It has been more than a month since I returned to Singapore from the 81st annual Military Figure Collectors of America (MFCA) show held over the weekend of 3-4 May 2024 at the Raddison Hotel in Pennsylvania USA. This was also my first ever model show in the United States and here is my recap of some of the highlights from that adventure.
Just to give some background, the MFCA is a society founded in 1941 by collectors of toy soldiers and military models. It has gradually grown beyond toy soldiers and plastic models to connoisseur figures. Since the 1990s, I had aspired to attend this event because of the glamourous show reports I saw in magazines like Historical Miniatures, Figurines, Military Modelling, and Euro Modelisimo.
My journey began with 18-hour long flight from Singapore Changi airport to New York JFK.
After surviving the long flight, I spent my first night in New Jersey hanging out with Taesung Harmms, the driving force behind Alpine Miniatures. There is never a dull moment whenever we hang out together; especially with the food as you shall soon see.....
The good ol' chilli dog, beer and fries with ketchup at an ubiquitous American dinner.
Heeding Taesung's instructions in adopting the right posture of eating a thin crust American pizza on a paper plate (no pineapples of course!).
Korean BBQ dinner with Steve Tucchi and Rob Riviezzo from the Modeling Insanity Podcast.
Getting an incredible dinner at Keens Chophouse (dating back to 1885) in downtown Manhattan.
Jumbo shrimp cocktail and thick cut smoked bacon.
The pièce de résistance, medium-rare porterhouse steak cooked to perfection.
After spending the first few days in New York and New Jersey, I hitched a ride with Taesung and Mike Hilleary (who himself is also an outstanding painter) to the show's venue at the Raddison Hotel in Pennsylvania.
The exhibition room on Friday afternoon. The first thing I noticed immediately was the elevated tables and how well the exhibition room was illuminated. The organizers definitely knew what they were doing.
The vendor area.
Though the scale of the event is comparatively smaller then some of the other Asian and European shows I have attended, the quality of works represented here are significantly higher in quality as they represent some of the best figure modellers in the world.
Bill Horan proves that he is the GOAT with his magnificent display at the show. The diorama Storming of Dargai Heights took the Best of Show for the Historical Category.
Alex De Leon's reputation as an outstanding scratch builder precedes back to the 1990's. I have seen several of his scratch built masterpieces in magazines such as Military Modelling and the Verlinden Publications. He is known for his 1/9 scale scratch built motorcycles and they were a sight to behold at the show. His work stills hold up even in this day and age of 3D printing.
John's 1/16 masterpiece took Best of Show for the Ordnance category.
This is probably the highlight of my trip to the MFCA, viewing the works of one of my scale modelling heros John Rosengrant and my time speaking with the man himself.
This selection of figures are from newly minted 2024 MFCA Grand Master James Rice. The quality and exceptionally breathtaking and no one can deny that he is elevating this art form to a new level.
An exquisite flat rendered in warm earthy tones by Penny Meyer.
Shadow boxes by Jim DeRogathis.
Another highlight of this trip was also meeting the ever prolific Greg Cihlar whose works I have long admired. He is one of the rare modellers that score well on technical excellent, storytelling and creative design. Each piece of work in his display are absolute show stoppers.
Gold medal displays by Andy Gulden also caught my eye.
Mike Blank's latest diorama "Last Stand of the Eagle"
Gold medal display by Mike Hilleary
Gold Medal figure display in the Historical section by the highly talented Erik Swinson.
Display MFCA Grand Master Doug Cohen
Roman Centurion by Stephen Malia
Coldstream Guard by Harold Stivala.
American Indians by Italian maestro Riccardo Ruberti
Christos Panagiotopoulos
Lou Masses
The intricate work by French master Philippe Gengembre.
Mauro Cozza
Jack Lynch
Rod Curtis
Erik Swinson
Will Hahn
A tongue in cheek shadow box by Dennis Levy
Here are some of the other displays which caught my eye....
My display at the show which was conferred with the Best Would War Two Award by The Modelling Insanity Podcast.
I had the utmost pleasure to view some of masterpieces by several notable American artists up close and interacted with them over food and a lot of drinks.
Doug Cohen and the late Fletcher Clement in Rome 2002
Fast forward to 2024 with Doug Cohen
With Penny Meyer
With French masters Philippe Gengembre and Richard Poisson
With Mike Blank
With Stephen Mallia
With Historical Military artist Keith Rocco
With Erik Swinson
The awards presentation was held at the ballroom in full attendance of the exhibitors and the MFCA Grand Masters.
The next day after the show I joined the tour with Alan, Marrion, John, Barry, Joan, Dennis and Jack to the Brandywine Museum of Art to visit the estate and studios of the Wyeth family. As you can see, even the wet weather could not dampen out spirits at the end of the trip.
I was very fortunate to see Shep Paine's original shadow boxes from the Andrew Wyeth'c collection at the museum.
The following day was spent taking in the sights of downtown Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
City Hall
Independence Hall
I was told to get a Philly Cheese Steak at Reading Market and I was not disappointed. Soon after I was back in New Jersey for another round of Korean gastronomical delights courtesy of Taesung.
The USS Interpid
Caught the Käthe Kollwitz exhibition at the MOMA.
Selfies with some iconic works from the Pop Art era at the MOMA.
Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth at the MOMA.
Walked part of the highline.
Ended the day with a Broadway performance of Hamilton.
The last meal together before heading out to my return flight to Singapore.
Cheers,
Calvin
Continue reading...
Just to give some background, the MFCA is a society founded in 1941 by collectors of toy soldiers and military models. It has gradually grown beyond toy soldiers and plastic models to connoisseur figures. Since the 1990s, I had aspired to attend this event because of the glamourous show reports I saw in magazines like Historical Miniatures, Figurines, Military Modelling, and Euro Modelisimo.
After surviving the long flight, I spent my first night in New Jersey hanging out with Taesung Harmms, the driving force behind Alpine Miniatures. There is never a dull moment whenever we hang out together; especially with the food as you shall soon see.....
The exhibition room on Friday afternoon. The first thing I noticed immediately was the elevated tables and how well the exhibition room was illuminated. The organizers definitely knew what they were doing.
The vendor area.
Bill Horan proves that he is the GOAT with his magnificent display at the show. The diorama Storming of Dargai Heights took the Best of Show for the Historical Category.
Alex De Leon's reputation as an outstanding scratch builder precedes back to the 1990's. I have seen several of his scratch built masterpieces in magazines such as Military Modelling and the Verlinden Publications. He is known for his 1/9 scale scratch built motorcycles and they were a sight to behold at the show. His work stills hold up even in this day and age of 3D printing.
John's 1/16 masterpiece took Best of Show for the Ordnance category.
Constant regulars at the MFCA show are the husband and wife, sculpting and painting duo Alan and Marrion Ball.
An exquisite flat rendered in warm earthy tones by Penny Meyer.
Shadow boxes by Jim DeRogathis.
Gold medal displays by Andy Gulden also caught my eye.
Mike Blank's latest diorama "Last Stand of the Eagle"
Gold medal display by Mike Hilleary
Gold Medal figure display in the Historical section by the highly talented Erik Swinson.
Display MFCA Grand Master Doug Cohen
Roman Centurion by Stephen Malia
Coldstream Guard by Harold Stivala.
American Indians by Italian maestro Riccardo Ruberti
Christos Panagiotopoulos
Lou Masses
The intricate work by French master Philippe Gengembre.
Mauro Cozza
Jack Lynch
Rod Curtis
Erik Swinson
Will Hahn
A tongue in cheek shadow box by Dennis Levy
Here are some of the other displays which caught my eye....
My display at the show which was conferred with the Best Would War Two Award by The Modelling Insanity Podcast.
Doug Cohen and the late Fletcher Clement in Rome 2002
Fast forward to 2024 with Doug Cohen
With Penny Meyer
With French masters Philippe Gengembre and Richard Poisson
With Mike Blank
With Stephen Mallia
With Historical Military artist Keith Rocco
With Erik Swinson
The awards presentation was held at the ballroom in full attendance of the exhibitors and the MFCA Grand Masters.
The next day after the show I joined the tour with Alan, Marrion, John, Barry, Joan, Dennis and Jack to the Brandywine Museum of Art to visit the estate and studios of the Wyeth family. As you can see, even the wet weather could not dampen out spirits at the end of the trip.
I was very fortunate to see Shep Paine's original shadow boxes from the Andrew Wyeth'c collection at the museum.
The following day was spent taking in the sights of downtown Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
City Hall
Independence Hall
I was told to get a Philly Cheese Steak at Reading Market and I was not disappointed. Soon after I was back in New Jersey for another round of Korean gastronomical delights courtesy of Taesung.
I started my last day in New York with a USD$ 6.25 cup of Teh-Gao. Thankfully it tasted like the real deal back in SG.
The USS Interpid
Caught the Käthe Kollwitz exhibition at the MOMA.
Selfies with some iconic works from the Pop Art era at the MOMA.
Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth at the MOMA.
Walked part of the highline.
Ended the day with a Broadway performance of Hamilton.
The last meal together before heading out to my return flight to Singapore.
Cheers,
Calvin
Continue reading...
