The Ship Model Forum

Game on! Join us for a 2-day celebration of scale modeling at its finest. On April 30 and May 1, hundreds of modelers bearing hundreds of models will converge in a WWII-themed aircraft hanger at historic Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY – former home of the “Thunderbolt factory”. Save these dates to attend Noreastcon 2010, Long Island’s first return engagement of the IPMS Region 1 hobby show in 25 years. We hope you’ll join us and compete!

The Long Island Scale Model Society has been working overtime and in close cooperation with the American Airpower Museum to ensure a truly memorable event. This extended tour of tarmac and model display bays will put many a scale hobbyist’s creation in the same picture frame as its life-sized steel inspiration. Between walkarounds and photo station stops, you can take in period music, multi-media seminars, children's Make 'n Takes, raffles, re-enactors in uniform and a walk-up airport tower tour. Those preferring bargain-basement styrene shopping can spend time at any one of 60 packed vendor tables our 20 registered vendors will have ready and waiting for you. Pray for sun, because weather permitting, you’ll also be treated to roaring flybys, drive-in historic military vehicles displays and chances to hop an air or taxiway rental ride in a WACO bi-plane or C-47.

We expect stiff competition from great modelers in the 67+ contest categories. First, second and third place plaques will be awarded across air, land, sea and space-based modeling worlds. Closing ceremonies follow the hearty buffet in a nearby venue featuring its own static squadron of winged war machines, big band sounds and great view of the active runway -- the 56th Fighter Group Restaurant.

Gates will open at 10am on April 30th and 9am on May 1st and close at 5:30. Admission is just $14 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children, including museum admission for both show days. Contestants pay $30 or $22 with an IPMS membership card (available for purchase in cash at the gate). There will be donation stations for those who wish to show support for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by dropping off an old kit or shippable care package. Let’s show them how much we care!

If you’re coming from out-of-town, or just don’t want to go home, we’ve locked in a discount rate at the new Marriott Townplace Suites, conveniently located adjacent to the airport and restaurant. The hotel will provide complementary shuttle service to the museum or Farmingdale LIRR train station for guests. Nearby attractions like the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island Children’s Museum, Roosevelt Field Mall, Adventureland Amusement Park and beaches ensure fun and diversions for the whole family. Bring ‘em along!

You can book a room, grab a descriptive flyer, find contact information and download fillable registration forms for attendance or contest registration from our web site at http://lisms.org. Just click the Noreastcon 2010 link when you get there.

Enough said. Get building and start saving! This is one show we don’t think you’ll want to miss!

SOME FINAL WEEK ANNOUNCEMENTS

The big moment we've all been waiting for is upon us, and all's in readiness. Less than a week to go before the hanger doors open on Noreastcon 2010. Hope all you builders out there who plan to attend are at least down to stretching aerials or applying final pastels, decals and groundwork.

Here's a few last minute updates and details to pass along for planning purposes, and to encourage those still on the fence to come on down.

1. We filled our quota of discount vendors, even squeezed in a couple tables we didn't know we had room for. Clear your trunks to take home a few bargains.

2. As a convenience, there will be a 5 minute parking area set up in front of the museum for contest participants to quickly drop off and pick up passengers and their exhibition pieces. By all means use it, but keep it clear as a courtesy for everyone else. Staging tables will be found just indoors.

3. Feel adventurous and have some extra spending money? Weather permitting, the Airpower Museum will make same day flights in an AT-6 or WACO biplane available for flight experiences. Cost will be $250 for the bipe and $300 for the Texan.

4. Some interesting guests will be on hand. Ken Badger of Badger airbrush fame himself will be conducting an informative spray seminar. P-47 JABO pilot George Sutcliffe, featured in a History Channel "Dogfights" episode will be in residence, and various reenactors in period uniform will be walking around for photo shots. You may have to clear a path outside should some truly vintage automobiles round the hanger while you’re touring displays.

5. We have lots of nice stuff lined up for the raffles. All adult admissions will receive a free ticket for our door prize. Raffle tickets will be sold both days, but please note that drawings will be held Saturday only.

6. A social gathering at the nearby Marriot Hotel is planned for Friday night, April 30. Feel free to drop in and join us after show hours.

7. IPMS, AMPS. LIARS and organized hobby clubs of all types are welcome to display their banners on the hanger walls both show days. After all, this is a regional, we're all going to be there promoting modeling in general, and we certainly have the wall space. Just speak with an LISMS rep on your arrival and we'll carve out a piece of vertical real estate for it.

8. We welcome and encourage veteran's organization members to wear their caps and spend a few moments sharing tales at our heroes table in the contest area with our other guests and show attendees.

9. Guests staying at the Marriott Hotel will be able to take advantage of free shuttle service to the museum.

10. If you'd like to show your support for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, please bring an old model kit or shippable commodity for deposit in our collection boxes. We sent 3 large boxes overseas after last year's RepLIcon show -- thanks to you folk -- and hope we can top the accomplishment.

11. IPMS USA has generously supplied us with a variety of neat Make 'n Take kits for the children's modeling clinic. The more the merrier.

12. We hope your Saturday dinner plans include a seat at the 56th Fighter Group Restaurant awards banquet. This fun, runway-side affair will provide a fitting ambiance for closing out our museum modeling "adventure".

On behalf of all LISMS members, we look forwarding to having you and admiring what you've built. See you April 30 and May 1!

Contest results award collection information for those unable to attend the banquest ceremony have now been posted on http://lisms.org. Congratulations to all winners.