[WWI] ot alert watcha doing?

[Matt Bittner]

Returned a few hours ago from the Nats, and recovering.  Wish I could
have stayed longer, but it was great seeing all the old hats, and
meeting one new one (Buzz Pezold).

Dr. Tom's Nie.28 is amazing, but then again, so are all the listee's
models.  And a few of the non-listee's as well!  Biplanes (primarily
WW1) was so well represented in 1/72nd they ended up splitting the
category between Rotary and In-line.  There was a finished Staaken
there, as well as one of the Gotha's.  Both beautifully finished.

The 1/48th and larger crowd were well represented as well, and I'm
pretty sure those were also split.  Plus, there were on-topic models in
the scratchbuild, vacs and conversion categories.

I have a feeling Herr Hustad is going to clean up - again.  Not only
did he have entries in the In-line and Rotary for the "regular"
category, but also on topic models for the scratch, conversion and vac.
 Wow!  In addition, his WW1 1/35th figure vignettes/dioramas were also
beautiful, and it's always fun trying to find his rats.

Personally, for me, the models I enjoyed the most were a couple of
build Ardpol kits (off topic warning).  Their B-2 Condor and the
Curtiss A-3A.  Both beautifully done.  In addition, for the 'tweener
crowd, were a scratched Leoning OL-9 and an NL-2 in the conversion
category (converting another Ardpol kit).

There was a lot of representation in the Small Scale Armor category for
our era.  A number of Whippets, A7Vs, etc.  What was best in this class
(although I forgot to take pictures of it) was a scratchbuilt mobile
flak gun (I think).  Wow!

A ton of models, and good vendors.  Since cash was so strapped, there
were only two models I was trying to find.  One off topic, one on. 
Since I couldn't find the off topic one (my first choice) I ended up
buying the Special Hobby Lloyd C.V.  Nice kit!

The second highlight of the trip (the first was meeting up with old,
list-member friends) was talking with Vladimir Sulc of Eduard.  We've
been in contact via email for quite some time (for my IM "job) and now
I was able to meet him face-to-face.  In addition, he let loose some
great news for some of us that he shared with other list members.  Not
sure I can go into it at this time - I'll wait for the other to show
up.

All in all a great time, I just wish I would have had more money to
spend a couple of days down there.  Oh well, that's the way it goes!

Speaking of Eduard, he gave me a "Black Mike" Sopwith Camel for review.
 Someone want to build it for IM?  Just LMK and it's yours - however,
you do have to build it, *and* you have to use MisterKit paints with it
(yes, I came home with a couple of those as well).


Matt Bittner
Software Engineer/Assistant Editor
Internet Modeler
http://www.internetmodeler.com/