Joe,
Here's a copy of my "report," which I just posted over on TnT. Enjoy
By the way, many of my pictures were all screwed up. However, Matt Wellhouser of the San Diego club is putting together a picture CD, which I'll try to post on my website during Spring Break (in a couple of weeks).
Here are my thoughts on the SCAHMS 2004 show ...
Simply stated, it was a very fun weekend. The entire club as a whole, and in particular the show staff, should be proud of their 20th. Anniversary show. Even though the vendor area was smaller than last year, the exhibition area was well stocked with excellent pieces on display. Lighting was also very good just about all over the exhibition area. Even though I didn't attend Mike Blank's seminar on the making of his Tannenberg diorama, I hear it was very informative and nicely done.
Best of Show went to Mike Blank for his Tannenberg diorama (as well as this year's SCAHMS Master award). However, it was announced that there were four other pieces in the running for this award. These included:
Young Won's "Area Neutralized." This was a 1/35 vignette of what appeared to be either US Navy SEAL's or US Army Green Beret's (I don't remember exactly which one) charging through dense vegetation while firing from the hip. The amount of detail was superb, including the dead VC, the scared chicken, and the soldiers' dogtags bouncing in the air.
John Rosengrant's and Jim Sullivan's "Tiger Vori." This was a heavily converted 1/16 Tiger tank by Tamiya, upon which were all of S&T's latest WWII German infantrymen (the tank riders and crew, as well as the standing rifleman). The amount of detail put into such a large-scale model was really something to see.
Diego Ruina's "Through Blood and Fire." This was a 54mm dio of a French Napoleonic artillery crew defending their ordnance from the enemy, whilst stuck in the snow. No matter from which angle you saw it, the dio told a story.
Mike McFadden's shadow box whose title I don't remember. This one depicted a pair of Waffen SS troopers getting ready to blast a US M4 Sherman down the road. What you see is the view from behind the Germans looking out the doorway and down the street. Along each side you see burnt out buildings (there was even a "fire" flickering in one of the rooms) with US infantry coming up the road, with the Sherman rounding the corner at the end of the street. This cleverly employed a "forced perspective" by having the Germans in 120mm, the US infantrymen in 54mm and 1/35, and the tank in 1/35 (I do remember this one getting "the Great Crusade" award for best WWII figure or display).
Among the pieces that stick out of my mind are: Bill Dunkle's Kamikaze pilot bust; Dan Ketelhut's version of Pegaso's 200mm "Fire" figure; Tim Flagstad's Landsknecht (the one that appeared in his article for HM magazine); Carson Van Osten's Mountain man (a helluva painter!); Steve Durling's version of Pilipilo's 120mm Mountain Man (I still say it looks too much like Willie Nelson
); Shawn Warcot's Amazon warriors dio; Matt Wellhouser's "Tour de France 1943"; Roger Claep's Cromwell bust; John Boisson's "Frigidus"; Doug Conte's "Guido"; Bob Tavis' "Taxi de la Marne"; Randy Myers' "Officer 24th. Foot"; Mike Good's bronze busts of jazz musicians (yes, you read right - bronze); Doug Cohen's 75mm "Cheyenne Agency Policeman;" Penny Myer's flats; Barry King's "Capt. Mahues"; Dave Hoffman's version of Pegaso's 90mm Ashigaru; Dan Tisoncik's WWII Germans in winter.
Still, the two displays that really stood out in my mind were Bill Horan's baseball players (particularly his "Caught off Third." A really fun piece to look at), as well as Alan & Marion's entire display.
For me, none of this was the highlight - it was the chance to catch up with friends and make new ones. It was great to see Alan & Marion again. I also learned that Bob Tavis is one hell of a guy (in a very good way) to get going in a discussion
Getting John Boisson's perspective on the recent grocery workers' strike was interesting. It was a real pleasure meeting Mike Saggs, Cal Kanchanapoom, and especially Diego Ruina - who I have a feeling is right now buying a pool table and perfecting his skills in order to come back and get even with Mr. Dunkle
I've been told that, as of last week, next year's SCAHMS show will be a 1-day event (due to World Expo). However, this should not detract anybody from coming out. It is a good show, a lot of fun, and organized by a great staff. Thanks for all the fun, guys!
