this year, on April 20, armor modelers from around the world began to gather at the Chrown Plaza Hotel in Danbury, Connecticut for the annual international show.  Though the primary purpose of the show is the exhibition of modeler's armor models, this annual gathering is far more than just a model show.

It is a gathering of family and brothers for an annual social event. it is a gathering of choice vendors and demonstrations of new products. It is an education and expansion of the mind as it relates to armor modeling. it is a look at the past history while looking forward. it is a game of chance and the reward of modeling items. it is breaking bread, sharing thoughts and being with friends without borders. in summary, a weekend of srmor modeling fun for all.

I will try to give you a part of the experience of attending and enjoying the weekend.

Thursday, the Setup

The first thing is to get organized and know where youa re going! With the sign post up, we officially staked our claim and we were off and running.  From early on the vendors began arriving and setting up their wares in the vendor room.

As the day wore on the evendor room began to come together. Outside the vendor room was the raffle area. It took the better part of the day to organize and catalog all of the great donations from the vendors, clubs and modelers. For an armor modeler, the raffle table was better than a visit to Las vegas.

The registration and reception area was setup to not only register enrties but to help gret, direct and act as an announcement and news area for the show. Here Matt Toms put the final touches on the setup. Upstairs, the staff were busy setting up the modeling and judging rooms. Mike Roof worked through getting all the category signs on the model displays.

The stage was now set for one of the best AMPS shows in recent years.

Friday and Saturday, the Big show

By the end of the day on Friday the raffle was in full swing. Another great thing about AMPS is the training and seminars. There were eight great seminars during the show including a standing room only by Steve Zaloga. Dave Vickers gave a training class on Diorama and Vignette judging. The classes were great not just for learning and certification but just reinterating modeling principles.

By friday the vendor room demonstrations were attracting a continuous stream of modelers. The vendor room had almost 100 tabls filled with temptation for every modeler's wallet. Friday through Saturday, the vendors did a brisk business.

On Saturday, the AMPS organization presented the Military museum of Southerns New England with a donation as part of the preservation in AMPS.

Back at the show, it was tme to look at the best of the best, which is always a tough choice. With the best of judging about complete, the modelers began to assemble for the closing ceremonies, the end to a long but fun show weekend. Before the awards, it was time for thank yous to all the local nMMA members and AMPS members who were instrumental in the show. There was a long list of medals and then, the special and Best of awards. By the end AMPS ended with crowing of the new AMPS master and Best in Show, Todd Michalak, a very deserving and talented modeler.

With AMPS 2017 begind us, I am off to a new moral high ground, but wisth Dave Koukol all the best for Dayton (Ohio) in 2018.

Rounds Compelte... End of Missin!