IPMS Alexander Lippisch Show. 17 April, 2021

[Rhino]

Fleacon 17 | IPMS/USA Calendar

This is our annual model show and contest, held in Monticello, Iowa.

calendar.ipmsusa3.org

Lookie!! An Actual Model Contest!! In beautiful Monticello, Iowa at the spacious and lovely, well-lit Berndes Center at the Jones County fairgrounds! Last time they served food too!! Hobbytown gave away jetfire gliders to play airplanes with outside! Who's in!?
There is a bright rumor Don and his grandson may ride along with us!

Aww. Didn't you finish any models during quarantine?

 

[moon puppy]

Little further than a day trip for me but we're looking forward to the June show in Columbia.
Oddly enough i haven't finished crap...

 

[Barney]

Is the June Show actually going to happen?

 

[moon puppy]

Is the June Show actually going to happen?

So far yes.
Sorry for the highjack Chris.

 

[Rhino]

So far yes.
Sorry for the highjack Chris.

That's OK. I'll just edit you.
I'm totally cool with news about ANY model show since the Communist Virus kept us from having fun with our Model Friends for an inexorable amount of time!

 

[Duke Maddog]

That's OK. I'll just edit you.
I'm totally cool with news about ANY model show since the Communist Virus kept us from having fun with our Model Friends for an inexorable amount of time!

Then you'll be pleased to know that the San Diego Model Expo is also happening this June so far. I am so excited about attending that one!

 

[Frank]

Just a reminder.
The annual model show and contest, held in Monticello, Iowa, is a GO.
April 17th, 2021
So far 14 venders and 20 tables sold.

 

[Rhino]

The Game is Afoot!
6 days Hence, Don, his grandson Dane, my sweetie and I shall be sallying forth to Monticello, Iowa. I have learned from a reliable unnamed source that the kitchen will be open as well! Mark Karolus will bring his wealth of model ship kits and has generously invited TLAR Models to have a share of his vendor table in a rare first Show appearance.

A Fo' Weel model show, with PEOPLE!! Models and Raffles and Vendors! Oh MY!
Stay tuned for exciting developments as this enthralling Adventure unfolds!!

 

[iambrb]

neat! TAKE & POST PICS!!!

 

[Duke Maddog]

neat! TAKE & POST PICS!!!

YEAH!

 

[Rhino]

Mark Karolus of Wisconasin will be bringing 113 model kits to Monticello. He said he had a bunch of models to get shed of. T'weren't no joke!! Only 5 sleeps left until the Show!

 

[Rhino]

TLAR Models selection of resin kits for vendor section of FleaCon! My entries will be secret until after the show.

 

[Rhino]

Left our humble rural home at 0615 17 April for points North and East. Low cloud and light drizzle began on departure.
Don's house, to pick up Don and his grandson Dane is our first stop! We arrived at 0650 and found our partners in model fun not quite awake. It isn't like me to early, but I was really excited about going to FleaCon this day!
"Enterprise Weather" cleared after we passed Newton on I-80. The day became sunny and bright. A good day fort a car ride with friends. Teresa comments she's riding along in a car full of Nerds. She is quite correct! Models too!

Potty stop south of Cedar Rapids finds a tow truck driver and a CR Policeman rescuing a family of "Immigrants" from their locked pick-up.

Six Plastic Surgeons journeyed to the wilds of Jones County this day. 4 Surgeons were contestants. Don, Joe, Dane and myself. Teresa stood ready to collect raffle winnings. This year we brought our own big plastic bag. Nate came to observe and help make mischief. As you will see, it was a very good day!!

 

[Rhino]

I planned a 1000 arrival at the Jones County fairgrounds to have time to register, prowl vendors and see some model friends.
IPMS Alexander Lippisch judges your models as you arrive. There is a little bit of a que for judging. You will see the names of the modeler on the tabletop sheets, because who built the model isn't a secret at this Show. Is this how AMPS judges too?

Flea's president, Brian Channel, Tim Rudd, Frank Miller and Adam Mangold are among the judges and are very busy! I was contestant #45. The Show handbill said "Masks are recommended" not required! Most attendees wore their masks. We are finished being told what to do by "experts" that don't know anything about what they are talking about and went maskless.
10 or so other free thinkers did too! You "Rebels" know who you are!!

I did not know a German WWI Gotha UWB seaplane existed. The Lippisch Club had this beautiful 1/32 model on their display!

 

[Rhino]

Once again, I will state that this is NOT a complete report!! I took 73 pictures of models that caught my eye and my included commentary cannot begin to encompass the entirety of the event!

My favorite WWI airplane, A 1/32 SE-5A built by Steve Allen was on display with a Vickers FB-5 Gunbus, and Pfalz and a bunch of 1/35 figures! I have a sneaking suspicion Steve built all the Wingnut airplane models.

The FleaCon Raffle! Oh Sweetie!! It is time to commence your 'harvest"! Incomplete or started model kits are in a big box marked "Free!" FleaCon raffle prizes are typically very clean and complete. We only won one raffle prize that was started or missing parts and it was the same kit. An Entex 1/24 Lamborghini Countach 500S. The neat old curbside model with steerable front wheels, missing the rear wing. I'll just womp up a replacement rear spoiler. Where can I find a 1/24 Adrienne Barbeau to display with it I wunda?

 

[Rhino]

The Fartin' Fleas honor one of their own. Funny Matt Clemons passed away suddenly this year. I do not believe it was Wuhan related. I didn't know Matt well. I do remember his good humor, zest for a satisfying lunch and model skill from Lippisch shows far enough back they were at the Cedar Rapids airport. A moment of reverent silence was had by Matt's good friends and fellows during the award ceremony to honor Matt's memory. Yes, I was SILENT for a few moments.

I am capable of being quiet. I customarily choose NOT to.

 

[Rhino]

Blackhawk Model Society's display table. The Blackhawks sponsor a model contest at every one of their monthly Burlington, Iowa meetings. HAWK-KAAA!
How far away IS Burlington anyway?

 

[Rhino]

FSM Ship model reviewer, consummate model ship builder (on a par with Richard Sliwka), Surgeons Zoom meeting guest star and good friend Mark Karolus (Kar-O-Lus) brought his TLAR Models 1/700 Asheville class Vietnam PGB, USS Canon, Very Fire models 1/700 USS Salem and his converted 1/700 resin APD USS Liddle to US Navy DE-R, USS Gary for consideration in the Ship Category.
Mark had his vendor table set up as well and sold EVERY model kit he brought with him! I bought 2 treasures! A Monogram sealed 1976 1/500 USS Chicago and a 1998 1/700 Waveline/Pitroad resin USS Baltimore CA-68.
TLAR Models sales didn't go so well until I made my first wholesale deal for 4 kits to Charlie's Plastic Models. Charlie eyed my 2 model ship treasures with envious eyes.

I saw so many friends. Masked and otherwise. It was almost as if Real Life may actually return! Good ol' Virgil Stansbury made a 1/24 Corvette garage diorama. The ever-impressive Larry Klausen brought "The Last Tango in Berlin". You can almost hear the music!

 

[Rhino]

Armor & stuff!! Various scales.

I know I saw guys from Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Sri Lanka. Evidently lots of modeling was done during isolation and panic-demic! Lots of really fine models. The M-41 Walker Bulldog, the Crusader Cruiser tanks and Cadillac-Gage V-100 armored car are among my favorites!

 

[Rhino]

Contest space. Look!! People!! All in one place!

Vendors: I waited until the Hobbytown Cedar Rapids lady was done with her yawn to take here picture. She appreciated that.