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

[Texman]

Wow, I am honored by such a glowing writeup! What wordsmanship!
I only have one correction of note. The Aviatek C.1 was 1/100 scale, and built, transported and
displayed by Dan Smith, so I cannot take any credit. He came all the way from Washington state
to join us. As he only had one model, I borrowed a corner of my table. His build made some
of mine look like a moderate builder built them. What's more unusual, he built this as a challenge,
as his usual scale is 1/33.

[THE DC]

The last element of the room was the entire other side of the room, inhabited by the model seller, Peter Heesch. Peter Attends every year, selling his collection of very unusual paper model kits.

Peter seemed as tired as I was, by the end of the 25th IPMC. It had been a long day and a very busy one. And, now at the end, he had to pack up everything back for transport back to his basement! Yet he was more cordial than I (I was pretty grouchy, by then), as he always is, and even succeeded in selling me a few kits that I donated to clients. It’s hard to not pick up one or two from such a collection.

Peter’s stock is as much an education and history tour as it is a place to browse for bargains. He has easy to get traditional kits, boxed along side rare and old European designs, sometimes even hand drawn or painted. Peter organizes these kits like a library and exploring his collection is like a tour through the craft.

What you might find interesting is that he doesn’t build kits much. He just never took to it! There have been those who suggest that one should never sell that which they are addicted to…you invariably break into your supply, losing profit.

But before you suspect that Peter is all about selling and making money, you should know that Peter has a strong belief in the use of paper models for more than just hobby. He expresses a strong support for their use in mental health.

He’s not off in that opinion. The craft involves very few dangerous tools, which is excellent for vulnerable populations, it does not cost a great deal, and any provided part replacement is fairly easily, when mistakes are made. Using the craft to teach instruction reading, concentration, focus skills, relaxation, and other cognitive improvement has been done with great success. I may write a book about how to do it some day…maybe this is the prelude to it?

And I know for a fact that Peter has supported such endeavors on several occasions, from donating models to rushing materials across the nation during times of need.

Peter may not be building and exhibiting; he more humbly doesn’t exhibit his contributions toward building healthier people and more functional minds.

[THE DC]

So that’s the end of the third room, and the end of the tours of the sites. The IPMC is made up of three rooms.

But one more tradition of the third room should be shared…the group photo of all exhibitors (see Picture 1). This is traditionally taken as the day closes and before the exhibits are packed up.

Guess who’s in the hat…

There is only one last entry to make, a short tease of the closing dinner at the end of the convention...




Picture 1: Group photo…

[THE DC]

The Dinner is often held at a different location than the hotel where the IPMC is provided. It appeared that food was provided buffet-style; roast beef steaming at the head of the selection, red roasted potatoes, and chilled salads to heap upon the plates. And Iced Tea…always ice tea…

Due to dietary restrictions, I was unable to join the group for dinner, and therefore, I missed the auction, and Jack’s famous (or infamous, say others) selling of kits to promote the next year’s IPMC (the 26th). The convention that is starting tomorrow, is partially founded by these sales, and largely from the paying for table space by the exhibitors. Though spectators do not pay for admission, the artists pay to share their work.

Be nice and courteous to them. You will be their guests this weekend.

The dinner is also known for encouraging community after a long day of hosting paper modeler visitors. There’s a lot of laughter, some tall story telling, and good friends catch up on what they have missed in each other’s lives over the previous year.

It also gives people a chance to unwind. Though most of the artists express appreciation for those who come to see their work, it is a long day of hospitality. They are ready for some food, fellowship, and entertainment.




Picture 1: Dinner…

Picture 2: Real Food, not Paper Versions, Awaiting Commitment…

Picture 3: Note the napkins are cloth, not paper…

Picture 4: The desert table was cleaned out quicker than a valley fold…

[THE DC]

Jack, as mentioned before, in one of his extraordinary hats, often provides such laughs. He often presents his friendly persona with animated humor and japes. This entertainment has a dual role. A table full of paper model materials needs to be auctioned.

The table holding a large number of paper models, donated by Peter and other presenters, is provided to wet the appetite as much as the food fills their bellies. In addition to several tantalizing kits, there were some donated books about history or fantasy work that would provide background to certain kit builds.

Whether they diners load up on paper-kit treasures, or simply treasure their IPMC memories, the evening ends with food, drink, and fellowship…the very thing that so many artists interviewed in this Thread state that they cherish.


Picture 1: Auction table kits…

Picture 2: More auction items...& Jacks hat, of course…

Picture 3: Gathered with napkins in place (the napkins were not made of paper...

Picture 4: Deserts already raided…

[THE DC]

Dan Smith’s Exhibit (Miss-Posted But Not forgotten…)
________________________________________
One of my favorite builds, was described earlier in the Thread; the last one on Ray Smith’s table; the Aviatik C-1 (see picture 1) [sharing table space? See; I told you that he was nice...]. I did not know that Ray had generously donated table space to a new presenter, here for the first time, Dan Smith. Sorry for attributing it to Ray…I maintain that he tricked me into that error of false attribution.



At this hour, i can attribute anything.

So like Atlantis, the Bermuda Triangle, and the City of Z, I present the "Lost Exhibit of Dan Smith."

Who wouldn’t? The build is worth attention. The detail of this build is astounding at this size. Take note of how clean and scale-appropriate is the rigging between the wings. He gets the ribbing under the canvas properly; a detail most builders miss with this era of aircraft. His flaps are slightly ajar and the engine and upper screen convincing. Even the prop is properly twisted.

The tail also exhibits frozen in time, flap movement (see picture 2). The body is smooth and realistic and the base, again, fits the subject, with the unkempt field grass about the resting craft.

This angle lets you note the slight turn of the rudder on the tail (see picture 3). The tiny craft is well colored, realistically, and Ray augments this convincing build with figures; a man approaching the plane to pilot it, and another preparing to turn the front blade.

The Aviatik C-1 was a German Observer craft. There were two seats in the observer version; the front seat, not for the pilot, but for the observer; monitoring and examining the ground below for strategic information. Introduced in 1915 of the Great War (I hear that people who were in it didn’t describe it as very great…), the craft typically flew in formations of three to six craft together, making up to 88 mph. A single, side-mounted machine gun provided threat to adversaries, during its maximum service duty of 3 hours.

Thanks for sharing the build Dan…I wish I could have chatted with you about it. Your skill is unchallengeable!


Picture 1: Dan Smith's Aviatik C-1…

Picture 2: Dan Smith's Aviatik C-1 set up…

Picture 3: Dan Smith's Aviatik C-1 close-up…

[THE DC]

Thus concludes the Walk-Thru of the 25th Anniversary IPMC of 2023. In just a few hours of this last post, the 2024 IPMC starts. As I finish these comments, I prepare to argue with the management of the hotel about my botched lodging reservations (another annual event that I should cover some day…).

In closing, I want to thank the artists who came to the IPMC who selflessly share their work and open their day up to so many people, learning to appreciate the art of papermodeling, and the IPMC in general. I also want to thank Peter Ansoff for helping with his list of participants and their respective locations, Ray Smith for editorial coaching and crisis-control assistance, Richard McClintock for the mid-year boost to my belief that this Thread was worthwhile, and several participants who sent suggestions, IMs with info, and even the corrections that I so badly needed. I mostly appreciated the pushes, when the “real world” had overwhelmed my time. These comments were what I needed to push through another few chapters of this Thread.

And for the record, as I sit here in the lobby of the IPMC, 2024 hotel location, I got last year’s done before this year’s started! See, it was all a clever plan, as cunning as a cat spinning upon an iced barrel; to draw attention to this year’s event, right up to the last minute, with last year’s content. It was always planned that way…Really…just as planned…

I hope that someone will take up the mantle and prepare a Walk Thru for this year’s IPMC. After several years of publishing these Threads, I think its time for fresh eyes, a different voice, and the raw time and energy to do this summary justice (or is that a just summary? or just a summary? or...). There are so many stories to tell, models to discuss, and personalities to share. All my support for the next author.

And now, I’m going to adjust my fedora [a rake-ish slant], close up my old laptop, and argue again over lost reservations, so I can get a few hours rest before the Friday night mixer. I hope to see you there. This year, I might even have some time to chat with you! But remember, if you see an intense stranger gazing about tables filled with repurposed tree pulp, remember before you approach me…

Keep your hands out of the cage!