First show?

Do it! After ten or fifteen years of visiting shows, I finally entered two models in the ships category - and one took first place! I was amazed because it had some stiff competition. Even if you don't win anything, it'll still be a good experience. Best of luck!
Paul

NORDICON? Isn't that the Region 5 contest that's being held in the Twin Cities this year? Just joking, I know it is. I'm part of the committee that's in charge of it this year with the Twin City Aero Historians. It's really cool. And don't be nervous, I know I'm my worst critic as well. Just bring in your work and have fun with the other modelers.
I'm the head of security this year making sure visitors pay their admission and don't touch the models, so I'll plan on seeing you there.

BTW, what are you planning on entering? I'm putting together a display of 8 1/48 P-51D Mustangs by all different manufacturers. From the crappy hobbycraft kit, and the old Hawk and Revell kits, to the Tamiya and Hasegawa kits.
I know, I'm weird. At least that what my wife tells me.
See ya there,
Bernie Kugel, aka Bernie the K.

I've been doin' shows for... geez, about 20 years now. Since I was a kid really, and even though I've brought home more than my fair share of hardware I couldn't really care less if I win or not.

Sure, it feels good to win an award. But I get more out of putting that model on the table and seeing others enjoy lookin' at it. I enjoy talking to others about what we do, and I enjoy looking at the work of others. Most of all, I like learning something new from a fellow modeler and using all of this to build a "better" model.

I have to say though, the thing I enjoy the ABSOLUTE most about going to a show, is the road trip itself and the friends with whom I make the trip. Most shows that we go to are at least a couple of hours away and the craziness that usually comes out of these road trips are, in most cases, the highlight of the day. (Except when you win "best of"! )

Fade to Black...

Go for it! I entered my first ( so far only ) contest/show last Fall. It was sponsored by a local club. I was encouraged to be awarded a Bronze in 1/48 WWII aircraft.

It made me feel good to have that affirmation of my work. I have not done too much modeling, it was my first airbrush project also.

I was nervous at first. Once you get your model(s) on the table and start walking around to see everyone else's work, you start to feel a part of it and at home after a while.

I was great to see all the models on display. I was blown away by what people can do. I came home and brought my wife back to see it and she enjoyed it also.

One of the worst shows I ever entered was at Pensacola NAS. This was about five or six years ago. As I was talking to several friends at the show, we saw some kids playing with some of the models, throwing them around. I rushed over to mine just in time to see a man push down on the canopy of my F-8E and break it. He looked at me and commented that it didn't move like it does on the real one. One of the officials finally got the kids to give up the models and their father made the comment. "They were just playing with them and besides, they are only toys."

Ouch! My personnal disaster show story happened in 1984, as our club had been invited to a special one-off show to 'commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. It promised to be the biggest show ever, and the organisation seemed just amazing, with all models needing to be registered for insurance purpose and all. All the models were to be on show for 2 weeks, and were to be protected from the public by 2meter high plexiglass 'windows'.

At the time, I had just completed my 'Blue Angels' collection (all the BA aircraft I could do at the time at 1/72, plus, a huge diorama with the 6 BA Skyhawks in 1/48, and tons of figures and ground equipment. The setting up was to be done by professionals who would pick up the models from my home and bring them to Bastogne and organise the display. During the setting-up, one of the big plexiglass sheets fell onto the Skyhawks and crushed everything... I was devastated as the whole 'collection' had only been shown once at a show and I had been planning to tour it everywhere! I was told that the insurance would 'cover the costs and more', but after the show I learned that the organiser had left the country with the income from the show and had never contracted the insurance policy...

Since then, my models always ONLY travel with me!

Well Bernndye, I'm probably going to go with the P-40 I'm working on right now and maybe a DC-9 or two.

Nordicon is a great show by the way. Keep up the good work!

I also enjoy the Aerohistorians site too. You guys have a great newsletter.

Gary Fortuin

Do it! Your worst critic is likely yourself!!

M.

I feel the same as garyfo. I'm seriously thinking of entering a kit or two at the IPMS Region IV show in Indianapolis. I'm more worried about somebody breaking a model than of any criticism my kits would get. The criticism I can take, but a broken kit??? That's another story...lol

We all have had bad experiances at shows but it seems to be part of the modeling.I have been entering shows for over ten years and I still get as nervous as I did at my first show.I think that the best thing about shows is the insparation I get when I check out others work.Alot of times I think to myself "why did'nt I think about that" also others will freely share ther secrets.I say go for it ......You will not be sorry you did......Have fun........

I've been building on and off for over 20 years and started attending shows for the last 10 but I have yet to enter a model in one. I'm trying to work up the nerve and work-up a personal best model to attend AND enter two IPMS shows latter this year.

Just do it! You get a great feeling, award or not, just by seeing your model on display with those of others that share your enthusiam and passion for the hobby. Like blackwolfscd said, it's traveling with friends, meeting new ones, and just having a great time that make the trip, not just the contest. That camaraderie is enough to get you going back and entering more contests. Have fun!!! -Ed