Some Random Thoughts about our National Branch Publication

The branch journal of IPMS Canada is called RT, though until recently many members probably couldn't tell you what this means! Many years ago, when the publication started, it was run off on an old Gestetner machine in the basement of a local hobby shop. It was called Random Thoughts, because that's essentially what it was. It was circulated as a newsletter to the then handful of Canadian members.

As the Canadian Branch grew, Random Thoughts - more and more frequently simply being referred to as RT - became a monthly publication. In 1970 a switch was made to commercial printing. Today RT is a quarterly publication, in English, containing 36 pages of photos, drawings, kit reviews, model conversion articles, hints n' tips, wants and disposals, and other items of interest. All content is provided by the members, for the members. As an added membership bonus, every now and then we send out a free special project item with your magazine.  Click here to see what's in the latest issue!

 

Click Here to see the complete index of articles in RT  

Click Here to see back issues of RT are still available for purchase

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05 August 2008 - Important News for IPMS Canada Members

Several significant changes are coming to RT. The first is that Sid Arnold will be relinquishing the editorial reins after publication of RT Vol. 30, No. 5/6 (which will be a ‘double’ issue of 48 pages). Fortunately, Sid will be staying on to help source and plan the future military vehicle content for RT.

Between the end of Vol. 30 and the start of Vol. 31, I will be stepping into the breech as RT’s Editor. This will be my second time on the RT Editorial staff; as I was putting this announcement together, I was truly shocked to realize that my first stint ended in December 1980 when I started a full-time career with the Canadian Armed Forces and moved out of Ottawa. Back then, it was drawing boards, Rapidographs, Letraset, and typewriter-set paper galleys; I think our biggest worry was running out of rubber cement to lay out the pages. Now everything for RT happens (or at least ends up) in the computer, with the final draft of each issue delivered to the printer on a CD.

The second big change is that, starting with RT Vol. 31, No. 1, we will be switching to a quarterly publication and going to a 36-page format with more colour content. For those who are math-challenged like me, rest assured that you would still be getting the same number of pages each year for your annual IPMS Canada membership. Given RT’s somewhat ‘uneven’ production schedule over the years, some might argue that going to quarterly publication would actually be an improvement!

The change in RT’s format will result in both better content and better balance to the magazine. Better content will come from larger articles and/or expanded coverage that won’t overwhelm any one issue of RT. Better balance in that we will be able to provide other subject matter in addition an issue’s main theme or major articles.

In the opening paragraph I said, “changes coming to RT”; I should have said, “changes coming to your RT”. The hard truth is that RT has always needed active involvement and contributions from the Charter Chapters and the individual membership. This is nothing new. RT lives and breathes with the input from the membership, and it has too often suffered from a lack of it. Now, with the allure of a wider audience and more-immediate gratification of Internet modelling forums, it’s probably fair to say that we’ve lost many potential articles to the various cyber magazines and modelling websites. This is a tough one to address, since the Net has become so hugely influential and important in our hobby. I guess all we can ask for is that members producing an article for a website to consider giving RT first crack at publishing it. Or at least consider submitting the article to RT and then to your favourite Internet website.

I’ve wondered if potential RT contributors have been scared off by the size and scope of some past articles they’ve seen in RT, and maybe even by some of the ‘big names’ they see in our pages. We want to change that and make sure that. We want to publish more work from ‘rank-and-file’ IPMS Canada members. To accomplish this, we aim to announce well in advance the subject or theme of upcoming RTs (for example, Canadair Sabres, or Canadian Forces vehicles in Afghanistan, etc.). If someone has something that might be useful for that issue, even if it’s a small piece, to contribute to an upcoming RT, then he (or she) can do so and not feel the weight to carry the load alone. I’ve seen this done very successfully in Model Aircraft Monthly and I really like to see the expanded coverage by several authors and contributors. In addition, there will always be a need for smaller pieces to fill in the blank spaces between major articles, and to help maintain the balance in each issue.

The plan is to use the IPMS Canada webpage to both supplement RT and to keep the membership current on the issues affecting IPMS Canada. The parts of the web page will hopefully fill the communications gaps between RT mailings.

There is a growing need to coordinate the material in RT with the IPMS Canada web page content; this can bring the membership a couple of advantages. If the quarterly format will contain the less time-sensitive material, then things like kit and product reviews, chapter news and other announcements may be better served by being web-published vice being printed in RT. The one potential problem is that we’re sure that many IPMS Canada members are surfing the ‘Net at least somewhat regularly, but we also need to serve the needs of those who don’t spend much, if any, time on the computer (and probably getting more modelling done).

With these coming changes we want to get back to our roots: Canadian subjects. It should be our core strength and we hope it’s what most members expect to see in an IPMS Canada publication. After all, if Canadian modellers aren’t writing about them, who will?
So if you’ve got an article in hand, work in progress, research you’re doing and would like to share with your fellow IPMS Canada members, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us. Take notes and take photos as you’re going along, and then we can work with you to polish it up for publication. As always, we need your ongoing support, and we welcome your input and comments.

Cheers,

Steve Sauvé, C#0323
National Executive
IPMS Canada www.ipmscanada.com

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Here's some examples of articles
appearing in past issues of RT:

442 Squadron's Yellow Mustangs!   

Here are two articles, taken from RT Vol. 24, No. 6, on some very colourful RCAF Mustang Mk IVs (P-51D/Ks). One explains how the colour schemes were researched and also presents some colour side views. The other article describes how one of our members built and detailed his 442 Sqn. Mustang in 1/32 scale.

Three Spitfires & a Mustang

This article covered the aircraft provided on the free IPMS Canada decal sheet. It showed how to modify existing kits, and included detailed drawings, data and photos for building and finishing models in 1/48 and 1/72 scales.

Canadian Vehicle Markings

Another article which was accompanied by the free D-Day decal sheet. This one provided an explanation of armour and softskin markings as applied to equipment used in the invasion.

Gulf War Sea Kings

CAF Sea King helicopters which operated during the Gulf War were highly modified and specially marked. This article provided the information, drawings and photos to enable you to model these special machines.

The Focke Wulf 190F-8 in Hungarian Service

A brief history of the FW 190F-8's used by the Royal Hungarian Air Force in WW II, along with profile illustrations depicting colour schemes & markings.

The Stuart Family of Light Tanks - A Study in Tank Evolution

An examination of the various versions of light tank from T2 through M3, along with modelling hints for each variant.

If you think these are the types of articles you would be interested in, why not ensure that you don't miss any future issues? 
Bring up the IPMS Canada Application Form, and join right now!

Steve Sauvé, Website Custodian for IPMS Canada