IPMS USA Nationals 2022
Convention and Contest

by Jim Bates

Once again, the IPMS/USA 2022 National Convention (the ‘Nats’) was held at the La Vista Conference Center in Omaha, Nebraska, and hosted by IPMS/USA Fort Crook.  The show was well run and other than the usual whining about judging it was a great event. All the more reason for IPMS/USA to move away from the 1/2/3 style of judging to display only or "open" judging.  I'd put it first or second on my personal list of best Nats with maybe only Chattanooga edging it out.

The Convention hosts like to say this is a “right sized” convention and they are quite correct. Two vendor rooms, a large model room attached to the two hotels. With the oppressive heat and sun…heck, please remind me why did I leave the convention venue and go outdoors? Eduard was the star of the vendor room selling almost 500 1/48 F4F-3 Wildcats along with tons of other models and accessories. Early estimates say there were over 3,000 models on the table and the quality just keeps getting better and better with each year.

While aircraft are still the current king of the IPMS Nats competition, there was so much armor on the table it was almost overwhelming. One cannot discuss armor without mentioning the Plastic Posse Podcast’s M4 variant group build. The display included many differing kinds of Shermans, Grants, and Lees…even a Skink…with seventy models entered from modelers all over the world. It was an impressive showing for the Posse and shows the reach of the modeling podcasts in general.

A few interesting notes regarding models on the table: not one, but two of the new Revell 1/48 SR-71s were entered, and in 1/72 twin-engined jets, there was not a single F-4 Phantom, but three Blackburn Buccaneers.

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With a bar on the way to the main convention hotel, there was also no shortage of socializing at the convention. It was worth the trip just for the hang; so great to see so many friends (new and old) from all over the world. And as usual, I should have brought along a second empty suitcase.

The 2023 convention is in Texas and less than a year away, so get building!

For more on this review visit Modelpaintsolutions.com

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2022 by James Bates
Page Created 12 August, 2022
Last updated 12 August, 2022

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