The Walk-Thru of the 2023 International Paper Modeler's Convention (IPMC); the 25th

[THE DC]

Don stated that the solid, soft block of material is essential to rolling the paper across a surface that gives, just enough, to permit resistance but to allow the paper to curve without being crushed (see pic 1). Using scrap paper he demonstrated again how quickly and smoothly the metal probe curved the paper without damage, and how quickly it happens (see pic 2).

Using another tool, a wooden doll’s eyeball sizer, he can burnish compound curves, like airplane canopies or wing tips (see tool, pic 3). He explains that he learned about this tool and technique from Anthony Sanchez, who’s name on this forum was Swampfox). He said this tool may be found at Kemper Doll Supplies. He demonstrates the burnishing technique with the doll eyeball sizer (see pic 4).






Picture 1: A solid block to roll against...

Picture 2: Rolling the paper on the block...

Picture 3: This tool provides shapes when curving paper...

Picture 4: Using the tool to shape paper

[THE DC]

The effect of this burning it evident in a recent wingtip that he had curved (see pic 1). The final effect provides a smooth, realistic completion to a wing.

Another tool he recommends is a Kemper straight needle (see pic 2). This is a sculptor’s tool that he uses primarily as a scriber, but he also noted that it is useful for also making tubes, as the handle provides a good grip during the process. In addition, he said that this tool is useful for making 90 degree bends, and as well, works well for scoring a kit (pre-tracing the lines of a kit prior to cutting out a piece, or prior to folding a piece, to promote a smooth, desired shape. If you want one, he recommends Dick Blick Art Supplies.



Picture 1: Capturing the curved edge of a wing requires multiple tools...

Picture 2: Another tool to shape and pick at paper details...

[THE DC]

Each of these curving efforts is accomplished upon the foam block. Don shared that this is a SpeedBall linoleum printing block, which is a gray-ish, hard rubber block (see pic 1). He shared that he learned the usefulness of these from Mark Becht, who use to use the avatar Shrike on this forum. Again, these may be purchased from Dick Blick, like the straight needles.



Picture 1: Rolling the paper on the block...

[THE DC]

The results are clearly impressive, detailed, and enviable. He even places emphasis upon creating the quality soft the stand to support your forthcoming kit-build.

He showed how the sculpting of the stand itself improves your kit, by care in the precision of shaping the pieces to cooperate with the aircraft kit. The stand peg must have a solid, rectangular shape at the top to foster mating with the body of the craft (see pic 1). The clean build of the stand is now ready to mate with the model, but note how descriptive details have been added to promote the understanding of the finished kit, giving it that museum-feel of information (see pic 2). Finally, and carefully, before the plane is complete, the part that will be mated to the stand is attached, permitting the building of the rest of the craft around it (see pic 3). Note how smoothly the peg fits into the hull, and now how the project is ready for the next sections to be added; permitting the stand to act as support during the build process.

If you do not wish to glue the hull to the stand, Don suggests using rare Earth magnets attach the model to the stand (though i have noted that, with more fragile models, these magnets may be too powerful and cause warping during attaching/separation; simple magnets may have less power and connect just enough).



Picture 1: Preparing the stand...

Picture 2: The clean, ready stand...

Picture 3: Attaching the hull to the stand...

[THE DC]

Don shared a few more build tips to enhance his suggested tools. He said good tweezers would facilitate gripping part during build, as well as holding parts together during the drying process. He also said that dowel rods may be employed to create “rollies” to curve and roll paper into shape on the block.

Don emphasized the import of pre-shaping the paper before assembly to ensure the curves and fit are what you want to put together! Test, then glue…

[THE DC]

When asked why Don drags his wife (with paper cats or not), hundreds of miles from Pennsylvania to Virginia each year, he shared that he enjoys the fellowship. He explained that after these decades of attendance, the fellow exhibitors are all friends that share the forum that you are now reading this Thread through.

Don also noted that he does communicate with these peers in methods other than the IMs on this forum; he attends Zoom sessions with them. They share everything from build efforts, skill techniques, and even places to buy tools (he suggested checking out Micro-mack for some tools).

But the IPMC gives him the annual chance to share face to face, all they have learned, built, and valued. Long distant friends, joining together over a weekend, to create and share.

[THE DC]

The next chapter of this Thread explores the newest member of the IPMC, who sat right next to Don...

And he has works of art, and shares build tips, you won't want to miss...

[Don Boose]

Thanks, Don.

I'd like to point out that the model stand is from Murph's Models, and that the eponimous Murph (Aaron Murphy) also taught me the rare earth magnet trick.

The Rolly-sticks were manufactured by Mark Becht (Shrike).

And, of course, I learned all of these methodologies from other paper modelers.

Don

[THE DC]

If Don Bose is a mainstay of the IPMC, a long term exhibitor and ambassador to all visitors, the man who’s table was next to his represents the opposite. Though he displayed his works this year, Joe Teakell told me that this was his very first IPMC!

I met Joe early on Friday morning. He had come in all the way from Rock Round, Texas, bringing a small box of displayable exhibits that he had handcrafted with care and diligence. Joe was very nervous that morning, so I tried to support him. He didn’t know much about the convention and couldn’t find anyone to ask questions about what he should do. I am not part of the IPMC committee or organization, so I did not know much to tell him, but I shared some minutes with him, showing him the rooms and describing the process as I had seen it over the years. I told him that the IPMC director, Peter, usually would arrive Friday afternoon and spent some time with him, learning about his enthusiasm.

Joe’s pleasant wife explained that he’d not been here before and had expected to be able to meet with someone in the organization. She shared that she was amazed at the effort people went to, to build these small kits, and how she found the effort to get together once a year rather surprising.

Joe explained that he’d been chatting on-line with members of the IPMC and that he’d been sharing his work, which he nervously hoped would be adequate. I saw his efforts the next day, at the exhibition opening. It was certainly adequate!

[THE DC]

Joe’s models were amazing in detail and attention. He was also very knowledgeable about each of the exhibits; knowing about the craft being exhibited and the history surrounding it. Even more extraordinary than his skill and his effort toward each kit was the tiny scale with which he liked to work. He is generous with his time and eager to share his craft, when approached.

The models on Joe’s table were all ink-pen sized or smaller. Some vehicles could fit on the surface of a dime. Teakell shares my interest in the space program, and exhibited several tiny, accurate rockets, barely with a diameter as much as a pencil, or less (see pic 1). His tanks would be swallowed up by a quarter, if one were used as a base (see pic 2). In addition to the spacecraft and armor, he had a collection of equally tiny aircraft (see pic 3). The collection of miniature vehicles was played across the table, millimeters in size and varied in content (see pic 4). Amongst these micro-sized vehicles were even equally small dioramas; detailed, well-built, and clever in arrangement and execution (see pic 5).

Note, that despite the tiny size, the lever of detail and effort put into each of the exhibits. Though small, they are mighty in display…certainly more than adequate!


Picture 1: Several rockets and a shuttle…

Picture 2: Dime-smaller tanks…

Picture 3: Tiny bombers…

Picture 4: Pencil eraser, and dime sized tanks…

Picture 5: Jeeps and tank diorama...in half-inches…