Folks,
Wow, what a weekend! I've just got back from the airport after a long weekend in Texas for the Eaglequest show, and I must say I had a completely awesome time. It's true what they say about the Texas welcome, the folks there (and from the rest of the US of course) were extremely gracious and generous (great steaks, cold beer, tequila), and I was made to feel very welcome. The heat though - that was something else - 106f is overwhelming....
So my thanks go to everyone who I met for the first time and to the guys I already know, great to see you all, and a big thanks also goes to Mike McMahon, President of Squadron MMD without whose generosity, the show could not have taken place.
I also want to thank Richard Poulsen from Squadron who let me crash at his place, drink his beer and drive me all over the place! Much appreciated.
Hope to see everyone again next year!
Cheers,
Marcus
TMMI

I am very glad to hear that you had a good time and returned home safely. I don't know if you were here long enough to really change your accent, though. If your friends tell you that you sound more intelligent when you speak, you'll understand. LOL!

It was my hope to attend the event as I live in Ft. Worth, however, I had military drill this weekend. Perhaps next year I will have the opportunity to meet you.

As you mentioned, the heat and heat index made it easy to break a sweat. We will be hosting an Infantry company from one of your TA units here in July and the boys are really looking forward to it. There are a few humps, yomps and tabs scheduled so I am sure that we will have some good stories afterward.

Best regards,

Allen L. Hill

You got a badass hat out of the deal. It was a pleasure meeting you as well. Just listening to Mike's stories made it worth the drive.

MARCUS,

Do you have any Pix to post ??? Sounds Awesome !!! I'm over here on th East Coast... Would love to do that one Day... Hit All th Big ones.
1) A.M.P.S. Nationals
2) I.P.M.S. Nationals
3) EagleQuest
4) Euro-Miltare !!

WOW !!!! What a year that would be !!

ERIK



WHAT DO YOU CALL THE ASSASSINS THAT ACCUSE THE ASSASSIN???

106F is pretty bad, but throw on top of that the 70%-ish humidity that is normal for this time of year in the DFW area and it really sucks. Not much better out here in Abilene (not far enough West to avoid the high humidity). It sounds like you were only graced with one of the Holy Trinity (Chili, Steak/ Barbeque and Meskin food). That should be remedied if you make it out this way again.

Sam Wren
Abilene, República de Texas

Travelled for a fortnight, through the distant sea
But my home Atlantis won't show herself to me
I was turning to go back, when I heard a sound
A giant silver spaceship lifted me from the ground
"Sweet Home Atlantis" - The Dooms U.K. (Art Rock - Denton, TX)

Howdy Marcus, I hope you're rested by now? I'm not! It sure felt good to get back home to 85F in St. Louis! It really was one of the best modeling weekends I've had in quite a while. There were lot's of familiar faces, and I got to meet others for the first time, such as Robert Skipper. Richard was an excellent host, and all of the folks at MMD put on a great show. It seems to me that the atmosphere of the original Mastercon is still very much present at Eaglequest, despite the unfortunate loss of many significant individual personalities over the years. I think this event has a bright future, and would certainly encourage everyone that can to check it out next year.

See you in Ohio...?

Charlie

Howdy Marcus, great to hear that you made it back across the pond safely. Just so you and Charlie know I managed to get the A/C in my demoliton derby Cherokee operating before my 10 hour road march home to New Mexico Sunday morning. It was great to finally meet Robert Skipper, Michael Kirchoff and other modelers that I have communicated with here on ML over the years. And a big salute to Mike McMahon of Squadron for hosting the event again. Lets see, what did my entry fee get me? Hosted bar on Friday evening with chow that included dead pig parts, 40% off shopping at the Squadron Warehouse(mind boggling), full lunch buffet on Saturday and that evening an excellent meal and hosted bar again . . . WOW! And thank you to Richard Poulsen for herding the cats all weekend and keeping Marcus and Charlie out of the pokey. Like Charlie says it is a spirited event and has lots of commeraderie among attendees. I really like that your work is judged by your peers and if you do not have anything entered on the on the tables then no voting for you. Everyone that is butt hurt about "M" Con moving to Tejas and being re-flagged to Eagle Quest needs to get over it and show up next year with their finest styrene junk. And a big TANGO to those zany Floridians Robert, Bill, Greg and Fritz aka "Frodo" from planet Houston too! They did a great job ensuring that traditions of events past are not lost. Had a great time, now back to the work bench . . . gotta git me one of them thar Eagles!
Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Allen - my accent stayed the same old English, but I can see me changing if I were there for any length of time. Love Texas, and the legendary welcome is real.
Robert - great to meet you, would love to spend some more time to get to know you - stay safe on your professional ventures.
Erik - I'll be running a short report in the September TMMI on the show, and a follow-up feature on Squadron itself in another issue.
Sam - Had good steaks, Dos Equis and habanero wings at the Lewisville branch of the 'Twin Peaks' restaurant chain - anybody know this place? OMG those girls are gorgeous, and apparently they serve food there as well....
Charlie - great to see you again my friend, boy you looked a little 'tired' on Sunday morning! 4am is punishing.... Not sure about Ohio, but hoping for Phoenix next year.
Mike - what can I say? You are a one man, walking life-and-soul of any party, plus a heck of a good modeller too. Looking forward to getting you into TMMI in the not too distant future. So sorry about the Jeep, hope you can get a replacement tail light. See you again soon I hope.
Thanks again to everyone at the show, it was very fun and I'm glad I made the 9 hour schlep over the pond...
Cheers!
Marcus
TMMI

http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/

MARCUS,

You can say that again... thanx for th link to th resturant !!! WOW... HOTTIES !!

Also... are you responsible for the recent article on the A.M.P.S. Nationals from Harve de Grace this past April ?? if ya are Thank You very much for including a Picture of our Clubs Display- EVOLUTION of the STUG III IV !! by A.M.P.S.C.V. !! it was cool to see it in print !!!

ERIK



WHAT DO YOU CALL THE ASSASSINS THAT ACCUSE THE ASSASSIN???

you mean, "wrote the article in MMI," that would be me. I thought the Stug display was very cool - sorry the best photo I had of it was when there were still a few blank spots. I haven't actually seen the article yet, but hope it turned out okay.

Cheers,

Scott

Scott Taylor
Thachweave Products
http://thachweave.tripod.com

SCOTT,

Hey there!! yes !! thank you for writing th article !! I been shocked by th response that th display has generated. For all of us in A.M.P.S.C.V. it was a labor of Love !!! And WE thank you for giving US some Face Time in an International Mag!!!

ERIK





WHAT DO YOU CALL THE ASSASSINS THAT ACCUSE THE ASSASSIN???

I've been over this, and over this but since you brought it up, I'll go over it again. For me, the problem isn't that Mastercon...er...EagleQuest moved. The problem is WHERE it moved. In his infinite wisdom, Mike McMahon moved the show from close to the middle of the country, to the extreme south part of the country.

Yes, I would be "butt hurt" after enduring the 17-hour drive to "Tejas." And at close to $3/gal for gas and the extra nights in a motel, my wallet would be sore too.

No, I have nothing to "get over" with Mcon. My problems with EagleQuest are logistical and economical, not sentimental.

Post some show photos - it would be fun to see EagleQuest in full swing.

Matt, I don't quite understand. Where would you have Mike McMahon hold Mastercon? As Squadron is based in Carrollton, doesn't it seem logical that the contest be held somewhere close to there? After all, when VLS hosted the old Mastercon I'm sure they didn't choose St. Louis just because of it happened to be a convenient location for a select few people. I would love to attend the AMPS Nats each and every year, but they choose to localize the event on the east coast, making it near to impossible for me to attend. No biggie, they don't miss me, I don't miss them. I got over it a long time ago. On the occasion the IPMS Nats are centrally located (is Ohio in the geographic center of the US ... I thought Kansas was ?) then I consider going. Otherwise, not so much. I believe the traditions and character of the old Mastercon are still alive and well, and, as I found out a few weekends ago. even modelers from Florida and Arizona will attend, regardless of the venue.

I am sure alot of guys got the sore ass from the fact the show is no longer a 15 minute drive down the road for them. Dang it, that's a shame because they are missing a good contest hosted by first-class folk. However a heckuva lot more modelers are glad Eagle Quest is that much closer for them. It all equals out in the true scheme of things.

Mike

Hi Mike, I just wanted to point out that AMPS has addressed the issue of a localized model convention. In 2006, the show was held at the World War II Military Vehicle Museum, in Hubbard, Ohio. In 2008, the show was held at the World War II Victory Museum in Auburn, Indiana. In 2010, the show will be back at the World War II Victory Museum in Auburn, Indiana. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information about the show please visit http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/conventions/showInfo.aspx?Page=Annouce&ShowID=29

Regards,

Roderick Bell
AMPS 2nd Vice-President, US Midwest Region

I can't believe it, but I am still a little bitter. EagleQuest is a great, fun event. I'm just bent that it's out of range for the foreseeable future. I know business is business and that Mike McMahon has to do what's economically reasonable. I just wish he would've considered what's best for ME.


You're right. There are plenty of other shows within reach. I'll go to those and shut up.

Yes, it does suck that most major shows don't frequent my neck of the woods that often, either. Actually, I would not have attended Eagle Quest this year were it not for Marcus and Charlie Pritchett attending, as well. I am glad I went as I do not plan on missing another ! It was first-class all the way. They treated this hayseed from Kansas like friggin' royalty although the back massages from Richard Poulsen was a little much ! (Just kiddin', don't ya know)
Anywho, one of these days I will make it to AMPS .. when the sun, the moon, my bank account and Amtrak have all their stars in alignment. Until then, I will live vicariously through the experiences of others, as I have most of my sad, adult life !
I will be kicking off my "Send Mike to the Natiionals" campaign in conjunction with several major Internet hobby stores, whereas each time a modeler orders from one of these sites a 25-cent donation can be made with the proceeds going to cover my expenses to Ohio .... think it will work ? Probably not, huh ?

Mike (landlocked in Kansas) Kirchoff