(Note: I am publishing this more or less simultaneously on the Iron Modeler blog and in the IPMS/Mid-Carolina Newsflash. The local guys may wonder why I add identifiers to folks they know well—there’s why!)
Howdy, All!
This year’s IPMS/USA National Convention is in the books, and all I can say is that the folks of the Chattanooga crew are to be congratulated on what was a superb event. From the time I arrived at 1PM on Wednesday until I departed on Saturday around 5PM, I had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The things to see, the people to meet…
If you’ve never been, you simply must go to at least one. Why? Well, here’s a recap of my extended weekend…
Wednesday, 7 August:
I arrived a bit after 1PM. I went inside the huge Chattanooga Convention Center, and walked down to the Pre-Registration room. Yes, they had a small room to handle the task, which worked a treat, since there were no long lines and crowding in the corridor. From the time I said “Hello” to Ann Strandberg until I walked back out into the corridor took about 30 seconds. Seriously. This was the quickest I was ever in and out of Pre-Registration out of the five IPMS/USA Conventions I have attended.
By the way, Ann is a HUGE asset to these shows—she is a First Class organizer, and I learned from our experience in Columbia that she’s very good at what she does. She and her husband Bill seem to be omnipresent at these shows. Bill and I spent more than a few minutes sharing ideas and catching up during the show. Bill and Ann, it was great seeing both of you!
After that, I went back to the car to retrieve my Display Only models. I think I’ve told you all before that my competition days are behind me, but when someone offers display only space, I’m on it. I had a few models that will be covered in their own right in a later installment, and I found a table and set the models out. I took the containers back to the car, and then ventured back to the model room. The display tables seemed to be filling up rather quickly—a good sign, to be sure! IPMS/USA hasn’t been very big on Display Only up until maybe 10 years ago, and interest didn’t seem to be there. I believe this year may change some minds—if future conventions continue this trend, it will be a good thing, indeed! Mike Moore and the whole Chattanooga crew are to be commended for making this one of their focus items.
I checked out some of the Display Only tables. Rich VanZant of Mississippi had four tables full of his 1/48 scale airplanes. Mark Deliduka of SoCal had some 750 armor pieces on display. Gil Hodges had several tables full of resin and vacuum-formed models. Dave Maher, Bob Kerfonta, and the IPMS/Charlotte crew was setting up their Corsair display…
I took a quick sweep through the contest tables, and, as usual, was impressed by the quality of work on the tables. Several collections caught my eye. The IPMS/Race City Modelers had a group of 1/48 scale P-51’s built from the available kits, each one perched on a base featuring the box are for the kit from which the model was constructed. Very nice, and from my standpoint it simply proved to me that “older” doesn’t automatically equal “unbuildable” or “obsolete”. There was also a group of Afrika Corps armor, a chronology of 20mm weapons, a U-Boat pen in what I can describe as a semi-boxed scene, and more.
Since it was early days and the models were still rolling in, I stepped into the World’s Largest Mobile Hobby Shop, aka the vendor room. As I walked the aisles, I was amazed by several new products…
Wingnut Wings had several of their 1/32 Lancaster proofs on display. Wow. Too big for me, but they have a solution in the works for those looking for a large Lancaster but don’t have the space—they will offer the forward fuselage (from the wing leading edge forward) as a separate kit at some point next year. If you like Lanc Nose Art, this may be your ticket. A Fokker Dr.I was being shown along with shots of their upcoming Handley-Page O/400 and O/100—the latter was a bit of a surprise. They were already doing a brisk business, selling kits…
Tamiya were there with their display kits including the 1/24 Toyota TS-050 Hybrid (gotta get one of these!) and, of course, their new P-38F/G. One of the benefits of Pre-Registration? Tamiya provided 300 pre-release copies of the kit to the convention to do with as they wished with the proceeds going to the show. The organizers decided to include a green ticket in the Goody Bag that worked as a sort of raffle—they would draw numbers throughout the event, and if your number was called, you had the opportunity to purchase one of the kits.
Eduard was at the show with around 400 of their new P-51D-5 “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” kits in 1/48th scale. I understand that the lines at the Eduard stand were out the door when the vendor room opened on Wednesday, people were so geeked up to get a copy or two of the kit! I perused the parts trees, and this one looks to be a winner. I already have a herd of Mustangs in the stash—Hasegawa, Tamiya, and one of the new Airfix kits—but I will probably buy the Eduard kit, too. I just didn’t buy one at the show…
Speaking of Airfix, I spoke to the Hornby’s representatives at the Squadron table. I got to run my hands over the new 1/25 F6F-5 Hellcat kit—rather large for my tastes, but it is a spectacular kit. We talked a bit on upcoming releases. I believe if they can tie down their financial woes, Airfix will continue to be a strong player in the hobby.
Thursday, 8 August:
I was up with the chickens, since I was going to present “Model Building 101” at 9 AM. I went downstairs (I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express a few miles away—best cinnamon rolls around!), grabbed some eats, and headed out. The seminar went well—I had 17 or 18 people in attendance, and I believe everybody learned something. It wasn’t as well-attended as the same seminar at our show in Columbia, but it was also early in the show—I wasn’t worried. I got the right 17 or 18 people—people who wanted to be there.
After the seminar, I stashed the laptop and laser pointer, and headed to the vendor room. I made a few purchases—I had been waiting for the Special Hobby 1/72 scale SAAB Viggen for a while, and I was surprised to see that they not only had the JA-37 kit as a single, but also had a dual kit (Duo-Kit) with the AJ-37 and the SK-37 two-seater along with a reference book. The single kit cost $30, the Duo cost $64—in effect, I either paid $2 more per kit and got a free book, or I got a great book for $4. Win-win, either way.
I was also under orders to see the guys at the fündekals table, which I did. Jonathan Strickland was there with some product, as well as some renderings of the stuff they are working on, and all I can say is you need to check them out if you haven’t yet: http://www.fundekals.com/
As I wandered, I started to bump into people I know, or had met years ago and hadn’t seen since. This continued throughout the weekend and I suppose I should thank all of them for saving me money by keeping me away from the vendor tables. Seriously—by the time you’ve been to a few of these, it happens.
In the words of Phil Collins and Genesis, “I can show you some of the people in my life”:
Paul Boyer and I first met at the 1999 convention in Orlando. He was the Senior Editor for FineScale Modeler back then, and I attended a seminar he was leading. We had corresponded a few times, and I’m a member of the 72nd U.S. MilAir Yahoo group, but we seldom physically cross paths. Well, I was under orders—he and my wife are working on a joint project, and when she couldn’t attend I was told I needed to go by and chat with Paul. Paul, I loved your USN Jets display, and I enjoyed speaking with you. I hope it isn’t another 10 or so years before we have the chance again.
Bert Kinzey is the face behind Detail and Scale, and I have sent him a few model photos for the D&S Facebook page over the past year or so. One of the photos I posted piqued his interest, so he told me to stop by the D&S table and see him. We had a short but enjoyable conversation as he started to photograph the models in the display room. I left him to conduct his business, and I would bump into Bert and Rock Roszak a few more times during the show. Bert and Rock, it was a pleasure meeting you both. I wish I could have met Haagen Klaus (he and I crossed paths in Columbia in 2016, but we were both rather busy at the time) and Chris Sakal as well, but sometimes there are more important things than models.
When I was the Seminars Coordinator for the 2016 Columbia Nationals, my wife asked me if I had approached Tommy Thomason to see if he wanted to present anything. She’s his SH-3 Subject Matter Expert, so she asked and he agreed to present “Revolt of the Admirals”. I found him this year in the vendor room with a table full of his Ginter Books titles. Tommy does a great job with his research on U.S. Navy subjects, and I was glad to see him again.
Gil Hodges is someone who I bump into every now and then, but we never seem to talk for very long. We have some mutual friends, and in this case it allowed a discussion that ran for longer than a minute or two. For those who have no idea who Gil is, he used to write for the defunct Scale Modeler back in the day, and has written for FineScale Modeler and the late, lamented Aerospace Modeler Magazine. Gil often builds large scale resin and vacuum-formed kits, and it seems that he fears naught in his approach to them. Gil, I’m glad I could see some of your work up close again.
Jerry Wells and I met via a mutual friend in the run-up to the 1999 Convention in Orlando—in fact, we were roomies for that Convention. He is a great modeler—he had reworked the Revell 1/72 80’ Elco PT Boat into (IIRC) PT-165 for the show. It was a wee bit dusty and missing a rudder, and before I arrived in Orlando he had secured another kit, robbed the rudder, painted it, attached it, and was in the process of dusting it. Now, one would seem to think that a dusty, broken model—regardless of the fact that it had been repaired and cleaned—wouldn’t stand a chance. Even Jerry had misgivings, yet it did indeed win a First Place. Jerry and I seldom communicate on a regular basis—nothing nefarious or anything, we just travel in different circles—and I enjoy catching up with him when I see him at the various Conventions. Jerry, enjoy your retirement! You need to come up to the Columbia show next June…
Bill Bosworth and I became acquaintances in the run-up to the 2016 Columbia show. Like Tommy, he was a seminar presenter. But the best thing about Bill is that he doesn’t just talk models. He had some of his scratchbuilt aircraft on display, but as we were talking about them, he would tell stories from his life as an Ad Man. Bill, like so many people I’ve met in the hobby, is good people and I enjoy the short time I spent chatting with him at these shows.
Gordon and Brandon Kwan were at the Sprue Brothers Models table. I had an e-mail coupon to redeem—a spin of the wheel—and I won a Verlinden book on the Hawker Hurricane. I chatted with Gordon about the Convention, how his business was doing, and basically caught up with what was going on between the Columbia show and now. Gordon runs a great webstore, and if I have to buy online, his is the first site I check. If you’ve never heard of them, what rock have you been living under? Check them out at http://spruebrothers.com/.
Steve and Amanda Nelson and I finally found more than two seconds to chat on Friday. I first “met” Mandie on the old ARC Forums through the AIM Chat. We finally met face to face at the 2005 Atlanta Convention—by that time, she and Steve had married, and my wife and I had been together for almost six years. I always like to spend time with them, because they are simply good people. Guys, I’m sorry our time was short. I told the wife that you were asking after her. She was sad she had to miss the convention, and I think every time I told her, “Oh, by the way, so-and-so says ‘Hey!’”, she got sadder that work got in the way of this one…
Peter Frearson, Jeff East, Butch Bryant, and the whole IPMS/Flight 19 Gang and I bumped into each other several times. Y’all are my old home boys from back in the SoFla, and I miss those meetings from back in the day. Jeff, we’ll always be on the Presidents for Life rolls—and thanks for trying to slap me back into reality, but yeah, I’m a Chapter President again. What can I say? Talking with the guys, the club is in good hands, and I hope to get down there for your ModelFest one of these years.
Phil Perry and I met maybe 25 years ago, and I immediately learned that he was a great modeler and a fine human being. We would chat from time to time until I moved to SC and we lost touch for a while. But I still see him at the Conventions, and we usually chat for a bit at every one. I feel a wee bit bad because at the NCC meeting Phil and I found ourselves on the opposite sides of an issue. Phil, I meant no disrespect, and I hope there aren’t any bent feelings. After all, we all share the common goal of building models, no matter how a group of judges looks at them or how an organization plans the awards…
Danny and Mindy Vazquez bumped into me at the Columbia show, and again in Chattanooga. I know I’m getting old when I’m told their daughters are 28 and 31, with kids and the whole shebang. It seems like it was not too long ago that they were wee little girls, talking about Beanie Babies. Guys, I’m glad I got to spend some time with you. It is always a pleasure to catch up and to look at Danny’s spectacular models.
Ed Okun and I crossed paths for about five minutes. I spied some 1/32 IDF airplane models that looked awful Okun-esque, and indeed they were Ed’s. Ed, it was fun chatting with you. Enjoy your retirement and the grandkids, and keep building those impeccable models!
Rick Geisler and I first met back in the early to mid-1980’s at the Twin Oaks location of the now defunct Warrick Custom Hobbies—he was my first Plastic Guru, offering inspiration with each model he would build and bring to the shop. I saw Rick last at a show in Winston, NC some 10 years or so ago, so it was nice to be able to get together and talk about the “Old Days”, when Flight 19 was a much different group. Rick, I’m sorry I got called away—but we’ll have to find a mutually agreeable show and meet again soon. Oh, and I’m glad your phone finally charged!
Mike Idacavage is usually the Contest Coordinator for the conventions whenever it is in this area. Mike met my wife long before he met me, but he’s been a great friend to both of us. We couldn’t talk long—he had “convention stuff” to do (and I know that all too well!), but he did complement my Special Hobby ER-2. Thanks, Mike, I’m glad you liked it. I hope we will see you in a few weeks at the Atlanta Airliners Collectibles Show!
Patrick Cook, like Mike Idacavage, is another good friend in the Atlanta area. Patrick was wandering the vendor room when we first bumped into each other, but we had a chance to chat for a while taking a load off in the comfy chairs in the hallway. The same wish for Mike holds for you, Patrick—I hope you’ll be at the Museum in October…
Jim Kiker, aka Yoda, is from up the road in Charlotte, he’s a great model builder, and has probably the best outlook on the hobby f all my model building friends (I mean, he’s nicknamed Yoda for a reason). Jim, we missed seeing you this year in Columbia, but we’re doing it again in June next year. Head on down and have some fun with us!
My friends Trevor Edwards and Mike Roof arrived on Thursday afternoon—Mike was giving a seminar on Friday, so we wandered the model room, vendor room, and throughout the afternoon I continued to bump into people…
I made a few more purchases—I got a few Liveries Unlimited decal sheets from fündekals that my wife was looking for, along with their 1/48 scale Spitfire Part 2 sheet-- and later we got together with Tony Abbot and Rebecca Hettmansperger (they of HQ72 Resin Products) and had some supper upstairs at the Table South attached to the Marriott. I don’t know about them, but my feet were sore, my friend Arthur Itis was showing himself, and I was tired…
Friday, 9 August:
Mike, Trevor, and I met downstairs for breakfast in the hotel (cinnamon rolls…mmmm), and then headed out to the Convention. We spent the morning doing the convention thing. We wandered the model room; we perused the vendor tables: and basically enjoyed the show. I sat in on Dana Bell’s Cruiser and Battleship aviation units seminar, and then went to see Bob Steinbrunn’s talk on the Bluejacket PT boat. Both of these guys have provided numerous hours of inspiration and guidance through their books and articles throughout the years, and I was grateful to see Dana again (he graciously presented a seminar for us in 2016), and to meet Bob.
I snuck into Mike’s Photoetch seminar that was by now in progress (what can I say—I really wanted to meet Bob and hear him speak on his PT Boat model), and the room was full. I’ve seen this presentation a few times, so I spent my time gauging the folks who were seeing it live and in person for the first time. It was interesting—every time Mike changed slides, the smart phones all went up in the air and everyone snapped a photo, almost in unison. Mike has a certain analytical method to things, and I think once he can lay out the procedures for any task, the light bulb goes on with many people.
Incidentally, Trevor is in his early 20’s, and is a great model builder in his own right—all that I said about Mike? Yeah, Trevor is a student, and his quality has improved markedly under the tutelage of Mike and a few of the other local IPMS and AMPS members. With Mike as one of your teachers, you are steps ahead.
Friday afternoon was when, if you have been at the show since it opened, you tend to start wandering on autopilot. I had to check some raffle tickets, both my own and from a friend who had to leave early—I won a Tamiya 1/24 Mercedes AMG on Wednesday afternoon, but nothing else all weekend. I then remembered I had a Green Ticket in my pocket. What the hell—let’s go check…hey, there’s the number! I go across the corridor to the table, present the ticket, and after handing over Fifty Dollars American, I am the proud owner of a pre-release Tamiya 1/48 P-38F/G kit! After giving it a quick once over—I had already seen the sprues on Hyperscale, at the Tamiya table, and at the Sprue Brothers Models table—I believe this one may have to get bumped to the head of the line…
We all met again for supper, and packed it in for the night.
Saturday, 10 August:
We met at the hotel for breakfast—yep, more cinnamon rolls! Mike’s and Trevor’s fun meters were pegged, so they left for home. I wanted to hang around, since Rick would be getting there early in the day. So, I made a sweep of the model room—judging took place the night before, and this was the earliest I could get a look at all the great work that was on the tables, both contest and display only. Every time I come to a National Convention, I am awed by the models I see. Lots and lots of great work was out for folks to marvel at this year. I believe the count was over 2,500 contest models and a further 1,750 on the Display Only tables.
Then I made a final sweep of the vendor room. One more check of the raffle tickets—skunked again! Then Squadron started calling their raffle—you guessed it. Nada. But it was fun, and I finally nailed down Squadron’s Chief Modeler, Jef Verswyvel, and exchanged pleasantries. Jef doesn’t recall that we met years ago, when he and Willy Peeters initially set up Kendall Model Corporation (KMC) back in the early 1990’s...
As I strolled by the Rare Plane Detective table, a few kits caught my eye—Revell’s 1974 and 1976 issues of their 1/72 F-15A and (as determined later) FSD F-16. They take me back to one summer, probably 1977 or so, when my brother and I would ride our bicycles to the local SupeRx Drugs and buy model kits. On one visit, we got these kits—I cannot remember who got what, but for some reason I think I got the F-16. I recall the F-16 kit as being the epitome of cool, with all that ordnance, the engine dolly, and the tug included. Of course, they cost a wee bit more than the buck and a half or so that we paid back then—but I bought them. At some point, I will build them, too…
The rest of the day was eaten up by the NCC meeting I was asked to attend. I was initially going to depart at noon or 1PM, but I decided to stick around. About a half hour before the meeting, I retrieved my containers from the car and loaded up my models. I returned them to the car—a covered parking garage is a great thing, coupled with a rather mild day in Chattanooga, so I wasn’t worried they would get damaged. I found a cool drink, and walked to the meeting rooms. Since it was an IPMS Committee meeting, I cannot comment on it other than it was a three and a half hour long meeting …
After the meeting, I made final rounds—everyone was packing up in the vendor room, and the Display Only folks were likewise packing their models. Everyone was either leaving or getting ready for the dessert reception before the awards ceremony.
I found Rick sitting in one of the comfy chairs—his phone charger wasn’t working on his trip, so he borrowed mine, and needed a wall outlet. We chatted for a few more minutes, and, since each of us had a five hour drive to look forward to, we headed to the exits.
With that, another IPMS/USA Convention was over for me.
Now, I’m a bit biased—I think the Columbia convention, regardless of the numbers, was the best show ever. But I gotta tell you, Chattanooga put on an awesome show! Was it better than ours? I dunno—by numbers, yes, I think it was. The intangibles—Columbia was our show, so that sense of ownership will always color my feelings—might favor the Chattanooga crew, too. Does it matter?
In the end, no, it doesn’t matter. It was an awesome show. I got to meet some super people, I got to catch up with other great people who I hadn’t seen in one, or three, or five, or ten years. I got to look at a room full of spectacular models. I got to talk with people from around the world who shared my hobby. I shared ideas and information. I had fun.
I had a chance to turn a lone wolf hobby into a social event. That, right there, makes it worth the trip.
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We took a vote last month, and yes, Virginia, there will be a 3rd Annual South Carolina Scale Model Mega Show. Watch the show's website for details.
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With that, I'm done for this installment. Thanks for reading. As always, be good to one another, and I bid you Peace.
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