IPMS Fort Worth Scale Modelers SuperCon 2010

By Kelly Jamison

Photos by Jim Pliml

I attended one of my favorite shows of the season: the IPMS Fort Worth Scale Modelers SuperCon 2010. When the stars align, I get the double bonus of going to my favorite show on my birthday. Yes, my birthday is September 11th.  But I make the best of the day and today was going to be a good day.

It has been held at the Bob Duncan Community Center in Vandergriff Park. A suburb in Arlington, for years. Living in Abilene Texas, we hit the open road at 6 am for the three hour drive. A lot less time than the guys from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and I am sure a few from further away than that. Two coffee breaks and the constant threat of rain kept us leaning forward on the trip. Parking was a little fortuitous because of a high school cross country track meet at the park that sometimes collides with guys who have the tendency to sit for long periods of time isolated indoors. Ironic?

The theme for this year's award was  “Battle of Okinawa”. An unusual and interesting theme. The sign in and registration went smooth as I have become accustom to. In just a few minutes I was inside and hitting the vendors tables for some great deals. The bargains seem to last all day. The vendors were friendly and helpful even to the point of sending you over to another table to get you what you are looking for.

After my first sweep through the vendors room it was off to see the talent. People were still bringing in kits and populating the different categories. As usual the Central Texas IPMS folks bring it on strong. The very unique combination of different kits were truly impressive.

Next was the traditional lunch while the judges did their voodoo. This year I got to eat lunch with the always entertaining Phil Brandt. We met Russ and Eric from Austin at the local Korean restaurant and enjoyed overeating, conversation and discussing the show entries. Have you ever experienced this ritual before? I thought so.

After returning to the venue it was time for another sweep through the vendors table and a chance to pick up that last minute kit you put down earlier in the day. I had a field day and bought lots of extra stuff with full permission from the wife. (“Happy wife, happy life” is what my fortune cookie said!)  I settled down to hear who the winners were and was very happy for each one. I thought the judges did an excellent job and the clear winners were just that. No melodrama or controversy which is another hallmark of the Fort Worth IPMS gang.

SuperCon 2010 is a little unique in that they give out Gold, Silver and Bronze medallions with very nice full size special categories and Best of Show plaques. Some don't like it and some do. I do because I can put the medallion next to the winning model in the display cabinet. You might have a completely different opinion and that is OK with me.

It was soon time to pack up the car and head back to Abilene. We rolled into town just ahead of that storm that had been threatening us all day. I had a great time. Saw lots of old friends and even some family members. Like I said, I look forward to this show every year and this one was another great one by the guys of the Fort Worth IPMS chapter. See you next year.