Cleaveland Show 8

Show Report: Cleveland Model Show 8: November 6, 2004

Hosted by IPMS Western Reserve and IPMS John H. Glenn, Cleveland Model Show 8 was held Saturday November 4, 2004 at Kirtland High School, Kirtland Ohio, and as expected, it was ‘just another day in paradise’. Like last year, the weatherman cooperated and provided a beautiful sunny day on the Lake Erie coast, making for a very comfortable day for all attendees. Contingents from “The Buffcon Boys” of IPMS Niagara Frontier, 3 Rivers IPMS, and Shenango Valley IPMS were present, and the IPMS national office was represented by President Dave Morrisette, and Treasurer Ed Kinney.

The show was well publicized, as show fliers were readily available at other shows, regional hobby shops and by direct mail to chapter contacts. Show information was also readily available on the club web site: http://www.loraincounty.net/halke/cms8/ , and at http://ipmsusa.org/ by clicking on Upcoming Events. Pictures of the contest and the winning models should be available on the club web site in the near future, so check it out.

The show flier covered the usual 5 W’s (Who-What-When-Where-Why), with the street address, directions and maps prominently displayed on the front of the flier. I like having the address of the venue on the flier, as you can easily use Yahoo Maps or MapQuest to get door to door directions. As before, set up began for vendors at 7:30 AM, with the general public being admitted at 9:00 AM. The contest featured 40 regular and 5 open categories, numerous special awards, People's Choice, two Best of Show Awards: Junior and Adult, and the “Ace of Aces” award.

Entry fees for adults were $8 for unlimited entries. Juniors and Bantams were $3 for unlimited entries. General Admission was $2 (12 yrs. and over), with a $5 early entry fee was charged for early access to the vendors room. In the past we arrived early and stood outside the door until 9:00 AM, but like last year, we lingered at a McD’s enjoying the coffee. After registration, on to the vendors.

Unfortunately the vendors were relocated to the narrow halls, not the gymnasium where they were last year, due to a girls’ basketball game. An outstanding list of vendors were present, including CRM Hobbies from St. Louis, with their fine collection of resin figures, accessories, decals, photo etch, tools, etc., etc, etc. Dean’s Hobbies from Michigan, had a nice selection of discounted kits. R & J Hobbies from the Cleveland area was present with their discount priced “Great Wall of Plastic”, which covered a good fifty feet of the west hall. Pace Enterprises displayed their custom spray booths, and Three Guys Hobbies from Buffalo displayed their specialty items. Mark Klutchko of Michigan Discount Models had his great selection, of fine armor books, kits and accessories, and Rick Geithmann of Toledo displayed the latest resin kits from the world of hypothetical, theoretical, and actual aircraft, along with a number of new Kagero Publications. There were few collector kits for sale this year, but many current releases were available at big discounts.

The raffle was one of the best that I have seen in a long time. Items of note were a TV for your workstation, Pace spray booth, Dremels, Airbrushes, gift certificates, books and Kits, Kits, and More Kits. Tickets were $1 each for the regular raffle, $2 each for the special raffle, and the super special raffle was $5. A “special value” combination of tickets could be purchased for $10. Items were raffled off by the half hour, beginning at 9:30 and ending at 3:00. Any unclaimed prizes were raffled again at 3:15 until a winner was called. My luck was exceptional…a ten spot of general raffle tickets yielded a Monogram P-40B, Pro Modeler Ju-88A, Hobbycraft Do-17E/F, ProModeler Ju-52/3M, and an Arado 234B Nachtingall. From the looks I got, I had a distinct feeling that I needed a bodyguard.

A make and take program was available for the kids, with a number of club members assisting. Like last year, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of kids at the make and take.

The contest room was very well lit, and with the numerous entries, the tables were a bit crowded. The final count showed 111 modelers entering 310 models in the competition. This was the most modelers, and the second highest model count ever. As always, quality of the entries was very high in all categories.

First, second and third place plaques were awarded in the regular categories with plaques being given for the special awards. Open judging was implemented in the open, junior and bantam categories, and gold, silver and bronze medallions were given for deserving entries. There wasn’t a junior or bantam who went home empty handed: great encouragement for the kids.

The contest followed the published show schedule, with registration closing at 12:30 and judging immediately following. The judges were chosen from numerous clubs, with several national contest judges participating..

The show is located very close to I-90, with numerous eateries of all price ranges close by. Hobbytown USA and Stewart’s Hobby in Willoughby, are also nearby, necessitating a quick trip at some point during the day. They are well stocked, and have a very good selection of kits. “The Buffcon Boys” were particularly impressed with Stewart’s, and I plan to make a trip there before the holidays. The host clubs also provided a two lists of Cleveland area hobby shops: one for the east side, and one for the west side. With accompanying maps and directions, they were very easy to find.

The award ceremony began with the juniors and bantams, followed by the five open categories, and continuing through the regular categories, ending with the special awards. Best Aircraft was won by Rob Lee with an Academy F-18 Hornet of VFA 25. Best Ship was Dave Hamilton’s U-21, and the Best Figure was by Mark McGovern. The Best Miscellaneous, and Most Popular Model (People’s Choice) was Bud Reinhard’s “Stalingrad” Diorama. The scope of effort on this piece had to be seen to be believed. Ace of Aces was Eric Larson’s SB2C Helldiver, and both Best Auto and Judges’ Best in Show went to Andy Marks of Columbus, for his Scratch Built 1931 Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental Fixed Head Coupe, “The Satin Doll”. Truly Outstanding.

The show closed shortly before 5:00 PM.

I was told that the show may move to a new venue next year, as they have definitely outgrown their present location. We’ll have to wait and see, but wherever they are, I’m sure the show will only get better. I personally look forward to Cleveland Model Show 9, and their raffle. If you missed it this year, shame on you. As for next year, all I have to say is...Be There!