Done traveling for a bit! Latin Militaire 2018

[TRM]

Hey guys! If it has seemed like I have not been around too much, well, it was because I haven't been around too much! On the heels of last month's trip to the AMPS International show in Dayton, I hopped a plane to South America and attended the Latin Militaire show in Santiago, Chile. Top make things more crazy than they already were, I banged out painting a 1:1 M60A3 for the USABOT group and celebrated my 23rd anniversary with my wife two days prior to leaving...arrived back on my daughter's 21st birthday and just celebrated my youngest daughter's graduation from high school yesterday! Thankfully I am done with all this stuff until the beginning of August when I head to Phoenix, AZ for the IPMS International show. I was fortunate to be able to share the trip with a good friend of mine, Chris Mrosko...modeler and co-owner of Sabot Publications.

I won't bore you too much with all the pics, as I took around 2000 or so! I have to say, the entire trip to Santiago was fantastic! The people were friendly, the food was amazing, the show was top notch and the country beautiful! I went down a couple days early so I could be able to see some things, the show itself was two days and then day on the back half before flying he 13 hours back! Well worth it in the end...I will be going back!

Day one - This was one of the "free days". Richard Ordenes from K4 picked us up from the airport and got us situated in the hotel. He took us on a little tour downtown Santiago which consisted of a walk around the Presidential palace and some coffee. The day was finished with dinner out with another good friend from down South, Paulo Araya.

Yes, that was a legit coffee house, and yes, that is how all of the waitresses dressed! 

[TRM]

I will try and go through my trip to Chile with a day by day account...easiest way to sort the pics...LOL

Day Two - Chris and I had some time to kill in the morning and had a little walkabout. Checking out some of the shops...and sights. Richard (K4) hooked up with us for a little lunch and then it was off to the show venue, Escuela Miltar. This is a military academy equivalent to West Point here in the US. After checking out the location, we were treated to a private tour of the academy and the museum within. The day was finished off with a little dinner with Paulo!

The bonus package to the tour was Chris and I were given access to the academy PX.  Needless to say we spent quite a bit of money on some things...patches, pins, uniforms and such!    

[Foenetik]

good lord.... I cant believe that pic... that guy is obviously wearing his backpack backwards.

ok jk. was just trying to divert from the fact that I hate coffee but Id totally order all of column A and B just to hang out there.

nice other pics, blah blah etc etc TRM

[TRM]

LOL...I saw a lot of the backwards backpack thing going on! Not sure why it was. The coffee by the way was outstanding! The scenery...better! LOL Hotters of the Coffee world!

[TRM]

Day Three - Day three found Chris and I, along with Paulo heading and hour outside Santiago to Escuela de Caballería Blindada located in San Isidro, Quillota. Back in 1983, Chile combined their Armored and Cavalry divisions into one. This is the Cavarly school that trains their standard Cav units, Mountain divisions and various other units including the Presidential mounted guard. The ranch where the school resides dates back to the early 1700's and the grounds remain closely to how it looked back when it was created. The ranch is filled with gardens. original period architecture and an amazing grounds. There is a beautiful Chapel located on the grounds along with a museum dedicated to the military history of the ranch and Cavalry. On the day we visited, we were fortunate enough to run into some ROTC's from the United States taking part in an exchange program with Chile. We were treated to a tour of the entire facility, a display of Chilean Masters and the elite Black Gaurd. A truly humbling experience to be given the access to Escuela de Caballería Blindada...something we will never forget! Special Thanks to Capt. SIlva, Lt. Mora, Lt. Astete, SMG Zapata and Commandant of Escuela de Caballería Blindada, Lt. Col. Iturriaga

[dierk]

2000 pics, ey? I bet the other 1868 were of the waitress
BTW, the explanation of the 'backpack on the front' mystery is an easy one: worn like that you can get to the contents without having to take it off. Also, pick pockets can't get to it without you noticing.

[Foenetik]

Great pics! What an experience that must be.

[Tobi]

Jun 5, 2018 3:28:04 GMT -5 dierk said:

2000 pics, ey? I bet the other 1868 were of the waitress
BTW, the explanation of the 'backpack on the front' mystery is an easy one: worn like that you can get to the contents without having to take it off. Also, pick pockets can't get to it without you noticing.

The waitresses wear Klingon battle uniforms? I need to catch a plane... 

[TRM]

Dierk...I should have taken more pics of the waitresses! LOL...I figured the backpack thing was for some reason like that...still looks stupid!!

Anthony, It was unbelievable! Already planning a trip back! LOL


Day Four brought us the arrival of an old friend...Alex from Uschi van der Rosten!! We needed to head back to the venue to check on some things before the show and entrants began coming in. We took advantage of a little free time and headed over to the Original Escuela Miltar(1901 - 1958). We were again granted a private tour of the facility and the museum within. Oh, while we were out, why not head back to the Cafe Bombay for some coffee before dinner with all our friends who had began arriving for the show! The restaurant was pretty cool...it was on the top floor and rotated giving a 360 view of the city at night.

[TRM]

Jun 5, 2018 13:35:20 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Jun 5, 2018 3:28:04 GMT -5 dierk said:

2000 pics, ey? I bet the other 1868 were of the waitress
BTW, the explanation of the 'backpack on the front' mystery is an easy one: worn like that you can get to the contents without having to take it off. Also, pick pockets can't get to it without you noticing.

The waitresses wear Klingon battle uniforms? I need to catch a plane... 

LOL...I didn't think about it like that!

[Foenetik]

Jun 5, 2018 13:35:20 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Jun 5, 2018 3:28:04 GMT -5 dierk said:

2000 pics, ey? I bet the other 1868 were of the waitress
BTW, the explanation of the 'backpack on the front' mystery is an easy one: worn like that you can get to the contents without having to take it off. Also, pick pockets can't get to it without you noticing.

The waitresses wear Klingon battle uniforms? I need to catch a plane... 

star trek was literally the furthest thing from my mind when I saw the pics...

[Tobi]

Tony - Greetings from the Nerd front! 

[TRM]

Finally...Day Five brings this thread to the source of the entire trip to Chile, THE MODELS! Some of the vendors were doing their final setup. Andres Castillo Rivas was my Vallejo contact and savoir for the show. Being the show was around 6000 miles form home, the last thing anyone wants to lug around is a pile of paints and junk to do demos. Andres hooked me up!

If you noticed form the last round of pictures, there was a Mowag slipped in there. As part of the show, there were a couple vehicles on display...the Mowag and a little Schwimwagon...and a couple mutts.

There were quite a few models on display, I will post all the pics of the models I took...so I will split this up in a couple posts as well!

[TRM]

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One of the best memories from the show was getting to meet the Director of the Military Academy, Col. German Villarroel Opazo. The Col. had stopped by the show to check things out. Chris and I had the opportunity to speak with him for a while and show him some of the models. Both Chris and I presented him with a couple of gifts we had (just in case something like this would happen). The Col. then left only to return and present us with his personal coin. This was a HUGE honor for us. The day was finished of with some traditional Chilean BBQ at a friends house! A little beer and wine...some grilled meat...life is good!!

[afvfan]

Great round-up and pics, T. Looks like a thoroughly fun trip all the way around. I was thrown by all the heavy cloths in the final few pics, until I remembered where you were.

[TRM]

Jun 6, 2018 9:49:12 GMT -5 afvfan said:

Great round-up and pics, T. Looks like a thoroughly fun trip all the way around. I was thrown by all the heavy cloths in the final few pics, until I remembered where you were.

Thanks Bob! Really great trip! LOL...Chile is heading into winter. The funny thing i the weather was pleasant. I found myself wearing shorts and a t-shirt but the locals were wearing heavy jackets and scarves. Nights were cool, but days were 60's and 70's.

[Leon]

Thanks for sharing all the great pics Todd! Looks like a beautiful country and the model displays look awesome.

[TRM]

Truly amazing place Leon! The model how was top notch. There are some thing we could learn about how the show was presented...venue, awards and what-have-you!


Working closer to finishing this up here...Day six, which was day two of the show, brought some judging to be done...Chris and myself jumped into action. In addition, Chris, Alex and myself all had demos (Master classes as they called them) to work on. Always good fun hanging out with people, answering some questions and showing some stuff we have learned along the way!

Once the judging was done, it was time for the awards! As invited guests to the show, we were all presented with an honorary gold medal from the show and a special award for taking part and helping with the show.

Of course the evening was finished off with a little dinner with some friend...again!

[Foenetik]

When you said "The models" as the source of the trip, I'll admit I was thinking something completely different before I saw the pics.. Ahem.

I'm really glad you shared all those pics. Lots of great work to see!

[Tobi]

So many skilled people having their models on display at this show.
Overwhelming selection of craftsmanship.