The other day the postman provided me with the next edition of IPMS Canada's Random Thoughts. As always, I was delighted to have it in my hands and it wasn't long before I relaxed in my favorite chair, with my favorite beverage (you can imagine it being a Molson's if you wish), and started reading.

This one opened with editor Steve Sauve's nostalgic waxings concerning an Canadian Air Force C-130 that had just recently retired. It was a plane that Steve had flown in many times during his active duty career and I have to say that in many ways I could empathize with him. We ex-service people can get attached to the equipment that we have either worked on, rode in, or had around us all the time. Ex-Army guys can get nostalgic about tanks, blackshoe Navy guys for ships and those of us who worked around aircraft have our favorites as well. Those of you who have not served probably won't 'get it', but we who have can appreciate Steve's thoughts.

This edition has four articles inside. I should note that often times the number of articles fluctuates with some editions having as many as seven or eight, but I like the lower numbers as it often means more information and more images per piece.

The first is the initial installment on RCAF Hurricanes by Jim Bates. I found it a fascinating read and it is quite well researched. It puts to ground several 'facts' that have been passed on for decades, but have been patently incorrect. There are a lot of nice photos as well and if you don't learn something from it, you have not been paying attention!

Next is Al Magnus' Keilkraft 1/72 1924 Atkinson Steam Lorry. Yes, not exactly the norm for any publication on models, but a very interesting article nonetheless. Al put a lot of work into this and the results prove it.

Sticking with things on wheels is a Canadian Otter armored recce vehicle. This one is the result of work on the IBG 1/35 kit and contains lots of photos of the build. Barry Madden has done his usual high quality work on this one and the results are a well done and interesting subject.

The final one is a major scratch build by Ryan Cameron. His subject is the cover model, the HMCS Esquimat, a minesweeper that was the last RCN ship loss of WWII. This beauty was lost three weeks before war's end off the Canadian coast. As befits the sort of work that went into this one, there are lots of photos so you can appreciate Ryan's efforts.

How do you get these great editions? Simply join IPMS Canada and trade money for magazines. It is well worth it. As a bonus, you also get their e-mail editions of Beaver Tails, which is separate from the magazine. As a note, this year's second decal sheet will be with the next edition. You can only get this by joining IPMS Canada (I believe that is called an incentive) as they do not make extras.

June 2016

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