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...

The March meeting kicked off with the introduction of several new members. Treasurer Jim Norton followed up with the latest update on Squadron expenses. We also discussed and voted on the theme for next year’s ModelFiesta, which passed with a unanimous decision. Keep an eye out for the official announcement on the ModelFiesta website soon. Dana Mathes continued working on updates to the judging score sheets for ModelFiesta, with the goal of making the process smoother and more consistent moving forward.

Nominations were put forward for the 2026–2027 club officers (President, Vice President, and Treasurer), with voting set to take place at the next meeting. This was also the last chance to sign up for Model Summit accomplishments—awards will be handed out at next month’s meeting.

The meeting also served as the first real test of HobbyShow Manager. About half of the participants pre-registered ahead of time, while the rest signed up on-site. The judging side of the app was put through its paces and compared against traditional results, and overall things looked very promising—though a few tweaks are still needed. Webmaster Mario Fernandez is satisfied with the app's performance.

We wrapped things up by reviewing and discussing the contest judging results.

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

MONTHLY CONTEST REVISION

 

Members are encouraged to bring their finished builds to compete with one another in friendly competition. Each month's winning models are invited back at the end of the year to compete in Alamo Squadron's Model of the Year competition. The winner of our Model of the Year contest has his/her name engraved on a dedicated plaque that the club maintains.

Note: placing in a monthly meeting contest does not prohibit a member from entering in any other contest at any level.

Judging is conducted in accordance with IPMS guidelines, which adhere to the following basics:

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

Why are we making these changes?
One of the core purposes of our club is to help members improve their modeling skills. Detailed, constructive feedback is one of the most effective ways to identify areas for growth and refine your techniques. Our updated judging protocol is designed to provide more comprehensive and meaningful feedback to each modeler. Judges will highlight the strongest aspects of each entry while also clearly identifying the type and location of any issues. In addition, each model will receive a structured evaluation—expressed as a score—covering construction and finish quality, overall presentation, and degree of difficulty. This approach not only benefits individual modelers but also helps the club better train judges in preparation for our next ModelFiesta contest in January.

What will stay the same?
Members are encouraged to continue bringing their completed models to participate in the club’s monthly contests. The top three entries (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, based on score) will remain eligible for the club’s Model of the Year award. The same table tag entry form will continue to be used.

What will be different?
One of the key differences with this format is that each monthly contest will now be “Open,” with no theme or constraints. This enhances the ability of club members to compete each month. Instead of placing your entry by the WIP area, you will now place your model upon a tray on a table by the room adjacent to our club meeting area, our new “Judging Room.” Club members will continue to be able to view the contest entries, but the location will now be near the Judging Room and not by the WIP area. Once the club meeting comes to its break time, the judges will begin to evaluate the contest entries. Each entry will be carried carefully on a tray into the Judging Room and remain there only long enough to be evaluated. The judges being trained on our new judging procedure will score each model and provide feedback on a form which will be folded and left by the model for the contestant. The model will be carried on the same tray back to the contest entry table. The model will not be lifted off of the tray or handled by the judges. The winners (1-2-3) of the monthly contest will now be determined by their scores rather than by club voting.

As a contestant, what should I do differently?
The only adjustment required is placing your model in the new designated area instead of the previous location. Otherwise, the process remains the same—simply bring your finished models and participate as usual. The added benefit is that you will now receive detailed feedback to help guide and accelerate your modeling skill development.

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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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