MONTHLY MEETING

 

Our meetings are diverse, and cover a range of different activities, all of which you are invited to. Our main meeting is the monthly meeting, held at:

NEW MEETING LOCATION

Abiding Presence Lutheran Church
14700 San Pedro Ave.
San Antonio, Texas 78232

First Thursday of each month
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

PREVIOUSLY   |    CONTEST   |    MODEL SUMMIT   |    LEARNING PROGRAM   |    WORK IN PROGRESS   |    BUIILD DAYS   |   

PREVIOUSLY ON ALAMO SQUADRON...

September's meeting started with in-house business, and there was more of it than usual. The November meeting date is moving, so mark your calendars. Dues and fees reminder was given, along with the updated Constitution and ByLaws, which have been revised and formally announced to the membership; if you haven't read through the changes yet, do it before the next meeting so we can put questions to rest. Then came the big one: the membership voted on lifetime membership for Mark Verdi. This honor is reserved for people whose contribution to Alamo Squadron has been long, steady and real, and Mark's has been exactly that. Congratulations, Mark. There was a second recognition that night as well: Julio Caro received his award for IPMS Region 6 Newsletter of the Year — a reflection of the work he puts into every issue, month after month. Congratulations, Julio.

The tour of events report followed. Houston is behind us now, with a recap of how our members did there, and Arlington is the next one up, so anyone planning to make the trip should start sorting out entries and travel. The treasurer's report came after that. From there the floor went to ModelFiesta planning. The mariachis are booked. The seminar schedule is still being finalized and will be posted once the lineup is locked. Shirts were discussed. There is also a Minicon in the works for September 19 in San Antonio, open to our Austin friends as well, and it will double as a live shakedown of HobbyShow Manager and the ModelFiesta judging process — a chance to put both through their paces on a smaller stage before they carry the weight of the big show. Details are still being worked out, so stay tuned for announcements.

But the heart of the night was the demo. Keith Rule walked us through polishing his automotive clear coat — the whole progression, the grits, the compounds, the pressure, the patience, and the small judgment calls that separate a finish that looks good from one that looks like glass. Watching the master work is a reminder of why we show up in person, and the number of people leaning in over the table said as much. If you missed it, keep an eye on the Squadron's YouTube channel — a partial video review of the demo is coming.

From there the meeting wound down with Work in Progress, then the club contest judging results, and everybody went home happy.

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Aerospace Military vehicles Automotive Ships and Nautical vehicles Figures GunPla Fictional vehicles Junior Miscelaneous

MONTHLY CONTEST

 

Bring your finished builds and compete in friendly competition. Each month's winners are invited back at the end of the year for Alamo Squadron's Model of the Year, whose winner gets their name engraved on the club's dedicated plaque. Placing in a monthly contest does not prohibit you from entering that model in any other contest at any level.

Judging follows IPMS guidelines, which come down to these basics:

  • Proper alignment of parts (wings, landing gear, wheels, etc).
  • No visible glue marks.
  • Smooth paint finish is smooth and without blemishes.
  • Decals properly aligned and free of silvering.
  • Seams properly addressed and not visible in the finished build.

Helping members get better is one of the reasons this club exists, and detailed feedback is the fastest way to get there. Under the updated protocol, judges will call out what each entry does best and identify the type and location of any problems, and every model gets a structured score covering construction and finish, overall presentation, and degree of difficulty. It helps the modeler, and it trains our judges ahead of ModelFiesta in February.

Every monthly contest is now Open — no theme, no constraints, so more members can compete each month. Registration is now online in HobbyShow Manager. Do it ahead of time, or from your phone right at the table when you drop your model off — and if you'd rather someone else handle it, talk to Mario or any staff member. Entries are placed at the table at the back of the gym, and that's where members view them. At the meeting break, judges evaluate the models right there at the table — nothing is lifted, moved or handled — and leave a folded feedback form next to each entry for its owner. Results go into the app as the judging happens, so you can see your scores in the portal as they post. Only Golds qualify to compete for Model of the Year.

CONTEST WINNERS GALLERY

LATEST CONTEST RESULTS POWERED BY

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MODEL SUMMIT

 

Alamo Squadron recognizes members who actively support the club by improving their own modeling skills, helping fellow members grow, and showcasing the club’s work to the public. To qualify for the Model Summit Award, participating members must earn a minimum of 5 points during the program year (April through March). In addition, members must complete and display at least three finished models during the year, either at club meetings or at contests.:

Points are awarded for the following activities::

  • Build and display a completed model (1.5 points)
  • Demonstrate a modeling technique or method to club members (1 point)
  • Submit an article to the club newsletter about a model build, kit review, modeling technique, or about scale modeling in general (1 point)
  • Serve as ModelFiesta Director, Newsletter Editor, Multimedia Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Model Summit Chairman, or any appointed position (1.5 points)
  • Work as a Judge or Volunteer at Modelfiesta, a Region 6 contest or at a Nationals (.5 point)
  • Serve a term as Club President, VicePresident or Treasurer (1.5 points)

Members may accumulate points throughout the year toward the Model Summit Award. Following the March meeting, the Model Summit Chairman will review all member activities and determine which members have met the award criteria. At the April meeting, eligible members who are present will select their awards, beginning with the member who completed the most models, while all remaining eligible members present will select in random order. Members who are not present at the April meeting will be contacted to arrange award pickup.

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LEARNING PROGRAM

 

Every meeting an Alamo Squadron member or special guest prepares a 20-30 minute presentation where diverse modelling matters are presented to the membership. The subjects vary from Real life in-depth detail of vehicles to model, modeling techniques, tendencies, or other diverse subjects which are benefitial for any modeler, regardless of modeling interest.

Starting in 2023, the Alamo Squadron marketing team decided to take this to a new level and start our own YouTube Channel. Please consider liking, sharing and subscribing to it!

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WIP - WORK IN PROGRESS

 

At each monthly meeting Alamo Squadron invites members to bring the current kit (or kits) they are working and give a couple-minute run-down about the kit(s) and the progress they have made so far. We encourage members to tell the rest of the club the positives and negatives of the build as well as how they overcame the negatives. This is an extremely effective way to spur discussion on differing kits, tools, and supplies on the market today as well as the techniques utilized to apply them.

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BUILD DAYS

 

Alamo Squadron meets informally every sunday and builds models. These occasions are much less formal and consist of members getting together, working on their latest build, and discussing or sharing techniques they utilize in their build process. The club usually has an airbrush and compressor set-up during these meetings to help teach those less familiar with this essential tool. Bring you latest project and join the fellowship.

HobbyTown

1309 N. Loop 1604 W, Ste 101
Sundays, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

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