Aha !
Finally got to go to a I.P.M.S.-ModelFiesta in New Braunfels! They changed venue from San Antonio for whatever reason. Made me glad. The Meeting places around the Colisieum in S.A. were surely expensive and you also had to pay a good hunk for parking!
Up here in New Braunfels, parking is free and the Venue could be used to enlarge the contest room. They only used about 3/4 of the facility. Models? Oh, you bet! Beautifully done Armor and Aircraft to behold.
Ships was unique in that there some that were only an few inches long and detail Wise would knock yer socks off! In Wood! Some by beginners were fairly plain by a experienced modelers view.That said, as a former professional I found them to be a breath of fresh air! Well done, with some Boo-Boos but even the Boo-Boos were thought out mid stride! All in all a Well done from this observer!!
Armor, Well it was so well done you had to go back more than once-The detail was amazing as was the weathering! The Dios looked almost Proffessional and had much more detail than I remember. Well done, Guys and Gals!
I would say a lot about Cars, But I was somewhat disappointed. The Model Factory Hiro and Others of that ilk overshadowed those who don't have that kind of budget. That said, The Cars were for the most part, as well as could be expected In 1/25 and 1/24 with some doing Paint and Detailing above and Beyond. One that caught me was an oldie in 1/87? How about natural rubber colored tyres?
Figures? Hmmm. Some near Naked ladies! well---- Let's say even Barbie MK. 1, would blush! Now the others were like Wargame related and Movies as well. Some too small to see the obviously fine paint work that went into them. Military figs? WOW !! Some looked almost alive!!
I hit the Vendors - Who doesn't ? Got some floaty thingies and one especially nice to find. An old Entex kit of the "Minots Light" a Ketch by Designer, John Alden. Then a box scale RevelloGram U.S.S. Saratoga Late fit. I guess with the finely molded planes I gotta build a Carrier! Also picked up a fresh in the Box AMT/ERTL Customizing Inboard Boat kit! NO, I did not bust my Budget. I probably would've if I had found a Model of the AURORA 'Wheeler Cruiser"(A motor yacht).
I was going to sell some of my stash of cars-Lo! and Behold over fifty percent of the Vendors were selling the same thing at the same prices. So I just enjoyed the camaraderie of the Texans and out of State visitors and the Texicans who were well represented in Planes and Armor. I say " Texicans" because our friends from Mexico were well represented and darned fine work in all categories.
I got to meet some modelers I only have spoken to on line and a Hobby Shop owner who retired and the gent who bought the shop and is still going! Brick and Mortar going out? Uh-Uh! Found a new one north of N.B. and I say "Welcome"! to LionHeart Models in Kyle Texas!! I will be going there next!! Well, thats it for now and remember-Model On !!!