So, while I am so grateful to have the forum for sharing information with all the great people here, I do feel like a lot is missed by the lack of in-person meetups (I’ve never actually been in the same room with someone else who enjoys building model ships!)…it would be very fun to be able to see people’s work in person, have conversations in real-time, etc. Especially being relatively new, I’m eager to soak up info!
How many have ship clubs in their area? I would love to see if there’s anyone in my area (Seattle-ish, Washington) who would be willing to organize a meeting to share our hobby with each other? I know of a couple of people who have said they’d be interested, but I am hoping to see if we can find ALL the people within driving distance to raise their hands…maybe we could make a day out of it, reserve a space at a local yacht club or something?
Anyway, just figured I’d put a word out there, see if we can generate any interest? I get the feeling many of the member here are out East…
Chime in if you think it sounds good…or if you happen to know of a model ship club around here!
I was disappointed in my local IPMS chapter meetings. A couple of guys just wanted to run their mouths off non-stop each time and I finally got tired of the thing and quit. There were a few nice fellows but we couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
Sort of like some jerks I used to have to put up with, before I retired.
Too bad- I guess I will have to enjoy my work in my solitude.
Well then, having visited my local hobby shop modelers club, and seeing only airplanes, tanks, and fantasy figures being built, I wasn’t inclined to stick around, even tho everyone seemed nice enough. I live in Portland. Seattle is a bit of a trek, but I always enjoy going up there, so … yeah. If you get something organized, let me know. Or PM me and I might be able to help w/ that.
Well, let’s keep it in mind, and if an opportunity comes up to materialize a meeting, we can update this thread. If something works out, I’d be willing to pack up a couple of my ships to share, and I’m sure some restaurant would let us set up some things and hang out for a few hours…
Rob, you’re pretty close already (I live north of Everett in the Marysville/Arlington area)…if you happen to be coming to the mainland some weekend, and if you had the time, we could arrange a meet & greet! I’d love to see one of your Revell 1/96’ers in person!
I’d rather spend my winters in Seattle than Colorado!
Have you tried the IPMS Seattle club meetings yet? I have conflicts with my research, but there are a couple of ship regulars who show up there. We tried having a ship builders BBQ a few years ago and got maybe 6-7 people to show up… there’s a bunch in the area but they’re spread out and getting schedules coordinated is difficult.
I’m one of those (fairly) regulars who build ships and go to the IPMS Seattle meetings. I live in Bothell, just south of Everett and a 15 minute drive from the IPMS Seattle meetings in Seattle. Click on the link that Tracy provided - and come by on Sept 14th. There will probably be a few ship modelers there beside me.
I’m not sure I’ll be back by the 14th, but I’ll try to make it sometime during the winter. I have actually been to one of the meetings in Bellevue, but it was 90% planes. Not that there is anything wrong with that!
It is indeed 90% planes and tanks, maybe more like 98%. Each month, one or two or three people will bring a ship. But we get to talk to people, and I think it works well.
Fred, I’ve known you were in the Seattle area and always wanted to meet you. I look forward to the next time you can make it to the meeting in Bellevue.
If I post dates, someone who finds this thread a year from now may be confused, so it’s just best to check the web site, which has the next two meeting dates posted as well as location, etc.
I guess they meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month, so it’s something to keep in mind for anyone who might be planning a trip to the area sometime. It’s about an hour drive for me. I’ll be sure and post about my experience next month…GM, you should definitely update us if you happen to be coming up this way during a 2nd Saturday…
Anyone else going to try to make it? Rob? Arnie, I know it’s along trip for you, but let us know if you might be in the area sometime!
Yes to all. There’s usually 4-5 tables at the front for people to put stuff on for show and tell. You don’t have to, there’s also people doing limited work (no paint or noxious fumes, etc.) on the regular tables as well, and there’s no pressure to show and tell. Put it there if you want others to look your stuff over. I usually bring in-progress builds because I seldom finish anything Meeting is usually an hour or 90 minutes of open gab, then the official news updates and show and tell. Show & tell varies depending on how many kits show up and how talkative everyone is.
OK…I’ll post here…I have a dozen or more military models along with some ship models that I attempted to sell…but they are not moving…so before I throw them away in the trash…who wants them…?
Meeting is usually an hour or 90 minutes of open gab, then the official news updates and show and tell. Show & tell varies depending on how many kits show up and how talkative everyone is.