BiggTim

Without a doubt costly.
Not only costly but you have to be lucky too. I definitely had the cash to go, but I decided to go too late and was not able to grab a room, so had it not been for Tim's generosity in letting me share a room, I would not be going either, regardless, since I didn't want to stay anywhere other than the convention hotel so I dont have to mess with a car. 
 
Im also in the "probably wont be going again for a very long time" boat as well since I will have now attended two IPMS Nationals in a row. Its a lot of cash and time to lay out, but worth it IMHO. 

Our local IPMS club has hosted the convention twice, the last time being 1991, and I really wish we'd get it again, but that looks very doubtful, for a variety of reasons.

Ya it's costly, for sure. The fact that I am going this year means it will be VERY unlikely that I go again for a VERY long time.

Ya it's costly, for sure. The fact that I am going this year means it will be VERY unlikely that I go again for a VERY long time.

This time the model is very unusual for me.
Over one meter to build and paint, model made with one addition:
Deck from Pontos, the rest is a model straight from the box.

After building this model, I understood that folding ship models is a real big challenge.

USS Missouri Trumpeter 1: 200
From spray booth:
 

Final:

 

Few updates and where I'm at.  Weekend goal was to get it ready for paint.  My first hurdle to jump was the salon window frame.  The kit came with these "resin" frames that were way out of shape and not nearly long enough.  My plan was to cut a ring out of a copper pipe fitting I had in the garage and then solder on wires and bend to fit.

 
Well that didn't work out as planned. 
Even if the copper was bent correctly, it was over sized to fit into the notches of the window frame.  Slightest bend, and the solder broke loose.  Even pre-bending was a miserable failure.

 
So I cleaned up the rings I made from copper and then just glued them directly onto the window.  After the glue (Formula 560 for R/C aircraft canopies, a white glue that dries crystal clear) set up, I made frames out of Evergreen stock.

 
In place

 
All taped up and primed.

 

 
 
Now I think it will have to sit a few weeks.  I go on vacation next week and I have quite the laundry list to do around the house before leaving.  If I can sneak some time down to the garage, I'm hoping to get the base color applied so it has time to cure while I'm away.

Good advice, especially since most of us are not young and at the peak of fitness.   In the desert heat issues can happen very, very fast.
 
I have a table across form the ZM exhibit, and all are invited and welcome to come by and say high or hang out if you like.
 
Looking forward to seeing everyone,
 
Gary  

This has been bugging me..have to point it out(if it hasn't)   There is an AM resin spinner cap for this kit to correct the WNW's part.not mentioning who makes it.
For those who have purchased it,or are thinking about picking one up..you don't need it..WNW got the diameter and shape right the first time.
Now I feel better.     Cheers,Bill.
 
kit matches the photo well

Good comments!
Thanks guys - maybe leaning towards Revell/Special Hobby now....
Kevin - what issue of Air Modeller was your build in?
Best
Paul

#71, April/May 2017:
 
http://shop.afvmodeller.com/customer/product.php?productid=18720
 
Kev

While I haven't built the Special Hobby kit, I have built (and reviewed) the Kitty Hawk kit, and it's a tough build. The nose panels especially are a challenge, but I have to say I'm pleased with how it turned out:
 

You can check out my build thread for all the gory details:
 
 
Note that the Revell kit is a re-boxing of the Special Hobby kit.
 
Kev

Per Mike/Phantom it appears that the LSP meet and greet is on Friday 3rd August for 10am, Room 101BC slot number 20.

Won't be going to Pima either,my darling wife wants to go shopping Thurs. so ..ya...shopping....weeeeeeee. 

For those of us not going on the Pima tour, lets get together for lunch!
 
Mike

Sorry guys, but looks like I won't be able to make it to Phoenix for nationals.  Just can't swing it between job interviews.
 
 
Hope everybody has a fantastic time though, and take a lot of pictures of the experience
 
 
 
 
 
Matt 

Perfect, thanks Brian.  I will plan on meeting everyone there then.  Good to have a place to meet up!
 
Chris

I hope everyone has a good time at Pima.
I am not going to go this trip, going to spend my time in the vendor room.

Yikes! Sound like home here in NE.   Last few weeks its been 90 - 101F w/60% humidity.  Not fun at ALL. However its been quite nice here this week, near perfect. Fortunately I didnt even rent a car, and plan on only going out for eats and the Pima tour. 

I know you are suffering burn-out but still I tend to wonder why another typical example of the single-engined German fighter of the type that has been produced ever since Aurora first brought their 1/48th FW-190 in 1954 myself?
 
IMHO, if Kitty Hawk is to successfully follow in the "footsteps" of Williams Brothers and later on Hasegawa in 1/32 releases, then they really should focus on subjects not typically available from Revell, Hasegawa (and that I already have in my stash), etc.
 
As an example, back in the late '60's a popular scale modeling magazine did a survey as to which subjects their readers would like to see the most in 1/32 scale.
They then published their answers and Hasegawa "stepped up to the plate" and in 1971 released their large scale "yellow wings" series starting with the P-12E and F4B-4, and the rest is history.
So why isn't Kitty Hawk listening to us like Hasegawa did nearly 50 years ago?

I was in Dallas for 2 weeks in 2005 on a training course for a company I use to work for. I went to the museum specifically to see if I could get pictures of their F9F-2 Panther. It was quiet when I went so I kindly asked if they would let me behind the ropes to do a walkaround of the jet-they obliged. Got all around and underneath the Panther. The only thing I didn’t get pictures of was the cockpit.

My cousin has a '56 F-100 big window sitting in storage, waiting to be re-built.....I love that truck!! If I had the cash, I would finish it for him, but I can't even finish my own car project.
 
Speaking of what we would buy if we had the cash, I've already warned my wife if I ever hit the jackpot, she'd better get her head around the idea that there will be an M4A1 Sherman tank in the driveway. Right next to the tricked out H1 Hummer.

May need to visit. I like the He-111/B-25 comparison with them so close to each other.

Very cool, I love Cavanaugh!! Went there some years back and had a good time. Glad to see they still have the Spanish He-111 from the BoB movie, too. Did you know that the nose art on their silver B-25 was re-painted during restoration by the same veteran who painted it during WW2, with the SAME enamel paints?

I had to chuckle. I'd like a dollar for every time I've seen a modeller make a comment to that effect about [insert name] modelling company. Not that there isn't an element of truth to it but it's a golden oldie modelers tune.
 
In real life how everyone else performs in their job, relationships, leadership roles, conflict resolution or even in basic due diligence often don't marry our own personal expectations.
 
I get bent out of shape when those expectations lead to human suffering or death, not so much plastic models.  I suppose that juxtaposition helps me reconcile the imperfections in myself, others, or even models kits. Each kit has something unique to offer and affords a different build experience. Even if the world is replete with FW190's from a variety of manufacturers they offer a different build experience and challenge. If scale modelling as an activity offers a range of build experiences, that diversity is part of the joy and challenge of having such a great hobby. I think there are plenty of us that do relish a challenge in life, simply because it is harder. Harder than it could be and sometimes harder than it should be.
 
More jets would be very cool, but the Fw190 is one of my all time fav planes. If I had to own a warbird, it'd be the one.
 
Matty

Bring on the 1/32 kits, I say!! I built a 1/32 190A a few years back, and will probably never build another, but if they want to do one, go for it!! 
 
Granted,  I'd have been a lot happier with and early P-38 or P-51B/C, but whatever!!
 
Tim