DarkKnight Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 (edited) Back from Nats, spent a lot but got great bargains, great models the contest room, sci-fi fi and autos were a bright spot to see a lot of. I always wish there was more of everything. I really really like the contest room open till 9pm on Thursday night, an awesome idea! I was surprised to see none of the new 1/48 Flankers-perhaps everyone is tired of fake news so no Russian aircraft, usually a number of people build the new kits out real quick for the show, I only saw one airfix p-40 and no airfix Stukas either. It is inspirational to see other peoples work, I would have liked more helicopters, I wish Nats was twice a year! Did I say I really liked the late hours for thursday night already? I sometimes wonder why some people start with a known flawed kit when higher quality ones exist, my theory is it takes years so by the time the new kit is out its too late. I wish there was a way to download build detail one very entry that we could read online, some of the work there deserved pages of in progress pics and details of mods. Some great models let down by crappy paper signs on bases, seriously can you not at least color the white edges? some great armor let down by flesh tones on figs, crappy bases and stands, seriously you spent half your life building a model and you make a crappy base. One of the most awesome bases I saw was a Gemini spacecraft on a glass marble type earth thing, it really helped his model to "pop"-oh well enough controversy til next time Edited July 29, 2017 by DarkKnight Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Falconxlvi Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I also enjoyed Nats tremendously! I was hoping to see more of the new Tamiya Tomcats for the special category that was created just for the kit and was kind of surprised to see only 10 (1 was a triathlon entry and 1 was in a "Final Countdown" diorama) total considering there are a LOT of these being made as evidenced on the Tomcat Facebook Group build page. Anyways, as a 15+ year ARC lurker and first time Nats attendee, it was great to finally meet some of you in person and learn more about the industry as well as IPMS judging (I was an OJT judge). Can't wait for next year! Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DarkKnight Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 I was surprised no top gun maverick tomcat, I can't imagine the hardwork involved in judging and the responsibility, like a super bowl referee for modeling, Some favorites, there was a beautiful B-52 turbofan conversion, what if, that I thought was fascinating, of course the Berlin Street battle that was also at World Expo was awesome, I also liked a 1/16 German soldiers and AFV diorama, There was a large scale USS Missouri I liked, however, I do I prefer her in the 1980s return to service version, a great Hunley sub an A7V cutaway, a I think it was a B-24 on a circular mirror that was great, actually there was a small maybe 1/700 or 1/350 typ VII u-boat I liked, for something so small it was weathered nicely so many to choose from and look it, I only didn't look at 1/72 planes so closely, when you get older you just can't see the little details anymore Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 I'm surprised you guys have yet to have nats in Toronto!!!! Your money goes further. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parche Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 One of these days I will get to a Nats... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 It was a great show. I took hundreds of pictures and only scratched the surface. I am always amazed at the models at the nats. I really must learn how some builders get such good looking canopies. I watched a demonstration of mission models paint. I am pretty eager to try it, the demonstration was very convincing. My favorite model was a 1/72 p-47 "look ma no hands" , I thought it had a very convincing natural metal finish. I will post a link to pictures when i get home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve N Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 (edited) The wife and I are chilling in our hotel room after the awards banquet and model room stampede as everyone packs up. Had a fantastic time as always. Saw lots of great models..too many to remember! The 1/48 PB4Y-2 (using the unobtainium Cutting Edge Resin Conversion Set) was absolutely spectacular. In the sci-fi categories, this seemed to be the Year Of The Y-Wing. I saw at least a half-dozen..which was cool, as it's my favorite Star Wars ship. I didn't enter anything, just enjoyed drooling over everybody's awesome work, caught up with some folks I usually only see once a year, and picked up a few goodies in the vendor rooms. Of course tomorrow we have to pack up and drive 11 hours back to Michigan, but the Nats was the culmination of a two-week vacation road trip for us, so it'll be good to get home. SN Edited July 30, 2017 by Steve N Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Well, I'm glad that you guys enjoyed the show. (I'm the fat dude that helped run the raffle desk.) Post links to your pictures (I didn't get much of a chance to get them myself). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 4 hours ago, phantom said: I'm surprised you guys have yet to have nats in Toronto!!!! Your money goes further. Shovel your own damn snow.......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DarkKnight Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Steve N said: The wife and I are chilling in our hotel room after the awards banquet and model room stampede as everyone packs up. Had a fantastic time as always. Saw lots of great models..too many to remember! The 1/48 PB4Y-2 (using the unobtainium Cutting Edge Resin Conversion Set) was absolutely spectacular. In the sci-fi categories, this seemed to be the Year Of The Y-Wing. I saw at least a half-dozen..which was cool, as it's my favorite Star Wars ship. I didn't enter anything, just enjoyed drooling over everybody's awesome work, caught up with some folks I usually only see once a year, and picked up a few goodies in the vendor rooms. Of course tomorrow we have to pack up and drive 11 hours back to Michigan, but the Nats was the culmination of a two-week vacation road trip for us, so it'll be good to get home. SN maybe that was the aircaft I was talking bout on the round mirror? truly a work of art Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Falconxlvi Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 5 minutes ago, DarkKnight said: maybe that was the aircaft I was talking bout on the round mirror? truly a work of art That was the one indeed - exceptional! Here are some pics I took of the Privateer. What an innovative display as well! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Falconxlvi said: That was the one indeed - exceptional! Here are some pics I took of the Privateer. What an innovative display as well! IIRC, it took best aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 The privateer was by far my favorite. i also thought the dauntless dive bombing dioramana was well done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoops Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Did anybody do the excursion out to Offutt air force base on Saturday? I'd love any reference photos from any RC-135s! Cheers, Hoops Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Offutt tour was cancelled. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoops Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Spruemeister said: Offutt tour was cancelled. Rick L. Bummer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thegoodsgt Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 What model won Best of Show? Let's give credit where credit is due! Steven Brown Scale Model Soup Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 14 hours ago, phantom said: I'm surprised you guys have yet to have nats in Toronto!!!! Your money goes further. Prolly cuz it's the "IPMS USA National Convention"...now if you Canucks and Frogs would get it together and throw an "IPMS Canada National Convention" I bet you'd see a lot of 'Muricans trek North for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Spruemeister said: Offutt tour was cancelled. Rick L. Wow...I'm surprised to hear that. Was it due to lack of folks signing up or did the USAF canx it? I couldn't imagine passing that up if you're a civilian and into military aircraft, that flight line is a real look behind the curtain for regular folk. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 (edited) Dark Knight, the base isn't judged. The only thing judged is the model itself. You are of course entitled to your opinion, but what constitutes a crappy base to one person is a perfectly fine base to someone else. Same goes for paper signs. As far as starting with inferior kits, there are numerous reasons a modeler would start with a lesser kit instead of a state of the art one. One reason may be expense. Those nifty new kits cost a lot of money. Another reason is that maybe they enjoy the challenge of building a lesser kit. They may even enjoy building some of the older kits just because. I have built a couple of Tamiya Tomcats, yet I still have 30 Monogram Tomcats and intend to build every single one. That's the joy of the hobby. You do it the way that brings you enjoyment. To win a contest is great, but if that's all you're doing it for, you may be missing something. I experienced that myself. I love your passion and I'm glad you enjoyed nationals. It was a very fun time. Might I suggest you ease back on the content of the post. It came across as very judgmental and opinionated. I know it probably wasn't meant that way, but that's the feel I got when I read it. Edited July 31, 2017 by Darren Roberts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 13 hours ago, thegoodsgt said: What model won Best of Show? Let's give credit where credit is due! Steven Brown Scale Model Soup USS Potaka & airship got best ship & popular vote.... This scratchbuilt pipelayer got the Judge's Grand & best automotive.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 And it was well deserved. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DarkKnight Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 (edited) 23 hours ago, Darren Roberts said: Edited July 31, 2017 by DarkKnight Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jabow Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 DarkKnight said, " I only saw one airfix p-40." I'm NOT surprised. It is the best P-40B/C on the market, ...... today. That said, still has many unfixable errors. Maybe Revell or Tamiya will make us one worthy of the Nats!! Bo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rex Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 umm, ALL P-40 kits throughout the decades are "worthy of the Nats." That is because any flaws any kit may have is not a part of the judging. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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