RJackson

Well, if no one has officially been designated I can take a stab at it. Eric would need to give me some additional training on how to get to the specific pages we plan on using. Assuming the process is the same as the box art galleries, I'm at least partially trained on the uploading. Assuming all of that is a go, then all of us that plan on doing it will need to coordinate file transfers and such at the convention. Rick

Let me re-make a point here. Where is it written that a person MUST care if they win or lose at the contest? I know several people who attend, put the model on the table, and enjoy the rest of the convention without another thought about the contest. They enjoy looking at a roomful of models without it impacting their self-worth. Winning an award is gravy.

Has anyone issued a request for photographers yet and I just missed it?

Sure, I would drive too if it was that close--but is isn't this time. For me it is most of a two-day drive. Given that I have to be at work for part of WEDNESDAY, you can see what prompted this topic. Thanks to everyone for the input. You have confirmed much of what I knew/suspected. The plan is to have the models the only thing I carry on. I've already done some research and picked a box that is within the size limits. The box will be clear and sturdy so they can get an up-front idea of what's inside. As long as it doesn't get flipped upside down I should be good. Rick

Thanks for the feedback guys. My biggest concern has been the amount of inspection to expect. I was always planning on getting a clear storage box that would fit as carry-on, preferably under the seat. Most of the ones I've used are strong enough to put up with some banging and as long as I've done a good job in anchoring the models inside everything should be OK. Once packed, I was worried that the whole thing would have to be opened and probably fondled. It sounds like that will happen even though the models can be seen through the lid and sides. And, of course, there's the issue of PE, metal figures, etc.. These issues will certainly impact what I take and what I may build in the next few months. At this point a 54mm figure probably makes more sense than an HMS Victory. Rick

Work issues make it likely that I will be flying to Phoenix this year. It's been 15 years since I've tried to take a model on a plane. Can anyone give me advice on the current climate and what can be done to get an entry past TSA without damage. Success stories and/or failures would be appreciated. Rick Jackson

When you click on the link it opens a new window but the forms never load.

I see that the links for the contest forms are up. It appears, though, that they will not open with Firefox. They did come up when I tried Edge and Chrome. Rick

It seems that the updating has come to a halt with only a few from each state shown. I would like our club's to be added. How does one submit a club logo to be added to the Gallery? Is any format acceptable? Rick Jackson

I've been going back through my old Journals and Updates for personal reasons to document those. I haven't dug all of them out yet but I have found two so far. "Welcome Back MIA" won in NYC in 1981 and "Stroke of Fate" won in 1996. A couple of others might have been placed in dioramas by today's rules (the USS Vogelgesang, for example) but were in their respective categories when they won.

Let's not use the Nationals as a litmus test for the success or failure of recruiting juniors. This year there was an additional factor--the start of school. Since the majority of junior modelers must be either local or on vacation with parents, a school conflict will always blunt attendance. We were in the Atlanta area on vacation before the convention and I heard on the morning news the annual piece about the start of school in several Atlanta area districts. The local guys can verify this, but it may have also been the case around Columbia. The way the contest is set up, the only way a junior could get a model entered before judging under these conditions would be to proxy it. The next several conventions are also kissing the first week in August. Different areas of the country, sure, but earlier start dates for school is becoming a trend so I expect them to be more lightly attended as well. Rick Jackson

Thanks Rick

Many of us have the old membership renewal "coupon" embedded in our newsletters for people to use. Is there any way to get one with the new membership rates on it? Rick

OK I just received a phone call with help on this which is above and beyond the call as far as I'm concerned. They hope to have the page modified to display the form via the Forms tab soon. Right now, the only way to do it is via the shopping cart and you don't have the benefit of seeing what has already been selected.

Guys, here we are a month later and still do not have a response to this question either on the forum or via an e-mail request. Believe it or not, there are people out here just waiting to give you money if you will just post a form so we can sponsor categories. The delay is not helping your cause and it is just back-end loading the work. When can we expect to see this happen?

Did that--haven't heard back yet. I just wanted to try multiple lines of inquiry in case someone here already knew the answer. Rick

Dim bulb here. Are category sponsorships for the convention set up on the website and I'm just not finding them? Or, are they part of the set of forms that aren't available yet? I was wanting to discuss this at our club meeting but I can't find everything I need. Rick