AMPS International Show Report By Ken Childres

Ok, so I literally JUST got out of the car about 3 hours ago after returning home from the Armor Model Preservation Society International armor model show in Atlanta.  For those who are not familiar, AMPS as it's known deals strictly with armor models and to much lesser extent figures.  This is THE premiere armor model show in the US. I have been to the regional show in Atlanta several times along with Rusty and Ron.  I have done okay on the regional level but I was honestly very nervous about competing on the international stage. 
AMPS put on a tour of the armor collection at Ft. Benning on Thursday but I was unable to make it to that.  I showed up to the hotel Thursday afternoon. Registration started at 6pm on Thursday evening and went till Noon on Saturday.  From what we were told there were 431 models entered, all armor except for about a dozen figures.  The caliber of work is outstanding. AMPS uses the Gold/Silver/Bronze method of scoring and there are 4 levels of adult competition (beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Master) If you get a Gold in say Intermediate you're automatically bumped to Advanced.  This does not however apply to Master level. One has to win a judges best of show to earn Master level. 
I attended 5 seminars while I was there. AMPS goes to a lot of trouble to get the best presenters they can. I attended a scratchbuilding seminar by Scott Negro who is a master maker for Tiger Models. I also attended painting seminars / demos by Adam Wilder, Mike Rinaldi, Ian Hamilton and Rick Lawler. There is no limit to the amount of information that can be learned from just sitting, watching and asking questions of modelers of that level. 
Vendors were plentiful of course and I did make some purchases though I shopped wisely. 
At night guys would huddle up in the bar and lobby and talk models to the small hours of the morning. 
Saturday evening at 5 was the awards presentation.  It took some time to get through them.  I was nervous the whole time because there is ZERO indication of what a model gets before the presentation. The models are judged before they go into the display room, behind closed doors. 
I entered four pieces and I was fortunate enough that all four received a medal in the Advanced category. I could not have been more proud but I honestly was a nervous wreck. 

Next year the show is in Fredericksburg, VA.  For more information and pictures from the show, click the picture and follow the link. 

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