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bobmig

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Everything posted by bobmig

  1. OK… here’s a thought. Would not the OOB category be a good opportunity to do a trial run of GSB judging? With a greater opportunity to come away with an award, plus the requirement to refrain from additional aftermarket parts (and the requisite expense and skills they entail) it may encourage more neophyte builders to enter their models. It would also be a good opportunity to see how the GSB system is received vs the 1-2-3 system. Bob
  2. If I may come at this from another direction... how many entries are there in a typical Nats contest? And how long would it take to add judges' notes and critique to each model? Quite a lot! Perhaps a better approach would be to ensure the judges are well-labeled (with badges) as to the categories they judged, and let them know that they are expected to provide constructive feedback should anyone approach them after the contest is judged. Then a entrant who does want some input can find the appropriate persons to talk to about his/her model. I think leaving it up to the modeller to initiate contact would streamline the process, and might also give the judges cause to more conscientiously consider their decisions while judging. Just my 2 cents worth.
  3. Ditto what Nick says. And I would also suggest that you also join the local chapter, where they can show you things hands-on, and answer all your questions much better.
  4. Dick has 1/2 of an apple. Jane has 1/4 of the apple. Who has the bigger piece?
  5. I guess I'm just odd, but I always considered that the shows and conventions were for the enjoyment of the modelers/members... not necessarily the small number of vendors who might engage in this practice. There are lots of avenues for ebay-type vendors to contact and solicit potential bulk sellers without doing it at a convention. But, as the number is really rather small, maybe we're making a mountain out of a molehill!
  6. Another approach might be to require vendors - as part of the vendor agreement - to keep their table(s) open, stocked and manned for the duration of the show. This is not unlike requiring contest entrants to keep their models on the tables until after the awards are presented.
  7. I agree that in the spirit of free enterprise people should be allowed to buy and sell as much as they want. Having said that it is unfortunate for vendors who wanted a table but couldn't get one - especially if someone sells theirs out before the vendor room even opens.
  8. I think if a problem ever does arise it will be because it's technically possible to 3-D print an entire complete aircraft (or whatever) model. In such a case there would be no "construction" in the conventional sense. Don't know how you would judge that. Mind you, although it can be done it would require some real 3-D computer graphics skills and high-end printing equipment, and would be pretty expensive.
  9. I understand what you're saying, Gil. That's just the point I was raising. Should the Nats be strictly a modeling convention? Or should it also be considered a family entertainment affair? For a strictly modeling event Jacksonville (e.g.) would make a fine location. I'm just saying that perhaps the Society should first define what it wants the convention to be.
  10. Pete... I'm sure that with a bit of research there's interesting stuff to see and do in the middle of Nebraska! Maybe not modeling related, but interesting nevertheless. And I think we've stumbled upon an interesting point here. How important is it to have attractions aside from the convention itself, i.e. "family stuff"? Perhaps the whole approach should really begin with a discussion of what the event should be... a modeling convention, or a modeling convention/family holiday.
  11. No shark mouths, but perhaps something here will interest you:
  12. Dick, I'm not advocating going to the UK model. I would just like some more information on how it's run. I learned a bit being at Telford and talking to some of the IPMS UK exec members, but I'd like more information. I do know that they have a regular group or committee which deals with Scale Modelworld every year. I know that they contract with the venue for several years at a time. Forget about traveling times and distances... I think it would be useful to see who does what, and just how they go about organizing and financing it.
  13. I think it would be interesting to get some input on just how the IPMS UK Scale Modelworld affair is organized, run, and funded. I know there are many differences between it and the Nats (e.g. duration, tours, seminars, etc.), but it's been running successfully for many years. It would be good to hear about their experiences.
  14. As I see it, if you like to build for your own enjoyment and satisfaction and are happy with the models you produce... that's great! That's what I do. On the other hand, if you want to enter hard-core competitions, be prepared for nit-pickers and rivet counters. It would be the same at a horse show or a concours d'elegance. Having said that, it's still possible to compete in out-of-the-box categories, where you won't have to invest a pile of time and money detailing and fixing every little niggle.
  15. Great looking combo! Now... here's your next challenge (extracted from IPMS Canada's e-newsletter - www.ipmscanada.com)
  16. OK... I've been sitting back and reading all the very good comments, and so I might as well throw in my two cents worth. The following is edited from a National Director's column I wrote for IPMS Canada's publication, RT about a year ago: "While at IPMS UK's 50th anniversary Scale ModelWorld in November, I had the opportunity to chat with many leaders in the worldwide IPMS scene – both past and present. This included officials of IPMS UK, and branches throughout Europe. Also many others from various UK, US and European local chapters. And finally, some of the luminaries of IPMS history such as Dick Ward, Mike McEvoy, Julian Edwards, etc. One subject which always seemed to arise in conversation was the need to bring more youngsters into the hobby. We live in the era of instant gratification, computers and video games. It seems that today many young people aren't interested in sitting down at a table and building scale models. If the hobby is to survive into the future, it must bring the youngsters into the fold. But how? Some ideas were bandied about, and what follows is not a set of rules or even a proposal, but just some of the collective wisdom which emerged. While undoubtedly some youngsters become interested in modelling because of dad's (or mom's) interest in the hobby, it's not something to be relied upon to encourage interest and develop skills. Most would probably rather be doing what their friends are doing, be it video gaming, skateboarding, or whatever. It was felt that a good source of younger potential modellers was to be found in existing organizations such as cadet units, scouts and guides, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc. These groups already have an organization and structure in place, which would make it easier to approach them with an offer to help provide modelling-related events. It was also thought that it would help greatly if the potential modeller could relate to the model that he/she is building. If you have no idea what a Spitfire did or its place in history, it's just a plastic toy – a big Kinder Surprise. There is no emotional investment. Perhaps it might be useful to preface the building of, e.g. a bunch of Spitfire models with a showing of a film like "The Battle of Britain", or at least a brief visually impressive (remember… this is the video generation) history lesson. Model contests exclusively for youngsters might also be a good means of arousing interest, and I don't mean just inviting them to a regular chapter contest. How about a contest for a cadet unit (or several units),or a scout troop, or one held at a school on the weekend or evening. Or maybe just a display where they can bring their models and everyone receives a "good show' ribbon but there's no competition which might discourage the "losers". IPMSers could offer to organize such an event. Maybe there could be a simple "how to build better models" class or display the week before. "Make & Take" events have proven popular, and could be run through the above-mentioned organizations. These require a good adult modeller to youngster ratio, and do, of course, have the added problem of where to obtain some simple models and supplies free or at little cost. It might be a good opportunity to get the local hobby shops involved, as having more modellers is in their interest as well. It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that any initiatives like these would have to be undertaken at the local chapter level, because they are the ones with the 'boots on the ground'. Remember, all this is just a very superficial look at this situation. I think it warrants further discussion. Any thoughts or ideas you have on this would be most welcome."
  17. Sorry for the delay in replying, Kev. I appreciate the input, but I don't like to do markings based on museum or memorial examples or 'warbirds'. I find that often they're someone's less-than-accurate interpretation of the actual scheme... if it even existed! I'd rather use original photos of the actual birds. It is a neat scheme, though. Bob
  18. Thanks for trying, Gil. For my part, I would never ask without an exhaustive web search first!
  19. I've been researching some colour schemes for a possible decal sheet on Berlin Airlift C-47s, and I came across these photos. It's an aircraft that came down short of the Wiesbaden runway on a return trip from Berlin in bad weather in July 1948. I've discovered that the E.A.D. probably stands for European Air Depot (or Erding Air Depot, as it was later known), but am unsure about the colours of the arrow marking. If I had to guess, I would say blue and white… but I don't want to guess. I feel I've seen this marking illustrated in a book, but just can't recall where. Can anyone help? Oh... and if you have pics of other E.A.D. marked aircraft - even if not C-47s - it would be interesting to see them as well.
  20. For people "our" age, anyway! I'm sure many younger modellers would have no idea who Gene Autry was
  21. Well, the quiz has run its course! FYI, the celebrities shown here (L to R) are: 1 - Sir Laurence Olivier in the cockpit of a Fairey Albacore. As a less than stellar pilot he was confined to flying obsolete biplanes at FAA training facilities. After pranging a couple he was released to return to the stage where he could undoubtedly do more for the war effort. 2 - Gene Autry. The singing cowboy/actor/pilot flew C-47s in the CBI theatre. 3- Richard "Have Gun - Will Travel" Boone. Boone was a gunner in Avengers, and for a time was in the crew of Cdr. John Phillips, CO of VT-6 on the Essex. 4 - The fellow on the right is Tyrone Power. Perhaps the moustache fooled a lot of people. Power served with VMR-352 and VMR-353, flying Curtiss C-46s in the Pacific.
  22. OK… here's another "Stars in the Sky" quiz. The last one we did was a little too easy (or maybe everyone is just smarter than me!), so this time there are four famous "stars" that you have to identify, and a couple are pretty tough. None of them have appeared on any of our "Stars in the Sky" decal sheets before. Just go to our Facebook page (link below) and post your answers. You'll find better pictures and a little more info there. Just one answer post each, please, and on the Facebook page, not here. We'll let it run a couple of weeks and see what happens. The first poster who gets all four correct - or the first to get the most correct - will win a bunch of our decal sheets in the scale of his/her choice. And give us a "Like" while you're there.
  23. Ha! Great model, Chris! For those who don't know, the photo appeared in IPMS Canada's e-newsletter supplement, beaveRTales. Now I find myself wondering... would it qualify for the "Humor in Modeling" category if it's real??
  24. I would think that a committee or group in charge of the convention would not be elected, but would have to be appointed based on their skills and know-how. Such is already the case with, e.g. the editors, website staff, office manager, etc. Their appointments would not necessarily expire with an E-board election.
  25. I've just been informed that the new Academy 1/72 B-29 release contains a decal sheet with ALL the schemes from our 1/72 "Camouflaged B-29s" sheet! Now I can understand the duplication of one and maybe two schemes, but the whole sheet!? Come on, Academy... put a little of your own effort into research. If you had asked, I might have even given you the artwork, as our sheet was out of print. But now you've pissed me off! I was considering doing a reprint, but now there's no point in that. Take a look... the Academy decal schemes vs. ours.
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