dvonalmen

Tony, welcome back to the modeling world. Now to answer your question - no as an IPMS member you do not have to enter any contest. You can just go to any of them and enjoy being with like minded individuals. Seeing the models in any contest can inspire you to try new things. Have a nice day and enjoy building again. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in Paradise

Very nice. Love the paint choice. What a beautiful finish on the whole model. Have a nice day. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in Paradise

Very nice Joe. The pictures brought back memories of my Grandfather, a retired Fire Chief at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. I had the chance, as a little boy, to climb on the crash trucks and the other fire trucks when we would go to visit him at the fire hall on base. Lots of fun for a small boy. My Grandfather retired in 1961. Before he was a fireman/Chief he was an automotive mechanic and during WW1 he was an aircraft mechanic with the 94th Aero Squadron. Earlier than that he built a race car for the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Thanks for the memories. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in paradise

The way the current schedule seems to be running with the Journal I won't see the May/June issue here in Hawaii before I leave to fly to Las Vegas for the National Convention. You guys on the mainland have the advantage on me. Your Journals arrive at least two weeks before it ever gets to the island. Anything less than first class mail comes by the "Slow Boat to China" method. See you in Las Vegas in a few days. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in paradise

End of discussion. Everyone needs to look at the latest update on the 2021 Las Vegas website. Effective July 31st Nevada is putting the mask mandate back into play. Everyone has to wear a mask in the in-door setting. So mask up boys. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler

Dak, I always speak for myself. I just learned a long time ago that there is more to life than just siting at the workbench. If my model building had been "a way of life" I would have missed out on a lot of very interesting things that happened along the way. But like I said we just have to agree to disagree. I am heading to the beach this morning then maybe I will work on my convention entry this afternoon. David Von Almen, Gentleman modeler in paradise

Well, I see this discussion is still alive and rolling around in the world of modeling. I think it is best to reach the point that - "We agree to disagree" period. It's a hobby guys! It is something we do in our spare time. I like to enter the Nationals - not to win but to just be at the convention and contest. If I should happen to win an award I leave happy if I don't win I still leave happy. By simply having my models sitting on the table at a National Convention with all those other beautiful models makes my day. 1,2,3 or GSB (which by the way is the same thing - G=1, S=2 and B=3) it makes no difference to me as I am there for the fun and seeing friends I only get to see once a year. Just have fun with the hobby and build what you enjoy. David Von Almen, Gentleman modeler in paradise

The March/April issue arrived here in Hawaii 5 days ago so I am guessing yours should have gotten to Texas several days before that. Good luck on finding the answer. David Von Almen, Gentleman modeler in paradise

Finally got my copy of the January/February 2021 issue of the Journal. Thanks to the wonderful work of our IPMS/USA Office Manager, Marie, I got my replacement copy last Saturday, April 17th. Thank again Marie. Have a nice day and build some models. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in Paradise

Still waiting out here on the North Shore. Been a week since you got your copy Neal. Maybe today but who knows. Tim, the Journal is not printed overseas. It is printed somewhere in the middle of the country - Wisconsin or Minnesota I think. For 16 years it was printed in Macon, Georgia (1990 to 2006) and before that it was printed in Virginia. Have a nice day and build a model. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in Paradise

Tim, Glad to know that the issue is out in the mail. Been waiting on it here in Hawaii and I am still waiting. But then I do live at the end of the mail line. Got my November/December issue the first week in February so am guessing it will be April before mine gets here. Not exactly sure what the hold up is on the part of the Journal team but it must be something big. Seems that over the years the release time slips a little more with each issue. Have a nice day and keep on building. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in paradise

Well the issue arrived yesterday, February 6th. Another nice issue. BTW Carlos, I don't "catch" waves. At my age that is an accident waiting to happen - drowning is bad but a broken hip last a lifetime. But I do go down to the beach everyday to enjoy the wonderful scenery. By down to the beach I refer to the fact that our house is 700 feet above sea level on mountain along the North Shore. We can see the ocean from our deck just not the beach, which is 2 miles away. As for island time, I know all too well about that. Had it explained to me by a worker that took 9 weeks to finish a 2 week (on the mainland) project. It is called Hawaiian Time here and it means "we will get to it when we get to it!" Okay I will go work on one of the many modeling projects I have on my workbench. Have a nice day. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in Paradise

Very nice job. Keep on building those models. Have a nice day. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in Paradise

I agree. Very, very nice. Never built the General but did like the TV show. Have a nice day. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in Paradise

Mark, The Goat looks great. Nice choice for the color. I am working on several projects at once so I have something in the works while other stuff dries. Maybe I will get around to posting a few pictures one day. Have a nice day and keep building. David Von Almen, Gentleman Modeler in Paradise