Welcome to my personal modeling page. My name is Rogério "Rato" Marczak. I'm a professor of the Mechanical Engineering Department  at UFRGS. Here you'll find stuffs related to my hobby. Everything here is under construction, and I'll be adding new material as time permits. If you have comments or suggestions, please drop me a line. I'm also associate editor at Large Scale Planes website. If you are at big models, stop by for a visit.

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I'm baaaack... I just returned to Brazil after a year in USA. I had a great time and hopefully the next Antrvm's updates will return to its usual frequency and reflect much of what I did there. My thanks to NJ-IPMS and all friends I left there. And all the GE staff for keeping me up to date.

- August.28.2010: Here's my recipe to make a display base for your models in 3 hours. I don't think you can find a faster one... - August.17.2010: A glimpse of the IV Mostra Caxiense de Plastimodelismo, held during the last weekend at Caxias do Sul, Brazil. - August.16.2010: Let me show you some interesting photos of the MiG-17F under restoration at Kissimmee Warbird Museum, Florida, USA earlier this year. - August.15.2010: Another overdue report is the last meeting at GE on July 20th. Thanks to Cristian and André for the pics... - August.14.2010: Long overdue, here are my pics of our meeting at the KOC on July 16. This was my last meeting with NJ-IPMS for a while. I'll miss you guys. Thank you very, very much for everything. If one day I'll copy ideas on how a modeling club should be, those will be from NJ-IPMS. - July.19.2010: Another walkaround, this time the P-47 as displayed by the Wings of a Dream Museum back in 2007. - July.18.2010: Another update on the F4U Corsair Bu.17995. Jim Sullivan found a photo of it probably right after the birdcage conversion.

Finished models:

Here are a few very very old models built during my childhood. Still today, they are my best efforts... A kitbashing of two old Airfix Mk.I and Mk.V Spitfires produced the K5054, the Supermarine Spitfire prototype as shown to the public at Martlesham Heath in July/1936. Published by Fine Scale Modeler magazine in issue Feb/2008. The Sheep's Nest. One of my first models after my return to the hobby. It's a small diorama in 1/144 scale starring the Revell F4U-1D Corsair as it should look in Vella Lavella in 1942. Published by the late Air and Sea Models magazine in 1999. War Prize is a very battered Tamiya Aichi M6A1-K Nanzan in 1/72, as it was found by the Americans at Kokugijitsusho unit in 1945. This kit was fully riveted using my home-made riveter. And since we're talking about small scales, here's another small diorama. The Last Days of Pan Am depicts a  Boeing 727-200 parked at Miami Intl. Airport circa 1982. The finger, tarmac and accessories were scratchbuilt. Letzte Gefechte is a small vignette in 1/35 scale depicting a Dragon Püppchen anti-tank gun somewhere in rural Berlin during the last weeks of the war. I used this project to learn how to make realistic trees. The 1/72 scale diorama Busy Sunday shows an ancient Heller F6F-5 (gasp!) and a scratchbuilt Clark CT-46 tow tractor aboard USS Enterprise during 1944, in preparation for the Battle of Phillippine Sea. Ford at War. The excellent Tamiya F4D Skyray is shown here in 1/72 scale, ready to lunch from USS Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Mediterranean cruise in 1960. This model has scratchbuilt deck and catapult gear. This is my commemorative display of the 75th anniversary of the first transatlantic flight. It presents a much improved Testors Spirit of St. Louis in 1/72 scale and the William Bros. Wright Whirlwind J-5 engine in 1/8 scale. Pyccкaя крыса (Russian Rat). The little Hasegawa Polikarpov I-16 in 1/72 seemed a nice kit at a first glance. In the end I added a new cockpit and many details to bring this model to a better standard. Have you ever made a model of something you actually own? Charlotte the Harlot is a small vignette depicting my dog, Charlotte, in the backyard of our house in the hills. I'd prefer a Ferrari, but... Dad & Son. The cold-war missile AGM-86B 1/72 kit from the obscure Projekts Model Co. displayed side by side with its dad, the Henschel Hs-293, stolen from the Revell Fw-200 kit.  Royal Eagle sports heavy scratchbuilding work on the 1/72 Revell (ex-Matchbox) Heinkel He-70K in the Royal Hungarian Air Force livery. This project features scratchbuililt interior, engine and landing gear. Jäger is my Dragon Jagdpanzer IV A-0 in 1/144 scale. Yep, that small... Первые шаги (First Moves). The Dragon T-34/76 in 1/72 scale was used as a test bed to improve my limited weathering techniques. I couldn't resist and put it in action during the first months of war in Russia. A fun conversion of the old Heller Fieseler Fi-156 Storch in 1/72 to a tracked configuration... The venerable Revell Tradewind receives an overhaul and lands on the Pacific Ocean waters. Hunter of the Empire is my rendition of Darth Vader's TIE fighter. Revell kit in 1/72 scale. The little Dewoitine D.520 is my first French subject ever. This is the Hasegawa offering in 1/72 scale.

Work in progress:

An adventure in the world of die-cast. This is the Signature Models Plymouth 1941 staff car conversion. The excellent Tamiya Republic F-84G in 1/72 scale is my excuse to improve my skills on natural metal finishes. I decided to recycle myself a bit by learning some different techniques building a sail ship. The subject chosen is the Revell Cutty Sark in 1/350 scale. Lots of fun (until the rigging phase comes)... Here is my first effort in small scale AFV in a long time. The somewhat rare Sd.Kfz.253 half track in 1/72, using the Italeri kit. To be used in a future diorama... How to turn an Easy Model © into a Difficult Model. This is the Hobby Boss P-40B in 1/72 scale, upgraded to a better standard.

Articles:

Photoetching at home - Part 1: Some tips about making basic photoetched parts using a simple process. Riveting scale models - Part 1: A basic discussion about simple methods to produce rivet lines on your models. This first part is focused on the tools. Making your own vacuum forming jig: A fool proof recipe to make this so useful tool at home. Scratchbuilding a carrier deck from early 60's: Here I describe my recipe to make an effective base for airborne aircraft in 1/72 scale. Making decals with a laser printer: The technique for making your own decals at home, and its results. Making warning lights: A very simple tip. Making ropes and hoses: Another of these simple but useful tricks. I couldn't resist writing this tale about Nei Biazetto x Badger 100. A simple display base - Part 1: A tutorial on making a display base containing scratchbuilt trees. A quick note about the dangers of using CA glue to attach lead weights. RAF Skies: I compiled this text to help to elucidate some points about the colors used by RAF to paint the undersurfaces of their fighters. Maybe I just added confusion to the topic... Making plastic rings: a simple and effective tip. Curtiss Camouflage on A.V.G. Tomahawks: This is the result of my research on the subject to find suitable colors to paint Flying Tigers aircraft. Subject to changes... Airbrushing tight camouflage patterns: Check out the videos of Eduardo Blanco showing his skills with an airbrush. The old method of clear discs to simulate turning propelers is revisited. Tips on making aircraft and vehicle lights - Part I Tips on making aircraft and vehicle lights - Part II Seat belts made easy: another simple yet effective method. A simple display base - Part 2: A method to make a display base for your models in one night. Ideal for a weekend project.

General gallery:

Some of the excellent modeling accomplishments by Alfredo Dillenburg. A report on the XXI GPPSD Brazilian Plastic Modeling National Convention held at São Paulo, June 2-3, 2007. A few works of my friend Alberto Raguenet. A report on the XXII GPPSD Brazilian Plastic Modeling National Convention held at São Paulo, June 7-8, 2008. Take a look at some of the outstanding models build by Sandro Tomasetto. Check out this. A Il-2 by Ricardo Ramos, from Club Maquetistas Tenerife. I think these spanish folks add tequila to their water... The incredible plastic modeling collection of Flávio Estrella. Another breath taking collection: Nei Biazetto's private modeling museum. The impressive small scale diorama collection of Jerônimo Ulrich Teixeira. A report on the 45th IPMS USA National Convention held at Columbus OH, August 20-23, 2009. Some models of Eduardo Blanco, our resident airbrush expert. Some photos of the IPMS USA Region II Convention, held at Runnemed NJ, October 2009, and organized by NJ-IPMS. Here is a sample of the large scale models displayed in the National Air & Space Museums at the National Mall in Washington D.C. and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA, USA. Photos of the Mosquitocon XIX, held at Wayne NJ, on March 3rd 2010, and organized by NJ-IPMS. Some photos of the IPMS USA Region I Convention, held at the American Airpower Museum, Farmingdale NY, April 31 & May 1st 2010, and organized by Long Island Scale Model Society. Photos of the IV Plastic Modeling Exposition at Caixas do Sul, Brazil.

Reviews:

Sagyma SW770 professional double action airbrush. Gunze Sangyo (GSI Creos) Mr. Dissolved Putty Tom's Modelworks generic photo etched set for WWI german aircraft interiors (1/32). Trumpeter Hobby Rivet Maker The impressive Voyager cockpit upgrade set for the Hasegawa Ju-87G (1/32). A straight replacement set of wheels for the Hasegawa Ju-87G. Both treaded and smooth tires are provided (1/32). A drop-fit exhaust stack replacement Hasegawa's Stuka (1/32). Silver Wings first kit ever: the Superparine Southampton in 1/72 scale. A beautiful resin model. We finally have a Heinkel He-51 in the large scale. Silver Wings provided photos of the masters for this model.  Check it out. Scale Modelsports photoetched scriber set. Result of a Fine Molds / Model Graphix joint venture, this A6M2 Zero is reportedly the best Zero in 1/72 scale. Find out why. A very useful and flexible (literally) tool: 3M No.471 Blue Tape A good replacement for Dymo tapes in rescribing jobs.

References:

Walkaround - Chance Vought F4U-1A Corsair Bu.17995 on display at Asas de um Sonho Museum, São Carlos SP, Brazil - June/2007. Walkaround - Supermarine Spitfire Spitfire HF. IXe MA793 on display at Asas de um Sonho Museum, São Carlos SP, Brazil - June/2007. Walkaround - Boeing N2S-5 Stearman S/N 75-1349JS on display at Kissimmee Warbird Museum, Kissimmee FL, USA - March/2010. Walkaround - Douglas C-47B S/N 44-76717 (cn 16301/33049) belonging to the American Airpower Museum, based on the Republic Airport at Farmingdale NY, USA - May 2010. Walkaboard - Welcome aboard the USS New Jersey (BB-62), moored as a permanent museum at Camden NJ, USA - November/2009. Walkaround - Republic P-47D S/N 42-26760 on display at Asas de um Sonho Museum, São Carlos SP, Brazil - June/2007. Walkaround - Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17F under restoration at Kissimmee Warbird Museum, Kissimmee FL, USA - March/2010.

	Miscellanea:
	Some photos of our visit to Asas de um Sonho Museum on June 2nd, 2007. Some interesting actual aerial combat radio recordings. Put your phones on and enjoy...

Meetings:

Let me introduce you to the Styrene Cave, our new plastic modeling general headquarters. Photos of our GE meeting on October 2nd, 2007 at Jerônimo's place. Photos of our GE meeting on November 14, 2008 at Jerônimo's place. Photos of our GE meeting on April 28, 2009 at our GHQ. Photos of our GE meeting on May 21, 2009 at our GHQ. Photos of our GE meeting on June 18, 2009 at our GHQ. Photos of our GE meeting on July 23, 2009 at our GHQ. Photos of our GE meeting on August 20, 2009 at our GHQ. Photos of our GE meeting on September 24, 2009 at our GHQ. Photos of our GE meeting on October 22, 2009 at our GHQ. Photos of the NJ-IPMS chapter meeting on November 13, 2009 at the Knights of Columbus, Garwood NJ. Photos of the NJ-IPMS chapter meeting on January 15, 2010 at at the Knights of Columbus, Garwood NJ. Photos of the NJ-IPMS chapter meeting on February 12, 2010 at the Knights of Columbus, Garwood NJ. Photos of the NJ-IPMS chapter meeting on March 13, 2010 at the Knights of Columbus, Garwood NJ. Photos of the NJ-IPMS chapter meeting on April 16, 2010 at the Knights of Columbus, Garwood NJ. Photos of our GE meeting on April 17, 2010 at our GHQ. Photos of the NJ-IPMS chapter meeting on May 14, 2010 at the Knights of Columbus, Garwood NJ. Photos of the NJ-IPMS chapter meeting on June 11, 2010 at the Knights of Columbus, Garwood NJ. Photos of the NJ-IPMS chapter meeting on July 16, 2010 at the Knights of Columbus, Garwood NJ. Photos of our GE meeting on July 20, 2010 at our GHQ.

	Discussion board:
	This is Antrvm's discussion board. Feel free to show your latest models, discuss plastic modeling, contribute and exchange ideas.

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