San Joaquin Valley Scale Modelers

This is a plea to the kind and thoughtful hearts that fill the ranks within SJVSM. I have in my kit collection the Hasegawa RF-4C and F-4G, both in 1/48th scale. When I set out to obtain these kits, my plan was to build Desert Storm birds with them both. My problem? I am in need of two decal sheets I can not find, one for each. Although I’d mark them in any unit that was there, I had in mind a RF-4C with “BH” tail code and the F-4G with “WW” tail code. I’ve seen the decals for both so I know they are out there. So I’m asking anyone out there who might have decals fitting this descriptions to find it in your heart to help out a fellow modeler. I’m not asking for a handout, of course. I’m willing to pay for them. So please connect me today if you have either of these markings! You can reach me @ bergsingphoto@me.com.

In an effort to enable our members to share and interact each other easier, we have created a Flickr group dedicated to SJVSM members for sharing images and video of their creations! We named it “IPMS San Joaquin Valley Scale Modelers”. All you need to “join” the group is sign up for a free Flickr account! Click this LINK to access the group!

by Bryan Finch

It all began one cool October morning….

We were helping fellow club member Bob Phillips move to his new home in north Stockton,

when tragedy struck! On the last run, John had his models in the back of his truck, you see, we were leaving for the Redding contest after the move. When we arrived at the final destination John realized that the F-105G Thunderchief had gone missing! John, realizing the gravity of the situation yelled “SHOOT!” after a pause “FUDGE!” while striking his truck, then “DARN IT!” Well we raced back along the route to see if we could find the model. We found the box sitting upright in the middle of Eight Mile Road! Did the model survive? Nope! We quickly realized after the first few cars passed, all that could be heard was the tinkle of the tiny crushed parts of the 105. As we started picking up the pieces of John’s shattered dream, club member Alan Weber found the undamaged pieces of the canopy and yelled “they punched out!” Well, we all had a good laugh, including John. We collected all of the pieces we could find, and Brad Baumgartner, who is in charge of club antiquities, has preserved the wreckage of John’s ill fated F-105G as part of our clubs history.

This is how our S.F.D. Award was born. The award will be given annually at our contests to any model built from scratch and limited production kits including resin, injected and vacuum formed kits.

Thanks again Kneecaps

The latest newsletter has ben released and can be downloaded HERE or from the link on the left titled “Current Newsletter”.

Volume 2 of the new newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy!

Brad has just published a new issue of the newsletter. Get your copy HERE!

You can now download the entry and registration forms for the 2010 IPMS R9 Convention and fill them out prior to your arrival at the event! The links are located at the top of the “2010 Regional Convention” page!

The USN Blue Angels as well as the USAF Thunderbirds have released their 2010 schedules. Here are our local dates:

On a side note, the Blue Angels have done something I haven’t seen any team do with their schedule. They have already posted their 2011 schedule! I won’t list those dates until next January, however, all dates are now published in our Calendar for you to see.

You may or may not have noticed some site updates the past few days. If you’re on a mobile phone with a web browser, you should check out what the site looks like for our mobile users! Also, I’ve replaced the email link in the “Contact Us” page with a contact form.

Speaking of updates, now that their seasons have ended I am regularly checking both the Blue Angels’ and Thunderbirds sites for their 2010 schedules. I’ll post them as soon as they become available.

Check this out!