Favorites from the 2015 IPMS Nats

The 2015 IPMS National Convention has come and gone, and the eight-hour drive home (alone) afforded me time to reflect on the event and the contest. I'll write about the event itself in a day or two -- with a strong response to the negative voices that wondered if the Nats has become irrelevant -- but the models are my focus today.

There were 2,780 models in the contest, and the quality was very high across all categories. For example, I judged one category that had only 15 entries, but each one was outstanding, requiring us to study them for nearly 90 minutes in an effort to make the best decision we could. Entries in the automotive and ship categories seemed to be off from prior years, but that was just my impression and a solid number could easily debunk it. There appeared to be a ton of small scale armor, and I'm happy to report that their 1/35 siblings generally didn't feature the heavily modulated and weathered finishes that seem to be all the rage online and in print.

As usual a number of the models in the contest will be the most memorable for me years from now. Here are the dozen or so that stood out. Some placed in their respective categories while others will go back to the shelf with only the unofficial admiration of the contest attendees, which is sufficient.

My favorite model in the contest was this 1/72 PB4Y Liberator. Anyone who can make a Matchbox look this good is a superhero in my book. I don't think it placed, probably due to some minor nitpick that we judges obsess over, but it was one of the best examples of modeling among the kit-based entries.

You can imagine my devastation when I realized my humble P-51D found itself in the same category as this 1/72 TBD Devastator. It was beautifully built, the modeler folding the wings, and weathered. It won first place in its category.

Also among the 1/72 aircraft was this little Zero, whose finish was possibly the best among the models in any scale.

Painting and weathering 1/144 aircraft is a skill that few modelers possess, but the modeler behind this C-47 can work magic with paint and an airbrush. It was perfectly finished, and a better photographer could easily pass it off as a 1/48 model.

It's one thing to apply a natural metal finish, but distressing the aircraft skin and realistically weathering it is a skill above and beyond. This 1/48 Ki-84 was a standout among the many 1/48 single-engine categories.

Remember vacuform kits? Well it seems that some modelers are gluttons for punishment and still build them! Crazy, I know, but thank god they do. This Formaplane 1/72 Boeing Model 215 YB-9 bomber was built extremely well, and the end result is a very attractive, if not unusual, aircraft.

This Pzkpfw II caught my attention among the armor categories. Nicely painted with subtle weathering that allowed the model to shine.

My friend Mark Muller scratchbuilt this 1/35 Crossley fire tender. The only kit parts he used were the tires from a Churchill Crocodile. Mark is an impeccable modeler bordering on perfectionism, and it was great to see something new from his workbench. I was surprised that it didn't win Best Armor.

Maybe it's because I'll never be able to afford the real thing, but I've come to have a strong affinity for Ferrari cars. This 250 GTO was a stunner.

Here's the car which I believe won Best Automotive, a Model Factory Hiro 1/24 Porsche 917/30. The detail incorporated into the chassis and engine was unbelievable.

This Trumpeter 1/350 Jeremiah O'Brien caught my attention in one of the ship categories. Nicely painted and weathered.

My final favorite from the contest was this scratchbuilt 1/72 AeroVironment Helios HP01, which you may know holds the world altitude record of 96,863 feet. The modeler wrote on the entry form: "The main structure is music wire, tube, and 145 PE ribs. Upper wing surface is vacuform, "fuselage" pods and engine nacelles are resin castings. Custom decals from Red Pegasus." The unique subject matter alone makes it memorable, but it was perfectly executed from a scale modeling perspective featuring the prominent curvature of the long wing. From what I understand it's headed to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis for display, so if you're ever in town you can stop by and see it. I've long believed that having one of your models on permanent display at a museum is, to my mind, the ultimate sign of success as a modeler.

A big thank you to everyone who entered. Your willingness to bring your models to a contest is what makes it a success! If you didn't enter any models, you should next time.

5 things to stop giving a shit about in 2015

Last January I offered 5 New Years resolutions for you. How did you do?

Well it's a New Year, so for those inclined to making resolutions, here are 5 things you need to stop giving a shit about in 2015.

1. Contest trophies

Although contests can motivate you to improve our skills, there are many reasons to enter contests beyond the quest for gold. Worry less about winning and more about enjoying the process.

2. When your favorite new release will hit the shelves

I'm as eager as anyone else for many of the upcoming kits to hit the LHS, but it's time you stop the incessant chatter asking, "When is the Tamigawa Boss Fruitbat Mk. IVb going to be released?" Patience is a virtue, they say, so step away from the computer and go build a model.

3. The underside of your model

Unless you choose to display your models on mirrors, don't obsess over getting the seams, details, and weathering perfect on the undersides of your models. You almost never see it, so "cheating" a little can significantly speed up your builds.

4. Why Britmodeller is down

This isn't just about Britmodeller, but any web site that goes offline. It happens. Don't panic. Just check back a day (or even a week) later. Trust me, if a web site shuts down permanently you'll know.

5. Decals for F-35 RAM panels

We need to stop asking for RAM panels for the F-35 kits that are on the market and tackle the tedious task of masking them ourselves. If that's too much work for you, there are hundreds of other models that are easier to paint. It's okay to declare some kits beyond your skill level (as I did with the WNW Felixstowe).

Christmas in August

It’s that time of year again. The IPMS USA National Convention is less than a week away. Christmas for scale modelers! I’ll be attending the convention for the fourth year in a row – this year it's within driving distance – and I couldn’t be more excited. Well, I could be more excited, but not by much.

What am I looking forward to? First and foremost, looking at a helluva lot of models! I enjoy seeing models online throughout the year, but nothing beats seeing them in person. I always come away inspired and motivated. I’m particularly eager to see what shows up in the Miscellaneous categories; there are always two or three that surprise me with their creativity.

World Trade Center model at the 2012 IPMS National Convention

I’m looking forward to the vendors. I’ve been in the hobby long enough to have practically everything I want (and if I don’t, I can usually find it online), but it’s always fun to browse the vendors room and discover things I wasn’t really looking for. I’m excited about seeing the new Airfix 1/24 Typhoon in the flesh, eager to see what new tools John Vojtech brings, and looking forward to seeing Click2Detail’s products for the first time.

I’m looking forward to entering my models in the contest, which is something you should do, too. My models have flaws for sure. I know they’re not going to be competitive, but I appreciate the opportunity to share them with other modelers who, I hope, will enjoy seeing them, and my $35 registration fee plays a small part in supporting the convention.

Even though it’s an obligation and a challenge, I’m looking forward to judging. I was an “OJT” last year, so this time around I get to be a full-fledged player. (In truth, an OJT's observations are taken just as seriously as those of the certified judges.) With the possible exception of watching a master modeler at work, nothing will make you a better modeler than judging. I'm going to learn a lot.

I’m looking forward to seeing my friends, David, Lonny, Bruce, Jason, Mark, Adrian, and others whose attendance will surprise me. I’m also looking forward to the seven-hour road trip. I’ve already started to assemble my music playlists!

What am I NOT looking forward to? Most directly, I’ll miss my friends who cannot attend, Graham, Mark, Mark (2), John, and Awan. I’m bummed they can’t be there and the experience won’t be the same without them. I’m not looking forward to encountering “that guy.” He’ll be there, you can count on it. I’m not looking forward to the vendors room closing and the hour following the awards banquet when everyone is packing up their models. That’s the moment you realize the convention is over and you have to wait an entire year for the next convention. (Actually, the 2015 convention is in July, so it will be only 11 months away!)

If you’ll be at the convention, look for me and say hello. Like modeling itself, blogging can feel isolating at times, so it’s always a pleasure to meet folks in person. Until then, happy modeling or safe travels.

You should be entering contests!

We're well into the 2014 contest season here in North America with IPMS and AMPS contests throughout the US and Canada. A few weeks ago I attended Mosquitocon, IPMS New Jersey's contribution to the local modeling scene, and next month I hope to visit Noreastcon on Long Island. I'm sure many of you have been enjoying contests as well, but...are you entering your models in the contests?

With the Big One, the IPMS USA National Convention in Tidewater, Virginia, just over three months away, I thought this might be a good time to talk about why you -- without exception, each of you reading this -- should be entering contests.

Show us your models

If you need only one reason, it's this one. People want to see your models. Really, we do. Have you ever traveled two or three hours to go to a contest only to find 50 models on the tables? I have. It sucks. Although these events are centered on the contest, the main reason for entering your models is to share your work with other modelers. The next best thing to building models is looking at them, so the more models the better, right? Look, most of us who enter contests know our models won't be competitive; we know there are visible seams, misaligned parts, glue marks that the judges will find within 10 seconds of their inspections. That was exactly the case with the Hasegawa F-117 I took to Mosquitocon. Major issues. As I'd expected, it didn't place, but a couple of guys complimented me on it, and that meant as much to me as an award.

So friends, I'm asking you to pay it forward. Enter your models. We really do want to see them!

Support the club

I think we've come to take contests for granted. They seem to magically "happen" every year, like Mosquitocon. Or Blizzardcon. Do you know how much money it costs to put on a contest? A club has to lay out thousands of dollars for a local contest. Much more for a regional or the National Convention. That's a big investment, which the club can only recoup if modelers and vendors attend. And then there's the hundreds of man hours of the volunteers. When a contest shows signs of decline, particularly in terms of contest entries, there's a strong likelihood that the show will be discontinued. I've seen it happen here in the Northeast, and I bet you've seen it where you live, too. That's bad for the hobby. It gives enthusiasts few opportunities to engage in the hobby.

Every time you enter a model in a contest, you make a small contribution to the show's success and viability so that you and others can continue to enjoy the models, vendors, and the opportunity to meet up with friends in the future.

Competition does not spoil the fun

I shudder when I hear someone whine, "Contests take all the fun out of the hobby." If I hear that one more time I'm going to stick a rusty #11 blade in my ear and carve out my eardrum. Seriously, how weak-willed do you have to be to let a contest affect your enjoyment of the hobby? I'll be the first to admit that, even though I enter contests with no expectation of winning, I feel a twinge of disappointment every time I don't. I've never been a competitive person...at all. As a kid I hated playing board games with my cousins. I never played competitive sports. But whatever disappointment I feel quickly passes, and my friends always appreciate my work for what it is. I know it's painful to be judged, but you are bigger than the opinion of three strangers who, for just that one day, are deigned to pass judgement on your model. Man up! Share your models and support your local clubs.

As we look forward to the contests ahead, I'm begging you, don't take contests too seriously. As much as I enjoy the hobby, it would be less fulfilling if no one ever saw my models in person. Contests play an important role in the way we should engage in the hobby, so I hope you'll find a way to enjoy the experience, too.

P.S. If you agree with me even a little bit, please share this on Facebook, Twitter, email, or in your local club newsletter to encourage others to enter contests.

Two reasons your model didn't win

I had the privilege of judging at the Nats last weekend, and I thought I'd share my experience. It's actually the second time I've judged at a national convention, but the last time was back in the mid 90s, so I found myself with the "OJT" label again, which means I had to fetch coffee, pick up the head judge's dry cleaning, and serve as the all-around piss boy for the team. Was it worth it? Yes.

In all seriousness, judging is learning experience not to be passed up, and my team of Art, Marty, and Kendall made it enjoyable as well. If you haven't judged, you really should. It forces you to scrutinize every model in a number of categories to a degree that you wouldn't have otherwise. And in addition to the obvious benefit of helping the sponsoring club, your investment of time will show you ways to improve your own models.

In a post leading up to the Nats I spoke about the sore loser. I didn't run across any while everyone was packing up their models after the banquet, but I'm sure a few guys are wondering why their respective masterpieces didn't win. Here are the two most likely reasons that I saw.

1. There is a seam. I'll be the first to admit that making a seam perfect is damn hard, so a quick glance at the prominent seams on the 15-20 models in a category allows the judges to set aside a good number of the models. It may not seem fair that a barely perceptible error means your model won't place, but IPMS considers the process of filling a seam to be a fundamental skill that we should all master. The most overlooked area that I found on a large number of models was the leading edge of the wings. Several stunning models suffered from this simple oversight, so you can be sure I'll spend a little extra time making sure I address my wings going forward.

2. Something is misaligned. Many otherwise great models had wings, stabilizers, landing gear, or weapons that were not properly aligned. This is the area I struggle with myself. I don't know what the solution is short of building a custom jig for every model I build, but maybe that's what it takes to win at the national (or even, local) level. I mean, if winning is your thing!

Of course there were other errors among the models I judged. Some had painting flaws. Canopies were applied without the necessary level of care. Formation lights protruded beyond the wingtips. Truth be told, there are so many things that can go wrong during a build that it's incredibly challenging to build a nearly flawless model. The guys who can truly deserve the accolades they receive.

In most cases the model that would win first place was evident from the get-go. Determining second and third place were often the real challenge in the judging process. I want you and the modeling world to know that the judges I worked with agonized over every decision. We truly wanted the results to be fair. We studied five models in one category for nearly 45 minutes to determine the second and third place finishes. I think we got it right, but another team of judges might have decided differently. All of the "finalists" in that category were outstanding. It pains me that guys who came so close to winning will go home without that knowledge. (This is why we need Honorable Mentions, but I'll address that some other time.)

On a personal note, I have a few personal pet peeves, which I assure you had no effect on my judging.

• Photoetch seat belts don't look convincing. At all. They look stiff and tinny. A lot of the entries had them. I've used them myself -- even in my current B-26 build -- but I've decided to use tape or paper going forward.

• If you use static grass on your base, for the sake of all that is holy in this world, please paint it! Left unpainted it looks fake and detracts from even the best model.

• Don't use printed flightline surfaces. They're glossy. They look artificial. Creating a reasonable representation of a flightline is incredibly easy. If you can apply a reasonably nice finish to your model, you can airbrush a grey color to a rectangular piece of plastic and draw some expansion joints.