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Models/Questions

SubjectDate AskedExpert
Vibrant Colors Yet Clear Area Decals1/1/2012Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: There's a unique situation I have run into a few times. A good example is the current black Trans Am ...
  A: Commercial decals are offset printed on decal paper, then spot coated over the inks with a clear ...
revell miniature masterpieces11/4/2011Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: I've managed to buy most (if not all) of the Miniature Masterpieces models, after a fellow volunteer ...
  A: While I am not familiar with the series of which you speak, it is not uncommon for manufacturers to ...
Model Glue8/15/2011Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: Do you know of a product that can remove model glue from plastic. For example, if the glue gets on ...
  A: Sorry to tell you this, but anything that would remove the glue will do worse damage to the surface. ...
Model building schools2/5/2011Clifford Bossie
  Q: Is there such a thing as a school for learning how to build all kinds of plastic or wood models. My ...
  A: Jack, There are no schools that I am aware per se. Some model clubs have tutorials, but one of the ...
50s vintage plastic model12/24/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: i saw a segment on a roadshow ; ) where at the very end they were saying that it was worth so much ...
  A: Phillip, The value of the kit will be reduced considerably without the box. To me a kit is ...
Model car/military model building groups?10/19/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: Hey Cliff. I have done some simple searches online with little luck so far. Is it possible, if there ...
  A: Tony, What I suggest is to go through this list and find the closest one. I am not suere of your ...
Model Military Weight Designation9/15/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: What determines the weight of a military vehicle? For example a model tank or military vehicle ...
  A: That is an excellent question, but actually a tough one to answer. For tanks the classification as ...
Photo-Etched Parts8/13/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: What are photo-etched model kit parts? For example, I saw on a tank kit photo-etched tank tracks. I ...
  A: I went to the official website for Ace and found a photo of the PE tracks: ...
Photo-Etched Parts8/12/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: What are photo-etched model kit parts? For example, I saw on a tank kit photo-etched tank tracks. I ...
  A: Hey Kenneth, Photo etching is a technique used for etching metal and printed circuit boards. For ...
Airbrushes7/30/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: What type of airbrush would you recommend for painting plastic model kits? I have seen some with ...
  A: Airbrushes are kind of a person al choice, kind of like choosing a shirt or a motorcycle. I have ...
clear coating7/27/2010Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: When clear coating models, both vehicles and aircraft, can you airbrush clear coat directly over the ...
  A: It really depends on what you are using for your clear coat. If you are using an acrylic based ...
Model Kit Manufacturers6/26/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: When selecting a model kit, are there any model-kit companies/makers that you would avoid? If so, ...
  A: Kenneth, I can recommend ICM, Zvezda and Amodel. ICM and Zvezda have shared molds and some Zvezda ...
Model Kit Manufacturers6/26/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: When selecting a model kit, are there any model-kit companies/makers that you would avoid? If so, ...
  A: The one that leaps to mind is Starfix (not to be confused with Airfix). Some makers like Lindberg ...
Tank Hulls6/24/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: I saw a description regarding a model tank that has a die-cast lower hull. I now understand that the ...
  A: Kenneth, Die casting refers to metal vs injection molding which is plastic. The metal is usually a ...
Airfix valuation5/24/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: 04655-6 in its original package and still in its principle componants and was wondering whether or ...
  A: That is really a tough question to answer, as hobby reference often show a certain "value" for an ...
.. about double action airbrushes4/24/2010Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: .. hi i just got my airbrush and im gonna start aribrushing tommorrow for the first time ,, i pretty ...
  A: Chris, Unfortunately you have to learn by trial and error. Each brush is different, and many ...
.. about double action airbrushes4/24/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: .. hi i just got my airbrush and im gonna start aribrushing tommorrow for the first time ,, i pretty ...
  A: The problem with airbrushing is that it is more of an art than a science, something that just has to ...
number of coats4/13/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: and it says " start with an overall light coat, and slowly build up successive coats until they are ...
  A: It is kind of a subjective thing Chris. When working with flat colors I tend to let them dry fairly ...
1/72 scaled model aircraft decals4/6/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: Where can I purchase decal kits for a pile of models I have. I need a set from an Academy for a 1/72 ...
  A: Bill, Sorry to take so long to respond, 12 hour days can be a killer. Anyway, I believe the best ...
air compressor psi question...3/26/2010Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: im looking to purchase an air compressor and airbrush for military plastic modeling, ive decided on ...
  A: The compressor looks fine, it's the regulator that seems to be the issue. You could certainly ...
1/18 scale decals1/17/2010Clifford Bossie
  Q: I've recently acquired a 1/18 scale silver f-86 sabre without any decals or markings from Admiral ...
  A: Billal, You could try scanning the decals into your computer and using a photo edit program to ...
silk screen printing water slide decals12/9/2009Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: I currently use an ALPS printer to make my water slide decals. I'm looking to improve my decals by ...
  A: It is hard to beat the Alps; it is a very good die sublimation system for the hobbyist. Unless you ...
waterslide decals11/9/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: I have begun trying to make waterslide decals on the computer and printing them on clear decal ...
  A: Don, The problem with most printers is that the ink is somewhat translucent and will allow darker ...
airbrush or normal brush?10/31/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: Clifford, I'll start to use photo etched parts for enhancing my ships models; but, looking at their ...
  A: Rodrigo, My biggest concern with using an airbrush on photoetch is that the airflow might simply ...
Plastic Model Kit Companies9/25/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: I am interested in purchasing a model aircraft kit made by PM Models. Is this a good plastic model ...
  A: Ken, The PM Models are a mixed batch, with the Ta-183 being fairly decent, while many of the others ...
Building a plastic model of airplane9/1/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: I have a Monogram A/B-26C Invader that I had the opportunity to fly in during the Korean conflict. ...
  A: Bill, Unfortunately I do not know of anybody that I could really commit to this build. However, ...
eco-friendly cardboard model house8/11/2009Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: I need to build an eco-frindly model house for a project. I am planning to put solar panels on the ...
  A: I have some ideas for a material that could simulate a sheet of photovoltaic cells, but I need some ...
paint finish6/26/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: I am building the USS Constitution wood boat model. The paint I was given has a flat finish. I ...
  A: Dan, Looking through my slides of the USS Constitution the paint used in the latest restoration has ...
Heller QM25/6/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: Just a few questions I have nothing to crazy. Is this a re make of the AirFix kit that was made ...
  A: Thomas, I believe that the kit is the same from both Heller and Airfix. It dates from the time ...
1/48 th Scale Heinkel He 111B4/28/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: I am desperate need for Germen decals for this project 19k338-1940, can anybody help?
  A: That is kind of out of my field. A quick search shows most decals are for He 111Hs. This could be ...
clear coating & glueing1/24/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: It appears I can't directly reply to your response to me, so I'm copying/pasting my original ...
  A: Rob, The glue gun might present a good answer. However, will the glue get hot enough to melt the ...
clear coating & glueing1/20/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: It appears I can't directly reply to your response to me, so I'm copying/pasting my original ...
  A: Rob, It sounds like moisture could be a problem. If for some reson it is very humid that could ...
foil decals1/11/2009Clifford Bossie
  Q: I have some Davey Allison #28 87 tbird decals the foil just went to pieces when hitting the ...
  A: Bernie, The best prevention I have found is Micro Superfilm. That product gives a clear coating ...
house model12/15/2008Dr. John F. Steinman
  Q: We want to model a cordwood or 'stackwall' house. The walls are made up with a cement mortar, that ...
  A: Depending on the scale of your projects there are a couple of things I would use as the "cement". ...
decals9/28/2008Clifford Bossie
  Q: I'm looking for some decals for an airplane I saw in my favorite movie " The Langoliers ". It's the ...
  A: Dan, Being a livry created for the movie I seriously doubt there are any decals. A quick online ...
airbrushes8/2/2008Clifford Bossie
  Q: hopefully this will be a simple question to answer with out a page of answers, mainly to benefit ...
  A: Keith, My favorite has become a Paasche H, single action, siphon feed. It is simple and very ...
Bismarck German Battelship7/18/2008Clifford Bossie
  Q: I have KANGNAM Bismarck 1/400 Scale plastic model that my wife bought me for my birthday. And it ...
  A: Rod, The Kangman instructions are either Korean or Chinese. I can't remember which. As far as the ...
Airbrushing Metal Flake Paint?5/27/2008Clifford Bossie
  Q: I want to paint my Timaya Porsche model (my mid-life crisis model) candy apple red. This would ...
  A: Dan, I have successfully airbrushed Testors metallic colors, but have never tried Tamiya. Indeed ...
Painting plastic model5/23/2008Clifford Bossie
  Q: Part of the problem is that the plastic is black. So I am not getting good coverage without laying ...
  A: Dan, Agreed, black plastic can be very difficult to paint. The technic I have found that works ...
How to paint a split colour efffect on a boat hull4/5/2008Clifford Bossie
  Q: I wonder how one might go about painting a boat hull in 2 colours, say white above the water line ...
  A: Russell, The last ship I built (1/72nd scale CVE) was made of fiberglass, so sealing it was not an ...

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Clifford Bossie

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Expertise

Model aircraft and aviation History and photography, Naval history and ship models, maritime and ships in general, Scratch building of models, Some military history

Experience

I have built models for the better part of thirty five years, have taken photographs of U.S. military aircraft and ships for about twenty five years and am currently scratch building a 1/72 nd scale model of the USS Petrof Bay (CVE-80).

Organizations
Local IPMS

Publications
IPMS journal and local IPMS publication. Photos and drawing in Koku Fan, Deatil and Scale, et al.

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