Normally I'd post this on the specific contest news tab, but it's just a flag so best in the general Hornets news area. CONGRATULATIONS in order to Mr Woodrow Yeung, our contest director at large (literally, he's been in Seattle, Moscow ( Russia, not Tennessee) and Omaha more than he's been here this past year. He managed to have a team together in a locale he researched for us to choose from when our cost factor jumped initially 1500 % (it since has been more like 3000 percent increase in costs but that's an inside story) that saw a preliminary analysis result of CONTEST BIGGER THAN LAST by 25 percent! GO TEAM ! GO WOODY!  That is something I can measure for sure, since TC-6 was mine to manage and baby, plus I keep the stats for all the last 6 events so know our end numbers/entrants well. Very pleased how things have so far turned out and you all can thank Woody for those awards design and production. You can thank President Chris as well, since he was the bank guarantor for them, along with Kent M who's also holding a large amount of debt owed him from us all to make sure event happened. He was the dude at registration with Pres Prior Brian, who made sure we had true entry gate not a mob! THANK YOU ALL -mickb smilodon49

How could I have forgotten to update on this? Well...there were plenty of reasons, but the main thing is an entry into Collections (43) at the event for the Fremont Hornets Gruppe Build 2011 "Eyes In The Sky" (recce and photo aircraft, any/all types/scales) WAS MADE. Ray Lloyd, Mark Schynert and Mick Burton all put together the set, with Ray's U-2R in 1/48 scale being the immediate eye catcher. Mick had a CIA U-2C from 1964 Vietnam conflict along with a famous Edwards AFB test U-2D both in 1/72, then his recently finished RF-86F in JASDF scheme also 1/72. Mark made sure we had enough with his lovely Hampden (weather recce), Swedish AF Spitfire PR 19, and a JAAF Babs all in 1/72. Well done gents, as judged with more than three in the category the Eyes had it with a SECOND place of the fine awards Contest Director Woody got for the show! Would have been more "eye catching" display if more had shown up, but hey, the important ones did so that's what worked.

20 intrepid folk showed up for the Hornets meeting in September, which was last meeting before Tri City Seven arrives. Some evidence of Gruppe Build 2011 "Eyes in the Sky" (Recce & Photo Aircraft all types & scales) in finished form, which was encouraging. Among them, Cliff Kranz's 1/48 U-2R "Senior Span" (Italeri kit), F-5E Foto Lightning (Academy kit), Mark Schynert's 1/72 HP Hampden WR.4, Mick Burton's RF-86F JASDF in 1/72 Unconfirmed was rumor the SBD Dauntless in 1/72 by President Chris Bucholtz had a crew member carrying a camera during Midway ops (thus it too would be a "photo recce" subject). He did confirm however the rumors that this model was indeed mangled during IPMS Nationals judging at Omaha, a card from "the judge who done it" was part of his model display. Chris admirably repaired the damages, as clearly shown. Other highlights of meeting: Gabriel Lee's "lunch truck mod" of the 1/72 Hasegawa utility truck is moving along well, Frank Babbitt's "Noratlas"  is near done. Minor miracle when considering the fiddliness of 1/72 kit and the challenging camo scheme, go Frank! Roy Sutherland's Tamiya 1/32 Mustang WIP had us impressed, along with his "rush job" on a Hasegawa 1/48 Spitfire. Said he'd like to get this to the now 92 year old surviving pilot of, before it's a historical moot point. Many items were on display, discussed in Model Talk portion of meeting, alas formal minutes haven't been compiled. Will just have to make do with this summary, meeting pictures http://s919.photobucket.com/albums/ad35/smilodon49/Hornets%20September%202011%20Meet/ 

Our early efforts this July to survey for the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation, interest in having the club organize a tour of their facility has proven fruitful. WE ARE BOOKED for a TOUR the last Saturday in October 2011. Meaning NOW YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SIGN UP FOR with LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE. Right now, there are 27 spaces left open, but several of these will be committed for within the next 10 days. So, we encourage you to go to this link, read or download the flyer and SIGN UP NOW http://s919.photobucket.com/albums/ad35/smilodon49/Armor%20Museum%20Tour%20Data%20Flyer/

Hornets meet in August 2011 held a few surprises, lots of interesting news. Here's link to photos of it and below, the minutes such as they are: http://s919.photobucket.com/albums/ad35/smilodon49/Hornets%20meeting%20August%202011%20by%20Mick%20Burton/

Freeminutes for Hornets Meeting 08-12-11 taken by Mick Burton