively involved in the Spanish Civil War July 17, 1936 – April 1, 1939  JUNE - Russian Road to Berlin: Any subject in use by any parties in the engagement zone covered by the Russian advance to Berlin.  JULY - High: Any subject, auto, armor, aircraft etc. in a high visibility colorful or predominately white and bright paint, no greens or greys  AUGUST - Low: Any subject, auto, armor, aircraft etc. in a low visibility paint scheme; primarily grey or green, no hi visibility colorful white etc.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Orange County Contest Themes for 2020

 SEPTEMBER - From a Picture: Any subject made to replicate, in detail, (i.e. same marking, vehicle number etc.), a picture found in a personal collection or from a published source (including internet) showing an adequate portion of the subject to make certain the model represents the subject in its entirety. The model does not have to but may if you so wish, include the background in a diorama/ vignette format; or it may be just the subject. The picture used as reference must be included with proper reference citation and presented itself in a format no larger than 5”x7” and placed on the table along with the entry detail sheet and model.  OCTOBER – BUILD NIGHT - NO Contest: Bring in your newly acquired kits from OrangeCon or grab that shelf of doom kit for next month’s meeting, anyway you want, come and enjoy an evening of building models together. ORANGECON 2020 October 10th, 2020 Hotel Fullerton  NOVEMBER - Shelf of Doom: Any subject you’ve had on your shelf of doom or recently acquired thru the distressed kits auction  DECEMBER - Non-Traditional: Vacuum, Resin, Paper “Non-Injection” media any subject  JANUARY - Tribal: Any subject with a Native American or “nonwestern name”: i.e. Iroquois, Pontiac, Apache, etc.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

From Our Treasurer Financial Statistics for the meeting in December 2019

Admission Distressed Kits $ 397.00 Members 25 Monthly Raffle $ 0.00 Non-Members 5 Juniors 0 Total Income $ 789.00 Paid in Full 3 Total Expenses $ (494.98) Guests 0 Profit / (Loss) $ 294.02

Total Attendance 33 $ in Checking $ 3761.72 $ in Savings $ 5852.92 Memberships / Renewals $ in PayPal $ 267.02 Regular 4 Total in Bank $ 9881.66 π Youth 0 Full Year 2

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Or use Form on next page….

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Club Membership Renewal Form Print this page, fill it out and bring it to the meeting. It is also available on-line at www.ipmsoc.org.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

IPMS OC Contest Table By Dan Matthews

Contest Entries and Results, December 2020 Theme: "Hot and Cold" Total number of Modelers: 12 Total number of entries: 15

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and a Happy New Year. 2019 was a great year for our club and an interesting year for me in my first round as contest director. I want to say thank you for all the support I received in this role from everyone throughout the year and that I am excited to continue as Contest Director into 2020. Our contest tables once again were covered with great subjects for December’s meeting and I would like to say thank you to all who not only brought subjects, but to everyone who took the time to review and discuss them with all the other builders in the room. Congrats to Julian English for his first place in the Advanced division, Herb Deeks for his first place in the Masters division and for receiving the Judges Choice selection and congrats to Richard Nicoletti for winning the Dec. Theme category. Congratulations are also in order for the 2019 IPMS OC “Modeler of the Year” who with a total of 46 points cruised to the front of the line amid a field of very tough competition (all in good fun of course). Please join me in Congratulating Mr. Julian English as the IPMS OC 2019 Modeler of the Year.

For 2019 we had some impressive year-end totals. We had 174 instances of modelers entering subjects into the monthly contest for a total of 310 models! What’s more impressive is that this total doesn’t even include the many more models that were brought in throughout the year for the display only section. Well done IPMS OC! ADVANCED MASTERS JUNIORS 2019 Modelers Entries Modelers Entries Modelers Entries 94 171 78 137 2 2

Be sure to check out the list of monthly contest themes for 2020 which was put together in part from some of the great suggestions and contributions from the membership at our December meeting. 10

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

IPMS OC Contest Table

At the January meeting we will be once again judging the “Best of” for the 2019 Theme and Judges Choice award winners. I ask that all Theme and Judges Choice winners for 2019 please remember to bring with you your award-winning models so that we can vote for the best of the best for 2019. A list of the models, their builders and the months entered is included below. Last, I would like to say Congrats to the last man standing in the 2019 Missed it by That Much contest, Mr. Bob Penikas. The raffle with one man won’t be quite as exciting so please congratulate Bob for his perseverance in entering a model in 8 of the 10 qualifying months in 2019 and despite the effort not “placing”. The raffle with one person wouldn’t be very exciting so in recognition of his outstanding effort and fortitude, instead Bob will receive a $50 gift certificate to Military Hobbies to go and find his next build. Thank you to all that gave it their best effort through 2019 to keep putting models on the tables. As a reminder this month’s contest theme is “First Class” any subject that was the first or lead in its type or class. I will not be able to attend the meeting this month but look forward to seeing everyone in February, when the theme will be “Tri-Motors”, any subject that through intentional design possesses three power plants. Respectfully, Dan M.

 Dec Advanced Division: o 1st – Julian English, 1/35 Grant Tank Western Desert o 2nd – Jake Holshuh, 1/32 Roland Bi-wing o 3rd – Jim Fleming, 1/48 Marder III German Tank Destroyer

 Dec Master Division: o 1st – Herb Deeks, 1/25 1934 Ford truck Half-Track Conversion o 2nd – Richard Nicoletti, 1/48 Tamiya M1A2 Abrams o 3rd – Sean Fallesen, 1/35 M-51 Super Sherman

 Dec “Hot and Cold” Theme Award Winner: o Richard Nicoletti, 1/48 Tamiya M1A2 Abrams 11

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

 Dec Judges Choice Award Winner: o Herb Deeks, 1/25 1934 Ford truck Half-Track Conversion

 Contest Entries:

 Advanced Division

Modeler Division Scale Model English, Julian Advanced 1/35 M-3 Grant Tank Western Desert Fleming, Jim Advanced 1/48 Marder III German Tank Destroyer Fleming, Jim Advanced 1/72 USMC OV-10A Harlow, Jim Advanced 1/72 Airfix FM-2 Wildcat Holshuh, Jake Advanced 1/32 Roland Bi-Wing Okamura, David Advanced 1/48 "Cold Iron" Oil Field Portable Boiler Teahan, Jim Advanced 1/48 Mig-3 & Yak-9 Winter Scene

 Master Division:

Modeler Division Scale Model ‘34 Ford Truck 1/2 Track Conversion Deeks, Herb Master 1/25 (snow) Fallesen, Sean Master 1/35 M-51 Super Sherman Nicoletti, Richard Master 1/48 Tamiya M1A2 Abrams Rash, Foster Master 1/48 Rosa's Cantina Rash, Foster Master 1/48 Narrow Gauge Reefer Rash, Foster Master 1/48 Notorious Sorfeetz Brothers Ryan, Owen Master 1/72 MD-450 Zuther, Gordon Master BOX AT-AT Walker

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Modeler of the Year Points Standings: Standing Modeler Points 1st Julian English 46 pts 2nd Herb Deeks 32 pts 3rd Terry Baylor 26 pts 4th Gordon Zuther 25 pts 5th Steve Taylor 19 pts

2019 1 Pt. 1 Pt.

5 Pts. 4 Pts. 3 Pts. 2 Pts.

monthly monthly Name

~Total~

Entering one or more Entering one or more models in monthly the IPMS OC contest Winning Choice Judges award in the monthly IPMS OC contest Winning award Theme OC in monthly IPMSthe contest Winningplace 1st a award in the monthly IPMS OC contest Winning 2nd place a award in the monthly IPMS OC contest Winningplace 3rd a award in the IPMS OC contest Ahle, Pat 0 Alas, Andre 0 Ali, Elius 0 Allen, Jerry 1 1 Apodaca, Michael 0 Avalos, Tony 0 Bare, Michael 0 Baylor, Terry 5 10 6 4 1 26 Bolton, Bob 9 1 10 Bolton, Dave 1 1 Boren, Mike 0 Browning, Doug 0 Browning, Ted 0 Budzeika, Mike 2 1 3 Canare, George 0 Carl, Chris 0 Casteel, Brian 0 13

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Cavanaugh, Mike 0 Cicero, Pablo 1 1 Cisneros, Carlos 3 4 3 4 14 Collins, Derek 0 Collins, Kevin 1 3 4 Davis, Colin 0 Deeks, Darrin 1 1 Deeks, Herb 8 5 8 6 4 1 32 Deliduka, Mark 5 1 6 DiCerbo, Mike 0 Dominick, Tony 0 Elliot, Craig 1 1 English, Julian 10 5 12 12 4 3 46 Fallesen, Sean 2 2 1 5 Flemming, Jim 9 1 10 Frederick, David 0 Gardener, Jim 0 Geis, Jeff 0 Geis, Victoria 0 Glidden, Mark 0 Goodwin, David 1 1 Harlow, Jim 6 5 3 2 16 Hays, Shawn 1 5 3 9 Henry, Dennis 1 1 Hernandez, Cip 1 1 Herrador, Ron 0 Holshuh, Jake 5 6 1 12 Huber, Terry 0 Hunter, Jeff 4 4 Jenkins, Sean 0 Jorquez, David 2 3 2 7 Kominsky, Maxx 0 Lombard, David 5 1 6 Lomusio, Joe 2 5 3 10 Lund, Steven 0 Mansoor, William 3 3 Matthews, Dan (DNQ) 1 1 14

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Mestrovich, Joe 0 Morris, JoAnne 0 Mundt, Keith 1 5 3 9 Nicoletti, Richard 2 4 3 2 11 Nunn, James 0 O'Barr, David 3 3 Okamura, David 7 7 Openshaw, Bruce 0 Penikas, Bob 8 8 Pick, Kenneth 4 4 Pierre, Joseph 0 Pocinich, Darnell 2 2 Rash, Foster 9 4 3 1 17 Richards, Nat 0 Ryan, Owen 7 7 Salas, Dan 0 Scanapico, Richie 0 Sutton, Jason 0 Taylor, Steve 9 5 2 3 19 Teahan, Jim 10 3 4 2 19 Torres, Salvador 0 West, Reed 0 Wong, Daniel 0 Zamora, Jaime 0 Zmuda, Bob 7 7 Zuther, Gordon 5 5 8 3 2 2 25

DNQ = Does Not Qualify

“Missed it by That Much” 2019  Final Contestant Eligible for 2019 Bob Penikas

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

2019 Best of Theme and Judges Choice

JUDGES CHOICE 2019 Month Modeler Scale Model January English, Julian 1/35 Dingo Mk1 Scout Car February Taylor, Steve 1/144 SH-3 Sea King #66 Helicopter March Harlow, Jim 1/72 Airfix Handley Page 0/400 April Mundt, Keith 1/32 A6M2B Zero Trainer June Baylor, Terry 1/32 Wingnut Wings Rumpler CT-V July Zuther, Gordon 1/35 Type 1 Ho-Ni 75mm SPG August LoMusio, Joe 1/48 Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 September Hays, Shawn 1/35 "Clear Skies" November Baylor, Terry 1/32 Pflaz DXII December Deeks, Herb 1/25 1934 Ford Truck 1/2 Track Conversion (Snow)

THEME 2019 Month Modeler Scale Model January Cisneros, Carlos 1/35 SDKFZ 222 February English, Julian 1/72 Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher on P-3 Catapult March English, Julian 1/72 P-51D April Deeks, Herb 1/35 PACV June Zuther, Gordon 1/35 Normandy Beachhead to Paris July Rash, Foster 1/48 Can-Can Restaurant August Zuther, Gordon 1/35 M60A1 September Deeks, Herb 1/35 Compressor Truck November English, Julian 1/72 F4U-1 Corsair December Nicoletti, Richard 1/48 Tamiya M1A2 Abrams

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Model Contest Winners Photos By Bob Penikas Advanced Division 3rd Place 1/48 Marder III German Tank Destroyer by Jim Fleming

2nd Place 1/32 Roland Bi-Wing by Jake Holshuh.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Model Contest Winners Photos By Bob Penikas Advanced Division 1st Place 1/35 Grant tank-western desert by Julian English

Master Division 3rd 1/35 M-51 Super Sherman by Sean Fallesen

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Model Contest Winners Photos By Bob Penikas Master Division 2nd Place and Theme award 1/48 Tamiya M1A2 Abrams by Richard Nicoletti

1st Place and Judges Choice award 1/25 1934 Ford truck Half-Track conversion by Herb Deeks

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

The later 1920s and the 1930s saw the development of a large number of aircraft designs with three engines. These aircraft were built by all sorts of companies in just about every country. Many of these three motored aircraft served honorably and with distinction for many years. The 1960s saw a return to designs with three motors, this time jet engines. Many different types appeared, and again served with honor and distinction.

With that in mind, I am challenging my fellow modelers of IPMS Orange County to participate in the Tri-Motor Challenge. Build a model, or more than one model, that features three – count’um, three, engines, and bring it to the February 2020 meeting. A special prize shall be awarded to the best trimotor model presented that night.

So maybe you’re reading this and trying to figure out what to build. Good! Any model that features three, and just three, engines qualifies. Your B-17 with one engine missing does not count! It must be a model depicting an aircraft designed, built and operated with just three engines – propeller or jet. It can be any scale. So maybe you’re reading this and trying to figure out which model to build. Here’s a partial list of suggestions, but you are not limited to these, as there are other aircraft types built with three engines (and there ARE model kits available of all these suggestions).

Ford Trimotor Fokker Trimotor Stinson Trimotor Junkers Ju-52 Blohm & Voss BV-138 Savoia Marchetti SM-79 Savoia Marchetti SM-81 Savoia Marchetti SM-83 Cant 1006 Martin XB-51 Boeing 727 McDonnell Douglas DC-10 McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Lockheed L-1011 Tupelov Tu-154 20 I am really looking forward to see what appears at the February club meeting. NR

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

2020 Modeling Show and Swap Meets Based on suspect unverified information of course. Use this chart at-your-own-risk. Actually most of these dates are real. Watch out for the question marks.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Once again the Sprue Fest Model Contest is back at Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Gove CA. This is turning into quite an annual event and tradition in only a few short years. The team at Brookhurst, led by Henry Tremblay and the Brookhurst staff, along with Principals Stan Spooner (Graphics / Design) and the team of Jim Wechsler and Jim Frye (Directors) has made this show one of the top events in the southland topping 450+ models and it keeps going up.

Best of Show trophy and 1st, 2nd, 3rd style awards. Always top-notch awards from Brookhurst.

Look for the contest flyer and categories at the end of the newsletter. You don’t want to miss this one folks, believe me top-shelf work, competition and inspiration galore. Huge raffle and manufacturers products. Come and test yourself at Sprue Fest. See you there. (Ed.) 22

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Focke-Wulf 190 January 4, 2020

Snow Capped Mountains formed a neat background for this morning’s Living History Flying Day at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. After the opening Flag, Pledge, and Anthem; Planes of Fame Air Museum’s Brian Finnegan- Director, Education Programs and Development presented the winners of the Student Art Contest to a packed attendance.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Matt Nightingale of California AeroFab talked about the Planes of Fame Air Museum’s Focke-Wulf FW 190 construction. The FW 190 was parked right next to the presentation hangar.

Prior to the presentations the Fw- 190 was available for close-up, detailed photography.

Reenactors were available for pictures and discussion. Kevin Thompson gave an in-depth FW 190 historic discussion.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Towed from display, ready for fuel, fuel top-off, start, and run-up, then Noon Fly over.

I walked around, checked out the happenings in the other hangars. Viewed repairs being made and had questions answered by Planes of Fame volunteers. Next Living History Day is February 1, 2020. BP

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Editor’s note: Long time IPMS’er Fred Horky checked into the newsroom here last month with a story. He enjoyed Rick Beman’s story on Christmas 1967 and was reflecting on his own Christmas in 1967 in Vietnam flying C-123’s and C-130’s. Anyway I present Fred’s Christmas time that year and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. There was always Hope! ©

During my last Vietnam tour I was fortunate to see the legendary Bob Hope Christmas Show when his entourage came through the 25th Infantry Division’s base camp at Cu Chi, just before Christmas, 1967.

Hope’s show was of course the biggest and most famous of the travelling “official” USO shows. For decades beginning in WWII, Hope had entertained troops in different parts of the world, especially during the weeks before Christmas. The TV era brought the opportunity for these shows to be edited into Hope’s signature, hour-long TV Christmas special; greatly anticipated every year by the public and no doubt further enriching the Hope fortune, which was considerable.

Today, the National Museum of the United States Force at Dayton includes a prominent display of Hope USO show memorabilia, centered on a continuous loop video which samples his many shows over many years, and from many wars, both cold and hot. Along with many photographs and other items, it gives Americans today a taste of the legend of his annual adventures. But that display is a particular thrill for many older visitors, like me, who were among the thousands of young military men and women that Hope entertained.

In December 1967 Hope came to Cu Chi, home of the 25th Infantry Division to which I was attached. I saw his show, but was so far from the stage that I needed binoculars. As Air Force airlift advisor to the 25th, I had first made sure there were no glitches unloading his two C- 130’s full of entertainers, musicians, and equipment at the airfield (all 2800 feet of it) and that it was transported to the open-field show site on time.

At that open-air site, several thousand 25th Infantry Division troops had been waiting all afternoon for Hope to appear. By the time I had followed the show entourage to the site, I would have had to wade through a sea of green jungle fatigues to get near the stage …in fact one of my Army friends told me later that he’d saved me a seat …but didn’t since I wanted to get away quickly AFTER the show to go back to the airfield to make sure that Hope & Co. DEPARTED with no snafus. 26

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

There was always Hope! © This “tail number” of Hope’s C-130 (63-7887) seemed familiar when I scanned my picture years later... My personal log book revealed why. In 1964 I had flown Hugh Downs and his NBC “Today Show” film crew from England to Naples, Italy. They were in Europe to tape a “meet the troops” show, to be broadcast later on Thanksgiving in the US. Downs couldn’t have known it, but he missed a really good “scoop”: a few days after we left him at Naples; our entire squadron, including this airplane and myself, were suddenly involved in a very nasty little civil war in Darkest Africa! You can Google it at “Dragon Rouge Congo”

(Not my picture, but found recently on the internet)

About seven or eight THOUSAND …nobody really had an accurate count ….G.I.’s had long-since arrived, and staked out their “seats” while to wait in the tropical sun most of the hot afternoon.

Thus, I wound up waaaaaay in the back, behind the cheap seats, which in my case meant clambering up to sit on top of the windshield frame of a big 5 ton diesel tractor-trailer truck. It was at least a hundred yards from the stage. In the next picture I’m at the top left.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

There was always Hope! © I’m REASONABLY sure that I saw Raquel Welch at Hope’s show that day. I really can’t be sure. Bob Hope SAID it was her: only I recently found proof.

Obviously not my picture, but found on the internet…. We were told she was wearing a white blouse, blue mini-skirt, and white boots.

The Army show planners had carefully lined up row upon row of empty 105mm artillery ammo boxes as sort of ersatz bleachers. Of course, instead of sitting on them, the G.I.’s had quickly stacked them up, and then climbed on top “…to better see the show”. Thus, by the time I got there, it was necessary to climb up to the top of the biggest truck I could find, to see over THEIR heads.

In my picture with text added, below, check out the guy ahead of us. He stands behind a sea of jungle-fatigue green, balancing as if a high-wire act on the precarious, wobbly roof bows of a big “deuce and a half” truck…

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

There was always Hope! ©

By the Vietnam war ….his third major war, with countless “Cold War” appearances around the globe ….Bob Hope was already such a part of the American culture, because of his decades of USO efforts, that it would have been ‘Un-American’ to NOT enjoy the show. And I really did.

It was nearly dark when we got his show back at the airfield, and loaded to depart. It was a fairly complex operation with many people and vehicles involved. There was one final anecdote worth mentioning.

Much earlier in the day, long hours before the Hope show had even arrived, a Huey pilot had reported that he THOUGHT he’d HEARD machine gun fire directed at him outside of Cu Chi’s perimeter barbed wire. Appropriate counter measures had been taken, and “Charlie” ….if he had been there at all …was either gone or keeping his head down.

Then, Hope & Company arrived in the flurry of attention already described, did its show, and left; all without appreciable incident. Their take off was just before the sun went below the horizon.

This resulted in my rather dramatic photo below, showing Hope’s C-130, framed against the sunset, climbing away from Cu Chi’s sixty- foot wide aluminum runway. 29

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

There was always Hope! © Obviously, if any shooting had been going on at the time, I would NOT have been just standing there, taking pictures! But all was quiet.

However, among Hope’s entourage, his Public Relations flacks had heard an idle comment about the possible gunfire reported much earlier that day. (Not too unusual; we were in a combat zone, after all!)

His TV show writers quickly folded this bit of “intelligence” into the script that Hope would narrate on his very popular TV show, back in the ‘states several weeks later in January …the show that all the mommas/wives back hope watched intently for a glimpse of their Johnny G.I. sons/husbands. (Of course they would be watching, hoping for a glimpse of son/husband who had written saying he had personally been to the famous Bob Hope show!)

That year’s annual “Bob Hope in Vietnam” TV show, always a highly- promoted major “special”, appeared on NBC-TV several weeks later in early January. My wife Linda, back in Warner Robins, Georgia, of course didn’t miss Hope making his typically flippant “voice- over” comment during the Cu Chi segment, mentioning that his show had departed “…in a hail of bullets!”

Today, the Bob Hope shows are the best personally remembered today only by an older generation. They were the biggest and most famous of all USO shows for decades, and will likely remain such as a part of American history. No G.I. ever turned down a chance to see his show, and in fact would conspire mightily to get there.

Today, just about everybody has had friends or relatives: brothers, fathers, uncles, and grandfathers; who fondly recall being entertained by Bob Hope. He truly did bring “Hope” and entertainment to generations of Americans! ©

Note the 1967 Christmas decorations ...literal gallows humor ....of the Officers Club of Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 25th Division Support Command, 25th Infantry Division, Cu Chi RVN. That was the 30 outfit to which I was attached as a USAF airlift advisor.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette By Foster Rash The first Corvette, America's sports car, was introduced in 1953.

I make the same New Year's resolution each year, "No new kits, build what is already in the stash." Of course I can never stick with the resolution, but I decided to at least stick with it for January and build a '53 Corvette sports car from the stash for our January "First Class" contest theme.

A sports car is a small, lightweight, usually two-seater, automobile capable of competition level performance. Such vehicles are dual purpose for both daily transportation and motor sports and may sacrifice a little comfort for higher performance. Following WWII, America entered a period of unprecedented affluence and many families were able to afford a second car. Since civilian auto production was suspended during the war years, there was a shortage of used cars and pent up demand for new vehicles. American manufacturers were working at maximum production to satisfy the market. The European auto industry, except for MG in England, had been destroyed by WWII. But the MG factory near Oxford was beyond the range of German bombers and by late 1945 was back in production. The British were quick to exploit the US market and Americans began buying as many of the relatively inexpensive MGs as the British could produce. The sports car craze was on and by the early '50s most major European manufacturers were building sports cars for export to the US. The Europeans had a long history of building sports cars from off the shelf parts. Triumph, Austin-Healey, Jaguar and Porsche were all built from common sedan mechanical components.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette

MG TD (1950-53) was built from Morris parts

The 1953 Porsche used many Volkswagen parts

Harley Earl was the dapper head of design at General Motors known for his futuristic, aircraft inspired creations with tailfins, lavish chrome trim and flashy colors. He attended the Watkins Glen races in 1951 and was inspired to create an American sports car. He thought GM could build a car with the styling flair of an Italian exotic at a base-price comparable to an MG (About $2,000) and sell 10,000 units per year. In late 1951, his Special Projects crew secretly began working on a "dream car," as concept cars were known at the time, code-named "Project Opel," they produced the EX-122 Corvette prototype. The Corvette was first shown to the public in January, 1953 at the General Motors Motorama and it was rushed into production to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction.

Harley Earl, head of design at General Motors, is best known for tailfins. He led the team which designed the Corvette prototype.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette

To achieve the targeted retail selling price, off-the-shelf mechanical components from the 1949–1954 Chevrolet passenger car were used; Front and rear suspensions, engine and transmission all came from the inexpensive Chevy. The engine was the venerable "stovebolt" inline six. But with a higher-compression ratio, three carburetors, and a high- lift camshaft, horsepower was increased to 150 (standard engine was 108 hp) and the engine became the "Blue Flame" six! Because the standard Chevy 3-speed manual transmission could not handle 150 hp, the 2-speed Powerglide automatic was the only available transmission. The body on the prototype was made of fiberglass (GRP) purely as an expedient to get the job done quickly. But some people at GM were interested in developing GRP molding technology for fabricating plastic body parts on a large scale, so the decision was made to use fiberglass bodies on the production cars.

The Corvette's conventional passenger car chassis and drive train components were covered with jet age styled bodywork.

Only 300 1953 models were produced, virtually hand- built, on a makeshift assembly line in the Flint truck plant while a factory in St. Louis was being prepped for a full-scale 1954 production run. Techniques evolved during the production process, so that each car was slightly different. The fit and finish of the fiberglass body left much to be desired. All 1953 models were Polo White with red interiors and black fabric soft tops. All cars received the "optional" heater and radio. The Corvette became a considerably costlier car than the roadster Harley Earl originally had in mind. The Corvette's MSRP of $3,513, was comparable to that of a Cadillac, not an MG! While most owners were satisfied with the Corvette as a sporty second car, sports car "purists" did not consider it to be a true sports car. Attempting to appeal to a broader market, Corvette made concessions for comfort and convenience which caused the car to 33 fall short of performance expectations.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette

In a survey of Corvette owners, a third rated the car as inferior to European sports cars. Reviews called the car's performance anemic, lackluster and "all show and no go." The car was criticized as being "over-styled" with “non-functional and faddish” gimmicks. Other problems, such as water leaks and doors that popped open while the car was driven, were reported. Sales in 1953 and early 1954 fell so far short of expectations that Chevrolet management discussed terminating the Corvette at the end of the '54 production run.

Disappointing sales of the Corvette roadster resulted in abandonment of plans for a Corvette Nomad wagon and Corvair Fastback coupe. Of course the names were later used for other vehicles.

Just looking at the mechanical layout and specifications, the 1953 Corvette was in many ways comparable to the 1953 Jaguar XK120 (The Jag was the world's fastest production car). Both cars had six cylinder engines, ladder-type chassis, independent front suspensions, solid rear axles on leaf springs and a 102" wheelbase. The Jaguar had a more powerful engine but the Corvette was lighter; both had power to weight ratios of about 19 lbs per horsepower.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette With its top up and windshield in place, the Jaguar XK120 set a production car record 126 mph in 1949. The same car with the windshield replaced by a bubble canopy (in photo) reached 135 mph.

The Jaguar XK120 was powered by a 160 hp, 210 cu. in. 6 cyl dual overhead cam, and hemi-head engine with a Moss 4 speed manual gearbox. 0-60 mph acceleration time was 10 sec; 126 mph top speed.

The Corvette's major performance issue was the lack of a manual transmission. As anyone who has ever owned an old Chevy with a cast iron Powerglide "slip 'n slide" transmission will attest, they are sluggish. With a four speed manual transmission, the Jaguar was 1.5 seconds quicker in 0-60 mph acceleration than the Corvette.

'53 Corvette was powered by a 150 hp, 235 cu. in., 6 cyl OHV engine with a Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission. 0–60 mph acceleration time was 11.5 seconds; 108 mph top speed.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette

As previously mentioned, General Motors management was seriously considering cancelling the Corvette at the end of the 1954 production. Only 3,640 Corvettes were sold in 1954 which was a far cry from the hoped for 10,000 units per year. But when it was learned that Ford was planning to enter the sports car market with the two seat Thunderbird in 1955, Chevrolet did not want to appear to be backing down from Ford's challenge and resolved to improve the performance of the Corvette.

Zora Arkus-Duntov was an engineer and co- driver for the Allard Le Mans racers in 1952 and 1953.

Zora Arkus-Duntov was a European automotive engineer with racing credentials who was working for Allard at the time. Duntov was captivated by the beauty of the Corvette's design but very disappointed at the mundane drive train and chassis. He wrote a critique of the Corvette with recommendations for what would be required to turn it into a world class high performance car. His critique impressed Chevrolet management and he was hired to fix the Corvette. Duntov set to work on tuning the suspension for better handling and getting a manual transmission. He insisted a high performance version of the new (1955) 265 cu. in. Chevy small block V-8 be made available for the Corvette and developed the famous Duntov high-lift camshaft for it.

Duntov's work paid off and Corvette began winning races. He took a Corvette to Daytona Beach in '56 and set a 150 mph record for the flying mile. He helped bring fuel injection to the Corvette in 1957. Duntov transformed the Corvette into a credible performer.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette

Zora Arkus-Duntov, "Father of the Corvette," developed the Corvette into a world class sports car and ultimately became Director of High Performance Vehicles at Chevrolet.

Kit Review: AMT '53 Corvette Originally released in the 1970s, the AMT '53 Corvette has been reissued several times (as recently as 2016) and mine was the 1990 re-issue. The design of the 100-plus piece kit is conventional for a model car; the model is built in sub-assemblies for chassis, interior and body. The hood opens to reveal a well detailed "Blue Flame Six" and engine compartment. Optional customizing parts are included but I built mine stock.

The AMT '53 Corvette is a decent kit for the money ($5-15 on the secondary market) that has been around a long time.

Typical of old AMT kits, there was some flash, sink holes, mold parting lines and ejector pin marks that had to be filled and/or sanded. Most of the build time was spent fixing "blems" and painting. I would have preferred the grille to have been molded in two pieces so the center bar would actually "float" in the opening and the radiator detail could be seen behind it. But the kit part is all one piece, so careful painting with some flat black was required to simulate the open space around the center bar. Whitewall tires are correct for the Corvette but black walls come 37 with the kit. I painted whitewalls using Tamiya flat white acrylic.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette

The kit includes a top but, like most sports cars, I think it looks better top down. It would have been nice if AMT had included a tonneau cover and roll bar for a racing version. The chrome trim was delicate and lacked locating points, so you are on your own getting the pieces lined up and glued down in the right places without making a glue mess all over fresh paint. I attached the trim with clear epoxy so the goofs would not be so obvious.

Well detailed engine and chassis

The dash is nicely molded in two pieces and it is well worth the time spent picking out the details with paint

But for me, the greatest problem with this kit was the mesh stone guards that covered the headlights. AMT tried to replicate this Harley Earl styling feature by molding a mesh pattern onto a clear headlight cover. This was a fail on several levels.

Headlight stone guards were a feature on some classic cars and were a popular add-on sports car accessory in the 1950s.

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette

Mesh headlight covers were a prominent styling gimmick on 1953-55 Corvettes

First, the Corvette did not have clear headlight covers; the headlights were recessed and covered by chrome wire mesh. Two, the AMT covers did not fit well. And three, trying to paint the finely molded "mesh" ridges on the clear plastic to resemble chrome would be virtually impossible. I found a photo etch set from The Model Car Garage https://www.modelcargarage.com/ that solved the problem. The PE set was $10 plus $7 shipping which was three times what I had paid for the kit at a collector show! However, the stone guards are such a prominent feature on the front of the 'vette that a poorly done representation would spoil the overall appearance of the model. I bit the bullet and ordered the PE! However, if one chooses not to purchase the PE, I would either omit the kit headlight covers or sand off the mesh, polish and fit as a flush mounted custom clear cover.

The photo etch set from The Model Car Garage was designed for the Revell 1/24 scale Corvette but the mesh stone guards were adaptable to my 1/25th scale AMT model.

When I mated the body to the chassis, I found the body set too high which left excessive gaps between the front tires and the body. I was able to lessen the gap by trimming about 1/32" off of the tops of the thickly molded front inner fender panels for a better fit. I would like to have lowered the ride height even more but lowering the body any further would have caused interference between the hood and the engine, preventing the hood from completely closing. I could have relocated the front spindles to raise the wheels, thus lowering the car, but this would have been a major chassis alteration on the model that was about 90% complete at this point. I decided to live with it!

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

First Class: 1953 Corvette

Tail lights were part of the chrome parts. I would have preferred separately molded clear red lenses, but I painted the chromed lenses Tamiya Clear Red which I think looks acceptable.

The decal set is sparse and useless in my opinion, with a very dated looking "custom graphics" design; some '50s style racing stripes and numbers would have been better. I wish AMT would have included decals for the instrument faces, trim logos and “Blue Flame" lettering for the engine. Aftermarket decals are available but I didn't want to spend the money.

In conclusion, I enjoyed the build which took about 10 evenings to complete and despite a few gripes, had no major issues. To make it a serious contest contender would take a lot of additional effort and expensive aftermarket parts. But with an all-in build cost of around $30, I think it is a good value and an attractive "shelf model" of an historic subject. FR

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Well now I have some more model photos here from club members. Had some good response when I threw the idea out there to send in some shots of what you are working on. I want everyone else to send along some model shots of what is on the workbench. Thanks and enjoy these. (Ed.)

Mark Glidden starts off with his recently completed Tamiya 1/48 P-38. Nice job Mark!

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

A man of few words Foster Rash has sent in his latest. You know Foster always has something working on the bench and something to say. You go Foster….

Work in Progress: AJ-1 Savage

The North American AJ Savage was an aircraft carrier borne tri-motor bomber capable of delivering an atom bomb. It was powered by two piston engines in wing nacelles and a jet engine in the rear fuselage. The AJ-1/2 were operational with the Navy as a bomber from 1950-57 and some were converted for photo-reconnaissance and aerial tankers. The Navy retired all Savages by 1960 although some were converted to fire-fighting water bombers and continued in civilian use into the 1980s.

1/32 scale Berkeley kit (1952) is my choice for the February Tri-Motor Challenge group build.

Flying model will be powered by two .099 glow engines with a Jetex solid fuel rocket motor in the tail

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Of course we have The Duke this month. Mark Deliduka will be adding to his enormous 700+ model collection with these specimens from his bench. I hope I am around when Mark reaches the 1 Grand mark in the collection. 1/72 Trumpeter German Leopold Railgun

1/72 Zvezda Russian Terminator

1/72 US Navy HUP 2 helo

1/72 Russian eight-wheeled trucks

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Who else but our own El Presidente sends in his photo of the 1/12 Bandai R2-D2 Rocket Booster version, of course appropriately lighted by the Frederick LED Studios. What’s next Dave?

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Model Club Meetings in the SoCal Area Latest Changes to the clubs always on top

Pasadena Scale Modelers Society Meets on the 4th Friday of each month American Legion Hall 179 N. Vinedo East Pasadena, CA Doors open 7:30 p.m. There is a $5 donation at the meeting

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Temecula Valley Model Club Meets on the 2nd Saturday of every month Kay Ceniceros Center (old location) 29995 Evans Road Menifee, CA 92586 9:00 am till around 12:00 $5 entry fee to offset room cost Join afterwards at Pizza Factory Menifee if you wish https://www.facebook.com/groups/515492695197122/?bookmark_t=group [email protected] 951-805-2541

Pendleton AMPS Meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month The American Legion La Mesa Post # 282 8118 University Ave. La Mesa, Ca. 91944 Doors open at 11:00 a.m. to about whenever $5 dues which includes lunch [email protected] 951-805-2541

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Model Club Meetings in the SoCal Area

IPMS South Orange County The Insane Modeling Posse Meets on the 4th Saturday of each month Next meeting Jan 18

Norman P. Murray Center 24932 Veterans Way Mission Viejo, CA 92692 This is a great build session style meeting With coffee and donuts 8:00 am till 2:00 pm

IPMS San Diego Model Car Club Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month San Diego Auto Museum / Balboa Park 2080 Pan America Plaza San Diego, CA

IPMS Orange County Meets the 3rd Friday of each month La Quinta Inns & Suites 3 Centerpointe Dr. La Palma, CA 90623 Doors open at 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. Non-member fee $7 First visit free.

IPMS Inland Empire Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month Pegasus Hobbies 5515 Moreno Street Montclair, CA 91763 Doors open at 6:30 pm and go till about 9:00 pm There is no charge for first meeting then $5

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Model Club Meetings in the SoCal Area SoCal Amps Armor Modeling Preservation Society Meets the 2nd Saturday of each month Frye Sign Company 12818 Nutwood St. Garden Grove CA 4:00 p.m. to around 9:00 p.m. Bring some chairs. No-fee meeting

Ship Modelers Association – SMA Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month American Red Cross Building 1207 N. Lemon St. Fullerton, CA 92835 In Hillcrest Park 7:00 p.m.

Sprue Cutters Model Club Brookhurst Hobbies Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Brookhurst Hobbies 12188 Brookhurst Street Garden Grove, CA 92840 Phone: (714) 636-3580 No charge to attend [email protected]

IPMS San Diego Meets the last Friday of each month at Girl Scouts San Diego 1231 Upas St. San Diego, CA Use Richmond St. entrance to Upas Doors open at 6:30 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. Adult first visit is free and then $4.00

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Model Club Meetings in the SoCal Area

Los Angeles Miniaturists Society LAMS Meets the 1st Saturday of each month Veterans of Foreign Wars building 1006 W. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA 91506 Meeting starts around 9:00 a.m. till 12:30 Frequent demonstrations. Nonmember $5

Upcoming Events IPMS National Conventions Locations 2020 San Marcos, TX 2021 Las Vegas, NV 2022 Omaha, NE

Sunday, January 19, 2020 Brewer Brothers Model Kit, Hobby and Toy Expo Old World Village German Hall and Restaurant 7561 Center Avenue #49 Huntington Beach, CA 92647 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Gen Ad $6 [email protected]

IPMS ORANGE COUNTY Newsletter

January 2020

Upcoming Events Saturday, January 25, 2020 BROOKHURST HOBBIES PRESENTS SPRUEFEST MODEL CONTEST Brookhurst Hobbies 12188 Brookhurst Street Garden Grove, CA 92804 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public Free-Parking behind Brookhurst Contest Admission $10 first 3 then $1 extra model – JR’s FREE.

Sunday, March 1, 2020 VALLEYCON 2020 Presented by Pasadena Modeling Society Pasadena Convention Center 300 East Green Street Rooms 101-105 Pasadena, CA 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration closes 12:00 p.m. Contest & Spectator $10 admission Seniors and 12-under $7 Children <5 Free [email protected]