Post by ClayK on Apr 29, 2012 14:30:12 GMT -5
Thanks for your report, John, you big sloppy joe eating machine!
This was my first ever all armor show that I've attended. I wasn't sure what to expect. I drove up from Indy on Thursday afternoon, and got into Auburn around 7:30. I found the AK table pretty fast and met Iain, Ken, and Rob right away. After a bit of looking around, I found the seminar room and was able to catch most of Adam Wilder's PE soldering demo. The AK boys were busy thrashing getting everything set up and ready for Friday.
After we got booted out of the show we all car pooled up to the next exit and had supper at Aplebee's. Now I'm not too cool to admit that I wasn't going to be in awe of Mig and Adam once I did meet them. They were part of the reason I wanted to go, and I was hoping to meet these two Legends. So we all sit down for dinner....Iain, Kristin, Carlos, Rob, Ken, Charlie Pritchett, me, and of course Mig. And as it shook out, I found myself sitting directly across from Mig. Holy crap.......what am I doing here I thought! LOL But he was great. So down to earth, and about as unassuming as you can get. He was always happy, and in a good mood.
Friday Rob and I got to the show early, and found none of the others there and tons of people ready to buy! LOL Rob had his hands full, but he managed to take care of all the customers until the rest of the crew arrived. Friday was wide open as far as people milling around and buying. The AK table was slammed all day long. The days all run together, but I think it was on Friday when John arrived too. I was glad he came, it gave me someone to hang out with and BS with while the others were busy. And I think Nate showed up on Friday afternoon as well. I didn't enter either. My hope was just to meet all these guys, see how most armor models look on a contest table and do some shopping. And I accomplished all that! I also got to talk to Adam a few times in person and that was really cool after only emailing with him for so long.
The building was huge. One end was an automotive museum, the other end was the military museum, and the middle held the contest/vendor area. As I went through the car side, it was a bit weird because I was the only one in there. I had this huge room(s) all to myself. And it was so quiet. The military museum was really cool as well. And equally as creepy. It was dark in most of it, and dead quiet. Add in lots of mannequins in full German uniforms in complete silence, and it was enough to really weird a guy out! But they have some really cool stuff in there.
After we were again kicked out of the hall on Friday, we hit up Applebee's again,and this time had the whole group plus Big John and Rick Lawler. Rick was another one of those guys that was really cool to meet and talk too. He's really laid back, and is a huge wealth of knowledge. And like the others have said, his dio was amazing.
I ended up taking off around mid day on Saturday, so didn't get a chance to get a shot of myself with Mig like John did, but it was cool to just be around him all weekend and watch him deal with people and work on models. The guy has so much energy and passion for armor modeling it's hard not to catch some of his enthusiasm being around him.
It was also really fun hanging out with Rob of course, and Ken. Even though they were busy, they always made time for me, and answered all my questions.
OK, enough of my novel......here's some of my pics. ;D
Mig prepping his test subject before his demo started. A room packed full of people waiting for him and he was sitting at the AK table all by himself working away. And Rob thinking......" I wouldn't do it like that amigo....." LOL
Getting ready to start the seminar. Iain, and Carlos making sure it all went smoothly.
Iain, Ken, and Rob's back at the booth....
And another one of Carlos' group shots, this time with my camera. Thanks Carlos!
Even though there were a few slow times since I was by myself, I'm still glad I went. There was a lot to take in, but the chance to meet all these guys and spend time with them was priceless. It will probably be a long time before this many big names will all be in the same place again, and I'm glad I was not only there, but got to be right in the middle of all of it! Big thanks to Rob for putting up with me, and Ken and Iain, and Kristin for letting me hang out with them.
Clay
This was my first ever all armor show that I've attended. I wasn't sure what to expect. I drove up from Indy on Thursday afternoon, and got into Auburn around 7:30. I found the AK table pretty fast and met Iain, Ken, and Rob right away. After a bit of looking around, I found the seminar room and was able to catch most of Adam Wilder's PE soldering demo. The AK boys were busy thrashing getting everything set up and ready for Friday.
After we got booted out of the show we all car pooled up to the next exit and had supper at Aplebee's. Now I'm not too cool to admit that I wasn't going to be in awe of Mig and Adam once I did meet them. They were part of the reason I wanted to go, and I was hoping to meet these two Legends. So we all sit down for dinner....Iain, Kristin, Carlos, Rob, Ken, Charlie Pritchett, me, and of course Mig. And as it shook out, I found myself sitting directly across from Mig. Holy crap.......what am I doing here I thought! LOL But he was great. So down to earth, and about as unassuming as you can get. He was always happy, and in a good mood.
Friday Rob and I got to the show early, and found none of the others there and tons of people ready to buy! LOL Rob had his hands full, but he managed to take care of all the customers until the rest of the crew arrived. Friday was wide open as far as people milling around and buying. The AK table was slammed all day long. The days all run together, but I think it was on Friday when John arrived too. I was glad he came, it gave me someone to hang out with and BS with while the others were busy. And I think Nate showed up on Friday afternoon as well. I didn't enter either. My hope was just to meet all these guys, see how most armor models look on a contest table and do some shopping. And I accomplished all that! I also got to talk to Adam a few times in person and that was really cool after only emailing with him for so long.
The building was huge. One end was an automotive museum, the other end was the military museum, and the middle held the contest/vendor area. As I went through the car side, it was a bit weird because I was the only one in there. I had this huge room(s) all to myself. And it was so quiet. The military museum was really cool as well. And equally as creepy. It was dark in most of it, and dead quiet. Add in lots of mannequins in full German uniforms in complete silence, and it was enough to really weird a guy out! But they have some really cool stuff in there.
After we were again kicked out of the hall on Friday, we hit up Applebee's again,and this time had the whole group plus Big John and Rick Lawler. Rick was another one of those guys that was really cool to meet and talk too. He's really laid back, and is a huge wealth of knowledge. And like the others have said, his dio was amazing.
I ended up taking off around mid day on Saturday, so didn't get a chance to get a shot of myself with Mig like John did, but it was cool to just be around him all weekend and watch him deal with people and work on models. The guy has so much energy and passion for armor modeling it's hard not to catch some of his enthusiasm being around him.
It was also really fun hanging out with Rob of course, and Ken. Even though they were busy, they always made time for me, and answered all my questions.
OK, enough of my novel......here's some of my pics. ;D
Mig prepping his test subject before his demo started. A room packed full of people waiting for him and he was sitting at the AK table all by himself working away. And Rob thinking......" I wouldn't do it like that amigo....." LOL
Getting ready to start the seminar. Iain, and Carlos making sure it all went smoothly.
Iain, Ken, and Rob's back at the booth....
And another one of Carlos' group shots, this time with my camera. Thanks Carlos!
Even though there were a few slow times since I was by myself, I'm still glad I went. There was a lot to take in, but the chance to meet all these guys and spend time with them was priceless. It will probably be a long time before this many big names will all be in the same place again, and I'm glad I was not only there, but got to be right in the middle of all of it! Big thanks to Rob for putting up with me, and Ken and Iain, and Kristin for letting me hang out with them.
Clay