forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => Time to relax => Topic started by: Chris Johnson on October 04, 2015, 05:14:14 AM
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Trackpad (Gary) got this all rolling way back in the Spring when he mentioned the CapCon IPMS show being held on September 26, 2015 in Ottawa, Canada. He planned to enter several models and before long, mgunns (Mark) advised that he and his wife would be driving over from his home in western Wisconsin to see the show. Then Lance and Lindsay advised that they in turn would be flying in from Alberta and Saskatchewan, seeing how Mark and Gary would be there. As I'm only a four hour drive from Ottawa, there was no way that I was going to miss a chance like this to put some faces and voices to the names so I also signed on. Pepperman42 (Steve) told us he was coming too but unfortunately, he was booked at another hotel and we just never managed to hook up with him. Maybe next time Steve!
We all arrived on the afternoon of the 25th at our hotel which was located on the banks of the Rideau (pronounced Ree-Dough) River in Ottawa. Good conversation ensued at dinner and we never left the hotel restaurant/lounge until midnight. This photo was taken early on the 26th. You can't get much more Canadian than a crisp Fall morning with flock of Canadian Geese flying overhead while the steam was rising from the surface of the river.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN1991_zpsmky5xjt4.jpg)
We all went to CapCon together and Lindsay proved to be a real asset as he found a WnW Fokker D.VII kit in the vendor room. I waited (Politely, I might add.) until Lance passed on it, and then I pounced and paid a paltry CDN$70.00 for it. Lance had already found the Flying Machine Press Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One at a bargain price so he was probably just being polite by letting me have a crack at the kit. Here's a shot of the group taken at the opening of the show.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2027_zpsbxgajwbk.jpg)
From the left is Lance, Mark, myself, Gary, and Lindsay.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a large number of WWI aircraft on display, but that seems pretty normal from the shows I've attended as it's but a small facet of the plastic modelling hobby. The following are some of the multi-wing and rigged models that were there.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2046_zpsqd3hqqkf.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2092_zpskmebuoln.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2048_zpstt2k3bwa.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2053_zps3j9yz7ib.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2044_zpsrnjucoyp.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2055_zps89s4am1a.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2043_zpsyod0mbvv.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2042_zps35zoj2jk.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2054_zps9h6w5mw1.jpg)
Here's a shot of Lindsay and Gary. You might wonder why they're smiling so much. I think Lindsay is just tickled pink that he's so much younger than the rest of the group, but as for Gary . . .
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2026_zpshk2drj5e.jpg)
. . . well, it could have something to do with this . . .
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2004_zpskygjmxqu.jpg)
. . . for which he took a well deserved first place award. It's an incredibly detailed and well presented model. Well done Gary!
We left the show mid-morning to attend the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum as Lindsay had arranged a behind-the-scenes tour of the storage hangar where we saw a wide assortment of exhibits undergoing and awaiting restoration, including a D.VII frame, a Pup, Snipe, Spad, and many more that I don't have the names for. If you other fellows are reading this, jump in and add to the list.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2074_zpsxxcujppk.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2071_zpseuotdc4o.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2070_zpsykcraskv.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2061_zpswv8bx3h5.jpg)
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2089_zpsafpbmznt.jpg)
Also on hand at the museum is an F-18 cockpit; Lance's office not too many years ago. From my understanding, I'm now fully checked out to fly this bad boy. Or am I dreaming again? ;D
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2090_zpsuovdma8u.jpg)
Another group shot in front of one of the few surviving parts of the Avro Arrow project.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2072_zpsr2lpxfzj.jpg)
Here's a shot of the Marine Corps who just discovered that you can buy Cuban cigars here in Canada.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2056_zpsbdx1cn1w.jpg)
After another excellent meal at the hotel that lasted until well after midnight, it was off to the Canadian War Museum on our last day together. The following is a piece of trench art made by some unknown Canadian soldier from a cartridge case and brass shell case. It looks like a German type to me, and I thought it was pretty neat.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2108_zps5bwszf96.jpg)
I think the highlight of the museum for our group was the opportunity to see Barker's Snipe fuselage up close and personal. It's an incredible feeling to reach out and touch a piece of history like this. For Lance, our retired RCAF fighter pilot, I'm sure it was a moving experience.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2129_zpsq9tnctk7.jpg)
The exhibit next to Barker's Snipe is a collection of Billy Bishop artifacts including his windscreen, medals, blue tipped propeller, and blue spinner. Again; pretty incredible stuff.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2133_zpshojewxh1.jpg)
So that was our two day event and I for one had the time of my life with these fellows. I hope we can all do it again. Maybe in two years at the next CapCon and maybe we could even add a face or two more to the group.
(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/CapCon%202015%2026Sep15/DSCN2111_zps5vyqejg9.jpg)
Cheers,
Chris
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Excellent. Looks like loads of fun. Any forumites going to the Tank Museum model show at Bovington next Saturday? I'll be at the Romsey Modelerrs table.
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Outstanding presentation Chris:
I echo the sentiment as I too had the time of life. Looking forward to 2017!
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Thanks heaps Chris for giving us an insight to the wonderful weekend you guys had, it is great to see a bunch of the forum members all getting together and having an excellent time. Thanks also for the photos of the models at the show and the aircraft at the museum, nothing is more pleasing than getting up close and actually touching original WW1 aircraft, I'm sure that the five of you will have life long memories of the weekend.
Des.
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Tis lovely seeing all you guys together. Looks like you all had a fab time.
8) ;) :)
vB
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Little did I know just how this would all play out when I made a passing remark in February about CapCon 2015 (Capital Competition) in September! But one thing led to another and, just like Topsy, it growed. Hotel location, routes to Ottawa, Where the heck is the Nepean Sportsplex, passports, museums, GPS settings and dozens other topics flowed through our Forum posts and email traffic for months. We never did hit a local hobby shop because of the excellent display of builds in the model room (516 for a one-day show) and some first rate deals in the vendor's room. Plus, a chance to get up close and personal with the Canadian War Museum and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum took the lead in our priorities.
You may remember the WNW model I built a few years ago of the Junkers J.1 that was stored in one of the buildings in CASM. I couldn't get a high enough ladder to confirm the disruptive pattern on the left wing section. Well, guess what's parked right out on the main floor of the museum now? Lindsay took several images of the left wing from the second level walkway, so in all likelihood I'll eventually repaint the model wing in a more accurate pattern. You just can't get ahead of this hobby! ;)
Good friends, good weather, and an excellent show (thanks IPMS Ottawa!) equals a first rate weekend that we hope will be repeated as many times as is possible. Chris, Mark and Claire, Lance and Lindsay: it was a great weekend and I am extremely happy to have met all of you in such excellent surroundings! ;D
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Chris,
I envy you guys being able to get together and have such a great time! Thanks for posting and giving such a terrific narrative!
RAGIII
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Chris,
I am sure that you are checked out to fly the F-18....... the cockpit that is. Adding wings, fuselage and and engine voids the warranty on your flight certificate big time! :o ;) ::) :P :-[
Looks like a great time was had by all..... Looking forward to the stories from the next CapCon.
Bob :o
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looks like a great time. it would be amazing if all of us many of us could afford to meet at one event per year worldwide. the telford show would be a great choice. if i were rich enuff i would buy everyone who wanted a plane ticket
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Wah. You guys stay up too late and get up too early. Sorry I missed the gang. I got there as soon as possible. I have the $130 speeding ticket to prove it!! It was a great show all the same!!
Steve
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Thanks, Chris, for putting this all together and for the photos. A truly memorable experience from start to finish and the great company made it more so. The opportunity to "touch the wood and wire" on Barker's Snipe was truly a highlight as was the hands on opportunity with the authentic DVII survivor. The former a deeply moving experience and the latter a real education. All of that was enhanced by meeting four fellow members and cementing friendships built over several years of correspondence both on and off of this Forum. Hopefully we can do it again in future and others here will have a similar opportunity.
Not mentioned were the successes enjoyed by Chris and Gary who entered models in the Contest, 5 Gold Medals between the two of them and well deserved!
Thanks to Des and the Forum; without them this would not have happened. :)
Cheers,
Lance
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Sorry Chris, late to the party, but thought I'd add a few thoughts and photos. What a great experience that weekend was. It was made, first and foremost, an incredible weekend courtesy of the company of a group of guys that, but for Des' great forum, I'd never have the pleasure of meeting. I'm richer for having met Chris, Gary, Lance, and Mark. The stories these guys told will fill my bucket for a long time to come.
And then there were the museum experiences. You've already heard about the experience of the laying of the hands on Barker's Snipe. A very powerful experience. The Aviation and Space Museum was no less incredible. Not only did we have access to the restricted hangar, our guide let us run around like fat kids in the Wonka factory. It was amazing. Sticking our heads in Mosquito cockpits, Liberator bomb bays, and running your fingers over filled rivets on a Mustang. Very cool.
Of course the star of the show was the DVII. The last Fokker-built DVII to roll off the Fokker factory floor.
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1178_zpsruydepep.jpg)
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1173_zpshibvhvql.jpg)
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1175_zpszg2fdmtb.jpg)
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1176_zps5qlquqsi.jpg)
For me what really hit home was looking at the welds that some guy with a rod and a torch almost 100 years ago produced. Now that's craftsmanship.
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1177_zpsbkwr6ilz.jpg)
And then of course there was a scantily clad BE2c(?). Don't know the Mk. Our guide knew we were reverential guests and treated us like adults. We could touch, as long as we were gentle about it.
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1167_zpsseslm2ag.jpg)
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1156_zps5qhe7sjd.jpg)
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1162_zpsyepkuspk.jpg)
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1158_zpsutj6dksv.jpg)
And man, I had no idea that Spads were that tiny!
(http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w451/lkt939/CapCon%202015/DSC_1146_zpsoombsqmq.jpg)
There were so many times I found myself saying "that was worth the trip." Such a great experience. Without hesitation, though, it was the story sessions over a beer that were the highlight for me. Great friends, and a great time.
Lindsay
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Thanks Lindsay for the additional photos, I hope that many more forum members can get together and enjoy a weekend as you did.
Des.
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Nice shots Lindsay! Did you happen to take any of the Junkers and AEG in the main display area? I neglected both of them.
Cheers,
Chris
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Sounds like a great time. Nice shots of the Fokker Lindsay -- some useful stuff there :)
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"Without hesitation, though, it was the story sessions over a beer that were the highlight for me. Great friends, and a great time."
Lots of conversational highlights for Lindsay, I'd say. Mark got him up to speed on Marine Corps lore. Then Lance and I got him qualified as a Forward Air Controller (calling in fighter ground attacks while marking the target with artillery). Then I further qualified him as a Centurion tank gunner, followed by Chris who discussed the finer points of police work. Then Lindsay qualified us all as "Soil Physicists!"
Good friends, good food, good fun, all overlaid with a very generous helping of "model mania." What a weekend! ;D
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Just catching up here.
I have to say this is all quite heart warming and a fine, story telling bunch of posts. Good for you gents for making this rendezvous happen. And hearty "Well Dones" to you medal winners among the bunch. You make us all proud!
Google says it's only a 7 hour drive from NYC to Ottawa...so who knows about the next one???
Cheers,
Michael
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"Google says it's only a 7 hour drive from NYC to Ottawa...so who knows about the next one???"
Now, wouldn't that be grand...............keep that thought, Michael!
Cheers,
Lance
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not so far from my place in the UP either...
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What's the 'UP' Bo?
Cheers,
Chris
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"not so far from my place in the UP either..."
I like the inference Bo; good grief, CapCon Ottawa could become the "Nats of the North" at this rate! We five were truly awe struck when we pulled it off, can you imagine a larger group getting together?! :o 8) :)
Cheers,
Lance
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I'm just a dude from California, but isn't the "UP" the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?
George
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My wife and I , God Bless her; drove from Western Wisconsin, through the UP, Upper Peninsula, to Sault St. Marie Canada in a day. So it can be done.
I did get a picture of the J-1, not the best but the J-1 none the less:
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/ptbarnum101/DSC01954.jpg) (http://s942.photobucket.com/user/ptbarnum101/media/DSC01954.jpg.html)
I also got the engine of the AEG, but; I must have moved, (obviously) as the picture is blurred, but; you can make out some details.
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/ptbarnum101/DSC01955.jpg) (http://s942.photobucket.com/user/ptbarnum101/media/DSC01955.jpg.html)
This was truly an outstanding trip.
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What's the 'UP' Bo?
Cheers,
Chris
our
Sorry Chris, yes, the UP = the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; Mary & I have our hideaway on Lake Superior up there. The Soo (aka Sault. St Marie) is about a two hour drive from our place.
How about organizing a get together @ Knowlton next summer? Not at all far from Montreal, which is an amazing city.
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How about organizing a get together @ Knowlton next summer? Not at all far from Montreal, which is an amazing city.
I'll have to pass on that idea Bo. As far as I know, Knowlton only has the D.VII and not much else that would be of interest to me at least. I'm just not very captivated by the D.VII. CapCon on the other hand, was a model show with vendors ready and willing to take my money. ;D Being in Ottawa, there is also the Canadian War Museum, Aviation museum, and assorted others to visit to fill in the downtime at the show.
Cheers,
Chris