I tried to import the Event Calendar into my Google calendar so I could keep track of any events my club members might like to know about. I clicked on the little orange iCal button at the bottom left of the calendar and and copied the url it gave into the import section of my Google calendar. Google says there is no calendar file there to import. Is there another link somewhere to the actual calendar file we could grab?

Grover C. Loening built his first airplane in 1918, the diminutive single seat M-2 Kitten monoplane, soon refined into the more powerful 2-seat M-8 that was accepted and purchased by the Army Air Corps. However, due to the resistance towards monoplanes he reverted to a biplane configuration in creating his most successful design six years later, the OL amphibian. The Loening OL and it’s derivatives would soldier on with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard for another decade.

From the Squadron.com website and packaging,

Squadron Tools offers three different sprue cutters. A basic/rough cut, a precision cut and a high precision cut for the most delicate parts. When used together, these three cutters make the perfect team for tackling any plastic model kit. The basic/rough cut will remove parts from the sprue with no risk of damaging the cutter. The precision cutter allows for good clean cutting of most parts while the high precision cutter will allow removal of the most delicate parts with little to no cleanup required.

The Precision Sprue Cutter is in the middle of Squadron’s new custom-made sprue cutter series. There are three sprue cutters available, increasing in price with the type of cut:

MasterBox brings us two new sets of bedraggled survivors on a long walk in perilous conditions, but for different reasons. See what to expect in our preview...Read on... »

This is "Sammy" Allard's No. 85 Squadron Hurricane Mk. I in France in the spring of 1940. The Airfix kit is quite nice if you put a little effort into it. The wheels are from Barracuda Studios, the early-style exhausts are from Quickboost, and the decals are from Xtradecals (except for the serials, which I made myself because the font on the decal sheet was totally spurious). The model is lightly weathered with oils - thanks to Steve Husted for the inspiration and instruction (via video!).

The non-profit UK based group known as the Great War Aviation Society publishes A new magazine, Contact!, is now available in both print and digital download. The first two issues of Contact! are available for a free digital download on their website. Their journal, Cross & Cockade International, is also published four times a year. Issues are available in English as printed [Softbound, A4 (8.27” x 11.69”), 72 pages [Including Covers] as well as digital copies (or both). The Society also provides a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front. The Great War Aviation Society also hosts a lecture series available through Zoom.

The PE Step Roller Tool from RPToolz is 195 mm long and constructed of Eloxed Aluminum (dyed blue) for use in rolling Photoetch (PE) brass, copper, aluminum and other malleable metal sheet, wire, and some shapes. The Eloxed (electrochemically oxidized) process creates a hardened anodized surface to resist scratches and wear.

The steps in the roller tool correspond to diameters of 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 20 mm.

I found the tool capable of repeatedly making consistent-sized rings in wire and barrels in sheet.

This is the Char B1 kit from the Char/FT17 set. It's a pretty nice little kit. Fit was good, if a bit fiddly around the main gun. Tracks are well done but due to their rubber band nature are hard to paint/finish. It even has separate tools, which in this scale and at the time it was released was somewhat of a rarity.

Episode 100...who would have thought that we would all make it here, on this episode the boys talk about the last 4 years of recording the show, what we are looking forward to in the future and what that means for BSP, all good things, we hope!-

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Special Hobby has several releases slated for August. Some new, some (re)newed. See them in our preview...Read on... »

The 1/35th scale Renault 4CV "Saigon Taxi" is the latest subject to suit your Vietnam diorama from Gecko Models. We look at the early CADs & the cars in our preview...Read on... »

MiniArt's new 1/48th scale P-47N is with us in box art & CAD form. We look at the renders of their first "N" model release, the box art & the marking choices in real life in our preview...Read on... »

Sylvain Hautier started Syhart Decals in 2005. Syhart Decals being derived from SY (Sylvain) HA (Hautier), ART (design), Decal (Decals.).

Although I had heard of Syhart Decals, this was the first time I had seen these in person, and I was very impressed with the presentation, the instruction sheet/manual and the high quality of the decals themselves.

The are several manufacturers of the 1/72 scale Rafale and represent various versions, whether Air Force, Marine or two-seater. These decal sets do not seem to be specific to any one manufacturer.

The decals were presented on bright blue paper that looked very similar to the paper used by ICM and Kits World Decals. Each decal on the sheet was sharp and in register, with minimal excess clear film. The printed part of each decal had more of a satin finish, while the excess film was glossy.

Fresh from the Review Corps gathering at the 2025 IPMS-USA Nationals comes this 1/72 scale wiper blade set for the AH-64 Apache from the folks at Quickboost. The wipers are intended for use with the Academy kit and will replace parts A6 and B51. For this review, I used my Hasegawa kit (product E6, AH-64 Apache Longbow) to show that they can also be used to upgrade a kit without wipers included. These parts are highly recommended for improving the detail on your 1/72 scale AH-64 Apache.

Quickboost has been around for several years producing detail parts and replacement parts for various models. While researching the set for this review, it appeared that at the time of my writing, this set was yet to be released. The price provided is my best guess based on similar products from the company, but this may vary slightly when released.

Fresh from the Review Corps gathering at the 2025 IPMS-USA Nationals comes this wheel bay plug set from O-Mask for the Tamiya 1/48 scale Dornier Do-335. I have been using foam earplugs trimmed to size as needed for several years when masking openings during painting, but these precision-cut plugs can simply be used with no additional work required. I highly recommend this set of plugs to any modeler that airbrushes or sprays their models and is building a Do-335.

According to information provided by O-Mask, these laser-cut foam plugs are designed to cover wheel wells, air brake bays, intakes, exhausts, cowlings, or other areas of your model. Made of soft, colored foam, these plugs are relatively chemical-resistant and therefore, reusable.

Fresh from the whirlwind that was the IPMS National Convention in Hampton, Virginia, we're bursting with stories, impressions, and a renewed passion for scale modeling. What draws thousands of modelers to this annual pilgrimage? Beyond the spectacular contest entries and vendor treasures, it's the profound sense of community that keeps us counting down the days until next year.

The vendor floor transformed into what can only be described as the world's largest traveling hobby shop. Squadron's presence was nothing short of spectacular – their massive booth complete with video games, sound system, and even their trailer parked inside the convention hall. We caught up with Brandon Lowe amid the constant stream of eager customers to discuss how they manage to outdo themselves each year.

Our microphones captured fascinating conversations with niche vendors carving out unique spaces in the hobby. From 3D-printed Gundam accessories to exquisitely crafted diorama buildings, these entrepreneurs represent the evolving landscape of scale modeling. We also previewed the 2026 Fort Wayne convention with Mr. Figueroa, whose enthusiasm for themed awards highlighting underrepresented genres signals an exciting future for the hobby.

The true heart of our experience, however, was the personal connections. We shared an Airbnb with modeling friends we met just three years ago, developing deep bonds through our shared passion. Dozens of listeners stopped by our table, transforming digital connections into meaningful face-to-face conversations that felt like reunions rather than introductions.

Among the many discussions sparked during the convention was a thoughtful debate about competition in modeling. Does competing actually make modelers better without meaningful feedback? This question resonated particularly after connecting with Bob Bear, whose ornithopter model drew crowds, and observing on-site building sessions with modelers like Ben Pluth and Frank Blanton.

Whether you're planning your first national convention visit or reminiscing about Hampton, join us for this celebration of what makes the modeling community extraordinary. And yes, we'll reveal exactly what broke our wallets at the show – because what's a national convention without expanding the stash?

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Red Wild Diorama - check our

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I began this one a few weeks ago starting with collecting parts from previous WC projects. I had molds for fenders, tires and wheels and a frame from a WC-52 that I was planning on building but never did. The frame was stretched by adding a section in the middle for the longer WC-54 wheel base. Springs and axles are brass with the differentials from two part resin. Body sides are 0.030" Evergreen plastic sheet. The cab is diecast and was cut from a '41 Dodge pickup. The doors, dashboard and windshield have been saved for use. Unlike the other WC projects the hood has some slant and curve to it due to the commercially built cowl. So new hood sections will be cut from brass sheet. The top has been the most challenging because of the complex shape and the idea of keeping it open for detailing the interior of the body. A master was made of Renshape from which a silicone rubber slush mold was made. With the mold done two part casting resin was mixed and poured into it allowing it to cover the full inside surface of the mold but without filling it. After 4-5 smaller pours around the outside, I had a well formed roof that was about 1/16" thick. Something I could use to detail the body interior. That's where we are so far. Working on those quirky little returns above the cab doors now.

Just finished the Academy 1/48 F-4J in Blue Angels colors. This was a kit started by fellow club member Larry Goodell that I took off his hands so it could be finished up. The markings were from Mil Spec and were tough to apply on the bottom as none of them were pre-cut to fit the landing gear doors. Some of them also tended to chip along the edges some. There's a LOT of warts on this one as it was a purely "git 'er done" project. It does look good sitting next to my BA Connie though! Now on to the next one! GIL

Hello all! Now that I found a bit of free time, here's the latest pass in review of all the models I finished in August... and the one at the end of July that I never got to post. First, the last one finished in July. This is the Airfix 1/76 scale British Mk.I Male from WWI: Now for the ones I finished in August... In no particular order we have: PST 1/72 scale Russian 37mm AA Gun: Another PST kit, the 1/72 scale Zis-42M Halftrack: Revell 1/72 scale Russian BTR-50PK APC: Back to PST for another 1/72 scale BTR-50PK APC, this one in Egyptian markings: Another Egyptian subject, this is the Trumpeter 1/72 scale SA-6 Gainful in Egyptian markings: Next is a Heller 1/72 scale GMC truck from the "Red Ball Express": I might do something with that cab; I don't like the way it looks. For now it's done. Next up is the Riich Models 1/725 scale M109A2 Paladin done in Italian markings: Finally we have these last two. First is the Attack 1/72 scale German Tatra T-111 cargo truck. I built this one entire without instructions since they didn't come in the box and I couldn't find any online anywhere: The last in this group is the Modelcollect 1/72 scale German FAUN SLT-56 that came with the Leopard 2A7. I'd built the tank some time ago, so it was time to build the transporter: And that is all I have for now. Stay tuned, there's more coming down the pike. Meanwhile, thanks for looking in, comments are welcome.

This model is the star of the 2024 film Nosferatu. If you haven't seen it yet, you must. While it's a take off of the 1920s silent film, it is 1000 times creeper. Bill Skarsgard has the title role and boy does he deliver! The 1/4 scale kit is from Pestilence Labs and comes in five 3-D printed parts that are flawless. The hardest part was getting decent sample images of the Count. If you have seen the movie, you know many parts of it are visually dark. I found 2 images I liked, but still had to lighten them. If nothing else it clearly shows that his decrepit uniform wasn't just "plain." Lets get started. Being his skin is a pale, dead color, I started with a base of purple. I don't know if the coat color was an artifact of the lightening, but I thought it looked good enough and went with the darkest blue I could find. After I painted the blue, I found a pic of the costume on display and the coat is nothing like I was thinking. The dark tone of the film hides all the details. But the embroidery and extras on his coat were clear and I painted them a bronze color. Once dry, I dirtied it up. The hat looks dark, so that was an easy part. The skin looked to me as if it was colors of gray, But I wanted to add a little saturation to it. So in the end I mixed V's White Gray with a little bit of Pale Flesh. I thought it gave me that sickly pallor. His hand was done in a similar manner. I also noticed that the fur collar was just one color, so I started dark and then added highlights to the tufts. The painted was based in black, and then highlighted in a dark gray and dark brown. The jewel was done in the style of miniatures ( not all that happy with the result). Then the feathers were done in a very dark red with some lighter red just to draw out the detail. The base was next and I saw in a critique video that the reviewer was knocking bases that attracted more attention that the supposed focus - the figure. So the base was painted with V's Black Gray, and then I added that bronze (to unite the figure with the base) to the adornments and skulls. Dots of Turquoise gave it the verdigris, and then I dirtied it all up. I left the eyes for the end the way his head is slightly tilted down, it told me that he was looking thru his brow. I painted them like I always do with a base of black, and then the 1/2 circles of brown, and corners of that same White Gray. To add to the creep factor I added a dark yellow to the part of the iris that would be lit. Then that was dry A used a Citadel red wash to get them bloody. A few coats of V's Metallic Varnish gave me the gloss and I was done. Thanks for looking.