2020 KC CON 14 March 2020

[Rhino]

Low cloud and a wintry mix of snow and rain accompany the Shocking Pink Plastic Surgeons 0745 departure for KC CON.
I had emailed Steve, the club contact to see if the Show was still on given the widespread (stupid) panic over COVID-19. He assured me "It's ON!" So we went!

We are in good health save that no vaccination for our mutual mild hang-over exists so far. Road conditions were fair to mildly icky. My trust Kia carries us South without hesitation or complaint. Teresa wonders if my car has enough freight capacity for all the raffle prizes She may win. We hope so!

We saw this grand old Lady in the Church parking lot. You don't see many Town & Country station wagons roaming the highways these days. I think She's a 1968 model Chrysler Land Yacht.

Registration was brisk and friendly. I had not been to a Great Plains Modeler's show in many moons. I entered 8 models I had finished since last I was here, some 4 or 5 years ago.

Enter The Hallowed Hall! Vendors first, then on to the Models!!

14 Tables worth of Vendors cancelled their appearance at KC Con this year. We missed Pete Gitzel, Alan Horner and Ralph Fredlund to name a few favorite, plastic purveyor stalwarts. Club President Stuart Malone told us the church considered cancelling the show, but local authorities deemed it not large enough to present a significant health risk to attendees. In bold move, Stuart shook my hand and thanked us for driving "All that way" to KC Con. Don't tell anyone!! Madness!!

 

[Rhino]

On to the Models!!
Please understand that I do not wish you to think this is a complete "report" by any means. I made several recon passes about the room and then picked out models I liked the best to go into greater detail with.
If you are disappointed I will cheerfully refund the pay I receive from M/A for my humble efforts. :stinker :gogo

Randy Fields newest Monogram masterpiece is the 1/48 F-105D Thunderchief "Cherry Girl" at the top of the picture with the RU tail code. The rest of the story goes that this actual aircraft is the "Thud-on-a-Steek" on the way to Nebraska's SAC museum. She's being taken from Her Interstate 80 perch for restoration in the museum.

The 1/32 Dauntless was awesome! No Jap fighter in 1943 can catch the "Speedee D" once she begins her attack.
Bill Pettijohn's Revell Ag. 1/32 JU-88 won Best Aircraft. I missed taking a picture of Her.

You won't often see a Soviet PE-2 climbing out in close formation with a Savage!

I cain't say who the modeler was that did such an impressive job on Mach 2's horrible 1/72 North American A2-J Savage. Posed in flight with crewmen in the cockpit, you can see several other of His builds about the 1/72 Aircraft display tables and they were all little jewels!

 

[Rhino]

Ship models next!
Kelly Quirk's 1/350 1945 USS Indianapolis in the foreground. Best Ship awardee! It really was cool! That Kelly, He can build about anything really well!

Trumpeter's 1/48 scale Type VIIc U-boot with interior. The inside of the Boat seemed unrealistically roomy. That's a whole lot of Untersee Boot Theyer!

I liked the "Gotcha" diorama idea given my fondness for all things teeny. See the bomb leaving the 1/700 scale Liberator? Neet-o! The surface of the water seems agitated.

A kid I work with had a Grampa that served about the USS DeHaven in WWII. DD 805, USS Chevalier was similar to his Grandad's Vessel inn 1/350 scale.

 

[Rhino]

I'm not the only Model Maniac stuck in Teeny gear! :yipee Lookee at all the dinky Airplanes!!

KC CON is put on by KC AMPS and IPMS Great Plains (Planes?) as a joint effort. Not as many Armor models are pictured as they took a while to be judged and make it on to the display tables. (Tanks, but no Tanks?!)
In any case................

Humor in modeling natural & miscellaneous models

Eine kleine Nazi funkwagen! 1/35 Kubel with plenty of comms capability! I liked it!

Up-sized Panzers!

 

[moon puppy]

Thanks Rhino, good report. Shame we're having to deal with this virus. I'm sure like all things, it will pass soon.

 

[Rhino]

Figures.

"Victory" theme award winning figure. If I recall correctly, Mr T. made Him. Check out those eyes! A fine job!

"Shinies" and a few of our Favorites! :coolio

 

[Iron Mike]

Looks like fun was had.

 

[moon puppy]

Oh...check's in the mail.

 

[Rhino]

Gundam entries. It is good to see younger modelers building. I understand Gundum models are top sellers in almost every retail outlet and they ain't cheap!!

We bought raffle tickets on the IMPS side only. I didn't realize KC AMPS had a separate raffle or Teresa may have tried her fortunes there as well. I found some discarded raffle tickets in the rainy parking lot after the initial raffle was done. Two more of those turned out to be winners as well in the redrawing for unclaimed prizes.
Patience, My Friends! Patience!

I was well pleased to win the IPMS Grand Prize model kit! Yummy new 1/48 B-17G Flying Fortress!

 

[Rhino]

It's High time to make My Sweetie her favorite breakfast. :drool
Stay tuned for more Model commentary!! :frantic :tomato

 

[moon puppy]

What a score!!

 

[Rhino]

If you will indulge me a moment, I have something to say.
This years Head Judge was Darren Roberts. If you haven't met Darren, you would easily find him at a model show by his ready smile and voluminous voice. Darren is an educator by trade. In his dealings with modelers you can easily see how accustomed he is to working with children of ALL vintages. He may not recall your name, but will greet you with the same cheer and overt enthusiasm He is known for.
Remember "Mr. Roberts" from the 2011 Nationals when he built and displayed Monogram 1/48 Grumman F-14 Tomcats from every US Navy Squadron?
I don't know Darren well, but I cain't imagine him with a frown on his face. I call him "Friend" and I am honored to do so. Just one of those great guys!

KC CON entertained 61 modelers with 226 entries on the IPMS Great Plains club side, PLUS KCAMPS had 26 contestants with around 40 models entered. (Thanks Steve!) We drove 5 1/2 hours to spend 6 hours at the KC CON and we were glad we did so. Both Club's hospitality was warm and welcoming.

COVID-19 was on everyone's mind. Opinions varied from "Serious, deadly virus" to "What a load of succotash!"
Few handshakes were exchanged. Awards took a different format as well. While I was sitting patiently waiting for the ceremony to begin on the gym floor, Teresa noticed Judges placing awards near the awarded models. I understand the need to take care not to promote the spread of the Chinese pestilence.

IPMS Great Plains announced the Best Of's and Theme awards. The ceremony was shortened in the interest of caution.
This too, shall pass. I believe in being aware, but not being gripped by the terror & frenzy so many of my Countrymen seem to suffer from.

One cheerful vendor customer confessed he needed more models if He was going to self-quarantine. Perhaps only partly in jest.

For myself, I won 2 Awards of note. My little 1/700 Freezer Trawler "Bitchin' Witch" as a First place in Ships, 1/401 & Smaller, and a first prize for The Samurai Bathtub in Dioramas.

Chibi Godzilla made his first IPMS Show appearance. He got lots of laughs & comments, but no awards. He assumed the "(Nameless) Pout" pose before returning home. Godzilla did NOT shed any actual tears! HA!!

WE had a fine time! Thanks to Stuart, Steve, Darren, Mike and all the IPMS Great Plains members!

Thanks for enduring yet another of my never-ending model commentaries!
Have Fun!
Don't do anything stupid!
Don't get hurt!
Don't eat any uncooked Bats. Fo' Weel!!

 

[Iron Mike]

Congrats and thanks for the report. Rumor has it another MA'r had a big day. :coolio

 

[Rhino]

Yes! Mr. T, Tell us about YOUR Awards, Suh!

 

[moon puppy]

If you will indulge me a moment, I have something to say.
This years Head Judge was Darren Roberts. If you haven't met Darren, you would easily find him at a model show by his ready smile and voluminous voice. Darren is an educator by trade. In his dealings with modelers you can easily see how accustomed he is to working with children of ALL vintages. He may not recall your name, but will greet you with the same cheer and overt enthusiasm He is known for.
Remember "Mr. Roberts" from the 2011 Nationals when he built and displayed Monogram 1/48 Grumman F-14 Tomcats from every US Navy Squadron?
I don't know Darren well, but I cain't imagine him with a frown on his face. I call him "Friend" and I am honored to do so. Just one of those great guys!

KC CON entertained 61 modelers with 226 entries on the IPMS Great Plains club side, PLUS KCAMPS had 26 contestants with around 40 models entered. (Thanks Steve!) We drove 5 1/2 hours to spend 6 hours at the KC CON and we were glad we did so. Both Club's hospitality was warm and welcoming.

COVID-19 was on everyone's mind. Opinions varied from "Serious, deadly virus" to "What a load of succotash!"
Few handshakes were exchanged. Awards took a different format as well. While I was sitting patiently waiting for the ceremony to begin on the gym floor, Teresa noticed Judges placing awards near the awarded models. I understand the need to take care not to promote the spread of the Chinese pestilence.

IPMS Great Plains announced the Best Of's and Theme awards. The ceremony was shortened in the interest of caution.
This too, shall pass. I believe in being aware, but not being gripped by the terror & frenzy so many of my Countrymen seem to suffer from.

One cheerful vendor customer confessed he needed more models if He was going to self-quarantine. Perhaps only partly in jest.

For myself, I won 2 Awards of note. My little 1/700 Freezer Trawler "Bitchin' Witch" as a First place in Ships, 1/401 & Smaller, and a first prize for The Samurai Bathtub in Dioramas.

Chibi Godzilla made his first IPMS Show appearance. He got lots of laughs & comments, but no awards. He assumed the "(Nameless) Pout" pose before returning home. Godzilla did NOT shed any actual tears! HA!!

WE had a fine time! Thanks to Stuart, Steve, Darren, Mike and all the IPMS Great Plains members!

Thanks for enduring yet another of my never-ending model commentaries!
Have Fun!
Don't do anything stupid!
Don't get hurt!
Don't eat any uncooked Bats. Fo' Weel!!

Congrats Chris, both well earned.

 

[Duke Maddog]

Fantastic report! Way to go Rhino, and congrats on the awesome awards. Congrats on the score too! I look forward to seeing you start that.

 

[lupanzer]

Fabulous models

Thanks for posting!

Luiz.

 

[MrT]

Yes! Mr. T, Tell us about YOUR Awards, Suh!

Okkk!

I'm not one to bang my own drum, but to dispel any rumors here are my results. I took 4 items to the show.

1. Panzer III C/D by Miniart......AMPS Gold Axis

2. 101st Airborne Trooper by Verlinden(modified).........First Place Figure and Theme Award (Victory)

3. Fokker E.III by Airfix...................First Place 1/72 Aircraft Pre 1935

4. D7 Caterpillar(Coffee Break) by Miniart...First Place Commercial Vehicle....Best Auto....Judges Grand Award(best of show)

I hope this lays the rumors to rest.

:laugh:

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Congratulations Terry! You do excellent work!

 

[MrT]

Congratulations Terry! You do excellent work!

Thanks!