A Postcard from the IPMS Nationals Part Two by Brett Green

A Postcard From The IPMS Nationals

Day Two - 1 August, 2002

by Brett Green

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IPMS Nationals 2002

Virginia Beach is an ideal venue for this years' IPMS USA Nationals.

The Pavilion Convention Center is located just a few miles from NAS Oceana. The main route to the Convention along the I-264 is constantly overflown at low altitude by Navy Tomcats and Hornets. These antics are quite a show by themselves!

Thursday morning saw a few remaining vendors arrive, including AMtech with special prices on their beautiful 1/48 scale Ta 183 at USD$20; and P-40E at USD$10. There will be more news from AMtech in tomorrow night's update.

New products noted today include WWII US Navy Flight Deck in 1/48 scale from Just Plane Stuff in their new lightweight resin and Blue Angels "Hornet's Nest" decals for F/A-18s from CAM Decals.

Aviation Usk of Nebraska announced the release of the Aviation Usk kit line under the Xotic-72 label. Four of the original Aviation Usk 1/72 scale releases have been reworked and repackaged to the standard of current MPM releases. There will eventually be fourteen models in the Xotic-72 series.

Three of the first four kits are presented in injection moulded, limited run styrene by MPM featuring finely engraved surface detail; with resin and/or brass parts, new markings, very clear vacform canopies and enhanced instructions. The main parts of the remaining kit are produced in vacuum formed plastic sheet with details in injection styrene.

These first four releases are the Savoia-Marchetti SM-84, the Dornier Do 22, Fokker T-V and Fiat RS-14. Detailed reviews of these kits will appear on HyperScale in the coming weeks.

Today also saw the commencement of the Seminar programme, including this afternoon's HyperScale reception. A packed house enthusiastically contributed to a boisterous and enjoyable session between 5:00pm and 6:30pm. It was great to put faces and voices to so many of HyperScale's visitors names. I would like to thank everyone who so kindly contributed to the presentation of the wonderful signed drawing of Gabby Gabreski and his P-47. This picture will hold pride of place in my basement office.

Tomorrow promises to be just as busy as the first two days. Stay tuned!

Keep in touch with news at the Nationals via daily updates on HyperScale.

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