IPMS Region 3 Convention Huntsville, Alabama

This was my first opportunity to visit this very long running show (over 30 years). I spoke with folks from the club and they said that attendance was down over the last couple of years in both modelers and vendors. Still, there were almost 300 models in the contest. Vendors consisted of mostly individuals selling kits, books and aftermarket items. There were some VERY good deals to be had.

Of the 291 models nearly half of them were aircraft, the rest being split between cars, armor and misc. There were only 1 or 2 figures present. I was surprised at the small number of space subjects given Huntsville's ties to NASA and Redstone Arsenal. 

I entered three pieces in the contest and was awarded two 1st places and one 3rd. The third place was in armor soft skins where I was solidly beaten by a guy I know from Atlanta and another gentleman. I was quite happy with the outcome and what I took away was that it's time to step up my game!

I enjoyed the Huntsville IPMS show a lot. I thought the judging was thorough and fair in the categories I entered. I cannot speak of the others of course. The venue is located very close to an awesome veterans museum and probably the best Mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at. I would recommend the trip over to anyone so inclined. 

-Kenneth Childres