Well I went to my first model show! Lots of people wanted a report of how it went, so here it is. In a word....WOW!!!!!!!!!
I had an AWESOME time! All the advice everyone gave me really paid off. I meet some really cool people and learned a lot from just about everyone. You had a couple of really ate up individuals who where so into themselves and their builds that they didn't have time to talk to you, and god forbid you asked them how they did something.....geez man, I'm not going to copy your work or sell it to the enemy! But those were few and far between to ruin an awesome experience. The next person you'd talk to would spill their guts on how they did every little detail. I sat and talk to one person for close to 45 minutes! The dude actually broke one of his models showing me how to do a certain technique! He was like oh well, fixed it and pressed on. I thought seeing the models up close was great! I got to see many of the kits I want to get. The vendors were awesome too! More on them to come. There were not a ton of builds, as you can see from the pics, but what was there was really good! The Enterprise had lights and fiber optics, some models had sound effects, the Brummbar had a switch that lit up the interior! Very cool. Sadly, there was only one younger modeler there. He looked to be about 12-13 and he did the 2 Start Trek vessels and the USS Jersey next to them. He did a really good job and he was really cool about it too. Wanted to tell you all about it. I talked to him for about 20 minutes about the USS Jersey. He did research on the boat and was telling me some of the history about it! It was awesome! Anyway, enjoy checking out the pics.
Vendors. This was a scary issue for me. Being my first show, I wasn't sure how to handle haggling prices, ask if they would be interested in trading, anything, but again, the advice you guys gave was spot on. First vendor I hit was cool and I picked up ERTL's Star Wars Imperial Tie Fighters for $15! I didn't haggle with that! The next vendor was an experience! It was the table for the NY chapter and they had a ton of kits! I looked at them and could not believe the prices. I had to ask if all the parts were there! I was the first one there (I got there about 15 before opening and they let me in!) so I was talking to the guy and pulling kits. Before I was done, a swarm of people came in and started grabbing kits! It was crazy! Here is what I got from them: 1/48 B-29 $15, 1/48 B-24 $10, 1/32 Storch $10, 1/32 F-4 $1 (yeah $1!!!!!!!!!!!), History Maker V-2 $5, 2 kits of figures, one of sand bags, and a diorama set from Testors...$1 each!!!!! I missed out on 1/24 Airfix Bf-109 and 2 1/24 Spitfires for $10 each! I wasn't fast enough. The next vendor was all about cars! I didn't think I'd find anything there since the only vehicles I'm looking for is the 1980 Trans Am Daytona Pace Car and the General Lee! Well wouldn't you know, there in the bottom of a pile was the pace car! I promptly tackled...I mean grabbed it and let out an evil laugh,,,,,like I've said, I need help! If there was a bummer moment for the whole thing it was when I got home and really checked out all the kits to find out the pace car was below standards. I paid $20 bucks for it, but I had a great time talking to the guy and got some really good advice from him that paid off while there. So, on to the next vendor. This guy had the high end stuff and prices to match. I looked and saw a couple of kits I liked and wouldn't mind giving a home to. Now the previous guy was the first I asked if he would be interested in trading. He was very willing and took a look at my "large" list of 15 models. But, being a car guy, I had nothing he was interested in. But he told me the vendor I was at now loves to trade and is more than willing to work with his prices. So, I ask the guy about an Airfix 1/48 Canberra. He pulled it out from the bottom of a pile and handed it to me and told me to open her up and check it out. EVERY vendor was more than accommodating when it came to checking out models. I know, why didn't I check out the pace car better?! Heat of the moment! Anyway, the guy had a sticker price of $29 for the Canberra. I wasn't too familiar with the cost of a 1/48 Canberra, but I thought it was a fair price. I'm pulling the cash out and asked if he would like to see my list of kits I'm willing to part with. He got all excited and said yes. He asked if I had any 1/48 F-4's. Now we are getting somewhere....yes sir, I have 2. He checks out the list, I finished counting out $22 (the offer me made me while talking about the Canberra), and he asked if I had my 1/48 MH-60 with me. Yes sir. I'll trade you the 60 for the Canberra. I stood there staring at him. Now let me know if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking a Airfix 1/48 Canberra is worth more than a 1/48 Academy MH-60G Pave Hawk! I'm thinking he must think I have something else. I asked if he was sure, and he was asking if it had the decals, sealed bags, etc. Yes sir it does. He wanted to trade. He even told me to take the Canberra and take it to the car when I got the copper. Uh, thanks, but let's make sure you are happy with the kit first. I came back, he checked it out, and handed me the Canberra! I was floored! I think I got the better end of the deal, but this guy was as happy as I was with the trade. I felt like a kid at Christmas! So I went around and took pics, didn't win anything from the raffles, but was just about ready to go when I made one more round to see if I missed anything. Told everyone I had met goodbye and stopped at the vendor I traded with last. Now he had a 1/48 Airfix EE Lightning that I just loved. I was looking at it and he came over and we started talking again. He had a sticker price of $30 for it and he told me $25 would take it home. I thought you know this guy was the first person ever to trade with me, so I was like sure! I threw in my 3 raffle tickets for him to have for the remaining raffles!
I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that my first model show was super duper!!! I had a great time, made some friends, and got to check out some really great builds! I am going to make an effort to go to as many of these shows as I can! My goal....go to a big national one! Anyway, enjoy the pics! Oh, the first pic is of my spoils of war!
http://s251.photobucket.com/user/Eagle90_photos/slideshow/CAN-AM%20Con%2011