ModelRama 4 - Page 2

ModelRama 4

(Page Two)

Tim’s Famous ModelRama Auction

For those of you who’ve never attended a ModelRama Show, the auction that is conducted is a highlight. There are some very high quality kits and modeling supplies that are auctioned off, along with some very low starting bids - (I have no idea how Tim is able to do this). The auction is always a hit.

Due to the approaching snowstorm, Tim decided to speed things up. Instead of conducting one auction later in the day, he held two, with the first starting earlier than originally scheduled. Yours truly ended up winning a Hasegawa 1:48 scale F/A-18D Hornet, (that generally runs in the $50 - $75 range) for $25.00. In addition, I won a High Grade Gundam for my son for $5.00.

Getting kids into building models

Another attribute of Tim's is his passion for getting kids actively involved in model building. His ModelRama Shows are indicative of this. During the show, Tim requested that all kids in attendance come up and they received a new FREE kit each!" (Anthony's eyes bulged out when he heard this).

My Clinic

Shortly before the first auction, I conducted my clinic on Basic Seam Filling. I waited for a modest crowd to gather and proceeded to run through the helpful hints that I’ve both learned from others, along with discovering on my own through trial-and-error. These dealt with gluing models together, along with filling in the associated seams that sometimes result.

I imagine that my seminar was well received, since all of the handouts that I had brought along were distributed.

The second auction, the tallying of the ballots and the Contest Results

Shortly after my clinic ended Tim held his second auction. Since what little money I had brought with me had been exhausted – (I hadn’t planned on buying anything at the show – REALLY!) – the second auction was a blur. (Anthony didn’t realize it, but that first auction had wiped out the money I had planned on spending on our lunch – Oh well, a good ole' Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich always hits the spot with him anyway J).

After the second auction had concluded and the balloting was closed, the votes were tallied and the results announced.

I, (alas), didn’t win anything. Actually, with all of the stiff competition that existed in the advanced category, I really hadn’t expected to place.

However, quite a few Del Val members placed. Ariel Hernandez received three awards for his entries in the Novice Category. Both Fred B. and Craig receive awards in the Intermediate Category for ships that they had entered.

Ed Isnardi received an award in the Diorama Category.

Carmin Guzman took one of the five awards in the Advanced Category.

Jim's daughter and niece were recognized for the excellent work on their two entries.

And finally, (last but not least), it was nice discovering that my son was one of the winners in the Junior Category. In addition, Fred's son Josh took another one of the five awards.

(WELL DONE!)

Time to go home, (a bit early?)

After the winners were announced and the awards presented, everyone promptly began packing up. Tim had shed 30 to 45 minutes off of his show and a good thing too. Snow flurries had starting coming down.

Anthony and I packed up our models, along with my other items, got into the car and departed, (just as the snow started to come down hard).

Conclusion

All in all, ModelRama 4 was a very enjoyable event - (to me at least). I got a chance to hang out with a lot of old and new modeling friends. In addition, I got the opportunity to view a lot of very nicely built models. I got a chance to pick up that Hasegawa F/A-18 Hornet (for a steal). Finally, I was very pleased to see so many members from our club place in the contest, along with being proud to see Anthony take something home for his efforts that he had put into his models - All of this, for the reasonable fee of $10.00.

(A final note)

I'd like to thank Brian Mackey for his gracious, helpful hand with this article. Unfortunately, I did not take nearly enough pictures at the show to adequately highlight the really nice models that had been out on display.

However, Brian (who is a freelance photographer and was at the show) did. Even though I initially requested only three pictures from him, Brian ended up sending me just under 60 very clear, high quality pics.

Thanks for your assistance, Brian!

(Brian can be reached via email at mackey135@comcast.net and can be found on the web at:http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mackey135/njdigitalservices.htm).

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