Scale modeling has been around a lot longer than many of us may realize. Models have been found in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs and those of Chinese Emperors, Leonardo Da Vinci built scale models of many of his inventions just as engineers and architects do today for testing purposes. These early models were built of wood, metal, ceramic, bone and any other material that was suitable. Modelers continued to shape and carve wood to make models of their favorite aircraft, but in 1936 this all began to change.

Toward the end of 1936 the first line of plastic model  kits, from Frog Models in the UK, began to appear. It was to be nearly another four years before companies such as Renwal, Lindberg, Hawk and Varney began to crank out plastic models here in the US in 1940.

Plastic model manufacturers, here and in Europe, barely had a chance to get started before something known as World War II put an abrupt end to their business as commodities such as plastic, rubber, gas, aluminum, copper and iron, etc., all became necessary items for war and the manufacture of a wide variety of weapons and equipment.

With the end of WWII and the prosperity that followed model manufacturers resumed production.

The 1950s saw several well known model companies coming into existence around the world. In the US Revell, Monogram, Aurora and AMT began turning out their first kits. In Europe Matchbox, Airfix, ESCI, Italeri and Heller came into being, while in Asia and Fujimi, Nichimo and Bandai joined the growing list of manufacturers.

The 1960s saw the addition of Hasegawa, Otaki, Entex, and Tamiya (1966) from Japan. I remember my first Tamiya kit was their original first kit from 1960 the German 1/35 Panther kit, purchased at a discount store in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1967. I thought it was great, despite all the inaccuracies and problems that I had no idea about at the time. That was my first piece of armor. Until then I had built Aurora Movie Monsters and figures. Aurora, AMT, Revell and Monogram car and truck kit, ships and aircraft.

The modeling industry from the ‘50s through the ‘70s saw a lot of growth as a result of the public interest in the jet age and the fact that companies like AMT and Jo-Han produced a line of promotional assembled plastic models of new car models for the manufacturers. These promo models, with added part such as engines and optional tires/wheels, found their way into the modeling market as most car model manufacturers turned out models of the new cars every year. You could count on finding a new Camaro, Charger, Mustang, Corvette or Galaxie 500 shortly after their appearance on the showroom floor.

The ‘80s and ‘90s saw an explosion of new manufacturers and new subjects. Most of these companies were from Japan, Korea and China. Companies like Academy, Dragon/DML, AFV Club and Trumpeter. The growth has continued as each year a new company steps into the fray, many of them from Eastern Europe. In the past ten years we have seen Kinetic, MiniArt, Bronco, Hobby Boss, IBG, Meng, Riich and several others. With the use of Computer Aided Drafting and much improved mold technology releases come faster and faster every year with greater detail and accuracy.

This little rundown on some of the history of plastic modeling has covered just the world of injection kits, there is still much to discuss in the areas of conversion kits, resin, metal parts and decals. Maybe I’ll think about that for the next Musing. 

Ron demonstrated how to make armored hoses by using solder and armature wire.  Please check out the video when it is released and Ron has agreed to write an article for the Scratching Post describing the process.  Stay tuned!

These are pictures of our fellowship at the CASM meeting.

It was good to have Noel and Lloyd back!

Ken is best known for his exquisitely painted and modeled military vehicles.  He is just a darn good modeler all the way around as exemplified by this zombie bust which received a Bronze medal at Wonderfest last year.  Click on the link to see further details of this bust.  CASM member or bust! 

In this installment of Armor Corner we are going to provide a list of some terms regarding armor you may have seen before but not fully understood. We’ll start with the most basic term of all – there’s an interesting story behind it. Read on.

TANK: While the British were developing the first armored fighting vehicles during WWI, in order to throw German spies off the scent, they gave out the story that they were building water tanks with the great quantities of steel plate they had ordered up. The strange contraptions they produced have been called tanks ever since.

PANZER: This is without a doubt the most misused term having to do with armor. Panzer is the German word for armor, not tank, and to refer to German tanks as “Panzers” is improper, although even the Germans were guilty of such usage.

PANZERKAMPFWAGEN (PzKpfW): The literal meaning of this German term is “armored fighting vehicle,” but the word is nonetheless applied only to tanks. A PANZER DIVISION, though, is not a tank division, but rather an armored division.

PAK: This is the abbreviation for the “Panzer-abwehr Kanone,” or anti-tank gun, exactly as the more familiar term FLAK stood for “Flieger-abwehr Kanone,” i.e., anti-aircraft gun.

SdKfz: This was the abbreviation for the rather forbidding German word Sonderkraftfahrzeug, meaning simply “special purpose vehicle,” that is a vehicle built for a specific military purpose – not a civilian vehicle adapted for military use. All such vehicles produced by the Germans in WWII had a SdKfz number, and sometimes a sub-number, for example, the SdKfz 250/9 indicated a version of the SdKfz 250 light half-track mounting a 20mm gun in a rotating turret, and used for reconnaissance purposes. The SdKfz number was important for record-keeping purposes – use of the number left no doubt exactly what vehicle was being referred to.

ABTEILUNG: German for “Battalion.” The abbreviation sPzAbt 2/503, for example, indicates the second company of the 503rd Heavy (schwere) Tank Battalion.

POUNDER: Pounder? Yes, as in “17-Pounder,” a British gun which was one of the most powerful anti-tank weapons available to the Allies in WWII. Not content with driving on the wrong side of the road, the British also insisted on designating their cannon by the weight of their shells, not the diameter of the bore like everyone else.

JäGER: Notice how many of these terms are German? Here’s another meaning “hunter.” Thus, a Panzerjager is literally a “tank hunter.”

BAZOOKA: Officially known as the “2.36-in. Rocket Launcher,” this most famous of all hand-held anti-tank weapons was named after an alleged musical instrument used on a WWII-era radio comedy.

There you have a sampling of just a few weird and wonderful armor terms. We hope it was both entertaining and edifying.

I had been urged by a number of modeling friends to join them and build models together.  They said the best way to learn more about modeling is to have someone there with you while you work.  Not only do you have the chance to see how others model but others can see what you do.  Reading articles on modeling techniques always leaves out important information since modeling is never a linear process and “how to” articles present an artistic process in a linear fashion.  Modeling with others really illustrates the creative process in action and is enlightening about the way modeling techniques are truly executed.  You may be questioning the very idea of modeling with others and weigh such issues as time, transportability of modeling supplies, and the fear of scrutiny by others.  Is it worth all of the trouble when so much more can be accomplished on your own?

Modeling for me has always been a singular process, almost a spiritual process.  I have my modeling area all set up so all of my supplies are handy and when the need for a specific supply arises, it is available at my fingertips.  I can try techniques out without the public scrutiny of making errors that I can eventually correct without others knowing the difference.  I don’t construct models for contests with an emphasis of being better than others.  Instead, I make models because I enjoy the artistic process and producing something I enjoy with my hands.  Modeling is a private and singular activity for me that I truly have enjoyed most all of my life.  Really, the main reason I did not want to build models with others is because I am inherently shy and was afraid of the scrutiny of others.  I already did not think I was a great modeler but doing it in front of others, I thought, would only confirm what I already knew.  I had come up with many reasons not to model with others, like I did not want to haul all of my supplies someplace or risk the model being broken in transport.

I had to face my fears when I was asked to teach a class on figure modeling at the Pulaski Tech Modeling Class.  Teaching is something I enjoy and even though I am shy, I have no problems standing in front of others and presenting information.  Plus, I wanted to be supportive of the Pulaski Tech modeling class program.  Part of the problem with teaching modeling is I had never thought about how I model.  If I was going to teach a class I had to be able to explain why I did things and then show how I did them.  In essence I had to model in front of others.  I had to have a mastery of the jargon of modeling so I could communicate in a language that was understandable to other modelers from different genres.  Since modeling was private I really had never mastered a coherent way to talk about what I did while modeling.  I had to take what was a private and singular activity and make it public.

When the time came to demonstrate how to paint with a paint brush, my hands shook and I was extremely self-conscious, but eventually I entered the zone of emptiness common to modeling.  I painted without thought, attempting to explain what I was doing and why.  Members of the class had to ask me what I was doing because I was not even aware they were present as I allowed my eyes to guide my hands.  As usual, time passed without my notice and the class passed quickly.

Since that class presentation I have been more comfortable modeling with others present and have learned a large number of techniques from other modelers.  At first I did simple things such as sanding seams and applying putty.  More recently a friend brought his new airbrush to our gathering and we all took turns playing with the airbrush which was a reach for me.  I have sat down with a practice piece and painted one half of the piece and had a friend paint the other half so that he could learn and practice blending techniques.

I still don’t have a mobile modeling shop to take places and model with others.  But each small step toward modeling in a group has actually made me a better modeler.  I still fight with myself about modeling in a group.  I have so little time to model I always weigh the pros and cons of taking the time to go somewhere and model when I can accomplish more by modeling at home.  There are some things I can more easily do in groups like filling and sanding seams and scraping flash off of pieces.  Painting is more difficult for me because of the set-up that is necessary to support my painting methods.  Overall, the more I have participated in this activity the better modeler I have become.  More importantly, modeling with others builds the fellowship that is available in the modeling community.  Let’s face it, how many people in the community enjoy talking about the things that modelers talk about?  Modeling with others is not for everyone for a variety of reasons but like so many things in life working through your personal objections and “just doing it” will improve your modeling skills and develop closer friendships within the modeling community.  In the end, modeling is more than the just the completion of a task or turning out a piece.  Although that is also important; at some point you have to finish that model.  

Often in life there are seasons when there are some things that are important and other things that are not.  My modeling activities came to an end when I had a family.  I realized my children would not be with me forever and wanted to enjoy them as much as possible when they were at home.  So I did.  This left little time or energy for modeling.  The kids have grown and are adults and the season for enjoying other and more personal endeavors has arrived.  If you are in a position where you have time to follow personal pursuits, such as modeling, I highly recommend affiliating with others who have like minds and fully participate in the community.  As a person grows older, the genre of your modeling choice, the awards you have received, and your ability to execute the skills necessary for modeling all become unimportant but the good friends and strong relationships formed while participating in the hobby takes on prominence and lasts.  You will remember the camaraderie and fellowship more than the awards or specifics of certain modeling pieces.  Building in a group is one of those activities in the modeling community that builds lasting memories and adds to the enjoyment of the modeling process. 

Check out more pictures of Mike's Panther by clicking on the picture.  This is a nicely rendered piece!

Rusty Nail demonstrates different airbrush techniques he uses for his award winning figures at a CASM club meeting.  This is the same demonstration he provided at the most recent AMPs contest.  This demonstration is a bit long but it is pure gold in the information he provides.

Hi,

We meet at 6:00 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2013, at the Business and Industry Center which is at 3303 East Roosevelt Road Little Rock, AR 72206 (where the old IMAX Theater was). Just check the monitor for the room number.

You certainly don't have to, but you are strongly encouraged to bring a kit to work on.  We are going to do a brief show and tell; then, go to work on our own current builds.  We should be able to learn from each other as we work. Last time we met this worked out well.  If you don't bring a model to work on that's fine, you are certainly welcomed and encouraged to help others.

Just a reminder about the Revell contest - doesn't cost anything and you can do something other than cars this year. All you have to do is send photographs so let's all participate. See Revell.com.

The Tulsa show is this Saturday. Call me for details. It takes about 4 hours to get there and is a great day.

Don't forget our show April 20 in Jacksonville.

Bring a friend, show and tell, something to work on and whatever tools/materials you will need to work with.

Ken