Who's planning on going to the 21 Nats in Vegas this year?

Real G

I was not paying attention again.

It was a vague joke, I expected to have to explain it.

Real G

No, we use airplanes like everyone else. The canoe service ended years ago.

Now THAT was funny.

    Plane tickets secured at no ectra cost next room booking for a couple nights. Transportation is jelling up so......here's hoping to meet you fine folks in Sin City.

Armornut - Glad you can make it!  See you in Vegas!  Now let's bang out some stuff for the contest!  Yeah that goes for me too.

Greg - That diner looks really cool.  I'll definitely check it out if I am passing through.

I quit going to any of them about ten years ago..

After all it's just,

                    "another plaque on the wall"

For me, it's even less - they are in a paper bag under my model display case.  It's the thrill of the game - like a dog chasing cars.

Real G

For me, it's even less - they are in a paper bag under my model display case.  It's the thrill of the game - like a dog chasing cars.

 

disastermaster

 

 

Real G

For me, it's even less - they are in a paper bag under my model display case.  It's the thrill of the game - like a dog chasing cars.

 

 

 

 

Ya know, I've often wondered what that dog would do if he ever caught that car?

 

There was a Mad Magazine feature "The Lighter Side of..." that answered that question!

Next stop: car wash.

disastermaster

I quit going to any of them about ten years ago..

After all it's just,

                    "another plaque on the wall"

 

This is my first and probably only chance to get to the Nats. After my lung transplant and almost occupying a plot at the veterans cemetery up the hill a few years back I'm not going to regret anytghing if I can help it. If I have a chance to go somewhere, I'll go. Becides, after all the work I'm putting into the Akagi it world be a shame not to show it off and just put it on the shelf.

I feel very fortunate.  I was able to attend when it was in KC. (I live here), and in 2017 in Omaha. Next year ( if all goes well) , I will be able to go to Omaha again.  The following year I will be retiring, so the trip to San Marcos is on tap. All predicated on whether I’m still kicking, of course. 

  Modelcrazy,  If I could work it out, the trip to Vegas would be worth it just to see your ship in person.  I’m already jealous of those who can. 

I have half a mind to come out just to see your Akagi.

I have been twice: 2004 in Phoenix and 2007 Orange County.  What a great spectical it is.  Definelty reccomend going if you can.  I don't compete anymore but I sure would like to go browse the tables and vendors and see some of you all.

I just got my flights booked, so it's all systems "go"!

"Mission Control, how are those models coming along?"

"Mission Control, do you copy, over."

"Ummm, Houston we may have a problem."

I really look forward to seeing Steve's Akagi!  And those Zeros with painted canopy frames are kinda shaming me into doing the same with the KX-03.

     Models? Models? OH the ones I'm supposed to have for the NATS LOOK SQUIRREL. Rooms should be booked in a couple weeks, friend is driving down so he can pick my brother and me up from the airprt on the 19th. No promise on finished stuff....may get cold feet and just be a spectator

    DUMB QUESTION????  What type of currency does the vendors usually take, cash, obviously daa, debit cards?? OR will some vendors accept personal checks.

      My next question on checks is since Vegas is an "International"city will the cashier at the resort cash a personal check. I have personally only used cash or debit cards in the casino...never been there for anything else.

         If some of you Nat vets or brave "travelled" souls could assist a couple of NAT Noobs it sure will make our experience more enjoyable.

    Rooms will be booked in a couple weeks solid, rental car has been detailed to my bro. Looking forward to hopefully meeting some if not all of you folks in August.

    Thanks guys

Ca$h is king Armornut.  Everybody accepts it, and you can watch it dwindle in your wallet to know when to stop.

I would not count on vendors with credit card machines.

  Roger that Real G, we will adjust security protocall as required

Armornut,

Vendors don't always have access to power and wireless at conventions, and those additional services can sometimes be expensive.

On a related note, when I went to Japan with some friends, one of them carried traveler's checks in lieu of cash.  It was a huge PITA to even find places that would cash those checks.  And yes, I used the rapidly thinning wad of 10,000 Yen bills to gauge when to stop buying stuff.  One time I spent all my money and only had enough to make it back to the airport.  I gave up window shopping and just took a nap in the hotel lobby while waiting for my friends to get back from their last minute binge.  Fortunately, I buy less and less stuff now so I no longer have that problem. 

Now the only problem I have is finishing kits... 

    I don't have a problem carrying cash, really don't think my brother will either. I have found that if your not flashing it around or making yourself a "target" you can easily enjoy yourself. Not to mention the afor mentioned automatic stop switch when ya don't think you'll have enough for a cheeseburger. How many more kits do I really need......ALL OF THEMLOL.

    It is done....I will see you in Vegas. Will you see me?

Too far for me to go.  But I will be at Modelpalooza in October.

Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock.  No, not the latest silly app for your phone, I'm referring to the impending National Convention in August.  The start of the 100 day countdown has come and gone, so we are in the final stretch.

So... What is everyone bringing to the contest?  I know some people guard this information like it's top secret, but for the others, what's up?  I mentioned on another thread that I will be trying to finish the Miyazaki monster airplane I have been tinkering with for more than half my lifetime (for 33 years if you can believe it).

It's my oldest unfinished model, started when my dad was still alive and VHS was the media of choice.  I'm a lot older now and feeling like Hugh Jackman's character in "Logan".  Time to get it done, 

And if there is extra time (ha ha!) maybe I'll do another weird model.  Not another spaghetti kit, but perhaps something off the wall, like a Fujimi crayfish:

This is my talented friend Lance's model.  That's just... cray-cray.  

That reminds me, I need to fill out the model paperwork and pay the entry fee. There's around 6 builds I'm bringing.

Akagi
Oliver Hazard Perry
Corel mayflower
Bandai AT-ST
Sunken Zero
Maybe a 1/48 Swordfish.

So I'm going because MC committed to getting the Akagi done! I think tho I have a model to bring now. Going to build a carry-on case for the AH-1Z Viper. IF I win anything at all I will give props to MC  and no matter what I'll be able to say I was there to see the Akagi launched...

Can't go. I mean, it is obvious, lol, that I am a 14 year old who has no money

TheMongoose

So I'm going because MC committed to getting the Akagi done! I think tho I have a model to bring now. Going to build a carry-on case for the AH-1Z Viper. IF I win anything at all I will give props to MC  and no matter what I'll be able to say I was there to see the Akagi launched...

 

Oh the pressure 

Teenage Modeler

Can't go. I mean, it is obvious, lol, that I am a 14 year old who has no money

No worries TM - just add it to your "to-do" list when you get to college or start working.  That's what I did.    And never say never - I had dreamt of going to the UK Nationals at Telford since the mid 1970s, and it became a reality when a well travelled friend said "Hey, you wanna go?"

I partially blame Modelcrazy (Steve) for deciding to throw in my "forever model", as his Akagi provided the inspiration (aka kick in the pants).

Oh and what about the meet and greet?  What's the plan?  My friends are planning on going to a "nice" restaurant on Saturday since the banquet is not happening.  I jokingly suggested we stay at the restaurant enjoying desserts and drinks until the contest room doors are flung open for the customary "model stampede".

Well G, I'm finally finished with the Akagi but need to have a nameplate made (I'll never feel like I'm completly finished with it) so depending on things outside my control, like the world exploding, It'll be there.
I keep having daymares about the grandkids knocking it over and destroying it, in which case I can make the Akagi wreck I guess.

The meet and greet,  I haven't really given it much thought. I kind figured we'd (the ones who actually found each other) would decide at the time. I'll be there with my wife and we're not planning on "doing the town" but the hotel hosting IPMS would be fine with us. I reserved a room in the hotel since last year when it was anounced.

We will be ariving late Thursday, driving for 10+ hours from Boise. It'll be too late to check my builds in so I'll check them in on Friday morning. I'm thinking of showing the Akagi as a vignette since it portrays a specific time in history.

So yeah, I'll see you, or you'll see the Akagi there.

   I will be flying in on Aug 19 around noon from Spokane Wa.  May have a kit I just finished to put on the table just to say "I did it"  leaving on Aug 21 around 7pm. The only off site thing my brother and I are planning is Battleground Las Vegas. An indoor, or outdoor depending on how deep your pockets are, shooting range. I for one need some recoil therapy.

I'll be arriving in Sin City on Wednesday morning.  Me and my friends usually need to unpack and prep our kits (and I usually have to give my models a soap water sponge bath to remove the accumulated dust), so the models hit the contest room on Friday morning.

I have noticed the contest rooms are invariably dusty, so the less time out on the tables mean less cleaning.

Maybe we do lunch or early dinner on Friday?  I would like to volunteer for judging, assuming they ask, COVID concerns and all that.

I'll be with my wife on Tuesday. Gonna spend some time gambling and at the pool  would enjoy meeting you guys and grabbing some food. Hotel sounds good, i think they all have a great spread in Vegas! Time to meet the Men Behind The Model lol

i was going to but rotator cuff surgery kinda squashed those plans. i still drive a 5 speed and right shoulder so cannot make the 12 hour drive. My frau cannot go with. sigh i had a room too. will have to cancel that.

at least i can build. and, as compensation, there is an international Rugby 7s tournament in town the same weekend.

i attended Omaha in '12 and helped run the raffle at '13 in Colorado.