Meteor Productions

Modeling Webinars

An Overview by  Ed Kinney, IPMS# 2989

Ed.Note: Please see Ed's feature article Modeling the Trumpeter F9F with Teknics and Yellowhammer Sets on this website for related information. This is a recent concept that many major corporations have turned to in order to efficiently communicate both audio and visual information to the audience in a very short period of time. I must say that Dave Klaus, CEO of Meteor, finds himself in the right place at the right time. I've recently had the pleasure of being a participant of both segments presented (natural metal finishes and the F9F Panthers) and found them to be both informative and enjoyable. On both subjects, Dave has provided us with information that would take the most proficient of researchers to the limits compiling this data. In the case of the Natural Metal Finishes segment, Dave enlisted the help of three well known and respected members of the modeling community and discussed the "dos and don'ts" and I must tell you candidly, there were several things covered that I wasn't aware of, and for I, for one, have been "around the track" a few times when it comes to natural metal finishes. Further, I've had an opportunity to use this information to excellent advantage when using Alclad II, one of my favorite products. In the case of the "Panther" segment, Dave flew solo on this one and it was also extremely well done. One of his customers suggested jokingly that he should have titled this segment "Panthers for Dummies". Humorous, but from my standpoint, he was right on the money. Dave showed in the visual segment, photos of Panthers I had never seen before, and the time viewing was well spent. During this segment, he included a few quick quiz questions with participation by the audience, an interesting touch! (Just to make sure we were paying attention!) It needs to be stated here that these webinars are a collection of very tightly focused facts on a specific subject. In other words, if you view these with the idea that you'll find out how to fill seams or apply decals, you should probably turn to a "basics" publication. If on the other hand, you want to learn about the Grumman Panthers, this was the place. With this being the age of information, these approximately one-hour long episodes are quite simple to view. All one needs to do is visit Meteors website (www.meteorprod.com) and click on the "webinar" block to register for the upcoming segment that interests you. You will receive an email with all the information required to sign up including a password and a telephone number to dial for the audio portion … simple, and well worth the time in this writer's opinion. I have since had the opportunity to discuss the subject matter with quite a few participating modelers, and it received high praise without exception. Modelers, as a group, are a most interesting bunch. Particularly those who choose to enter competition. We strive for the "better mousetrap" and in so doing, many time miss the forest for the trees. In short, Mr. Klaus has made our task easier by providing not only additional information, but aftermarket products that are well designed and researched to turn that "also ran" subject into a show stopper. And … as they say, "but wait, there's more!!" For all those registered for the webinars, there are special discounts made available through use of a dedicated link to click on at the close of each segment. The participant has 12 hours to order these special products through this link, and if you're interested in the subject matter, this is a perfect opportunity to gather those goodies at a special price, another Meteor Productions bonus. It would seem appropriate here to also mention Meteors rewards program, which Dave started at the IPMS/USA Nationals in Kansas city, a link also available to check out on both IPMS/USA and Meteor Productions websites. Again, many thanks to Dave for his generous support of not only IPMS/USA, but of the hobby in general. In short, I must offer sincere kudos to Dave, who has worked tirelessly to provide us with so many fine modeling products. Oh yes, he has announced a future upcoming segment on the F-100, and I for one haven't stopped drooling since. Most highly recommended.

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