Hi Grant,
I'm in Bothell, just on the other side of Seattle from you. But it looks like your interests tilt toward the larger models, while I'm focused on the almost-little kits in 1/72 scale. (The REALLY little ones are the 1/144 kits from Valom. Even too small for me)
One way or another, perhaps we can meet, with Kevin and others, at the IPMS Seattle Spring Show in Renton on April 23. There are usually some terrific models displayed there, and I doubt my WWI aircraft will be up to snuff by then.
Rick