IPMS Nats 2021 in Las Vegas

I got the news too.  I told a friend I’d go if they won it.  Now I gotta honor my word.  Not a gambling man, never was.  Never been to Vegas, but hate desert heat.  Got to stand in the street when that haboob blew thru Phoenix in 2018.

Real G

I got the news too.  I told a friend I’d go if they won it.  Now I gotta honor my word.  Not a gambling man, never was.  Never been to Vegas, but hate desert heat.  Got to stand in the street when that haboob blew thru Phoenix in 2018.

 

Ohhhh~ ad-meeral, eet was KHAN!!!

stikpusher

 

 

Real G

I got the news too.  I told a friend I’d go if they won it.  Now I gotta honor my word.  Not a gambling man, never was.  Never been to Vegas, but hate desert heat.  Got to stand in the street when that haboob blew thru Phoenix in 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, but you've been wanting one on the west coast. Not quite, but drivable from where you'll be then.

I kind of like Vegas, but for me it's a flight not a drive which makes the trip pointless as I can't get purchases back home.

Yeah, Vegas is a 4 hour drive from my current location, and in about the same timeframe from where I will be in 2021. Looks like our next AMPS GB for a Nats is all ahead full now....

Hey guys don’t feel bad about the distance, you have it good!  I have to cross 2,500 miles of ocean as a starter just to play!

Stik, maybe the Hawaii AMPS guys will be there.  Bill Florig and the gang are great guys!  It would be cool to get to meet you face to face also.

G, I hope you can make it there. I havent been to a Nats since 07 in Anaheim. Seeing how in 2021 my employer will be paying me not to show up to work on a daily basis, my big obstacle to attendance will be removed. If you can get a Hawaiian AMPS crew there, it will be awesome. I know the So Cal AMPS crew has been waiting for this. Maybe we can get Joe Bevins out of his overseas exile...

Real G

Hey guys don’t feel bad about the distance, you have it good! I have to cross 2,500 miles of ocean as a starter just to play!

I realized that right away when I saw your post about planning to attend. That's dedication to the hobby if I ever heard it.

Greg,

I think it’s worth it.   My first model-specific trip was the IPMS Nats at Phoenix in 2004. I had such a good time that I have gone to seven Nationals to date.

My circle of friends have ranged from Orange County CA, Orlando FL, Telford England and Tokyo Japan to attend model-related events.  We are all just average Joes that save our pennies and vacation time for that special trip.

At the 2004 Nats, I spent close to $600 on model stuff, but have bought less and less as the years went by.  At the 2018 Nats, I bought only two kits, one of which was for a friend.  I think I still like model shows because the best part is seeing how far the other modelers take it.  I used to think shopping was #1 but realize it’s the models on the table that really make the trip worth it.

For me, entering a model is stressful and can kill the fun in a build, but since we have to haul ourselves so far, it would be a shame to not bring something.  It would be like staying in a Disney World hotel and not go into Disney World.

Oh wait, WE did that.  I got a crumpled piece of paper thrown at me by my boss when I proudly announced the fact when I returned to work.

Anyway, for those who have never been to a Nats, try to do so at least once.  Take a model or go stag.  And don’t worry about stuff.  You might like it!

They will have slot machines at the end of each table

Real G

Hey guys don’t feel bad about the distance, you have it good!  I have to cross 2,500 miles of ocean as a starter just to play.

Well, Tuesday afternoon before the Chattanooga show started I was up on lookout mountain overlooking the city.  Heard a guy talking “funny” (as in you’re not from around here, are you).   He was wearing a Lancaster bomber T-shirt.  Dead giveaway. Took a chance and asked if he was here for the show.  

Yes he was.  Tony Horton and his wife, from London, were 4100 miles from home.  They had been to Memphis,Nashville, Huntsville, Lynchburg (I.e Jack Daniels) and we’re here for the show.  Leaving for home via the Carolinas and DC.   (And he won the chance to purchase a new P38, not available for general sale until November)

Next year he is planning on San Antonio, Fredericksburg (Nimitz museum),  Houston (?), Baton Rouge, New Orlean, and Pensacola.  

Beat that with your measly 2500 miles

Well...  According to Google, Honolulu to London is 7,223 miles.  That was two flights,  six movies, and around 18 hours sitting in coach.  But Scale Model World at Telford was worth it!  The RAF Museum at Cosford was great too.  Can’t decide which was better so I’ll have to say both were equally awsome.

You guys living on the mainland have it better than I do, so I recommend heading over to Jolly Olde and checking out SMW at Telford for a truly different experience.  Oh, and if you have an active IPMS national membership card, you get in free, AND an hour earlier than the public! 

But despite what everyone told me, fish and chips taste the same pretty much everywhere.  Had some at Wool, Telford and London, and they were similar to the stuff served at the pubs here in Hawaii.

The Mt Etna pizza I had in Telford was one of the tastiest I have ever had, but it lived up to its name several hours later!

Real G

I think it’s worth it. Big Smile

I think so too. It's neat you have attended so many Nats, and I find it interested that you started going for the vendor "kid in a candy store" thing, and now enjoy admiring the models the most.

As I said, it's still about about buying buying stuff for me. Or at least being able to gawk, at all the stuff I "could" buy, which is what I did at the one Nats I've attended so far.

Keep on traveling, G. Sounds like you enjoy it tremendously.

Thanks Greg.  I have my friends to thank for getting me into traveling to model events.

Yeah I really like it when I see a contest entry that melts my brain.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2ZpsbGr7s8  I like it.  I really do.

Frankly, I'm out of storage space for new kits so it puts a damper on my shopping.  Plus with the internet, I always ask myself at shows "can I get this online?".  It beats carrying stuff back home.  Nowadays I try to focus on rare or OOP kits at shows.  I do my best to resist big models with big discounts - the Bandai PG Falcon at the 2018 Nats was tempting and priced right, but that box was too huge!  Accessories don't count, so they are fair game!  

Anyway, I hope to make it to the Vegas Nats in 2021.  I had to promise my buddy that any model I take must not be some 20 year old shelf relic.  I have been guilty of this on numerous occasions when the intended build couldn't be finished in time.  I get teased for washing my dusty models out in the hotel room sink. 

I'll be there, easy drive.