Scale Model Contests in St. Louis and Branson

Last Tuesday (15 May), I came straight from work to Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/) to help run this month's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) (https://www.facebook.com/IPMSGateway/) meeting. It featured the second Model of the Year contest of this year, with the Special Category of Crazy Eights. That is, the subject has an eight (8) in its name or designation. I built a 1:72 scale model of the German 88mm Flak 18 anti-aircraft gun for this contest. It wasn't much and it didn't get many serious looks in the contest, but at least I earned the two points (one for entering in a category, another for entering in the Special Category). We had a good turnout of models: 28 total, with 18 in Crazy Eights.

Also at the meeting, Rick Keasey gave his demo on painting figure heads. This was delayed from last month, when a family matter kept Keasey from being at the April meeting. It was quite an interesting demo, especially as Keasey has won awards at recent contests for his figures.

Early yesterday morning (19 May)--as in 4 am--I was at Marion Morris' house in Maplewood, soon joined by clubmates Jim Triola and Don Will. The four of us got into Marion's minivan and soon we were off on the road to Branson, Missouri, where IPMS/Missouri Ozarks Scale Specialists (http://ipmsmoss.com/) was holding its annual show, MOSS CON. This year's event--held at the Branson Convention Center (http://www.bransoncc.com/)--also served as the IPMS Region 5 Contest. After a breakfast stop in Rolla, we made it to Branson just after 8 am. We waiting at the Convention Center until the show opened at 8:30, where I entered two models--the 1:72 scale 88mm Flak 18 and a 1:72 F4F-4 Wildcat--in the contest. Neither won any awards in the contest, but at least I entered in it and that's the important part.

There were 195 models from 42 entrants in the contest at MOSS CON. IPMS/Gateway sponsored the Junior (Ages 12 to 17) category in the contest.

The four of us had a good time at the show, including hanging out with Mike Bobela of IPMS/West Central Missouri (http://ipmswcmo.webs.com/) and his wife. We ate lunch at Famous Dave's restaurant (https://www.famousdaves.com/) at Branson Landing (http://www.bransonlanding.com/), just a short walk fro the Convention Center. We all enjoyed a great barbecue lunch and wonderful conversation.

I won one kit (a 1:72 scale Ju 88C) in the show's raffle, and bought a few items from the vendors present. Late that afternoon, as the contest awards were presented, we four left the venue to head home. After a stop for fuel and refreshments in Rolla, we made it back to Marion's house early that night. It was a fun trip and I look forward to more such trips in the future.

Later.