The Walk-Thru of the 2023 International Paper Modeler's Convention (IPMC); the 25th

[THE DC]

The second room of the IPMC is traditionally dedicated to exhibits, though in years past, the room might have had a display of the prizes for the IPMC dinner-auction, later on Saturday night. This year it was dedicated to displays of work exclusively (see picture 1).

The room was configured into a horseshoe shape, with two exhibitors on the entry wall (see picture 2), two more at the bottom of the horseshoe (see picture 3), and then a few exhibitors on the far wall (see picture 4).

I have to apologize in advance, as this room was a difficult one to cover for this Thread. It was difficult to find exhibitors at times and at other times, people were frequently interrupting the interviews, making the getting this information for you a challenge. Even taking pictures was sometimes interrupted by visitors grabbing models and builds, that the artists had displayed with signs asking them not to touch, a challenge. I cant count the number of times a photo was damaged by a person reaching into the photo to touch a model with their hands (not their eyes, as the one sign reminded them!!!).

Never the less, I did my best to get as much information as I could to provide you with a sense of being there, if you could not be there in person. I hope I can represent the exhibits enough, despite these difficulties.

Here goes...



Picture 1: Entering the second room…

Picture 2: The first row of tables in the second room…

Picture 3: The full set up of the second room…

Picture 4: The final row of tables in the second room…

[THE DC]

You may have noticed a reoccurring theme in my Walk-thru Thread; that people come to the IPMC, often attend for the fellowship and to meet like-minded peers. Some even become friends. The range of talent, and the differences of personalities, makes for a mixing pot of differences. As a wise man once said, “infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination.”

A person with a different personality and talent were greeted by me several years ago, in the third room of that year’s IPMC. This was the individual I grew to know as or more familiarly, “T-Half,” on the forum. Tyler was attending his very first IPMC that year, exhibiting a couple of models on the open table (a table reserved for those who do not have the money or the number of models to exhibit an entire table, but who wish to participate). The cost of an entire table can be prohibitive to attendees. In those days of the IPMC, $10 let you exhibit a single model on the table. Tyler paid to exhibit two of his builds that year; a silver jet F-18 E Super Hornet and an older prop plane, a Fairey Swordfish "Stringbag". What was amazing about these two builds was not only that they were very detailed (they were), nor even that they had lots of flexibility and moving parts (they did as well). The Hornet had 12 moving assemblies, set with disguised levers in the body, and the Swordfish had the capacity for the wings to fold back as the real craft’s did on ship-mounted catapults. What was most intriguing about his exhibits was that they were scratch-built; without the benefit of any kit.

Tyler has an amazing gift to reproduce physical objects in miniature form; using math, calipers, and an extraordinary eye for detail. When I next saw him, in the next IPMC, he had a table of his own in the first room, with a new exhibit to add to the previous accomplishments; a flying boat. He’d moved up from the amateur table to a recognized artist. I suggest looking back at my previous IPMC Threads to see his work from those previous years.

Tyler came out from Utah to join the convention; a lot of wing flapping! He had attended at least three IPMCs over the last few years, moving up from armature to respected exhibitor over that period (see pic 1). He was open to questions and to share his work, and shared build tips for others. He didn’t have a favorite manufacturer, as he scratch built his models.



Picture 1: Tyler's exhibit table…

[THE DC]

In the prior years, Tyler had exhibited several prior builds; a jet, a biplane, and a flying boat. This year he shared his unfinished WWII British Submarine Spitfire fighter; an iconic craft of the era (see pic 1). His exhibit was the first table in the second room.

As in years past, Tyler didn’t buy a kit, but began a scratch-build in paper, glue, and paint (with wood, metal and wires, when needed). As in past builds, he gathered historically accurate photos, blueprints, and other source material to draft out his own build. Using geometry, calipers, and a lot of talent, he had begun crafting a most detailed and accurate replica, including exposed portions of the craft for visual inspection.

As always before, Tyler was polite, patient, and eager to share his work and efforts. He even showed increasable patience when some people visiting his came by and attempted to give him criticism and advice; even when unsolicited. A wise man once noted that the worst vice was advice; especially when advise was not solicited. Tyler remained positive and polite during these conversations, even when peppered with such interruptions to his building; even when visitors were not always polite.

Which leads to another detail of his exhibit. Tyler was carving, cutting, gluing, and sanding raw material into recognizable parts for anyone who cared to watch and learn his tricks and build tips (see pic 2). Just watching Tyler work was an exercise in skilled model building.



Picture 1: Tyler's exhibit Spitfire; in progress…

Picture 2: Tyler's at work…

[THE DC]

Tyler’s build-in-process this year was the previously mentioned British Spitfire; one of the most recognized craft of WWII.

He was so accurate and detailed in his efforts, that even when over half-way through the build, he was attending to some details that would not even be seen, once the parts of the craft that he intended closed, were fully skinned. Tyler is a stickler for accuracy.

The hull supports structural details in a piece-by-piece fashion (see pic 1). The usage of paper, wood, and other materials, in this image of the incomplete underside, displays his work process, as well as hints at the effort that he puts into his builds. Whether it be the radiator, the fuel hoses, or the effort to create believable riveting, Tyler’s work is inspiring (see pic 2).

The framework, levers, and wiring all represent proximity structures in a real craft (see pic 3). Note in this last picture that the handle to the door to the cockpit even has a replica handle.



Picture 1: Spitfire underside rigging detail…

Picture 2: Spitfire underside detail…

Picture 3: Spitfire wing interior…

Picture 4: Detailed Spitfire guide wires…

[THE DC]

Tyler’s build is detail focused, and the details are amazing to behold. I hope my photos convey his skill and accomplishment adequately, because in person these features are awe-inspiring!

The cockpit is a suggestion of what this finished craft will be, one he completes it (see pic 1). Note how much effort went into the control panel, control levers, and control stick. Another angle of this detailed area shows the seat authenticity, side controls, and access door handle (see pic 2).

Even the pilot’s control stick is carefully crafted (see pic 3), under the custom-made canopy piece. This last pic also shows the framing holes on the side where the access door lays open. If you look closely, there are even details to the cockpit behind the seat, seen through the clear canopy.




Picture 1: Spitfire control details…

Picture 2: Spitfire cockpit detail…

Picture 3: Control stick…

[Don Boose]

Tyler's models are truly amazing. I am glad to see you providing this coverage.

Don

[Siwi]

I am glad Tyler is still working on the Spit, as his build thread has not had an update for some time. I would wish to sit and observe him working to learn how many things here are accomplished.
Living about three miles from the former factory, I do think the manufacturer was Supermarine and not Submarine though!

[THE DC]

I would blame anybody else, but my editing was at fault!

[THE DC]

This detail focused build even involved completing a size and shape-accurate, clear canopy, made from scratch. Tyler shared images on his phone, which I tried to capture here for you, of that canopy effort (see pic 1). Note the molding piece in the background. He accomplished this molding by creating a master mold over where the clear part needed to rest on the model (see pic 2).

Take a moment to study this image of the closed canopy (see pic 3). Not only do these clear parts meet flush, but the detail of the metal framing is provided. The tiny riveting effect is also clearly evident, if the part is not yet painted (up to this point in the assembly process). Note also, in this last image, the detail of the cockpit, behind the pilot seat.

The result is a very convincing canopy. But…there’s more…


Picture 1: Canopy parts…

Picture 2: Molding the canopy…

Picture 3: Canopy closed…

[THE DC]

The detail focused canopy build involved more than mere authentic appearance; Tyler added authentic operation. Look again at the close canopy (see pic 1). Now examine the next image that displays his built-in movement, sliding the canopy back, as the actual craft’s canopy would (see pic 2).

The sliding system permits the canopy to be moved into a fully open position (see pic 3). The last image provided is a close up of the canopy moved back into the open position (see pic 4).

The last image also displays the detailed hull features, such as the clear panel lines and simulated rivet paths.


Picture 1: Canopy closed…

Picture 2: Canopy movement…

Picture 3: Canopy movement 2…

Picture 4: Canopy movement 3…