2010 IPMS-USA Nationals

The Vendors
On Thursday morning I inquired about getting a press or media pass for the show. Larry Randel was kind enough to oblige with passes for my wife and daughter as well. I wanted to spend a majority of my time in the vendor area for this show so that’s where we went first. There was of course a variety of businesses represented in Hall 1, the ‘Vendor Room’. Calling it a room is almost an insult as it was about 25-30,000 sq. feet of space. The first logos I noted was that of Testors, Squadron, and Revell. They were all lined up in what was the manufacturer’s row. Notably missing from that area was MRC and Tamiya. The former had been scheduled to come and their tables remained ghostly empty for the duration of the show. I don’t know why Tamiya opted to skip this year’s show. They are usually present I think and this was only 6 hours from their U.S. offices in Los Angeles. Hobby Link Japan was not at this show either, but they were well represented as a sponsor via advertising and various sponsorships.

A British Invasion? More like a European Invasion.

If there was a feeling of absent vendors at the show it was short-lived. Because unlike past years, 2010 will be the year the Europeans invaded IPMS Nationals, but in a good way. There were a half-dozen UK based publishers present at the show; CaseMate, SAMI, SAM, ADH, AFV Modeller, Guideline, and Osprey. They were joined by Air Magazine (France), Eduard/ Aires Models/ MPM Productions /CMK (Czec Republic), Wespe Models (Romania), Harder & Steenbeck (Germany), and several more I am sure.

I had a great time talking to many of the vendors present at this year’s show. The following pages include a summary of some of the highlights.

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About the Author

About Jim Starkweather (staff_Jim)
FROM: NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES

I started building models in 1971 when I was 6. My first model was a 1/32 P-40 Warhawk. Revell I believe. From there I moved onto the standard cars, Apollo spacecraft, and other kid orientated kits. I don't know what got me started on Armor. I must have seen a Monogram tank kit one day and said "Mom...


Comments

Thanks for the report, Jim. I trust Kirsten and Em didn't get too bored while you photographed and hob-nobbed with fellow plasticerians? Speaking Em, I saw a pic of her on another site - surrounded by their members holding up the site logo... little traitor! (mail or PM me if you want the link ) I was (pleasantly) surprised to see a SAAF Cheetah Squadron SIG. No doubt Ex-Pats. Thanks again Rudi p.s. Are there always so few figures at the US IPMS shows?
AUG 16, 2010 - 05:16 PM
Hmm... at first I thought this was the photo I took (further into the thread), but then I realized Emily wasn't in that photo. Mike told me about someone taking this and his second thoughts about having Emily in the photo. To be honest I would rather NOT see someone posting her picture and have her name in the text as well. If you can get a moderator over there to remove her name that would be good. There actually were a lot more figures at the show. Sadly I ran out of time on Saturday to take all the photos of non-aircraft/armor/ship entries. Those I was able to get a majority of. Thanks! Jim
AUG 16, 2010 - 06:53 PM
LOL! Time.... always an issue when the family is in tow at a model show
AUG 16, 2010 - 07:06 PM
Rudi, See my amended text above. Thanks, Jim
AUG 16, 2010 - 07:17 PM
No worries, Jim. Will PM the site administrator.
AUG 16, 2010 - 07:23 PM
Sorry I should have added this info. Believe it or not many (if not all) of these actually came overseas to be at the show. There was a guy from the UK chapter of the What If SIG and he had brought most of these over with him and some What If models as well. Brave guy! I think he did say he use to live in SA. And another example of the British Invasion. Cheers, Jim
AUG 16, 2010 - 08:26 PM
Hi Jim, Excellent report! It must have been a hell of a job once again to edit it and publish it. thanks a lot! Seeing your article makes me looking forward to the next Nürnberg Toy Fair in february but also the Thionvile Expo of October. Again, great job! Jean-Luc
AUG 16, 2010 - 08:48 PM
Excellent report Jim. That When Worlds Collide missile on page 11 was built onsite at the convention in a little over an hour by my buddy and owner of Maus Werx, Dekker Zimmerman. It was so funny to watch him build that thing. It was as though he was 6 years old again. Crouched over one of the folding chairs in the vendor room, he was in the zone. He even earned a 3rd place finish with it. There were 15 of us from Colorado Springs on hand for the event and all had a great time. Entries were a little down from previous conventions at 1705, but overall it was still a good show. Thanks for the report, see you in Omaha. "Q"
AUG 17, 2010 - 02:54 AM
Thanks for sharing the rest of the show and your thoughts about it, Jim! Some good news and new items to follow with interest Cheers, Rui
AUG 17, 2010 - 04:43 AM