Avoiding Model Shows? You’re Missing Out!

We all know the vast majority of scale models sold will never be shown at any contest. Hell, most of them will never be built! That’s hardly a hot take because most people who have built a model have never set foot in a model show. When I got back into the hobby, I certainly had no intention of going to hobby shows. Nope, this hobby was all about unwinding, relaxing, and building something for the sake of building something. What could I possibly get out of going to one of those shows?

I really didn’t see a need to interact with other model builders. I got my tips and techniques from online sources and maybe the occasional magazine. I bought my kits one at a time at a hobby shop. And a contest? Listen, I already knew my results weren’t show-stoppers or magazine-worthy. I didn’t need some nerdy ‘expurt’ telling me so, or otherwise ridiculing my efforts.

This would be right around 2007 for those of you keeping score.

Worst case scenario: you might walk away with some inspiration, a tip or two, and a cheap model kit.

It was my dad’s idea to go to my first scale model show. He saw a sign out in front of the venue and thought I would be interested.

“Yeah, sure. Maybe I can find some tools or some mags.”

Outside of a half-dozen magazines, the vendor room was of little interest to me. Maybe there were deals on kits but my small apartment prevented all forms of accumulation. Before we left, I motioned to the contest room and asked if we could take a look.

It was funny what happened in there. First, I discovered the builds on the tables might have been better than mine, but not other-worldly better. I also found myself taking mental notes of how the builders achieved certain finishes and how I might try those myself. I also ran into someone I thought I knew rather well but not that he built models.

It was that chance encounter that led to my first stash (stuffed onto the shelf in my bedroom closet), my first build night, my first set of model-building friends, and certainly my participation in the next local IPMS contest.

Now, would those things have happened if I had never gone to that first model show? Maybe, maybe not. But I am sure glad things happened the way they did. Fast forward to 2023 and I am still going to my local scale model show, known as CapCon. I still get inspired by all the builds on the tables and still enjoy sharing my built models with my friends. The only thing that has changed over the years is that I now spend less time eyeballing the models on display and I spend considerably more time talking with all of the usual suspects that I have gotten to know over the years.

If you are thinking about going to a show, any show, I say do it. Even if you have absolutely zero interest in the competition, there is still a lot of hobby enjoyment ready to be had. Worst case scenario: you might walk away with some inspiration, a tip or two, and a cheap model kit.

What could be better than that?

I’ve attached a video where I discuss the benefits of attending model contests and yes, even participating in the contest. Included in the video are some of the models that caught my eye at CapCon 2023 as well as some of the great exhibits on display at the Canadian War Museum where the show takes place.

Last thing

I’d really like to know what you think of the video and what you think of shows in general. Why did you go to your first show? Or, if you have never gotten to one, what is holding you back?

It seems there has been far more criticism of IPMS contests this year than in previous years. Especially the US Nationals show that was held in San Marcos this past summer. It’s been many years since I went to Nationals, so I do not have a dog in this race. But the open letters and the responses have been interesting to read, to say the least.

I’m not really sure where I land on these issues. Of course, the issue of a judge picking up models and that of a section judge pulling the old ‘friend-favoring-switcharoo’, go without saying. I’m also sympathetic to the idea that no contest is perfect and contest committees should regularly review their rules. That said, there seems to be little consensus on which rules need to be changed or any wording offered on what the changes should be. I have a suspicion that the issues with the rules boil down to the age-old argument of whether a contest should reward an amazing result or reward the effort that was put into the attempt. But if I am wrong, I’m happy to be educated.

Regardless of how that all plays out, I’ll say this: entering competitions made me a much better modeler. Spending a bit more time on cleaning up the build, making sure all of the bits are properly aligned and that your construction is seamless and solid (what judges look for anyway) will make your models nicer to look at, no matter if you place at a contest or not.