WarbirdsAMG News

Pin-Wash Demonstration at the November Meeting

Vice-President Michael Tabone, presented a workshop on the art of pin-washing at the November meeting. Michael took us through all aspects of successfully applying washes from the available tools to the washes themselves and of course his preferred application method. He explained the various options regarding washes ranging from the more traditional oil based washes through to the more recent commercially prepared washes. These are becoming more popular to their more consistent nature but there’s still a place for some old school skills.

While a keen aircraft modeller, Michael’s background is in armour. Armour modellers have led the way in recent times in painting, washing and weathering in general. Seeing these skills first hand was a real bonus with Michael spending more time answering questions than pin-washing! Not a bad thing, we all walked away from the meeting better equipped for our next modelling adventure.

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Workshops are a regular feature at Warbirds AMG meetings to offer up new, complimentary and alternative skills. The focus as always is about fun and enjoying the hobby rather than trying to turn everyone into a master modeller! 2015 Meeting Dates will soon be posted, keep an eye on the Meeting tab and join for an afternoon of modelling fun next year.

Claes Sundin’s Latest Profile Book No3 Released

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Claes Sundin continues his series of Profile Books with Book No 3 dedicated to the fighters of the Luftwaffe. 124 profiles covers aircraft from 1938 Condor Legion mounts through to the late war machines that were too late to be truly effective.

After looking through the pages of the third book in the series, Claes has managed to not simply maintain his great standard that has seen his profiles grace many historical references over the years, but raise the bar. The great selection of profiles including a mix of Luftwaffe standards with some unusual variants and even the odd controversial subject will no doubt spark many conversations and debates with modellers and historians alike. By controversial, I refer to the old debates on JV44, the Luftwaffe jet fighter protection unit, and whether the underneath of their aircraft was red or black with white stripes. While red is generally accepted to be corrected there are still those who believe some aircraft may have been black. Also, the actual Werk Nr of Hartmann’s aircraft spark questions and of course the all-red Focke Wulf Ta152 is a fun topic of discussion.

Click on the book cover above to be taken to more info on the book and ordering information. Print and binding quality is perfect. Claes releases these through his own publishing efforts, Centura Publishing. Tell him Warbirds AMG sent you!

Show Report – South Australian Scale Model Expo 2014

The 2014 SA Scale Model Expo (SASME) was hosted by the SA Plastic Modellers Association (SAPMA) on the weekend of 11& 12th October 2014, this was the 32nd running of the event! A little background, the SASME is the South Australian (SA) State Championship model event for the year and is also a general model display for those wishing to exhibit and display their work without the entering formal competition.

The completed models are assessed by teams of two judges (positions open to all modellers who wish to judges) to a technical schedule, based on a point score system against worksmanship, finish and accuracy to references.

Over three hundred models graced the tables for the public’s viewing pleasure at this event. 229 models were entered for the competition, spanning more than 30 categories ranging from sci-fi, armour, automotive/trucks and, of course, aircraft! The event attracted interstate entrants, with modellers from Victoria, ACT & NSW attending. As can be seen from the accompanying photos the quality of models was high. For additional photos and the list of place getters in all classes please visit the SASME website.

The Event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the many hobby industry traders that exhibit and sponsor the event along with the event corporate sponsor Rheinmetall Defence and MGA Insurance Brokers. No show like this is possible without the help of a committed team, the membership of the SAPMA club, along with the volunteer judges who gave freely of their time are the reason this model show is able to be held and conducted to a high standard.

SASME/ SAPMA have chosen “Soldier On” to support as their charity of choice. The Soldier On stand at the SASME was well supported by the public and helped raise awareness for this very worthy veteran’s charity. Over a $1100.00 being raised for the charity over the weekend. All raffles prizes were generously donated and all proceeds being directed to Soldier On.

The next SA Scale Model Expo (SASME) will be held at our NEW VENUE on10 &11 October 2015, at Immanuel College, 32 Morphett Rd, Novar Gardens.

Show report by Stephen Portelli

All photo credits to Dan Sells.

image1Show from above overview early Saturday

image2Best Of Show Winner – Laurence Farrugia with the show winning Hind.

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WarbirdsAMG Presents at the Bayonet Military Model Club Model Club & Swap Meet

This past Saturday was the annual Bayonet Military Model Club Model Club & Swap Meet.

It’s an annual event held to raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the Werribee based Liberator bomber. It was a warm day however that didn’t deter modellers bringing along an array of completed models and the swap n sell tables being loaded ready for purchasing.

Warbirds AMG presented a “From This, To This, To This” display highlighting the 3 key stages of the modelling lifecycle from kit to in-progress to completion. Club Treasurer Laurence Farrugia gained a 3rd place in the Master Class with his 1/48 Mil Mi-24 Hind helicopter that underwent extensive corrective surgery.

Thanks go to the Bayonet members for making us feel so welcome at our debut appearance at this well run and worthwhile event which raised well over $900 to help with the Liberator restoration.

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Welcome to AERO-TORQUE

Welcome to AERO-TORQUE, the blog of Warbirds AMG. A lot of hard work has gone on in the background from our Vice-President and resident Webmaster Michael Tabone, a big thanks goes to Michael. Rather than trying to be yet another modelling website with all the bells and whistles, the aim is for AERO-TORQUE to be an online outlet to display the output of the groups’ members, supporters and special guests. We provide links to the great forums and other websites and resources that others do so well and are utilised by the members of Warbirds AMG.

Fok Dr-I (Warbirds) SML

Our current membership is made up of a mix of local members who attend our monthly meetings, also local and distant members with limited or no access to our meetings. It’s particularly for these members we’re trying to build AERO-TORQUE. There will no doubt be plenty of change and experimentation as we settle into a working formula for the site specifically and the group generally. Feedback is always welcome via email and at the meetings if you can attend.

Enjoy the flight and first batch of articles

Martin Reid

President / Secretary – Warbirds AMG