Touring the 2022 International PaperModeler's Convention (IMPC)

[THE DC]

William shared that one of the builds on the table, the Olympia, was designed by him from scratch, inspired by a post. The real ship was the flagship of Manila Bay and is currently docked in Philadelphia, as a naval exhibit. The small build of that ship is very small, only a few inches long, and without observable error or flaw.

He also designed a craft close to my heart; the F9C-2 Sparrowhawk. The little biplane was a fighter escort, carried aboard the USS Akron and USS Macon; the two airship aircraft carriers that once challenged the skies in the 30’s. With the name “the daring men of the aerial trapeze,” the pilots would fly up to a retractable hook, link upon it, and be pulled up into a canvass surrounded storage bay for use as scouts, defense, and recon. Five of these planes were carried upon each of the airships. William designed this kit, building the one that was exhibited on the table.

Another unique build was the TV. The paper shell surrounded a screen that played actual black 7 white TV shows. William explained that he had planted an iPod Touch inside to project the images.


Mr. Kastenmeier suggested that paper modelers needed to learn how to design their own kits. He explained that making and sharing the kits was rewarding, personally, and the process added to the variety and value of papermodeling. He suggested that prospective designers seek out a favored CAD or 3D software, learn it, and then start designing.

When asked why he spent the time and money to attend and display at the IMPC, he explained that he actually lived nearby, so travel was of little burden. Mr. Kastenmeier also added that the convention had become his one assured get-away; a vacation that afforded him a chance to see old friends and get caught up over the year.


Picture 7: A collection of scoff and conceptual rockets

Picture 8: the Sparrowhawk (up close)

Picture 9: Another angle of the biplane

Picture 10: a ship from the "White Fleet"

Picture 11: The TV of paper


My attempts to upload a movie file of the TV failed! Sorry!

[THE DC]

The next exhibit space belonged to the unofficial ambassador of paper modeling.

“Gentleman” Don Boose is a man without compare. I have seen him at every convention that I have attended and he has always been the warmest and most gracious of hosts. What has struck me mostly about the man is how often, when attending these events, I have seen him behind his exhibit, being hospitable to some young person who has expressed an interest in the craft of papermodeling. He shows patience, enthusiasm, and the warmth that would establish him as an excellent teacher of the craft.

Beyond his exceptional people skills, Don is a master craftsman. His kits are often small, but carefully folded, with tight joints, and all edges colored to match the rest of the kit. His kits are so smooth and clean that they look professionally molded from some material, other than joined paper. When examining his works, the phrase “is that really paper” rings true.

The subjects of his work vary in variety, but not quality. He builds race cars, military service vehicles, air craft, and beyond, yet each is carefully labeled and described upon a sign that typically is attached to a cleverly crafted base.

Picture 1: Don sitting behind his exhibit, awaiting visitors…

Picture 2: A large collection of “matchbox” cars and military vehicles…

Picture 3: More carefully labeled vehicles and military armor…

Picture 4: Still more armor on attractive bases, each with descriptions…

Picture 5: All ages of aircraft, each with historic information about the subject of his model…

[THE DC]

Don is typically at his exhibit through out the day, building as the convention proceeds. This allows visitors to learn from his skill and see the process of preparation and assembly. The tools used, techniques taught, and process conveyed all permit his craft to be passed onto a newer papermodeler.



Picture 6: A close up of two examples of military armor…

Picture 7: A kit in progress; as Don provides build tips and examples…

Picture 8: Further build in progress for spectator tutorial…

Picture 9: Don puts the careful touch upon a wing section…

Picture 10: Don’s model assembly comes together; a “live-action” build thread…

[THE DC]

The detail of Boose kits is remarkable. He is still doing inter-war armor and craft, a period that has recently occupied his attention, labeling each with museum quality information, upon exhibit-quality bases. He expressed pride in his Mark A tank; standard Army, but noted that he’s also working on a Vietnam 50 project. On the forum he worked on a Navy/Marine Corps. Write up. He noted that other authors were craft the kits to correspond with his work; Gary, Felix, and Debbie, focusing upon the builds.

The project led to a recent interest in the plane used in the famous 1933 King Kong movie that featured biplanes attacking the big ape. Don shared a mystery regarding those planes; the Curtiss Helldiver planes that were supposed to be featured were actually found to be C-3 Bs.



Picture 11: Two more examples of between war armor; close up…

Picture 12: Two close-up feature military vehicles…

Picture 13: Three examples of the fine builds that Don completes…

Picture 14: A close up of his Vietnam aircraft…

[THE DC]

Don shared a tip for aspiring paper craftsmen; there is always a problem with getting smooth curves of the leading edges of wings. He solves the difficulty of getting a smooth, realistic edge using cardboard and alcohol; use strong cardboard forms to bend the cardstock around the edges, forming the curve and add alcohol swabs to the paper to help in the smooth bending of the edges into fine looking wing tips.



As for why he comes to the convention every year, Don shared his enjoyment of fellowship and friends, and the joy of sharing the craft with new people who are starting out.

With a host like Don, there’s a good chance that they will get an excellent introduction! Make a point of dropping by his exhibit at the 2023 IMPC.



Picture 15: Don demonstrates the cardboard prep for paper bending…

Picture 16: Don shows how to curve the paper carefully…

Picture 17: Done shares the tool of an alcohol swap to soften the paper for a better curve, to make a accurate wing edge…

[THE DC]

Don’s wife, Lil, had a small exhibit next to his large display, on the same table. Unfortunately, I never got to talk to her, as I had in years past, as she was recovering from a recent illness. Hopefully she’ll be at the IMPC this year and I hope she is doing better. Lil is a very warm and sweet person. It might be said; she keep Don in line...

Lil has building skills of her own. Note her builds, both clean and smooth, with nice bases and detailed information of the builds. She edges the models to blend the colors well and the curves are well formed. Her small race car is barely larger than a typical Matchbox car, while the MysteryMachine next to it even sports a little Shaggy and Scoopy cut out (in fact, Velma, Fred, and Daphne represent).

[THE DC]

Tyler Hafley was a unique exhibitor at the 2022 IMPC, for several reasons. He had provided his first exhibits, a mere two builds, in the collection table; a jet and an older prop plane. That 2021 participation was his first presence at the IMPC, so this year’s table exhibit for 2022, was his first effort to be an ambassador.

His recent participation in the IMPC history is not his only unique quality; he is much younger than most of the participants. Tyler is a young man, just starting his adult life, while many IMPC regulars are retired or close to it.

Even more unique is Tyler’s builds. Unlike most participants, he doesn’t buy pre-made kits, nor even design his kits on a computer, or sketch them out with pencil., then create templates fro others. Tyler builds his craft from scratch!

I met Tyler in 2021 when he was standing next to his two builds at the community table (requiring $5 or $10 per kit). He showed me the old prop plane, but then amazed me with his modern fighter-jet. I covered the many features of that craft in the tour through the 2021 convention. His skill, at that time, impressed me greatly.

The year of 2022, he sponsored his own table, a cost greater than $100. The exhibit included the older builds; the old, green biplane and the silver modern fighter with landing gear retraction, flaps & rudder movement, canopy opening, and even a refueling extension. Additionally, he’d added a flying boat that he had completed, and he had featured in a build thread on this site; check out the thread to see his workmanship and the amazing detail on this Goose.


Picture 1: Tyler’s full exhibit, including the work in progress at the end…

Picture 2: The WWI German TriPlane…

Picture 3: The P-38 Lightning that won the blue…

Picture 4: A close-up of the detail of his plane engine…

Picture 5: The Goose that bred a build thread…

[THE DC]

Tyler’s builds are detailed, accurate, and filled with extras. Though he covered the Goose n a build thread, that I recommend seeking out on this site, I’ll walk you through his demonstration of this amazing model build.

I covered the first two craft in the 2021 convention tour ( see the previous thread at: The 2021 International Paper Modeler's Convention Visit in Pictures and Words ). The red Grumman Goose G-21A was featured, as mentioned before, in a detailed thread on this site. The skill and detail that Tyler represented was amazing. Guide wires brace the exterior of the model. A set of steps folds out, detailing how the actual entry to the real craft would appear. The rudders and flaps move smoothly and the wing lamps actually light up. And yes, if you are looking at the lit up picture bellow, the propellers do spin from on-board motors! Tyler noted that he had detailed the cockpit and passenger section, attentive to even the seats and pilot controls. He even roughed out the ribs for the cargo section. Take a look at his build thread. He estimated that the Goose took 550 hours to build.

But seeing the Thread is nothing compared to seeing the build in real life. It was at that opportunity that Tyler’s other unique quality manifests. He is generous and excited abut the craft, and eager to share his work and knowledge. I recommend seeking him out at the 2023 convention.

New to me were a WWI tri-plane and a P-38 Lightning (which had won a blue ribbon for first place in a different venue). I wasn’t able to ask him about these, but if your reading this, you’re most welcomed to share about them here, Tyler.



Picture 6:The entryway to the Goose model...

Picture 7:Tyler triggers cleverly hidden levers to move rudders and flaps...

Picture 8:Tyler fires up the motors that spin the propellers and switches on the wing lights...

Picture 9: The props, moving or still, are detailed and accurate representations of a full scale Goose...

Picture 10: The flaps move smoothly with the triggering of a camouflaged level...

[THE DC]

Tyler shared some build tips when asked. He suggested that builders should buy a Japanese hole punch that he stated made work much easier. He also suggested that purchasing a compass was a must; as it helps with developing a pattern, to determine a radius.

Tyler expressed a pleasure at attending and becoming a quickly respected member of the IMPC community. Several of the “ol’ Timers” expressed to me their admiration for his talent and ingenuity.

The artist shared his current project, pictured below; a WWII craft that will undoubtedly have a variety of movement and features.

The WWII Submarine Spitfire is likely his next classic. He told me that he plans the engine to be exposed, so head to the 2023 IMPC, as he’ll likely have made progress (if not already completed); this welcomed addition to his growing exhibit.


Picture 11: Tyler shows his recommended compass...

Picture 12: Using his tools to create the parts of the build that he's working...

Picture 13: Spitfire build in progress...

Picture 14: Developing the cockpit details for his plane...

[THE DC]

After completing a walk-by of the facing side of the room one exhibitors, I started the circumnavigation to the other side of the room displays. This involved passing the Rick Steffers Memorial, set up on the far wall, and passing a small table sitting out on its own.

I first assumed the table was an instructional building table, as I noted a series of supplies and some incomplete kits upon its surface. I was glad to see such a learning exhibit, as I believe that the skills and benefits to paper modeling need to be taught to the next generation (who are so inundated with digital worlds, and do not often get as much experience in the world that they breathe in). I firmly believe that there is a need to make effort to draw in young, eager minds to this craft.

But after making another turn about the room, I learned that it was the Amy Vance's table.

Amy was busy constructing a kit, but her husband, whom I met at a previous event, talked to me a little bout her kits. He was also an advocate of teaching youth paper modeling, and if you meet him at the 2023 IMPC, be sure to ask him about the youth project that he supported, involving papermodeling.

The models displayed, at her table, had a playful nature; several Fiddler’s Greene buildings, some cartoonish robots, some Canon buildings (one of which she was building at the moment), and even a couple of anime-style figures.

There were extra chairs in front of the able, and extra glue, scissors, and other supplies, so I wondered whether she was planning to provide tutorials to aspiring builder?

After a short visit, I continued the tour of the first room.



Picture 1: The empty table that I first thought might be a training/demonstration table…

Picture 2: The set up during my second pass of the table; the Vance’s behind the exhibit…

Picture 3: A building displayed…

Picture 4: A variety of appealing kits built…

Picture 5: Amy working on a building…