I , as the 2009 AMPS International Show Chair, extend an invitation to all armor modelers, military diorama builders and military figure painters to attend the International Convention, 16-18 April 2009, at the Havre de Grace Community Center in Havre de Grace, Maryland , a stone’s throw from the US Army’s Aberdeen Proving Grounds and the US Army Ordnance Museum. This will be the last show at HdG as the majority of the Ordnance Museum’s collection will be moved to Ft Lee Virginia in the 2010-2011 timeframe.
Below is where we stand in preparation for the Convention:
- Roy Chow, 1st VP and Chuck Willis, 2nd VP East, oversaw the Pre-registration process that mailed out 80 packets to those modelers that chose to utilize the pre-registration option. Those 80 modelers will be able to enter their models on Thursday night for judging. Walk in registration will start at 11:00AM on Friday, 17 April.
- Chief Judge, Mike Petty, has reinstituted the AMPS Judge’s Certification program and will head several classes on judging using the AMPS judging system. Volunteer judges are needed. Please contact Mike via e-mail ([email protected]) for questions or to volunteer. A word to the wise, volunteer early as we will send the press gang out during the show to “harvest” “volunteer” judges. No experience is needed to be a judge and I will promise that a tour of judging will make you a better modeler.
- Pat Keenan, our vendor coordinator, sold 85 Vendor tables and was “sold out” by 1 February. His efforts will bring a vendor room that contains the largest gathering (IMHO) of armor specific vendors in the US, probably North America… Thanks to all of the vendors that are or tried to support AMPS this year.
- Roy Chow and Sean Lynch, the Show Seminar Committee, assembled an outstanding list of speakers, some known favorites (Zaloga, Jentz, Mesko, Volstad) and some new faces (Mummey, Steinman) that will cover modeling, finishing and historical topics from the various conflicts from the latter half of the 20th as well as 21st Century. Of note, we will have Mr. Gerry Chester and Mr. John Irwin, two WWII veterans will recount their wartime experiences as armor crewmen. We will also have Mr. Bob Steinbrunn recount his experiences as a Helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Other speakers and topics are listed below in the show timeline.
- Mark Corbett is working with the APG’s Ordnance Museum to allow a behind the scenes look at the Museum’s collection as well the restoration area. 58 people have signed up for this tour and Mark has closed the tour to any additional visitors. The museum will be open to show attendees. Entrance to APG requires a valid ID (driver’s license, Passport, etc) as well as drivers will need to have proof of insurance to get a temporary pass and drive on APG.
- Mark is also heading up the AMPS Raffle, which is growing daily. Harder & Steenbeck has generously donated an airbrush to be one of the Super Raffle prizes.
- Matt Toms will be our Security czar for the show. He will be posting a call for volunteers soon.
- Now, what is still needed??? Show attendees as well as volunteers are still needed to make the show a success. We need help in the areas of: Venue set up on Thursday, 16 April, for Security on Friday and Saturday, and clean up during the show as well as final clean-up on Saturday night. Volunteer judges will be needed throughout the show.
Show timeline
Thursday, April 16
8:00 AM - UTC APG Museum “Super Tour” Meets at HdG Community Center, moves to APG Museum
9:00 AM – UTC Venue Setup
1:00 PM Vendors setup begins
6:00-8:00 PM Pre-Registration
6:00-7:00 PM ACJ meeting
7:00 - 9:00 PM Judge Certification Class
7:00-9:00 PM Pre-Registration Judging
9:00 PM Venue Closes

Friday, April 17th
8:30 - 10:00 AM Field Judges' Class
10:00 -11:00 AM Judges' Shopping
11:00 AM Show Officially Opens
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Judging Slot A
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Judging Slot B
1:00- 1:55 PM Seminar #1: Steve Zaloga: Advanced Modeling Techniques
2:00 - 2:55 PM Seminar #2: John Steinman: Model Photography
3:00 - 5:00 PM Judging Slot C
3:00 - 3:55 PM Seminar #3: Jeff Herne: Armor Weathering and Finishing Techniques
4:00 - 4:55 PM Seminar #4: Jeff Herne: Airbrush Techniques
5:00 - 7:00 PM Judging Slot D
5:00 - 5:55 PM Seminar #5: Gerry Chester: WW2 British Churchill tanker
6:00 - 7:00 PM Seminar #6: Jim Mesko: US Armor in Vietnam
7:00 PM Show Closes
8:00 - 9:00 PM AMPS Business Meeting

Saturday, April 18th
8:30 AM Show Opens
8:30 - 10:30 AM Judging Slot E
9:15 - 10:15 AM Seminar #7: Seminar #7: Ron Volstad: "Getting It Right" Uniform, equipment and stowage colors
10:30 AM -12:30 PM Judging Slot F
10:30 - 11:25 AM Seminar #8: Mike Mummey: USMC Armor
11:30 AM - 12:25 PM Seminar #9: TBD
11:30 AM - 12:25 PM Seminar #10: Taesung Harmms, Figure Sculpting
Noon Show Registration Closes
12:30 -2:25 PM Judging Slot G
12:30 - 1:25 PM Seminar #11: Bob Steinbrunn: Vietnam Scrapbook, "An Army Pilot's Combat Tour in Photos"
1:30 - 2:25 PM Seminar #12: John Irwin: WW2 US Tank Gunner
2:30 - 3:30 PM Seminar #13 : Tom Jentz: German AFV Research
2:30 - 4:30 PM Judging Slot H
3:30 - Completion “Best of” Judging
4:00 PM Vendor Area Closes
5:00 PM Last Chance Raffle Pull
5:30 PM Awards Ceremony
6:30 - Completion Clean up

AMPS 2009 International Convention Vendors
AirConnection
Alpine Miniatures
Ampersand Publishing
Archer Fine Transfers
Armand Bayardi – Model Maker
Armor Plate Press
Armoured Brigade Models
Arsenal
Baseline Models
Chesapeake Model Designs
CRM Hobbies
David Doyle
Fire House Hobbies
Formations
Grex Airbrush
Harder & Steenbeck Airbrush
Horner’s Hobbies
Jim's Hobbies
M&Models
MAFVA – Miniature AFV Association
The Marx-Man
Military History Shop
MMD/Squadron
New World Miniatures
Olde Depot Hobbies
Panzer Tracts
PanzerWrecks
PSP
S&J Hobbies
Tank Workshop
Tankvideo.com
Thachweave Products
Tiger Model Designs
Tiger Productions Diorama Products
Warpigs

If there are any question or issues feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Hope to see you there in Harve de Grace.
John Charvat
AMPS 2009 Show Chair

Show Update:
As of 20 March, the Ordnance Museum Super Tour is closed. No new names will be taken. I apologize if this upsets any plans. A list of attendees is posted on the ML General Discussions board.

John Charvat
AMPS 2009 Show Chair