Nothing stirs a modeler’s blood like a trip to this plastic Mecca. The convention was held in Virginia Beach, Virginia July 31^st to Aug. 3^rd.  This venue has large halls allowing the entire model display room and the Vendor room to have its own hall. With almost 700 registered entrants and over 1700 models entered this was a very good show. Over 300 tables worth of vendors greeted the modeler in the vendor room. There were so many things to buy that my wallet died a swift but happy death. The model room was a display of absolutely astounding examples of the modeler’s art. From a 1/72 Vought Vindicator with over 800 parts in the engine alone to a wonderful humorous diorama of several police vehicles and officers gathering to investigate a hit and run accident on a box of jelly donuts. (photo)

Besides the models and vendors there were several great tours to go on. One to NAS Oceana to see the F-14s and FA-18s as well as lunch in the Officer’s Club. In downtown Norfolk there is the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. This museum has a wonderful collection of artifacts and models of ships from Jamestown 1603 to modern day. As well as pieces of the USS Monitor and the beloved CSS Virginia from the battle of the Iron Clads during the War of Northern Aggression (Civil War for you Yankees.;) ).

Tied up next to the museum is the Iowa Class Battleship USS Wisconsin. This is truly a mammoth and impressive ship. You can tour the upper decks from stem to stern but no access to the interior is allowed, as she is part of the Inactive Fleet and subject to recall.

Three blocks away is the MacArthur Memorial. This is the final resting place for Gen. and Mrs. MacArthur and is the old Norfolk city hall. This beautiful museum contains many artifacts and mementos of the General’s long and illustrious career. Best of all each of these museums are FREE to the public.

Another tour was over to the Suffolk County airport to the Fighter Factory. This is a working warbird museum and restoration facility. On display and under restoration were the following: F4U Corsair, A-26 Invader, TBM Avenger, Spitfire, Two (2) Hurricanes, AD-1 Skyraider, Polikarpov I-15 (world's only known example), Polikarpov I-16 on skis as well as others. On a tour of their storage hanger substantial remains of several Me-109s were seen. But the highlight of this hanger was seeing the forward half of the fuselage and other remains of a Lavochkin La-5. The Museum is open 9-5 M-F and visitors are welcome.

This was an excellent IPMS/USA Nationals. If you have the chance to go to one, by all means take it. Next year’s Nationals will be in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the following year in Phoenix, Arizona. See you there!!!!