Leaderboard

Hello Cliff. I think all of us who have been around as long as you and I have, can legitimately claim that our ox has been gored. It matters more to some than it does others, but what's truly important is that we have helped...in whatever way...the IPMS/USA to not only survive but to prosper. Had it not been for the IPMS/USA...as well as all the other National groups, and definitely giving proper credit to the Brits who started the whole thing, we would not have the incredible plastic model kit and aftermarket hobby/industry that we have today. That is something that all of us can be immensely proud of, regardless of which individual gets recognition...or doesn't. BTW, I also remember the joys of cutting mimeograph stencils and hoping to God you didn't make too many mistakes that you had to spend time correcting!

I built that kit, and with careful cleanup the seam is not too bad. The key to the exercise it to test fit until the parts fit tightly together when you simply hold them together. If I recall, I managed to get a tight seam that only needed a light sanding. I used Tamiya Extra Thin cement, and applied a little pressure to the two halves once they were together to pop out a small bead of plastic that had been softened by the cement. Let it dry overnight, and sand that bead of plastic down--you should have a smooth surface with no (or a minimal) seam to deal with. I use super glue most of the time when I need to fill a seam. Work slowly and in small sections, sand it as soon as it can be sanded, and don't leave it un-sanded overnight--it gets harder as time goes on. You can mix it with talcum powder, artists pigments, or microballons, too--it sands easier, but doesn't leave as smooth a finish. Try it on a scrap kit to get the feel for it. Cheers! Ralph

I joined my local chapter (IPMS_denver) now the Rob Wolf chapter in 1968 and joined national in 1970 (IPMS/USA 3687) and attended my first national convention in Wichita, Ks. that same year. Jere Vliet was president at that time and I have been a continuous member since that time. I was club secretary for eight years and newsletter editor for another eight (when we did it on a memeograph machine! I am currently the chapter contact and have been since the post was instituted. I served as national membership secretary from '85-'87 but never received a 25 year pin. I did receive a 10 year national judges pin quiet a while ago. I also served as national head automotive judge for several years and on the 2013 national convention committee Some of my contemporaries have received 50 year pins (in 2019) and I was looking forward to receiving one in 2020. Obviously that did not come to pass. I certainly think I'm deserving of some little recognition for my longevity in supporting and serving the organization for such a long continuous time without any break in membership. And I'm still around ! Cliff T. Davis

I'm not sure what an equitable solution would be to the question of awards/recognition. As some of you know, I've been involved in the IPMS/USA since before it actually existed (I was in the TAHS with Jim Sage when he started kicking around the idea of a US branch of the IPMS). I've never participated to the extent I wanted to due to lack of funds. That situation also led to a gap in membership. My only real claim to fame...such as it is...is that I managed to hang on to my original IPMS/USA number...#2. If some kind of recognition/award was to be made, it probably should be limited to those of us who were the original...or charter...members of the IPMS/USA. Why? Because an argument could be made that if it wasn't for us...the old guard...the IPMS/USA would probably have never come into existence. At least not in its present form. However, that leads to the next question: Where's the cutoff point? 20? 25? 50? 100? And then there's also the fact that not many of the Old Guard are still around...or at least not current members. BUT the bottom line is one overriding question...does it really matter? That's a question for each one of us to answer. Me? It's enough for me to know that y'all know that I was privileged to be one of the founders of the IPMS/USA...no matter how small a part I played. HOWEVER...if our leadership ever decides to hand out a pin, placard, certificate or whatever in recognition of the founding members, I hope I get one. Preferably while I'm still breathing!