WarthoMKL

Having helped organise the ModelKraft show here in the UK and having to deal with the Arena when we had to cancel the show in May I fully appreciate all the hard work Team Teaxs have put in over the last few years and what a blow this cancelation must have been for them Ever since I met the organisers at Chattanooga last year and booked our trade space I knew they were going to organise a great show. But all that hard work has not been in vane, as not many US groups get to run a second nationals so closely and with the experience they now have I am sure 2023 will be a lot easier for them and a great show. And all of the Scale Aviation Modeller team will be eagerly looking forward to our first visit to Texas, just a few years later than we had hoped.

But sadly MA Publications publishers of Scale Aviation Modeller International, Model Aircraft Monthly , Scale Military Modeller international and the Datafile range of books, will not be able to attend the Nationals in San Marcos. Breaking our 24 year record of supporting the IPMS US Nationals . Last week British Airways cancelled our flights to Austin and with the US border still closed and a 14 day quarantine on our return to the UK the odds have just been stacked to heavily against us. I hope that the boys and girls from Texas can make it work or as a minimum stay viable so they can do another Nationals in the future. Their organisation and communication has been first rate among what must be a very challenging time for them. They deserved better and I am truly gutted for them. Stay safe and I hope we will be back bigger and better in Las Vegas 2021.

I have so many variables in play with this event but Scale Aviation Modeller will do out best to support our 22nd US Nationals in San Marcos. 1. The obvious one is will it go ahead and at this time no one can say what the situation will be in two and a half months.I wonder if there is a cut off date for a decision? 2. Can I get there, I was booked in to fly from Heathrow to Austin but that flight has been cancelled till at least the end of June and will probably will be longer as Austin is not an entry point for Europeans under current rules. 3. Can I get into the country at all the US borders are closed to us Brits. 4. So if the borders are relaxed and I cannot get into Austin. can I get an alternative flight and drive down from Dallas. My understanding is that is only a 3 hour drive. But would be my longest drive on what you incorrectly call the right side of the road : ). The worst news is that I doubt many European manufactutrers will make it across as the Czech republic has banned its nationals from leaving the country which could rule out seeing all my friends from Eduard, Special Hobby and Aries till at least E Day in September. And again that is if they A. Allow Public Gatherings, B Let us Brits into the country.

I am going to be driving a hire car as traveling from UK to Austin on the Monday (Or that is plan) any idea how the toll works for hire cars? Ta

Nooga did good, well organised and great venue. Loved the city, friendliest by far of all the ones I have visited in the states. Hope I get to come back someday.

Just to let you know theses two companies will be sharing the SAM Publications stand at Chatanooga This from Hypersonic Hi all, its the first time for me making the trip to the US and attending the IPMS Nats there. I'm really looking forward to this event and I've now opened the option for placing a show pre-order. I highly recommend doing this as I'm of course limited in the merchandise quantities I can bring. Please select the option "personal pickup/show" in the delivery tab and after placing your order I will give you a 10% refund on your purchase. Any items currently listed out of stock can be added if you contact me by email, web contact form, Facebook or here. The only items exempt from pre-ordering are the clear resin canopy sets. I will bring a fixed amount of sets, which will include the brand new A-3 Skywarrior Version canopies, and sell on a first-come-first-served basis. Place your pre-order at hypersonicmodels.com and check facebook.com/hypersonicmodels for updates. I'm looking forward to seeing and meeting many of you at the show. Cheers, Jeffrey

From the UK perspective LV would be great as a tourist with Nellis near by and a direct flight from London but i can see the vendor room taking a big hit like it did in Florida with so many other things to spend money on.. Omaha however has a good record every time they do the show and i really enjoyed going downtown and would love to go back. Hopefully we will get a two year announcement? But every year I do wonder as trader if it is time to address the length of the show, nowhere else does a show for so long with its high room costs to add to your travel. At Telford we do a show that has twice as many traders and two to three times as many customers through the doors on a Saturday and Sunday and our take can be as much as four time higher than we manage at the US Nationals. Now I know the scale of the US is slightly different but surely it is easier for people to attend a short show rather than have to take four to six days off work in the middle of summer? Every year we find it harder to justify coming over the pond and we need just one poor show now for us to have to seriously consider if we can afford to carry on which is a shame as this year will be our 22nd US Nationals. Ans i would like to thank all the chapters and who have made me so welcome over the last 6 years I have travelled across the pond representing SAM Publications. D Francis Editor SAMi

Looks like a goer into Austin direct flight from Heathrow and cheaper than getting to Chattanooga Will catch you guys at Chatt now a happy bunny

I am in the Read as well looking forward to it a lot

As an international visitor, what is the easiest international airport and how do you get to the San Marco without a car? This will be our 22nd year as a company at the show and my sixth but I am trying to work out how to do it without going over a very tight budget.

Sadly I am not a collector so was only after the pins for the shows I attended . D

Last call for any orders from Hannants in the UK cut off is Monday 23rd July please no HK B-17s : )

Will do Phillip David

First two orders are in and i have them here, the Wellington is working out at $40 each if anyone wants one or anything else from the UK cut off is the 23rd of July as Hannants need a couple of days to get things to me. D

Hi All When i travel to the US Nationals I normally bring an empty case for my purchases to come home in. For that last few years I have offered to bring the latest Airfix release's with me as a service to other modellers. In the next three weeks Airfix should be releasing the new 1/72 scale Wellington here in the UK. Cost should be in the region of $40 dollars would there be any interest in this or any other Airfix kits for collection at Phoenix? If you want to post your requirements I will see if i can source. But as this could get expensive and I only have one empty case, please only ask if you are 100% sure you can collect at Phoenix? David Francis Editor SAMi