That's right, I just registered for the IPMS Nationals event/contest in Virginia this August! I better get busy finishing up some work ... and figuring out how to transport it! Any ideas on that second front? If you're going to be there, please let me know. I'd love to meet in person!
While reading Armorama recently, I came across an amazing photo gallery of the Moson Model Show. The problem was, the images were just too small to pour over every detail. So I reached out to Mario Matijasic who had posted the original images and asked if he'd be willing to post the larger versions. I offered up this space (and my server space and bandwidth) to post them. Check them out over in the gallery: Moson Model Show Gallery And if you're interested in more details about the show, Mario sent me a description. Adding Croatia to the travel wish list for 2015! Moson Model Show was held in Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary, from 12th till 13th of April 2014. What started as a small local show 18 years ago slowly transformed into a huge international event with about 1500 models displayed this year. The supporting program spurred a lot of interest... not just [...]
The first time I was actively modeling, it was the late 80s. Back then, access to information and tutorials and talented people was a whole different world. I went to a lot of model contests, mostly to meet other people and see other people's work. That tiny Reader Gallery section of each Fine Scale Modeler magazine didn't do it! Every once in a while, I'd come across a book or a magazine that had some helpful tips, but most of them at that time weren't really written for the purposes of teaching, or at least not by "teachers". Or there simply wasn't that much content. One book, however, was an absolute godsend when it was released. It was written for the unskilled masses... i.e. me. It was clear, covered the key issues, and was generally fun to read. (All things that modeling book authors could stand to learn a thing or [...]
More Friday Finds! IPMS Zurich Show photos Moson Model Show 2014 photos AMPS Nats 2014
Here's a few cool links I've found this week: German WWII railway depot dio part I A break to rest (diorama build log) How to make trees Crusty'n rusty Dodge WC 51 Beep Mosonmagyaróvár 2014 show pictures How to create pipes The heroic WWII mission to capture a deadly Tiger Tank from the Germans, is revealed for the first time Inside the Army's Spectacular Hidden Treasure Room C.A.H.M.S. California Show 2014 Photo Report
One of my favorite online retails is Squadron. They're based just a few hours away from me, so shipping is always quick. Prices and selection are usually pretty decent, and their site is a solid ecommerce experience.... something this industry doesn't often get right. So I like to support them when I can. They recently announced they were moving their monthly mailing to a paid model rather than a freebie. On the surface, I think this is a great idea that I wholeheartedly support. To be honest, for 20+ years, I've never gotten much value out of the magazine/flyer they send out. Simply put, it's a long, uninteresting text list of kits and prices sprinkled with a few pictures of a random kit on that page. This is a product of a far gone era where we needed price lists pre-Internet. These days, however, that format is utterly pointless. I want [...]
I've been back in the hobby for a couple years now, but am only recently starting to turn out enough final model product to be able to enter in contests. I'd gotten stuck in an unhealthy mindset about whether I'd participate. Largely, I suffered from two issues: "I'm not good enough" - My work, while improving, is still not award winning. I was really worried that people would wonder "Why is he bringing this crap?" "Why bother?" - I've too focused on the end prize of 1st place. If I don't have a real chance of winning, what's the point of entering? When I was a kid in high school building models, I took them to shows at least 3 or 4 times a year. I was blessed living in Southern California - a few hours drive in any particular direction would get you to a new contest. You didn't have to [...]
I am going to be doing an Out of the Box (OOB) build for a local contest coming up in October. The rules for this particular category say that they will go by the IPMS judging rules... which I needed to look up. In doing so, I came across the IPMS Competition Handbook. It's a collection of helpful information to understand how judges at model events will be looking at your competition models. I thought it was worth sharing. Even if you don't plan on entering contests, it's a good checklist of things to watch during your build process. Basic Construction Flash, sink marks, mold marks, ejector-pin marks, provisions for motorization eliminated. Seams filled where applicable, especially on cylindrical parts such as gun barrels, wheels, and auxiliary equipment. Contour errors corrected. Gaps between upper and lower hulls blanked off to prevent a "see-through" effect. Gap/overlap at point where track ends join [...]
I've been delinquent in Sprue Cutter's Union posts, but this one was easy since I've already written about it! Here's the latest prompt: How do you stay in the hobby when you're away from the bench? This is a great question for me. I travel a lot for work, and the weekend time is in terribly low supply between my family time, chores, errands, and sleeping in. I have two categories of non-workbench focused modeling to occupy me. 1. Hands on modeling If I want to take actual modeling work on the road with me, I focus on figuring painting. I wrote about my mobile painting setup recently, but since I hate checking bags with a fiery passion, I avoid anything with sharp edges. That means no knives, and therefore no construction. That said, when we were out of our house for 2.5 weeks recently, I setup a mobile workbench in [...]
I love stories from "the other side"... stories you don't often hear. We've seen Band of Brothers and The Pacific, great works of art that show the US solider's experience through WWII. But the German side, at least for American audiences, goes largely untapped. To truly understand a conflict like WWII, it's crucial to understand, even if you don't support, all sides involved. I recently read (although devoured is probably the better word), a book called Soldat: Reflections of a German Soldier, 1936-1949. This book followed a German soldier through his graduation from high school, enlistment in the military, service throughout the war, defense of Berlin, capture, and eventual placement in and release from a Soviet prison camp. This book is an amazing read. I couldn't recommend it highly enough.
