Kathy’s Home Page

Back in 1995 while attending the International Plastic Modelers Association’s Annual Convention/Competition I was approached by a fellow who wanted to interview me for his modeling newspaper “American Modeler”.  The following is the text from the interview.

A Woman's Touch To Scale Modeling -
Pearl Harbor World War II Memorial Diorama

Kathy Meyer has a secret that she doesn't speak openly with other women. Plastic is her passion and it's not Tupperware.

When the subject of WWII U.S. Navy aircraft or classic American autos is brought-up in conversation she can discuss the details with the best of any person - male or female.

Traditionally dominated by men, there are always a lot of raised eyebrows especially when Meyer participates in a model competition. Her knowledge and skill of building makes an impression upon fellow modelers:

Meyer, age thirty-five, responds with a smile and jokingly says that her start in scale modeling was her parents fault. She received a 1968 Mustang fastback kit for her ninth birthday from her parents. After three months of sitting on the shelf her father helped her assemble the model. Soon she was building on a regular basis and early modeling efforts were for the satisfaction in building and showing to friends and neighbors.

She enjoyed building car models, though problems with an  Volkswagen beetle left a bad taste for automotive modeling, Meyer switched to modern ships and contemporary fighter aircraft.

Meyer, originally a native of Springerville, Arizona began her participation with organized displays and competitions with the local IPMS Chapter after moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1976. A table of models presented for public viewing at the local mall by the Albuquerque Scale Modelers drew her to the next meeting. 

Meyer said the jaws dropped when she attended her initial meeting.  Her association with this chapter included serving two terms as vice president and one as the club secretary.

Though during this time she met another female model enthusiast with an interest in sailing ships, the acquaintance never did attend club meetings.

Meyer's return to automotive modeling was working on a 1/16th scale Firebird that was to be modified to replicate the car from the television series "Knight Rider." The larger scale provided space for the needed modifications. Before finding this kit she had been researching the modifications required to build the car from a 1/2Sth scale Pontiac Firebird kit in which the theatrical auto is based. The main difficulty before the finding the 1/16th scale kit was re-creating the digital dash design.

Her interest In World War II aircraft led her to building aircraft of the Pacific Theater. This includes subjects like a 1/48th scale F4U Corsair in the markings of Pappy Boyington and constructing bombers in 1/72nd scale.

Her latest project is to build a 1/48th scale PBY5A Catalina from an industrial model kit for Western Air, a charter service based at the Albuquerque Airport. It is a mixed media kit of wood and plastic.

Meyer's said, "it's relaxing to sit and build." She expressed that for some people it may be a job, especially those who build on a deadline. The desire to build better detailed models was no different for Meyer than any other model builder. A major step was acquiring an airbrush in the early 1980s. This 35 psi brush allowed for quality paint schemes. Though one of the first results on a 1934 Dusenberg Torpedo Phaeton created an unexpected orange peel effect on a beige yellow body.  This did not dismay Meyer and today her efforts are rewarded with contest winners.

What keeps Kathy Meyer interested in scale modeling? She says it's the desire to accurately represent the model. Meyer's says, "interest in WWII, research into the history, and learning the entire history." All of this comprises the development of transforming a kit into a showpiece.

Her recent ship diorama of. the Pearl Harbor Memorial is the result of studying the history of the attack in high school. This diorama was preceded by accurately portraying a United States Navy WWII Devastator bomber as it appeared as a trainer in Pensacola, Florida, this was the first Navy aircraft with hydraulic folding wings.

Though the U.S. Navy's first modern bomber was not very effective, but made history during the Battle of Midway. These 34 to 42 planes were the first squadron to enter battle with no fighter cover. Meyer said, "I try to be as accurate as possible." Finding reference material on specific aircraft such as the Devastator can be difficult.

Promoting modeling to a new generation is challenging. Meyer has participated in model building clinics for children to learn the enjoyment of model building. Before her move to California she helped with a clinic at the Museum of Albuquerque.

California modeling is quite different from that in New Mexico Meyer commented. Her one time attendance with Pacific Coast clubs was mostly restricted to attending meetings.

The IPMS-Space Park club meeting filled the entire cafeteria at the TRW Building in EI Segundo. During this meeting a contest and swap meet was held. The winners were decided by popular vote, with less emphasis was placed the quality of entries.

Meyer was impressed with the amount of junior entries indicating that model building continues to be accepted as a rewarding hobby to the youth of America. "I don't see model building slowing down." says Meyer in response to the state of the hobby.

Meyer carries with her a "brag book" in her purse. While some women may carry pictures of family member to share with friends, her miniature album contains photos of modeling projects.

Among the pictures is her "Star Trek" Enterprise from the movie which won first prize at the New Mexico State Fair in 1982. She said men appreciate the chance to view work by a fellow modeler. Women just say, "How nice," to a picture of a WWII Corsair. "With women it goes over their head and men find common ground," says Meyer.

Meyer was all smiles Saturday evening at the IPMS Nationals with a second place in ship dioramas. Her "Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor" diorama succeeded in producing her first national win. With 50 unassembled kits waiting Meyer concluded saying she is not about to give up modeling.