RJackson

In the last few entries an old issue has resurfaced and I feel the need to respond. The contention is that contest is flawed because it is so driven by competition and some/many modelers won't enter as a result. They feel oppressed. We must restructure the contest to make sure that bad things aren't said about the models and, by extension, the builders. Your personal self-worth tied is the outcome. Where is it written that in order to enter you are required to care about how your model places in the category? If you don't want to compete, walk in the room, plunk you model down, and walk away. Look at the other models, go to the vendors, attend seminars, visit and generally have a good time without giving a second thought about whether you model will win or not. If you are concerned that someone will make disparaging remarks about your model walk away so you won't hear them. Rick

This is to let everyone know that David Kimbrell passed away Thursday, December 14. He succumbed to brain cancer that struck quickly in the middle part of the year and was diagnosed just after San Marcos. Dave had a large footprint in IPMS, both as a contributor to the Journal and expressing opinions on many a topic in the Forum. Several have crossed swords with Dave here. Yet, regardless of the back and forth and whether or not you agreed with him, Dave’s goal was always to promote modeling. He was always engaging people in the hobby shop in the model aisles wanting to know their interests and inviting them to attend club meetings. He was always willing to share info on techniques and resources if someone needed help on a build. He leaves a hole that will be difficult to fill.

Are there any convention pins left over? I have lost track of mine and would like to replace it. Rick

Going to GSB won't 'solve' anything, especially in the first year(s). It will take some time for the judges to adapt to the new system. The result will be some models being 'undervalued' and some 'overvalued'. When that happens, social media will erupt again with the same vitriol wanting to know why, comparisons between models that got different medals and general dissatisfaction and calls of collusions, 'brother-in-lawing', etc. Same song, different verse.

There are also photos of some of the models for San Marcos and earlier contests in the IPMS Photo Galleries Events Gallery / IPMS/USA Nationals Galleries | IPMS/USA Gallery (ipmsusa3.org)

A few thoughts: Do we need an additional comment in the Early Steam and Sail category that ships built during that time and qualifying for this category will still be in category regardless of the calendar date? Quite a few ships that fit here served past the launch of Dreadnought and into WW I. This is the really the same issue mentioned with regard to submarines that were built pre-1946 but served into the 50's and 60's. Whether we go with construction date or service date should be consistent between all classes. OK, here I may be looking for a problem that doesn't exist, but here we go. in Category 404 and 405 we need to be careful about mentioning size in the description. As ship sizes increased over the years many early ships were physically smaller than later ships considered to be a smaller type (e.g. early cruisers versus modern destroyers). Ticonderoga class cruisers and Spruance class destroyers are on the same hull and almost the same weight but would be in different classes. Ship designation should clearly be emphasized as the primary factor if size is mentioned. Under Detailing, who determines whether drilling out a gun barrel is practical and whether a builder should be dinged for not doing it? I think we should stay with the concept that doing something like this should merit extra credit if done well but be a neutral item if not done.

Dave, not every decision by the NCC has to go through a public debate. That would be unworkable. Besides, as already established, this is a location change--it's not like it was done away with. It doesn't reach the threshold of earth-shattering. Now, let's hope those that do end up judging using this structure meet with your approval.

Tearing your shirt and overturning tables would be a useless overreaction. You have answered your own question. If you look at the published category list ( and the section you quoted) you will see that every diorama/vignette that previously existed in Dioramas is now within that class. Rick

As a perc this year, we have been providing IPMS memberships for chapter members. Once they get their membership, we log it so we have it at year-end for the charter renewal. Everyone seems to be getting a large number (ex. 63548946) in their confirmation email instead of the traditional 5-digit number. So far, none have received a membership card. Our chapter contact can't find anything but the large number on the new chapter roster on-line. I've seen it and my membership also shows the large number instead of the one I've had for 40 years. Is this a new system or are we just looking in the wrong place? How do we get the correct number for the re-charter? Rick

They're yours.

After conversing with Eric, the job is mine. So, this is a general call for volunteers to help takes pictures for the website gallery. If you are interested but aren't quite sure what you are signing up for, look in the Events Gallery and then in the IPMS/USA Nationals gallery for examples of what has been done before. Like I said above, people will focus on the one or two classes that most interest them. For those classes that don't have someone assigned to them I'll take examples from all of the photographers and compile them. We'll try to meet once or twice during the convention to do a data transfer of what you have. I'll then format them and upload them onto the web site. It's not terribly structured and is really just to give those who can't attend a chance to see what was there.

Pete Until I or someone is 'officially' in charge, you just need to keep your offer out there. Last time we did have people focusing on particular categories but I also took whatever they shot and were willing to share. This is especially important if a category is not picked up by someone. Everyone's contribution goes into those. No tally sheet is used since we have no need to match up photos like they do for the awards program. Rick

I headed this last year. The preferred format is JPG. Size is not as important as they will be resized before uploading to the website. Size only becomes an issue in how long it takes to transfer the files from you to me. Most cameras now use SanDisk cards but I have a multi-card reader if you have something offbeat. We usually determine a time and place to meet to transfer what you have to date and one to two meetings usually covers it. Rick Jackson

I like them too. But I am upset that when I went to the sponsorship page the Best Of awards were obscenely priced. I see that you are trying to target corporate sponsors, but why price out the chapters? The least expensive award is twice what we budgeted.

It may be one of several reasons. You could take that same Asuka Sherman and enter it in three different categories simply by making it a small comp diorama, a large comp diorama and sticking it on a plain wood base. Are you advocating for the elimination of categories you don't like to build in with the purpose of expanding ones that you do like?