As with most any of a country's IPMS organization, IPMS Canada produces a magazine. The purpose of these magazines is really three-fold. First of all, it is the official publication of the organization and provides information of upcoming events and a general state of the club. Next, it offers articles of a nature that would interest the club membership. R/T (Random Thoughts) provides articles that are generally of a Canadian nature, though that is not always the case. They all involve modeling of some respect, are usually military in nature and range from historical pieces to build/modification articles. It also has the usual kit/book reviews and reader's questions and wants/disposals. Finally, it offers something tangible for the dues that are paid.

Having been involved with clubs and organizations that produce magazines or newsletters, I can tell you several things about them. One is that they are rarely produced with the punctuality that is promised. It is just a fact of life that when you rely on volunteers to do these things, there are going to be snags that delay stuff. It just happens and though readers may whine, it should be accepted as such and life should go on. Second, nothing gets published that is not sent in. These guys don't work in a vacuum and if no material is provided for publication, there can't be anything to publish!

OK, enough of the preliminaries. This is issue 27/1. I've been an IPMS member for over a decade and occasionally an issue misses me. That is what happened to this one and apparently the previous one as well (hint). It was with much delight that I received this edition and the others that follow from Randy Lutz (who was unaware that I was a fellow member).

This edition carries several interesting articles.

• A photo essay on the specially painted 441 SQ CF-18A

• An article on accurizing an converting a VM 1/35 Valentine MkII to a Canadian Mk VII (it is an armor thing and very mysterious to your editor). It is a very well detailed article with a plethora of photos.

• A short article with photo and profile of 101/3 'Pumas' of the Hungarian AF in WWII

• Another military article on the Tamiya Steyr 1500A.

• Detailed drawings of a C30L 3 ton general delivery lorry.

• Finally, some kit reviews and an a couple of columns on armor and aircraft.

One thing that did catch my eye is that this first issue of vol 27 starts with page 145. It must be a Canadian thing......

Anyway, membership in IPMS Canada includes 6 issues of RT as well as the ability to learn more about Canadians in general and to get into the annual beer bust as the IPMS/USA national convention. What more could one ask. Join today!

Review copy courtesy IPMS Canada

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