Dick Montgomery

Figured you were actually thinking "EB" and not "NCC". I also enjoyed the Orlando convention very much. I made a point of doing the whole Disney thing and I can guarantee it didn't result in any decrease in vendor income. Didn't make the west coast Disneyland convention....couldn't take the time off from work. I enjoy the trip to a Nats in a holistic manner. Getting there and then home again is half the fun. I've seen parts of the country I've never visited before on the road-trip portion. Don't really care where the convention is being held as the travel becomes part of the whole experience. Never been to a convention that I did not enjoy. But then, I don't attend with the expectation of being "served" or "waited upon". I go with the desire to participate....and I see that many others do the same. Going on tours, bleeding money in the vendor area, judging, either attending or providing a presentation/seminar....yup....I'm already feeling itchy to hit the road to Columbia.

Hey Phil, The NCC does not participate in the bid process, per se. There have been occasions in which a member of the NCC was also a member of the EB, and in that case, I guess one could say the NCC was represented in the bid process, but it was never a "determining' factor during my years of participation on the EB. It is the EB that makes the decision as to the convention bid winner.

One day show, two day regional, a Nats....................they are all fun and well worth the time and treasure to attend. Of all the contests I've had the pleasure to attend only one is no longer on my list of "gotta goes". I've seen some shows, including a Nats or two that rather "blew up" in the host's face and these problems were imminently avoidable and self-inflicted. I've seen some shows that were executed smoothly, with no noticeable glitches. Often I go to shows without an entry just because it's fun to help judge, survey the goodies on the vendor tables, and see modelers I have known for a number of years and to chat a bit. Go to the show(s). Lend a hand to the hosts. Walk away from the trolls. Enjoy the roadtrip!

Gil is right. I make it a point, when my local non-IPMS compadres begin to rant about how an IPMS guy was being a jerk at the local show, I always ask them to identify said Butt-Head, and I often get to reply that "Joe ButtHead" is not an IPMS member. (I've been around for a while and have some knowledge as to who is, or isn't a member. And when in doubt, I go ask Sr. ButtHead if he is a member." Unfortunately, there are times when said Butt Head is a well known self indulgent, ego-centric, self aggrandizing, self promoting, "Eggspurt"..........and they are also an IPMS member. My reply is then, "Yes, he is an IPMS member but he does not represent IPMS. As a society we subscribe to other principles and practices.......every organization has members like him....unfortunate, but true."

I'm nodding my head in agreement..............and now off to the modeling workbench.

UK? Excellent! Love to travel there...always a grand experience.

Nice separation lines on the camo....was that free hand or with a form of "mask"?

I am of the opinion that membership in IPMS does not cause or facilitate the propensity of some of our fellow modelers to develop into butt-heads. Some independent modelers berate both AMPS and IPMS for being a litterbox of nit pickers, rivet counters, and BHs who look down upon all other modelers. I have found that being a member of a national organization such as IPMS does not cause, nor does it diminish BHS (Butt Head Syndrome). Take away the membership card and the person in question would still display a full set of BH symptoms. Switch membership cards from AMPS to IPMS, IPMS to AMPS, or to any other group or even to no group at all and the BH factor will remain unchanged for those infected with it. Does membership in IPMS cause a person to be off-putting? I submit it does not. It's the person, themselves, and their view of their significance to the modeling community that causes BHS. A cure is out of the question since the disease will flare up again even after the person in question receives a much deserved beat-down. An option is to simply look at the BH, slowly shake your head, turn, and walk away while they are in mid-sentence. They won't notice because they don't care if you are listening or not. They are their own audience and won't notice your departure. I enjoy making some small contribution to IPMS, either as a member or as a participant at a local show or national convention. I enjoy listening to those who know far more than I about a modeling subject (and since I am not an expert on any subject so I get to listen a lot!) and I really enjoy attending demonstrations of modeling skills by those who are proficient. IPMS and AMPS have members who are genuine experts and my modeling has been improved by listening to them and by modeling (pardon the play on word) my own efforts after what they demonstrate. I agree with David when he says....just ask questions and join in and show us what your are building. Solid advice from Wee Davey.

Thanks for the info Hub. Close to 7 months away so there's plenty of time to go through the registration process once it's set up, tested, and functional. I'd rather wait until you guys have debugged the procedures.

Can you share the data after the event here please?

In our local show (we are about to hold our 35th annual ModelFiesta) we recognize that in order to add a new category and to see if it will become a relatively permanent part of the category landscape takes about three years. Many entrants do not notice a new category or have not considered building something that would be eligible for it. (Yes....one can take steps to shine a spotlight on the new category, but that does not always translate to modelers actually seeing it). The 2nd year, those modelers are more aware of the new category and by the third year one gets some trend data upon which the utility of the category can be measured. At the national level most entrants are much more attuned to changes in category structure, probably due to the fact that Investment in both time and treasure to attend a Nats is significantly greater than to attend a local show. A possible way forward would be for those looking at adding a Fig category............attend some Figure shows in your area and actually ask figure painters for their opinions. One will gather much useful information in that way as well as spreading the word that a new category most likely is going to be offered.

I've got it now. Just didn't think it through......................so in essence you advocate the creation of a new category for a (single) fig on a base, and the judges take the piece as a whole, judging fig and base together. Some nits to pick at: Would it be required that the base have some sort of scenery applied? Perhaps a portion of a stone wall, some vegetation, or water? What wording would limit figs that are simply mounted on a base that has no scenery or enhancement?

Ah....another 1/48th modeler. Welcome aboard! How about some images of your work?

Would judging a fig and the base as a single entry not be better described as a "diorama" or "vignette"? Aren't there already categories for these remarkable pieces of workmanship?

It's a "classic" and you did a great job!

Wha? You use bikinis to camouflage your models? I thought you were supposed to simulate camo netting or tarps? And just how much of the model does this bikini cover?

This isn't a major crisis and its happened before. It will happen again. If you can't read the label then ask an employee in the hobby shop for help. If reading small print is difficult then it isn't just the label in question that is an issue, its reading maps, reading prescription instructions, reading kit instructions, or doing anything that involves small items. Most likely you have a pair of reading glasses that you tote around with you. Using your cell phone, as was suggested by Joe, is SOP for me. I'm quite sure that paint producers really don't want to have to change their label designs since it most likely costs them some coin to do that. And blaming the United Nations and EPA is a bit of an "over-reaction". If there's a problem (like lead being in paint) then you probably want to know about that and don't mind EPA stepping in. There are multiple ways to get around this issue.

Alright you dinosaurs. That's the way things are going to be so adapt or perish. Thanks for the info, though. I have yet to experience the joy of adaptation to the new label. Think I'll call a bunch of modeling buddies and we can have a "New Label" party at the paint racks in the local hobby shop.

Good Questions Brian. May I compliment you on your response to Nick's post. You chose to be reasonable and courteous, as well as humorous in the face of an unwarranted and unprovoked verbal assault. You owe no one and apology and, in fact, you are owed an apology by Nick. As you can see by the comments made by Mike, Dave, Gil and Rusty, your questions will be replied to in a courteous and respectful manner by the vast majority of people on this forum and in the Society in general. ​ It's a good thing for newbies (to the Society) to ask questions and to learn how the pieces of the Society come together. You'll find the Columbia convention and Omaha conventions to be well worth your time. There's nothing like a National Convention to fuel that modeling fever!

Welcome back!

Clutch......................... sounds like you might be an auto builder. Or maybe a pinch hitter on the local baseball team! Welcome aboard.

Do you think I'd carry change in my pocket in combat?

Vallejo Washes and AK Washes.

Stunning work!.....thanks for the pics. They really help to see how the finish develops as you add color and other techniques.

Lots of nicely done mods..... looking forward to more and thanks!