The podcast is all about the scale model kit hobby. Interviews, reviews and news all about the scale model kit hobby. Hosted by Stuart Clark. scalemodelpodcast.com
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Stuart - More work on the Yamato. Turrets and put 2 out of the 3 decks on. After this will be the after-market wood deck.
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Also more being bad at the Broughdale Hobby sale. A “Brian Lane’ Mk 1 Spitfire in 1/32nd, a partially started Matchbox 1/32 Lysander and a Tamiya 1/12 Suzuki RG250 Motorcycle. Never done a bike kit so that will be interesting. Coming soon - Where will Stuart display all these?
Good afternoon guys. I was wondering if you could give our upcoming IPMS Houston show a mention in your upcoming Episodes. Our show is on May 4th. We have dual themes this year. May the 4th be with you (Star Wars) & Adversaries (natural combatants). We are also introducing a best of show mecha award. We are also implementing Gold, Silver & Bronze as well as feedback sheets.
Keep up the great work guys, appreciate the work you put in on the other side of the pond. A relaxing and informative listen! Some time back there was a mini feature on airbrush management…loved that and would be great for more “mini-skills/tricks and tips from you guys. Cheers from Scotland!
Listening to the last episode I feel obligated to let you know about Paint Rack. I first heard about it on OTB episode 174 when the boys down under interviewed the designer. It’s a great way to keep track of your paint. You can scan your bottles and the search function works really well too. It has a good set of colour tools. No more buying paint you already have.
The Scale Model Podcast - EP 136 - The State of the Hobby
Terry correction: last episode I mentioned Macross started in the late 80s. The series storyline begins in 1999 when the alien ship crashed on Earth, and the first episode is ten years later, when the Zendradi show up.
Interview with Craig Fuller CEO of Firecrown Media
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of Firecrown, the new owner of Trains, Model Railroader,Classic Trains, Classic Toy Trains, and Garden Railways and Fine Scale Modeller
Firecrown was founded in 2021 as a platform to create commerce out of enthusiast audiences. Firecrown makes significant investments in the brands it acquires to deliver high-quality content and experiences to its audiences.
Firecrown also owns FLYING, Yachting, Boating, Astronomy, and dozens of other brands. Prior to founding Firerown, Fuller was the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, often called the “Bloomberg of freight”, a platform which provides news and high-frequency data serving the global supply chain industry. Prior to that, Fuller spent 9 years as the CEO of Transcard, a leading fintech platform and was the founder of Xpress Direct, the on-demand logistics division of US Xpress.
He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
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WHAT’S ON THE BENCH
Stuart - A bit more work on the Yamato, but it has been a ‘real life’ 2 weeks with too many other things going on.
I did take advantage of the sale at Broughdales.
Geoff - a little more work on the Goblin, but mostly real-life chores and getting the place ready for summer.
Terry - the P-47H is languishing a bit, I have been more enthusiastic about the Yamato Dreadnaughts and Crusher Joe Harpy. Painting moving along really nicely on those, now the Dreadnaughts move into masking preparing for more painting. Used the complimentary color priming at Anthony’s suggestion on the Mars pattern Dreadnaught.
Terry - Getting near the end of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Shards of Earth - I’ll read the rest of the series in sequence. His storytelling is as good as ever, with believable characters, pretty much all of whom have a compelling point of view. Also started the Hellboy Omnibuses (Omnibi?). I actually think I haven’t read these before, somehow. Maybe excerpts?
Facebook group for ICM B-26. Of course, I can’t find it now, but someone is backdating one to a B-26B IIRC. Plenty of people making corrections, modifications, etc.
Godzilla Minus One. On Netflix now.
Vince Hoffman is nearly finished with a Tamiya 1:16 Tamiya M1A2 radio-controlled tank. If he posts videos, I’ll share them - and maybe we get him on the show.
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THE LAST WORD
SMP Ep. 143 is also sponsored by Return To Kit Form (R2KF). Check out their web store!
For more modelling podcast goodness, check out other modelling podcasts at modelpodcasts.com
Please leave us a positive review if you enjoy what we’re doing!
Stuart - Work continues on the 1/350 Yamato. Starting to test fit the deck to the main hull. Sand a bit, blow off the soft plastic, test fit and repeat. Very zen like
Pick up 2 newer Tamiya colours that replace TS spray cans for this build.
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Geoff - Worked on the Special Hobby 1/48 XF 85 Goblin. A bit of a challenge… Also managed to get my chainsaw mill working on some logs that have been drying for a few years, and did a lot of outdoor chores!
Terry - Working on those EDF Dreadnaughts, they will have some challenging paint schemes, and I’m trying something new - a complimentary color basing on the Mars ship. XP-47H is moving along, I really want to get this finished. Otherwise, figuring out what other half-finished projects need attention.
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Chris - 22 inch Eagle from Space 1999, I also have Eagle 2. Which do I make the rescue eagle.
Geoff - “The Dambusters Raid” by John Sweetman, and “The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert.
Terry - Started Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Shards of Earth, his Final Architecture trilogy book #1. Looking forward to another of his series, they’re highly engaging. Still reading Not a Scientist.
Stuart - Started on the Tamiya 1/350 Yamato, the mould is from 1973. The plan is to build it out of the box with just an aftermarket wood deck. Started working on the hanger deck crane and hanger deck doors.
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Geoff - masking and painting on the Martin Mars waterbomber, the Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and shuttle and a 1/48 V2, but just starting a 1/48 XF-85 Goblin.
Terry - A lot of work done these past two weeks, since Toshi is getting me up around 5:15. The Regult is getting decals and detail painting. The XP-47H is now in dull coat with some pastel work. I hope to have it finished the week after Wonderfest. I’m starting to paint the Yamato Dreadnaughts, with some fresh AV Game Air paints. Also, since I’ll be painting red I’ve started putting paint on a Crusher Joe Harpy fighter which has been awaiting paint for the better part of a year. Productivity!
Stuart - CF-15 is almost done, just waiting until club night to pick up some 3d printed nozzles from a fellow club member.
Time to start thinking about what’s next. So many choices… The one-year challenge build of the Tamiya 1/350 Yamato needs some thought….
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Geoff - I started (and finished!) the Horizon Models 1/72 Atlas Agena this week, and posted pics and comments on the show Facebook page. I received the white and black shuttle tile decal sets for the 1/144 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft project from Lake County Spaceport. Excellent quality and service! Just received the 747 decals from Drawdecal in Florida - they look very good! Also awaiting decals for the Martin Mars water bomber from Above and Below Decals - also in shipping purgatory.
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Terry - Some progress on both the Regult and XP-47H. Also building some other items, getting things ready for painting, like a pair of Star Blazers Dreadnaughts I picked up at last Wonderfest.
Geoff - Same things I was reading last show - spending way too much time battling rabbits and deer in the garden! Mostly reading formulas for rabbit repellents!
Stuart - Work continues on the CF-15 what if. Hasegawa does the engine nozzles as five separate parts each. I have lost one to the floor monster so I will be looking for either 3d print or after-market replacements.
Geoff - continuing on getting the Martin Mars and the NASA shuttle carrier aircraft and shuttle in 1/144 ready for paint. Ordered decals for the 747 from Drawdecal and the shuttle from Lake County Spaceport.
Terry - Some progress on my open projects, I’ll get the landing gear on the P-47 and do some minor weathering before dullcoating, then I’ll probably mostly use pastels for further weathering. I just want the Regult off my bench. I need to get the decals on that.
Frank - Mirror Models Komsomolets T-20 Tractor - started this last week and the interior tub was painted tonight - engine, etc. I made some cloth-looking seat pads as per reference images. Also painted a 1/72 ICM BM-24-12 kit, I picked up 4 at AMPS, got a new Grad but got 3 from the mid-90s. It looks okay…the rocket bed is rough and i’d recommend scratch if you want it to sing
Also “Spies in the Sky” by Taylor Downing - a history of aerial intelligence in WW2.
Terry - Finished Madeleine Murray’s Song of Achilles. It’s brilliant. She really brings the Greek characters to life, all these legendary names. I started to wonder how she would finish the story, since the narrator Patroclus must die before Achilles. The end will bring you to tears. What next? The 18th volume of That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime, so that’s a background read. I have some nonfiction to choose from.
There’s a FB group called Historical Space Models, I have a number of friends in there - have a look. (I can’t figure out how to grab a link via the iPad)
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THE LAST WORD
SMP Ep. 139 is also sponsored by Return To Kit Form (R2KF). Check out their web store!
For more modelling podcast goodness, check out other modelling podcasts at modelpodcasts.com
Please leave us a positive review if you enjoy what we’re doing!
I was just listening to your banter with Terry about the only reason you like Special Hobbies being their tendency to keep their website up to date.
Which leads me to believe you might enjoy the website of Arcus Hobby Color, they are a long-time paint producer from Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine. They keep the website up to date with new paint releases, and include historical references, a blog and a model gallery where they do an in-depth magazine style feature on different kits finished using their paints.
Geoff's Zeppelin diorama was 100% fun and I am sure the actual documentary record of this event was lost/destroyed prior to Germany's defeat in World War 1.
I have attached two pictures from the latest issue of New Scientist magazine (a weekly science magazine from here in the UK, which I believe is available in Canada). The feature of interest, "The Power of Solitude" suggests our solitary hobby is good for our health if you exclude the chemicals we may be breathing in! The term used is "crafting solitude" where we carry out a meaningful solitary activity which reduces stress and anxiety and improves relaxation.
Here in the UK some doctors working in our National Health Service ( still 'free' at the point of delivery) do social prescribing linking people to activities and social groups to improve well-being. Help for Heroes has already established that model making helps with mental health.
So maybe the next time I visit my GP, I will be prescribed an Airfix model kit!
Stuart - Real Life going on so not a ton of bench time. Some more mechs are being painted.
Starting the Hasegawa F-15J in 1/72nd. Got the front end almost done and then had to deal with a short shot in the area of the gun port.
Another RCAF what-if? Perhaps…
My order from China came in, got the Dspaie circular sander.
Geoff - Did two articles for IPMS Canada covering the Moebius Discovery and HAL kits and (of course) the completely truthful Zeppelin build, and with ALL my obligations for writing completed, I decided to start some new ones! Resurrecting old built up kits, with a resin Martin Mars water bomber and having fun with old kits, with a 1977 Revell 1/144 Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and Space Shuttle. Also plugging away on an older 1/48 Sukhoi Su-25 and a resin 1/144X B70 Valkyrie and X108 Rapier, just because I saw them at Heritagecon and desired them - busy!
Terry - not a lot of progress, but working on numerous items. Decals done on the XP-47H, and some painting on the Regult. Plus, bits and pieces here and there on other kits. I’ve been travelling a bit, and getting other things done around the house.
Starting to work on the schedule for Wonderfest vehicle demos. Some first-time presenters again this year, plus the return of Bauble Young.
Terry - Just starting Madeline Murray’s Song of Achilles. Her first Greek mythology book, Circe was probably the best novel I’ve read in 10 years. I have high hopes, this one follows Patroclus.
Stuart - Finished the Dune Ornithopters, Great little kits. I am also working on painting the bases for the USS Dallas and Typhoon class 1/700 subs. Other projects include painting mini’s both Battletech and some fantasy clerics. It’s nice to have a break from more complex kits; these projects have been doing that for me. Now to decide what I’m going to do next……
Anthony - 1/72 UN Spacey Legioss, Finished a No-paint HG RX-78, the Gundam Hazel, and a few more Shelf/Box Queen projects in the works!
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Terry -
Masks off, next up decals! Those fuselage cooler doors mean insignia needs to be cut up a bit, fortunately, I have an abundance of those insignia.
Blue was a primer coat of AV Wolf Grey (Maybe my most-used color) followed by Tamiya blue - I added some flat base to help with opacity, but wow it was too much. I'll never learn with Tamiya flat. Followed by Tamiya gloss blue, so it's like 5 coats of thinned paint. I think a second coat of gloss over that will be needed, and will help with the markings too. I have a set of P-47 stencils, and I'll use them on this project since I want it to be a production aircraft. I also have an idea for the shark mouth.
I see a couple of things I should address, but won't.
Changes in modelling over the years and the impact social media has had on styles, techniques and even subject matter - the rise of non-historic subjects (eg: film and TV models, sci fi, anime, etc.) and what the future holds.
My guess - WW1 and 2 subjects become more niche as truly historical in nature and entertainment subjects increase as modellers age out.
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WHAT’S ON THE BENCH
Stuart - CF21 is complete. Working on some battle mechs as as well as the first of two Ornithopters from the latest Dune movie. Meng made a kit similar in quality to the Bandai micro Star Wars kits. The first one I built in a landed configuration. I should have added nose weight to it, but it’s going on a base so I can glue it down. I think the scale is around 1/200
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Geoff - finishing off the Zeppelin vs Pterodactyls project, which has been fast and fun. I also put two articles together for IPMS Canada - on the Zeppelin project and my 1/32 Revell Lysander target tug. Now I’m back at the Moebius 1/144 Discovery from 2001 which is the subject of another long delayed article. My guilt at the delay finally forced me to get at it!
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Terry - Moving along with the XP-47H. Looking good under some paint, so I am cautiously optimistic. The Haseagawa Regult is looking good under some paint as well.
Terry - Finished Handmade. Very interesting, and more about how she interacts with the materials while making all these items, it’s a very personal book. Still reading the same other books as before, but deciding what to dive into next.
Stuart - YF-21 painted up. Decals are going on. Looking really good now. Going to be called the CF-21 Peregrine.
Moosaroo Cup needs to have pictures done this week.
Geoff - Wayward Zeppelin LZ77 is cruising above an uncharted tropical volcanic island near Iceland after being blown WAY off course during a raid in 1916. Harassed by Pteradons, their accompanying (don’t ask how they got there!) Fokker DR1 Triplanes cannot protect the doomed ship! Dinos and DR1’s are coming this week from fellow club modeller Ron, but it’s really coming along nicely - even with the required PE work!
Terry - Not a lot of time while I was traveling for business, at our plant so just a single hotel but still, not a ton of time. Big dinners are awful. On the plus side the Steam Deck is great for travel time. I did get some work done on a few projects, the P-47H is coming along, and I brought the 1/48 Jeep which comes with the Tamiya P-47M kit to the club meeting which was fun to work on. Getting the paint touched up a bit on the Regult so I can mask off grey areas.
Geoff - Mostly online stuff about Zeppelins…. And plowing through a collection of Scale Model magazines going back to the 1970’s!
Terry - Started reading Anna Ploszajski’s Handmade: A Scientist’s Search for Meaning. She is a materials scientist who has chosen a number of materials and objects to describe while making things in workshops, like iron, glass, plastic, brass etc. Very interesting and I’ve been interested in materials science
I started reading the graphic novel omnibus of Fritz Lieber’s Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, which I think I signed up for via Kickstarter? This is a major influence on fantasy to come - like Elric etc.
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